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Tag: LG

  • #LagosCouncilPolls: Police Arrest 5 with incriminating materials

    The Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Lagos State Police Command on Saturday arrested five men with incriminating materials in Ikeja, as the local government elections got underway.

    The spokesman for the command, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, confirmed the arrest in Lagos.

    Famous-Cole said that the suspects, who claimed to be agents to a political party, were arrested with incriminating materials at 8.30a.m.

    “They have been handed over to the Area F Command, which will send them to the special team for election crimes at the state Criminal Investigation Department for further investigations.”

    Meanwhile, security agencies, including the police, military, Security and Civil Defence Corps and Immigration, have deployed their personnel to strategic locations in different parts of Lagos to ensure peaceful local government elections.

    A senior police officer who sought anonymity on the Funso Williams Avenue in Surulere, where security men put barricades, said that the area command observed that some residents were flouting the restriction order.

    He, however, gave the assurance that those with genuine reasons would be allowed to continue their journey.

    The movement restriction began at 7.00am. It will end at 3.00pm.

    Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission is conducting Chairmanship and Councillorship elections in its 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas.

    Twelve political parties are participating in the election.

    They are: Accord Party (AP), Action Alliance (AA), Alliance for Democracy ( AD ), All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ), Labour Party (LP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The others are United Democratic Party (UDP), United Progressive Party (UPP), Kowa Party (KP), National Action Council (NAC) and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM).

  • #LagosLGpolls: Follow live updates on TheNewsGuru.com

    Follow TheNewsGuru.com for timely updates on activities surrounding the ongoing Local Government elections in Lagos State.

    The election is expected to usher in new chairmen and Councillors in the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas (LCDAS) across the state.

     

    The morning rain led to flooding in some areas as captured in the images below from Surulere.

    9:00 am: As of 9 am, electoral officials were seen setting up for the election in several polling units, one hour after voting was scheduled to start.

    9:02 am: Slow start at GRA Primary School, Adekunle Fajuyi Road, Maryland. Electoral workers are still setting up.

    9:15 am: A gridlock at the Berger end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, worsens leaving many motorists that have hoped to dash in and out of the state ahead of the election stranded. The gridlock which result of a blockade by the police is also preventing journalists expected to cover the election from going about their business.

    9:33 am: Governor Ambode votes at Unit O33, Ward 6, Ogunmodede Ogunmodede Junior and Senior College, Epe.

    9:33 am: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode votes at Unit O33, Ward 6, Ogunmodede Ogunmodede Junior and Senior College, Epe.

    10:00 am As at 10 am accreditation of voters has not commenced at most polling units in Ikoyi.

    Citizens report [Time unverified] : Voting materials are yet to get to ALIMOSHO Area of Lagos despite presence of LASIEC ad-hoc staff

     

    News updates … #LagosLGpolls

    Read: Lagos LG poll: Opposition party agents discover ballot papers inside commercial bus in Agege
    Read: Lagos LG Elections: Ambode votes in Epe, says LASG will ensure peaceful electoral process

    Read:#LagosCouncilPolls: Police Arrest 5 with incriminating materials

  • Lagos LG elections: Results will be declared at collation centres – LASIEC boss

    Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), retired Justice Ayodele Phillips, says Saturday’s councillorship results would be declared at ward collation centres, while results for the chairmanship would be declared at the local government collation centres.

    “The only condition that may warrant the declaration of the results outside of the collation centres is if it is discovered that the environment is not safe,” she said at a news conference in Lagos on Friday.

    “I wish to reiterate that the commission will provide a level playing field for all political parties and their candidates.

    “The commission shall remain committed to its responsibilities of conducting free, fair and credible elections.

    “Nobody, therefore, has any cause to entertain any fear or doubt on the neutrality of the commission as an electoral umpire at the local government level of the state.

    “We are very much aware of our responsibilities as provided for in the relevant enabling laws”, she added.

    Phillips confirmed that LASIEC had already moved all non-sensitive electoral materials to the 20 Local Government Areas and 37Local Council Development Areas.

    Philips reiterated that the restriction of movement from 7am to 3pm was to ensure order and impressive participation in the polls.

    She announced that accreditation of voters and the actual voting would commence simultaneously at 8am.

    The chairman urged residents to vote for candidates of their choice and appealed to candidates and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and shun acts of violence during and after the election.

  • NBA assigns 20 lawyers to monitor Lagos LG election

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Epe Branch, is to assign no fewer than 20 lawyers to monitor the forthcoming local government election in Lagos State.

    According to a statement signed by the Chairman of the association, Mr Sunday Abimbola and the Social Secretary, Mrs Funmilola Adeogun, on Thursday in Lagos, those assigned will monitor the election in Epe.

    The chairman said that the monitoring would assist the state government to achieve its desired peaceful election.

    Abimbola noted that Epe was one of the peaceful areas in the state.

    He said that the association volunteered to monitor the elections to ensure that “the election in Epe is free and fair’’.

    Abimbola said that as legal practitioners, it was their duty to ensure that both the electorate and the candidates kept to the rules and regulations guiding the election.

    “We voluntarily organised and released 20 lawyers to monitor the local government elections.

    “We are urging everybody to be law abiding and maintain peace, in order to allow the good work of His Excellency, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, to continue.

    “Ambode has touched the lives of the people of Lagos State positively and everybody should partner with him to ensure the smooth running of the state,’’ he said.‎

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the local government elections in Lagos state are scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 22. (NAN)

  • Lagos Assembly’s amendment of electoral laws 3 days to LG elections may brew violence – TMG

    Lagos Assembly’s amendment of electoral laws 3 days to LG elections may brew violence – TMG

    Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, has said the decision of the Lagos State House of Assembly to amend and pass sensitive portions of the electoral laws barely three days to the local government elections may brew violence in some parts of the state.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Abiola Akiyode–Afolabi, Chairperson and Sulaimon Arigbagbu, South West Coordinator, TMG on Thursday.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC had fixed Saturday, July 22 for the elections.

    The statement reads in part: “We are also concerned about the speed with which the Lagos State House of Assembly passed an amendment to the Lagos Electoral Law regulating the conduct of election to allow for the substitution of a party candidate before the elections.

    “The new bill allows a political party to withdraw and substitute candidate not later than three (3) days to LASIEC verification. It also states that any candidate can withdraw from contesting not later than three (3) days to the election by personally taking a letter of withdrawal to the State Secretary of the party involved who must also personally take same to LASIEC not later than 12noon, three (3) days to the election.

    “TMG is worried about the implications and dangers such amendment portends on the credibility of the Saturday, 22nd Lagos State Local Government Area (LGA) Council elections as scheduled by LASIEC. Conduct of credible, free, fair and legitimate elections cannot be achieved in this kind of arrangement with an amendment taken place just three days to the election.

    “Furthermore, we are also apprehensive of the implications of the multiplicity of court cases relating to party candidatures giving the fact that the election is just three days away. Such conflicting decisions could cast aspersion on the credibility and legitimacy of the elections.

    “We also express displeasure over the latest pronouncement by the authorities of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LAISEC) regarding its planned accreditation plan and observer’s deployment for the Saturday Local Government Election in Lagos State.

    “Our concern is further heightened by the refusal by LASIEC to deploy Card Reader for the conduct of this coming elections. This is an anti-climax to the widely acknowledged improvement to our Electoral System during the 2015 General Elections.

    “As a flagship organization on election and governance monitoring in Nigeria, TMG is seriously concerned about the plethora of allegations trailing the preparations for the election and the lopsided observer’s deployment plan adopted by LASIEC. TMG urges the commission to reconsider its decision on these issues.

    “We call on LASIEC to ensure highest standard in the conduct and administration of the coming Lagos LG/LCDAs elections, by carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with law, and without fear or favour. We hope that LASIEC is committed to an open, genuine, free and appropriate process that is devoid of any suspicion misgiving in the process leading to the election”.

  • 30,000 policemen, others set for Lagos LG election

    30,000 policemen, others set for Lagos LG election

    In preparation for the Lagos State Local Government, LG elections, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai Owoseni, on Tuesday, announced that 30,000 police personnel and other security agencies would provide security during the July 22 LG poll in the state.

    Owoseni disclosed the figure while briefing newsmen on plans for the election and other activities of the command.

    The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission will on July 22, 2017, conduct election into 20 local government councils and 37 local council development areas of the state.

    The commissioner said that all sister security agencies, including the military, would carry out their constitutional roles during the election.

    “We have identified the black spots in the state where we think we need more men. The police and other security agencies have met and inter-agency’s consultative committee on the election was put in place.

    “All is now set for the election by all security agencies. There will be a capacity building programme for all security agencies to educate them of what is expected of them on the election day.

    “There will be interactive session for political parties’ candidates contesting for them to do an undertaking.

    “We hereby warn all elements planning to foment trouble during the election to have a rethink.

    “All security agencies have vowed to ensure that the election is devoid of violence. We urge all to play the game according to electoral laws.

    “Anyone that dares to foment trouble will have him/herself to blame. They will be made to face the full weight of the law,” Owoseni warned.

    He assured the public that the police would carry out their duties properly, stressing that all unprofessional conduct would be dealt with.

    (NAN)

  • LG Election: Lagos Govt announces restriction of movement

    LG Election: Lagos Govt announces restriction of movement

    The Lagos State Government has announced restriction of vehicular movement on Saturday July 22, in view of the local government elections holding the state.

    The elections will hold across the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the state.

    Mr Steve Ayorinde, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, in a statement on Sunday said that the restriction of movement would be enforced between 8a.m and 2pm.

    He said that the step was to allow for a smooth conduct of the polls and unhindered participation.

    Ayorinde urged residents to be peaceful and orderly on Saturday as they cast their votes in their respective wards for chairmen and councilors who were expected to drive development at the third tier of government.

    He said that the election would bring on board a new set of public officers for the next four years at the local government level.

    According to him, the restriction will allow the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and the security agencies to distribute electoral materials in good time and ensure the sanctity of free and fair electoral process.

    “The police and other security agencies are ready to ensure that the electioneering campaign and the voting on Saturday are conducted smoothly without public disturbance.

    “Every political party, candidates and their supporters, and the general public are hereby assured of safety throughout the period of voting and collation.

    “However, the government solicits the cooperation of voters and the general public by obeying the restriction order and the general electoral rules in order to ensure a peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections,” Ayorinde said.

    LASIEC had last week announced that 12 parties would participate in the July 22 election.

    It listed the parties as: All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Alliance (AA), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party, Kowa Party, National Action Council (NAC), People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), United Democratic Party (UDP) and United Progressive Party (UPP).

    The electoral body had also displayed the list of validated candidates for the election at its headquarters.

     

     

    NAN

     

  • Gov Lalong dissolves LG caretaker committees

    Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau on Thursday dissolved caretaker committees of the 17 local governments of the state.

    Lalong announced the dissolution in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Nanle, noting that it was with immediate effect.

    The governor directed the caretaker committee chairmen to handover to directors of personnel management in their respective councils.

    He said, “the chairmen and management committee members are to immediately hand over the affairs of local governments to directors of personnel management pending further actions in line with the provision of law.”

    The governor constituted the management committees in line with his powers under the edict providing for the establishment and administration of Local Government Councils 2005 (as Amended), subject to ratification of the House of Assembly.

    The tenure of the management committees expired on June 28, 2017.

    The governor appreciated members of the dissolved council management committees for their selfless service in the two years of their stewardship.

    He wished them well in their endeavours and hoped they would be available in future for service when called upon.

     

     

    NAN

  • Ondo State Government denies sacking 600 LG workers

    Ondo State Government denies sacking 600 LG workers

    The Ondo State Government has denies reports in a section of the media that it had sacked 600 local government workers attached to traditional rulers across the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that no fewer than 600 workers attached to traditional rulers in the state were reportedly removed from the payroll of Ondo state government.

    According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Segun Ajiboye, the workers’ names were only removed from the remita, adding that it does not in any way affect the payment of their salaries nor their status as workers on their respective places of assignment.

    He said the 600 workers were adhoc staff integrated into local government service and made full members of staff.

    According to the statement, the government’s decision was informed by the need to make the workers more dedicated to their duties and to be committed to traditional rulers they work for.

    “The present administration led by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, is committed to make welfare of workers its priority.

    “The government does not have any plan to sack workers in the state,” the statement said.

     

  • Lagos council poll: Elect credible grassroots candidates -Adeshile

    Lagos council poll: Elect credible grassroots candidates -Adeshile

    Dare Akogun

    A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikosi-Ketu LCDA of Lagos State, Mr Akinwale Rilwan Adeshile on Friday urged Lagos residents to elect only candidates that were ready to work with the people into office in the July 22 local government election in the state.

    Adeshile a councillorship aspirant, Ward C in the council area, in a chat with our reporter in Lagos states that leaders especially at the grassroots, must be passionate about the plight and welfare of the people.

    The former Supervisory councillor for Chieftaincy and Boundary Affairs contend that the welfare of the people and security remained the primary responsibility of any leader in government.

    “Government at the grassroots must listen to the yearnings and demands of the people and find ways to actualise them.

    “We need to be taking everything back to the drawing board with the people. We need to develop people from the grassroots.

    The most important thing is to make use of the fourth tier of government — the CDCs (Community Development Committees) and CDAs (Community Development Associations).

    The aspirant said that if the people gave him the opportunity to serve as the councilor of Ward C in the council, he would be committed to their needs.

    According to him, no decision affecting communities should be taken without recourse to the people.

    “I have seen the local government in and out, so I know what it is to be a councillor in Ikosi-Ketu Local Council Development area,” he said.

    The aspirant urged party stakeholders to ensure that experienced and capable candidates are fielded in the election.

    The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has fixed July 22 for election into 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the state