TheNewsGuru

Tag: LP

  • Court orders INEC to recognize Bashir as Kano State LP governorship candidate

    Court orders INEC to recognize Bashir as Kano State LP governorship candidate

    A federal high court sitting in Kano has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize and publish Bashir Ishaq Bashir’s name as the Labour Party’s legally nominated candidate for the 2023 Gubernatorial Candidate along with Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi as his running mate.

    Bashir had asked the court to compel INEC to accept and deem the hard copy of Form EC9 (affidavit in support of particulars of persons seeking election to elective offices in Nigeria) as lawful and sufficient to meet the requirements of Section 29 (2) Electoral Act, 2022 as a candidate seeking to contest the 2023 Gubernatorial Elections.

    He asked the court to direct INEC to publish his name forthwith as the valid candidate under the Labour Party for the Kano State Gubernatorial poll scheduled for the forthcoming election on Saturday, March 11.

    The politician averred that since he won the LP primary election for the Governorship on October 20 in Kano after the voluntary withdrawal of the placeholder in the person of Muhammad Raji Abdullahi and had submitted his name to INEC in accordance with the law, the commission could not disqualify him.

    Ruling on the case, Justice M.N Yunusa said Bashir and Auwal fulfilled all the legal requirements prescribed under the constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 and are entitled to all the rights and benefits of their candidature as validly nominated Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidates of the LP in Kano State.

    Yunusa said: “The plaintiff, having fulfilled all the legal requirements prescribed under the constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 to stand for a legislative election, are entitled to all the rights and benefits of their candidature as a validly nominated candidate of the LP for the 2023 Governorship elections.

    “This is notwithstanding the negligent acts of a third party in non-compliance to the Electoral Act, 2022 which adversely affects the plaintiff’s candidacy.”

    The high court judge also ruled that any Gubernatorial election conducted by INEC in Kano State without Bashir’s name being published and included as one of the contestants for the Kano State Gubernatorial poll is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

    INEC was further directed to accept and deem the hard copy of Form EC9 submitted on 20 October to it as lawful and sufficient to meet the requirement of Section 29 (2) of the Electoral Act, 2022 as a candidate.

  • Peter Obi decries spate of insecurity, promises to make Nigeria work

    Peter Obi decries spate of insecurity, promises to make Nigeria work

    Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has lamented over the spate of insecurity, killings and unemployment in the country, promising that he will make Nigeria work.

    According to him, with the help of his Vice-presidential candidate, Ahmed Datti, he will make Nigeria better.

    Obi, while addressing LP supporters at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Osun State, on Saturday, said the parties with structures have caused the common man pain.

    He urged Osun people to support him to defeat Tinubu and PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    In his words: “Nigerians are hungry. Youths have no jobs. It is not safe to travel anywhere in Nigeria today. All these challenges are caused by those who say they have party structure, but these structures have crippled Nigeria. I want me and you to destroy these structures by voting them out next month.”

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Obi served as governor of Anambra from March to November 2006, February to May 2007, and June 2007 to March 2014.

    In May 2022, he became the Labour Party nominee for President of Nigeria in the 2023 presidential election, after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party.

    Obi ran for governor in 2003 as a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, but his main opponent was unlawfully declared victor.

    After three years of legal battles, Obi was declared the winner in 2006 and assumed office in March 2006. He was impeached in November the same year, but his impeachment was overturned and he returned to office in February 2007.

    He was removed after the 2007 Anambra State gubernatorial election, but the judiciary again intervened by ruling that he should be allowed to complete a full four-year term. In 2010, he won re-election to a second term. Obi’s terms were marked by improvements in state finances, education, and healthcare.

  • Don’t vote leaders based on ethnicity, religion – Obi

    Don’t vote leaders based on ethnicity, religion – Obi

    Labour Party, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reiterated the call on Nigerians not to vote for political candidates based on ethnicity or religion.

    Obi made the call during his presidential campaign rally held in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Saturday.

    The former Anambra State governor,  equally urged the electorate to vote out the major political parties, who had been claiming they had political structures to take or retain power.

    He highlighted the challenges facing the country and Nigerians, telling the people to vote out the parties with structures and take back the country from them.

    “Nigerians are hungry, youths have no job.

    “It is not safe to travel anywhere in Nigeria today. All these challenges are caused by those who say they have party structures. But these structures have crippled Nigeria.

    “I want me and you to destroy these structures by voting them out next month.

    “We are going to secure and unite Nigeria. We want Nigeria to be proud of being a Nigerian.

    “We will deliver a secured Nigeria. We don’t want Nigerians to be in the IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp. We don’t want you to be a slave in your own country.

    “We are going to govern this country with fear of God. We will give you jobs. We will change Nigeria from consuming country to producing country.

    “These people kept on bragging that they have structures. Yet, they are not doing anything. They are not producing anything in this state, youths are unemployed, we will change these challenges.” he said.

    He added that he and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, had been successful businessmen before going into public administration, and were therefore positioned  to turn around the economy of the country.

    He also promised to fight corruption and tackle insecurity if voted president of Nigeria.

  • Obasanjo correcting mistakes for endorsing Obi – LP National Vice Chairman

    Obasanjo correcting mistakes for endorsing Obi – LP National Vice Chairman

    The South-South National Vice Chairman of the Labour Party, Felix Reuben has said former President Olusegun Obasanjo endorsed Peter Obi to correct any mistake he has made in the past.

    Reuben made the observation in an interview on Wednesday.

    Reuben also faulted those criticizing Obi for associating with former leaders of the country who they have accused of running the country aground.

    He noted that Obi’s association with Obasanjo will enable him to learn some lessons to equip him for the job ahead.

    He said: “ Today I want to say that Obasanjo is correcting any mistake he had made. He has seen that when he was president there were certain things he couldn’t do.

    “He has seen that Peter Obi can do better than he did and the best thing for him to do as a statesman is to endorse and work for this man.”

    The Labour Party leader called on every other leader including governors to join in endorsing Obi for the future of the country.

  • 2023: LP presidential candidate, Obi consults Ojukwu’s family

    2023: LP presidential candidate, Obi consults Ojukwu’s family

    The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has visited the family of late Igbo leader, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu as part of his ongoing nationwide consultations.

    Obi, former Anambra Governor, was received at the residence of the renowned Igbo leader in Enugu by his widow, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, on Saturday.

    He said it was important for him to visit every leader in the country for their blessing and support, since he needed everybody to clearly understand his good intentions for the nation.

    “For me to do anything, especially as I am going around now, it is necessary that I have to come and meet my leaders and leaders exist in various spheres of life.

    “For me, the most important thing is going around, whether it is a political leader or a religious leader. You plead for their blessings. I need everybody’s blessings.

    “You need everyone to understand you; you must elucidate what you are doing to them and be able to say, ‘I came for this purpose’ and that is why I am here to see the great Ojukwu’s family.”

    “I know with her ( Bianca Ojukwu) own approval and support, comes the approval of Ezeigbo, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, wherever he is praying for us,” he said.

    Obi said that he had met most Igbo leaders and “I am their son”, adding: “So, if you see your son doing well and breaking new grounds, you only have to encourage his effort”.

    “I have met with most of our leaders. I am consulting with all of them,” he added.

    Responding, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu said that among other achievements Obi recorded in Anambra as governor was putting to an end to the era of godfatherism in the state.

    According to her, Obi is one of the most progressive, competent and transparent politician in Nigeria today.

    “What we are moving towards is a very defining and decisive moment in Nigeria’s political history.

    “We are seeing a momentum like we have never seen before in the political landscape of the country.

    “And we are seeing a Nigerian of Igbo extraction who has invaded the socio-cultural and political landscape like a hurricane.

    “Of course, Mr Peter Obi, we know of his capacity, having been the first two term governor in the history of Anambra State,” she said.

    Ojukwu noted that Obi’s emergence and acceptance by Nigerians of all ages and walks of life could be likened to a tsunami.

    “It is not an easy task for him to have achieved what he has; the level of acceptance and recognition almost like a revolution that Nigeria has never seen in its history.

    “I think at the end of the day, what every Nigerian needs is a responsive government. A government that has an affinity with the masses. A leader that the people can trust.

    “So I think many of us are looking forward to this election because it will define whether Nigerians are truly sincere about the change that they so desperately need,” she added.

  • Obi didn’t break any law on appointment of Osuntokun as DG – Lawyer

    Obi didn’t break any law on appointment of Osuntokun as DG – Lawyer

    A Constitutional Lawyer, Mr Kayode Ajulo, says the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, is in order for appointing Mr Akin Osuntokun as the Director General of his Campaign Organisation.

    Ajulo said this while speaking with NAN via telephone in London on Friday against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding his appointment.

    He said the former Managing Director of NAN was a member of the LP and was appointed as Director, South West for Obi Campaign organisation, a position he described as the equivalent to a Deputy DG

    He said Osuntokun’s transition to the DG Campaign organisation was a natural thing following the resignation of Dr Doyin Okupe who was also from South West Nigeria.

    Ajulo said Okupe’s replacement by Osuntokun was in order because they were both from South West, stressing that Osuntokun was a veteran politician who was once the campaign Director for former President Olúsegún Óbasanjo.

    He said Osuntokun was no longer a member of Zenith Labour Party since Aug. 2022, adding that he was only ZLP Senatorial Candidate.

    According to him, no law in Nigeria governs the appointment of DG of any campaign platform in Nigeria, it’s simply a political appointment and what is basically required is trust and competence.

    Mr. Dan Nwanyanwu, the National Chairman and Presidential Candidate, ZLP in a statement, also said the controversy generated by the appointment of Osuntokun was uncalled for.

    According to him, Osuntokun is no longer a member of the party.

    “We hold no grudges because it is his fundamental right to associate and exit from any organization.

  • Doyin Okupe deserves a better exit – LP campaign DG, Osuntokun

    Doyin Okupe deserves a better exit – LP campaign DG, Osuntokun

    The Director-General of the Labour Party presidential campaign council, Prof Akin Osuntokun has said his predecessor, Doyin Okupe deserves a better exit.

    Osuntokun made the statement while featuring on the Channels Television Politics Today programme on Wednesday.

    Recall that a High Court in Abuja had sentenced Okupe to two years imprisonment for breaching the money laundering act.

    Following the judgment, Okupe resigned from his position as the DG of the Labour Party presidential campaign council. In his stead, Osuntokun was appointed.

    “It is a bitter-sweet experience. Bitter in the sense that he had to leave in those circumstances. And, of course, you heard the first judgement that was essentially exculpating the person standing before her (Judge). She said it was an honest mistake; that was the judge, not the lawyer of the defence.

    “Thus, in such circumstances, it is not a good thing. He deserves a better exit than that,” Osuntokun said.

  • Peter Obi can deliver Nigeria from its challenges – Ortom

    Peter Obi can deliver Nigeria from its challenges – Ortom

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has assured Nigerians that the Labour Party(LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi can deliver the nation from its challenges.

    Ortom disclosed this while commending Obi for visiting camps of the Internally Displaced People, IDPs, in the State on Christmas day.

    According to Ortom: “Several presidential candidates have come here, and none of them have chosen to visit those IDPs camps and look at their plight to see how they are doing and give them hope that when they win, they will bring them succour, help, and hope.

    “For you to have chosen to visit the IDPs on a Christmas day that you should be celebrating with your family, for me as a Christian, I say God will bless you and your aspirations. My prayer is that God will bless your aspiration to be the president of this country.

    “Because I have seen capacity, faith, and hope, and I have seen someone who can bring the required equity, justice, and fairness that I have been pursuing since I became governor in 2015. If I were not in PDP, I would have been following you all over the place to canvass and vote for you.

    “But, because I’m in PDP, I’m telling Nigerians that this man can help deliver this country from its challenges.”

  • Poor choice of leadership, Nigeria’s challenge, says Obi

    Poor choice of leadership, Nigeria’s challenge, says Obi

    The LP Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has said that the country’s biggest challenge is basically that of poor choice of leadership.

    He said this during the party’s rally in Calabar on Wednesday.

    Obi, who was received by a large crowd of his supporters at the UJ Esuene Stadium, the venue of the rally, earlier had a town hall meeting with the youths.

    He thereafter paid a courtesy call on the Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Ekpo Abasi-Otu V.

    He said that he would not only secure and unite the country, but ensure that there would be law and order if elected.

    He said his government would ensure that universities in the country functioned effectively, devoid of incessant strikes.

    Obi further spoke on his plan for the development of Cross River.

    According to him, the state has cocoa, we will develop it and ensure we export it.

    “We will also boost the tourism potential of the state because it is the tourism capital of Nigeria.

    “We want to make Nigeria work. You can trust us.

    “Don’t vote for people you cannot trust to turn around the nation,” the presidential hopeful said.

    Also, a chieftain of the party, Prof. Pat Utomi, said a new Nigeria is possible but would start with Nigerians voting the right person in 2023.

    Utomi said the country’s challenges had persisted because the people kept electing leaders that did not care for the citizens.

    He also said that the story could be changed with the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and voting right.

    The National President of the party, Mr Julius Abure, also spoke in a similar vein.

    Abure said that poor choices of leadership contributed largely to Nigeria’s development problem.

    He therefore appealed to Nigerians to make the right choice in 2023 by voting for the party’s candidates at all levels.

    Human Right Activist, Aisha Yusuf, said it was time for the electorate to vote the right persons into power.

    Yusuf said that 2023 election would determine the survival of the country and urged all Nigerians to be part of it.

    “The polling unit is our new protest ground.

    “We will vote, wait to defend our votes and ensure that Obi and his running mate, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, are our leaders in 2023,” she said.

  • Just In: Doyin Okupe resigns as Labour Party Presidential Campaign DG

    Just In: Doyin Okupe resigns as Labour Party Presidential Campaign DG

    Doyin Okupe has resigned his position as the Director General of the campaign organization of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Okupe resigned on Tuesday following his conviction for money laundering.

    In a letter, Doyin Okupe stressed he is stepping aside in order to ensure zero distraction in Peter Obi camp.

    The letter reads: “Dear Peter, You will recall that I briefed you yesterday about my personal travails in seeking justice and clearing my name using the Nigerian Legal System to pursue same.

    “I have invested too much in your campaign to allow my personal travails to become a source of distraction.

    “In the circumstances, I have opted to step aside and plead that you appoint a new Campaign DG who can continue the assignment with zero distractions”.