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Tag: Ondo 2024

  • Ondo 2024: Peter Obi sends strong message ahead of guber elections

    Ondo 2024: Peter Obi sends strong message ahead of guber elections

    The presidential candidate of the Labour party in the 2023 general elections Peter Obi, has charged the people of Ondo State to elect the candidate who has the required capacity to rebuild the state in the November 16 gubernatorial election.

    The former Anambra state governor, made the appeal while leading the campaign of the LP candidate in the election, Sola Ebiseeni.

    Obi on Monday in Akure, the state capital urged the people to vote for the LP standard bearer if they genuinely desired the progress and development of the state.

    He said, “Ondo electorate should shun vote buying and selling because it is money which they have stolen that they are using to buy them.”

    Obi warned the voters against voting for politicians who only show up every four years to canvas for votes.

    He lamented that what was operating in Nigeria could not be described as democracy but a travesty of the system.

    Obi said: “We know democracy is suffering in Nigeria. We know they have turned democracy into transitional politics. But we still insist that we continue to campaign and tell Nigerians that this is time to start building a new Nigeria.

    “A Nigeria where a child of nobody is somebody, a Nigeria where there will be equal opportunity, a Nigeria where we put people out of poverty, a Nigeria where our children will be in school, where our hospitals will work.

    “We don’t want people to give us money which they have stolen from us and thereafter, they continue to steal more. We want to stop the stealing and start the rebuilding; we want to stop the destroying and start the rebuilding; we want to move this country from consumption to production so we can create jobs. That is why we are here campaigning.”

    Ebiseeni on the other hand expressed confidence that he would win the governorship election, saying LP was the most popular political party in the state.

    “This is a party that the people of Ondo State voted for twice and was in power in this state between 2009 and 2017. Our programmes and policies and projects are everywhere and you know it.

    “Everywhere you go in Ondo State, all the projects you see are in the colour of the dress I am wearing. I am deliberately wearing the orange colour, which is the colour of the Labour Party and the colour you will see in every project.

    “Our presidential candidate is here to give support and to let Nigerians know that the Labour Party is the party to vote for.”

  • Ondo 2024: “I wish you all the best” – Obasanjo tells Aiyedatiwa

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, wished Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State victory in Saturday’s governorship election.

    Aiyedatiwa is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Nov. 16 election. Obasanjo wished the governor well in the election when he paid him a courtesy visit in Akure.

    The former President is in the state ahead of the inauguration of the Ojaja Park in Akure, an estate developed by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

    Obasanjo spoke after the governor pleaded to be excused because of tight campaign schedules.

    “I understand the challenges of this period for you. I remember my campaign in the 1999 election; I covered the entire six states of the South-West in one day.

    “I think we started in Akure, Ondo State, then Ekiti and we got to Lagos around 8:00p.m. This is a crucial part of the process and I wish you all the best,” he said.

    Aiyedatiwa thanked the former President for the visit. He acknowledged his contributions to the development of Nigeria, adding that his achievements as President remained indelible.

    The governor described Obasanjo as a good recurring decimal in the life of the nation.

    Aiyedatiwa said that in spite of his high profile and military background, Obasanjo remained a very humble and humane leader.

  • Ondo 2024: Court declines to disqualify NNPP candidate

    Ondo 2024: Court declines to disqualify NNPP candidate

    An Ondo High Court in Akure on Thursday set aside the suit challenging the candidature of Mr Olugbenga Edema as the flag-bearer of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for the Nov. 16 governorship election in the State.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Oluyemi Osadabay, held that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by a factional candidate of the party, Mr Michael Akintan, and his deputy, Mrs Kemi Fasua.

    They are challenging the emergence of Edema as the candidate of the party.

    Edema , a former lawmaker, emerged as the candidate of the party on June 5, after the former candidate, Mr Oluwatosin Ayeni stepped down for him. He chose Dr Rotimi Adeyemi as his running mate.

    Ayeni was later made the official spokesperson of the candidate and the Director-General of Ondo State NNPP Gubernatorial Campaign Council after his resignation as a candidate.

    However, in an originating summons filed by Akintan,  Fasua, Dr Gilbert  Agbo, and Comrade Oginni Olaposi, members  of the party,questioned  the emergence of Edema as the candidate of NNPP and his running mate.

    In the suit, plaintiffs through their counsel, Mr Monday Mawah sought the court’s judgment on whether, in light of Sections  77 (2) and 77(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, the party was required to submit the register of members to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) no later than 30 days before the party’s primary.

    The primary held on April 26.

    They also asked whether, based on section 77(3), the defendant, whose name did not appear in the submitted register of the party, could  validly claim membership in the party as at the party’s  primary date.

    The claimants were  seeking injunctive and declarative reliefs, including a perpetual injunction to restrain Edema from presenting himself as a member and the candidate of the NNPP in on the state  for the Nov. 16 governorship election.

    But the defendants, through their lawyer, Mr Rotimi Olorunfemi, asked the court to dismiss or strike out the suit for constituting a gross abuse of the court process.

    Olorunfemi said the suit was supposed to be filed at the Federal High Court, being a pre-election matter.

    He stated that the issue of jurisdiction was a matter that would go  to the root and the competence of a court with adjudicatory power on a suit before it.

    “Since the court has no jurisdiction, the case should be dismissed with cost against the claimants,” he said.

    In her judgment, Justice Osadabay struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

    She said since the case fell within the pre-election matter, it was only the Federal High Court that could decide  to entertain the case.

    The judge awarded N100.000 against the claimants.

    Reacting to the judgment, Edema said the judgment had  led to rest the issue of whether he was a member or a candidate of NNPP.

    “We knew a lot of people who are our adversaries were looking forward to dividing us. But thank God, apart from the judgment of this court, we have come together as a party to be one family.

    “So, we are going to walk into this election as one family of NNPP. So, to the glory of God, the people of NNPP should rest assured that their candidate of NNPP is now on the ballot in the eye of the law and squarely.

    “And come Nov. 16,   we will win with the support of the people of NNPP and God,” he said.

    Similarly, Akintan said he was ready to accept Edema as the candidate of the party.

    He said the court had decided the candidate and he would abide by the decision. Edema was also the  Chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC).

  • INEC Chairman opens up on 2 challenges of conducting election in Nigeria

    INEC Chairman opens up on 2 challenges of conducting election in Nigeria

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu has promised improved logistics and result management during the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.

    Yakubu stated this during an assessment tour of the INEC office in Ondo State on the preparation for the governorship election, on Monday in Akure.

    “The commission has received positive reports from our state office in Akure but we decided to come for a readiness assessment. We have learnt a lot of lessons, not only from the last election but also, from previous elections.

    “Basically, there are two challenges; the first one is logistics for election, so that polling units can open promptly on the election day. The second is result management, and my assurance to voters in Ondo State is that they are going to see fast improvement in these two processes,” he said.

    Yakubu said that he was in the state to meet with the stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations, the media, security agencies and the commission’s staff members to assess their readiness.

    “One of the activities we are also going to observe is the mock accreditation of voters which will take place in 16 polling units across six local government areas in the three senatorial zones of the state.

    “We are also going to meet with the stakeholders on Thursday, and the following day, the National Peace Committee will invite all the stakeholders to sign the National Peace Accord,” Yakubu said.

    The INEC chairman, who inaugurated the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) storage facility, said it would replace the containers used for storage of the smart card readers burnt in 2020.

  • Ondo Governorship Election: Labour Party disowns Ebiseni

    Ondo Governorship Election: Labour Party disowns Ebiseni

    The Labour Party has disassociated itself from Chief Olusola Ebiseni, the Secretary-General of  Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, as the party’s candidate in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo.

    Mr Obiora Ifoh National Publicity Secretary, Labour Party, made the clarification in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to him, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi emerged as its flag bearer in the Ondo governorship election after its primaries held in Akure in June.

    He said Ebiseni, who contested for the governorship of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state but lost, was yet to relinquish his membership PDP, neither identified with the Labour Party.

    “Dr Olorunfemi is the candidate of the Labour Party. He emerged after the governorship primaries witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    “His name was subsequently submitted to INEC and was published as the Labour Party’s duly nominated candidate for the Ondo election.

    “INEC has since concluded the nomination processes and one wonders how he emerged without the involvement of INEC and the sponsorship of the Labour Party,” he said.

    He said LP had noted members who were working for Nigeria Labour Congress’s pursuit of the party’s leadership in spite of the affirmation of the Appeal Court of Mr Julius Abure as its chairman.

    He therefore, urged Nigeria Police, Department of the State Security and all other security agencies to apprehend anyone impersonating or being used to fight a proxy battle by way of impersonation.

    “Labour Party is poised to win the Ondo governorship election having fielded a very credible candidate who is a grassroots politician, a prominent Labour leader and a renowned educationist.

    “We think that this unholy alliance between Ebiseni and APC sponsored NLC is geared towards frustrating our expected victory at the polls but we will resist it through every legal means.

    “We are therefore calling on party members in Ondo, particularly Obidient family and the entire electorate to ignore the gang up against the party.

    “Come out en-masse to vote for Dr Olorunfemi of the Labour Party, secure our votes and make sure our votes count.” Ifoh said.

  • INEC releases final voter registers for Edo, Ondo governorship polls

    INEC releases final voter registers for Edo, Ondo governorship polls

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final register of voters for the upcoming Governorship Elections in Edo and Ondo, an official has said.

    The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee in the state, Mr Sam Olumekun, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The statement showed that Edo has 2,629,025, while Ondo has 2,053,061.

    Olumekun stated that the final registers were approved at the meeting of the commission in Abuja.

    He added that the register integrated new voters from the recent Continuous Voter Registration as well as the figures of successful applicants for transfer from other states to the two states.

    According to him, of the 2,629,025 registered voters in Edo, 1,370,061, representing 52.11 per cent were male, while 1,258,964, representing 47.89 per cent, were female.

    He also stated that the youths (18 years to 35 years) accounted for 983,133 (37.4 per cent), followed by 914,806 middle aged (36 to 49) persons.

    He explained that the two age groups constitute 1,897,939, representing 72.2 per cent of the registered voters.

    Olumekun also said that the occupational distribution of the registered voters showed that 868,764 students constitute the majority of voters (33.05 per cent), while 4,199 (0.16 per cent) were Persons with Disability (PWD).

    He further said that the new register represents 4.9 per cent increase over the 2023 General Elections figure of 2,501,081.

    For Ondo, Olumekun said that the state now has 2,053,061 registered voters of which 1,034,006 (50.36 per cent) are male, while 1,034,964 (47.89 per cent ) are female.

    “Youths (18 – 35 years) account for 726,944 (35.41 per cent), followed by 721,982 (35.17 per cent) middle aged (36 – 49) persons.

    “Together, they constitute 1,448,926 (70.57 per cent) of registered voters in the state.

    “In terms of occupation, 694,938 students constitute the majority of voters (33.85 per cent),” he stated.

    He explained that there are 1,782 (0.09 per cent) PWDs.

    “The new register represents a 3.0 per cent increase over the 2023 General Elections figure of 1,191,344,” Olumekun stated.

    He added that the detailed breakdown of the register for each state by Local Government Areas, gender, age, occupation and disability had been uploaded to INEC website and social media platforms for public information.

    Olumekun further stated that in the next few days, INEC would release the timetable for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards in the two states.

  • Ondo 2024: Ajayi didn’t accord me, Mikimo any political relevance – Tofowomo

    Ondo 2024: Ajayi didn’t accord me, Mikimo any political relevance – Tofowomo

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Ondo State, Sen. Nicholas Tofowomo, says the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Mr Agboola Ajayi, did not accord him and former Gov. Olusegun Mimiko any political relevance.

    Tofowomo, who represented Ondo South Senatorial District at the Ninth Assembly, stated this in an interview with NAN on Monday in Okitipupa.

    While Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa is the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the governorship election scheduled for Nov.16, Ajayi is the PDP standard bearer.

    Tofowomo said it was unfortunate that both himself and Mimiko, who was governor of the state between 2009 and 2017, were not given any specific role to play in the preparation for the forthcoming election.

    The former senator said that he called Ajayi and congratulated him immediately he won the PDP governorship ticket to show that he never had anything against him.

    “In the PDP’s electoral committee list, former Gov. Olusegun Mimiko is number 78 while I am number 139 or so.

    “With the list, I can understand that neither the former governor nor me was accorded any political relevance in the selection of members of the team,” he said.

    Consequently, Tofowomo said he could not say categorically who would win the governorship election between Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Ajayi.

    The former lawmaker, who said that he could only talk of what he was sure of, pointing out that since he was not aware of the preparations, he could not boast of PDP winning the election.

    “I can only talk and boast about what I am sure of; that is why I said I am not certain if Aiyedatiwa or Ajayi will win the election. However, I wish both of them good luck.

    “My supporters have been asking me where should they go but I told them to hold on until I will be able to tell them where to go at the appropriate time,” he said.

    The former senator, however, said that he was not planning to defect to any party, stressing that he remained a bona fide member and strong chieftain of PDP.

    Recall that Ajayi and Tofowomo contested the Ondo South Senatorial primary on May 22, 2023, with Ajayi emerging the winner with 78 votes to defeat Tofowomo who scored 74 votes.

    NAN also reports that efforts to get the reaction of Ajayi proved abortive, as calls made to his phone was not going through as at the time of filing this report.

  • Ondo 2024: PDP candidate opens up on priority

    Ondo 2024: PDP candidate opens up on priority

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate for the Nov. 14 Governorship Election in Ondo State, Mr Agboola Ajayi, has promised to make agriculture more attractive in the state, if elected.

    Ajayi made the promise while addressing newsmen at the state Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akure on Wednesday.

    The PDP governorship hopeful, who said the state could feed the entire South-West, if it invested properly in a griculture, accused the current administration of not doing enough to encourage more people to go into farming.

    “There is no single tractor provided for farmers in Ondo State. So, how do you expect mechanised farming to thrive in such state?

    “I believe that Ondo State can feed the entire South-West. My government will encourage massive mechanised farming, farmers will be provided with adequate facilities to aid their businesses,” he said.

    Ajayi, a former deputy governor of the state, said he was in the race because of his vision for the state’s economic transformation and inclusive, sustainable growth.

    The candidate, who was also a former deputy governor during the first term of late Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, promised to tackle the problem of sea incursion in Aiyetoro, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, within his first one year in office.

    The former House of Representatives member said that economic growth is the most powerful instrument for reducing poverty and improving the wellbeing of the people

    He said that as a grassroots politician, he understood what it would require to revive the economy of the state.

    Ajayi also gave assurance that the sports sector would witness a revamp, saying that he would ensure the building of a modern games village in the state, where future champions would be nurtured.

    “I am embarking on a journey that will transform Ondo State totally, a journey that will give us a state to be proud of.

    “We will not give our people fish but we will teach them how to catch fish.

    The former Chairman of Ese-Odo Local Government council said he started politics at a very tender age as a ward chairman, adding that he was sure of victory in the election.

    Earlier, while presenting the PDP candidate, the current Zonal Liaison Desk Officer of the party in the South-West, Mr Eddy Olafeso, described Ajayi as unwavering, tenacious and never giving up.

    “It not about your size or height, it’s’ about what is in your heart.

    “When you’re fearless, you can conquer the world and that’s what Agboola Ajayi represents.

    “We were very open in our primary. Our own congress was not the type written in the space without an election,” he said.

    Olafeso, who said that agriculture remains at the centre of Nigeria’s national identity, added that the APC government, particularly in Ondo State, could hardly be said to have made farming a priority.

  • It’ll be difficult for APC to win Edo, Ondo – PDP

    It’ll be difficult for APC to win Edo, Ondo – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it will be  difficult for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to win the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

    The party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, said this while inaugurating the PDP National Campaign Councils for Edo and Ondo governorship elections, on Thursday in Abuja.

    Damagum said that the manner in which the candidates emerged in the two states was an indication that the party would be victorious in the elections.

    He expressed the party’s confidence to win Edo and Ondo elections, saying it would not allow itself to be robbed of victory in any of the states.

    Damagum said that Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo State had already laid a foundation for the success of the party in the state election.

    “We will not sit down and allow anybody to search, grab, and steal. We will be battle ready for any thief that rears his head to steal our fortune.

    “We have done so well in Edo State. We thank the governor. We are very proud of him. Our records in that state speak volumes.

    “So, to those that think they will take Edo, I want to tell them that it is going to be very difficult for them because we are in a democratic dispensation,” he said.

    Damagum said that Ondo was already for PDP to win, and advised the people of the state to see the forthcoming election as another opportunity for them to change things to work for them.

    “I know it is our high handedness that made us to miss that state. But I am sure most of you people from Ondo have seen the situation on ground.

    “You are now more committed and resolved. You have a brand new candidate, who is so much endowed with wisdom. If I can say, his emergence has a hand of God in it,” he said.

    Damagum tasked the two campaign councils to face the daunting challenge ahead, be fearless and work for the victory of the party.

    “You have to open your eyes, shine your eyes. They will come with all sorts of antics, but this time around, we are ready for them. We will match them,” he said.

    Damagum pledged that the party would give them the needed support to carry out their assignments in the two states.

    Edo campaign council, with 148 members, is chaired by Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, with Governors Sherrif Oborevwori of Delta and Kefas Agbu of Taraba as deputy chairmen.

    Also, the Ondo Campaign Council with 177 members is chaired by Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, with his counterparts – Dauda Lawal of Zamfara and Caleb Muftwang of Plateau as deputy chairmen.

    Speaking on behalf of the campaign councils, Gov. Fintiri assured PDP of the members’ commitment to the assignment.

    He said that the PDP had brighter chances in both states.

    “We are ready for Edo. We will not leave anything to chance. We will leverage on Obaseki’s performance.

    “We have low hanging political fruits in the two states. We should go with all seriousness.

    “PDP has bright chances in the two states. Edo has registered over 2,000 since new registration started,” Fintiri said.

    PDP Chieftain in Edo, Chief Tom Ikimi, also expressed confidence that PDP would win Edo, following the performance of Obaseki.

    Ikimi said that Obaseki had distinguished himself as one of the best governors in the country.

    “He is the first governor to be bold enough to step forward to make a basic salary of N70,000 to every worker,” he said.

    Ikimi added that PDP candidate in Edo, Asue Ighodalo, had the capacity to turn the state around.

    On his part, former National Chairman, South-West of PDP, Dr Eddy Olafeso,  expressed confidence that the story from Ondo would be that of success and victory.

    Olafeso said that the party leaders and stakeholders were united behind the PDP candidate in the state, Agboola Ajayi.

    He said all that was needed at the moment was the total support of the party leaders and elective members.

  • Ondo 2024: I will support Aiyedatiwa despite my grievances – Olusola Oke

    Ondo 2024: I will support Aiyedatiwa despite my grievances – Olusola Oke

    Chief Olusola Oke, an aspirant in the April 20 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ondo State, has promised to support the party’s candidate for the Nov. 16 election, despite his grievances.

    Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State emerged as the candidate of the party in the primary, which had 15 other aspirants.

    Oke, who disclosed this while playing host to Aiyedatiwa on Thursday in Akure, said he decided not to challenge the outcome of the primary in court due to his respect for the party.

    “I will not gain anything if I go to court, win, and the party does not have a candidate, so I will prefer APC to be in power.

    “Especially, when the candidate is my brother from the same ward in Ilaje Local Government, it is better than to have the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Agboola Ajayi, win the election.

    “Alhough, I had planned to contest and win and invite the governor to come and support me, but it did not work out as I planned, because God knows best.

    “You recall that we met twice after the primary, if I wanted to fight, there are several ways to fight.

    “We would have gone to court and we will not have a candidate like the Zamfara case, if my prayers are granted.

    “I am not an emergency politician who will go out to hire crowds, I have aspired to be governor four times,” he said.

    Oke advised the governor not to treat members of the party who did not support him in the primary as outcasts.

    “Call your people to order so that we can win together. Let me remind you that people are not smiling because of our party policies.

    “You promised me in the next government after winning that deserving members will be included,” he said.

    Reacting, Aiyedatiwa, who commended Oke for his stance and support, said “all that transpired was part of the democratic process.”

    According to him, there are no camps in APC in the state, promising to treat all members equally and with equity.

    The governor said Oke had demonstrated “uncommon interest and maturity with his gesture for following up his words with actions.

    “I have not been offended in anyway, even in my ward, some did not support me.

    “If we had that in our family, what about the whole state. What you have done is democratic. I endorse all that was said by you.

    “In any political gathering, there are three interests; personal interest, community interest and party interest. Without your party being in government, you can hardly fulfil the interests.

    “You won’t be an outcast in our party and I thank you for believing in me,” the governor said.

    NAN