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Tag: Ondo Poll

  • Outcome of Ondo poll, a further endorsement of APC, Tinubu’s administration – Senator Barau

    Outcome of Ondo poll, a further endorsement of APC, Tinubu’s administration – Senator Barau

    Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, has hailed the All Progressives Congress (APC) victory in Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State, describing it as a further endorsement of the ruling party.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the APC as the winner of last Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State after polling 366,781 votes to defeat his major rival and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Agboola Ajayi, who came second with 117,845 votes, while African Democratic Party’s Adeyemi Nejo came third with 4,138.

    Senator Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, commended INEC for upholding the people’s will as expressed by their votes.

    He also applauded the visionary leadership of the national chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, which, according to him, has given the party more cohesion and ultimately led to the party’s victory in this election and other off-circle elections in Imo, Kogi and Edo states.

    “ The victory of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, in Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State is well-deserved. I congratulate the governor-elect, H.E. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and all our supporters on this victory. It is not just a victory for the APC but for our democracy and the people of Ondo State.

    “ This victory is a further endorsement of our great party, the APC, and a reaffirmation of the confidence of the people of the state in the exemplary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

    Senator Barau, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, called on the governor-elect to be magnanimous in victory and urged all those who contested the elections but lost to lend their support in moving Ondo State forward.

  • Ondo poll: Court dismisses suit challenging Akeredolu’s reelection

    Ondo poll: Court dismisses suit challenging Akeredolu’s reelection

    The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed another suit challenging the validity of the emergence of Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the July 20 primary election.

    Delivering a ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo, dismissed the suit filed by Mrs Olajumoke Anifowose, an APC aspirants in the poll.

    Ekwo held that the application was statute barred.

    Akeredolu was declared the winner of the Oct. 11, 2020 governorship election in the state after polling 292, 830 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP, who scored 195, 791 votes.

    NAN reports that on Dec. 16, 2020, a Federal High Court dismissed another suit challenging the validity of the July 20, 2020, primary election which produced Akeredolu as the APC candidate in the October 2020 election in the state.Delivering judgment in that matter, instituted by an APC governorship aspirant in Ondo State, Dr Nath Adojutelegan, Justice Okon Abang held that the case was statute-barred as it was not filed within 14 days of the arising of the cause of action.

    The judge in upholding the notices of preliminary objection filed by Akeredolu and the APC held that from the facts presented by the plaintiff the crux of his grouse was about the use of the indirect mode of the primary election, which he objected.

  • Ondo poll: Police restrict vehicular movement

    Ondo poll: Police restrict vehicular movement

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 11.59 p.m. on Friday, October 9, to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 10 in Ondo State.

    The Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mba, made this known in a press statement on Friday.

    According to him, the order is part of efforts by the Force to ensure effective coordination of public order and safety during the gubernatorial election. ​

    He said this would “prevent political actors and trouble-makers from freely engaging in unpatriotic acts, circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs, movement of political thugs and disruption of the electoral processes”.

    The IGP was quoted as calling on residents of the state to go out in their numbers to exercise their franchise.

    He assured that “adequate security arrangement has been emplaced to secure the public space for the election.”

    Adamu also enjoined the residents “to bear any inconveniences arising from the restriction order as it is part of necessary sacrifices to nurture and sustain democracy in the country”.

    He warned that anybody who engages in snatching of ballot boxes, vote-buying, vote-selling, hate speeches, and any other act capable of compromising the integrity of the electoral process would be brought to book.

  • Ondo poll: Again, US warns Nigerian politicians, reinstates visa ban for violators

    Ondo poll: Again, US warns Nigerian politicians, reinstates visa ban for violators

    The United States of America has again reiterated its commitment to a free, fair and inclusive election in Saturday’s (tomorrow) governorship election in Ondo State.

    The US also extended its commitment to violent free elections to Africa at large.

    Recall that the President Donald Trump led country issued similar warning to politicians in the build up to the Edo governorship election which held September 19.

    In a statement released by the US government and signed by Secretary of State, Michael R. Pompeo, the US said it would watch closely the actions of individuals who interfered in the democratic process and would not hesitate to consider consequences.

    It also stated that Visa restriction would be placed on those responsible for election-related violence.

    Furthermore, the statement explained that elections were not only important in Africa but for defenders of democracy around the world.

    “We believe all sides should participate peacefully in the democratic process. Repression and intimidation have no place in democracies,” it said.

    The US said rights of electorate should be respected during elections as they were pivotal to democracy.

    “The right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression and association were at the heart of a functioning democracy.

    As partners to nations in Africa, the statement explained that US cared about democracy in Africa and would work with international and regional partners.

    Read the US full statement here.

  • [JUST IN] Ondo Poll: Akeredolu, Ajayi, Jegede sign peace pact

    [JUST IN] Ondo Poll: Akeredolu, Ajayi, Jegede sign peace pact

    Candidates participating in Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State have signed a pact to ensure violence-free election and accept outcome of the exercise.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and those of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Akeredolu’s deputy, Agboola Ajayi and thirteen other candidates signed the Accord facilitated by the National Peace Committee.

    The signing was witnessed by National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Yakubu Mahmood; Sultan of Sokoto Abukabar Saa’d; Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Hassan Kukah; former Bishop of Abuja Diocese John Onaiyekan and traditional rulers, among others.

    Details shortly…

  • Ondo poll: ZLP’s Agboola absent as Akeredolu, Jegede, Fasua go head-to-head in governorship debate

    Ondo poll: ZLP’s Agboola absent as Akeredolu, Jegede, Fasua go head-to-head in governorship debate

    Mr Agboola Ajayi, the governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), was absent at the Ondo State governorship debate held on Sunday in Akure.

    The debate, titled “2020 Ondo Governorship Election: Face the Voters” was organised by media organisations, labour unions, civil societies, religious bodies and other critical stakeholders in the state.

    Recall that Agboola, who is the present deputy governor, decamped to ZLP from All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the governorship election.

    Mr Akinwumi Abodunde, the moderator, said that the four political parties were invited for the debate, explaining that only two parties were present at the programme.

    “We invited candidate of APC, PDP, SDP and ZLP for this debate and none of the candidates showed any sign that he will not attend as at one hour to the programme.

    “But only the candidate of APC and SDP – Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Mr Peter Fasua respectively were present at the scheduled time,’’ Abodunde said.

    Meanwhile, Mr Eyitayo Jegede of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) came an hour behind the scheduled time.

    The moderator grilled the three governorship candidates on leadership, economy, agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, election security and insecurity.

    Akeredolu, while responding to the questions, denied the allegation of running a family government, saying that he ran a transparent government.

    The governor said that his wife was not a commissioner, neither did any of his children hold a post in his government.

    Instead, he said that his wife “has been helping the women of Ondo State through the “BRECAN Initiative”.

    “Let anybody that has evidence that anyone of my family is a consultant in the government come out.

    “We will sue anyone that lies against my family,’’ he said.

    He, therefore, called on his supporters to shun any act of violence during the governorship election scheduled to hold on Oct. 10.

    Also, Mr Eyitayo Jegede the PDP candidate, promised to run a transparent government if elected, cautioning his supporters against violence during the polls.

    “There is nothing to be gained by violence which is why I make sure I report to the Police when such happens.

    “This state must have respect for peace and order.

    “I plead with our young men not to go near violence, and our leaders must discourage violence,’’ Jegede said.

    Similarly, Mr Peter Fasua, the SDP candidate urged the youths not to die for any politician in the name of an election.

    “Anybody that dies while perpetrating violence has lost his life for nothing.

    “Please don’t waste your life for anyone during this election period.

    “We, the candidates, are always with our security and are safe.

    “Don’t allow yourselves to be used for violence,’’ Fasua said.

  • Appointing Sanwo-Olu chairman of Ondo APC campaign is asking him to finance poll with Lagos funds – PDP

    Appointing Sanwo-Olu chairman of Ondo APC campaign is asking him to finance poll with Lagos funds – PDP

    The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to appoint Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the chairman of its 104-member campaign council for the Ondo State governorship election is a subtle invitation for the governor to bankroll the election for its candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu who is seeking a second term in office.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports the Governor Mai Mala Buni led Caretaker National Convention Planning Committee of the APC announced Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the chairman of the 104-member campaign for the Ondo poll on Tuesday.

    The PDP however cautioned the governor against spending state funds for the Ondo poll.

    This was contained in a press statement by the Lagos PDP’s spokesperson, Gani Taofik, titled ‘Resist wasting Lagos funds on Ondo” on Wednesday.

    In the statement, the party raised an alarm that there would “most likely be a diversion of Lagos funds into the APC Ondo state governorship contest”.

    It alleged that making Sanwo-Olu the Chairman of APC campaign council for the Ondo election was a way of asking him to finance the election.

    The statement read, “The selection of Sanwoolu as Head of the APC Ondo State Governorship campaign council cannot be for his political experience but because the APC intends to use Lagos funds to run the Ondo elections.

    “The party urge the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance and the Accountant General to prepare for accountability within this period of Edo and Ondo elections.

    “We will invite EFCC and also support the legal protest against this selection targeted at diverting Lagos taxes in the face of colossal infrastructure inadequacies begging for attention in the state.

    “Governor Sanwoolu should show empathy to Lagosians by rejecting the Greek gift selection as head of the APC campaign council, so as to concentrate on his much-touted quest to improve the state development.

    “For the PDP, the state will be further plunged into avoidable debts and infrastructure deficits if the governor delves into such party assignments obviously distractive and prodigal at this time.”

  • Ondo Poll: Akeredolu inaugurates Transition Committee

    Ondo Poll: Akeredolu inaugurates Transition Committee

    Ondo State Governor-elect, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, has inaugurated a 21-member Transition Committee ahead of his inauguration on Feb. 24, 2017.

    The governor-elect also inaugurated two other committees to help chart a course for the incoming administration.

    He said that the transition committee, headed by Dr Funso Kupolokun would “interact with the incumbent government of Ondo State to ensure a seamless transition and effective receipt of detailed handover notes.”

    Akeredolu, also announced the formation of a 158-member Strategic Development and Policy Implementation Committee, headed by Mr Agboola Ajayi.

    He said it was to “develop a detailed sectoral policy and programme document which would be called `A Blueprint to Progress in Ondo State 2017 – 2021′.

    “Its document shall guide government towards effective service delivery and a purposeful tenure.

    “The underlining focus of its assignment is also to guide government to deliver on the popular five cardinal programmes which formed the very kernel of our campaign promises.”

    Akeredolu also constituted another committee with 78 members, chaired by Alhaji Jamiu Ekungba, to plan the inauguration of the incoming administration.

    He said that the incoming government must plan well to ease out of current challenges.

    He identified some of the challenges to include the collapse of industries, unpaid salaries and pension, and high level of unemployment among the youth.

    “Our young people are unemployed and traumatised and are fast losing confidence in themselves and established institutions while families wallow in arrested hope and forlorn aspirations.”

    The governor-elect, therefore, pledged not to fail the people who voted the administration to power.

    “The vision and mission of our administration is to lead a patriotic, highly inspired and competent team to rescue the ship of our state.

    “I intend to help rebuild our economy, resuscitate damaged infrastructure, restore hope and return our state to a free and prosperous land.

    “To ensure that this is done, I believe a clear chart must be made to show us where we want to go and how we intend to get there and to know what we want to do and how we intend to achieve within specific and determined time frame.”

    He urged members of the various committees to use their wealth of experience to assist in meeting set targets.

  • Ondo Poll: It is time to move on, tomorrow is another day – Jegede

    Ondo Poll: It is time to move on, tomorrow is another day – Jegede

     

    The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), has appealed to members of the party in the state to accept his defeat in the spirit of sportsmanship and move on to doing other things to the benefit of the good people of the state.

    Jegede stated this in a Christmas message issued in Akure on Sunday to felicitate with the Christians.

    He said he decided not to challenge the result of the last governorship election won by Chief Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress in order to move on as a statesman despite the glaring conspiracy against his mandate.

    According to him, though the outcome of the election was not expected, he accepted the result in the spirit of sportsmanship and sent his congratulatory message to the winner.

    He said, “We were in the contest neither for self-seeking (motive) nor pettiness, but for service and value. Despite the noted and obvious infractions against our mandate, it is now time to move on. Tomorrow is another day.”

    Jegede expressed appreciation to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, the PDP National leadership under Senator Ahmed Markafi, the Ondo State executive of the party led by Mr. Clement Faboyede, residents of Ondo State, the Nigerian judiciary, religious leaders, opinion molders and the media.

    “I appeal to PDP faithful to remain steadfast as we endure the trying times that may lie ahead. I am confident that we will, in due course, bounce back to reckoning with God and the people on our side,” he said.

    Jegede also charged Christians in the state to see Christmas beyond the annual commemoration and reflect on its lessons of love, sacrifice, sharing and redemption.

    He expressed optimism that the coming year would herald good tidings for the people.

    He said, “We must learn from Christmas the imperative of love, even for adherents of other religions as this is how to promote peace and development.”