TheNewsGuru

Tag: Primary Election

  • APC Primaries: Doris Uboh didn’t win Ika Federal Constituency Election – APC Chieftain

    There has been an uproar in the last week All Progressives Congress, (APC) Primary election held on the 27th of May 2022, having question marks on who won the election for the Ika Federal Constituency.

    Our reporter gathered that the election which was almost marred with violence, ended inconclusively, as Engr. Doris Uboh was alleged of “instigated violence” to stop the election.

    According to eyewitnesses, the election was moving smoothly with her rival, Rtn. Monye Ehiwuogwu Lucky, leading, until the former lawmaker, Engr. Doris Uboh stepped in with thugs to disrupt the election

    Another Ika North East APC Chieftain who pleaded anonymity disclosed that about eleven delegates who were supporters of Rtn. Monye Ehiwuogwu Lucky was prevented from voting which was perceived to have made Rtn. Lucky lost the ekection.

    Disclosing further, another Ika South APC delegate who also pleaded anonymity, confided to our reporter, that, outside the nine delegates who were prevented from voting, there were another five delegates who were also prevented from voting that day of the election

    He insisted that she was fermenting troubles, with the threat that, nobody would go alive if they didn’t do her wish.

    ” what happened that day of the election was unthinkable. She acted self-imposing with the threat that her co contestant may not go alife. We pleaded to allow peace to reign but she refused”

    ” I Am surprised to read on social media that she won and I said how, why? ”

    All efforts made to reach the Former lawmaker, proved abortive, as both calls and SMS sent to her were not responded as at the time of writing this report.

  • 2023: Sen. Ikeyina emerges SDP presidential candidate

    2023: Sen. Ikeyina emerges SDP presidential candidate

    A former Senator representing Anambra Central, Sen. Ebenezer Ikeyina, on Tuesday emerged the factional Presidential candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2023 general elections.

    The Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee, of the faction, Chief Mike Odunrinde, who presided over the election, said that Ikeyina polled 308 votes to emerge winner.

    Odunrinde said that out of the 311 delegates accredited, 308 voted in favour of Ikeyina, two voted against while only one vote was voided.

    The chairman, who also announced that other presidential aspirants stepped down for Ikeyina, said that the election was free and fair, devoid of vote buying.

    “We have organised our convention and you can see that voting is ongoing and no one is buying votes, those politicians buying votes are not coming to promote Nigerians aspiration.

    “We must begin to imbibe attitudinal change and shun money politics if this country must move forward,” he stressed.

    The Acting National Chairman of the party, Chief Supo Shonibare, while addressing the delegates, expressed optimism that the party’s candidates seeking various elective positions would be victorious at all levels during the 2023 general elections.

    Shonibare said that after the National Convention and the final determination of the Court case, the party would have extra-ordinary convention.

    He said this expected to involve members of the factional group, adding that “the SDP leadership is particularly mindful of the fate of our candidates.”

    He gave assurance that some of the Aspirants who emerged as candidates at all levels who are not aware of the ongoing internal crisis would be protected from all forms of jeopardy that may happen in the nearest future.

    He expressed confidence that  the party being led by himself in an active capacity until the next convention, would be victorious.

    “It may not be as quickly as we wanted but I’m assuring you that we will be victorious.

    “It may not be as quickly as we think but we are confident that we will prevail.  And one thing I can assure you is that we will not back-off.

    “We will continue to extend olive branch to the other tendencies who we know were never elected and we are particularly mindful of the fate of our candidates.

    “Because I tried to tell my colleagues that we must appreciate that candidates that have come as SDP candidates many of them may not know the division within the party,” he said.

    The legal Adviser of the party, Mr Obi Okafor, said that the party had done what was expected of it by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

    According to him, INEC stipulates that party should finish primary elections before a stipulated date.

    He added that what the party had done did not go contrary to the court order, urging all factions of the party to maintain status quo.

    Okafor said expressed the belief that no one will lose out anytime the court decided to settle the leadership tussle in the party.

    The Vice Chairman SDP South East, Mr Endurance Philip, said that the current people in SDP were people who believe in labour, respect and integrity, devoid of immoral behaviour.

    According to him, a Nigerian presidential candidate from the southeast is the only answer to the many challenges confronting the country.

    He called on INEC to treat each faction in the party equally.

  • APC presidential primary election: Screening of aspirants gets underway in Abuja

    APC presidential primary election: Screening of aspirants gets underway in Abuja

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced the screening of aspirants ahead of its presidential primary election that has been scheduled for June 6 to 8.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the screening exercise, which is presently taking place at the Transcop Hilton Hotel, Abuja would last for two days.

    A source in the party said its former National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun would lead the seven-man Presidential Screening Committee (PSC).

    No fewer than 25 presidential aspirants are contesting the APC’s presidential ticket for the 2023 election.

    The list of the presidential aspirants includes Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Sen. Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State; Mr Rotimi Amaechi, who was until recently, the Minister of Transportation.

    Others are former Minister of Niger Delta Development, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.

    Former Imo Governor, Sen. Rochas Okorocha and former Ogun Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, Pastor Tunde Bakare; Cross River Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, and his Ebonyi counterpart, Gov. Dave Umahi are also in the race.

    Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Ekiti  Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, former President of the Senate,  Sen. Ken Nnamani, Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi and Jigawa Governor, Mohammed Abubakar are also in the race.

    Others are the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan,  former Zamfara Governor, Sen. Ahmed Yerima, the only APC female aspirant, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohnenye, Pastor Nicholas Nwagbo and a former Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Dimeji Bankole.

  • Primary: How Nwankwo retired Umeh to emerge Anambra APGA Central flag bearer

    Primary: How Nwankwo retired Umeh to emerge Anambra APGA Central flag bearer

    The former national chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh has been floored and stopped in his attempt to go to the Senate, by Hon Dozie Nwankwo.

    Nwankwo who is the incumbent member of the Federal House of Representatives for Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia on the platform of APGA polled 162 votes out of the total 323 votes cast to emerge victorious.

    He consigned Chief Umeh to second position with 151 votes, while Uzuegbunam Okagbue, the former Chief of Protocol to the immediate past Governor Willie Obiano came a diststant third with a paltry 10 votes.

    Declaring Dozie Nwankwo winner, hence duly elected by the APGA delegates, the Returning Officer of the primary election, Barr. Mrs. Elizabeth Nwokocha, described the process as hitch-free.

    Moreover, the primary election was held at the Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka, amid tight security provided by a combined team of security agents.

    A visibly happy and excited Nwankwo in his acceptance after he was declared duly elected dedicated the victory to God Almighty. He commended the party leadership, delegates, and members for their diligent efforts; and having implicit confidence in him as exhibited with their ballots. He also commended his opponents for their spirit of sportsmanship, and therefore appealed to them to join him to ensure a resounding landslide victory in the Feb 2023 general election.

    Below is the graphic presentation of the results as polled by each of the three aspirants in the 7 constituting council areas. Viz:

    Anaocha LGA:
    Umeh —42
    Nwankwo —14
    Okagbue — 0

    Awka North LGA:
    Umeh —23
    Nwankwo — 16
    Okagbue — 2

    Awka South LGA:
    Umeh — 29
    Nwankwo — 28
    Okagbue — 3

    Dunukofia LGA:
    Umeh — 13
    Nwankwo — 25
    Okagbue — 4

    Idemili North LGA:
    Umeh — 26
    Nwankwo — 10
    Okagbue — 0

    Idemili South LGA:
    Umeh — 15
    Nwankwo — 20
    Okagbue — 1

    Njikoka LGA:
    Umeh — 3
    Nwankwo — 49
    Okagbue — 0

    Overall Total for each aspirant:

    Umeh = 151
    Nwankwo = 162
    Uzuegbunam = 10

    Total votes count: 323

  • 2023: Suspended Catholic priest, Hyacinth Alia wins APC guber ticket

    2023: Suspended Catholic priest, Hyacinth Alia wins APC guber ticket

    Suspended Catholic priest, Hyacinth Alia has emerged as the gubernatorial flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Alia emerged as the candidate of the APC for Benue State after polling over 7,000 votes from delegates to clinch the party’s ticket.

    The suspended Catholic priest defeated his closet rivals, former Minister of Justice, Mike Aondoakaa and former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Barnabas Gemade.

    The APC in Benue opted for direct primary to pick its governorship candidate, which means members of the party in the state voted for their preferred choice.

    Alia was suspended by the church after his declaration. He was relieved of his priestly duties temporarily on the grounds of the canon laws of the Catholic church.

    TNG reports Alia had while reacting to his suspension by the Vatican through a letter signed by Most. Rev. William Avenya, the Bishop of Gboko Diocese in Benue, pledged to represent the Church well in his political and personal conduct.

    Alia, suspended to allow him to pursue his political career but will be welcomed back thereafter, owned up that the directive of the Church was in line with the rules, and regulations guiding the conduct of clergymen and laity.

    He pledged not to disappoint the Church, saying that his aim in going into politics was to bring positive change in governance and the lives of the Benue people.

    Alia described his suspension as a normal procedure to enable him to pursue his ambition.

    “I will gladly return to continue ministration after repositioning the leadership quagmire in the state.

    “I will be the arrowhead of positive political symbolism within the confines of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.

    Alia explained that there was nothing wrong with clergymen participating in active politics, as long as the aim was for the common good of the people.

    He said that Benue required purposeful leadership to address the myriads of problems bedevilling it.

    Alia listed some of the problems to include absence of good leadership, underdevelopment, poverty, insecurity, and gradual loss of confidence in government.

    According to him, it is necessary to also reposition the civil service, to function effectively as the engine room of government through which the challenges will be tackled.

    He recalled that Rev. Fr Moses Adasu, who was elected as Benue governor in 1992 when the state needed a new direction for its development, was also suspended, but was recalled after his tenure.

  • 2023: Uneasy calm as PDP’s presidential primary gets underway in Abuja

    There is an uneasy calm in the Velodrome, located inside the M. K. O. Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, the venue of the presidential primary election of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the PDP was forced to hold an emergency meeting after the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) shifted its presidential primary, following INEC’s extension of the deadline for party primaries.

    At the time of filing this report, the accreditation of national delegates for the 2022 PDP National Convention to decide its presidential flag bearer for the 2023 general election has commenced.

    The delegates from different states of the federation are arriving the venue for accreditation, and are being accredited simultaneously state by state using the six geopolitical zones.

    The delegates are being accredited with their means of identification which include driver licence, INEC  Permanent Voter Cards, National Identify Cards on the list on delegates provided by the party.

    As at the time of filing this report, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Kogi, Benue, Niger, Abia, Anambra have finished their accreditation.

    Other states going on with their accreditations are: Adamawa, Sokoto, Nasarawa and Ebonyi

    Oyo, Lagos and Ondo states arere already at the venue waiting for their accreditation.

    Chairman of the PDP Special Convention, Sen. David Mark and Governors of Bayelsa, Duoye Diri, his Delta counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa, with other members of the convention committee, visited various accreditation points to inspect the process.

    The delegates are expected to move in groups to the velodrome area of the stadium, the main venue of the convention after their accreditations.

    The accreditation commenced after the PDP insisted that it must continue with the primary election despite the APC shifting its primary. The PDP insisted the primary must hold as scheduled.

    A statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, on Saturday in Abuja reads: “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to speculations from some strange quarters that it has postponed its 2022 National Convention holding today, Saturday, May 28, 2022

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP states in very clear terms that is has not postponed its 2022 Special National Convention. The 2022 Special National Convention of the PDP is on course as scheduled today, Saturday May 28, 2022 and there is no contemplation whatsoever for postponement”.

    Ologunagba also asserted that the PDP as a party of due process has since commenced processes to elect its Presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections in line with its mission to rescue and rebuild our nation from misrule.

    “Our Party remains focused and will not be distracted by the shenanigans and underhand dealings of the rudderless, deceitful and manipulative All Progressives Congress (APC), which is desperate to orchestrate uncertainties, derail the electoral process and subvert the Will of the people in the 2023 general elections.

    “The PDP 2022 Special National Convention is already on course, our Presidential candidates, national delegates, teeming members of our great Party and Nigerians from across the country are set for the National Convention, which will at the end, credibly and transparently deliver a Presidential candidate who will be the choice of majority of Nigerians in the 2023 general elections.

    “The PDP therefore charges our members, swarming supporters, the International Community, election monitors and the general public to disregard and completely discountenance suggestions that the 2022 Special National Convention has been postponed.

    “The APC is fighting a lost battle as its resort to manipulations and underhand dealings can never sway Nigerians in their determination to vote out the APC in 2023 and commence the rebuilding of our nation on the platform of the PDP,” he added.

    Security beefed up at MKO Abiola Stadium as PDP holds convention

    Meanwhile, there is tight security within and outside the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja,  venue of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention.

    There is a presence of security officers including police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Department of State Security, at different locations around the stadium.

    Accredited delegates, media, party officials and all participants at the convention were seen subjected to screening at different points, starting from the entry gate to the entrance of the velodrome of the stadium, which is the main venue of the convention.

    Security vehicles were also stationed at strategic locations within the premises to forestall possible breakdowns of law and order.

    The presence of medical teams attending to participants of the convention in need of medical attention.

    Access to the stadium is strictly restricted to only participants with tags, while only VIPs and essential vehicles are allowed into the stadium.

    At the time of filing this report, some state delegates are already seated at the venue of the convention.

    Also observed are the 25 voting cubicles, and 14 ballots boxes already set up at the venue.

  • Result document shows Banky W lost the Lagos PDP House of Reps ticket

    There have been controversies as to Olubankole Wellington, better known as Banky W, victory as an election result has surfaced, claiming that Banky W lost and Aiboni Sam was the winner.

     

    Recall that Banky W, who is vying for the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat, was declared the winner after the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primary election on 23rd May.

     

    However, in a recent development, a result document dated 24th May, shows that the singer actually lost.

     

    In the document, Banky W had only 7 votes while Sam had 23 votes.

     

    Take a look at the document below:
    Result

     

    Activist, Deji Adeyanju while sharing the document on Twitter, slammed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the initial plot.

     

    He wrote: “PDP is cursed. Banky W didn’t get the ticket according to their latest evil scheme, all they care about is dollars…Kai, I’m sincerely tired of this country. We are in a serious mess. The generation of our children are in trouble.”

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Banky W said he won the election, noting that the trending result sheet was allegedly maneuvered by his opponent in the primary election (Sam).

     

    In his words: “Hello, please this result is false. We have spoken to almost all the leaders in the PDP. They are all working on it and have asked Banky to remain calm and allow them to sort it out. It appears that Sam allegedly was able to maneuver to get a result sheet in his favour, for an election that Banky Wellington won, which was witnessed by everyone.

     

    “In attendance were officials from the INEC, DSS, former Deputy Governor of Lagos Mama Bucknor, National Delegate Captain Shelle, LGA Chairman Yusuf Arubiewe, the LGA Secretariat and the entire principal and adhoc Delegates from all of our wards.

     

    “In the meantime, we must get every single PDP member and delegate in Eti-Osa and Lagos state to speak up for the truth and for justice and for their mandate that is trying to be stolen from them. This must not stand.

     

    “This is the day of reckoning for the National and state leadership. Gone are the days when someone can ignore the will and desires of the people to impose a candidate on them. It is unfair and wicked. The people of Eti-Osa must speak up now, everywhere. Online on social media, on every whatsapp forum, on every possible phone call.

     

    “The leadership of the PDP must hearken to the voice of the people. It is our mandate and no one can steal it from us. SPEAK UP EVERYONE. STAND UP EVERYWHERE. PUSH BACK. WE WILL WIN IF WE FIGHT THIS TOGETHER. #talkandDo #WeMove #PDP #BetterEtiOsa #BankyIsThePeoplesChoice.”

     

    Reacting to the development, Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie said: “My brother, politics in Nigeria is all about money. 90% of the political parties are set up to make money. They don’t care about the state of the country. That’s why APC sold form for 100m. When I ran for Governor in 2017 my party people nearly fought me because I wasn’t sharing money.”

  • Primary Election: Bandits kill three PDP delegates in Niger state

    About three out of the 13 delegates from Mariga Local government Areas of Niger State have been reportedly killed by bandits.

    The delegates who had showed face for the governorship primaries of the People’s Democartic Party in Niger state were murdered on Wednesday evening.

    It was gathered  that the incident occurred between Mariga and Tegina and the three persons were shot dead on the spot in an ambush laid by the Bandits

    PDP had postponed the primaries after noticing some inadequacies in the delegates list provided by the party, some of the aspirants had protested against using the list,

    They had claimed that the delegates list was doctored.

    Meanwhile, the delegates who already gathered at the venue left for Mariga  but were ambushed by bandits and three of them were killed.

    The victims were two women and a male, whose identities were not revealed.

    The Chairman of the State electoral panel and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State Mr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo who made the disclosure at the state party secretariat described the incident as sad.

    Ewhrudjakpo also asked all the aspirants for the replacement of the three deceased delegates, which they agreed to after a brief discussion.

    He afterwards, ordered a minute of silence be observed for the deceaseds’.

  • Confusion as APC makes slight alteration to primaries timetable

    Confusion as APC makes slight alteration to primaries timetable

    Confusion as All Progressives Congress on Tuesday when the National Working Committee (NWC) released yet another revised timetable and schedule of activities for the Governorship, State House of Assembly, Senate, and House of Representatives Primary Elections.

    The new schedule, which comes a day after the party adjusted the old timetable, had a slight alteration in the dates.

    Unlike in the previous schedule of activities, the primary for the 340 senatorial aspirants that was slated for Friday, May 27 would now hold on Saturday, May 28.

    On the other hand, the primary for the House of Representatives aspirants, earlier scheduled for Saturday, May 28 has been shifted back to Friday, May 27.

    Accordingly, the date for primaries of the 145 governorship and State House of Assembly aspirants remains the same – Thursday, May 26.

    While apologising for the last-minute adjustment, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, disclosed that “the special convention for the Presidential Primary will be held as scheduled on Sunday, 29th – Monday, 30th of May, 2022.”

  • PDP primaries: I’ll wait as long as it takes – Banky W

    PDP primaries: I’ll wait as long as it takes – Banky W

    Mr Olubankole Wellington, popularly called Banky W, contesting for Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat, says he will patiently wait for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election.

    Wellington gave the assurance in an interview with NAN in Lagos on Sunday.

    He was reacting to delay in the commencement of the primary election.

    He said that he believed that the delay was to enable the party to get everything right.

    “I think that is the reason for the delay; if it takes some more time, there is no problem.

    “As long as it takes, we will be here, we shall stay here till the process is completed,” he said.

    Wellington urged contestants for PDP tickets to accept the will of the delegates.

    He expressed optimism that the election would be held peacefully and orderly.

    “We will all align with whoever has the ticket,” he said.

    “You need two things to win: the grace of God and the will of the people.

    “I am very optimistic that I have both, and at the end of the day, that will be clear for everyone to see, and we can move forward together,” he said.

    Commenting, Mr Egunjobi Segun, contesting for Eti-Osa 1 Constituency in Lagos State House of Assembly, told NAN that the delay was unfortunate.

    He noted that the time given by the party for the election was 8a.m., saying that delegates had yet to arrive as at the time of the report.

    He expressed the hope to win the election but said that the will of the people would prevail.

    Mr Ademola Oyede, also contesting for Eti-Osa Constituency 1, said that logistics involved in mobilising electoral officers and others contributed to the delay in starting the primary election.

    “We also have to put into consideration, Lagos traffic; also, yesterday, there was a downpour in the state.

    “Whenever we start the process, we are confident that chosen contestants will reflect the will of the people,” Oyede said.

    140 aspirants are contesting for PDP tickets for the 40 seats in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    Eighty-five people are contesting for the 24 House of Representatives seats for Lagos State.