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Tag: Primary

  • Adamawa governor escape death as gunmen disrupt Kogi PDP gov primary

    Adamawa governor escape death as gunmen disrupt Kogi PDP gov primary

    The governorship primary election ended abruptly in the early hours of Wednesday when gunmen invaded the venue of the election, Lokoja Confluence Stadium.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that voting had ended and sorting of votes were going on when the gunmen came to the venue at about 1:45a.m. and started shooting from different directions.

    According to report, votes in eight out of the 10 ballot balloxes have already been counted and sorted out before the disruption by the gunmen.

    Aspirants, delegates and others scampered for safety while the number of casualty has yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.

    NAN correspondent said that Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee escaped the bullets of the gunmen.

  • 80% of primary, secondary schools in Nigeria not safe – Study

    80% of primary, secondary schools in Nigeria not safe – Study

    A Safe School Compliant Study shows that 80 per cent of primary and secondary schools in Nigeria are not safe.The study was conducted by Safe School Academy International with the support of Exam Ethics Marshall International (EEMI) across the country.

    Founder of EEMI, who is also the Coordinating Consultant, Safe School Compliance Study Group, Mr Ike Onyechere, made this disclosure in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

    He said that the study revealed that 80 per cent of primary and secondary schools in the country had little or lack protective, protocols and measures against security risks, threats and vulnerabilities.

    The study, he said, noted that most primary and secondary schools lack preventive, precautionary and mitigation policies in terms of security.

    According to him, the study involved the administration of a safe school compliant checklist, which sampled 1,200 schools selected from the six geo-political zones of the country.

     

    “50 safe school factors are considered including: knowledge of safe school best policies, practices and protocols by Proprietors and Heads of Schools; quality of safety and security tools, equipment and infrastructure.

     

    “Others are capacity, fitness and training of security personnel; identification systems for staff, students, parents and visitors; security risk audit of school in relations to location.

     

    “The factors considered also included emergency preparedness plan in relation to peculiar security risk; first responders and emergency response teams.

     

    “The level of non-compliance to safety and security issues is shocking against the background of clear, loud and regular warnings that schools are now targets of choice for terrorists, insurgents, militants, kidnappers, cultists, scammers and other criminals,” he said.

     

    Onyechere explained that the 2018 UN reports on Children and Armed Conflicts confirmed that attacks on schools registered a rise in comparison to previous years.

     

    He added that a report was also released by UNICEF on Aug. 21, which verified that 396 schools were under attack in African and Middle East countries.

     

    “In Nigeria, terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and robbers regularly target schools threatening, kidnapping and killing students, teachers and other education personnel.

     

    “The question then is why, despite all the warnings and incidences, are schools not taking the issue of safe schools initiative seriously?

     

    “There are two core reasons, proprietors and heads do not appreciate their roles and responsibilities as Chief Security Officers of their institutions.

     

    “They erroneously believe that security of their institutions is sole responsibilities of governments and security agencies.

     

    “The second reason is that parents have not started considering safety and security as important factors for choosing schools.

     

    “Nigerians must commend the efforts of security agencies including the Nigeria Military, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service.

     

    “They should also commend others, which include Federal Road Safety Corps and National Emergency Management Agency; without their work, attacks on schools and consequential casualties would have worsened,” he said.

     

    He, however, commended the security agencies for facilitating the Annual National Safe School Consultative Conferences where education leaders and other stakeholders were brought together to learn from recent attacks on school around the world.

     

    He charged educational institutions to take advantage of all opportunities to update their knowledge and build capacity for safe school best practices.

     

    This, he said, was in view of the fact that in matters of safe school, preparedness through education is less expensive than learning through tragedies with irreversible consequences.

     

    Onyechere further called on parents to prioritise the factor of safety and security in choosing schools for their children.

     

    He said the Safe School Academy International would therefore commence the free distribution of Safe School Compliant Guide to parents through School PTAs to empower them with the knowledge of what safe school factors to look for in schools.

     

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2019 edition of the Annual National School Conference aimed at addressing stakeholders on school based knowledge would hold between September 10 and September 12.

     

    However, the first phase of the exercise for the free distribution of Safe School Compliant Guide to parents through School PTAs is scheduled to hold between Sept 4 and Sept 5

  • Kogi 2019: Aspirant dumps PDP, says primary election process compromised

    Dr Idris Omede, an aspirant in the Nov. 16 governorship poll in Kogi and member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday announced that he had dumped the party.
    Omede, a former President, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), said that a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, that consultation was ongoing on the alternative political party for him to pursue the ambition.
    He said that he was dumping the party because the process toward its primary election to pick the candidate had been compromised.
    Omede said that it was evident that PDP in the state had not learnt from previous experience that brought it to its current status “where its genuine members gnash their teeth’’.
    According to him, it is obvious that certain things are fundamentally wrong with the party, and the party has not made deliberate plans to correct them, paying lip service or outright neglect of such.
    The aspirant accused delegates of warming up to make big financial catch from all aspirants before and during the forthcoming governorship primary of the party.
    He said that unfolding events where the entire state executive of the party was returned in its recent congress in the state speak volume of the problems in the party.
    “I joined the race to contest for the gubernatorial election on the platform of PDP many months ago, after a long period of being member of the party and supportive of the party.
    “I had widespread consultation with the high and low stakeholders within the party at various levels, with convincing and evolving acceptability, encouragement, selling and marketable points.
    “Arising from a detailed and painstaking analysis and scrutiny of events unfolding as the primary elections draws near, with many new entrants into the race, I have carried out wide consultation.
    “I have, in consultation with my numerous supporters, working committees, who believe in the possibility of a new Kogi, decided not to pursue my gubernatorial aspiration any longer under the platform of PDP.
    “The party is currently set for self-destruction in the state, and I cannot realize my aspiration through it. The electorate will make their choice in the larger field in the days ahead.
    “This decision is to ensure that the good people of Kogi do not miss the opportunity of electing me as their Governor, come November, 2019,” he said.
    “It is evident that another opportunity has come for the people of Kogi to elect a governor among her people based on competence, character, capability, antecedence and experience to right the wrongs.
    “It is an opportunity to bring the state out of its current sordid and pathetic state into a state of reckoning in peace and security,” he added.
    Omede alleged that certain individuals, families and godfathers wanted to deprive people of Kogi an opportunity to access dividends of democracy through people-driven and purposeful leadership, “and not by inducement’’.
    He also accused some political godfathers of plots to buy delegates and party officers in a “bazaar-like fashion”, with the governorship seat being for the highest financial bidder.
    These, according to him, must be brought to an end for “enough is enough. Let it be re-echoed far and near and reaffirmed that Kogi is not for sale’’.
    The former commissioner for health in the state said that his aspiration to govern Kogi came from the strength and support of the common man and woman, helpless women, children, orphans and focused youths.
    He added that his passion was to liberate Kogi and reduce poverty level in the state through the implementation of a well-designed developmental programmes and projects.
    Omede assured his supporters across the state to remain calm and steadfast for the public declaration that would unfold shortly.
    “What is important and key is for us to give Kogi good leadership. We will pursue that with the strength and voice of you, the people.
    “To all that believe in my ability and have shown love, commitment, support, assist and advice accordingly, please keep hope alive.
    “I remain fully in the race for governorship seat of Kogi, to free our people from some personal self-acclaimed ownership of the Kogi enterprise, which is our collective patrimony.
    “We remain confident and believe that our efforts will not be in vain,” he said.

  • Lagos APC Primaries: Rejection of Ambode for Sanwo-Olu beyond me – Tinubu [Video]

    Lagos APC Primaries: Rejection of Ambode for Sanwo-Olu beyond me – Tinubu [Video]

    The national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the decision by the party in Lagos to deny incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode second ticket is beyond him.
    Recall that governorship primary to decide who flies the party’s ticket in the election next year is still ongoing.
    However, results from most local government areas show the party’s anointed, Jide Sanwo-Olu is leading the governor comfortably.
    Sanwo-Olu is believed to be enjoying the support of Tinubu and the entire party structure in Lagos.
    Watch Tinubu addressing the press after voting in his ward today:

  • Lagos APC Primary: Confusion in Badagry voting centres over use of slip

    Lagos APC Primary: Confusion in Badagry voting centres over use of slip

    Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Badagry on Tuesday disagreed on use of party slip by members to vote for the governorship primary.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC members trooped out as early as 8:30 a.m to participate in the direct primary election adopted by the party in the state.
    NAN also reports that Ward C, D and J used Awhanjigoh Sandfill, Marina while Ward A and B voted at Posukoh Street, behind Catholic Church, Badagry.
    NAN correspondent who monit0red the primary election reports that there was confusion on the use of party slip when Mr Asokere Mautin, the Electoral Offical in ward A and B insisted that members with only APC membership card would be allowed to vote.
    Mr Okoya Ashafa, a party member at the same venue, disagreed with the move, insisting that members with slip should also be allowed to vote.
    “This is cheating, we have gone to party secretariat to collect this membership card but they kept it away from us because of this fraud they want to do.
    “All of us with slip should be allowed to exercise our right. Choosing between the two aspirants in our civic right,” he said.
    However, Fadipe Rafiu, the party agent for Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, insisted that they should allow members with membership card to vote.
    At Sandfill Marina Street voting centre, the three ward chairmen agreed that 2014 and 2017 slips would be used for voting, while members with 2018 slip would not be allowed.
    Mr Hude Daniel, the Ward J Chairman, told NAN that this was to allow more members to participate in the election.
    Some members at Marina Street, however, registered their displeasure for not allowing those with 2018 slip to vote.
    Solomon Sejiri, a party member from Topo, said that members with slip and membership ID card should be allowed to vote.
    NAN reports that security operatives had been positioned at the two venues of the primary election as early as 8am.

  • 2019: PDP meets presidential aspirants, ‘begs’ them to accept party’s primary results

    2019: PDP meets presidential aspirants, ‘begs’ them to accept party’s primary results

    As the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gears up to conduct its presidential primary, the national leadership of the party on Wednesday night called a meeting of all the aspirants on the need to accept in good fate and support whoever emerges the party’s presidential flag bearer.

    The PDP team was led by its National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.

    Other members of the party’s National Working Committee and some members of the Board of Trustees were also in attendance.

    Present at the meeting were the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki; a former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar; a former governor of Plateau State, Jona Jang; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa and a former Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi.

    Also in attendance were a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso and a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Relations, Alhaji Kabir Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

    Absent from the meeting were Ahmed Datti, Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwanbo and a former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido.

    The meeting was held behind closed door.

    It was gathered that Secondus told the aspirants that the party would conduct a free, fair and credible primary.

    He was also said to have assured them that the NWC had no favourable aspirants among them, adding that the primary aim of the party was to sack the All Progressives Congress’ Federal Government in 2019.

    He told them that the party and others leaders in the country would want the aspirants to cooperate with whoever emerged as the party’s candidate at the October 6 national convention.

    A source at the meeting said, “Secondus, in his opening remark, thanked the aspirants for having confidence in the party and its national leadership.

    “He also asked them to say whatever they have in mind and suggest to the party, areas they felt that the NWC should work on in order to have a credible primary.”

    Sources at the meeting said the aspirants demanded a free and transparent primary.

    They were said to have also said that they would “cooperate with anyone that emerges so far the process is credible, free and fair. “

    Speaking with our correspondent on the outcome of the meeting, Secondus said he assured the aspirants of the party at all levels that there would be free, fair and transparent primaries where the delegates’ decision would prevail.

    “Let me tell you that we the members of the NWC are assuring all aspirants of our party that the era of impunity or imposition is over in the party as a rebranded PDP under my watch would ensure transparency and fairness for all,” he added.

    Secondus appealed to the aspirants to work harmoniously among themselves in the interest of the party “since it is only one person that will get the slot at the end of the day.”

    He said, “I told them that we must not forget to put the will of God in all we do bearing in mind that nobody gets power unless as designed and approved by God.

    “We are proud of all our aspirants, all of them are eminently qualified to rule this country and if we work in harmony we would chase away the APC out of the Aso Rock Villa by 2019.”

     

  • 2019: Anxiety as APC decides between direct, indirect primary today

    The method of picking All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for the general election will top discussions today at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party in Abuja.

    Members of the second highest organ of the party are divided over whether to use direct primary of indirect primary.

    Indirect primary is the process whereby delagates will vote to pick candidates while direct primary will thorw the process open to all bonafide members of the party.

    Direct primary was adopted to pick the party’s candidate for the September 22 Osun State governorship election. Lagos State has also opted to adopt the system to pick its candidates.

    Former Military Administrator of Lagos State Gen Buba Marwa, said yesterday that the issue was debated at Tuesday’s National Caucus meeting.

    He said: “Last night (Tuesday) we met at the national caucus. We discussed extensively. We were of the belief that there are circumstances that could favour the use of direct primaries in some places and in some others places indirect primaries. That is why we have both in the party’s constitution. That will be left at the discretion of the NWC.

    “As I said, there will be guidelines on when to apply direct or indirect and that will be specified by the NEC to the satisfaction of every one. I am absolutely confident that when the NEC meets tomorrow (today), the decision will be satisfactory to all.”

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday night said the Constitution of the APC supports the adoption of direct or indirect primaries

    He said: “We cannot disagree with the Constitution so either direct or indirect primaries, you are at liberty to justify the choice you want to pick, once it suits your purpose and in line with constitution as the state determines.

    “The whole essence is for us to deepen democracy and also allow our members to participate in this whole process. The idea is once you have party members that are able to take decisions on who should represent them, I think we would have gone a step higher and better than other parties. That makes us a better party.”

    Those opposed to the direct primary option point to the directive by the Independent National Electoral Commission that parties interested in the direct primary option must update their register before the primary is conducted.

    National Vice Chairman, (North East), Mustapha Salihu said the party would avoid the mistake made by the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) which failed to properly handle its direct primary in 2011.

    He said: “There are talks and arguments for and against direct and indirect primary. This mode of primary is basically the same, the difference is not much in terms of outcome, but where the difference lies is in the processes, and the level of logistics and resources required to undergo this primaries.

    “This is not to say that direct primaries is not possible. It is possible, but we need a lot of preparation and a lot of work. It is not something that you just stand up one day and just think about it. It is something that you have to prepared for because of the people involved, especially in the states.

    “It is different when you are conducting an election for ward chairman and councillor. But when you want to do direct primary at the governorship level, senatorial seat and House of Representatives or member of the House of Assembly, the stake is beyond that of the ward.”

    Party chairman Adams aOshiomhole however promised fairness and justice in the primaries.

    He told reporters that the APC would comply with the INEC guidelines because the guidelines are derived from the provisions of the Electoral Act.

    He said: “The (Caucus) meeting just had a conversation around the forthcoming primaries. As you know, based on INEC timetable on primaries, this is the season from the President down to House of Assembly and the exercise must end on October 7.

    “We are obliged to comply with the guidelines because the guidelines are derived from the provisions of the Electoral Act.

    “So, we basically discussed how to ensure full compliance with the INEC guidelines and also ensure that that we observe all the principles of internal democracy, participation, ensuring fairness and justice.I think those are issues basically,’’ he said.

    According to him, the resolutions at the APC Caucus meeting would be tabled at the NEC meeting for deliberation and possible endorsement.

    ” I think everybody has confidence that we will do a very credible primaries to ensure that those who fly the flag of the party have the mandate of their various constituencies.”

     

  • Osun 2018: Again, two PDP members drag ‘dancing senator’ to court over primary

    Two members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun have filed a suit at an Osogbo High Court challenging the candidacy of Sen. Ademola Adeleke as the party’s flag bearer in the Sept. 22 governorship election.

    The suit filed on Monday by Mr Oyetunji Suredi and Mr Olagboye Adedamola is coming on the heels of Justice David Oladimeji’s judgment which dismissed a similar suit against Adeleke.

    The suit dismissed by Oladimeji was filed by Rasheed Olabayo and Oluwaseun Idowu.

    In the fresh suit, the plaintiffs are seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining Adeleke from parading himself as the candidate of the Osun PDP over alleged forged school certificate.

    They are also asking the court to make an order to restrain the state ’s party Chairman, Mr Soji Adagunodo, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from further recognising the defendant as the candidate of the party.

    The duo are further seeking an order mandating the party chairman and INEC to replace Adeleke’s name with that of Akin Ogunbiyi, the runner-up in the party’s primary.

    The plaintiffs alleged that Adeleke had presented a forged document as part of the purported proof of his academic qualifications.

    However, no date has been fixed for the hearing.

    Recall that Oladimeji had earlier dismissed a similar case against Adeleke, stating that the constitution does not require the defendant to pass his secondary school examination to contest elective position.

    Olabayo and Idowu had contended that he did not satisfy the constitutional requirements to contest the governorship election.

    The plaintiffs, among others, had urged the court to set aside the election on the grounds that Adeleke did not submit his secondary school certificate.

    Although the judge in his Aug. 8 judgment held that the documents presented by Adeleke contained damaging errors, he noted that it could be addressed separately since the plaintiffs did not include it in their prayers.

    Adeleke had won the primary after he garnered 1,569 votes to beat his closest rival, Ogunbiyi, who polled 1,562.

  • Osun APC primary: Oyetola accepts party nomination, says ‘war lies ahead’

    Osun APC primary: Oyetola accepts party nomination, says ‘war lies ahead’

    The winner of the Osun All Progressives Congress governorship primary, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, said he has accepted to be party’s flag bearer for the September 22 election.

    Recall that Oyetola who is Chief of Staff to incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola polled 127,017 votes as against his closest rival and Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Yusuf Lasun who scored 21,000. Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly Nojeem Salaam came third in the direct primary which held on Friday.

    While reading his acceptance to newsmen on Friday night, shortly after he was declared winner of the primary, the Chief of Staff said that he was humbled by the victory.

    Oyetola, also doubles as cousin to the national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu called on his co-contestants to join him in the task of winning the governorship election.

    He thanked all the party’s member for ensuring his victory, adding that his emergence as the party’s flag bearer was made possible by them.

    He also thanked Gov. Aregbesola, saying he would work assiduously to ensure continuity and consolidation of his efforts.

    Read full speech below:

    ACCEPTANCE SPEECH OF GBOYEGA OYETOLA ON HIS EMERGENCE AS THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE OF THE APC IN THE SEPTEMBER 22ND ELECTION

    Protocols,

    Today, you the esteemed members of our party, the All Progressives Congress in the State of Osun made history.

    Your state was chosen as the ground for the litmus test of participatory democracy applied through the Direct primaries for elections. You did not fail or faulter.

    In your large numbers you trooped out to exercise your civic rights as enshrined in the APC constitution nay Nigeria. Osun demonstrated what was possible today by voting peacefully and exercising their democratic rights. The success of the direct primaries in Osun has placed our party, the APC on a path of democratic rejuvenation and a rebirth of membership faith in the party. So let me begin by thanking all the card carrying members of the APC in the state of Osun who voted and contributed to making the exercise a success. How can I forget the excitement I saw on the faces of thousands who queued up with their cards to vote.

    From Iwo to Ede, from Ede to Ejigbo. From Osogbo to ijebu jesha, from Ada to Iragbiji, the story is the same – proud APC members happy to exercise their rights. I am humbled by the fact that I have emerged the winner of the contest. It was made possible by you the party members and your votes.

    With deep humility and a sense of duty I accept your verdict that I should carry forward the torch of our party in the next elections. I assure you that your choice will not be wasted. You have settled for a man steady in his ways, firm in his convictions about the purpose of government, which is to promote the welfare of the people, protect their rights and provide good governance.

    Let me recognize all that came on this journey with me. They ran a keen contest and in the spirit of our party shunned violence. I salute them and stretch out my hands of fellowship and brotherhood to each and every co-contestant for this ticket. The victory is for all of us and as we continue our party’s bid to win the election and keep on the good works of moving our State up the global development level, I invite all my co-contestants to join me in the task of winning the election of September 22 and running a people oriented government.

    We have only won the battle. The war lies ahead of us. Our opponents from other parties increase their arsenal to fight with us. But we are ready. We are tested. Like the broom sweeping away the rot, we are set and ready. The 60 days plus ahead will not be easy but i am confident in our ability to protect what we have.

    To our quintessential governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, how can I begin to extol and thank you. Working with you has been like constantly jugging and through you serving the people has had a different meaning. I can assure you that all you have laboured to achieve for the goodness and well being of the people will not be in vain. We shall work assiduously to ensure continuity and consolidation of your efforts.

    I thank Gov. Abdul Azeez Yari who lead the team from the APC headquarters to conduct the primaries. Under your watch the people of Osun and our great party witnessed the opening of a new chapter and the needed filip for a rebound of participatory democracy.

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, thank you for standing by the people of Osun. You have strengthened the Omoluabi bond that we share.

    Thank you and God bless!

    Gboyega Oyetola
    APC Governorship Candidate
    State of Osun,
    20th July, 2018.

  • Ekiti 2018: Fayemi expresses satisfaction with conduct of APC primary

    The Minister of Mines and Steel Development and aspirant in Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise.

    Fayemi, a former governor of the state, told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, shortly after polling that the process was commendable.

    “I can see that delegates from all the local government areas cast their votes and there was no fraudulent act or riot; everything was going on smoothly.

    “But, I will give a comprehensive reaction at the end of the election and whoever emerges as the flag-bearer will be given maximum support from other aspirants.

    “As at this moment, I can say that voting has been credible,” he said.

    Thirty-three aspirants were cleared by the party for the primary election, but one of them, Mr Babafemi Ojudu, withdrew on Wednesday, leaving 32 aspirants in the race.

    Voting by delegates from the 16 local government areas in the state ended at about 4.15 p.m., and the Chairman of the Primary Election Commission, Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa, commended the voters for impressive turnout and conduct.

    He told newsmen that he was delighted with the peace that pervaded voting and expressed optimism that entire exercise would be successful.

    Speaking in an interview shortly after the voting exercise, the Chairman of the electoral committee, and Governor of Nasarawa, Alhaji Umar Al-Makura, described the exercise as peaceful and successful.

    “We did everything in compliance and conformity with the party’s guidelines; now that the voting is completed, we are going into sorting and this will be very transparent.

    “Having experienced the first task last week, I met with all the aspirants on Friday and they all assured that the exercise will be peaceful, that they are not ready to take anything for granted.

    “You could see the commitment and passion in the aspirants; they all lived to their promise and that is the result of the peace we recorded today,” he said.