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Tag: Primary

  • JUST IN: Police arrest thugs, fake delegates at venue of Ekiti APC primary [Photos]

    JUST IN: Police arrest thugs, fake delegates at venue of Ekiti APC primary [Photos]

    Some hoodlums were arrested at the gate of the venue of the ongoing Ekiti APC primary rerun for attempting to force themselves into the venue and for aggressively confronting policemen who manned the gates.

    One of the suspected hoodlums, who accused the policemen of bias after he was denied access into the venue because he did not have the necessary requirements, had on him charm wrapped in a red piece of cloth.

    Police arrest thugs, fake delegates at venue of Ekiti APC primary [Photo]
    Some of the thugs and fake delegates rounded up by the police at the ongoing APC governorship primary in Ekiti State on Saturday

    A team of suspected hoodlums comprising of four men were also arrested and handed over to Criminal Investigation Department present at the venue.

    The men claimed to be delegates from various wards but they did not possess any of the documents required to ease their entry to the main venue from the gate. The sum of N158,000 was found on them.

    Earlier, two men were separately arrested for also attempting to gain entrance into the venue by force.

    More details soon…

  • APC Primary: Heavy security in Ado Ekiti as accreditation commences

    APC Primary: Heavy security in Ado Ekiti as accreditation commences

    A heavy security cordon was woven around Oke Ila neighbourhood of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital on Saturday where the All Progressives Congress (APC) is holding its governorship primary.

    Aspirants, delegates and journalists were thoroughly frisked by security agencies deployed for the exercise.

    Security checks started at a location about 1,000 metres to Damlek Event Centre, along Afao Road, Oke Ila.

    There are up to seven security points where people are being frisked to their shoes with full compliments of security dogs.

    Armed policemen and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives were stationed inside the hall and the vicinity of the venue.

    Economic activities along Afao Road were paralysed as the entire stretch was cordoned off and blocked with vehicles of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    Shops and offices were closed as the security scare forced many residents to stay indoors.

    Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, was in charge to ensure that everything went on smoothly.

    Accreditation is still ongoing at the time of filing this report.

  • Tension in Ekiti as APC conducts rescheduled governorship primary today

    …as Al-Makura committee assures of maximum security

    Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Friday gave assurance of maximum security to stakeholders within the venue of the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election, scheduled for Saturday (today).

    The governor, who is the chairman of the primary election electoral committee, raised by the national secretariat of the party, promised that the exercise would be free, fair and credible.

    He gave the assurance while addressing a news conference at Damlek Event Centre, Ado-Ekiti, the proposed venue of the primary.

    He‎ explained that the accreditation would begin at 8a.m. and those to be accredited would be aspirants, delegates, journalists, observers and other critical stakeholders.

    The briefing was attended by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Bello Ahmed; Director of Department of State Services, (DSS), Mrs Promise Iheanacho; Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    Apart from the security arrangement, Al-Makura explained that facilities needed for the conveniences of participants had been provided.

    He added that dedicated tents had been made available for delegates on the basis of the three senatorial districts: Ekiti South, Ekiti North and Ekiti Central.

    He said, “Any delegate accredited won’t be allowed to go out for any reason.

    “Any delegate that enters the arena must be identified by his party membership card, and extra statutory identity like international passport, driver’s licence and national ID card.

    “Such delegates must be identified with the list given to us by the National Secretariat. All accreditation must be completed for delegates from all the senatorial zones before voting starts.

    “Voting will be done once at a time and it will start with delegates from Ekiti South, then to Ekiti North and Ekiti Central.

    “After identification, delegates will be given ballot paper and they will submit their delegates tag for punching and the will also submit the ropes of their tags.

    “Cubicles for voting area are ready for delegates and delegates will go in and cast their votes. One outlet will be dedicated for voters and no voter will be allowed back into the hall once he votes.

    “At the end of the voting, there will be sorting to be followed by counting.”

    He also noted that the panel would not allow any aspirant or delegate that wears branded materials to the venue of the primary.

    He warned that some agents barred for their involvement in the fracas that broke out in the botched primary would be arrested if found in the vicinity of the primary.

    He sought for the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure a successful primary, and enable the committee come up with a result that would be acceptable to all.

  • PDP guber primary: Adeyeye dumps party, seeks alliance with other parties

    Barely 72 hours after losing the governorship ticket to Prof. Kolapo Olusola, former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has quit the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Adeyeye said he was moving to another party to stop the continuity agenda of Fayose which he said was not in the best interest of Ekiti people but to keep the state in perpetual slavery.

    He disclosed that since he lost the PDP primary to Fayose’s anointed candidate (Olusola), not less than five parties have approached him to come over and contest on their platform.

    The former PDP national spokesman promised to reveal the platform he would use to contest for the governorship “in the next forty hours.”

    Adeyeye spoke on Thursday shortly after holding a meeting with members of his campaign team, the Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM) at its headquarters along Ikere Road, Ado-Ekiti.

    He disclosed that he has been receiving solidarity messages from all parts of the world from people who were impressed with his performance at the PDP primary.

    The Ise-Ekiti prince said Fayose’s agenda was to do a third term in office by installing Olusola in a bid to perpetually corner Ekiti’s commonwealth.

    According to him, he would have won the PDP governorship primary “if not for the way Fayose intimidated delegates by forcing them to wear aso ebi to the venue.”

    Adeyeye condemned Fayose for standing up at a stage during the primary to monitor how delegates voted adding that he complained on the matter to the Chairman of the Electoral Panel, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    Okowa, according to him, said there was nothing he could do about Fayose’s alleged intimidation of delegates inside the hall when he (Fayose) discovered that he (Adeyeye) was receiving more votes than earlier envisaged.

    He revealed that Fayose allegedly coerced the delegates to same on local government basis to monitor how they voted which intimidated many of them.

    Despite allegedly monitoring delegates, Adeyeye said many of the delegates voted against Olusola which enabled him (Adeyeye) to garner 771 votes.

    He claimed that the governor who had boasted that he (Adeyeye) would not get up to 50 votes was shocked that he got 771 votes which allegedly made him (Fayose) to embark on an investigation of those who voted against Olusola.

    Adeyeye accused Fayose of stealing Ekiti funds and using same to acquire property while majority of the people are wallowing in poverty.

    The former Minister claimed that Fayose has wasted N8 billion Ekiti funds on chartered flights in the last three and half years while the flyover project was jerked up from N5 billion to N17 billion.

    He said: “I am leaving the party because the party can change but your state cannot change, the party can change, your hometown cannot change.

    “I can’t be part of enslavement, I can’t be part of corruption, I can’t be part of those keeping our people in poverty but spend billions of Naira on chartered flights to Abuja every year but will be riding okada at home.

    “By seeking another platform, I want to tell him that he can’t be riding roughshod over Ekiti people and he cannot turn Ekiti to one-man rule.

    “Our party leaders in Abuja were surprised at my performance at the primary despite the intimidation but I told them that I can change party, party may go into extinction but Ekiti will remain.

    “I will not, because of party affiliation, allow Ekiti to be destroyed. That is why we will take a decision today on where we are going.

    “Since Tuesday, civil servants, teachers, local government workers have become sad. Ekiti has been enveloped in mourning.

    “What is paramount in my mind is to liberate Ekiti. Today, we will not reveal where we are going yet but we are no longer where we were (PDP).”

  • [Update] Fayose’s man, Eleka defeats Adeyeye, wins PDP governorship primary in Ekiti

    [Update] Fayose’s man, Eleka defeats Adeyeye, wins PDP governorship primary in Ekiti

    Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka who is the the preferred candidate of Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has emerged the overall winner at the Peoples Democratic Party governorship primary conducted in the state today.

    Olushola will represent PDP come the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti state.

    With over 1000 votes out of the total 1968 votes cast, Kolapo Olusola, deputy governor of Ekiti state, polled 1,191 votes out of 1968 total numbers of voters.

    Olusola was declared winner at exactly 8.30 pm by Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who is the Chairman of the Ekiti PDP Governorship Primary Electoral Committee.

    Declaring the result, Okowa said: “We have come to the end of the congress and in the first instance, you are aware that just before voting started, Senator (Biodun) Olujimi stepped down and we have only Prof. Kolapo Olusola and Prince Dayo Adeyeye.

    “It was definitely a keen competition, at the end, we had total number of 1,968 accredited voters and Prof. Kolapo Olusola scored 1,190 votes and Prince Adedayo Adeyeye scored 771 votes.

    “That brings the total valid votes to 1, 961 with seven votes voided; I want to also announce that both aspirants told us that they did accept the results.

    “Before Prince Adeyeye left, he told me that he was quite satisfied with the conduct of the primary. I must thank all members of the State Congress Committee as appointed by the National Working Committee.

    “I want to thank everybody for your patience for the success of this primary. I want to thank the representatives of INEC who came out in good numbers.

    “I want to thank the Press, because without you, the world will not hear about it. I must also thank agents of our aspirants.

    “I hereby return Prof. Kolapo Olusola as the duly nominated gubernatorial candidate of the PDP for the Ekiti State gubernatorial election. I want to congratulate Prof. Kolapo Olusola for his victory at this gubernatorial state congress.”

    In his acceptance speech, Olusola appreciated everybody who contributed to the success of the PDP governorship primary extending his hand of fellowship to Adeyeye.

    Olusola said: “Today is historical, the victory of today has not only validated our loyalty to the party but it has also rekindled our trust in the democratic process.

    “I humbly and sincerely appreciate all our party stalwarts who have contributed to this victory, more importantly my mentor, a man with golden ideas who has stood solidly behind me, His Excellency, Chief Peter Ayodele Fayose.

    “I saluted the doggedness of my co-contestant, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye. I extend my hand of fellowship to you (Adeyeye). There is no victor, no vanquished.

    “Every hand must be on deck to economically develop Ekiti, the development witnessed under Governor Fayose must be sustained and we assure our people of transparent and inclusive governance.

    “We are aware of the intent of desperate interlopers to coerce Ekiti into economic slavery. Ekiti people are set and prepared to resist these interlopers loaded with evil intention. We are going to record another 16-0 victory.

    “I appreciate our dynamic delegates for making a good choice. I thank Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose for standing behind me daring all odds.”

  • Botched primary: Tinubu, Osoba, others hold secret talks with Ekiti APC aspirants

    Botched primary: Tinubu, Osoba, others hold secret talks with Ekiti APC aspirants

    Sequel to the postponement of the Ekiti governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held on Saturday due to alleged irregularities and violence, the National leader of the party, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, a former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba and a select group of APC leaders from the South West are holding a secret meeting at the Lagos State Government Lodge Annex in Abuja.

    The meeting which started about an hour ago, was part of efforts to find a common ground on the way forward after the botched Ekiti State APC governorship primaries.

    According to a report by The Punch, the meeting has in attendance most of the contestants.

    A source privy to the meeting said the meeting which was scheduled for 2:00 pm was shifted to 4:00 pm because some of those expected for the meeting were held up at the Akure Airport.

    This is even as the party has announced Friday as the new date for the conclusion of the botched exercise.

    National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi told reporters that the party’s National Working Committee took the decision after considering the report of its panel sent to conduct the primaries.

     

    Details later…

  • Ekiti Primary: APC to disqualify governorship aspirants over violence

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday said it will disqualify aspirants found guilty of disrupting the Ekiti governorship primary held on Saturday.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, gave this hint while responding to reporters’ questions at the APC National Secretariat, in Abuja, on Monday.

    He spoke after the party’s National Working Committee received the report of the Governor Tanko Al-Makura- led Ekiti State Governorship Primary Committee.

    Abdullahi explained that the NWC would meet on Monday night to take a final decision which would be made public today (Tuesday).

    The party spokesman, however, declined to give the names of the aspirants who stood the risk of disqualification.

    He said, “We just received a report from the chairman of the committee that we sent to Ekiti to conduct the governorship primary, the governor of Nasarawa state, Governor Tanko Al-Makura.

    “He gave us a full report orally and submitted a written report of what transpired in Ekiti. They also made specific recommendations, which gave the NWC a couple of options on how to proceed.

    “The NWC is meeting tonight (Monday) to consider the report and tomorrow morning, we will be able to make our decision clear on how to proceed.”

    Speaking specifically about the violence which marred the exercise, he stated, “What I can assure you is that the individuals that took part in disrupting the exercise in Ekiti have been fully identified and we know the people they represented at the event.

    “If we find them to be culpable accordingly, the aspirants they represent will be disqualified from the exercise and the individuals that participated in disrupting the exercise will be fully prosecuted.

    “That is what I can tell you at the moment. But tonight (Monday), we will meet to consider the report and we will make our decision known and send the team back to Ekiti as part of the way forward.”

  • Ekiti PDP Primary: Fayose’s deputy, senator, others battle for delegates’ votes today

    No fewer than 2,132 delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will participate in Tuesday’s governorship primary election for the July 14 election in Ekiti State.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, made this known when he briefed newsmen on preparations for the primary in Abuja on Monday.

    Ologbondiyan said the number of delegates was made up of 1,585 statutory and 547 elected and national.

    He explained that the statutory delegates comprised party officials, current and past elected councillors, council chairman, former State Working Committee members, and members of National Assembly.

    The others, according to him, are former federal lawmakers, speakers, serving and former members of National Executive Committee, who are still members of the party and former governors.

    Ologbondiyan also disclosed that all the 51 appointees of the state governor who did not resign their appointments but contested delegate election and won at the Ward level had been dropped.

    He said that the delegates were dropped because they did not resign their appointments in line with the Constitution of the party, adding that PDP, as father of democracy was committed to always doing what was right.

    The spokesman disclosed that the Primary Election Committee for the state had Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as chairman, while the party’s National Chairman, Uche Secondus, would chair the Appeal Committee.

    “All other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) are also members of the Appeal Committee which will be sitting in Abuja on Thursday.’’

    He added that all three aspirants in the party had been cleared for the primary election by the party’s Screening Committee.

    The aspirants are incumbent Deputy Governor of the state, Olusola Eleka; a senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, Abiodun Olujimi and the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the party, Dayo Adeyeye.

    Ologbondiyan expressed optimism that the primary would be transparent and successful, saying, “So far, the three aspirants are happy with all arrangements.

    “The processes leading to the primary are very transparent and that is why there have not been any complaints from them.

    “The party is desirous of sticking to the rules and making sure that a popular candidate emerged,” he said.

    Ologbondiyan urged delegates to the primary and party members to continue in their resolve to work together to ensure a smooth and hitch-free exercise.

    “The party commends all stakeholders, particularly the aspirants, for the spirit of sportsmanship being displayed in their commitment toward a peaceful, free and credible process.

    “The party further lauds the stakeholders in the state for keeping to their resolve to work together to ensure the victory of the party at the main election, irrespective of the outcome of the primary election.

    “The leadership of the party restates its stand to continue in the highest level of transparency and to ensure an all-inclusive playing ground for all aspirants in all the processes leading to the governorship primary.’’

    He advised PDP members in Ekiti to remain vigilant and give no chance to external forces, who might be used to attempt to disrupt the peace of the state.

     

  • Fayemi is a wicked liar, his actions truncated Ekiti APC Primary – Ojodu

    Fayemi is a wicked liar, his actions truncated Ekiti APC Primary – Ojodu

    Ekiti Rebirth Organisation (ERO), the campaign group of leading aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Babafemi Ojudu, has described as “wicked lies from a tormented soul,” the statement by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, alleging that Ojudu masterminded the crisis that marred the APC primary election in Ekiti on Saturday.

    ERO Director General, Chief Ranti Adebisi, said that Fayemi’s statement was nothing but “another tantrums from Fayemi whose political fortune has taken a deep slide in recent times and whose entire campaign strategy was built on lies, orchestrated violence and cheap anti-democratic tricks.”

    A statement signed by Fayemi’s Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode alluded that Ojudu and another aspirant, Bimbo Daramola masterminded the violence and destruction of ballot boxes, having realised that the former governor was already in a clear lead in the four local councils that had cast their votes.

    Adebisi, however, pointed out that “The entire incident that happened at the stadium was caught on camera and broadcast on National Television. We implore the security agents who made several arrests at the scene to make public the identities of the people arrested and their sponsors. I can tell you 100 percent that they have no link whatsoever to the Ojudu campaign.

    Adebisi continued: “Fayemi has been the candidate threatening violence since he joined the race last month. He threatened to cripple the state if not given the party ticket. He deployed security agents to intimidate delegates even during the conduct of the primaries.

    “He is the aspirant that has been avoiding democratic test of popularity, the chronology of events that culminated into the stampede at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, is known to the public, as some of them were also captured on camera. Those videos are everywhere on the social media for everybody to see.

    “Clearly, if there is anyone desperate, that person is Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the stakes are high for him as a former governor who lost his seat wholesale and as wobbled as a serving Minister. It is his degree of desperation that has caused the latest show of shame in Ekiti.

    “Ojudu has no reason whatsoever to want the voting disrupted since we were projected to win. But we are appealing to our delegates and supporters across the state to remain calm.

    “Fayemi came late into this very contest to realise that the boat has left the shore. He is now looking for any straw to hang unto. He was shocked to realise that his much advertised hold on the state executive was a fluke.

    He was shocked that Ojudu was coasting home with a landslide so he has to haphazardly change from one rigging strategy to the other but Ekiti people are not fools.”

    “We don’t support violence, our campaign does not use thugs. We don’t use self-help. However, Ekiti people have made the statement loud and clear that they no longer want Fayemi. We are sure of our support base. If this election is conducted ten times Ojudu will win,” Adebisi concluded.

  • Ekiti APC Primary: Tinubu denies anointing any candidate

    As aspirants slugged it out for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in the party’s primary election in Ekiti on Saturday, APC National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu said in Lagos that he had no anointed candidate.

    Tinubu spoke with newsmen in Ikeja as the APC held its ward congresses in Lagos.

    The winner of Saturday’s primary election will fly the party’s flag in the July 14 Ekiti governorship election, in which the APC is seeking to oust the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.

    ”I believe those in charge of the primary in Ekiti will do the right thing. I have put my own political gear in neutral.

    ”I have no anointed candidate. Everyone there aspiring and contesting are very dear members and they deserve the right to participate.

    ”About 33 of them in all, and we only need one seat for governorship. We have had leadership discussions. I like the fact that they showed up respectfully and committed to the peace and stability of the party in that State,” Tinubu told newsmen.

    He said that feelers from Ekiti showed that things had been going on smoothly.

    “We have responsible leadership around there.

    ”Sincerely, I had wanted to be in Ekiti but when you have this situation where Congress is holding the same time their primary is holding, charity begins at home; I must stay in Lagos to ensure that I help them.

    ” There are capable leaders over there that will see to the smooth exercise of the primaries in Ekiti, ” Tinubu said.

    Speaking on the ward congresses in Lagos, Tinubu urged party members to conduct themselves peacefully to help the country grow and progress democratically.

    He also urged them report any complaint at the party headquarters, rather than take laws into their hands.

    ”Until the various officials conducting the congresses write their reports, my own decision is to continue to appeal to the party to conduct themselves peacefully and comply with the rule of law.

    ”If they have any complaints, they should write to the party headquarters and just don’t take laws into their hands.

    ”I am proud of what is happening. I am very proud of the leadership. The leaders are for everybody; no biases, and they should move on peacefully and help the country to grow and progress democratically,” he said.

    Tinubu said he was impressed with the turnout of members at the ward congresses

    “I am very happy and proud of our party, All Progressives Congress, the APC. We are demonstrating to the people across the country that we are a law abiding political party.

    ”We believe in the tenets of democracy and that we demonstrate the openness in the congresses across the country, particularly.

    ”I can speak emphatically about Lagos that things are going according to plan, very open and transparent. People queued up behind whoever they want, no pre-ordained candidate. The turn-out is very impressive.

    ”The membership of the party is growing in leaps and bounds and open to all democrats who want to be identified with us.

    ”This is one of the best ways to energise the party that is almost remaining dormant at grassroots level and you could see the sense of belonging and the activities of ordinary people. It is a great joy for me,” he said.