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Tag: Rally

  • Yoruba Nation: Stay off Lagos; no rally allowed for now, Police warn Igboho, Akintoye

    Yoruba Nation: Stay off Lagos; no rally allowed for now, Police warn Igboho, Akintoye

    Lagos State Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu has warned that no rally, under whatever guise, will be allowed to hold in the state.

    He, therefore, warned Sunday Igboho and Banji Akintoye to stay away from the state.

    Odumosu, who addressed reporters Thursday, warned the agitators and their followers against staging the planned July 3rd rally as anyone caught participating or facilitating the rally would be dealt with within the ambit of the law.

    According to Odumosu, intelligence shows that some disgruntled elements have perfected plans to infiltrate the protesters and cause more mayhem. He added that information had gotten to the knowledge of the command that the organisers’ foot-soldiers and mobilisers have concluded plans to embark on procession on the streets of Lagos as part of programmes for the mega rally.

    He said: “It has come to the knowledge of the command that the rally, arranged to hold at Gani Fawehimi Freedom Park in Ojota, Lagos, has been planned by some other yet-to-be identified groups to simultaneously hold at Lekki Toll Gate, Ikoyi, Iyana-Ipaja, Ikeja, Surulere, Ikorodu and other areas. This, if allowed, could be a fatal ground for anarchy.

    “Intelligence also reveals that one Elewe-Omo, a transport union leader in Ibadan, Oyo State, has perfected plans to attack organisers of the rally as a reprisal for the death of one of his followers allegedly killed by one of Igboho’s group.

    “The cumulative effect of all these is a threat to law and order. The command will not watch and allow disgruntled elements truncate the peace being enjoyed in the state.

    “Lagos State cannot afford to experience any security lapses, breakdown of law and order, and threat to public peace at the moment, considering the negative effects and reoccurring agonies of the October 2020 #Endsars crisis that led to massive destruction of public and private facilities, and some police personnel paying the supreme price. This is in addition to many police stations, barracks, officers’ personal properties that were burnt.

    “The command is still going through those harrowing experiences, and it will not be cajoled by the so-called organisers that the rally will be peaceful. That was the same slogan adopted by organisers of the #Endsars protest which eventually snowballed into crises with attendant destruction of lives and properties.

    “The police will not submit to their antics. Recall that on June 12, there was a rumored stay-at-home order purported to have been issued by a group, which was immediately debunked by the command.

    “On this note, the command reaffirms that on no account will any actual or rumored activity, including the said planned mega rally, be allowed to lockdown the state or hinder the people’s daily activities.

    “The command hereby appeals to the people, especially Lagosians, to shun the rally, while parents and guardians are urged to discourage their children and wards from participating therein.”

    Odumosu urged the people to go about their normal daily activities as the police and other security agencies have put measures in place to provide adequate and water-tight security for all.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso said the while the government was not against rallies in a democratic setting, the state ‘is not ripe for any rally to take place now’.

    He noted that the state is still smarting from the negative impacts of the #EndSARS protests and would not allow any repeat of such tragic incident in the state.

    He said: “I implore all those who are organising the rally to please take note that nobody is saying they shouldn’t hold a rally or protest, nobody is saying you shouldn’t march, but the timing is not right.

    “Lagos is still feeling the pains of the last October #EndSARS protests that started peacefully and ended in violence, violence on a scale that we have never witnessed before, one that was beyond belief.

    “So this is why we have come here today, to let you know that Lagos is not against this rally but, at this point in time, anybody who has the intention to join the rally should shelve it in the interest of the public and the state. The scare of #EndSars is still visible, and we advise the organisers to shelve it because the law will take its course. The government of Lagos is not against rally; we are democrats. People have the right to protest, but we are saying it is not good for us at this time.”

  • Ondo 2020: Agboola’s candidacy boosted as Mimiko’s ZLP pulls massive rally in Ore[Photos]

    Ondo 2020: Agboola’s candidacy boosted as Mimiko’s ZLP pulls massive rally in Ore[Photos]

    Ondo State Deputy Governor and the Governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Agboola Ajayi and Engr Gboye Adegbenro, his running mate, on Saturday flagged their campaign for the 2020 Ondo governorship election today, Saturday, September 19, 2020.

    The rally which is streamed live on various online channels and radio stations in Ondo state is the first grand rally of Ajayi and Adegbenro, a former Commissioner for Works in the state, as ZLP candidates.

    The immediate past Governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko who is also the national leader of the ZLP will be leading the party’s campaign that will be based on issues ranging from the restoration of socio-democratic programmes – free health care, abiye safe motherhood, quality and affordable education in the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, among many other life-enriching programmes of the past government.

    See photos, video:

  • Edo 2020: Thugs invade venue of Oshiomhole’s rally, burn vehicles, chairs, canopies

    Edo 2020: Thugs invade venue of Oshiomhole’s rally, burn vehicles, chairs, canopies

    The face-off between Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, got messier on Saturday, as unidentified thugs overnight set ablaze vehicles, canopies and chairs parked at the venue to be used for a political rally in Auchi, Estako West local government area.

    The rally which was to hold at an open ground owned by a private individual, was said to have been organised by Oshiomhole to receive some defectors into the APC.

    Sources had it that the suspected thugs who invaded the venue at about 2 am, shot sporadically before they set ablaze over 1000 chairs, the podium, several canopies and two vehicles.

    It was learnt that heavy security was being deployed to the area to forestall further attack.

    A chieftain of the APC in the State who confirmed the incident described it as a new dimension in Edo politics.

    The party chieftain urged security agents to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

    “It is very unfortunate at this time. While we are awaiting the police to do their investigation, we want to say that it is quite unexpected and want the security agents to ensure that those responsible are brought to book, because, it is a new dimension in politicking in Edo state, that nobody can meet peacefully, something that is guaranteed by the Constitution.

    “It’s getting too much, we experienced it in Benin and again we are experiencing it in Auchi. It is very unfortunate.

    “They should let Edo people express their freedom in choosing who rules them. That is our position at this time,” He said.

  • Again, Obaseki, Oshiomhole clash over planned rally for Ize-Iyamu, supporters

    Again, Obaseki, Oshiomhole clash over planned rally for Ize-Iyamu, supporters

    There is anxiety in Benin City, the Edo State capital, over Friday’s planned rally to receive defectors into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    National Chairman of the APC Adams Oshiomhole is expected to welcome the former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his supporters into the party.

    But Governor Godwin Obaseki, elected on the ticket of the party, but who is estranged with Oshiomhole, said on Tuesday he is not aware of any rally by his party on Friday. He warned against a breakdown of law and order.

    Obaseki on Tuesday travelled with President Muhammadu Buhari to Egypt on official assignment from which they will not return until Friday.

    Ize-Iyamu contested the governorship poll on the platform of the PDP against Obaseki in 2016.

    Jingles have been running on radio and television stations inviting members of the public to the rally.

    Denied knowledge of any APC rally in the state after the security meeting with heads of security agencies in the state, Obaseki said he has checked with the state APC secretariat and the party had not announced officially that there would be a rally.

    According to him, issues of public safety were reviewed at the security meeting, particularly in relation to the Yuletide season.

    He said: “The issue of public safety is a major concern to us as a government and this being the last Security Council meeting for the year; we had to put up measures in place to tackle security challenges.”

    Chairman of the APC in Edo, Anselm Ojezua, also said the party had directed its members to stay away from the rally.

    Ojezua, who described the planned rally as “provocative and capable of disrupting the peace” in the state, said it was not the APC national body that should inform the state organs about any rally.

    He said: “I am not aware of any rally in Edo. We don’t know anything about it. Is it not absurd that the governor of the state is not aware? We are not a party to it and it must not be held in our name.”

    The party chairman said in a statement: “The attention of the party has been drawn to information being circulated by some unauthorised people to the effect that the APC in the state is receiving some new members on Friday, December 13, 2019, at Garrick Memorial School, Ekenwan Road, Benin City.

    “Neither the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who is the leader of the APC in Edo State, nor other leaders of the party is aware of the purported declaration rally. It is, therefore, highly provocative and capable of creating breach of peace.

    “We urge members of the APC in the state not to have anything to do with the event. The organisers of that event are sufficiently seasoned and experienced as politicians to know the proper procedure and tradition usually attendant to this sort of event.”

    But the factional chairman of Edo APC, Col David Imuse, said Edo cannot have two chairmen as there can only be one party chairman in the state.

    He said: “As at today, the chairman is Col. David Imuse (rtd). The next line of action is to strengthen the party for the challenges ahead and win future elections.

    “We are not at a press war with anybody. The party leadership took a decision and the national headquarters affirmed that decision. So, whatever we do here is subject to ratification by Abuja; the party took a decision here and it was affirmed in Abuja.

    “We had a NEC meeting, it was ratified and affirmed. We had the Southsouth leaders meeting it was affirmed and in the meeting of all the chairmen of APC nationwide, it was affirmed.”

    “I don’t dwell on illegality. I am a highly focused person so right now the task before us is how to fortified party. Right now we are preparing for the reception of our brothers who are coming back home to strengthen the party.”

    Also on Tuesday, the suspended secretary of the party in the state, Mr. Lawrence Okah, raised the alarm over alleged plans by the government to recruit thugs from Kogi and Ekiti states to disrupt the planned rally.

    Okah claimed that “over 20,000 leaders of the PDP across the 18 local government areas in the state, led by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, would be received into the APC by Oshiomhole and other leaders of the APC across the country.”

    He said: “We are raising this alarm so that the world will know that governor Obaseki intends to unleash mayhem on APC members in Edo state after he had perfected plans to join the PDP.

    “We have informed him of the scheduled rally. His deputy has also been informed but they have vowed to disrupt any event that will boost the strength of the APC in Edo state. This claim that cultists are invading the state is arrant nonsense. We are holding APC rally and we have accordingly informed all relevant authorities.

    “We appeal to the Inspector-General of Police, the Edo State Police Commissioner and the DSS to provide security to our members on that day. We use this opportunity to appeal to the governor to toe the path of peace and avoid violence because no blood of any Edo man is worth the ambition of any body.

    “We urged security agents to be at alert because since the preparation for this rally, our members are being harassed while many are being threatened and beaten across the state.”

    Special Adviser to Governor on Parliamentary Matters, Kabiru Adjoto, denied the allegation of plans to import thugs into to the state.

    Adjoto said: “It is unfortunate that such statement will come from Chief Lawrence Okah who is somebody I respect so much and I will be shocked if he actually said so. I am a man of peace, I am a stakeholder in this state and the governor is committed to absolute peace in the state.

    “He recently held a security meeting where he preached peace, especially in this Yuletide season for peace in the state and we are committed to that. I am a man of peace and throughout my time as Speaker in the state, we maintained the peace. If actually Chief Okah made this allegation against me, I will seek redress.”

  • Buhari mourns deaths of his supporters at APC rally in Rivers

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the tragic death of some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a stampede at the presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers, on Tuesday.

    In a statement issued by a presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu in Abuja, President Buhari extended deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

    He also wished a speedy recovery to all those injured.

    The President described the deaths as “needless loss of lives and an anti-climax to a highly successful outing” in the oil city that could have been averted if there was an orderly exit from the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

    “It is indeed a great tragedy that Nigerians who have important roles to play in shaping the future of the country and had come to see and hear from us how hard their government is working to build a Nigeria of their dreams, would meet their end in this unfortunate circumstance.

    “I assure the people, with all sense of responsibility, that the party and the government will do everything possible to ensure the well-being and safety of our citizens as they troop out to attend rallies and all other political events,” he said.

    President Buhari assured the government and the people of Rivers State as well as the affected families of the support and prayers of the Federal Government during this difficult time.

    The President prayed almighty God to repose the souls of the deceased.

  • Tension in Ogun as thugs disrupt Buhari’s rally

    Scores of hoodlums chanting the slogan of a rival opposition governorship candidate on Monday disrupted the Presidential rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and sacked supporters of the Prince Dapo Abiodun, the governorship candidate of APC, from the main bowl of the MKO stadium, Abeokuta.

    Other APC members and supporters seated awaiting the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari for planned rally, were also chased away as the thugs hurled stones, shoes and other dangerous weapons at them.

    Many were injured in the attacks, forcing thousands of people to leave the stadium while the President is yet to arrive.

    In less than 10 minutes, all the seats and positions occupied by Dapo Abiodun supporters and other APC members were deserted as stones and objects hurled by the hoodlums, fell on them in torrents.

    Some of the hoodlums were overheard brazenly boasting “this is Ogun and nobody can intimidate us” while throwing stones at the fleeing APC members and supporters of Abiodun.

    Not even the announcement of the arrival of the wife of the Vice – President, Dolapo Osinbajo, at the time could elicit respite to the reign of terror unleashed on people.

    Outside the stadium, dozens of armed soldiers and other security agencies battled to prevent the entry of another batch of hoodlums who were allegedly hurried to the venue to reinforce their colleagues who had seized the main bowl of the main stadium.

    Many were appalled that a Fuji musician called to entertain at the occasion, prodded the hoodlums on with inciting lyrics even as those who ought to ensure orderliness at the venue acted as though they were on holiday.

    There was palpable concern over the safety of the APC chieftains such as Senator Gbenga Kaka, Abiodun’s running mate, Noimot Oyedele – Salako, Chief Tolu Odebiyi and others, with many wondering if they were able to leave the stadium unscathed.

  • Two dead, several injured at APC rally in Oyo State

    Two dead, several injured at APC rally in Oyo State

    No fewer than two people died in a bloody clash between suspected political hoodlums at an All Progressives’ Congress (APC) campaign rally in Igboora area of Oyo State.

    The incident occurred immediately after the rally held at the old motor park in Igboora on Saturday evening.

    The campaign train, led by Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, had commenced with a road show from Lanlate through Igboora, Idere, Ayete, Tapa and Igangan before the ralies at Igboora, Eruwa and Omi-Adio.

    It was a peaceful rally which saw the governor and the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, acknowledging cheers from supporters who had thronged the streets to show solidarity for the party.

    Trouble, however, started immediately after the rally in Igboora as suspected political hoodlums engaged in a bloody clash which left one dead.

    Another innocent resident, identified to be a younger brother to an APC leader in the community, was hit by a stray bullet and eventually gave up the ghost.

    Eyewitnesses told NAN that some suspected hoodlums had accosted the APC governorship candidate to demand for money but were blocked by another group of hoodlums.

    This, witnesses said, resulted in heated arguments which later led to the free for all.

    The incident had since resulted in counter allegations and reactions from political parties and residents.

    While the APC accused opposition parties of being behind the mayhem, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) asked APC to look inwards for the perpetrators.

    “Guns were freely displayed by thugs alleged to have been arranged and sponsored by the PDP and some other parties to carry out the dastardly act.

    “The mayhem eventually cost two lives. One of which is a younger brother to the leader of our party, Alhaji Olayide Abas. We hereby charge security agencies to investigate and unravel the killers of the deceased.

    “It is important to note that the PDP has continually incited the people to cause trouble, having realised that the game is over. The PDP is among the parties that masterminded the mayhem,” APC Communication team said in a statement.

    Some opposition party members, who spoke to NAN, described the incident as very pathetic, saying the APC should investigate themselves on the mayhem.

    They said that several other opposition parties in the state had visited the community to campaign without violence or bloodshed.

    Also, some residents of the community frowned at the sorrowful incident, describing it as a return of thuggery and brigandage to the state.

    They told NAN that the people of the community were not desperate people and have always lived peacefully with each other, irrespective of political affiliations.

    Spokesman for Oyo State Police Command, SP Adekunle Ajisebutu, did not respond to NAN calls and text messages at the time of filing this report.

     

  • ‘This is why you are hungry’, Amaechi tells Nigerians at Buhari’s campaign

    The Minister of Transportation and Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi on Friday said the “hunger” by Nigerians today was caused by the havoc wreaked on the nation’s economy by the previous administrations of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “They said you are hungry,” Amaechi said on Friday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during the flag-off of the APC election campaign.

    “You are hungry because they stole the money. If the money was here, you wouldn’t have been hungry.”

    TNG reports that President Muhammadu Buhari, accompanied by the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole; a national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, and some of the APC governors, was in Uyo to flag off the party’s campaign for the 2019 general elections.

    The president is seeking a second term in office.

    Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State said corruption is one of Nigeria’s major problem, and that Buhari was not giving up on the anti-corruption fight.

    “We got in and saw the challenges. We never knew they had stolen all the money. We thought they had a conscience to leave some money behind.

    “You know, the difference between us and the other party (PDP) is that they are not saying that they are not corrupt,” the minister said

    “They say we are corrupt, but APC is also corrupt. They agree that the president is not corrupt. What they are saying is those around the president are corrupt. But they agree that they are corrupt.

    “We are saying as APC that we are not corrupt and that we are fighting corruption. Whether you are APC or PDP, when you are corrupt we will fight you.”

    He cautioned Nigerians against voting for PDP in the 2019 elections.

    “If you vote for the other party, let me tell you what will happen. They are so hungry that if they come out, they will be too busy stealing money that by the time Nigerians realise it, we are back to recession.”

    Amaechi said President Buhari did not promise to make the value of naira equal to a dollar, nor promised to reduce the price of petrol.

    “Anybody who said we promised one naira will be to one dollar must be a magician. Anybody who said we promised we were going to bring down fuel price must also be a magician.

    “We are not voodoo economists,” he said.

    The minister added, “When we got in, we were mindful of the promises that we made. So, the president gave all us who were in the cabinet challenges to ensure that we rescue this country.

    “We commenced activities believing that Nigerians would know that change doesn’t come that easily. Even as ministers we feel the pain of change. We know that when you want to make any change you must realise that it will come with some pain.

    “We are here asking you to learn the fact that we need another chance to complete the assignment you have given to us. And we will complete it as soon as you give us that chance to come back.”

     

  • 2019: Eight PDP supporters die in auto crash on way to campaign rally

    2019: Eight PDP supporters die in auto crash on way to campaign rally

    No fewer than eight people were feared dead in a fatal accident involving supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State on Friday.

    The accident occurred on Otukpo- Agatu Road in the state while the party supporters were travelling to Agatu for the flag-off of Abba Morro senatorial campaign for the 2019 elections.

    Abba Moro, a former Minister of Interior, is the PDP senatorial candidate for Benue South.

    The accident occurred at about 10 am.

    An eyewitness said the multiple accident occurred when the tyre of one of the buses conveying some PDP supporters burst and it veered off the road.

    Other buses conveying party supporters were then said to have rammed into one another, resulting in the high casualty figure.

    Benue State governor Samuel Ortom and Senator David Mark yesterday visited injured victims at St Francis Hospital in Adoka, Otukpo Local Government Area.

    The accident also forced Abba Morro who is the PDP senatorial candidate to cancel the flag-off campaign scheduled to hold in Agatu, Benue South.

    According to reports, some of the victims were certified dead at St. Charles Catholic Hospital Adoka and deposited at the morgue of General Hospital in Otukpo while injured survivors were being treated in Adoka at the time of filing this report.

    Governor Samuel Ortom, who visited the hospital in Adoka in company with former Senate President David Mark and the Deputy Governor, Engineer Benson Abounu, announced indefinite postponement of the PDP senatorial campaigns flag-off in Zone C.

    The Governor described the incident as painful and unfortunate, saying it was a huge loss to the entire PDP family in the state.

    He also directed the immediate evacuation of the survivors to Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi for further treatment, stressing that cases requiring further referrals outside the state would be handled accordingly.

    Describing the development as unfortunate, Governor Ortom commiserated with the bereaved families and PDP on the loss of their loved ones.

    Senator Mark, who also consoled the affected families, lamented that most of the victims were very promising youths within his senatorial district and prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest.

    On his part, the member representing Obi/Oju Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon Samson Okwu, described the incident as painful, saying he met with some of the victims yesterday but never knew they were meeting for the last time.

     

  • 2019: Obasanjo makes surprise appearance at PDP rally

    Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, stormed the rally of one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu.

    Adebutu, who is currently representing Remo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and his supporters were at the rally held within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library when the former President arrived in his Toyota jeep in a convoy of other cars.

    This threw the supporters into a wild jubilation, as Obasanjo alighted from the vehicle.

    The former President, who is also an in-law to the aspirant, said, “I am just passing by and decided to say hello and wish you well.”

    Immediately he extended his pleasantries, he jumped into the jeep and he left with the convoy of cars in his trail to his residence situated within the premises.

    Recall that Obasanjo had initially torn his membership card of the PDP and also reiterated that he had quit partisan politics when he established his Coalition for Nigeria Movement, which later fused into the African Democratic Congress.

    He, however, said his doors remained open for consultations by all Nigerians who shared his views of a united country.

    Before the rally, Adebutu had earlier visited the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in his palace to seek the monarch’s support and blessing.

    He was accompanied on the visit by some PDP chieftains in the state and he had earlier donated electricity transformers to four communities in the Abeokuta metropolis.