TheNewsGuru

Tag: Reelection

  • We’ll not congratulate Putin for his reelection – US

    We’ll not congratulate Putin for his reelection – US

    The United States on Monday described the election held in Russia as as “undemocratic” and said it will not congratulate President Vladimir Putin, who was declared winner by a sweeping margin.

    State Department spokesman Vedant Patel responded sarcastically, “I was on the edge of my seat. It was such a nail-biter.” when asked about Putin’s reelection.

    “This was an incredibly undemocratic process,” Patel told reporters.

    Asked if the United States was withholding recognition of the result, as urged by some dissidents, Patel said, “I think it is safe to say that there certainly won’t be congratulatory calls coming from the United States of America.”

    “He is likely to remain the president of Russia, but that does not excuse him of his autocracy,” Patel said.

    Patel has knocked Putin for disqualifying and jailing opponents, and for the death in prison before the vote of one of his most prominent challengers, Alexei Navalny.

    Russians “deserve free and fair elections and the ability to choose among a group of candidates representing a diverse set of expressions,” Patel said.

    Russians also “deserve access to impartial information to help them choose the leadership that they so desire and help them determine the future of their country,” he said.

    “That was clearly not the case in these elections, which were neither free nor fair.”

    The US and Russia have not been in good terms since Putin ordered the invasion and attack  of Ukraine in February 2022.

    Apart from the condemnation of the election by US, European allies have also questioned the conduct of the election in Russia.

     

  • Osun: Rauf Aregbesola vows to work against Oyetola’s reelection

    Osun: Rauf Aregbesola vows to work against Oyetola’s reelection

    Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past governor of Osun and current Minister of Interior, on Thursday vowed to work against the reelection of his successor, Gboyega Oyetola.

    Aregbesola said this at a political gathering in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) primary on Saturday would determine Oyetola’s fate in office.

    According to reports Aregbesola is at loggerheads with Gov Oyetola.

    Aregbesola has declared his support for the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, as his preferred candidate to fly the party’s ticket.

    Oyetola, on his part, is seeking to win the party’s ticket to actualise his second-term bid, and moves in the camps of the two leaders have heightened tensions in the state.

    Aregbesola, who spoke in Yoruba, said Oyetola had been in battle with him since assumption of office.

    He said, “Those we assisted are now against us and we have reported them to God. He (Oyetola) will not return for second term.

    “Saturday’s primary election will determine his fate. The party has already said that we should conduct election after four years.

    “I campaigned passionately for him under the rain, but he is now my enemy. I begged him for two years and even sent people to him but he refused. Everything we did together for eight years, he destroyed.

    “When I saw that he was firm on this enmity, I told God about it. Even if Bola Ige comes back to this earth, he will join us,” he said.

    Aregbesola, who urged the people to vote massively for Adeoti on the July 16 gubernatorial election, said he (Adeoti) did not insult or speak against him when he was angry with the party.

    But the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan, said Aregbesola is not God and cannot determine the fate of his principal.

    Omipidan said that his principal had absolute faith in God and the people of Osun, adding that in the last three years plus, the people can tell the difference in terms of responsible and responsive governance and politics.

    He said, “The general belief among most Africans that a man’s life is preordained and ruled by God, has continued to play out in the political trajectory of Oyetola.

    “From 2011 when he was appointed Chief of Staff to 2018 when, against all odds, he emerged, first as the candidate of the APC, and later, Governor of the State, at a time when many thought it was all over for him, it was obvious that he was on a divine political course.

    “My Principal has absolute faith in God and the people of Osun. In these last three years plus, the people can tell the difference in terms of responsible and responsive governance and politics.

    “Therefore, it is God and Osun people that will determine Oyetola’s fate, not an individual trying to play God,” Omipidan said.

    Also, the Chairman of Osun APC Elders’ Caucus, popularly known as ‘Igbimo Agba’, Mr Sola Akinwumi, condemned Aregbesola’s attitude, describing it a display of thuggery and hooliganism that is unbefitting of his personality.

    Akinwumi said this while receiving the governor at his residence in Ilobu, Irepodun Loca Government Area of the state.

    Akinwumi, who noted that Aregbesola was acting like a baby politician, commended Gov. Oyetola for his display of maturity and competence in handling the matter.

    He called on the aggrieved members of the ruling party to return to the party and stop being deceived by those who have nothing to offer them.

    Akinwumi noted that the APC remains one and united family in the State, saying anyone doing otherwise is just a joker of the century.

  • US Govt reacts to Obaseki’s reelection as Edo governor

    US Govt reacts to Obaseki’s reelection as Edo governor

    After the peaceful conduct of the gubernatorial election in Edo State, the United States (US) Mission in Nigeria has congratulated stakeholders involved in the election.

    The mission particularly lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security operatives for the peaceful conduct of the election.

    They equally acknowledged the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu for embracing peace.

    Leaving no stone unturned, the US expressed concerns over reports of violence while the election was ongoing. They also laid bare reports of vote-buying and intimidation of both voters and civil society domestic observers.

    However, they said they would keep encouraging key stakeholders, including the INEC, Political Parties, and security bodies to keep improving the electoral process, especially in the Ondo election just around the corner.

  • Edo 2020: May God let me lose my reelection bid tomorrow if… – Obaseki

    Edo 2020: May God let me lose my reelection bid tomorrow if… – Obaseki

    Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has prayed to God to abort his second term aspiration “if it will cost the blood of anybody.”

    Obaseki, the incumbent governor of the state said his ambition and that of anyone is not worth spilling the blood of anyone.

    The governor reassured that the Saturday’s governorship election in the state would be peaceful and violence-free.

    A statement quoted him as speaking after a one-day prayer and fasting session for a peaceful election, organised by the Edo Christian Community for all the governorship candidates ahead of the election.

    The statement was titled, ‘My reelection not worth spilling of blood – Obaseki’, and sent by Obaseki’s Special Assistant on Media, Crusoe Osagie.

    Obaseki urged eligible voters to come out en masse without fear of intimidation or harassment.

    The governor noted that there was no need for any form of violence during the electioneering process.

    He said, “Ordinarily, an election is supposed to be a contest where people go to sell their ideal, and citizens in their own free will go and vote for those ideals they believe in; it shouldn’t be one where people will do anything to get power.

    “Election should not be one in which we shed blood because the election will always come. If you die in an election, you will not be there in the next one to vote. So, there is no need for violence.

    “It’s unfortunate that where we are today we are all afraid that there will be trouble, that there will be crisis and violence but by the grace of God, we will all come out and vote and there won’t be any bloodshed.

    “There is no need for any violence and if anybody decides to act in a violent manner just walk away because our lives are very precious. I have a covenant with God; if it will cost the blood of anybody for me to get into power, he should not let me have power.”

    On his part, the National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Reverend Felix Omobude, prayed that God would make peace reign before, during, and after the election.

    “God! commit Edo into your hands and by this covenant, we proclaim peace over Edo; peace before, during, and after the election. The church speaks with one voice, that those that have sold themselves to work against the destiny of Edo shall be overwhelmed by their own problems.

    “In this election, rigging and evil will not have their way. We knock the engine of their operation; Edo people shall go out and vote their consciences and the will of God will be done,” the clergy prayed.

  • Miyetti Allah congratulates Yahaya Bello on Supreme Court victory

    Miyetti Allah congratulates Yahaya Bello on Supreme Court victory

    The Kogi Chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MCBAN) has congratulated Gov. Yahaya Bello on his Supreme Court victory.

    The state MCABAN Chairman, Alhaji Wakili Damina who stated this in a statement in Lokoja on Tuesday described the victory as well deserved.

    He also said that the judgement was a reflection of the people’s wish as freely expressed during the governorship election in November 2019.

    ” The favourable Supreme Court judgment is expected by the people of the state because the governor was voted for massively in the election,” he said.

    Damina urged leaders of other political parties in the state to accept the court judgment in good faith and join hands with Bello to build the state to an enviable heights.

    He also urged the governor to use his second tenure in office to work for the people, irrespective of religion, or tribe.

    Damina lauded Bello for giving herders in the state, the freedom to practice their trade, promising that his members will continue to live in peace with other residents

  • Buhari reacts to Adesina’s reelection as AfDB president

    Buhari reacts to Adesina’s reelection as AfDB president

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, on his re-election for a second term in office.

    News of the victory came during the Council of State meeting, which was attended by former heads of state, Senate President, governors, some Ministers, and senior government officials.

    As Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, announced the good news, President Buhari led a round of applause, and declared: “He deserves it.”

    Buhari thanked the African Union for its endorsement of the AfDB President much earlier, and to shareholders of the bank who worked tirelessly to ensure the return of the visionary leader.

    President Buhari said he believes that Adesina’s versatility, experience at both national and international engagements, will be further deployed to energize the pan-African financial institution.

    He urged him to remain focused and steadfast in pursuing the noble goals of making life better for Africans through various development plans, already captured as High 5s.

    The President rejoiced with family, friends and professional colleagues of Dr Adesina over the re-election.

    He also commended members of staff and Board of Governors of the AfDB for their consistent support for the former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and his management team.

    He pledged the full support of his government to Adesina, to ensure he has a successful tenure as helmsman of the AfDB.

  • Supplementary Polls: How Ortom, Lalong, Ganduje, Tambuwal scaled through hurdles of reelection

    Supplementary Polls: How Ortom, Lalong, Ganduje, Tambuwal scaled through hurdles of reelection

    Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Umar Ganduje (Kano) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) have retained their seats after the collation of Saturday’s supplementary polls.

    But their challengers – Emmanuel Jime (Benue), Jeremiah Useni (Plateau), Aliyu Sokoto (Sokoto) and Abba Yusuf (Kano), have rejected the results as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the close of the second ballot yesterday.

    They plan to seek judicial redress.

    Ortom of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 434,473 to defeat his All Progressives Congress (APC) challenger Jime, who scored 345,155; incumbent Plateau helmsman and APC candidate Lalong beat his PDP challenger Useni and Tambuwal of the PDP scored 512, 002 to beat APC’s Sokoto, who polled 511,660.

    The INEC had declared elections inconclusive in six states as there were no clear winners on the first ballot on March 9.

    The states are: Adamawa, Benue, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau and Sokoto. The commission fixed March 23 for makeup polls but a court barred the electoral umpire from going ahead in Adamawa and in Bauchi’s Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.

    An Abuja Federal Court will today rule on INEC’s application to vacate an ex parte order barring it from conducting supplementary poll in Tafawa Belewa Council Area.

    Also tomorrow in Adamawa, a High Court will rule in an objection suit filed INEC against order obtained by Movement for the Restoration and Defence of Democracy (MRDD) governorship candidate Rev. Eric Theman, challenging the exclusion of his name of the ballot paper.

    Tambuwal, was returned after a keen contest with a lead margin of 342 votes.

    In the earlier results before the makeup poll, Tambuwal had 489,558 votes, leading with 3,413 as against APC’s Sokoto’s 486,145.

    Declaring the results in Sokoto yesterday at the Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Institute for Quranic and General Studies, venue of the collation, the Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the Jigawa State University, Dutse, Prof Fatima Batulli Mukhtar, said the APC got 25,515 and the PDP scored 22, 444 from the 22 local government areas where the makeup was conducted.

    According to Mukhtar, 50, 332 of the 95,022 registered voters were accredited. Those whose votes were valid were 48,309 and 1,580 were rejected.

    Merging the final results, the Returning Officer said the PDP scored 512,000; APC returned 511,660 votes with a total registered voters of 1,887,767 and 1,083,413 accredited for the exercise.

    Prof Mukhtar also gave the valid votes as 1,036,336 with 31,662 as rejected votes while 1,067,990 represented total votes cast.

    He said: “That Aminu Waziri Tambuwal having satisfied the electoral requirements and returned the highest votes is hereby declared winner of the Sokoto state governorship election.”

    In a swift reaction to the declaration, APC agent and campaign Director-General, Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, objected to the presentation of the results from Kebbe Local Government Area on two issues – malfunctioning Smart Card Reader and non-conduct of the exercise in some polling units. He urged INEC to look into his observations.

    Maigari said: “We strongly object the result from Kebbe and call on the electoral umpire to do the needful.”

    The electoral body noted the observations and complaints raised by the APC, saying that it will be in its record for possible attention.

    PDP supporters and well-wishers took to the streets to celebrate the victory.

    BENUE

    After days of intense suspense, emotional and psychological torture among the Benue populace, INEC yesterday returned Ortom as winner of the supplementary governorship poll.

    The election was declared inconclusive because the number of votes cancelled in areas where elections were disrupted was more than the margin of lead by Ortom after the March 9 governorship election.

    State Collation Officer Prof. Sebastine Maimako, Vice Chancellor, University of Jos, announced Ortom as winner having satisfied the requirements stipulated in the Electoral Act and guidelines for the declaration of winner of the election.

    The final statistics as announced by Maimako showed that 858,947 of the 2,471,894 registered voters were accredited for the election.

    The valid votes were 830,954; rejected votes (15,268) and the valid votes were 846,222.

    PLATEAU

    The INEC declared Lalong as winner of the election.

    The governor was declared the winner by the Returning Officer, Prof Richard Anande Kimbir, Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State.

    Announcing the final results, Prof Kimbir said, Simon Lalong of the APC polled 595, 582 votes to beat Useni of the PDP, who scored 546, 813.

    “I hereby declare Simon Lalong of APC returned as governor of Plateau State, having polled the highest numbers of votes in the state’s governorship election,” the returning officer said.

    Results of the supplementary election held in nine local government areas, including Langtang South, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos, Jos North, Kanam, Mangu, shendam and Pankshin, showed that Lalong scored 12,327 new votes. The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jeremiah Useni, earned 8,487.

    The result of the supplementary was, therefore, added to that of the main election before it was announced.

    BAUCHI

    In Bauchi State, the PDP candidate Senator Bala was leading incumbent Governor Mohammed Abubakar of the APC in the supplementary governorship election conducted in 36 Polling Units (PUs), covering 29 Registration Areas (Wards) in 15 local government areas.

    The makeup poll did not hold in the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, owing to a court order.

    Mohammed garnered 6376 votes against Abubakar’s 5117 votes on Saturday. He was leading the incumbent with 1259 between both parties.

    The result was announced in Bauchi yesterday by the Returning Officer, Prof. Mohammed Kyari, Vice Chancellor of the Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola.

    At the close of the ballot on March 9, Mohammed had 469,512 votes. Abubakar had 465,453. The 4059 lead margin prompted INEC to declare the poll inconclusive after a Federal High Court in Abuja halted the collation and announcement of results for the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.

    Abubakar got a court injunction restraining INEC from continuing with the collation and announcement of election results. Judgment will be delivered today.

    The total votes scored so far by Mohammed in the 19 out of the 20 council areas has increased to 475,888. Abubakar’s stands at 470, 570 votes. The difference is 5,318 votes.

    The PDP yesterday urged the governor to concede defeat and work together with the party for the progress of the state.

    Speaking in a telephone interview, the PDP Chairman, Hamza Koshe Akuyam said the “right thing for the governor to do is to surrender in the face of an imminent defeat”.

    Mohammed has expressed gratitude to the people for their support.

    He said: “We owe our victory to the people of Bauchi who have stood very firm on the threshold of freedom and liberty and have shown that they are the icons of democracy and liberty. Words alone cannot express my appreciation to them all.”

    The former FCT minister addressed a news conference at the Command Guest House in Bauchi immediately the results of the election were announced.

    KANO

    Incumbent Governor Umar Ganduje of the APC was last night declared winner of the makeup governorship election Kano State.

    Declaring the winner of the poll, Collation Officer Prof. Bello Shehu said that after merging the final results, the APC candidate polled 1,033,695, while his challenger Abba Yusuf of the PDP scored 1,024,713 votes.

    He said that 2,268,305 of the 5,426,989 registered were accredited. The valid votes cast stood at 2,199,535 and 50,861 were rejected. Those who cast their ballot were 2,242,396.

    He added that the APC candidate defeated his opponent with 8,982 votes.

    According to Shehu, the winner was declared after the collation of results from all the 28 affected Local government areas where the supplementary elections held on Saturday.

    He said: “That Abdullahi Umar Ganduje having satisfied the requirement of the law, has scored the highest votes, is hereby declared winner and returned elected.”

    The collation officer said that the governorship election was earlier declared inconclusive following the high number of cancellation of votes as a result of violence and over voting.

    According to him, the total number of votes cancelled during March 9 election was more that the margin between the PDP candidate, who was leading with 26,000 votes and that of the APC candidate.

    Yusuf was earlier declared to have 1,014,474, against the APC candidate Gov Ganduje who garned 987,819 votes.

    The votes cancelled during the first ballot were 128,572 and the collation officer said the electoral act stipulates that such election must be declared inconclusive.

    The PDP agent, who is also the party chairman in the state, Suleiman Rabiu Bichi frowned at the conduct and rejected the entire supplementary election process, especially that of Gama in Nassarawa Local Government Area.

    His APC counterpart, Abdullahi Abbas, described the election as another landmark victory for the APC, adding that the era of politicking is over.

    “Our doors are wide open to embrace the PDP for a better governance”, the APC chair said,

  • NFF congratulates Buhari, Osinbajo on reelection

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday congratulated His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election as President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    In the early hours of Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared President Buhari duly re-elected along with his running mate, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    “The NFF is excited by the victory of President Buhari. We attribute all the successes that we have had in football in the past four years to His Excellency, working closely and in unison with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other key members of his administration.

    “The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has provided a conducive environment necessary for the game of football to thrive in our dear country and we believe that the next four years will be even more fruitful for Nigerian football,” NFF President Amaju Pinnick, said.

    Pinnick, who alongside the NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, is attending the FIFA Executive Football Summit in Rome, Italy, said the various accomplishments of Nigerian Football locally and internationally in the past four years, on and off the field, could not have seen the light of day without the active support and encouragement of the Buhari Government.

    “We will always remain very grateful to His Excellency and his Government. We have received the maximum support from the administration. We will work even harder in the next four years to take Nigerian Football to even higher heights of excellence.”

    In the past four years of the Buhari administration, Nigerian Football has blossomed on and off the field, with FIFA and CAF appointments for Nigerians more than ever before. Pinnick himself became the first –ever 1st Vice President of CAF from Nigeria. He is also a Member of the Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions, and President of the organising committee for the AFCON – CAF’s flagship competition.

    Other Nigerians such as Justice Ayotunde Phillips (Ethics Committee, Adjudicatory Chamber) and Shehu Dikko (Football Stakeholders Committee) are in FIFA, while Senior Advocate A. U. Mustapha is president of the CAF Appeals Board. Samson Adamu (Director of Competitions) and Christian Emeruwa (Head of Safety and Security) have lead roles in CAF.

    Pinnick’s deputy, Seyi Akinwunmi (Youth Competitions); Dikko (Inter-Clubs and Club Licensing); Ahmed Yusuf (Technical and Development); Ibrahim Gusau (CHAN); Ifeanyi Ubah (AFCON); Obinna Ogba (Futsal and Beach Soccer); Peter Singabele (Medical) and; Chisom Ezeoke (Women’s Football) are all in CAF committees.

     

  • We are about to move to the next level of frustration- Charly Boy reacts over Buhari’s re-election

    Nigerian singer and activist, Charly Boy has reacted over the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari won his re-election bid as he polled 15,191,847 votes to defeat his closest rival, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party in the presidential poll conducted on February 23.

    Atiku polled 11,262,978 to lose the election with a margin of 3,928,869 votes.

    In his reaction, Charly Boy congratulated the President, adding that he is not a fan but he gives him accolades because he and his cabal understands the cabal politics of Nigeria.

     

    He wrote: “Oga Presido,

    Like King Saul was to the Israelites, so you are to Nigeria. I dey take style hail you, kai!!! Congratulations. I am not a fan but I dey give you accolades because you and your cabal brothers understands the Jungle politics of Nigeria. Over shap worry una because una know tey tey sey the people who cast the votes decides nothing but the people who count the votes decides everything. Una Well done.

    Over to us Mumu Naija’s.

    I know it’s beginning to dawn on fellow frustrated Nigerians that we are about to port to the “Next Level” of original suffer head. It was obvious to me since you clinched this power in 2015 there was going to be, no looking back, after all see how many times you tried.

    People shouting all over the place sey you rigg election, hummmm, can you imagine? Na today politrickcians begin rig? If PDP and APC Na d same of the same “why didn’t dey outrig you. Na today wey free and fair elections die for dis country? Abegi make we hear word. Mumu people, no be una been dey shout lesser evil, lesser evil. How can lesser defeat Bigger. Sai Baba, chop knuckles ??mumu Nigerians never know how far. Na now we go take suffer sow uniform. Welcome to second slavery. Nonsense!!!! “

     

  • JUST IN: Buhari speaks on his reelection

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday described his re-election as humbling.

    Buhari, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, had defeated his main rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the election held on Saturday, February 23, 2019. He polled 15,191,847 votes while Atiku secured PDP 11,262,978 votes.

    Reacting to his re-election at the campaign secretariat of his party, Buhari thanked Nigerians for the new four-year term vested in him.

    He said that he would continue to run an all-inclusive government.

    He described the victory as a validation of the support of the people.

    He said,”I am deeply humbled that you found me worthy of continuing to serve you.”

    He also thanked Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rotimi Amaechi, Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Campaign Council (APCCO); and Bola Tinubu, National Chairman of the APC, among others.