TheNewsGuru

Tag: Victory

  • FG’s reopening of worship centres is victory over Coronavirus – CAN

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has hailed the Federal Government for the planned reopening of worship centres.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the government had on Monday announced the decision to relax the ban on religious gatherings though to be fully undertaking by the state governments.

    CAN described the development as victory over the dreaded Coronavirus (COVID-19), pandemic.

    Special Assistant (Media &Communications) to CAN President Pastor Adebayo Oladeji said: “We want to get the details before we will react fully. But in the interim, it is a welcome development. It is our prayers that God will surely deliver Nigeria from the pandemic in Jesus Name.

    “If Christians and Muslims return to their worship places to pray for victory over COVID-19, God will surely answer us. The closure of the worship places is not acceptable to God. We thank God for opening the eyes of our government to the reality”.

  • JUST IN: Tribunal uphold Ayade’s victory as Cross River governor

    The Cross River Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Calabar has affirmed the victory of Ben Ayade of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ayade described the tribunal judgement as a mere reaffirmation of his resounding victory at the March 9, 2019 governorship poll.

    The governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita, said he was not surprised at the verdict since his victory was never in doubt.

    “As I did when I won the governorship election of March 9, by dedicating my victory to God, the great people of Cross River State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family, let me once again rededicate today’s tribunal verdict which explicitly reinforced the will of the people to them.

    “I had no doubt that I would emerge victorious at the tribunal. I have never lost faith or confidence in our judicial system.

    “I was very confident that the tribunal would be diligent and upright in determining the petitions brought before it and it did just that today and I am happy, Cross Riverians are happy and I am sure that even the petitioners will be happy that the tribunal has acquitted itself.”

    Insisting that the affirmation of his election by the tribunal will further embolden him to deliver on his campaign promises, Ayade said: “Today’s judgement is no doubt a call for a redoubling of effort, energy, kinetics and gusto to consolidate on what my administration started four years ago, which is the aggressive industrialization of the state.”

    Details shortly…

  • Kogi poll: My victory is certain, Yahaya Bello boasts

    Kogi poll: My victory is certain, Yahaya Bello boasts

    Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has said his victory at the forthcoming governorship election in the state is certain.

    The governor is seeking a second term at the November 16 election.

    Bello spoke to State House correspondents at the weekend after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He was with the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole.

    The governor said he had been prepared for the election even before the Presidential and National Assembly elections in February.

    But he added that he was not taking anything for granted.

    His achievements, he said, was there for all to see and the people were waiting for November 16 to vote for him.

    Bello noted that his achievements included up-to date salary payment, despite settling backlog when he assumed office.

    Nightlife in the state, he said, was back following improved security.

    The governor also said he was committed to free, fair and credible election.

    He said: “As regards … preparedness…I have been ready for this election even before the last general election…

    ‘So, we are well prepared … As for victory, I think by the grace of God, it is assured.

    As the chairman has said, we are not going to take anything for granted. Whether the candidate of the opposition party is strong or not, we will approach the election with seriousness and ensure that it is conducted freely and fairly and we will become victorious by the grace of God. On November 17, we will be announced the winner.”

    He denied the Peoples Democratc Party’s (PDP’s) allegations that he planned to scuttle PDP primaries.

    Bello said “If you monitor all the activity of the PDP in Kogi State…it has always been marred or characterised by violence, guns, maiming …and all kinds of attacks.

    So the outcome of that of the last primaries they conducted shouldn’t take anyone by surprise.

    “We have a larger number of delegates in Kogi State. We started our exercise early enough and finished early enough in peace. I am not a member of PDP, I wouldn’t go in there and conduct it for them.

    “So, it is their character, it is their stock-in-trade and that is what they are known for and so should rather look inward rather than pointing fingers outside.

    “You see, when you have a cancer and you don’t treat it but rather you are treating malaria, you will never get rid of cancer. So, that is the problem the PDP has, they have cancer and should treat the cancer and shouldn’t look outside.

    Asked what message he was taking to Kogi electorate for the next four years, he said “The people of Kogi State have actually seen my performance against the performance of previous PDP governors. In less than three and half years, they have seen all my wonderful performances.

    “In fact starting with even the issue of salaries, it’s just that all along, I have chosen not to speak about the issue of salary because it is a problem I inherited.

    “And in any case governance is a continuum, you inherit both assets and liabilities. When you inherit assets, you make use of it, when you inherit liabilities or trouble you try to solve it, you don’t complain about it.’’

    “So I refused to make comment about the issue of salaries.

    As a matter of fact, the issues of salaries arrears I have already accepted by my immediate predecessor he inherited from Ibro’s administration.

    “These past two PDP Governors couldn’t solve it, I have come to solve it. That already is a kudos to this administration that the people of Kogi State should vote for us.”

    Bello also boasted that every local government in the state have various projects completed by his administration.

    “Every local government in Kogi are dotted with various infrastructural development. The people of Kogi State have spoken before in the last general election, they will speak again.”

    On security, he said “Lastly, if you look at Kogi State in the past, if you are a traveler you will hold your breath. The inhabitants as early as 6:30 they will only manage to pray their morning prayer and in the evening they will manage to pray their evening prayer and go to bed, but today, even along the streets of Kogi you will see people jogging, exercise, night life is back as a result of improved security situation in the state today.

    “Kogi State is the second safest state in Nigeria today, I didn’t say it. We have various bodies that rate the performance of various government and administration, Nigeria Bureau of statistics and the rest of them, they said it.

    “So if you look at it, we have performed so wonderfully that the people of Kogi state are eager that 16th November should come and let them speak with their votes and I know they will speak very well and re-elect me, the APC and we shall become victorious.” he said

    Asked if he was going to carry along the labour leaders he proscribed, Bello said “Well, it is not a battle we are going into, we are going into a contest, one I know is going to be free and fair and I am going to win that election by the grace of God. The APC under the leadership of the national chairman, we are going to campaign vigorously well and we shall become victorious.

    “The people who have decided to become rebellious to bring down the institution of higher learning at certain point in time have today seen the benefits of telling them to please give peace a chance.

    “They have given peace a chance and you can see the last strike, Kogi State didn’t go on strike, we have very stable educational in Kogi State. As per all the labour leaders in Kogi State, we are moving on harmoniously, you can confirm from the various chapters.

    “If not because they are not politicians, labour leaders would have taken the fore front to campaign for my re-election.” he said

  • Ninth House: The Intrigues, Political Forces that led Gbajabiamila to victory

    Ninth House: The Intrigues, Political Forces that led Gbajabiamila to victory

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja

    There is no gainsaying that the election of the Senate President, Speaker, Deputy Senate President and Deputy Speaker of the two chambers of the National Assembly has come and gone with intrigues and permutations now laid to rest.
    With the emergence of Sen.Ahmed Lawan and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as the third and fourth citizens of Nigeria, there are high hopes that the nation is matching in its destined path to greatness.
    Lawan and Gbajabiamila are not in any way two strange bed fellows. The duo who are the All Progressives Congress APC anointed candidates for the headship of the two chamber legislature have overtime demonstrated qualifications to head the apex parliament.
    The two presiding officers of the apex parliament are undoubtedly experienced legislators who have held sensitive positions in the previous assemblies of the apex legislature.
    Prior to the election that led to the emergence of the two lawmakers as presiding officers, they had held the position of Majority Leader in both the upper and lower legislative houses of the apex parliament.
    Gbajabiamila a fifth term Lagos born lawmaker had previously held the position of Minority Leader, Majority Leader and having polled the highest number of votes in the speakership contest is now the Speaker of the 360 member House.
    He was the Minority Leader in the 7th National Assembly, Majority Leader in the 8th, and now Speaker of the House in the 9th National Assembly.
    Gbajabiamila narrowly lost the speakershilp position to Hon. Yakubu Dogara who won the election with only a difference of 8 votes in 2015 is no doubt an elated man.
    Whereas Dogara polled 181 votes in the 2015 contest, Gbajabiamila lost narrowly with 172 votes. His loss threw the leadership of the APC into confusion at that time.
    The APC the ruling party at the national level anointed Gbajabiamila for the exalted position twice but he only clinched the position this time with tacit support from leaders of the party.
    Prior to the election, there were campaigns, endorsements, permutations, meetings of both group and individual lawmakers for the speakershilp election.
    It was said that the National Leader of the APC Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the brain behind the APC endorsement of Gbajabiamila for the position.
    There were closed door and party caucus meetings, party leadership meeting and high wire intrigues that culminated in the choice of the lawmaker by the ruling party.
    These meetings were what cleared the coast for the fifth term lawmaker to go into the speakership contest with almost 100% assurance of victory as most of his colleagues that indicated interest in it withdrew from the contest.
    And so on the 11th June 2019 when the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari proclaimed the 9th National Assembly, and there was election of the presiding officers of the parliament, the erstwhile House Leader coasted home to victory.
    He polled 281 votes to defeat his opponent Hon.Umaru Bago another All Progressives Congress APC lawmaker who polled 76 votes to come a distant second in the speakership election.
  • Presidency commends party for withdrawing petition against Buhari’s victory

    Presidency commends party for withdrawing petition against Buhari’s victory

    The Presidency on Monday in Abuja expressed delight at the withdrawal of one of four petitions challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 2019 election.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in a statement, commended the Coalition for Change (C4C), following the withdrawal of its petition against the February 2019 Buhari’s electoral victory.

    The Coalition had through its lawyer, at the resumed hearing before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on Monday, announced the withdrawal of the petition.

    The presidential aide said: ”This is a sign of true patriotism. By accepting defeat with grace, the C4C has chosen to prioritise the stability of our country and the voice of the people.

    ”Victory and defeat are part of elections. For some in the opposition, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is good, when they win. Where they lose, INEC is unreliable.

    ”The challenges facing our nation are huge and we need all hands on deck.

    ”The people of Nigeria have chosen President Buhari to lead them, and all stakeholders should deploy their energy towards supporting his efforts.”

  • Dynamics of walking in victory – Prince Ufford

    Dynamics of walking in victory – Prince Ufford

    BY PRINCE UFFORD.

    LUKE 10:17 – 19. And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And He said unto them, l beheld Satan is the lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

    WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NATURALLY CONFRONTED WITH RED SEA?
    WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN MOUNTAINS OF BILLS KEEP COMING TO YOU?
    WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE THE SUN IS NOT GOING TO SHINE?
    WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN DARKNESS SAYS TO YOU I AM IN CHARGE?
    WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN TOUGH TIMES KEEP PRESSING HARD ON YOU WITH SUCH A POWERFUL FORCE TO CRUSH LIFE OUT OF YOUR BODY.
    2Corinthians 4:8-9: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed: we are perplexed, but not in despair: persecuted, but not forsaken: cast down, but not destroyed.
    Life is sweet but not without the bitter side. God made all the leaves. What we see naturally, what we hear naturally will quench your faith if you allow the situation. If you faint in the time of challenge, your strength is small. If you don’t see victory in the midst of storm, you will not have it naturally. Jesus said sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. When Jesus was here he faced all kinds of challenges but he did not give up.

    PRINCIPLES OF WALKING IN VICTORY NATURALLY.
    *Jeremiah 33:1-3. Moreover the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of prison, saying: Thus saith the Lord the maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to establish it: the Lord is His Name: Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

    *Call on Him using your faith
    *Don’t be afraid.
    *Stand still, you will see.
    *Only believe in Him.
    *Have faith in Him.
    *Know that He is with you
    *The Holy Spirit is there to direct you.
    *Learn to be calm, hold your peace.
    *Do not open your mouth (speak) negatively.
    *See good report of victory before you.
    *Say out loud boldly I know My Redeemer liveth
    *I am an overcomer in Christ
    *See victory not defeat.
    *Humble yourself and depend on Him for help.
    *Submit your challenge to God.
    *Take your rest in Him. While you allow Him to work out solution for you in your favor.

    *EPHESIANS 6:10-11, 13,16. Finally, my brethren, be Strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
    As long as you are alive , you are not free from challenges of life. You should always be prepared for the other side of life’s confrontation.

    *Paul said we should be Strong in the Lord and in the power of His might because you have Christ Jesus with you. You will be Strong in Him because He is with you, and you are with Him Spiritually.
    *JOHN15:7.IF ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
    Knowledge of Him will give you access with His might. Knowledge of what life is will empower you to handle challenges of life with wisdom. Life is sweet, beautiful but life is not without physical challenges.

    *Robert H.Schuller said tough time never last but tough people do.
    * If you fall in the times of trouble is because your knowledge of Him is small. Know that life is not free, you will encounter the dark side of life as long as you are alive irrespective of your status that is , poor or rich. As you plan for life include trouble time.
    1 Peter 5:8. Be sober, be vigilant: because of your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
    Satan is the ruler of this world, that is you are staying in the world of trouble and challenges.

    *1JOHN 5:19. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
    There is no part in this world where there is no problem, sometimes it is just around the corner. If you run from one challenge, you are going to meet another in front. So what is the answer? Ask God for wisdom and Spiritual understanding on how to handle challenges. Jesus advising the disciples, told them to watch and pray that they should not enter into Temptations. Trouble is something you can avoid, but you cannot avoid challenges of life. Life will test you, Life will try you in every aspect of living naturally. Life is not hard, Life is not bad.

    *Life is not difficult to handle. Knowledge, understanding about life will help prepare you at all times that you may be able to walk in victory. Nobody should know what you are going through in your journey of living. Running from challenges of life is not the answer, the answer is facing the challenge, solve it, and move on to the next level of life. Understand that the challenges of life is no respecter of persons. Darkness did not respect God. The dark side of life will not respect you.

    *JOB 1:6-12. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto satan, whence comest thou? Then satan answered the Lord, and said, from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, that feareth God, escheweth evil? Then satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increase in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto satan, Be hold, all that he hath is in thy power: only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
    Now from this account , you can see that satan did not respect God. Ifsatan did not respect God, don’t expect Him to respect you whether poor or rich.
    Satan said to God :
    *Job’s respect for you is the Blessing
    *take the blessing from him.
    *he will curse you.
    *Because you are born again does not mean that satan will not attack you. In fact, you are his prime target. Satan will hunt you down except you are Spiritually strong in Christ Jesus. God said to satan all that he has is in your power. But don’t touch him.

    *JOB 14:1. Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and Full of trouble. For the believer, a life that is “Full of trouble” may be the result of persecution, injustice, poverty, ill health, or even may be satan’s opposition to your faith. Meaning the moment you arrived the earth trouble is there waiting for you naturally. But No challenge is beyond your ability. Every challenge has a solution. You can create solution if you can engage your mind to think of a way forward.
    *2CORINTHIANS 4:17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment.
    Whatever you are going through right now is for this moment. Paul calls it light. If you can think in line with the word of God, solution will be made available unto you. When you find yourself in any situation, do not react negatively, be calm in your heart by seeing your challenge not bigger than God.

    *Never rate any challenge higher than God Almighty. All over the world today, every body is worried about life especially in the area of finance, the fear of the unknown, too many questions without answers. The Federal government cannot provide answers because it is limited in power. It is for the same reason man cannot provide solutions to some of his personal needs. This is where to turn completely to God with all of your heart by trusting Him to make a way.

    *In Isaiah 43:19. Be hold, I will do a new thing: now it shall spring forth: shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
    Great promised from God the Father of all creation that He will make a way for you. So simple.

    *Jesus said something in John 14:1. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
    If you understand the will of God as a result of your relationship with Him, you will not allow any trouble to trouble you. Life is sweet but it is not without the bitter side. To enjoy Life naturally, you should also be prepared to handle Life through the help of wisdom.
    *CHALLENGES OF LIFE WILL NOT SPARE YOU . AS LONG AS YOU ARE LIVING HERE ON EARTH CHALLENGES WILL VISIT YOU WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION.
    For instance, you drove your car yesterday back to the house after work but in the morning which is a new day, you finished drssing up ready to leave for work with gladness in your heart, you open the car door, you get into the car you put the key into igintion to start the engine, behold the car refused to start. The question why immediately springs to your mind. Did the problem ask for your permission? “No”. All your joy immediately disappears. Let not your heart be trouble, it is normal.

    *MATTHEW 8:23-27. And when He was entered into a ship, his disciples followed Him. And be hold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but He was asleep. And His disciples came to Him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And He saith unto them, why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea: and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, what manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?
    No challenge is beyond your ability, you can handle it.

    *ECCLESIASTES 4:1-2. So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no Comfort: and on the side of their oppressors there was power:but they had no comforter. Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
    Notice the difference here, he praised the dead because they are gone leaving the world full of challenges behind, such a person is free.
    To walk in victory is a decision.

  • Presidential poll: Three more parties file petition against Buhari’s victory

    The number of political parties, challenging the outcome of the last presidential election has risen to four, with three more depositing their petitions before the Presidential Election Tribunal in Abuja.

    Beside the one filed on March 18 this year by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the election, Atiku Abubakar, three other parties have also filed.

    There is the one filed by Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and Ambrose the party’s presidential candidate. The petition, marked: CA/PEPC/001/2019 was filed on March 7 this year, before that of the PDP and Atiku, marked: CA/PEPC/002/2019.

    The third, marked: CA/PEPC/003/2019was filed by the Coalition for Change (C4C) and Geff Ojinika, the party’s presidential candidate.

    The core contention of the authors of the third petition is that the election, held on February 23 this year, “was vitiated by substantial non-compliance with mandatory statutory provisions, which irregularity substantially affected the election, such that the 1st respondent (Buhari) was not entitled to be returned as the winner of the presidential election.”

    The fourth petition, marked: CA/PEPC/004/2019, was filed on March 19 this year by the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pastor Aminchi Habu, the party’s presidential candidate.

    At a pre-hearing session conducted on Wednesday, the tribunal acceded to the request by the People’s Democratic Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar for permission to serve their petition of President Muhammadu Buhari through his party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

    PDP and Atiku, who, by their petition, are challenging Buhari’s victory at the election, applied for leave to effect service of the petition on the President on the grounds that they were having difficulty serving him.

    The three-man tribunal, after listening to Chris Uche (SAN), who moved the ex-parte filed by the PDP and Atiku, granted them permission to serve through substituted means.

    Justice Abdul Aboki, who led the panel, ordered that Buhari, who is listed as the second respondent to the petition, be served through any senior official or an officer of the APC at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

    Justice Aboki, in his lead ruling, said “it is in the interest of justice” to grant the prayers in the petitioners’ motion.rant the prayers in the petitioners’ motion.

     

  • 2019 polls: Your victory will be short-lived, Saraki tells Buhari, APC

    …says Nigeria now a laughing stock with INEC’s embarrassing polls

    Nigeria’s Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said that the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the just concluded polls will be short-lived.

    The Senate president stated this on Wednesday at an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.

    Mr Saraki explained that contrary to the views of many Nigerians, the outcome of the March 9 presidential election was a loss to the entire country and not just the PDP.

    INEC had declared President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC winner of the election.

    Mr Buhari, according to the electoral body, scored 15,191,847 votes. Atiku Abubakar of the PDP garnered 11,262,978 votes to finish as runner-up.

    But in his response to the declaration, the PDP candidate said the result was unacceptable to him and he would challenge it in court.

    While delivering his remarks, Mr Saraki further noted that the conduct of the election, including the role of the military during the exercise, has made the country a laughing stock in the international community, adding that the purported winners of the election are ashamed of the process.

    “This victory that the other party has seen is going to be short lived. If anybody believes that it is a loss to PDP, it is a loss to the country that history will not forgive.”

    “We said it many times here, that the worst to do is to do an election that as a country Nigeria will not be proud of.

    “We have done an election that no doubt anybody and even those that think they have won are ashamed of the kind of election that we did.

    “I think it is a shame to the country and to those that were given that responsibility to do. They have Saturday as their last opportunity to try as much as possible to reclaim part of their embarrassment to the country.

    “How can a country like Nigeria, as the speaker said, Ghana has done it, even Congo, even Zimbabwe have done elections. And we say we do elections, with seven inconclusive. We did elections before, in 2015, we did it in 2011, 1999 and after so many years, this is what we can produce.

    “It is not a loss to the PDP, it is to the country. It just shows the level of desperation. I have confidence that this will be shortlived and as such let us ensure on Saturday, that these five states that are ours remain within the PDP and INEC should for once do what is right.

    “We have a great future ahead and I believe we will start that on Saturday to make sure that we defend those five states that are declared inconclusive,” Mr Saraki said.

    Also speaking at the NEC meeting, the PDP vice presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said he wondered the kind of legacy the APC administration is setting for the younger generation if they supervise electoral malpractices.

    “As for me, while we blame the INEC and the security agencies, the biggest shame goes to those who are directing them to do the wrong thing.

    “If you choose to be a leader, especially with APC that claims integrity, the biggest corruption and the biggest show of a government that does not believe in integrity is to rig election. Because the process through which you come into office, is far more fundamental than what you do there after.

    “I think we should hold them responsible for what is happening in this country now. The examples we are setting for the young ones, I don’t know what they will tell a young man who is cheating in an exam in this country after seeing the ways our elections are conducted. I don’t know what they will tell those who are robbing banks and kidnapping people, because we have seen the biggest of it by this election where people are happy after robbing the nation and their states,” Mr. Obi said.

    Earlier, in his welcome address, the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, said the emergency NEC meeting is to enable party members deliberate on issues relating to the March 23 supplementary polls.

    The PDP chairman cautioned the INEC chairman to ensure that the results of the supplementary polls reflect the wishes of the people of the affected states.

    He added that if the INEC chairman continues the way he has been going, he would truncate the nation’s democracy.

    He charged the INEC boss to see the supplementary polls as an avenue for the electoral commission to redeem its credibility.

    He also admonished the military personnel that might be deployed for the supplementary elections to stick to their rules of engagement.

  • Ambode, Tinubu, others react to Sanwo-Olu’s victory

    Ambode, Tinubu, others react to Sanwo-Olu’s victory

    …as APC clears all 40 assembly seats

    Reactions have been pouring in since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Babajide Sanwo-Olu as winner of the March 9 governorship election in the state.

    The incumbent governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday sent out his congratulatory message to the governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as well as the 40 House of Assembly candidates of the party for their resounding victory at Saturday’s polls.

    Sanwo-Olu was declared winner of the election and governor-elect by the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the State, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede.

    He trounced his closest challenger and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jimi Agbaje with 739, 445 votes to 206,141.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the governor said the feat was a reward for the vigorous campaign embarked upon by the APC candidate and his running mate across the length and breadth of the state.

    The statement reads: “Lagosians have spoken loud and clear with their votes and have overwhelmingly voted for a government they believe will continue the trajectory of growth that we have experienced in the last 20 years under the APC.

    “It is therefore with great pleasure that I congratulate our great party for a resounding victory yesterday. Again, the people of Lagos have decided to stay on the path of infrastructural drive, economic growth and all round development.

    “While I congratulate the Governor-Elect, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat on their well-deserved victory, let me also thank all Lagosians for keeping faith with the APC,” Governor Ambode said.

    “Governor Ambode also congratulated all the 40 candidates of the APC in the State Assembly elections for emerging victorious, adding that it would ensure a seamless relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government.”

    The national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu also expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the governorship election.

    He congratulated the governor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, saying that he deserved the victory.

    After giving his acceptance speech at the state party secretariat on Acme Road, Alausa, Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu and the deputy governor-elect, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, had stormed the Bourdilion, Ikoyi residence of the leader.

    The governor-elect was accompanied by party elders, chieftains and associates. He thanked Lagosians for giving him the mandate.

    Party followers were singing and dancing at the secretariat, following the declaration of the results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Savouring the joy of victory, Tinubu told reporters that Lagosians voted for APC candidates in appreciation of the diligent services rendered to the state by successive progressive administrations.

    He noted that Lagosians ignored the campaign slogan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Jimi Agbaje, who was advocating freedom.

    The former Lagos governor said the campaign approach was unwarranted and illogical because the Centre of Excellence has not been in bondage.

    He said: “It is not about freedom fight, but about a thinker and doer and what APC can do in Lagos to develop further and make further progress.”

    Party chair Tunde Balogun also congratulated members and Lagosians for reposing confidence in the party, assuring them that Sanwo-Olu will not disappoint them.

    Balogun said yesterday was a memorable day, hailing Lagosians for making a wise choice.

    He said: “Today, history is being made in Lagos as Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu becomes the governor-elect and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor-elect of Lagos State.

    “He will be sworn in on May 29 as the 15th governor of Lagos State. I pray all of us will be alive to witness the event.”

    Meanwhile, Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker and Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Mudashiru Obasa has also congratulated governor-elect, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy governor-elect, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat on their victory.

    He felicitated with returning and new members-elect of the House of Assembly for what he described as “hard-earned but well deseved victory at the polls”.

    “It was tough for us all but at the end of the day, a well deserved victory for all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a confirmation of the love Lagosians have for our great party and the giant strides we have been achieving in the state”, Obasa said in statement by his media aide, Rasak Musbau.

     

     

  • Soldiers allegedly kill three during Buhari’s victory celebration in Adamawa

    Three people in Adamawa State have allegedly lost their lives during the celebration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term victory at the presidential polls conducted last Saturday.

    The incident which involved some jubilant youths happened on Wednesday in the Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

    The youth, who woke up to news of the re-election of Buhari for another term, poured out into the streets of major towns in the state.

    However, it is the celebration in the Numan town that went bloody.

    According to a report by The Punch, this followed an altercation between jubilant Buhari supporters with armed military men stationed near Numan Bridge.

    It was gathered that the jubilant youths initially on a peaceful victory procession later became uncontrollable and disorderly as some of them attacked the military personnel who tried to tame their celebration.

    The soldiers had allegedly fired warning shots into the air to warn the crowd which started advancing towards them while hurling stones.

    The soldiers were said to have fired shots again, which allegedly hit some persons. Three persons were reportedly hit, while their corpses were later deposited by the soldiers in the mortuary of Numan General Hospital.

    In another part of the state around Jippu Jam roundabout in Yola, some young people who joined in celebrating Buhari’s victory at the polls also reportedly put up a mock ‘coffin’ of Atiku, suggesting his defeat at the polls.

    The police in Yola said they were aware of the clash between the soldiers and youths in the Numan area.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, Othman Abubakar, added that the command had, however, yet to get any report.

    He said, “There are many reports; but policemen on the ground told us that there were persons that were injured; I cannot confirm any death.”