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Politics
SDP will rescue Nigeria from poverty, borrowing – National Chairman Gabam
By Christiana Ekpa
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The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Musa Gabam, on Wednesday asserted that the party remains the only avenue to rescue Nigeria from insecurity, poverty, industrialization and unending meaningless borrowing.
Gabam also urged Nigerians to vote massively for the party’s presidential candidate and others vying for various positions in the 2023 general elections on the platform to redeem the image of the country.
He made the call during the commissioning of the SDP ultra-modern party secretariat in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Represented by the National Vice Chairman, South-South, Frederick Owoturofa, he said SDP is the best option to address insecurity, poverty and the unending meaningless borrowing and therefore deserving of support and votes for its presidential candidate and others who can change the narratives in this country.
He urged the various stakeholders to think SDP all the time for change to be effected.
The governorship candidate of the party in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Abe, encouraged party members and other stakeholders not to see themselves as grasshoppers but as giants in the eyes of the people to take the country to a desirable height.
He said they may be few but in the end, victory is sure, noting that the storm is a sign of victory.
A candidate of Ogbia Federal Constituency, Hon. Iworiso Markson, speaking on behalf of the candidates, vowed that they will not let the party down, adding that “our winning will pave the way for a governor from our party.”
The State Chairman of the party, Hon. Allen Amadein said the commissioning of the ultra-modern party secretariat symbolised a new face of victory.
He said the journey to where they are today started four years ago and has not been an easy one. The party, he said, is peaceful and without rival factions and therefore has a unified mandate to work for the party.
PDP National, State Assembly candidates demand dissolution of Atiku PCC in Ekiti
By Musa Baba Adamu
National and State Assembly candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, on Tuesday, raised concern over the composition of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council in the State.
The candidates for the coming elections who met in Ado Ekiti, called for the dissolution of the campaign council, saying as stakeholders in the State, their input is necessary in the campaign council.
The meeting was attended by seven out of the nine National Assembly candidates and 20 out of the 26 State House of Assembly candidates.
In a letter titled, “Ekiti: Before it is too late,” issued to the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the candidates lamented that the candidates of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, have taken over their roles in the presidential campaign council.
The letter reads in part, “Part of the candidates of the SDP are also in close alliance with the All Progressives Congress, APC with a view to also getting funds and dividing PDP votes so they can ensure victory for the APC National Assembly candidates.
“The implication of the SDP getting funds for the elections of its candidates from both PDP and APC is that our chances in our own elections will be in jeopardy.
“Therefore, it will interest Your Excellency to know that we, the candidates in Ekiti, are not working with the Presidential Campaign Council.
“We are doing our own things, putting our destinies in our own hands because we know very well that the majority of those in the Campaign Council are only interested in election resources not the victory.
“Consequently, we are demanding that this campaign council be dissolved forthwith to allow our input as the key stakeholders, to save the current situation in the State.”
Disunity, youth restiveness robbed Taraba of devt – PRP guber candidate, Wasa
By Musa Baba Adamu
The alleged refusal of the people of Taraba State to put aside their differences and come together to catapult the state to enviable heights has been identified as the major reason for its underdevelopment.
The gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Josiah Wukari Wasa, who made the observation on Wednesday during an interface with newsmen in Jalingo, also identified the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a major organ that has brought setbacks to the state.
Wondering why the state has been lagging behind despite the monthly Federal allocation, he said, “the disunity among the people of the state, inflicted by the PDPled government, has taken Taraba behind the global contention for development in the cycle of other states in the country.”
The candidate, who was of the view that the ruling PDP has dragged the state several miles backwards, said “Taraba is behind in every aspect of development”.
“The PDP-led government in the state has taken Taraba behind the global contention for development in the cycle of other states in the country, all hands, must be on deck to wrestle power from the PDP come this year’s general polls”.
Citing the mirages of problems bedevilling the state to include insecurity, hunger, unemployment, and youth restiveness, he said, had the PDP administration judiciously made use of the abundant human and natural resources spread across the length and breadth of the state, Taraba, would be competing with states like Lagos, Kano Rivers in terms of development.
He said for the much-desired growth to be achieved, the people must put aside their religious and tribal differences and queue behind leaders that will not divide them along religious and tribal lines.
The candidate who opined that the PRP has the capacity to liberate the people from the dungeon of slavery and poverty urged the electorates not to waste or sell their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for peanuts.
2023 election: Udofia is our guber candidate – Akwa Ibom APC
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Akwa Ibom State said they recognized and had already forwarded the name of Obong Akan Udofia to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the gubernatorial candidate of the party in the state for the 2023 gubernatorial election.
INEC however, is yet to recognize the candidacy of Obong Udofia who won the gubernatorial primary in the state, even as he is still running a legal battle with one of the guber aspirants of the party in the state.
The party recently has been enmeshed in an internal crisis in the state which could lead to catastrophe for the part in the election if left unresolved.
However, in a stakeholders’ meeting held in Uyo yesterday, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana disclosed that the National Executive Council of the Party had presented the name of Udofia to INEC as the guber candidate but only awaiting confirmation by the court for INEC to do the needful.
Umana who called for collective support for Udofia urged other party stakeholders to cease dwelling in the past and rather look at the bigger picture that the future holds for the party in the state.
According to him: “Let us move away from petty bickering and wrangling over the past. Now, we are to focus on the APC presidential rally while strategic steps are being taken to peacefully redress the protracted challenges in our party.”
Also speaking, the former governor of Akwa Ibom, Chief Godswill Akpabio lauded Umana Umana for the meeting. While insisting that Udofia is the duly elected and recognized guber candidate of the party, he called on all supporters to rally round him.
Akpabio who sued for peace and unity said he was willing and ready to work on achieving peace for the party.
Other stakeholders at the meeting took turns to express their readiness to allow peace to reign in the party to enable them to occupy the hilltop mansion.
On his part, the governorship candidate, Obong Akan Udofia commended members who had remained faithful and committed to the party and thanked stakeholders for their doggedness and loyalty to the party.
“I am a man of peace and a child of destiny. I have come in peace to build with you. Let’s work together to prosecute the coming general election. Let us bury all the court cases that have held the party back.
“Our challenges and frustrations stem largely from poverty, hunger and lack that enveloped majority in the state. I dare say that if we unite to win the election, we shall banish poverty and hunger in our state,” he said.
POLITICS
Labour Party will bring hope, unity to Kaduna citizens – Guber candidate, Asake
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
The gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Kaduna state, Jonathan Asake, has said he is interested in the governorship of the state to bring a government that will bring hope and unity to citizens.
He alleged that Kaduna State has been taken over by terrorists and destroyed the peace and unity the state is known for.
He said, “Today, almost everybody in the state is biting his or her finger for what has befallen them that there is total fear, insecurity has taken over the state where life has become unbearable and there is total uncertainty that moving in search of means of livelihood is a foregone issue.”
Addressing a combined group of professionals in a town hall meeting in Kaduna, the gubernatorial candidate assured that his candidacy was meant to ensure a total turnaround, give the people hope and restore normalcy in the state.
He lamented, “The good people of Kaduna State have suffered a lot and something urgent needs to be done. I have witnessed thousands of people being killed by terrorists, properties destroyed and the government knows these people. This is not the life we wish for our children and generations unborn.”
“We must all join hands together to bring an end to the killings in all parts of the state as our people deserve peace, a good environment to showcase our great potential given to us by the Almighty.
BVAS: Era of identity theft
during elections over – INEC
By Musa Baba Adamu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS), the issue of identity theft and other election frauds would be addressed during the 2023 general election.
Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Gombe State, stated this during a stakeholders meeting on the preparations for the 2023 general elections held in Gombe on Wednesday.
Ibrahim said the credibility of the 2023 general elections remained a top priority for the commission, hence the introduction of improved technology in recent elections to enhance the electoral processes.
According to him, with BVAS only voters will determine who wins elections in the country.
“I assure the good people of Gombe State that the days of identity theft during elections are over and only voters can determine the winner of elections in this country.
“There is no doubt the deployment of technology has greatly improved the conduct of elections in this country over the years.
“During the 2023 general elections, the commission will be deploying the BVAS for accreditation of voters and transmission of results,” said Ibrahim.
The REC said Gombe State has received the full complement of BVAS required for the conduct of the 2023 general elections in the state.
Ibrahim assured residents of Gombe State that the commission was ready to conduct credible elections in the state, adding that 10 out of the 14 outlined activities had been carried out.
He appealed to all stakeholders to play their roles towards ensuring the smooth conduct of the 2023 elections.
“The conduct of credible elections is not the responsibility of INEC alone; free, fair, credible, peaceful, all-inclusive and accountable elections are a product of concerted efforts by all stakeholders.
“I urge you to join us in discouraging PVC selling/buying and vote selling/buying in the strongest terms as it stands against democratic norms and principles,” he said.
Speaking further on BVAS, Bitson Simon, Head of Department, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Voter Registry, Gombe State INEC office, said the BVAS device has been described as a “game changer” in recent elections.
Simon said the device was introduced by INEC as a solution to the inadequacies of the card readers, which were used in previous elections.
He said with BVAS, frauds being perpetuated on election day as it was in previous elections would no longer be possible, adding, “election by proxy will not be possible with BVAS.”
According to him, BVAS will be used to accredit voters, transmit accredited data to INEC server and transmit election results into INEC review portal.
Simon said the BVAS machine would improve the transparency of the 2023 elections.
Enugu APC crisis worsens as Onyeama, Nnamani, Chime, others boycott Tinubu rally
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State took a turn for the worse on Wednesday as major stakeholders of the party boycotted the party’s presidential campaign rally in the State.
The Presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in Enugu where he addressed a rally at the Michael Okpara Square.
However, leaders of the party in the State, including Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, former Enugu Governor, Barr. Sullivan Chime, former Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odoh, former Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani stayed away from the event.
Also absent were the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, the immediate past chairman of the Party in the State, Barr. Ben Nwoye and a presidential aide, Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku.
The leaders earlier in the day received Tinubu at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
However, while the Presidential candidate headed to the Michael Okpara Square venue of the rally, the party leaders diverted to Chime’s Enugu residence, where they addressed journalists.
They said their absence at the rally was to send a clear signal to the national leadership of the APC that something urgently must be done over the crisis in the Enugu State chapter of the party.
Blames were heaped on Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State for allegedly hijacking the APC structure in Enugu State, thereby disorganising the party.
The various speakers, including Chime, Nnamani and Odoh said they were not privy to all the preparations and programme for the rally.
They, however, described Tinubu as a good candidate, assuring that they would work for his victory in the presidential election.
According to Chime, “we received our Presidential candidate at the Airport. We believe in him, he is the best.
“However, we are not at Okpara Square because of the internal issues we have in Enugu within the party. It has been there and this is because sometime in October, 2021, a non-member was foisted on us after the botched State Party Congress as a so-called chairman.
“The party leaders went to Abuja, complained but nobody took them seriously, the issues continued. So, we have to distance ourselves from the local chapter of the party.
On the party’s candidate, Chime said, “we will ensure that he gets more than the required 25 percent. Enugu must be counted.
Similarly, Senator Nnamani declared that, “Tinubu is the candidate of the party and all loyal party members will support and work for his victory.”
He, however, disclosed that “we are not aware of the preparations for this rally. That is why we did not want to go and create a scene there.
Meanwhile, at the rally attended by a large crowd, Tinubu assured that he would make Igboland an industrial hub.
He came hard on the successive governments over their failure to construct the 2nd Niger Bridge, which he said would be commissioned soon having been completed by the APC administration.
The APC candidate called on Ndigbo to collect their Permanent Voter’s Card, PVC, saying “it is their power.”
Also at the rally were Governors Dave Umahi and Hope Uzodinma of Ebonyi and Imo States, respectively.
Court strikes out case against Akwa Ibom PDP Guber candidate, Pastor Eno
By Christiana Ekpa
AChief Magistrate Court in Abuja has struck out the case and nullified the warrant of arrest issued against the Akwa Ibom State Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umo Eno.
The court said it set aside the entire proceedings and judgment on grounds of lack of jurisdiction. It could be recalled that the Chief Magistrate court presided by Emmanuel Iyanna on December 23, 2022 issued a warrant of arrest against Pastor Umo Eno based on allegations of cheating and dishonesty brought by one Edet Godwin.
But, in a proceeding on Tuesday, the court upheld the position of the Counsel to Pastor Umo Eno, Samuel Ikpo and squashed the case as well as the warrant of his arrest.
It admitted that it was misled by the applicant, Edet Godwin into issuing the warrant of arrest.
You turned NASS to rubber stamp Assembly – Aisha Yesufu slams Lawan
By Christiana Ekpa
Popular Nigerian activist and social critic, Aisha Yesufu has attacked the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, for saying the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, allowed the Boko Haram insurgency to fester during its 16 years in power.
The social critic also said the All Progressives Congress, APC, had over seven years to tackle the insurgency but instead worsened it.
Yesufu expressed her feelings in a post via her verified Twitter handle on Wednesday.
The Senate President had while addressing the Presidential Campaign Rally of the ruling APC, which was held in Damaturu Yobe State, alleged PDP rally, allowed Boko Haram to fester.
Lawan’s statement was signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awoniyi.
He said, “When Boko Haram started in the northeast, in Borno state, the then leadership of PDP said it was not true. There was nothing like Boko Haram, and Boko Haram blossomed. Boko Haram flourished, and Boko Haram gained ground and took root.”
But reacting to the allegation by the Senate President, Yesufu said Lawan turned the National Assembly into “a rubber stamp Assembly”.
She wrote, “The Senate President who turned the National Assembly into a rubber stamp Assembly is accusing PDP when his own party has had over seven years to tackle the insurgency and have worsened it. Both APC and PDP are failed parties that should not be allowed into the corridors of power.”
PVC collection: Labour Party raises alarm over alleged irregularities by INEC officials
By Christiana Ekpa
Ahead of the February elections, the Labour Party has raised the alarm alleging some irregularities by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, while distributing the Permanent Voters Card, PVC.
In a statement issued by the Chief Spokesperson of the Obi/ Datti campaign council, Yunusa Tanko, the party expressed fear that with the current situation across all the PVC collection centres in the country, several Nigerians may be disenfranchised in the coming elections.
According to the spokesperson, the reports the campaign council is receiving nationwide about the ineptitude of INEC staff “is disheartening and frustrating most PVC collectors”.
“We have received reports from all the geo-political zones in Nigeria and the messages are all the same, people complaining of the snail pace at which the PVCs are being dispatched to collectors,” he said.
According to the election timetable which is in accordance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the Presidential and National Assembly elections have been scheduled to hold on February 25, while the governorship and state assemblies election will be held on March 22.
Looking at the closeness of the election, the party lamented that many Nigerians who registered for the PVCs “are still finding it difficult to collect their voter’s cards.”
“If you take a close look at the INEC timetable, you have less than 12 days left for collection of PVCs. People go and queue for hours out of about 500 PVC collectors; only 20 or less than 50 people will be given their cards in wards designated for collection.
“What kind of miracle is INEC going to perform that will ensure Nigerians get their PVCs within this short period if there’s no sinister motive underneath?
“The process for collection started on December 12th and is expected to end on Sunday the 22nd of January yet out there across the country many of our members are complaining that the process is cumbersome and INEC staff leisurely stroll in and out of the wards.
“They resume by 9am and close by 3pm and from information reaching us the INEC staff in most cases resume as from 11am daily.
“Today is the 11th of January and by the 22nd of this month the process will collapse, what’s going to be the fate of those who couldn’t get their voter card?
“We have said in different fora that on no account should any Nigerian be denied his inalienable rights to cast their votes.
“INEC should open up on these deliberately designed weak operations to Nigerians before people start believing the apex electoral body has a hidden script unknown to us”.
School Resumption: Students of Great Light Scholars Academy resume for 2nd semester academic season at Jehu 3 Masala, yesterday in Nasarawa State.
Photo: Mahmud Isa
2023 elections will hold – Kwara REC
By Musa Baba Adamu
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Kwara State, Malam Attahiru Madami, on Wednesday declared that this year’s general elections will hold as scheduled.
He spoke at a lecture titled “Toward Peaceful 2023 General Elections” organized by the National League of Veteran Journalists, Kwara State Chapter, at the press centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Ilorin.
He dismissed insinuations in some quarters with the impression that the impending general elections may likely be cancelled due to the state of insecurity in some parts of the country.
Attahiru declared untrue reports making the rounds that the exercise may not hold, assuring that “the elections will hold as planned.”
He also revealed that the chieftains of political parties contesting the elections in the state have written to him pledging to abide by the rules in a bid to have a peaceful exercise in Kwara State.
Delivering the lecture, Barrister Yusuf Ola-Olu Ali, SAN, argued that for the conduct of peaceful general elections in the country, all stakeholders must be guided by the Electoral Act and obey its provisions.
Yusuf Ali, who was represented by Barrister Ibn Haruna Mahmoud, said rather than resorting to violence, aggrieved parties must direct their grievances to the election tribunals to seek redress after the elections.
He also cautioned against vote buying which Section 36 of the Electoral Act frowns upon, describing it as a criminal offence.
Yusuf Ali noted that the Electoral Act is adequate to cater for complaints of aggrieved parties seeking redress after elections instead of adopting violence.
He stressed the need for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to embark on voter and civic education of the electorate before the election, describing it as fundamental toward realizing a credible and peaceful general election.
Chairman of NALVEJ, Tunde Akanbi, in his speech, said with 45 days to the general elections, politicians and their supporters could have a positive change of mind to counter the erroneous belief that “it is either them or the elections will not hold.”
2023 elections: Every vote will count – Osun INEC REC, Agboke
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun, Dr Mutiu Agboke has assured that each vote will count.
He said that despite apprehension about security, the Commission is determined to go ahead with the general elections calling on all stakeholders to work for a free, fair and transparent election.
Agboke stated this during a sensitisation visit to the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Olubiyi Toriola on Wednesday.
The Osun INEC boss also maintained that the Commission has decided to carry along traditional rulers and chiefs in their locality.
According to him: “With the coming election, INEC has decided to include the kings and chiefs. We want the traditional institution to talk to the people and educate them on the election. Majority of the electorates still believe it is business as usual.”
He affirmed: “INEC is assuring that each vote will count. INEC wants all people to come out and vote and they must have their PVCs. With BVAS each vote is assured of being counted. All the news about cancellation and postponement of the vote is not an issue. We want all stakeholders to work for a free, fair and transparent election. The uncollected PVCs must be collected as part of requirements for voting.”
Responding, the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Olubiyi Toriola urged the Commission to ensure its machines are in working order to avoid complaints common among the electorate.
“The town has been talking to its people to ensure the election is peaceful and free from violence,” he concluded.
In a visit to the INEC local government offices in Ife North, Ife South, Ife Central, Ife East and Ife East Area Office, Modakeke, Agboke maintained that the visit is aimed at reminding the staff and members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, that they have more work to do within this period.
He added that between now and February, INEC is going to be busy.
He warned: “Staff who don’t apply the rule will face the music. Staff should stick by the rules. The INEC chairman will not be happy seeing any staff being liable.
“INEC staff should be organized. INEC is ready because it knows that its staff are ready. We also expect performance and delivery on the INEC mandate.
“We would not tolerate any negative report. With BVAS in place, no staff can assist anybody during the election. You are advised to be in tune with the training and discharge your responsibility on election day.”
