Politics
Edo 2020: APC, REC Bicker Over Alleged Rigging Plan
Edo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, have engaged in verbal war as the APC alleged that Governor Godwin Obaseki has engaged the REC to manipulate the September 19 governorship election.
The Chairman, APC Media Campaign Council, John Mayaki, who started the war, had asked the Akwa Ibom REC to explain his presence at Protea Hotel in Benin City where National Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from Abuja were lodged.
The INEC Commissioners had met with the Edo REC and members of his team in the state in Benin-City to strategise ahead of the governorship election last week.
Mayaki said the APC had received evidence from some contacted National Youth Service Corps members who allegedly detailed how they were approached by Igini and offered a deal to swap results with fake, pre-written ballots allegedly in production at Edo State Government House.
He said: “We have obtained pictures of Mr. Mike Igini at Protea Hotel where visiting National Commissioners of INEC from Abuja were lodged. He apparently went there to run the errands of Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP.
“He was overheard at the hotel discussing the Edo governorship election and the recruitment of ad-hoc staff in an attempt to ascertain the disposition of the officers before persuading them to join the rigging plan he has perfected with the governor.
“We dare Mr. Mike Igini to deny his presence at this hotel and we shall immediately supply pictorial evidence to the press and members of the public”.
Politics
2027: LP Reserves Presidential, Governorship Tickets For Obi, Otti
The Labour Party (LP) has declared Mr. Peter Obi as the preferred presidential candidate of the party in the next general election in 2027.
Mr Obi was also the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 election.
The party also adopted the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, as its preferred governorship candidate in the State for the 2027 general election.
Obi and Otti were adopted candidates of the party in the next election circle during the LP national convention held at Grand Season Hotel in Nnewi, Anambra State, last Wednesday.
However, both Obi and Otti were conspicuously absent at the convention.
The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, led all members of the State Executive Council (SEC) and members of the National and State Assemblies from the State elected on the LP platform, to the national convention.
No member of the National and State Assemblies from Anambra State elected under the LP platform except the member representing Peter Obi’s Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency and Deputy Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. George Ozodinobi, attended the occasion.
Meanwhile, about nine out of the 22 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the LP, including the National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, were re-elected to their positions at the convention.
In the communique issued at the end of the event, delegates who attended the convention said that the decision to adopt both Obi and Otti as LP candidates for the 2027 general elections was because the duo had carried themselves in a rare dignified manner and as such have earned the confidence of the party leadership and its teeming members and supporters.
Politics
NASS To Support Tinubu Stabilise Democracy, Economy – Senate Leader
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, says the National Assembly will work with the executive and other stakeholders to stabilise the economy and democracy in Nigeria.
Senator Bamidele said this last Wednesday during an inspection tour of some projects he initiated in Ado-Ekiti, Aramoko, Eriyiyan, Ijero-Ekiti, Efon, and others in his Ekiti Central Senatorial District.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji accompanied the Senate Leader on the inspection tour of the projects.
The projects include hospital buildings, medical students’ hostels, a library, road infrastructure, and a mini-stadium in Ekameta.
At the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, where he donated a hostel under construction, Senator Bamidele lauded the alumni association and other stakeholders for supporting the government in the institution’s development.
Speaking during the tour, Governor Oyebanji commended the Senate Leader for giving back to his constituency by providing people-oriented social amenities and public infrastructure.
According to the governor, collaborative efforts between the state governments and the National Assembly, through lawmakers’ constituency projects, would address the socio-economic growth of citizens in Ekiti and other States.
“Senator Bamidele stands as a symbol of hope and effective leadership and collaborative governance, paving the way for a transformative development for other regions to emulate.
“Ekiti belongs to all of us. If there’s any local government you want to assist, do so.
“I will always support the university and see what we can do. As a government, we are going to make a tremendous mark here,” he said.
Politics
Alleged Anti-Party Activities: Lagos PDP Group Sues Bode George, Others
The Forum of Aggrieved Lagos PDP Candidates in the 2023 elections has instituted a suit against some party leaders, including Chief Bode George, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman, over alleged anti-party activities.
The group comprises 24 candidates who vied for various elective positions and is led by Segun Adewale, the PDP candidate for Lagos West Senatorial District in the 2023 elections.
The suit, filed by the group before the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court and dated March 26, 2024, is against the PDP (the first defendant) and six others, including Chief George and Kofoworola Bucknor (BOT members).
Others include Philip Aivoji, Lagos PDP Chairman, PDP Lagos executive; Adedeji Doherty, ex-Lagos PDP chairman; and the Lagos LGA PDP Chairmen Forum.
The case, with suit number FHC/L/CS/534/24, was filed on behalf of the group by Omoniyi and Adeleke Law Firm (Primus Chambers) of 15 Alafia Street, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo.
“Our submission is that as a party leader, you cannot be a party leader of two political parties at the same time; hence, you cannot promote candidates of two parties at the same time.
“The principle of first defendant’s political party does not allow its members to belong to any other group or groups that is not governed by its Constitution.
“We humbly pray the court holds that considering the evidence exhibited before this court, the activities of the second to seventh defendants constitute party offences that must attract sanctions. This is in line with Articles 59 (4) and (5) of the first defendant’s Constitution,” the suit partly read.
It added, “The plaintiffs sought for an order of the court in mandating and directing the first defendant to sanction, specifically expel the second to the seventh defendants from the party for offences and anti-party activities.”
Meanwhile, at a news conference last Wednesday in Lagos, the group called on the national leadership of the party to sanction all those who worked against the fortune of the party and its candidates at the 2023 general elections in Lagos State.
The group leader, Mr Adewale, aka Aeroland, said that the group took the step to further strengthen democracy and ensure that those entrusted with party/public positions were held accountable for their actions and inactions.
According to him, it is demoralising and disheartening for members to spend their hard-earned money to buy nomination and expression of interest forms, only for the leaders to work against the candidates during elections.
Mr Adewale, a former Lagos PDP chairman, stated that the aforementioned leaders flagrantly disobeyed the party’s Constitution, which they all swore to uphold.
He said that these leaders openly worked for the ruling party while still superintending over PDP affairs.
Mr Adewale disclosed that they had written to the PDP national leadership in April 2023, seeking an explanation as to why the party collected money for forms “and made us waste our time and resources, only for them to ask the people not to vote for us, but we never got any response from them till date.”
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The European Union (EU) says it will end its five-year Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT) programme aimed at enhancing the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria, on April 14. Mr Damilare Babalola, the National Programme Manager, ACT, said this on Tuesday at a brief event in Port Harcourt. Babalola said that the conclusion of the programme would automatically mean an end for the 21 CSOs based in Rivers. He stated that the EU-funded programme, valued at 13.1 million euros, was executed by the British Council across 10 states, with a presence in the 36 states of the federation. “The programmes’ goals are to assist CSOs in becoming more credible, accountable and effective agents of change, for sustainable development in Nigeria. “The implementation focussed on providing capacity-building skills, referred to as capacity development support to CSOs, to enhance their effectiveness. “Additionally, it aimed to evaluate the regulatory environment for CSOs and promote strategic coordination among them and other key stakeholders in terms of collaboration and advocate, for appropriate legislation and regulations,” he explained. Babalola identified the benefitting states as Adamawa, Borno, Edo, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). “The ACT programme commenced in 2019 and will officially conclude on April 14, marking the end of five-years of active implementation in the country. “Rivers was among the states where we initiated the programme during our phase two launch in 2020, and we are here to formally close the ACT programme in the state. “ACT has addressed significant challenges affecting the effectiveness and impact of civil societies, especially in creating an enabling regulatory environment,” he added. He expressed confidence that in spite of ACT’s departure from the country, civil society groups have gained sufficient capacity to effectively carry out their responsibilities in their respective focus areas within the communities. The programme manager noted that 273 CSOs benefitted from the programme across the country, with 233 CSOs receiving capacity-building training and 40 others trained to enhance regulatory conditions. In his remark, ACT Rivers Focal Person, Mr Temple Oraeki, emphasised the importance of CSOs collaborating with the state government and international donor agencies to advance their programmes and projects within the communities. “The 21 CSOs, comprising of eight community-based organisations and three network coalitions in Rivers, now serve as our ambassadors, equipped to make positive impact in society. “Therefore, we are leaving behind organisations that are credible partners for the government and international donor agencies to execute their programmes in communities,” he said. Gov. Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers, expressed the state’s readiness to engage with CSOs to implement government policies and programmes in the various communities where they operate. Represented by Diokuma Ismael, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Fubara lauded the EU and British Council for their interventions in the state. “The success of the ACT programme has undoubtedly enhanced the value of civil society organisations in the state and nationwide. “We are prepared to partner with the CSOs that have impacted communities, once all necessary documentations are concluded. “However, it is crucial for CSOs to adhere to proper regulations, to enable the government to identify with them for sustainable development,” he said. Fubara urged the civil society groups to align with the state government’s policy to drive positive change in the communities.