Election News Trend October 2018

SourceDateStory TitleSummary of ReportsSubject/CategoryPage No/Weblink
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018Oshiomhole under pressure as APC govs weigh options"The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is coming under pressure as governors of the party and other forces move against him.
But Oshiomhole said yesterday that only “one or two governors” were against him while 90 per cent of members of the party are solidly behind him.
Daily Trust gathered that Oshiomhole, in an effort to please different interests at the national and state levels, ended up ‘creating more enemies’ in the aftermath of the APC congress in May and primary elections for various offices earlier this month.
"
APC Internal wrangling, Oshiomholehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/oshiomhole-under-pressure-as-apc-govs-weigh-options.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018Kwara PDP guber candidate accused of forging NYSC certificate"The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Kwara State, Razak Atunwa, yesterday dismissed a report by an online medium that he forged his National Youth Service Corps certificate.
Atunwa, in his reaction to the medium, said that he did not submit “any unsupported” NYSC certificate as suggested.
He stated: “I strongly advise that you verify each and every assertion you wish to make. You may wish to make formal enquiries/verifications of all institutions concerned.
“You should also be circumspect enough to authenticate the provenance of any document you may be handed if it’s not from a formal and official source.
“An organization such as yours should not fall short of the required legal and ethical standards”."
Kwara State 2019 Governorship election, PDP Candidate in NYSC certificate scandalhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kwara-pdp-guber-candidate-accused-of-forging-nysc-certificate.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018Drama as Edo dep speaker impeached"There was a drama at the Edo State House of Assembly yesterday following the impeachment of the Deputy Speaker of the house, Victor Edoror.
It was gathered that as early as 08:00am the assembly’s premises was taken over by armed security personnel from the Department of State Security (DSS), the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Suspected political thugs were also reported to have positioned themselves at strategic locations within the premises.
The presence of the security personnel, it was gathered, was to forestall alleged possible impeachment of the Speaker of the House, Kabiru Adjoto (Akoko-Edo I), over an alleged legal suit he instituted against the APC as a result of the alleged substitution of his name with that of Peter Akpatason by the national leadership of the party.
As soon as plenary commenced, the Chief Whip of the House, Osaigbovo Iyoha (APC, Oredo East), moved a motion for the impeachment of the deputy speaker over alleged misappropriation of funds, corruption and acts of desperation tantamount to causing division in the house.
Iyoha alleged that the impeachment letter was signed by 16 members of the house."
Edo State politics, Deputy Speaker impeachedhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/drama-as-edo-dep-speaker-impeached.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018My impeachment can’t stand – Edo deputy Speaker"The impeached Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Victor Edoro, yesterday, said his alleged impeachment cannot stand.
Edoro said the lawmakers that carried out the impeachment lacked the two-third majority spelt out by the 1999 Constitution, and that 16 members formed the two-third majority of the 24 member-legislative house.
“As it affects Edo House of Assembly, we must have 16 members. As we speak, there are only six members. So, they do not have the number.”
Edoro said majority of those alleged to have signed the impeachment letter had denied signing it, adding that they were dwelling on serious illegality that could not work.
“Why would someone have a desperation to become a speaker? How did I plan to impeach the speaker? What is high-handedness? I think they do not know what they are talking about,” he said."
Edo State politics, Impeached Deputy Speaker speaks outhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/my-impeachment-cant-stand-edo-deputy-speaker.html
Daily Trust NewspaperTuesday, October 23, 2018APC'll take over Kwara in 2019 - Buhari"President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, said the APC will produce the next Governor of Kwara State in 2019.
Speaking when he received the APC governorship aspirant and members of the party from the three senatorial zones of Kwara State at the State House, he said with the unity being displayed by the members of the party in the state, APC will form the next government in the state."
Kwara State 2019 Governorship election, BuhariPage 13
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018Women, youths protest against Oshiomhole in Imo"Hundreds of people consisting of women and youths in Imo State, yesterday, descended heavily on the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, accusing him of being responsible for the botched primaries of the party in the state.
They accused him of substituting four names of candidates who won the elections supervised by the Ibrahim Agbabiaka-led electoral committee with that of the dissolved Ahmed Gulak committee.
The angry protesters who marched through major streets in Owerri, barricaded roads in the state capital, alleging that the state was going through turbulent times politically because of what they described as Oshiomhole’s impunity and high-handedness.
The protesters vowed not fold their arms and watch the national chairman of the party destroy APC in the state."
APC primaries fallout, protest against Oshiomholehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/women-youths-protest-against-oshiomhole-in-imo.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018Cairo: I’ve no interest in becoming Ogboru’s running mate"A major contender in the Delta State APC gubernatorial primary election, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, has debunked insinuations that he betrayed the Delta North agitation by accepting to become the running mate of Chief Great Ogboru.
In a statement signed by his media team, headed by Emmanuel Ojeme, and made available to Daily Trust yesterday, Dr. Ojougboh said he was not interested in becoming a deputy governorship candidate.
“We are making it clear for the interest of the public and unsuspecting APC family that there is no discussion or any arrangement of such. This only exists in the imagination of people not known to him. Dr. Ojougboh is not a deputy governor aspirant or candidate and can never be interested.
“Dr. Ojougboh distances himself from such and has asked the general public to jettison such rumours as his only disposition now is how the party can pull together in one accord, resolve all the lingering differences and have a lasting peace so as to face the upcoming general elections as one family and come out victorious,” the statement read in part."
APC Delta State governorship candidacy, Cairohttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/cairo-ive-no-interest-in-becoming-ogborus-running-mate.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018ADP’ll shock APC in Ogun — Dimeji Bankole"The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Ogun State, Dimeji Bankole, yesterday, declared that his party will unseat the ruling APC in next year’s elections.
Bankole spoke yesterday at the ADP secretariat in Abeokuta shortly after he was officially unveiled as the flag-bearer of the party by the state Chairman, Chief Wale Egunleti.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives vowed to pursue mass employment, which is the motto of the party, if elected as the governor in 2019.
Bankole said the leadership of ADP in the last six years had embarked on grassroots mobilisation and built structures capable of defeating the incumbent.
Earlier in his address, Egunleti said Bankole was elected the governorship candidate having possessed the leadership qualities desired by the people of the state."
Ogun State governorship election, Dimeji Bankolehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/adpll-shock-apc-in-ogun-dimeji-bankole.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018Buhari supporters storm Suleja"Despite the discontent and misgiving that trailed the outcome of the ruling APC primaries in Niger State, party supporters yesterday grounded Suleja Town in solidarity with the 2019 presidential ambition of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The supporters, including women and youths, who converged on the ancient town from the three local government areas of Gurara, Tafa and Suleja, said despite the seeming anomaly at the primaries, President Buhari remained their candidate for the 2019 presidential election.
They also pledged their loyalty to the APC.
They took to major streets in the town bearing placards with inscriptions such as “No Alternative to Buhari “, “Buhari X2”, “We Say No To Corruption”.
The leader of the team, Malam Abdullahi Yusuf Tafa, said they were identifying with the president for his many achievements in all sectors."
2019 presidential election, Buhari supportershttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-supporters-storm-suleja.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 23, 20182019: Nasarawa deputy gov backs APC gov’ship candidate"Nasarawa State Deputy Governor Silas Ali Agara has pledged to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, in the 2019 general elections despite losing to him in the primary election.
Agara, who made the pledge in an interview with newsmen in Lafia shortly after holding a meeting with members of his campaign team and supporters, said he decided to support the candidature of Sule because it was the will of God and the choice of the majority of APC members in the state. Agara, who said he called the meeting to inform his team and supporters of his decision, thanked them for the support before, during and after the party primary election."
Nasarawa APC governorship candidate gets backinghttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-nasarawa-deputy-gov-backs-apc-govship-candidate.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 23, 20182019: Youth group holds #VoteYourFuture summit"Ahead of the 2019 general elections, a youth group, ONE, held a summit to sensitise youths on the need to vote wisely under a campaign tagged #VoteYourFuture.
At the summit in Abuja at the weekend, where thousands of youths were in attendance, the group said ýit sought to continue the trend of voting based on issues that would build Nigeria.
ONE said the #VoteYourFuture campaign was a non-partisan governance campaign centered on the 2019 elections with the objective of promoting youths’ participation in the elections and issue-based voting.
ONE Country Director, Serah Makka-Ugbabe, said, “The non-partisan #VoteYourFuture campaign is all about reinforcing the known fact that your action of voting (or not voting) affects your future.
“It affects the future of your family, your children, and can have an impact on your advancement in life. Voting matters. Not only that, how you vote matters. How you select the candidates is of critical importance,” she said."
2019 general elections, Youth Grouphttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-youth-group-holds-voteyourfuture-summit.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018APC right on my candidacy — Uba Sani"The APC senatorial candidate for Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Malam Uba Sani, has said the party made the right decision by electing him as its candidate in the next general elections.
Sani, who said this in an interactive session with newsmen in Kaduna, added that other aspirants had assured him of their cooperation as he emerged the candidate of the party.
He said the controversy over who won the APC primary in Kaduna Central had not affected the chances of the party.
He added that “all genuine party members” knew his capacity to win during the general elections.
“As you are already aware, the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, on Thursday, October 18, 2018, submitted my name to the Independent INEC as the validly elected candidate to represent the party in the 2019 senatorial in Kaduna Central. This decision was the final seal to a most rigorous and hard-fought primary election,” he said.
Sani, who is the Political Adviser to Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, pledged not to betray the faith and confidence his supporters had in him."
Kaduna Central Senatorial Seat, Uba Sanihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-right-on-my-candidacy-uba-sani.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018Conduct forensic audit for Osun guber poll—Observer"The Election Monitor (EM) has urged INEC to consider conducting a forensic audit to determine the cause of the sharp increase in voided votes observed in the last governorship election in Osun State.
The Coordinator of EM, Mr. Abiodun Ajijola, made the call at the weekend in Abuja at the public presentation of the “2018 Osun State Governorship Election Report”.
Mr. Ajijola said the 47,874 voided votes were high and unusual in Osun State, hence the need for critical examination of the development, and that it was important because it would help determine if there was any foul play or not and what could be done to ensure voided vote rates remained low in subsequent elections.
He said a lot could be learnt in the Osun election to guide the conduct of stakeholders so as to ensure the success and credibility of the 2019 general elections."
Osun State 2018 Governorship Election, Observerhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/conduct-forensic-audit-for-osun-guber-poll-observer.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018Cleric joins Benue gov’ship race"The presiding Bishop of House of Joy, Dr Sam Zuga, who has formally joined the Benue State gubernatorial race as candidate on the platform of Nigeria Peoples Congress (NPC), said yesterday that he will not collect salary if elected governor in the 2019 elections.
Zuga, in an interview with newsmen at his church’s headquarter, popularly known as Sam Zuga City in Gboko area of the state, said he was called by the leadership of his party and adopted at its primary election as their candidate to offer service to people of the state.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention in the insecurity in the state, emphasising that he had already devised the means to tackle the challenge if elected in next year’s general election."
Benue governorship race, Cleric joins contesthttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/cleric-joins-benue-govship-race.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018C/River SDP gov’ship candidate pledges security"The Cross River State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr Eyo Ekpo, has promised to end most of the long-drawn communal clashes in the state.
Ekpo, who spoke at the palace of the Obol Lopon of Ugep, Obol Ofem Eteng, when he called on him, said he would use everything within his power to entrench peace amongst the diverse people of the state.
The candidate said he was very familiar with the causes of communal crises in the state, having dealt with some of them when he was attorney-general in the Donald Duke administration.
He said the causes of the recent crises in the state were rooted in the long absence of elected local government council. Ekpo said the local government administration and the traditional institution were the closest links between the state government and the people that had now been neglected."
Cross River Governorship election, SDP candidatehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/c-river-sdp-govship-candidate-pledges-security.html
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 23, 2018How Tinubu, Osoba rigged Ogun primaries, by Amosun"Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday accused the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, of conniving “with a cabal in Lagos” to write fake results, after the party’s just-concluded primaries that produced Prince Dapo Abiodun as governorship candidate.
He made the allegation in an interview with journalists shortly after swearing in the new chief judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, at Governor’s Office, Abeokuta.
Amosun specifically pointed accusing fingers at APC National Leader Bola Tinubu and a former state governor, Segun Osoba, saying they played an active role in producing the fake results.
He said: “The president already knows there was no election in Ogun State. He knows that they just went to Lagos and wrote all results. And what they did is fraud.”
Insisting the only authentic primary was the one that produced Adekunle Akinlade as governorship candidate, he said: “The issue of Chief Osoba and Asiwaju and co, what we said was that there was a deafening silence from their end, and silence means consent. You can record me and publish in your newspapers."""
APC Ogun governorship candidacy, Governor Amosunhttps://guardian.ng/news/how-tinubu-osoba-rigged-ogun-primaries-by-amosun/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 23, 2018Rival APC groups protest in Abeokuta against choice of standard-bearer"Two rival groups yesterday held protests in Abeokuta over who should be the standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
A faction of the party protested at the main entrance of the Governor’s office in Oke-Mosan, accusing the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole of collecting bribe to impose Prince Dapo Abiodun as the party’s candidate.
The other group, which carried various placards stormed the Press Centre at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oke-lewo, to demand that Governor Ibikunle Amosun accepts Dapo Abiodun as the party’s standard-bearer.
The protesters included Ogun Progressive Students, Ogun Youth Assembly, Coalition of Ogun Traders and some civil society bodies."
APC Ogun governorship candidacy, rival groups protesthttps://guardian.ng/news/rival-apc-groups-protest-in-abeokuta-against-choice-of-standard-bearer/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 23, 2018Kwara PDP governorship candidate denies forging NYSC certificate"Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Razak Atunwa, has denied forging his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
He described the allegation by online medium, Premium Times as untrue and unfounded.
The medium had reported that Atunwa had some issues that border on his NYSC certificate.
Atunwa said, contrary to the publication, he did not submit any unsupported NYSC certificate."
Kwara State 2019 Governorship election, PDP Candidate in NYSC certificate scandalhttps://guardian.ng/news/kwara-pdp-governorship-candidate-denies-forging-nysc-certificate/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 23, 2018Imo APGA gubernatorial aspirants adopt Ibe as consensus candidate"About 15 gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Imo State have adopted Ike C. Ibe as their consensus candidate.
The aggrieved aspirants announced their position under the platform of Imo APGA Governorship Aspirants Forum.
In a statement by their spokesperson, Dr. Sam Amadi, they promised not to accept the reconciliatory moves by the party’s standard-bearer, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, or the Jerry Chukwueke-led National Reconciliatory Committee, until the right thing was done.
In the “Public Statement on the Botched Imo APGA Governorship Primaries,” they hinged their decision on the inability of APGA leadership to organise credible governorship primaries in the state."
Imo State governorship election, APGA candidatehttps://guardian.ng/news/imo-apga-gubernatorial-aspirants-adopt-ibe-as-consensus-candidate/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 23, 2018Osun election tribunal grants PDP’s request for substituted service"Osun Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Osogbo yesterday granted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s request for substituted service to the defendants.
The PDP and its candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke had sought an exparte application to serve the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.
The panel also granted an application to enable the PDP take possession of the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of all the materials used for the conduct of the September 22 and September 27 governorship elections in the state.
PDP filed its petition at the tribunal last Tuesday and had served the first respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but Oyetola and APC allegedly declined to be served.
Justice Peter Obiora, who delivered the ruling on behalf of the tribunal chairman, Justice Muhammad Siraju, said the court was satisfied with the report of services and there was merit in the application."
Osun State 2018 Governorship Election, Tribunalhttps://guardian.ng/news/osun-election-tribunal-grants-pdps-request-for-substituted-service/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 23, 2018Nwabueze warns Igbo against boycotting 2019 elections"Constitutional Lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, yesterday warned Ndigbo that boycotting the 2019 general elections would be a suicidal mistake.
He gave the warning in a reaction to threat by the exiled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu.
The foremost lawyer, a staunch supporter of Kanu, had recently brokered peace between Ohaneze Ndigbo and IPOB members at his Atani home in Ogbaru Local Council Area.
The elder statesman said in a terse statement that he had repeatedly advised against such move because of its implication on Ndigbo.
He said: “My stand on the boycott of election is that it is a suicidal mistake. For this reason, I am totally opposed to it, and have repeatedly advised against it.”
Nwabueze had been in the vanguard of calls for the restructuring of Nigeria, and had recently warned in an interview with a national newspaper, that Igbo presidency will be a mirage without a reform.
He urged Ohaneze and IPOB to work together to forge a common front for the Igbo nation."
2019 general elections, Prof. Ben Nwabueze advises Igboshttps://guardian.ng/news/nwabueze-warns-igbo-against-boycotting-2019-elections/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 23, 2018Okorocha’s faction of APC protests against rejection of its candidates"Members of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s faction the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday obstructed human and vehicular movement on major streets of Owerri, Imo State, protesting the rejection of their list of candidates by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
The protesters, largely youths, disrupted economic and social activities in the capital city of the Eastern Heartland wielding placards with various inscriptions.
They urged the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, to allow the list sent to the headquarters of the party to be the one to be forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for next year’s general elections.
According to the protesters, names of those who either lost or did not contest the primaries were added to the list by the NWC in the name of harmonisation to accommodate those in the opposing camp known as Coalition.
The fate of Okorocha’s son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, is hanging, as his case with Senator Hope Uzodinma in an Abuja court has not been decided.
"
APC Imo State primaries, Governor Okorocha's factionhttp://guardian.ng/news/okorochas-faction-of-apc-protests-against-rejection-of-its-candidates/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018Buhari Gives APC Marching Orders to Take Over Kwara from Saraki"President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja, gave the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) marching orders to dislodge Senate President Bukola Saraki and win Kwara State.
The presidential order, issued during a closed-door meeting with leaders of the chapter in the State House, Abuja provided an opportunity for diversion of attention from brewing crises in the ruling party that its National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, is battling to survive a rebellion by some of its governors, who are mobilising to remove him from office.
Although Oshiomhole told State House correspondents yesterday that he was on a firm ground, THISDAY gathered that Governors Ibikunle Amosun and Abdulaziz Yari of Ogun and Zamfara States respectively, are relentlessly mobilising the party’s 21 governors to force a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, where he would be removed from office."
APC Kwara State Governorship candidate, President Buharihttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/23/buhari-gives-apc-marching-orders-to-take-over-kwara-from-saraki/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018Lagos Speaker: No Plan to Remove Ambode, for Now"In an apparent response to growing public disapproval of the elbowing of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, by political power brokers in the state, the House of Assembly yesterday said it had no plan to remove the governor from office for now, explaining that his actions would determine if it would initiate removal proceedings against him or not.
The assembly also denied the allegation by the Solidarity Group of Nigeria (SGN) and a faction of All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State, that it threatened the governor to open the treasury of the state to fund the governorship and legislative elections in 2019.
The Speaker of the assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, made this denials during plenary yesterday, noting that the reports of purported plan to remove the governor in the social and traditional media were fictitious and unfounded.
After the controversial primary election that produced the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, there have been unconfirmed reports that the APC National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, has directed the lawmakers to commence removal proceedings against Ambode at a meeting in Tinubu’s Bourdillon residence."
Purported impeachment of Governor Ambode, Lagos speakerhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/23/lagos-speaker-no-plan-to-remove-ambode-for-now/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018INEC: APC Lied, Didn’t Submit Zamfara Candidates’ List"The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied receiving any list of candidates for Zamfara State from the All Progressives Congress (APC) as claimed by the party.
The electoral body had disqualified APC from fielding candidates for the 2019 general elections in Zamfara State on the grounds that the party did not conduct primary elections in the state within the time it stipulated in its guidelines.
But the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Lanre Isa-Onilu, had told THISDAY after the deadline for submission of candidates’ for the presidential and National Assembly elections on October 18, 2018, that the party submitted candidates for all positions in all states of the federation, including Zamfara.
“We submitted applications for all the positions in all the states, including Zamfara,” Isa-Onilu told THISDAY.
However, INEC National Commissioner on Voter Education and Information, Mr. Festus Okoye, told THISDAY on phone yesterday that the commission did not receive the list of candidates from Zamfara State from the ruling party.
He said based on the provisions of Section 31 and 87 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), “the commission does not expect that your party will submit names of any candidates from Zamfara State.”
Okoye added, “For clarity, our position is that the APC, will not be fielding candidates for the governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections in Zamfara State for the 2019 for the general elections.
“There are two matters relating to the party primary election conducted in Zamfara State pending before the State High court and Federal High Court in Zamfara. Those two matters are yet to be decided.
“So APC did not submit any list from Zamfara and INEC did not release any list of candidates from Zamfara.”"
APC Zamfara state primaries, INEC https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/23/inec-apc-lied-didnt-submit-zamfara-candidates-list/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018Ita-Giwa Denies Interest in Deputy Governor"Former Presidential liaison on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has denied her purported interest in becoming the running mate to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State in the 2019 election.
Insinuations about her eyeing the seat of the deputy governor became rife when she accepted to work with Ayade to fast track the industrial advancement of the state. She was recently appointed Ambassador of the Cross River State Industrialisation Initiative. The working relationship between Ita-Giwa and Ayade has been interpreted in some quarters to mean that she quitting the All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
While she did not deny making a comeback to the PDP out rightly, she skirted the subject of her interest in becoming deputy governor. According to her, she “has had no discussions about the deputy governorship ticket of the state and wishes to make it clear that she owes no one any explanations even if she did.” She said, “as a very busy individual she does not need the office of deputy governor to impact positively on the fortunes of the state or to support the governor in the development of the state.”"
Akwa Ibom politics, ita-Giwahttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/23/ita-giwa-denies-interest-in-deputy-governor/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018Gombe Residents Express Support for Gwamna"Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State has been touted by residents of Gombe as the needed catalyst for APC’s victory in 2019.
Residents of Gombe expressed optimism in separate interviews. They noted that Gwamna had built a political structure across the state that was fit for a governor, adding that such structures would entrench APC as the party with the highest supporters in the state.
Dr. Mohammed Tukur, a political analyst and an educationist who lives in Gombe Metropolis lauded Gwamna’s sincerity, saying it was transparent and attractive to attract people.
According to him, politics is about garnering supporters through proven integrity from the way one relates with the grassroots. He commended Gwamna has done well in that regard.
“When you have that kind of transparent integrity as a person, getting unrepentant supporters will be easy. Gwamna has been tested and the people are clamouring to make him governor.
“So he has the governor-kind-of-support in Gombe State as a whole. This is a development that will give APC the added advantage to victory in 2019.
“If you add the supporters of Gwamna to those of Senator Danjuma Goje and Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, the vote will be too massive for any party in the state to compete.
“With the enviable track record of Gwamna, it was a mistake for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to have denied him its ticket. Gwamna’s open declaration of working to ensure victory for APC in Nigeria and Gombe should not be taken as gimmick because Gwamna is a man that keeps his words,’’ he said."
Gombe State politics, Gwamnahttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/23/gombe-residents-express-support-for-gwamna/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 23, 2018Obi: My Nomination as Atiku’s Running Mate a Mystery"Vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi has said that his nomination as the running mate to the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was an act of God and a mystery to him.
The former governor of Anambra State also confirmed that Igbo leaders as well as governors of the zone never disagreed on his nomination but disagreed with the process.
Obi who visited Governor David Umahi in the Government House Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, yesterday, said he was in the state to intimate the people about his nomination as the Vice Presidential candidate of PDP in the forth coming general election and to solicit their support.
Obi said he also came to solicit the support of the Governor of Ebonyi State and commended the governor for his developmental strides since he assumed office."
PDP VP nomination, Peter Obi speaks
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 18, 20188 parties submit presidential, N/Assembly candidates – INECFew hours to the deadline for the submission of presidential and National Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2019 general elections, only eight parties have submitted their lists.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who disclosed this yesterday, said 89 political parties had indicated interest to conduct primaries.
INEC had in its Schedule of Activities for the 2019 elections put today (October 18) as the deadline for the submission of Form CF001 (list of its sponsored candidates) and Form 002 (personal particulars of candidates) for the presidency and National Assembly.
Details about candidates for the governorship and state assembly elections are also expected to be
submitted to the electoral commission latest by November 2, 2018. Parties also have up to November 17 to withdraw or replace their candidates.
Speaking yesterday at the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room Quarterly Meeting, Prof. Yakubu said the commission only received correspondences from the eight political parties as at the close of work on Tuesday which, he said, meant the commission had to work across the hour to be able to meet up with today’s deadline.
Prof. Yakubu did not name the parties that submitted their lists so far. When contacted, his spokesman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, said “it would be pre-emptive” to do so.
“The deadline is Thursday, Oct. 18 and many political parties would surely submit their list…There is still time to beat the dateline,” he told Daily Trust last night.
2019 general elections, INEC says just eight parties have submitted candidates for presidential, NASS Electionshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/8-parties-submit-presidential-n-assembly-candidates-inec.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 18, 2018Senate panel grills ICPC chair nominee OwasanoyeA Senate panel yesterday grilled Prof ‎Bolaji Owasanoye who was nominated as the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, chaired by Sen Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu), demanded to know what the new ICPC chair would bring to bear if confirmed.
Utazi said: “Prof, there are issues that in the fight against corruption, people that are against the government are usually targeted. When the PDP was in power, it was the same thing, and now that the APC is in power, people are saying the same thing. How will you ensure justice for all?”
Responding, Prof Owasanoye said “I believe the only way to go is to do the job the way it should be done. It’s also true that there’s a perception that anti-corruption agencies are used against some people. But that remains a perception.
ICPC Chair, Senate panel grills nomineehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/senate-panel-grills-icpc-chair-nominee-owasanoye.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 18, 20182019: Centre expresses concern over hate speechThe Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has expressed concern over the rising tide of politically motivated hate speeches, especially on the social media, ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The centre also decried increase in ethnic intolerance, saying highly inflammatory speeches were made by prominent political figures in some states.
It called on political parties to caution their members against hate and dangerous speeches.
The coordinator, Curbing Hate Speech in Nigeria Project, Hamza Ibrahim, raised the alarm yesterday in Kano during a media briefing organized by the centre.
2019 general elections, CTAD expresses concernhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-centre-expresses-concern-over-hate-speech.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 18, 2018Tambuwal appoints sole administrators for local govtsGovernor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State yesterday swore in sole administrators for the 23 local government areas of the state as well as new special advisers.
The governor urged them to live up to the expectations and keep a good relationship with traditional, religious and community groups.
He also admonished them to be prudent and transparent in discharging their responsibilities.
“Local government administration is all for impacting positively on lives of the locals. So, I urge you to do whatever you can to change the lives of your people in a positive ways,” he said.
The appointment of the sole administrators came barely four months after the expiration of the tenure of the elected council chairmen in the state.
Tambuwal however, explained that the administrators were selected on merit after due consultation with stakeholders from their areas.
Sokoto State politics, Gov. Tambuwal appoints administrators for LGshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/tambuwal-appoints-sole-administrators-for-local-govts.html
Daily Trust NewspaperThursday, October 18, 2018Bedlam in Senate over sitting arrangementThere was bedlam on the floor of the Senate yesterday over the sitting arrangement of senators, Daily Trust reports.
The chaos resulted in some of the senators raising voice against one another as tempers flared.
The genesis of the matter was a matter of personal explanation raised by Sen. Bassey Akpan (PDP, A/Ibom), who alleged than the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state was plotting to cause violence during the coming governorship election in the state.
Senate in rowdy session over sitting arrangementDaily Trust Newspaper, Thursday, October 18, 2018 (Page 10)
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 18, 2018Senate confirms Isah, others as chair, members of CCBThe Senate has confirmed the nomination of Dr Muhammad Isah from Jigawa State as the chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
Six others were confirmed as members of the bureau. They are Murtala Kankia (Katsina, Northwest); Emmanuel Attah (C/River, South-south); Ubolo Okpanachi (Kogi, North-central);‎ Ken Madaki Ali (Nasarawa, North-central); Prof S. F. Ogundare (Oyo, Southwest), and Saad Abubakar (Gombe, Northeast).
One nominee from Edo State (South-south), Danjuma Sado, was not confirmed as he was said to be 39 years, which is less than the 50 years set in the CCB Act.
Two other nominees, Ganiyu Hamzat from Ogun (Southwest) and ‎Vincent Nwanli (Ebonyi, Southeast) had their nominations set aside.
The chairman of the committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions, Sen Sam Anyanwu (PDP, Imo), who committee’s report was considered before the confirmation, told his colleagues that‎ the two nominees did not show up for screening.
Senate confirms new Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Chairmanhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/senate-confirms-isah-others-as-chair-members-of-ccb.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 18, 2018Senate leadership must change — AkpabioThe immediate past Minority Leader of the Senate, Godswill ‎Akpabio, has said composition of the Senate leadership must change for things to take proper shape.
Sen. Akpabio, who joined the ruling APC from the opposition PDP in August after resigning his position as minority leader, said he believed the Senate as presently constituted was not okay.
Akpabio said in a situation where one party had a clear majority in the red chamber while a minority party presided was unheard of in any democratic setting.
Our correspondent reports that both Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, were now members of the PDP after Saraki’s defection to the opposition party in August.
Akpabio insisted during a press conference yesterday that the leadership must be reconstituted to reflect the strength of each political party.
Former Senate Minority leader wants change of leadership in Senatehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/senate-leadership-must-change-akpabio.html
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 16, 2018PDP wants CJN to protect judiciary from fascist policies"The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday admonished the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, to protect the judiciary from the “unconstitutional and repressive fascist policies being foisted on the system by the President Muhammadu Buhari presidency.”
In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the opposition party said: “The admission by the Buhari presidency, on Sunday, that its obnoxious Executive Order 6, as well as the travel ban and trailing of citizens, are devised to directly interfere in judicial processes and stifle accused persons of resources, under the guise of speedy trial, has left no one in doubt that the nation is fast sliding into fascism.”
PDP alleged that the Buhari presidency had commenced an attack on the independence of the judiciary, using the instrument of blackmail and aspersion on its integrity and capacity to effectively and timeously dispense justice."
PDP seeks Chief Justice's protection against perceived fascismhttps://guardian.ng/news/pdp-wants-cjn-to-protect-judiciary-from-fascist-policies/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 16, 2018President meets Masari, Okorocha in Aso Villa"President Muhammadu Buhari has held closed-door meetings with Governor Aminu Masari of Katina State and his Imo counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, at Aso Rock.
He met first with Masari and Senator Abu Ibrahim who represents Katsina South in the National Assembly.
The governor, who arrived the Villa at about 2:00p.m. yesterday, proceeded straight to the president’s office for the event.
Although, no official reasons were given for the meetings, it was gathered that they may not be unconnected with the crisis generated by the just concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries."
2019 general elections, President Buhari meets Governors Masari and Okorochahttps://guardian.ng/news/president-meets-masari-okorocha-in-aso-villa/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 16, 2018How rising expenses impede fair polls in ECOWAS, by Yakubu"Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has decried the impediment rising expenditure put in the way of smooth conduct of elections in the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) sub-region.
According to him, many member-states are unable to fund critical aspects of the electoral process as a sovereign responsibility.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the validation of the study on the cost of elections in the zone as part of ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions’ (ECONEC) two-year work plan covering 2016 to 2018, Yakubu regretted that the cost of elections has kept rising.
The INEC chair, who is also ECONEC president, noted that voter registration, compilation of credible voters’ registers, recruitment and training of electoral officials, provision of electoral logistics, security, civic education, procurement of sensitive and non-sensitive materials, deployment of electoral technology, engagement with stakeholders and handling of pre and post-election litigations had been on the rise and were posing huge financial burden to electoral bodies in West Africa.
"
INEC Chairman speak on challenges facing polls in ECOWAS regionshttps://guardian.ng/news/how-rising-expenses-impede-fair-polls-in-ecowas-by-yakubu/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 16, 2018Fayose ‘rejects soft landing’ as PDP alleges indefinite detention plot"Outgoing governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, yesterday announced his rejection of an alleged soft landing being planned for him by the presidency.
He spoke in Abuja, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claimed that the Federal Government had instructed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to lay siege to Fayose’s Asokoro residence at midnight and detain him indefinitely.
The governor had said: “I don’t expect anything less. That is their style. How could I have left Ekiti State to come to Abuja in readiness to appear before the EFCC and then begin to plan an escape?
“I am ready to appear before them and whatever they like they can do. If they like they can keep me indefinitely but one thing is sure, we are chasing them out of power in February 2019. I thank Nigerians for the solidarity they displayed (have) for me so far.
“I don’t want their soft-landing. I don’t want to support their president.”"
Fayose rejects alleged FG's soft landinghttps://guardian.ng/news/fayose-rejects-soft-landing-as-pdp-alleges-indefinite-detention-plot/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 16, 2018Tambuwal accuses Buhari of running government through proxies"Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of running his government through proxies.
He made the allegation yesterday when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Peace and Reconciliation Committee visited him at his Maitama (Abuja) residence.
The governor expressed his commitment towards ensuring that the party emerges victorious in the 2019 presidential election.
“I want to reassure our party and Nigerians that I am committed to PDP’s success and victory at the general elections in February next year. We have had a robust and fruitful engagement on the way forward.
“And I have made my commitment immediately after the convention that I am going to support our candidate, Atiku Abubakar 100 per cent for us to emerge victorious at the polls. So, I am not wavering on that and I am not looking back.
“Work has started for us to ensure that the PDP family remains united and other lovers of democracy can partner with us to ensure that we convincingly win the general elections,” he stated.
"
Governor Tambuwal criticises President Buhari's style of governmenthttps://guardian.ng/news/tambuwal-accuses-buhari-of-running-government-through-proxies/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 16, 2018Salihu’s suspension a nullity, says APC"The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the purported suspension of the National Vice Chairman (North East), Mustapha Salihu, as null and void.
It made its position known in a statement issued by its newly appointed National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, barely 24 hours after the party’s North East Zonal Office suspended Salihu.
The party maintained that its North East Zonal Office lacks the powers to suspend Salihu who is a National Officer based on provisions of its constitution.
The party further asserted that powers to suspend national officers reside with its National Executive Committee (NEC)."
Suspension of APC Chieftain null and void, says Partyhttps://guardian.ng/politics/salihus-suspension-a-nullity-says-apc/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 16, 2018Niger PDP candidates get certificates of return"The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State has presented certificates of return to all 41 candidates that won its primary elections to contest the 2019 polls.
They comprise the governorship standard-bearer, Umar Nasko, 27 state House of Assembly aspirants, 10 House of Representatives candidates and three senatorial contestants.
State Chairman of the party, Tanko Beji, charged the candidates fill all the necessary forms provided by the Independent National Electoral Commissio (INEC).
Beji said the party’s presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Peter Obi, had already collected the INEC forms."
PDP Niger State candidates get certificates of returnhttps://guardian.ng/news/niger-pdp-candidates-get-certificates-of-return/
The Guardian NewspaperTuesday, October 16, 2018Ndigbo must not play into the hands of enemies over Obi'"Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Linus Okorie, has enjoined Igbo leaders to avoid the temptation of playing into the hands of the enemies of the people.
Okorie, who spoke with The Guardian on the sidelines of the meeting of Southeast Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu at the weekend, said Igbo leaders should handle their house keeping matters with majority, apportion blames where necessary but without doing anything to challenge or upset the nomination of Peter Obi."
PDP presidential running mate, House of Reps member advises Igbo leaders over Peter ObiPage 7
The Guardian NewspaperTuesday, October 16, 2018CAN urges political parties to avoid hate-speeches, vote-buying"The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has appealed to political parties in the country to avoid hate-speeches, violence, vote-buying and other electoral frauds come 2019 general elections.
The association also urged Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic, political and religious persuasions, not to sell their votes or be used to perpetrate violence before, during and after the elections.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja, CAN President, Rev. (Dr.) Samson Ayokunle, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all the security agencies to be neutral and apolitical in their conduct to have free, fair and credible polls in 2019.
Besides, the CAN, which commiserated with the victims of the recent flood disaster and wanton killings in the country, expressed disappointment, worries, shocks and grief over the loss of lives in the country in recent years due to some unavoidable factors.
It, therefore, urged government at all levels and security agencies to revive their intelligence gathering."
2019 general elections, CAN advises against hate-speeches, violencehttps://guardian.ng/news/can-urges-political-parties-to-avoid-hate-speeches-vote-buying/
The Guardian NewspaperTuesday, October 16, 2018APC, PDP presidential spokespersons trade words over candidates"Spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidates, Festus Keyamo and Segun Sowunmi, yesterday made an acute criticism on the administrations of the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari and erstwhile President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The duo, who appeared on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television, thoroughly criticised each other to present their candidacy in good light.

Specifically, Keyamo who is the campaign manager for Buhari, described the presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar, as a “colossal failure” while in administration with former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.


Keyamo also urged Nigerians not to base Atiku’s pedigree on his achievements as a private businessman, but on his records as a government official.

He said: “I want everybody to get it clear that Atiku Abubakar cannot run on the promises on this whole thing about running a private business. He is not Donald Trump that came all the way from private business straight into the presidency of America. He has been vice president.
He claimed those records because he keeps saying ‘when we were in power’. So, if he wants to take the credit of that period, he also has to take the liability of that period.
But Sowunmi described the present administration under Buhari as having “zero integrity.”"
2019 presidential election, APC, PDP trade wordshttps://guardian.ng/politics/apc-pdp-presidential-spokespersons-trade-words-over-candidates/
The Guardian NewspaperTuesday, October 16, 2018Judge withdraws from suit by two PDP factions in Ogun"Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday withdrew from further hearing of a suit by two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State.
The plaintiffs’ counsel Ajibola Oluyede, had filed the suit against the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its national Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, and National Secretary, Senator Ibrahim Tsauri.
The application included Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, Sikirulai Ogundele, Bode Bankole, Waliu Oladipupo and Tunde Alekuwodo.
Segun Seriki, Mrs Tuke Omotara, Nosiru Isiaka Giwa, Remix Bakare, Abiodun Sanyaolu, Kola Soriola and Oyede Elijah, were also listed."
PDP Ogun State factions, judge withdraws https://guardian.ng/news/judge-withdraws-from-suit-by-two-pdp-factions-in-ogun/
The Guardian NewspaperTuesday, October 16, 2018Akwa Ibom government accuses APC of creating false insecurity"Akwa Ibom State government has described the insecurity allegations in the state by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as imaginary.
It dismissed the alarm raised against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government as trying to bring back the sad experiences of 2015 ahead of the general elections in 2019.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Charles Effiong, stated this while fielding questions from journalists in Uyo, the state capital.
He said such antics by the opposition to draw up imaginary insecurity was laughable and would heat up the polity in the state.
"
Insecurity allegations, Akwa Ibom Govt accuses APChttps://guardian.ng/politics/akwa-ibom-government-accuses-apc-of-creating-false-insecurity/
The Guardian NewspaperTuesday, October 16, 2018Atiku’s ticket good omen for Buhari, says group"A group, Buhari National Votes Guards and Awareness, has described the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as a good omen for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election in 2019.
Its National Liberator and Coordinator, Kailani Muhammad, stated this at a press conference in Kaduna.
He said the former vice president who emerged, as the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is no match for Buhari.
According to him, Atiku cannot rule Nigeria as his political background has been marred by corruption allegations.
He said: “The majority of Nigerians know that for a certainty, Atiku is no match for Buhari in the presidential election of 2019 because of his alleged political corrupt-marred background and Buhari’s antecedent as a man of impeccable pedigree, who is focused towards building a socio-political and economic development.”"
2019 presidential election, Atiku vs Buharihttp://guardian.ng/politics/atikus-ticket-good-omen-for-buhari-says-group/
The Guardian NewspaperTuesday, October 16, 2018CNP picks 38-yr old Emmanuel Etim as presidential candidate"Change Nigeria Party (CNP) has picked a 38-year old Emmanuel Ishie Etim as its presidential standard-bearer in the 2019 general election.
Etim who spoke to reporters in Abuja after receiving his Certificate of Return remarked that his emergence was in tandem with the ‘Not too young to run bill’ for the youths to govern the country.
He promised to run an all-inclusive government if voted into power, and also tackle the myriad of problems affecting the country."
Change Nigeria Party (CNP) picks 38-year-old as presidentiasl candidatehttp://guardian.ng/politics/cnp-picks-38-yr-old-emmanuel-etim-as-presidential-candidate/
The Guardian NewspaperTuesday, October 16, 2018Protesters reject Cross River PDP guber primaries"Protesters demanding the outright cancellation of Cross Rivers governorship primary have stormed the headquarters of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abuja, insisting that the right things must be done.
The protesters said the primary election, which had Governor Ben Ayade as the sole candidate, should have, on the grounds that the second candidate, who was cleared and issued a certificate of clearance for the primary, Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi, but intriguingly excluded from the exercise 24 hours to the election, been allowed to contest.
This is just as a crisis has hit the Lagos State chapter of PDP over Lagos Central Senatorial seat for the 2019 election, in which four aspirants are jostling for the ticket, including Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, who is also the General Secretary, Lagos Elders Council, Mr. Kolawole Vaughan and two others."
PDP Cross River governorship primaries, protesthttps://guardian.ng/politics/protesters-reject-cross-river-pdp-guber-primaries/
The Guardian NewspaperTuesday, October 16, 2018Appeal court cautions Rivers APC factions"An appellate court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has warned the two factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state not to take further steps to frustrate court process.
The Ojukaye Flag-Amachree faction of the party had approached the court to appeal the judgment of the state’s high court, presided over by Justice Chiwendu Nwogu, that nullified all state congresses and primaries held last month for nomination of the governorship and legislative candidates of the party.
Factional executives of Flag-Amachree and Peter Odike are in legal tussle over the conduct of APC congresses in May.
The court’s three-man panel presided over by Justice Isaiah Akeju, while addressing the parties in suit no: CAP/198/2018 yesterday, told counsel to the warring factions not to take further steps to undermine the case pending before the court until the Supreme Court rules on the appeal before it.
Justice Akeju granted the application of Kaananwi Luke, counsel to the 23 APC members who dragged the party to Port Harcourt high court to challenge their exclusion from the May 2018 ward congresses, by adjourning the matter indefinitely pending the determination of their appeal at the apex court."
APC Rivers State primaries, Court cautions factionshttps://guardian.ng/news/appeal-court-cautions-rivers-apc-factions/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 2018Saraki Named DG, Atiku’s Presidential Campaign"Senate President Bukola Saraki has been named the director-general of campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The appointment, which had been subject of media speculation for days, was confirmed to THISDAY this morning by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, who said zonal coordinators had also been named after long hours of meetings by the PDP hierarchy.
The coordinators according to him are, governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto, North-west), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe, North-east), Samuel Ortom (Benue, North-central), Nyesom Wike (Rivers, South-south) and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi, South-east). Former Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, would coordinate the South-west.
Ologbondiyan said Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Emmanuel Udom, was appointed Chairman of Fund Raising Committee, while former presidential aspirant, Alhaji Taminu Turaki, would head the legal committee.

Others campaign officials, he said, would be announced in due course."
2019 presidential election, Saraki named Atiku's Campaign DGhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/16/dickson-rallies-former-pdp-presidential-aspirants-for-atiku/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 2018Be Firm on Zakari, PDP Urges Commission"The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged INEC not to change its statute-backed stand on the exclusion of Zamfara State chapter of APC from presenting candidates in the 2019 general elections, following its failure to conduct congresses.
The PDP also cautioned the commission that Nigerians were already aware of the pressure from the Muhammadu Buhari presidency to return Amina Zakari, ‘’a blood relation’’ of the president, as head of operations, so that it could use her to manipulate the electoral processes and rig the election for the president in 2019.
“While the PDP notes the redeployment of Amina Zakari to another directorate, the party nevertheless, reaffirms its position that her continuous stay in the commission constitutes a threat to free, fair and credible 2019 general elections, given her relationship with President Buhari, who is a major contender in the election”, the PDP stated in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.
It added, “Amina Zakari’s removal as Director of Operations has been hailed by majority of Nigerians, a fact, which shows that voters had already lost confidence in her integrity to hold such a sensitive position, for which they prefer her outright removal from the commission.
“The cases of Amina Zakari and Zamfara APC constitute another direct integrity test for Prof. Yakubu on his capacity, integrity and readiness for free, fair and credible general elections in 2019.”
PDP tells INEC not to change decision on Amina Zakarihttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/16/be-firm-on-zakari-pdp-urges-commission/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 20182019 Election Budget: Senate Debates N53.6bn Vote for Security Agencies"The Senate will today (Tuesday) deliberate on the N53.6 billion that has been earmarked for the security agencies to prosecute the February 2019 general elections.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje, will at plenary this morning present the report of the committee for the larger house to debate and possibly approve the budget estimate.
The Senate had last Thursday approved N189.207 billion election budget for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ahead of the February 2019 polls with a proviso that that the amount should be vired from the Special Intervention Programme as captured in the Service Wide Votes of the 2018 Appropriation Act.
Also last Thursday, the National Assembly ‘s Joint Committee had met with heads of affected security agencies with a view to approving the N53.6 billion election budget proposal they presented to the National Assembly .
The committee headed by Senator Goje had directed the heads of security agencies present to hold Executive Sessions with Chairmen of Committees on Security and Intelligence, Police and Interior.
The security chiefs thereafter met with Chairman of Committee on Interior, Senator Andy Uba; Security and Intelligence, Shaba Lafiagi and that of Police, Senator Abu Ibrahim, in their respective offices at the Senate Building."
INEC 2019 Elections Budget, Senate to debate N53.6bn Vote for Securityhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/16/2019-election-budget-senate-debates-n53-6bn-vote-for-security-agencies/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 2018Duke, Ezekwesili, Mimiko, Others Join Forces against Buhari, Atiku"In a new realignment to end the recycling of old generation political leaders in the country, no fewer than 10 candidates in the 2019 presidential election have agreed to join forces against the aspiration of President Muhammadu Buhari and his main challenger, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The candidates, who include Donald Duke of the Social Democratic Party (SDP); Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP); Dr. Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) and Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), also agreed to produce a consensus candidate.
Other candidates involved in the third force movement are Prof. Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Progressive Party (YPP); Mr. Obadiah Melafia of African Democratic Congress (ADC); Dr. Sina Fagbenro Byron of the Kowa Party (KP) and Mr. Ali Soyode of Yes Party (YP), among others
The Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM), a third force movement of new political actors in Nigeria, brokered the agreement at a roundtable held with the presidential candidates in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, at the weekend.
In a communique after the roundtable, the NIM under the chairmanship of former President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, noted that the presidential candidates “have already perfected plans to shortlist and settle for a fresh breed consensus Presidential candidate for the 2019 elections.”
The communique said the roundtable resolved “to align all serious presidential candidates of the third force political parties into a common platform for the purpose of upstaging the two presidential standard bearers of the old order in All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the 2019 elections.”"
2019 presidential election, Some candidates plot against Buhari, Atikuhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/16/duke-ezekwesili-mimiko-others-join-forces-against-buhari-atiku/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 2018Kukah: My Focus Was to Reconcile Obasanjo, Atiku Not Endorsement"The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese of the Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Hassan Kukah, has explained his role in reuniting former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his estranged former deputy, Atiku Abubakar, saying it had no political undertone.
Kukah in a lengthy statement issued yesterday said it has been his desire to reconcile President Obasanjo and former Vice President Atiku.
However, Kukah said he was surprised at the manner the epoch-making event was later given political interpretation, and referred to as an endorsement for Atiku.
He said he was compelled to explain his role since another key actor in the reconciliation Sheikh Gumi had already told his own side of the story.
“I feel obliged to state my own side so that Nigerians can have a clearer picture of my own involvement. Although trying to reconcile President Obasanjo and Atiku was something I had been working on intermittently in the last few years, nothing could have prepared me for the way things finally shaped up,” he said.
On the issue of misconstruing the intent of the reunion of the two political leaders, Kukah said it couldn’t have been for the mere issue of political endorsement that made him sacrifice all his tight schedules to broker the reconciliatory meeting.
The cleric said: “I was not in Abeokuta to endorse Atiku, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I perfectly understand the feelings of many of my friends and members of the opposition who believe that I travelled with Atiku and his team to attend his endorsement by President Obasanjo, but I reiterate that this was not the case.”"
Obasanjo-Atiku reconciliation, Bishop Kukah speaks on role playedhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/16/kukah-my-focus-was-to-reconcile-obasanjo-atiku-not-endorsement/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 2018Jerry Gana Accuses SDP Leaders of Betrayal"The Director General, Prof. Jerry Gana Campaign Organisation, Dr. Ike Neliaku, has accused leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) of betraying his principal by inviting former Cross River State Governor, Mr. Donald Duke to contest the party’s presidential primaries. He claimed to have evidence of their meetings, which he promised to disclose at the right time.
Ike who accused the party leadership of betrayal and conspiracy, maintained that his group simply wants an adherence to the party’s constitution.
“By the he provision of our constitution, this ought not to have happened. We drew your attention to it, you ignored it and you said you didn’t take the man (Mr. Donald Duke) seriously. How wouldn’t you take a former governor serious? How, especially in this case when we heard that some of them went and invited the man (Mr. Duke) to contest? You invited somebody to contest, you turn around and you say you didn’t take him seriously. Somebody somewhere was simply manipulating the process to ensure that somebody does not emerge. We have the facts. We know the meetings they held, where they were held, dates and what they decided to do and they carried it out,” he disclosed."
Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential primaries, Professor Gana alleges foul playhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/16/jerry-gana-accuses-sdp-leaders-of-betrayal/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 2018Yagba West Insist on Bisi Awoniyi as SDP Candidate"Indigenes of Yagba West Federal Constituency of Kogi State who cut across party lines recently visited the national secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), to protest the “rumour” that one Mr. Oluwafemi Daniel Isekaiye who hails from Yagba East local government area has replaced Adebisi Awoniyi, the first daughter of late Chief Sunday Awoniyi, as the the candidate of the SDP in the 2019 House of Representatives election for Yagba West Federal constituency.
Dr. Samson Nzeribe younger cousin of Chief Arthur Nzeribe addressed the protesters on behalf of the National Secretary, Mr. Shehu Gaban since the National Chairman Dr. Olu Falae whom they demanded to see was absent.
Nzeribe who assured them that the rumour was not true.
“As at now, no name has been sent to INEC. So you have not been injured in anyway,” he concluded.
Mr. Davies Biaye who led the protesters asked, “When Awoniyi was building the party in the state where were they?”
“This woman donated an office to the party in Lokoja and the three local government areas that make up Yagba Federal Constituency. Without this woman there is no SDP in Yagba Federal Constituency. Their claims that she cannot win election is a big lie,” he stated."
SDP NASS Primaries, Yagba West wants Awoniyihttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/16/yagba-west-insist-on-bisi-awoniyi-as-sdp-candidate/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 2018Gwamna Tasks Gombe People on Security"The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) and former Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial aspirant in Gombe state who recently ditched the party for the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna said President Muhammad Buhari’s second term in office will no doubt consolidate on the fight against the Boko Haram, other security challenges and the infrastructural development across the country.
Speaking during APC stakeholders meeting in Gombe recently, Gwamna said that the 2019 general elections in the country will for the second time mark the beginning of new things to come in Nigerian politics and the life of the common man.
He called on the good people of Gombe State to come out in their thousands and vote the APC gubernatorial candidate in the state Alh. Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya and President Muhammad Buhari respectively. He urged Alhaji Yahaya to be more aggressive and carry his campaign to all nook and crannies of the state exploring all the available means to do that. He urged him make the use of the media both the social and conventional media to campaign vigorously."
Governorship aspirant advises Gombe people on Securityhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/16/gwamna-tasks-gombe-people-on-security/
ThisDaylive NewspaperTuesday, October 16, 2018Lanlehin Leads ADC’s Gubernatorial Charge in Oyo"The National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared Senator Olufemi Lanlehin as the governorship candidate of the party in Oyo State for the 2019 election.
The Chairman, Screening and Primary Committee, Barr. Peter Oyewole, who announced the governorship candidate, said Lanlehin emerged after a keenly contested primary involving 13 aspirants.
He said the keenly contested election, involving so many qualified aspirants, and earlier discordant tunes within the party, showed that ADC was the party to beat in the Oyo State 2019 governorship election."
ADC Governorship Candidate, Senator LanlehinPage 51
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 2018Akwa Ibom APC Raises the Alarm over State Govt’s Employment Scam"The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has raised the alarm over an employment scam by the state government aimed at using it to regularise the long-concluded employment of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s kinsmen from his Awa clan in Onna Local Government Area and to deceive unsuspecting job-seekers and members of the public that there are genuine vacancies in the state civil service.
There also appears to be no respite for the governor as the mass resignation of his aides has continued unabated.
APC raised the alarm in a press statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Nkereuwem Enyongekere following the recent advertisement of vacancies in the civil service by the state government.
The APC said in the press release that the whole scam was a panicky measure by Governor Udom Emmanuel to regularize the illegal employment he has given his kinsmen, some of whom were employed over a year ago, realizing that he will lose the 2019 governorship election."
Akwa Ibom politics, APC vs State Governmenthttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/16/akwa-ibom-apc-raises-the-alarm-over-state-govts-employment-scam/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 2018Bribery videos: Kano assembly sets up investigative committee"Kano State House of Assembly has set up a 7-man investigative committee to ascertain the authenticity of the video clips that portrayed Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje allegedly collecting bribe in foreign currency from a contractor.
The decision followed a matter of urgent public importance raised by Labara Madari (Warawa Constituency) urging the lawmakers to investigate the authenticity or otherwise of the videos.
The assembly constituted the committee headed by its Majority Leader, Baffa Babba Dan-Agundi, during its plenary yesterday."
Governor Ganduje's alleged bribery videos, Kano Assembly sets up investigative committeehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/bribery-videos-kano-assembly-sets-up-investigative-committee.html
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 2018Lawyers appeal Executive Order verdict, criticise travel ban"Two Abuja-based lawyers have appealed the judgement by an FCT High Court judge upholding the powers of President Muhammadu Buhari to make Executive Order No 6.
In a Notice of Appeal filed at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, Ikenga Ugochinyere and Kenneth Udeze are asking the appellate court to overrule the decision the court the order does not infringe on the fundamental rights of citizens.
They argued that the judge erred in law when she occasioned the miscarriage of justice by unilaterally varying the terms of the Executive Order No 6 by issuing judicial caution that the powers of the Attorney General of the Federation must be exercised in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which did not arise in the Executive Order No 6 nor raised before it by any of the parties thereto.
They further argued in Ground 3 that the judge erred in law by deliberately refusing to make specific findings of fact on the issue submitted."
Executive Order, Lawyers criticise travel embargohttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/lawyers-appeal-executive-order-verdict-criticises-travel-ban.html
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 2018Shittu asks court to order NYSC to issue him certificate"The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, yesterday asked a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan to order the National Youth Service Corps to issue him a discharge letter or an exemption certificate for his one year mandatory service.
Shittu, in the suit brought pursuant to certain provisions in the NYSC Act 1973 and the provisions in the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions, presented four issues before the court for determination.
He asked the court to determine whether by the NYSC not issuing him a call-up notice to participate in the scheme, he would have become legally obligated to present himself before he attained the age of 30.
He also prayed the court to decide whether the non-issuance of a call-up notice by the NYSC to enable him take part in the one-year service after his university education at the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, and his call to Bar in 1979 did not amount to a waiver for him or abandonment of duty by the NYSC."
Minister's NYSC Certificate imbroglio, Shittu wants Court's interventionhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/shittu-asks-court-to-order-nysc-to-issue-him-certificate.html
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 20182019: Vote candidates committed to revival of industries, textile workers urged"General Secretary, National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Comrade Issa Aremu, yesterday urged textile workers to vote only for candidates committed to sustainable industrial development and revival of industries.
Speaking at a press briefing to make the 40th anniversary of the union tagged ‘Repositioning Labour and Industry for the Next 40 Years’ in Kaduna yesterday, Aremu called on the Federal Government and the northern state governors to revive the Kaduna Textile Limited (KTL) and other textile companies in Kaduna which used to employ over 80, 000 Nigerians.
He asked the Federal and state governments to within the context of Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) urgently revive moribund Textile mills in particular and manufacturing industries in general.
Aremu said: “In 2019 elections, textile workers and indeed organized labour would only vote for candidates that are committed to sustainable industrial development and revival of industries because the industry is a key driver of sustainable jobs and development for national economies and the foundation of good living standards.
“It does not matter whether it is first industrial revolution, (Industry 1.0), Second Industrial Revolution (2.0) Third Industrial Revolution (Industry 3.0) or the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), Nigerians must make what we wear such as clothes and textile, create jobs, save foreign exchange on imports and stop exporting raw cottons, crude oil, mineral resources, gold and diamond only to be importing finished goods from China, Europe and America.”"
2019 general elections, Textile Union Workers urged to vote candidates committed to industrialisationhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-vote-candidates-committed-to-revival-of-industries-textile-workers-urged.html
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 20182019: Tambuwal, Makarfi agree to work for Atiku"Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and a former governor of Kaduna State Sen. Ahmed Makarfi have agreed to work for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to succeed in the 2019 general elections.
Tambuwal and Makarfi were among the 11 presidential aspirants on the PDP platform who lost to a former Vice President Abubakar at the party’s national convention held in Port Harcourt, on October 6 and 7, respectively.
The Sokoto State governor who spoke during the visit of the Chairman, PDP National Reconciliation Committee and governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, Chairman of the PDP Convention Planning Committee and governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as well as the Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku, on Monday in Abuja, said he was committed to ensuring Atiku’s victory and ending what he termed “governance by proxy”."
Atiku's presidential ambition, Tambuwal, Makarfi support former VPhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-tambuwal-makarfi-agree-to-work-for-atiku.html
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 2018Dogara, Monguno, Jibrin among reps with unopposed tickets"Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and Rep Mohammed Tahir Monguno are among the few members of the House that got unopposed return tickets from their parties, Daily Trust can report.
The duo, both of whom are from the north eastern states of Bauchi and Borno, have been in the House since 2007, and would slug it out for another term with candidates from other parties.
Also, an erstwhile chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin, emerged unopposed for Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State on APC platform.
While Dogara got the PDP ticket for Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa-Balewa Federal Constituency unopposed, Monguno got his on the platform of APC for the Monguno/Marte/Nganzai Federal Constituency."
2019 general elections, Dogara, a few Reps get automatic ticketshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/dogara-monguno-jibrin-among-reps-with-unopposed-tickets.html
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 16, 2018More aspirants threaten APC over primaries"The discontent which trailed the recent conduct of primaries into various positions have continued in Niger state with aspirants to State House of Assembly calling for the cancellation of the exercise.
A group of aspirants in a petition made available to Daily Trust called for rerun of the exercise, while rejecting the outcome of the primary.
The aspirants, in a petition to the state party Chairman, Jibrin Iman, and signed by 30 out of the 62, alleged that the entire exercise was marred by violence, intimidation and all forms of threat to lives.
According to them, a particular instance was the violence and intimidation that characterized the conduct of the primary election in Chanchaga constituency where they accused the party of manipulating the process in favor of the incumbent and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ahmed Marafa Guni.
Mohammed Ndanusa who spoke on behalf of himself and six other aspirants from the constituency alleged that the primary was not held as pre-requisite for the nomination of candidate for the area.
He pointed out that contrary to the agreed date of 6th October for the primary election, the party decided to shift the exercise to 3:00am on the 7th without notifying other aspirants, saying that “apart from the local government party vice chairman with some commissioners and director generals that were there, no other election officials and aspirants’ agents were present at the venue of the purported primary election..

“It on this ground that we wish to call for the cancellation of the purported primary election,” he noted."
APC primaries fallout, Aggrieved aspirants vow to dump partyhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/more-aspirants-threaten-apc-over-primaries.html
Daily Trust NewspaperTuesday, October 16, 2018Peter Obi can't give South'E to PDP - Uche NwosuThe governorship candidate of the APC in Imo State, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, has said the choice of Peter Obi as the vice-presidential candidate of the PDP will not stop President Muhammadu Buhari from winning the South East.
Nwosu, in an interview with sime journalists in Owerri, said the nomination of the former governor of Anambra State by the PDP was another ploy to derail Igbo presidency in 2023.
PDP VP Candidacy, APC Imo governorship candidate Page 14
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Why we can’t achieve Jan-Dec budget circle next year – FG"The federal government yesterday said it is not feasible to achieve the January -December fiscal circle in 2019.
A Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) will however be submitted this month, while the 2019 budget estimates will be presented in November.
The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, disclosed this while speaking exclusively to Daily Trust yesterday in Bali, Indonesia, venue of the annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
He said the delay in submitting the documents to the National Assembly was due to the long recess embarked upon by the National Assembly.
“Now that they resumed, we are submitting the MTEF first this month and the budget next month,” the minister said.
He said the 2019 elections would not distract the implementation of the budget, because the president has ordered that the economic team should sustain the tempo in the economic recovery."
Challenges with January-December Budget Circlehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-we-cant-achieve-jan-dec-budget-circle-next-year-fg.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Presidency disowns names of 50 persons on travel ban"The Presidency yesterday denied releasing the names of the 50 persons placed on travel ban over corruption cases.
The Federal Government had on Saturday announced the banning of 50 high profile persons from traveling abroad over corruption cases. The ban was sequel to the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari for the full implementation of Executive Order 6
Daily Trust reports that in the statement announcing the ban, there was no names of the affected persons. However, a list has been on circulation in some national dailies (excluding this paper).
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said the presidency has not released any list and won’t do so."
Presidency disowns 50-man travel ban listhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/presidency-disowns-names-of-50-persons-on-travel-ban.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Buhari’s policies chasing away investors — Atiku"Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s policies are chasing away investors.
Atiku who condemned Buhari’s move to ban 50 Nigerians from traveling, in a statement by his Media Office, yesterday said the move was draconian, undemocratic and dictatorial."
Buhari's economic policies, Atikuhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buharis-policies-chasing-away-investors-atiku-2.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Desire for peace is universal, not conditional — Archbishop Welby"The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has described the desire for peace as universal, not unconditional.
Speaking at the just concluded interfaith conference in Abuja over the weekend, Archbishop Welby also said that peace required justice.
Welby said whenever Nigeria faced problems whether in terrorism, economic hardship, the death of farmers or herdsmen, he becomes “deeply distressed and mourn” as if they were members of his family.
Also speaking, the co-conveners of the conference the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan called for religious harmony which they described as important peaceful coexistence in any country.
On the upcoming elections, the Sultan said it is only God that can give power, adding that progress and development would continue to elude Nigeria if acrimony, mistrust and back biting are being promoted.
“However, we succeeded in securing the commitment and trust of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police and other critical stakeholders that would be involved in the electoral process. We had similar efforts in 2015 and it resulted in peaceful election that led to surprise defeat of the incumbent president in 2015. We hope that peace and tolerance will envelop the forthcoming elections,” he said."
2019 general elections, need for peacehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/desire-for-peace-is-universal-not-conditional-archbishop-welby.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Police summon Takai over murder of 70-yr-old man"Police authorities in Kano State have invited a factional gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Malam Salihu Sagir Takai, over brutal murder of a 70-year-old man.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Magaji Musa Majia, yesterday alleged that Takai was expected to report to the office of the Commissioner of Police, Rabi’u Yusuf today.
He said Takai’s supporters attacked the victim at Hadejia road roundabout on Saturday.
He said: “Takai’s supporters who accompanied from MAKIA attacked the old man and abandoned him in the pool of his blood. Not only that, they also destroyed any political bill board belonging to other aspirants they came across.
“We invited Takai to the command for questioning and the police will not leave any stone unturned in the course of its investigation. We will not allow the murderers to go scot-free. We will not accept this kind of ugly behaviour.”"
Alleged murder, PDP Kano State guber candidate summoned by policehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/police-summon-takai-over-murder-of-70-yr-old-man-2.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Executive Order 6: CSOs differ of travel ban on 50 Nigerians"Following the Federal Government’s plan to fully implement the provisions of the Executive Order 6 of President Muhammadu Buhari, civil society organisations (CSOs) have expressed divergent views on the development.
Their comments were however centered on the banning of 50 Nigerians from travelling abroad over corrupt cases.
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) faulted the President Buhari order, saying it is draconian.
The CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, said it is a wrong time for President Buhari to begin the implementation of this unknown and not well studied law.
“It smacks of an attempt to muscle dissenting voices. I will advise we all exercise caution and wait for the list of people and criteria the administration has utilized in its selection. But human rights remain sacrosanct in this hard fought for democracy,” she said.
On his part, the National Coordinator, Good Governance Team (GGT), Mallam Tunde Salman, said the timing seems curious which may give raise to misinterpretations especially given the increased political activities and realignment lately preparatory to electioneering campaigns for the 2019 General Elections.
“Whatever, the government must be transparent in its implementation of executive order six more so as a court affirmed the constitutionality of the mechanism,” Salman said."
Executive Order 6, CSOs differhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/executive-order-6-csos-differ-of-travel-ban-on-50-nigerians.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018SERAP to FG: Executive Order 6 repressive, illegal"The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project says the Federal Government’s Executive Order 6 banning 50 alleged high-profile corrupt Nigerians from travelling abroad is arbitrary, repressive and illegal.
It also said the order breached constitutional rights and the country’s international obligations which protect the rights to freedom of movement, to leave one’s country, to privacy, and to due process of law.
SERAP, in a statement yesterday by its deputy director, Timothy Adewale, said: “A travel ban by its nature is an interference with the right to leave one’s country. It is neither necessary nor proportionate to prevent dissipation of stolen assets or stop politically exposed persons (PEPs) from tampering with any such assets. The ban should be immediately lifted and the order rescinded.
The travel ban, according to SERAP, will also strain the government’s relationships with partner countries on whom it will inevitably rely for vital asset recovery cooperation, undermining the effort to bring them closer."
Executive Order 6, SERAP criticises FGhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/serap-to-fg-executive-order-6-repressive-illegal.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018ACF dissociates self from attack on Obasanjo"The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has dissociated itself from a statement attributed to its secretary-general, Anthony Sani, who reportedly described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as lacking in vision.
Sani was said to have made the comment while speaking with newsmen recently.
The ACF, in a statement yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu said, it is not in its character to attack elder state men.
The forum said attacking the views of an elder statesman of Obasanjo’s status on national issues in such uncomplimentary manner was uncalled for."
Attack on Obasanjo, ACF not involvedhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/acf-dissociates-self-from-attack-on-obasanjo.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 20182019: Editors warn against intimidating voters"The Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) has warned politicians and security agencies against intimidating electorate ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 14th All Nigeria Editors Conference with the theme “Credible Elections, Sustainable Democracy and the Nigerian media” held in Asaba, Delta State.
“The conference observed that elections in Nigeria are not built on truth and therefore urged the umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to remain independent in its practice by allowing citizens’ votes to count; as such is cardinal to sustaining democracy,” the communiqué said.
It also harped on the need for Nigerian journalists to intensify efforts that will deepen democracy through sustained investigative, balance and analytical reportage."
2019 general elections, Guild of Editors warns politicians against violencehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-editors-warn-against-intimidating-voters.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Group hails Secondus on Osun senatorial primaries"A group, Equity Coalition Forum, has commended the national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, for upholding democratic rules in the conduct of the party’s senatorial primaries in Osun State.
The group, in a statement yesterday by its publicity secretary,Abdulahi Olugbebe, lauded the patience of the party’s working committee in the conduct of the primaries.
“All aspirants were given ample and equal opportunities to participate under a free and fair atmosphere.If the party had done otherwise, it would have affected the chances of the party in Osun. We urge Prince Secondus to stay the course till the end.
“We noted that the primaries was conducted four times leading to the emergence of Dr Lere Oyewumi for Osun West ,Chief Ade Fadahunsi for Osun East and Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa for Osun central. The NWC should stand firm and resist any pressure from undemocratic forces.
“On the first day of the primary 2nd Oct at Iwo city hall, delegates were gathered from 9am. At exactly 4pm, thugs came to destabilise the place. Two delegates were matcheted at the back and rushed to the hospital. The chairman of the panel then shifted the primary to the second day Oct 3rd,” the statement read in part."
PDP Osun State Senatorial Primaries, Group praises Secondushttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/group-hails-secondus-on-osun-senatorial-primaries.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Sokoto gov’ship: Farouk Yabo emerges APC candidate’s running mate"The runner-up in the recent APC governorship primary election in Sokoto State, Alhaji Farouk Malami Yabo, has emerged running mate to the party’s candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto.
It would be recalled that in the primary, Ahmed Aliyu polled 2,282 votes, Faruk Malami Yabo 837, Abubabar Abdullahi Gumbi 70 and Sen. Abubakar Gada 20.
The decision to make Malami the running mate was said to have been reached on Saturday night when the leader of the party in the state and Chairman of Northern Senators Forum (NSF), Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, met with the duo at his Gawon Nama residence in Sokoto.
A statement signed by Wamakko’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bashir Rabe Mani, indicated that the meeting was held behind closed doors."
APC Sokoto State governorship candidacy, Farouk Yabo emerges runnng matehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/sokoto-govship-farouk-yabo-emerges-apc-candidates-running-mate.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Gombe APC gov’ship candidate meets aggrieved aspirants"The gubernatorial candidate of the APC in Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, held a meeting with aggrieved members of the party that lost at the primary elections.
The reconciliation meeting with the aggrieved aspirants was convened by the gubernatorial candidate to mend fences.
The meeting, which lasted for hours at the APC Square, was attended by the leader of the party in the state, Sen. Danjuma Goje, and some aspirants that lost the governorship primary."
APC Gombe State governorship primaries, Guber candidate calms frayed nerveshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/gombe-apc-govship-candidate-meets-aggrieved-aspirants.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Primaries: I’ve not left APC – Smart Adeyemi’s challenger"A senatorial aspirant on the platform of the APC in Kogi State, Dr. Williams Toyin Akanle, yesterday, denied leaving the ruling party.
Dr. Akanle, who contested in the Kogi West Senatorial District primary with Sen. Smart Adeyemi, said the rumour that he had left the APC, first to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), then to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and lately to the Accord Party (AP), was the handiwork of his political detractors who were threatened by his rising political profile.
The aspirant said in a statement which he personally signed that he remained in the APC despite his appeal against the outcome of the senatorial primary.
He said after contributing to the growth and development of the party he would not dump it as the 2019 general elections approached."
APC Kogi State Senatorial primaries, Aspirant says he's still in partyhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/primaries-ive-not-left-apc-smart-adeyemis-challenger.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018PDP faces defeat in Akwa-Ibom – APC"The APC says the PDP has resorted to falsehood and propaganda against its leaders in Akwa-Ibom State in its desperation to remain in the reckoning of the electorate.
APC acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, said this yesterday in a statement issued in Abuja.
Mr. Nabena said the PDP adopted the latest approach in the face of imminent defeat in the 2019 governorship and legislative elections in Akwa-Ibom State.
Nabena said the PDP alleged that the APC chieftains were planning to foment violence in the state in order to ensure the postponement of the elections."
PDP Akwa Ibom will lose state to APC, Yekini nabenahttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-faces-defeat-in-akwa-ibom-apc.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Atiku a formidable candidate – APC chieftain"A chieftain of the APC in Niger State, Dr. Mohammed Santuraki, has called on the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party and other stakeholders not to underrate the opposition PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
In an interactive session with journalists in Suleja yesterday, Santuraki said it would be disastrous to wave aside the former vice president as a featherweight.
He said Atiku was a formidable opponent that must be taken seriously and that the party must evolve a strategic roadmap and plan of action aimed at defeating, not just Atiku, but the PDP at all levels of election come 2019."
2019 presidential election, APC stalwart speaks on Atiku's chanceshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/atiku-a-formidable-candidate-apc-chieftain.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Makarfi: I’m not planning to run for Senate"A former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the PDP, Sen. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, has denied having interest in running for a Senate seat in 2019.
Sen. Makarfi contested with 11 others for the PDP presidential ticket but lost to a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
However, there have been reports to the effect that he is planning to contest for a senatorial seat in the 2019 elections.
The former governor, in a statement by his media consultant, Mukhtar Sirajo, said he did not have such ambition and that “nothing can be further from the truth.”"
No intention of contesting for Senate, Makarfi revealshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/makarfi-im-not-planning-to-run-for-senate.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Travel ban: BCO chides Buhari critics"Angered by the condemnations trailing President Muhammadu Buhari’s order that stopped some Nigerians from travelling abroad, the Buhari Campaign Orgainsation (BCO) has described as absurd the barrage of criticisms that dwarfed the benefits nearly 200 million Nigerians stand to gain.
President Buhari had slammed travel ban on 50 prominent Nigerians facing trial over corruption charges.
In a statement issued yesterday by its Director of Communication and Strategic Planning, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, the BCO said only corrupt and criminal-minded persons would condemn the president’s effort to stop corrupt persons from escaping with looted funds.
The group said if the president’s directive on the full implementation of the Executive Order 6, recently validated by the court, would send shivers down the spines of the PDP and other opposition camps to the extent of generating negative reactions from them, then they truly had skeletons in their cupboard."
Travel ban, Buhari Campaign Organisation defends Presidenthttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/travel-ban-bco-chides-buhari-critics.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018ALGON tasks politicians to eschew violence"The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has called on politicians across all the political parties in the country to ensure peaceful conduct during campaigns and elections.
President of ALGON, Gambo Tanko Kagara, made the call during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association in Abuja.
Kagara said there was need for all aspirants and candidates to work towards the unity of the country, adding that the meeting was held to ensure unity at the grassroots as political processes commenced.
The ALGON boss also called on governors that are yet to conduct local government elections in their states to quickly do so."
2019 general elections, ALGON preaches against violencehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/algon-tasks-politicians-to-eschew-violence.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 20182019: Dariqa group rallies support for Atiku"The Chairman of Dariqa Youth Unity of Nigeria (DYUN), Sheik Bashir Jaafar Katsina, has said youths stand a better chance of a brighter future under the presidency of the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Sheik Jaafar, in a chat with Daily Trust in Katsina, said the group at the end of its meeting in Jigawa where it evaluated all the candidates, resolved to settle for Atiku given his promises of an all-inclusive youth government.
He said the Buhari administration, which promised to carry the youths along since 2015, had nothing to show them.
“I think it will only be fair to support Atiku now to see if his promises can be fulfilled as well,” he said."
2019 presidential election, Youth group backs Atikuhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-dariqa-group-rallies-support-for-atiku.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Restraining order on Kaduna central primary vacated – Uba Sani"The declared winner of the APC senatorial primary for Kaduna Central, Malam Uba Sani, has refuted reports that the case he filed in court restraining the party from conducting the primary election subsists.
Sani, who spoke through his counsel, Sule Shaibu, said the order had been vacated before the primary which threw him up as the party’s candidate.
The counsel said he was amazed by reports to the effect that the order subsisted at the time the primary was conducted.
He said while it was true that Sani filed an action before a Kaduna state High Court and obtained a restraining order against the APC and INEC, it was also true that the court duly vacated the order and paved the way for the conduct of the primary."
APC Kaduna Central Senatorial candidacy, Uba Sani speaks on Court Orderhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/restraining-order-on-kaduna-central-primary-vacated-uba-sani.html
The Guardian.ngMonday, October 15, 2018Emotional Fayose bids Ekiti people farewell, promises comeback"Amid outpour of emotion, Governor Ayodele Fayose yesterday bid people of Ekiti State farewell.Donning a T-shirt and a pair of jean trousers, he was driven through the Ado-Akure highway acknowledging cheers from the rooftop of his Lexus sport utility vehicle (SUV) and brandishing a signboard with the inscription, “Ekiti-Kete, Thank you all and good bye.”
The Guardian observed that tears rolled down the cheeks of many who lined up the streets to bid him farewell enroute Akure Airport, Ondo State where he had to catch a flight.
Earlier in the day, at a thanksgiving held in his honour at the Government House chapel in Ado-Ekiti, the outgoing governor, in an emotion-laden voice, thanked the people for their support while in office.
Fayose assured the residents that he would always be with them, urging them to trust in God for a better future for him and the state, adding that he was a fulfilled man. His words: “I am contented. I am happy and I say thank you. Don’t be disparaged, don’t worry about me, I will come back. I will rise to the glory of God. I have enjoyed uncommon grace; I will never complain but thank God.”"
Fayose in emotional farewellhttps://guardian.ng/politics/emotional-fayose-bids-ekiti-people-farewell-promises-comeback/
The Guardian.ngMonday, October 15, 2018Assent PIGB to save oil sector, journalists urge Buhari"
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Journalists across the federation at the weekend called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) into law to engender necessary reforms in the oil and gas sector.
In a 10-point communiqué issued at the end of a roundtable in Enugu, the stakeholders maintained that the withdrawal of assent by the president was a disservice to reforms and foreign direct investments.
The participants noted that the decision represents a “disheartening setback on efforts to actualise policy reforms in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, a quest which was initiated about two decades ago.”
The document observed that the withheld assent was a missed opportunity to advance the commitment of the current administration to modernise the architecture of the nation’s petroleum laws to rid the industry of opaqueness and inefficiency as well as introduce a regime of international best practices, transparency and accountability."
PIGB, Journalists tell President Buhari what to dohttps://guardian.ng/news/assent-pigb-to-save-oil-sector-journalists-urge-buhari/
The Guardian.ngMonday, October 15, 2018No regret backing Tambuwal, but I stand with Atiku, says Wike"In spite of initial opposition to the candidature of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared his willingness to work with him (Atiku) ahead of next year’s polls. He also stated that he did not regret backing Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, who came second at the PDP national convention for the presidential ticket.
Wike said this during a thanksgiving service at Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday, while speaking with newsmen on the success of the PDP convention, adding that he totally accepts the party’s choice as the way forward. “I supported Tambuwal fully and I have no regrets supporting him. But the party has made a choice and as a loyal party man, I stand by that choice. I will support Atiku to ensure his victory in 2019,” he said.
The governor, who berated the All Progressives Congress (APC) for failing the country, charged all Nigerians to work towards sacking the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration."
PDP presidential candidacy, Wike speaks on Atiku and Tambuwalhttps://guardian.ng/politics/no-regret-backing-tambuwal-but-i-stand-with-atiku-says-wike/
The Guardian.ngMonday, October 15, 2018Okowa canvasses alternative funding for INEC"Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has stressed urgent need for an alternative source of funding to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) truly performs as an independent umpire.
Okowa stated this at the weekend during the 14th All Nigeria Editor’s Conference (ANEC) in Asaba. He said: “INEC is supposed to be an unbiased body, so, how can they truly be unbiased? How will they get their source of funding? How will they work on their process of appointments? These and more questions are what we are supposed to address and they have to be dealt with in such a manner that we can give them enough power and make them truly independent.”
However, the governor Okowa who used the occasion to reel out his achievements in Delta State, said: “Generally, in our country, I do believe that the need for voters’ education and the need to ensure that we take our people out of the poverty level, are motivations that will help us improve on the electoral process because, as long as our people continue to remain in the poverty bracket, there will be no integrity.”"
2019 general elections, Governor Okowa seeks alternative funding for INEChttps://guardian.ng/politics/okowa-canvasses-alternative-funding-for-inec/
The Guardian.ngMonday, October 15, 2018Police to clear Kwara of hoodlums, others before 2019 polls"Kwara State Police Command has said that bad elements, including political thugs, in the state would be cleared from the streets before next year’s general elections.
The commissioner of police, Fafowora Bolaji, told reporters in Ilorin, that the measure would ensure a peaceful exercise. According to him, officers and men of the command would sweep the streets of Ilorin and environs of political thugs and cultists “who are already warming up” to be used by some politicians before, during and after the elections.
He reiterated that “policing has nothing to do with politics,” but to protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.The police boss explained that his posting to Kwara had no political colouration.
Fafowora, who cautioned politicians against violating the electoral law, said that he would soon hold a meeting with all the registered political parties and their leaders to teach them to play the game of politics according to the rules."
2019 general elections, Kwara State Police Command plans to check hoodlums' activities before pollshttps://guardian.ng/politics/police-to-clear-kwara-of-hoodlums-others-before-2019-polls/
The Guardian.ngMonday, October 15, 2018Oyedepo explains role in Obasanjo, Atiku reconciliation meeting"General Overseer of the Living Faith Church, otherwise known as Winners’ Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has explained his role in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta.
Oyedepo, who was one of the mediators at Obasanjo’s residence with other Christian and Islamic clerics, spoke yesterday during the third service at Ota, saying he was invited to the meeting to broker peace between the two political gladiators.He noted that contrary to insinuations in some quarters that he collected money from Atiku, he said, he has never taken money from any politician and that he was not a member of any political party.
He added that all the political parties in the country have members in the Church and as such, he could not endorse any candidates.“Do not be left in doubt. I don’t belong to any political party and will never belong to any. Whatever party you are in, that is where I am. There is no party in Nigeria that does not have a member of Winners.
“Our goal is to secure the glorious destiny of our nation and we are paying whatever price that is required. The price of peace is far cheaper than the cost of war.“I have never taken a dime from any candidate. You should know better, I am called a peacemaker and have done that at all levels in this country,” he said."
Obasanjo-Atiku reconciliation, Oyedepo speaks on role he playedhttps://guardian.ng/news/oyedepo-explains-role-in-obasanjo-atiku-reconciliation-meeting/
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018INEC under Pressure to Return Zakari to Operations"The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is under pressure from some strong political players in the presidency to return the National Commissioner on Health and Welfare, Mrs Amina Zakari, to her former operations beat from where she was posted last week by the National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, THISDAY learnt at the weekend.
The presidency also said yesterday that it was seeking the understanding of the National Assembly over the funding of INEC’s budget for the general elections billed for the first quarter of 2019, saying it would not confront the federal legislature over its virement of funds from the Special Intervention Programme (SIP) estimates instead of the National Assembly’s projects votes as requested by President Muhammadu Buhari.
THISDAY sources said at the weekend that INEC had come under intense pressure to return Zakari, a relation of Buhari to operations, which is the engine room of election management of the commission.
Zakari and four other national commissioners had reshuffled by Yakubu last week after leaders of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Senate President Bukola Saraki, marched on INEC and Police Headquarters, protesting the handling of the governorship election in Osun State last month."
Reorganisation of INEC Committees, Commission under pressure over Amina Zakari's new rolehttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/15/inec-under-pressure-to-return-zakari-to-operations/
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018APC battles with Primary Elections Crisis"One week after the deadline for party primary elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is still grappling with issues arising from the governorship and legislative primary elections.
Following the expiration of deadline for petitions and appeals on October 7, the party decided to deploy members of appeal committee headed by former Edo State Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, to assist in reconciling aggrieved aspirants to ensure that they do not defect to another party.
Many aggrieved aspirants of the APC had stormed the party’s national secretariat to file their petitions with the hope that their complaints will be treated and possibly have the primary election results revisited.
However, a source told THISDAY yesterday that the appeal panel was set up by the party last week ostensibly to douse tension within the party and to enable it reach out to the aggrieved aspirants so as to plead with those of them that have genuine cases not to pursue it further.
“The appeal panel is not looking into any of the petitions because the timeframe for appeals arising from the primary elections had expired on October 7.
“The panel has been asked to study the petitions and try to reach out to the affected aspirants for possible reconciliation based on the merits of their complaints,” he said."
2019 general elections, APC primary elections crisishttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/15/apc-battles-primary-election-crisis/
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Afenifere Reveals How Obasanjo was Persuaded to Back Atiku"Details of how former President Olusegun Obasanjo was persuaded to support the presidential aspiration of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, have been revealed.
Many Nigerians were surprised that Obasanjo, who despite his earlier vow not to support the presidential ambition of Atiku, his former deputy, eventually gave his blessings to the PDP candidate.
THISDAY gathered that the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, played a significant role in making the former leader change his mind on Atiku.
Afenifere, in collaboration with leaders from the South-east, South-south and the Middle Belt regions under the Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Forum and the Northern Elders’ Forum, had declared that they would only support a presidential candidate whose programme will guarantee restructuring and they resolved that Atiku was the candidate that deserved their blessing in 2019 because he had listed restructuring as one of the major agenda of his government if elected.
In a telephone conversation with THISDAY on Sunday, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said the leaders convinced the former president that Atiku was the only candidate with a clear agenda on restructuring.
According to him, “In the course of our visit to Chief Obasanjo last Tuesday, we explained to him the position we have taken with our colleagues across the country; the Middle Belt Elders Forum, the Northern Elders Forum, the South-east and South-south Elders Forum, that restructuring will form the basis of our support for any candidate in 2019.
“We also told him that since he is an important person in our community within the South-west that it will not be good to be on a different page with him."""
Obasanjo-Atiku reconciliation, Afenifere speaks on role playedhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/14/afenifere-reveals-how-obasanjo-was-persuaded-to-back-atiku/
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Plateau Commissioner Condemns PDP Protest over APC’s Victory in LG Election"Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Yakubu Dati, has berated the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP) for protesting massive victory of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the recent local government election held in the state, which witnessed massive turnout.
Dati told journalists at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos at the weekend, that the election was adjudged free and fair by all the stakeholders and the civil society group that monitored the exercise and wondered why the opposition party should protest a transparent election which attracted the citizens of the state who came out en masse to cast their votes.
This was coming after the state Governor; Solomon Lalong, inaugurated the chairmen of the state’s 11 local government councils who were declared winners of the elections conducted in 13 LGAs at the State Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos.
Dati attributed the protests to the “troublemaking” legacy of PDP and said he expected the aggrieved parties to take advantage of the available legal means to resolve their grievances rather than resort to self-help.
“I know that genuine people who are democrats, who know that in every contest there must be a winner and a loser, will take advantage of the tribunal set up by the government, which is an independent arm of government, to present their grievances and it will be looked at.
“Resorting to self-help does not help. You also know that the elections were conducted peacefully all over the state. But of course, what do you expect from PDP? They are an opposition and they believe that opposition means creating fear and anxiety in the hearts of people which is far from the ethos of democracy.”"
Plateau State LG polls, APCreacts to PDP's protesthttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/15/plateau-commissioner-condemns-pdp-protest-over-apcs-victory-in-lg-election/
ThisDaylive NewspaperMonday, October 15, 2018Presidential Poll: 16 Parties Now in Merger Talks, Says BNPP Candidate"Lagos cleric and newly elected presidential candidate of Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP), Rev. David Esosa Ize-Iyamu, on Sunday revealed that no fewer than 16 political parties are currently in merger talks to give President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) “a good fight” in the coming presidential election.
Ize-Iyamu, who disclosed this in a chat with THISDAY in Lagos, two days after his unanimous election as the BNPP flagbearer in Abuja, said, “In realisation of the strength in unity among the opposition, we are in guided consultations and no fewer than 16 political parties are involved in this.
“Soon, you will hear of the political party we will eventually adopt to give the President a good fight, more so that we all know that Nigerians want a true change through installation of a leadership that is responsive to their yearnings and aspiration,” Iz-Iyamu said.
He declined to name the parties coming together owing to “the sensitivity of our joint plans.”
Besides, the presidential candidate sneered at the delay by the President in naming his running mate, two weeks after he became the flagbearer of the APC for next year’s election, saying, “It is symptomatic of the fact that all is not well in the ruling party.”"
2019 presidential election, BNPP candidate speaks on party's strategyPage 51
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Abiodun on a Rescue Mission in Ogun, Says Mustapha"Former Director General (DG), Sen Ibikunle Amosun Campaign Organisation (SIACO) re-election in 2015, Chief Bode Mustapha, said it was the divine intervention of God that has made it possible to have Dapo Abiodun, an oil magnate and an Iperu-Remo Prince, as the Ogun State governorship flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming 2019 general elections to rescue the people of the state from slavery.
Speaking at a solidarity gathering to celebrate the governorship ticket of Abiodun held at his Iperu-Remo country home, in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state on sunday, Mustapha who is also the chairman, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), said it took him and other good citizens of the state the sacrifice to lay their lives for the benefit and emancipation of generations yet unborn and free the state from the slavery."
2019 Ogun State Governorship elections, APC candidate praisedhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/15/abiodun-on-a-rescue-mission-in-ogun-says-mustapha/
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Only Genuine, Visionary Leaders Will Move Nigeria Forward, Says Akinyemi"A former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, has stated that Nigeria will surmount her current developmental challenges and move forward when genuine leaders with clear-cut vision are at the helm of the the country’s affairs.
The Professor of Political Science and International Diplomacy also stressed that having free and fair elections and organising developmental programmes across all sectors of the economy will help reshape Nigeria.
Akinyemi stated this in his lecture at the Diplomacy and Studies Think-Tank symposium, at the University of Lagos, organised by the MDSS Class 17, with the theme: ‘Contemporary Africa’s Political and Developmental Challenges.’
He said: “You and I know the way forward: have free and fair elections, get genuine leaders, having a developmental programme and a vision of where we want to go. We all know this, but how do we get there?
“That is what I don’t know. The primaries we just had went to the highest bidder, you and I know that. How do we get political parties that are not controlled by godfathers? How do we move away from them? I feel we have been moving backward.
“The leaders we had in 1960 were much better than the ones we have now. The elections we used to have before now were also much better than what we are having now. I can’t find a roadmap towards autochthonous African political system.”"
2019 general elections, Former External Affairs Minister speaks on what Nigeria needshttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/15/only-genuine-visionary-leaders-will-move-nigeria-forward-says-akinyemi/
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 15, 2018Bauchi PDP Governorship Candidate Woos APC Members"Bauchi State governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Bala Mohammed has urged aggrieved governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who were shortchanged at the recent primary elections to join his campaign structure with a view to defeating the incumbent governor Mohammed Abubakar in 2019.
The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who made the call on Sunday while inaugurating his campaign harmonisation committee explained that the committee was set up and charged with the responsibility of consoling those who lost primary elections in the party as well as wooing aggrieved members of other parties.
Mohammed also said the committee was constituted to work out modalities for the success of the party during the conduct of the next Year’s general elections.
Another term of reference of the committee according to Muhammad is to find lasting solution to the challenges militating against the development of PDP in the state.
The PDP Gubernatorial Candidate expressed confidence that with the calibre of experienced members of the committee, success would be achieved.
He assured people of the State especially Civil Servants that his administration will give special attention to the improvement of their well-being if given the opportunity."
PDP Bauchi governorship candidate advises aggrieved APC aspirantshttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/15/bauchi-pdp-governorship-candidate-woos-apc-members/
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 20182019: Obasanjo backs Atiku, says he’s better than Buhari"Former President Olusegun Obasanjo made a volte-face yesterday and endorsed the presidential bid of his erstwhile deputy Atiku Abubakar on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Obasanjo had in the past repeatedly declared that he would not back Atiku’s presidential ambition. “If I support Atiku for anything, God will not forgive me. If I do not know, yes. But once I know, Atiku can never enjoy my support,” he had said in one instance.
The former president had also warned Nigerians against supporting the APC or PDP saying “I have publicly said and I mean it, that as a party, neither PDP nor APC can get us there as they have been; never mind about reforms and apology and all that.”
But Obasanjo made a U-turn yesterday while hosting Atiku in Abeokuta. Atiku, who defeated 11 others to clinch the PDP ticket, was Obasanjo’s vice president between 1999 and 2007, but they had been torn apart until yesterday.
Those present at the event included PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, PDP chieftain Bode George, Founder of Living Faith Church Bishop David Oyedepo, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Matthew Hassan Kukah and Kaduna-based Islamic preacher, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.
Others include former Governor of Osun Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the Director- General of Atiku Campaign Organization and former governor Of Ogun State Otunba Gbenga Daniel; former governor of Cross River State Liyel Imoke, Senator Ben Murray Bruce, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, and Afenifere Leader Ayo Adebanjo."
2019 presidential election, Obasanjo backs Atikuhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-obasanjo-backs-atiku-says-hes-better-than-buhari.html
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018No party has submitted list of candidates — INEC"The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says none of the 89 registered political parties has submitted the list of its sponsored candidates (Form CF002) and personal particulars (Form 001) to the centre designated for the collection of the documents.
INEC, in a statement issued yesterday by its National Commissioner and member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Haruna, said the deadlines for the submissions of Forms CF001 and CF002 for the 2019 general elections remained October 18, for presidential and National Assembly and November 2 for governorship and state assemblies.
The statement issued after INEC’s weekly meeting also announced the reorganization of the chairmanship of five out of its 15 standing committees.
According to the statement, Barrister Festus Okoye would now chair information and voter education committee; Prince Solomon Adedeji Soyebi, Board of the Electoral Institute (TEI); Dr Mohammed Mustafa Lecky, planning, monitoring and strategy committee; Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari, health and welfare committee; and Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, electoral operations and logistics committee."
2019 general elections, INEC speaks on submission of candidateshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/no-party-has-submitted-list-of-candidates-inec.html
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018Yusuf kicks as Takai emerges ‘Kano PDP’ gov’ship candidate"A two-time gubernatorial candidate, Malam Salihu Sagir Takai, yesterday, emerged as Kano State governorship candidate of the Senator Mas’ud El-Jibril Doguwa-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Daily Trust can report.
But Engr. Abba Yusuf, the son-in law to ex-governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who earlier emerged as the gubernatorial candidate of the party has dismissed the latest development, saying it was not possible for Takai to fly the ticket of the party without the consent of delegates and other statutory stakeholders.
Daily Trust reports that Takai emerged a day after a report which quoted Kwankwaso threatening that he would dump the PDP if the party’s top echelon tampered with the list of candidates returned from the parallel primaries he held for the various offices, including the governorship, national and state assembly.
Takai was said to have been elected as candidate of the Doguwa-led PDP during a stakeholders meeting held at Legacy House, Abuja, which was a follow-up to the one organized on Wednesday."
2019 Kano State Governorship election, Takai emerges PDP candidatehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/yusuf-kicks-as-takai-emerges-kano-pdp-govship-candidate.html
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018Senate confirms 22 commissioners for NPC"The Senate has confirmed the nominations of 22 commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC).
The confirmation followed the adoption of the Committee on National Identity Card and National Population Commission chaired by Sen Suleiman Hunkuyi (PDP, Kaduna).
Those confirmed are Nwanne Johnny Nwabuisi (Abia), Clifford Zirra (Adamawa), Chidi Christopher Ezeoke (Anambra), Bar Isa Audu Buratai (Borno), Rtd Navy Capt Charles Iyam Ogwa (C/River), ‎Sir Richard Odibo (Delta), Okereke Darlington Onuabuchi (Ebonyi), Olusegun Aiyejina (Edo), Ejike Eze (Enugu), Abubakar Mohammed Danburam (Gombe) and Prof Uba Nnabue (Imo).
Others are Suleiman Ismaila Lawal (Kano), Prof Jimoh Habibat Isah (Kogi), Sa’adatu Ayinla Alanamu (Kwara), Nasir Isa Kwarra (Nasarawa), Bar Aliyu Datti (Niger), Yeye Seyi Olusanya (Ogun), Prince Olanadiran Iyanta (Ondo), Sen Mudasiru Oyetunde Hussain (Osun), Mrs Cecilia Arsun Depoet (Plateau), Dr Ipalibo Mcdonald Harry (Rivers) and Sale Saany (Taraba).
However, the nominee from Kaduna State, Abdulmalik Mohammed Durunguwa, was referred back to‎ the committee as the panel observed that there were issues with some of his certificates."
Senate confirms 22 commissioners for National Population Commission (NPC)https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/senate-confirms-22-commissioners-for-npc.html
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018Court upholds President Buhari’s Executive Order 6"A Federal High Court in Abuja has upheld the legality of the Executive Order No 6 recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari for the seizure of assets linked with corruption.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu held yesterday that the president has constitutional powers to make Executive Orders for Executive policies provided it does not detract from the principle of separation of powers.
She noted however that the Executive Order, which empowers the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to seize and preserve assets under investigation, must be executed through a court order and other relevant arms of government.
The judgement followed a suit by two lawyers: Ikenga Ugochinyere and Kenneth Udeze, who sought the order of the court declaring the Executive Order No 6 as unconstitutional.
In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/740/2018, they asked the court to among other things, determine whether by the combined effects of sections 5, 36 and 43 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, President Buhari had the powers to issue or implement such order.
They sought among others: “A declaration that the president cannot validly exercise his constitutional powers by deliberately undermining, limiting and/or inhibiting the entrenched constitutional rights of any citizen of Nigeria to fair hearing vide the issuance of the Order.”"
Court upholds Buhari's Executive Order 6https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/court-upholds-president-buharis-executive-order-6.html
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018Invasion: Reps want Sergeant-At-Arms to bear arms"The House of Representatives yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to grant a license for the use of firearms by the Sergeant-At-Arms for the protection of legislators and the National Assembly premises.
This is just as the lawmakers resolved to amend the National Assembly Service Commission Act, 2014 to develop measures for the training of Sergeant-At-Arms on the procurement, use and storage of firearms.
The resolutions followed a motion under matters of urgent public importance by Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta) to address “the desecration and security challenges on the invasion of National Assembly by security operatives.”
Ossai had recalled the invasion of the National Assembly by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) and hoodlums who carried away the Senate mace respectively on August 7 and April 18, 2018.
“The constant executive intimidation, interference and abuse have regrettably put the legislative institutions in a position to address the underlying security challenges.
“Section 12(2) of the National Assembly Service Commission Act, 2014, vests the Sergeant-At-Arms with all the powers, privileges and immunities of the police and other law enforcement agencies,” Ossai noted. After debates, the motion was put into vote by Speaker Yakubu Dogara and was unanimously adopted."
Sergeant-At-Arms should carry arms, Reps sayhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/invasion-reps-want-sergeant-at-arms-to-bear-arms.html
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018Yoruba monarchs meet at Awo’s home, demand new generation of politicians"Yoruba monarchs led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi yesterday met at the residence of the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, in Ikenne, demanding new generation of politicians ready to protect and defend interest of the Yoruba nation.
They spoke at a workshop organised by the Yoruba Unity Forum with the theme “State Of The Nation: Yoruba, Where Are We?”.
Ogunwusi expressed regret that there was sheer lack of unity in Yoruba nation, saying until Yoruba are united, Nigeria’s unity in diversity may never be accomplished.
The Ooni of Ife maintained that, tribal and ethnic crises in Nigeria have remained unabated because they tend to flow from the disunity among Yoruba leaders.
“We have allow deception, mistrust to divide us as a nation. It was the colonial masters that distorted our history. Yoruba nation is the home of civilization and structure of the political administration. We should be examples for other nation in Nigeria.”
On his part, Alaafin, represented by the Basorun Oyomesi, Yusuf Olayinka, equally agreed that the crop generation of politicians had failed, saying there was need to emulate Awolowo who according to him lived a selfless life."
Awolowo's political legacy, Yoruba monarchs meethttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/yoruba-monarchs-meet-at-awos-home-demand-new-generation-of-politicians.html
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018Crisis in Plateau communities over LG poll results"Following yesterday’s announcement of the local government elections result by the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLAISEC), crises have broken out in several communities.
Among the 13 LGAs where elections were conducted, 11 were announced and two were inconclusive, and the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) was declared winner in the 11 LGAs.
But the main opposition, the People’s Democratic Party rejected the result election, alleging gross irregularities.
PDP supporters protested; leading to burning of houses, destruction of property in Bassa, Mangu and Langtang North.
Governor Simon Lalong asked citizens not to do anything that might affect the peace of the state, stressing that anyone aggrieved by the result of the elections should approach the elections petition tribunal.
Meanwhile, the coalition of civil society accredited by PLASIEC to observe the elections said the process was generally peaceful, transparent and free."
Plateau State LG polls, PDP rejects resultshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/crisis-in-plateau-communities-over-lg-poll-results.html
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018Protest over Kwara APC gov’ship contest"Supporters of Alhaji Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi, one of the governorship aspirants of the APC in Kwara State, yesterday, staged a protest in Ilorin on the grounds that the outcome of the gubernatorial primary election conducted in the state was a product of injustice.
In a letter to the National Working Committee of the APC, the Director General of Yaman Support Group, Bode Towoju, said agents and collation officers of his principal were threatened and treated unfairly.
“Our agents and collation officers were denied copies of the result sheet at the voting centres, although collation was done at the various wards and our agent reported the result to our central monitoring and situation centre for proper update of our records,” he said.
Towoju who had earlier addressed journalists in Ilorin during a protest, said that the electoral panel that conducted the gubernatorial primary election discarded zoning and consensus arrangement as advocated by concerned foundation members of the party.
“It is the turn of the Kwara North to produce the next governor of the state in 2019 in the interest of fairness, equality, justice and togetherness,” he said."
APC Kwara State Governorship candidacy, aspirant stage protesthttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/protest-over-kwara-apc-govship-contest.html
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018Obasanjo, Atiku will lose together – Presidency"The Presidency yesterday said it was not surprised by the endorsement of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar by former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the 2019 presidential race.
The Presidency reacted in a statement by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
“The Presidency has received the news of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s predictable U-turn and somersault on the endorsement of the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at a meeting Thursday, and to say that we are the least surprised by the well-rehearsed theatre.
“They will lose together. Listening to the prepared statement of the former President after the meeting showed the usual ego trip and ‘I know it all’ character of Chief Obasanjo.
“In the first place, we dare to say that a pompous statement from the former President advising Nigerians on a vote against President Buhari is the best recommendation that can come at this time,” he said.
It said endorsement also betrayed a lack of understanding of today’s politics which is about good governance."
2019 presidential election, Presidency says Obasanjo, Atiku will lose togetherhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/obasanjo-atiku-will-lose-together-presidency.html
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018‘Kingibe never abandoned Abiola’"Hajiya Ireti Kingibe, former wife of one-time Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babagana Kingibe, has denied that her husband abandoned MKO Abiola at the height of the struggle to validate the result of the June 12 election.
She stated this in the current edition of The INTERVIEW magazine.
While responding to criticisms that her former husband did not deserve the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) granted to him earlier in the year because he betrayed Abiola, Ireti Kingibe said such criticisms were “unfair.”
She noted that it was in fact Abiola who left her former husband in the cold.
“In truth, Baba Kingibe only went to see Abiola and found out that Abiola had left the country. And when Abiola called from abroad, it was me he got” she said.
“Those days we had landlines. Baba (Kingibe) was not at home. I picked up the phone and he (Abiola) said to me in Yoruba that I should tell my husband that a bird does not tell another bird that a stone is coming. So, when Baba came back, I said Abiola called and this is the message he left for you.
“Baba said to me, ‘did he call to apologize?’ I said no, he did not call to apologize. He just gave an explanation or a rationalization for his action and this is what he said. ‘No, no! You didn’t understand his Yoruba well. I said you can go and find out from anybody” she added."
June 12, Kingibe's wife says husband never abandoned MKO Abiolahttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kingibe-never-abandoned-abiola.html
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 20182019: FG urges advertising practitioners to comply with laws"The Federal Government has urged advertising practitioners to comply with its laws and code of advertising in preparing political advertisements.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated this on Thursday during a stakeholder’s forum on political advertising organized by the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) in conjunction with the Advertising Practitioners Association Abuja Chapter (APAAC).
The event themed: “Ethical Advertising and Communication: A tool for enhancing peace and political stability,” was graced by dignatories in the profession.
The minister, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Grace Isu Gekpe, said political parties, election candidates, their supporters, organizations and individuals who engage in the design and deployment of advertisements should be guided by the ethical laws of the profession."
2019 general elections, FG advises advertising practitionershttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-fg-urges-advertising-practitioners-to-comply-with-laws.html
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018Issues as Marafa backs INEC on Zamfara primaries tussle"A governorship aspirant of the APC in Zamfara State, Sen. Kabiru Garba Marafa, has insisted that the party did not conduct any primary election or agreed on consensus candidates for the various elective offices.
Marafa’s claim contrasted those of Gov. Abdulaziz Yari who claimed primaries were held and the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who said they were about reaching a consensus in Zamfara.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Tuesday in a letter to Oshiomhole said the party had lost its right to field candidates for all elective positions as it did not conduct primaries.
But Oshiomhole in his response told INEC that the party’s candidates in the state emerged through consensus, faulting the electoral umpire’s position on the matter.
However, Marafa, yesterday, backed INEC at a press conference at the National Assembly.
“I want to believe the chairman (Oshiomhole) was being misled by the APC electoral committee that went to Zamfara.
“But as a stakeholder who was present and witnessed the whole process that happened, there was no election in Zamfara on Saturday October 7, 2018.
“Also, there was no consensus from anybody or by anybody. So, the election committee reported in the contrary,” he said."
APC Zamfara state governorship primaries, Senator Marafa supports INEC's stancehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/issues-as-marafa-backs-inec-on-zamfara-primaries-tussle.html
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018Ekiti speaker, deputy impeached, 12 suspended"Crisis rocked the chambers of the Ekiti State House of Assembly on Thursday as the lawmakers removed the Speaker, Hon. Kolawole Oluwawole, and his Deputy, Hon. Sina Animasaun, and replaced them with Hon. Ebenezer Alagbada (Ise/Orun) as the new speaker, and reinstated the former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Segun Adewumi.
The latest development was like what played out in 2014 when Gov. Fayose took over power and seven members of the then assembly impeached the then Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin (APC), and installed Hon. Dele Olugbemi, who just defected to the PDP.
Twelve other lawmakers, including Oluwawole, were suspended for 125 legislative days by the three APC and 11 PDP lawmakers who carried out the changes.
Those suspended are Oluwawole, Animasahun, Omotoso Samuel, Wale Onigiobi, Wale Ayeni, Dare Pelemọ, Jeje Samuel, Akinleye Dayo, Fajemilehin Ayodele, Fasanmi Temitope, Tunji Akinyele and Sanya Aladeyelu.
At the sitting, Sunday Akinniyi (APC) was elected minority leader, Fajana Ojo-Ade, deputy leader, Cecilia Dada, chief whip, and Musa Arogundade, deputy chief whip.
Addressing newsmen after the plenary, Aribisogan, the new leader of business, said Oluwawole and the other PDP lawmakers were suspended over alleged complicity in the disappearance of N60m in the house."
Ekiti State House of Assembly crisis, Speaker impeachedhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ekiti-speaker-deputy-impeached-12-suspended.html
Daily Trust OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018No APC senatorial primary in Plateau South — Tallen"A former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Pauline Tallen, yesterday, faulted the result of the APC senatorial primary in Plateau South, saying no election took place.
Tallen, an aspirant for the ticket, alleged irregularities in the conduct of the primary.
Daily Trust reports that details of the result, as announced by the electoral officer, Abu Isa, shows that a former Deputy Governor of the state, Ignatius Longjan, emerged winner, having scored 972 votes to defeat Nanven Nimfel who scored 786 votes.
Jibrin Banchir, Tallen and Stephen Dashe Teel scored 41, nine and five votes respectively.
However, Tallen described the primary as “a charade” which did not meet the standard set by the APC."
APC Plateau State primaries, Former Deputy Governor cries foulhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/no-apc-senatorial-primary-in-plateau-south-tallen.html
The Guardian.ngFriday, October 12, 2018Cleric warns against declaring presidential poll inconclusive"The Founder and Primate of the Evangelical Church of Yahweh Worldwide, Apostle Theophilus Olabayo, has warned that on no account should the 2019 presidential election be declared inconclusive.
Besides, he advised politicians in the country to shun hate-speeches and desperate acts, saying that their actions could lead the nation into a seven-year war.
Olabayo, who spoke at a press conference yesterday in Lagos, called for prayers and declared a three-day fasting from November 1-3, 2018 to avert crises that may destabilise the nation. He said: “There would be crises upon crises that may lead this country to another war and we need to pray.
“This is because it is not business as usual. It is men that are fighting men and not boys fighting men. If the election is declared inconclusive, there may be revolution. The young people would not agree and they would take over the country. This is what is going to happen.”
He said God revealed to him that all corrupt leaders would be imprisoned and all their ill-gotten wealth taken away from them if the country should descend into a revolution. The cleric, who noted that politicians are the enemies of the country, said: “When there was election, I said President Muhammadu Buhari’s coming to the Presidency was not that of a messiah but that he would only be there for a short while. Now, the corruption is even worse than that of Jonathan’s era. Where are we heading?
“We have a long way to go, Buhari is an old man. Not a young man any longer. I think he is not the messiah; his time is up because the seat is vacant, and nobody is there. He came in to stabilise, but his time is up.
“Our politicians, our leaders should not lead us into war. Stop hate-speech so that presidential election can be peaceful. “There is going to be a total sweeping and God is going to bring up a man of destiny, a courageous person upon whom the spirit of God will fall to take over and clear the mess.”"
2019 presidential election, Cleric warns against inconclusive pollhttps://guardian.ng/news/cleric-warns-against-declaring-presidential-poll-inconclusive/
The Guardian.ngFriday, October 12, 2018‘In the beginning, Atiku was to succeed Obasanjo’"From what transpired in the last couple of hours or so, you have shown remorse; you have asked for forgiveness and you have indicated that you have learnt some good lessons and you will mend fences and make amends as necessary and as desirable.
Whenever or wherever you might have offended me, as a Christian who asks for God’s forgiveness of my sins and inadequacies on daily basis, I forgive and I sincerely advise you to learn from the past and do what is right and it will be well with you. Obviously, you have mended fences with the Party and fully reconciled with the Party. That’s why today, you are the Presidential Candidate of the Party.In addition to appreciating all that the Party has done for you, may I advise you to work together with all those who contested for the party’s flag with you as a team for your campaign.
There are still areas, nationally and internationally, where you have to mend fences and make amends. You will know how to handle what is already out and what the opposition may yet put out. But, I am convinced that if you continue with the attitude that brought you here with these distinguished leaders of goodwill, with remorse and contrite heart, the rest of the coast within and outside the country can be cleared. And if there is anything I can do and you want me to do in that respect, I will do.
I am sure with the right attitude for change where necessary, and by putting lessons learned by you to work, you will get the understanding, cooperation, support and mandate, all at the national level. With Nigerians voting for you, it will mean that you secure their forgiveness and regain their confidence. It will be with the hope or assurance of a Paul on the road to Damascus Conversion. After all, change and conversion are of man. I believe that with a contrite heart, change is possible in everybody’s life and situation. "
2019 presidential election, Obasanjo speaks on Atiku's journeyhttps://guardian.ng/politics/in-the-beginning-atiku-was-to-succeed-obasanjo/
The Guardian.ngFriday, October 12, 2018Ita-Giwa advocates parity in political positions"On the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child, a coalition of women groups has come up to demand gender parity in elective and appointive positions in public service. The women declared their resolve to advocate for the provision of enabling environment for women to participate in decision making in the country, particularly in policy formulation and execution.
On the objectives of the coalition, the organisers said: “We are resolved to stop vote buying because that is another veritable way of further denying women participation in politics. Women should be allowed to get education; governments should stop all forms of discrimination against the girl child by providing educational opportunities to keep them away from sex slavery and other vices.”
Addressing a press conference at Jevinik Restaurant, Isaac John Street, GRA Ikeja, yesterday, the grand patron of the coalition, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, disclosed that on the designated the International Day of the Girl Child, “It is our duty as mothers to create a conducive environment for the Nigerian girl child to flourish and thrive.”
She said the emasculation of the Nigerian woman has never been more pronounced as it is today, stressing that women “have been systematically edged out of politics and governance in what appears to be a concerted effort by the political class that is dominated by men.”"
Percentage of women in electiv e positions, Ita-Giwa seeks more participationhttps://guardian.ng/politics/ita-giwa-advocates-parity-in-political-positions/
The Guardian.ngFriday, October 12, 2018I will focus on grassroots development, poverty eradication, says Sanwo-Olu"The standard-bearer of Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 governorship election, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured the leaders of the party that his administration would focus extensively on the development of the grassroots people and eradication of poverty if elected.
Sanwo-Olu also assured indigenes of the state that he would run an open-door government where he would not only be accessible but will also create an avenue for feedback mechanism on how the people he represents in government are faring.
While speaking during a thank you visit to members of the party at the Lagos Central Senatorial District yesterday, the former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, who defeated the incumbent governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in the party’s direct primary, lamented that the bridge between the rich and the poor in Nigeria, especially in Lagos, is unprecedented “but the onus is on those of us in government to bridge it if we really mean well for them.”
According to him, “There is a large disparity between the rich and the poor. We must reach the grassroots people, who do not have access to the governor. We need to make them feel the impact of government by reducing poverty. There is hunger in Lagos and we must address it.
“Our government will be a listening one; we will adhere to the party’s manifesto and my administration is going to be a participatory one.”"
2019 Lagos State Governorship election, Sanwo-Olu promises to be pro-peoplehttps://guardian.ng/politics/i-will-focus-on-grassroots-development-poverty-eradication-says-sanwo-olu/
The Guardian.ngFriday, October 12, 2018Youths are my backbone, says NCP presidential candidate"Presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr. Tanko Yunusa, has described the youth as his backbone.He disclosed this in a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary and Director of Publications, Dr. Emmanuel Okereke, as the party braces up for the general election in February.
NCP, which held its presidential primary at Grace Point Resort Hotel, Abuja, on October 6, in which Yunusa scored 72 votes, is part of the about 40-member Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP).Yunusa’s closest rival, John Ntan, polled 57 while Festus Obeghe got four votes.
According to Yunusa, it was a case of no victor no vanquished, as every member of the party won.“Everybody is a winner in the NCP. The foremost task of the most vital and living traditions of socialism, as fully and ably represented by the NCP, is precisely to collectively sensitise the abandoned, suffering masses and provide that missing instrument of rapid, affirmative, peoples-driven change powered by the youths; a clear-cut paradigm shift from the downbeat median.
“Therefore, in this social contract with Nigerians, the youths are my backbone,” he stated."
2019 presidential election, NCP Candidate speaks on his strengthhttps://guardian.ng/politics/youths-are-my-backbone-says-ncp-presidential-candidate/
The Guardian.ngFriday, October 12, 2018Buhari’s second term will liberate Nigeria, insists Isyaku Gwamna"A former Managing Director of Kano Electricity Distribution Company, (KEDCO), Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term would liberate the country.He made the assertion yesterday when he paid a courtesy and solidarity visit to the Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed A. Abubakar at the Government House.
He also congratulated the governor on his successful outing at the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC)The ex-KEDCO boss predicted that Buhari’s re-election would mark the consolidation of his anti-corruption battles and increase the reputation of Nigeria in the comity of responsible nations.
Gwamna, who recently joined the APC in Gombe disclosed that the forthcoming general election would mark a new beginning for the progressives in the country.According to him, President Buhari has laid the necessary foundation to grow the economy and increased the well being of Nigerians.
He urged Governor Abubakar not to be dismayed by the defection of certain former members of APC, adding that those who do not belong to the party in spirit and body have left to give room to those who appreciate the integrity quotient of Buhari. He said: “What is happening in the country is like a shaking. Politicians who are not totally committed to service to the people would be displaced from APC, because they must have seen that the president does not condone looting and impunity.
“Your Excellency, I am amazed by the monumental achievements you have recorded in the past three years. It is this commitment to service and love for the masses that attracted me to APC. I believe that when Buhari comes back for his second term, Nigerians would see how great the country would be.”"
2019 presidential election, Gwamna says President Buhari will liberate Nigeriahttps://guardian.ng/news/buharis-second-term-will-liberate-nigeria-insists-isyaku-gwamna/
The Guardian NewspaperFriday, October 12, 2018LP suspends eight officials for alleged anti-party activities"The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party (LP) has suspended eight members of its National Working Committee (NWC) over allegation of anti-party activities and non-challant attitude to constitutional duty.
The suspension was endorsed at the party’s NEC meeting held on October 9, 2019, which included Deputy National Chairman, Callistus Uju Okafor; Publicity Secretary, Ebere Ifendu and National Vice Chairman, South-South, Bobo Atari Adou."
Alleged anti-party activities, Labour arty suspends eight membersPage 19
ThisDaylive OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018APC Can’t Field Candidates for Zamfara, INEC Insists"The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that there is no going back on its decision to bar the All Progressives Congress (APC) from fielding candidates for the 2019 general elections in Zamfara State.
INEC’s stand came just as the ruling party which appeared ruffled by the likely fate that may befall it in the 2019 elections in Zamfara State is making frantic effort to sort out things.
The commission through its Director of Publicity and Voter Education, Mr. Osaze Uzzi, said it had not changed its position despite the protestation by the APC.
Speaking to THISDAY on telephone yesterday, Uzzi, who was on his way back to Abuja from a trip, said he could not confirm if the APC’s letter had been received or not.
When asked if the commission has changed its position based on the letter from APC, Uzzi said, “I don’t know whether it has been received or not but either, we still stand by our earlier position.”"
APC Zamfara State primaries, INEC says party can't field candidates in 2019https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/12/apc-cant-field-candidates-for-zamfara-inec-insists/
ThisDaylive OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018Senate Set for Showdown with Executives over INEC Budget"The Senate appears to be heading on a collision course with The Presidency over the funding of the N189 billion approved for the 2019 elections as the upper legislative body yesterday vired the money from N500bn Special Intervention Programme approved in the N9.12 trillion 2018 budget .
President Muhammadu Buhari had in separate letters of request for virement of money for INEC budget for the conduct of the 2019 general elections urged the National Assembly to source the election funds from the N578bn special votes inserted into the budget by the federal lawmakers for execution of about 1,403 additional projects included in it.
But the Senate in its adoption of the five-page report of its Committee on Appropriation, which sought approval for the virement, vired the N189bn from the N500bn earlier appropriated for Special Intervention Programmes proposed by the executive in the 2018 budget.
The Committee headed by Senator Danjuma Goje (APC Gombe Central) in its recommendation under source of funding advised, “That the sum of N189, 007,272,393bn requested for the funding of the 2019 general elections should be vired from both recurrent and capital components of Special Intervention Programme captured in the service wide votes of the 2018 Appropriation Act”"
INEC 2019 Elections Budget, Senate vs Executiveshttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/12/senate-set-for-showdown-with-executives-over-inec-budget/
ThisDaylive OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018House: No Tension Between APC, PDP Lawmakers"In a media briefing yesterday, the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon Abdulrazak Namdas (APC), representing Jada/Ganye/Mayo Belwa/Toungo federal constituency of Adamawa State) said the lawmakers have agreed to work together irrespective of party affiliation.
“This House is very calm. The atmosphere is cool and with our leaders, we have no issues and we will also like to plead with our journalists to always report the National Assembly as always. There is no anxiety. There is no problem between us and our leaders.
“However, as a member of the APC, I will always try to protect your party, which is always good, there is nothing wrong with that as other members in other parties are expected to do the same, but on national interest, we are on the same page. We have no problem with our leaders and there is nothing we have done to demonstrate that there is a problem,” he stated."
House of Reps, no rift between APC and PDP membershttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/12/house-no-tension-between-apc-pdp-lawmakers/
ThisDaylive OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018APC Primaries: Call Oshiomhole to Order, Activist Lori-Ogbebor Tasks Buhari, Tinubu"Lagos-based businesswoman and rights activist, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, Thursday called on President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to prevail on Adams Oshiomhole-led National Executive Council (NEC) of the party to cancel the process that picked Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan as the party senatorial standard bearer for Delta South in the 2019 general election.
She warned seriously that if the party’s hierarchy fails to heed to her call for fresh and proper primary election in the senatorial districts, APC stands the chance of testing defeat in Delta State, alleging that Oshiomhole is out to destroy the party completely.
While maintaining that “there was no primary election whatsoever” in Delta South senatorial district, the Itsekiri woman leader stated that the former governor of state was allegedly imposed by Oshiomhole, whose action she described as destructive and shameful.
Lori-Ogbebor at a press conference yesterday in Lagos called on Buhari and APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to prevail on the erstwhile labour to cancel the exercise and conduct a fresh one that “meets the basic minimum test of credibility and transparency involving other contenders such as AVM Terry Okorodudu and Mr. Temisan Omatseye.”"
APC primaries, Activist advises Buhari, Tinubu on Oshiomholehttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/12/apc-primaries-call-oshiomhole-to-order-activist-lori-ogbebor-tasks-buhari-tinubu/
ThisDaylive OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018Protesters Storm PDP Headquarters"Protesters stormed the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Abuja, yesterday demanding the outright cancellation of the primary election held to choose the governorship candidate for Cross River State in the forthcoming 2019 general election.
The protesters demanded that the primary election, which had Governor Ben Ayade of the state, as the sole candidate, be annulled as the second candidate who was cleared and issued a certificate of clearance to run for the primary election, Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi, was curiously excluded from the exercise 24 hours to the election.
Wielding several placards with inscriptions such as “Who sold PDP mandate to Ayade should step aside,” “Let the people choose their leader through transparent primaries,” “Don’t impose Ayade on Cross River State,” and “Give us Ibeshi or lose Cross River State,” among others, the protesters under the aegis of Cross River State PDP Support Group, in a protest letter addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, condemned the exclusion of Ibeshi from the primaries."
Cross River primaries, Protest rocks PDPhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/12/protesters-storm-pdp-headquarters/
ThisDaylive OnlineFriday, October 12, 2018Group Declares Support for Dapo Abiodun, Tasks Ogun Central for Support"Ogun East socio-political group, Ijebu- Remo Forum, Thursday declared its unflinching support for the emergence of Dapo Abiodun, an oil magnate and an Iperu-Remo Prince, as the Ogun State governorship standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The group said the outcome of the authentic primary of APC is a vindication of the clamour by the forum for the turn of Ijebu-Remo (Ogun East) to produce the next governor.
The Forum also commended the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, for standing firm behind the authentic primary that produced the candidature of Abiodun, saying the “uncommon courage shown” by him saved the outcome from turning into a different thing.
The position of the Forum was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the group, Aare Olu Dawodu, and Secretary, Prince Segun Aderigbigbe, and made available to journalists yesterday after the Forum’s meeting held in Sagamu, Ogun State, on Wednesday to review the just concluded APC primaries in the state."
2019 Ogun State Governorship elections, Group supports APC candidatehttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/12/group-declares-support-for-dapo-abiodun-tasks-ogun-central-for-support/
ThisDaylive OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018Jubilation as Non-Igbos in Enugu Endorse Ugwuanyi for Second TermExcited non-Igbo residents in Enugu State, representing different ethnic communities of diverse socio-cultural, political and religious background, under the auspices of United Inter-Community Forum, on Wednesday, converged on the Government House, Enugu and unanimously endorsed Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for a second term in office.
The jubilant non-indigenes, who disclosed that the forum’s prime objective was to foster unity in diversity to promote good governance through leadership integrity and commitment to excellence, stated that the decision was because of the governor’s “selfless, resounding, impeccable, excellent and outstanding leadership qualities,” which they said have engendered peace and good governance in the state. They added that Gov. Ugwuanyi has maintained a “high degree of disciplined leadership integrity” that promotes peaceful co-existence and national unity.
Noting that “this is the first time in history, United Inter-Community Forum was coming out publicly to support a serving governor”, the forum, which announced Gov. Ugwuanyi as its grand patron, disclosed that his administration had made frantic efforts in securing lives and property of the people of the state as well as the various communities resident in Enugu State.
The President General of the forum, Mr. Andrew Tyonongo, said they were highly impressed that Enugu is being rated as one of the most peaceful and secure states in the country.
2019 general elections, Non-Igbos endorse Governor Ugwuanyi for second termhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/11/jubilation-as-non-igbos-in-enugu-endorse-ugwuanyi-for-second-term/
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018APC can’t field candidates in Zamfara in 2019 – INECThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has barred the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State from fielding candidates for any position during the 2019 general elections.
The Zamfara APC was sharply divided between the camp of Governor Abdulaziz Yari and the group of eight aspirants, which included Deputy Governor Ibrahim Wakkala, Senator Kabiru Marafa, Defence Minister Mannir Dan-Ali and others.
The division made it impossible to complete primaries to pick the party’s governorship, state and national assembly candidates before the October 7 deadline for the conclusion of primaries as contained in INEC’s timetable.
APC Zamfara State primaries, INEC says party can't field candidates in 2019https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-cant-field-candidates-in-zamfara-in-2019-inec.html
ThisDaylive OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018PDP, Akpabio’s Media Aide in War of Words over His Romance with AtikuThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State and the media aide to former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, have engaged in war of words over the latest alleged romance between Akpabio and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar following the latter’s emergence as the candidate of the PDP.
Akpabio allegedly called to congratulate Atiku on phone immediately he was elected as the PDP presidential candidate for the 2019 general election, but the calls were ignored.
Akpabio was also alleged to have reached out to be the running mate to Atiku.
But one of the media aides to Akpabio, Mr. Anietie Ekong, said the supposed phone call from the senator to the PDP presidential candidate, which was reportedly rejected was cooked up as Akpabio was deeply involved in the APC national convention.
2019 general elections, Alleged Akpabio's romance with Atikuhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/11/pdp-akpabios-media-aide-in-war-of-words-over-his-romance-with-atiku/
ThisDaylive OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018PDP Aspirants in Kogi Kick against Non-conduct of Primary Election in Kabba-Bunu/IjumuNine aspirants seeking the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to represent the people of Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives have kicked against the non-conduct of primary election in the area.
They have therefore, called on the leadership of the main opposition party in the state to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible primary election to enable a candidate emerge that will truly reflect the wishes and aspirations of majority of delegates.
In a protest letter obtained by THISDAY, the aspirants noted that in view of what they described as the contrived confusion foisted on the aspirants and party loyalists as it affect the primary election in the area, it has become pertinent to avail the party leadership and constituents an update and point out the dire consequences of not conducting the primary election.
PDP Kogi State Primaries, Aspirants protesthttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/11/pdp-aspirants-in-kogi-kick-against-non-conduct-of-primary-election-in-kabba-bunu-ijumu/
ThisDaylive OnlineThursday, October 11, 20182019: Court Voids Rivers APC CongressesThe hopes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to wrest Rivers State from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suffered a major setback as the state High Court sitting in Port Harcourt wednesday declared all nominations made by the state chapter of the APC towards the 2019 elections a void.
The court also nullified all the elections of state APC ward, local government and state executive committees that arose from the “illegal ward congresses” of May 19, 2018.
With this judgment, the election of the APC gubernatorial candidate in the state, Mr. Tonye Cole has also been nullified.
APC has however, described the court judgment as an evil collaboration between its factional governorship candidate, Senator Magnus Abe and Governor Nyesom Wike.
This is as Abe, who is the Senator representing Rivers South East senatorial district in the National Assembly, has urged the party to respect the court judgment and ensure that the views of members count in the affairs of the party.
Delivering judgment yesterday in a suit filed by Ibrahim Imah and 22 others against the APC, the Presiding Judge, Justice Chiwendu Nwogu, declared that the ward congresses of the state APC were illegal because they were not conducted in line with the APC guidelines and constitution.
2019 general elections, Court nullifies APC Rivers State Congresseshttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/11/2019-court-voids-rivers-apc-congresses/
ThisDaylive OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018House will Resist Non-use of Card Readers for 2019 Elections, Dogara VowsSpeaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has vowed that the federal lawmakers will resist any attempt to continue to frustrate the enactment of the Electoral Act Amendment bill, particularly the use of card readers for 2019 elections.
Describing such move as an effort to erode the gains of the successes recorded in the 2015 elections, Dogara, in a speech to mark the resumption of the House from its annual recess, said the passage of the bill will address fears that some forces plan to manipulate the forthcoming elections by exploiting loopholes in the Electoral Act as it is presently.
According to the Speaker, “The new Electoral Act amendment bill has provisions that are designed to guarantee free, fair and transparent elections in Nigeria, entrenches the Smart Card Reader and electronic transmission of results, among others,” adding that “the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) supplementary budget bill must also be accorded expeditious consideration.”
2019 general elections, House to kick against Non-use of Card Readershttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/11/house-will-resist-non-use-of-card-readers-for-2019-elections-dogara-vows/
ThisDaylive OnlineThursday, October 11, 20182019 Election: Senate Approves N234.507bn for INECThe Senate on Thursday approved N234,507,272,393 for the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2019 general elections.
This is sequel to the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Appropriation which met on Wednesday on the proposal presented to it by the Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, Senator Danjuma Goje, while presenting the five-page interim report of the Committee at plenary, said the funding of the 2019 election budget will be through N45.5 billion 2018 statutory budget of INEC and N189.007 billion through virement.
2019 general elections, Senate approves N234.507bn for INEChttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/11/2019-election-senate-approves-n234-507bn-for-inec/
ThisDaylive OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018Buhari Signs Executive Order 8 on Offshore Money LaunderingPresident Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja signed executive order eight, tagged Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Scheme (VOARS) to make money laundering and tax evasion difficult.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement last night, said Executive Order 008, which was signed by Buhari on October 8, 2018, took effect same day it was signed.
According to him, by this order, Nigerian taxpayers who hold offshore assets and incomes are expected to, within a period of 12 months, voluntarily declare those assets and pay required taxes from such assets.
When this is done, he added, such obedient citizens would derive certain specified benefits.
President Buhar signs Executive Order 008https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/11/buhari-signs-executive-order-8-on-offshore-money-laundering/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 11, 2018PWDs protest rejection of Disability Bill 14 years after passage by NASSAbia State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) took their protest against non-assent to the Disability Bill to journalists in Umuahia, urging the National Assembly (NASS) to urgently do the needful.
They expressed worry that 14 years after its first passage in 2004 by the National Assembly, the bill was yet to be assented to.
Addressing journalists at the NUJ Press Centre during their protest, Abia JONAPWD chairman, Stanley Onyebuchi, said that passing the bill and effecting the resultant law would be the greatest good the government would do for his members whose number he put at 23 million as at 2006.
Rejection of Disability Bill, Association protestshttps://guardian.ng/news/pwds-protest-rejection-of-disability-bill-14-years-after-passage-by-nass/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 11, 2018PDP chieftain slumps in Osun courtA chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Fatai Oyedele, yesterday slumped in the court in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
Oyedele, popularly called Jagunaso by his admirers, was brought to court with two other suspects, Segun Adekilekun and Sikiru Lawal, by the police to answer charges on electoral related-offences.
The trio were arrested shortly before the governorship election re-run of September 27, 2018 on allegation that they were “buying Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).”
When the court clerk called their names and were about enter the dock, Oyedele suddenly slumped and became unconscious.
APC Chieftain slumps in Osogbo Courthttps://guardian.ng/news/pdp-chieftain-slumps-in-osun-court/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 11, 2018Oshiomhole alleges bias as INEC bars Zamfara APCThe National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole yesterday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias.
This came after the electoral body yesterday barred the party in Zamfara State from fielding candidates in next year’s general elections, accusing it of failing to hold primaries within the stipulated time.
“Based on the provision of Section 87 and 31 of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, the commission does not expect that your party will submit names of any candidate from Zamfara State. For clarity, our position therefore, is that the APC will not be fielding candidates for the governorship, National Assembly and state Assembly elections,” INEC said in a letter addressed to the party’s leadership.
But Oshiomhole faulted INEC in a correspondence to the commission’s secretary, Mr. Okechukwu Ndeche. He said the party actually conducted primaries. To buttress his claim, he referred the scribe to a signed report from the Zamfara electoral committee on primaries held between October 6 and 7, 2018.
Non-participation of APC Zamfara in 2019 polls, Oshiomhole disagrees with INEChttps://guardian.ng/news/oshiomhole-alleges-bias-as-inec-bars-zamfara-apc/
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018FCT APC NASS primaries: Candido calls for calmThe chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abdullahi Adamu Candido, has urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the area not to engage in any act of violence.
Candido made this call to douse tension in the area council as the Chairman of the National Working Committee on the conduct of the National Assembly primaries in the FCT, Benjamin Imeogu, is yet to announce the result of the election held last weekend.
FCT APC National Assembly primariesDaily Trust Newspaper, Thursday, October 11, 2018 (Page 25)
Daily Trust NewspaperThursday, October 11, 2018Group condemns APC primaries in KwaraA group under the aegis of Concerned Youth Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has condemned the conduct of the just concluded party’s primaries in the state, saying the exercise was fraudulent.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin yesterday, the spokesman of the Group, Comrade Ahmed Akorede alleged that primaries was an already concluded script aimed at imposing certain individuals upon the people who had toiled for the positioning of the party.
APC Kwara State primaries, Group alleges fraudDaily Trust Newspaper, Thursday, October 11, 2018 (Page 14)
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018‘Why PRP will produce next Gombe governor’A gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Gombe State, Barrister Abdul-Ganiy M. Bello, has said that he is confident his party will win the forthcoming governorship election.
Addressing a press conference, yesterday, following his emergence as the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Barrister Bello said with the level of acceptance of the progressive and ideological politics of the PRP by people of the state, he believed the masses would massively vote for the party.
He also pledged that if elected governor of the state come 2019, he would discharge his duties with sincerity of purpose and the fear of Allah.
Bello added that the main thrust of his programme, if elected, would be based on a 3-point agenda of fighting ignorance, poverty eradication and injustice.
2019 Gombe state governorship election, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-prp-will-produce-next-gombe-governor.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018Young movement endorses Nasko for Niger gov’shipThe Niger State chapter of the Not Too Young to Run Movement (NTYRM) has declared support for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Nasko in the 2019 election in the state.
Addressing journalists on Sunday in Minna, the state coordinator of the movement, Ibrahim Tanko, said the decision to endorse Nasko was necessitated by the need to boost youth participation in governance for the transformation and development of the state.
He said the movement particularly drew inspiration from the fact that the candidate fell within the age bracket of those who qualified to be termed youth, adding that such realization further bolstered the movement’s support for Nasko.
2019 Niger State governorship, Not too young backs Nasko https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/young-movement-endorses-nasko-for-niger-govship.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018APC should address non conduct of primaries’The Progressive and Good Governance Initiative Support in Nigeria (PGGISN) has protested against the alleged failure of the APC to conduct primary election in Akoko South West/East Federal Constituency of Ondo state.
The PGGISN Chairman, Elder Felix Daramola in a release issued yesterday in Abuja, said the development was not good for Nigeria’s democracy.
Daramola called on the APC National Chaimian, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to save the party from what he called “impending catastrophe.”
APC Ondo State primaries, Group speakshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-should-address-non-conduct-of-primaries.html
ThisDaylive NewspaperThursday, October 11, 2018Over 200 Aides to Akwa Ibom Gov set to QuitThere are strong indications that most of the aides to Governor Udom Emmanuel-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government of Akwa Ibom State are set to quit.
The aides who are special assistants and personal assistants to the governor, numbering over 200 are said to have perfected plans to resign from his government.
One of the aides, Mfon Udeme, who resigned last month as the Governor's Special Assistant on Electoral Matters, dropped the hint in a chat with newsmen on Wednesday in Uyo.
Governor Emmanuel has suffered mass resignations from his government since last year with hardly any month passing without one or two aides angrily quitting his government.
Udeme, during the chat, said; "within the next few months, Udom's Government House would be a sort of ghost town as over 80 per cent of his aides have all perfected plans to abandon Udom's administration."
2019 general elections, Governor Emmanuel to lose over 200 AidesThis Day Newspaper, Thursday, October 11,2018 (page 51)
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018PDP’s expulsion of Kashamu, Dayo unlawful — CourtAn FCT High Court in Apo has voided and declared as unlawful the People Democratic Party’s (PDP) expulsion of Senator Buruji Kashamu and former Ogun State chairman of the party, Engr Adebayo Dayo.
In a counter-claim before the court, Kashamu and Dayo had prayed for “an order restraining the plaintiffs (PDP) by themselves, their agents, servants and privies from taking any disciplinary action against the 1st – 4th defendants on account of any actions and/or conduct or steps taken by them individually and jointly to make the plaintiff abide by its constitution and observe democratic principles in all its dealings with the 1st-4th defendants.”
Delivering the ruling, yesterday, Justice Valentine Ashi held that the purported expulsion was unlawful because it was done in disobedience of a subsisting order of the court made on December 7, 2017, which was restated on January 9, 2018, directing parties not to do anything to jeopardise the hearing of the pending case but maintain the status quo.
The judge thereafter set aside the PDP’s letter, dated August 1, 2018 conveying the expulsion to Kashamu and Dayo.
Court declares expulsion of Senator Kashamu, Engr. Dayo from PDP null nd voidhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdps-expulsion-of-kashamu-dayo-unlawful-court.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018Olusola, Oni’s petitions can’t stop my inauguration — FayemiEkiti State governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said that the suits filed by a former governor of the state, Chief Segun Oni and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 14 poll, Prof Kolapo Olusola, cannot stop his inauguration on October 16.
While Oni is challenging Fayemi over his alleged refusal to resign 30 days to the election as stipulated by law, Olusola is challenging the results of the election claiming that the poll was rigged in Fayemi’s favour.
Fayemi, who has extended invitation to Governor Ayodele Fayose to attend his inauguration as a leader of the state, added that President Muhammadu Buhari and state governors, particularly those of the APC, would also grace the occasion slated for Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado Ekiti.
Ekiti governor-elect Fayemi speaks on petitions against himhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/olusola-onis-petitions-cant-stop-my-inauguration-fayemi.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018How 5 Buhari ministers lost APC gov ticketsFive ministers appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari failed to secure the governorship tickets of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Daily Trust reports.
At the just concluded primaries of the APC, the ministers who reportedly received the blessing of President Buhari to seek for the governorship tickets of the party, failed woefully, despite being members of the federal cabinet.
Our correspondent reports that while two were disqualified by the screening committee of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, three were edged out by their governors and other influential politicians in their respective states.
The duo of Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu and Women Affairs, Aisha Jummai Alhassan, was knocked out of the race by the screening committee.
While Shittu was disqualified over an NYSC scandal, Alhassan, aka Mama Taraba, was screened out over what the national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, tagged as “divided loyalty.”
Angered by her disqualification, Mama Taraba resigned from the federal cabinet, dumped the APC and joined the United Democratic Party (UDP). She has since picked the Taraba governorship ticket of her new party.

On his part, Shittu has remained in the party and the executive council. He attended the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday at the State House Villa, Abuja.

The Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, was edged out following the endorsement of Professor Babagana Umara-Zulum by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State.
2019 general elections, Buhari's ministers lose out on governorship ambitionhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/how-5-buhari-ministers-lost-apc-gov-tickets.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018‘APGA yet to field gov’ship candidate in Imo’A governorship aspirant on the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Imo State, Uche Onyeagucha, has said that the party is yet to produce a candidate for the 2019 governorship election in the state.
He said the there was no primary election to choose a candidate and denied reports that Senator Ifeanyi Araraume had been elected as the party’s flag-bearer.
Onyeagucha, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Macdonald Enwere, also denied reports that he had dumped APGA for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Enwere described as rumour and false information being peddled in the state claiming that there was a primary election which led to the emergence of Araraume as the APGA governorship candidate in the state.
APGA Imo state governorship primary crisishttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apga-yet-to-field-govship-candidate-in-imo.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018APC, presidency jittery over Atiku’s emergence — PDPThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is in panic mode over the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as PDP presidential candidate.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the claim while addressing a press conference, yesterday, in Abuja, in reaction to what he called “several comments and personal attacks” by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, as well as other officials of the Buhari Presidency, against Atiku.
The party spokesman said it was understandable that President Muhammadu Buhari was afraid to face Atiku in the field due to what he called incompetence.
2019 presidential election, Atiku vs Buharihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-presidency-jittery-over-atikus-emergence-pdp.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018SDP: Jerry Gana faults emergence of Donald DukeThe Director General of the Professor Jerry Gana Campaign organization (G19), Ike Neliaku, has rejected the outcome of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential primary which led to the emergence of Donald Duke as the party’s presidential candidate.
Neliaku, who stated this at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, said since the chairmanship of the party had gone to the South West, the contest for presidential candidacy should had been limited to aspirants from the North.
He said the party went against its own zoning formula, adding that during the convention, the party’s leadership was alerted to the fact that aspirants from the South should not have participated because the presidential ticket was constitutionally zoned to the North.
Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential primaries, Professor Gana alleges foul playhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/sdp-jerry-gana-faults-emergence-of-donald-duke.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018Kwankwaso threatens to leave PDPSenator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has threatened to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if the leadership of the party in Abuja removed any member of the Kwankwasiyya movement from the list of its aspirants.
Recall that Kwankwaso had held primaries for various elective offices in Kano which were allegedly won by his chosen aspirants, leaving aside other PDP members.
A source within the party confided to Daily Trust yesterday that the former governor sounded the warning of leaving the party during a meeting held at Legacy House, Abuja.
The meeting, which commenced at 3pm and ended around 5pm, was attended by many PDP stakeholders including Bello Hayatu Gwarzo and Ambassador Aminu Wali among others.
According to the source, the meeting was organised to review the list of aspirants from Kano State.
The Senator Mas’ud El-Jibril Doguwa-led faction of the PDP had also conducted its primaries where candidates emerged for various offices.
PDP Kano State primaries, Kwankwaso https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kwankwaso-threatens-to-leave-pdp.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018Umahi expresses fear over extreme politicsThe governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has expressed fear over extreme politics ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Umahi spoke yesterday when he received participants of national defence college course 27 in Abakaliki.
He said: “There is so much extreme politics in our nation now, governance is thrown to the dustbin but it has a lot of implication because if we don’t secure the future of our youths, our tomorrow would not be smooth no matter the position we are occupying now.
“One day, we must leave it. That is the law of the nature. l advocate that the leaders of this country should lower the tempo of politics and look more into securing the future of our youths.”
2019 general elections, Governor Umahi expresses fearhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/umahi-expresses-fear-over-extreme-politics.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 20182019 elections: NOA calls for deployment of security apparatus for peaceThe National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called for the deployment of necessary security apparatus to ensure sustainable peace before, during and after the 2019 general elections.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Garba Abari, who is the chairman of the National Stakeholders Dialogue Committee for Peace and Violence Free 2019 elections, stated this in Abuja at a media parley to brief journalists on steps taken so far by the committee on the upcoming elections.
Dr. Abari said it was time Nigerians showed renewed commitment to ensure peace in the country particularly during next year’s polls.
“Our goal is to ensure that the pocket of crises around the North East and other parts of the country do not escalate just because of our democratic tradition of choosing our leaders intermittently” he said.
2019 general elections, National Orientation Agency (NOA)https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-elections-noa-calls-for-deployment-of-security-apparatus-for-peace.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018Again, APC governors meet Buhari, say we must not go to poll dividedGovernors who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday met with President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the party must not go to the general elections as” a divided family. “
The Governors numbering five including Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano) and Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi) met behind closed door at the State House Villa,Abuja with the President
Daily reports that the APC Governors had last Thursday met with the President over same issue. Yesterday’s meeting lasted for about an hour at the President’s office.
Addressing State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Rochas Okorocha said they met with the President to discuss key issues affecting the party.
“We are here on delegation of governors to come and congratulate Mr President for having emerged as the presidential candidate of APC in the 2019 election.
“We have come to request from Mr President for a date for governors to come together with our followers and supporters to further inform the world of our readiness to deliver him in the 2019 election. This basically is the message we have come and to say that Mr President is more than ever ready for the entire exercise,” he said.
2019 general elections, APC governors meet President Buhari againhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/again-apc-governors-meet-buhari-say-we-must-not-go-to-poll-divided.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018Over 1.4 million PVCs unclaimed in Lagos – INECThe Lagos Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sam Olumekun, yesterday said that over 1.4 million Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) remained unclaimed.
Olumekun, who disclosed this yesterday at the end of an Inter Agency Consultative Forum on Elections, said that the commission recorded a total number of 6,609,115 registered voters between April 2017 and August 2018.
According to him, the number of unclaimed PVCs in Lagos alone was alarming and that the commission would do everything within its power to encourage owners to come forward.
He said: “We are going to improve on our strategies. This is why we are here to meet with security chiefs in Lagos state under the umbrella of inter-agency consultative forum. In the past few months, some activities have taken place including the continuous voters registration exercise which we undertook from April 2017 to August 2018. Lagos State recorded additional 786, 839 new registrants. This figure has been collated and it is the authentic figure.
“Presently, this brings us to a total number of registered voters as 6,609, 115 million registered voters. The meeting considered the issue of uncollected permanent voters cards.”
Over 1.4 million uncollected PVCs in Lagos, INEChttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/over-1-4-million-pvcs-unclaimed-in-lagos-inec.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018I’m not in a hurry to declare Gumau, Kaita’s seats vacant — DogaraSpeaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, says he is not in a hurry to declare the seats of Lawan Gumau (APC, Bauchi) and Ahmad Baba-Kaita (APC, Katsina) vacant, even though the duo were recently elected senators for Bauchi South and Katsina North respectively.
The Speaker said this while reading a letter from Babba-Kaita to intimate his colleagues that he had switched to the Senate during yesterday’s plenary. The House went into an executive session shortly after.
“Both Ahmad Baba-Kaita and Lawan Gumau were members of this House but now Senators for Katsina North and Bauchi South respectively.
“Even though the House has been communicated, I am not in a hurry to declare their seats vacant,” Dogara said after reading the letter.
Dogara speaks on former Reps who are now Senatorshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/im-not-in-a-hurry-to-declare-gumau-kaitas-seats-vacant-dogara.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018Senate confirms Shonubi as CBN dep gov, Banire as AMCON chairThe Senate has confirmed Mr Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Mr Muiz Banire as the chairman of the governing board of the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).
The confirmation, yesterday, followed the adoption of two separate reports of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions headed by Sen Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim (PDP, Kwara).
The Senate said the two confirmations were in line with Section 8 (1) (2) of the CBN Act and Section 10 (1) of the AMCON Act, 2010.‎
‎President Muhammadu Buhari had ‎in July nominated both Shonubi and Banire for confirmation.
Senate confirms Shonubi as CBN dep gov, Banire as AMCON chairhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/senate-confirms-shonubi-as-cbn-dep-gov-banire-as-amcon-chair.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018Senate to approve N143bn elections budget todayThe Senate is expected to approve the proposed N143.512 billion for the conduct of the 2019 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today.
Senate President Bukola Saraki gave the indication of the approval yesterday when he directed the Senate Committee on Appropriations to present the report of the elections budget today.
This is even as President Muhammadu Buhari sent a new letter for virement seeking Senate’s approval for the entire elections fund to be approved ‎this year.
The president had in his earlier virement request to the National Assembly in July said N143.512bn be approved this year, while the sum of N45.7bn be approved under the 2019 budget.
The elections budget came up for second reading as Saraki referred it to the appropriations committee and permitted members of the Sen Danjuma Goje-led committee to leave plenary and attend to the matter.
INEC 2019 Elections Budget, Senatehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/senate-to-approve-n143bn-elections-budget-today.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018Again, Senate rushes to amend Electoral ActThe Senate yesterday commenced fresh process of amending the Electoral Act, 2010 barely four months to the 2019 general elections.
The fresh process followed President Muhammadu Buhari’s rejection of two bills that sought to amend the Electoral Act.
A new bill on the amendment of the Electoral Act was presented yesterday for first reading and it later passed second reading after about an hour of debate during plenary.
Sponsor of the bill, Sen Suleiman Nazif Gamawa (PDP, Bauchi) said the amendments sought included that where a smart card reader fails to function and a fresh one is not deployed, the election in that unit shall be cancelled and rescheduled within 24 hours.
Electoral Act Amendment, Senatehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/again-senate-rushes-to-amend-electoral-act.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 11, 2018Kaita, Gumau take oath as new senatorsSenate President Bukola Saraki, yesterday, swore in Ahmed Babba Kaita and Lawal Yahaya Gumau as senators representing Katsina North and Bauchi South respectively.
Kaita and Gumau took over the seats of late Mustapha Bukar and Malam Ali Wakili who passed away some months ago.
The new senators were both members of the House of Representatives on the platform of APC before they contested in the by-elections to fill the vacant slots.‎
‎With the swearing in of the two senators, the number of APC senators now stands at 55, while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 50. Social Democratic Party (SDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) have two each, making a total of 109 senators.
Senate president Saraki swears in two new Senatorshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kaita-gumau-take-oath-as-new-senators.html
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Atiku Considers Soludo, Adesina, Chike Obi, Peter Obi, Ekweremadu as Running Mate"The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has begun earnest search for his running mate as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for the submission of names of parties’ candidate expires on Monday.
By the 1999 Constitution as amended and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, no candidature is complete without a running mate.
THISDAY sources close to the Atiku camp said at least three technocrats and two politicians have been penciled down for the position.
The technocrats are, former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo; former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina; and former Managing Director of Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Chike Obi.
The politicians being considered for the number two position are, former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu."
2019 general elections, VP choices for Atikuhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/09/atiku-considers-soludo-adesina-chike-obi-peter-obi-ekweremadu-as-running-mate/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Zamfara: Don’t Bend Rules for APC, PDP Cautions INEC"The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to contemplate bending the rules to smuggle in candidates from the Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The opposition party said it was aware of a clandestine meeting today between topmost officials of INEC and Zamfara State Government, where INEC was instructed to manipulate the system and bend the rules to accommodate the APC.
The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, warned the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, over attempt to manipulate the processes and use underhand measures to liberate the APC from the cul de sac it plunged itself into in Zamfara State."
APC Zamfara state primaries fallout, PDP cautions INEChttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/09/zamfara-dont-bend-rules-for-apc-pdp-cautions-inec/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018N’Assembly Reconvenes Tuesday"The National Assembly will Tuesday resume from its annual vacation and may immediately adjourn sitting to Wednesday over the death of a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Funke Adedoyin.
The Assembly is resuming amid conflicting report about plans by legislators of All Progressives Congress, APC, to change the leadership of both chambers of the Assembly.
The National Assembly, which went on recess on July 24 had to extend its resumption date by two weeks from September 25 to October 9 to allow the lawmakers to participate in their respective parties’ primary elections which ended on October 7 across the country.
At the special national convention of the APC held in Abuja weekend, the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yusuf Lasun, told the gathering that the ruling party has clear majority in the federal legislature and would ensure that the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, and Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, are replaced upon resumption of plenary by the Assembly.
The duo also vowed to ensure that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security budget proposals are passed, forcibly, if need be."
NASS reconvenes todayhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/09/nassembly-reconvenes-today/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Accord Party Guber Candidate Seeks to Restore Kwara Glory"Prince Ayorinde Adedoyin, Kwara State gubernatorial candidate of Accord Party(AP) in the 2019 election, has enjoined the people of the state to partner with him to restore the glory of the state.
Adedoyin stated this over the weekend in his official acceptance speech in Ilorin, when the national leadership of the party officially handed over the flag of the party to him to contest as the gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 election.
According to him,”It is with the utmost sense of honour and responsibility that I am humbled that you have placed your trust and faith in me.”"
2019 Kwara State governorship election, Accord Party Candidatehttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/09/accord-party-guber-candidate-seeks-to-restore-kwara-glory/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 9, 20182019: No Extension of Dates for Submission of List of Candidates, INEC Insists"The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday sounded a note of warning to political parties to as a matter of urgency begin the submission of list of candidates (Form CF002) and their personal particulars (Forms CF001) from October 10 to18, 2018 for presidential and National Assembly elections.
The commission added that the submission of forms for governorship and state assembly elections will begin from October 22 to November 2, 2018.
It further disclosed that going by the provisions of the Electoral Act and the timetable and schedule of activities issued by the commission, campaign for presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on November 18, 2018, while governorship and state assembly elections begin on December 1, 2018.
To this end, INEC called upon political parties and candidates to strictly adhere to these dates."
INEC says dates for submission of candidates' list not extendedhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/09/2019-no-extension-of-dates-for-submission-of-list-of-candidates-inec-insists/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018AD Governorship Candidate Pledges to Recover Lagos’ Commonwealth"The candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Lagos State, Owolabi Salis, has stated that a key objective driving his aspiration to govern the state was to “take back the commonwealth of the state and give it back to the people.”
He also disclosed the theme of his campaign was “Protecting the commonwealth of Lagos and stopping the imposition of candidates.”
He said if elected governor of Lagos state, he would improve the lot of the people at the bottom of the social ladder, enhance the security of life and property in the state by bringing back professionalism to all the security apparatus, promote independence of the judiciary as well as provide critical infrastructure across the state.
While lamenting that the fortunes of the state was being controlled by an individual, he also said several political offices in the state are filled with stooges who do the bidding of their political godfather as against the wishes of the people and promised to reverse the trend if he is elected the next governor of the state.
Salis spoke in Lagos during a press conference to announce his emergence as the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the state and articulate his campaign promises ahead of the election next year."
2019 Lagos State Governorship election, AD Candidatehttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/09/ad-governorship-candidate-pledges-to-recover-lagos-commonwealth/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018APC Primaries: Ex-IG, Abba Berates Oshiomhole-led NWC"A former Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Suleiman Abba yesterday vented his anger on the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the outcome of the primary election in Jigawa State.
Also yesterday, some angrieved stakeholders from Kano State APC stormed the national secretariat of the party in Abuja to protest the outcome of the Kano South senatorial district’s primary election.
Abba contested for the party’s ticket for Jigawa South senatorial district but was later disqualified from the race by the leadership of the party.
However, no reason was given for disqualification of Abba.
Speaking to journalists at the National Secretariat in Abuja, Abba wondered why he was ‘schemed out’ of the race having been a card-carrying member of the party for not less than 18 months.
He threatened to use prayers against those who disqualified him from the race."
APC primaries, Ex IGP berates Oshiomholehttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/09/apc-primaries-ex-ig-abba-berates-oshiomhole-led-nwc/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Buhari will Defeat Atiku in 2019, Says Group"A pro-President Muhammadu Buhari group, Re-elect Buhari Movement (RBM), has said the emergence of former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 2019 general election is the strongest indication that the president will win the election on a platter of gold.
Congratulating the president ahead of the election, the RBM, in a statement by its convener, Mr. Emmanuel Umohinyang, boasted that President Buhari would give the former vice-president a bloodied nose in the coming poll, adding that the ratification of the president as the sole candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election is a reward for good performance over the last three years.
According to the group, the president has lived up to his billing in the delivery of the three cardinal programmes he promised."
2019 general elections, Group gives reasons why Buhari will defeat Atikuhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/09/buhari-will-defeat-atiku-in-2019-says-group/
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018APC senators meet over Saraki as National Assembly resumes"Some senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had an emergency meeting last night over the fate of Senate President Bukola Saraki, Daily Trust reports.
The senators, it was gathered, met at a location in Abuja to decide on how to go about the removal of the Senate President following his defection from the ruling APC to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Although details of the meeting could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the senators debated seriously on Saraki with others arguing that the party was not fair to some of them.
Both chambers of the National Assembly have been on an annual recess of over two months since July 24 but they are due to reconvene today.
The lawmakers will, however, postpone the sitting to Wednesday to honour late Rep Princess Funke Adedoyin, who passed away about two weeks ago.‎ This is part of the tradition of the National Assembly.
After Saraki’s defection on July 31, some APC senators vowed to impeach him from the Number 3 citizen’s seat, saying the party must retain the position since it has majority in the Red Chamber.
Also, the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole had at different times said Saraki must vacate his seat. He reportedly promised the APC lawmakers automatic tickets for them to be able to remove Saraki."
APC Senators' alleged move to impeach Sarakihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-senators-meet-over-saraki-as-national-assembly-resumes.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 20182019: Resist being used as political thugs, NURTW warns members"Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has cautioned its members nationwide to resist ploy by politicians to use them as political thugs during the polls.
The union urged members to confront any politician that approaches them for evil machinations to use his families to achieve the unwholesome practice.
NURTW National President, Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, stated this in Ilorin on Monday during the official presentation of 30 vehicles to the branch chairmen of the union in Kwara State.
The presentation was at the instance of Aliyu Issa Ore-led Kwara State Council of the union as a reward for chairmen in local branches, who also received a sum of N40million in addition."
2019 general elections, NURTW warns members against violencehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-resist-being-used-as-political-thugs-nurtw-warns-members.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Political leaders urged to close ranks"The Igbo Post Graduate Students Association in Calabar has appealed to Nigerian political leaders, especially those from Igbo land, to come together and close ranks.
The president of the group, Chiedozie Ekowu, said the Ibos are not mere traders, but intellectuals and businessmen of repute who control the economy.
Speaking during the maiden edition of the University of Calabar Igbo Students Summit, Ekowu said: “Now is the time to stop playing politics of personal interest and start working together to develop our dear region; we need to start thinking beyond the problems facing us in the country and start thinking inwardly on how to make good use of our God-given potentials to better the lot of our people.
‘We have a task and that is an aggressive and daring approach to develop the abundant human and natural resources in the region and as our brother’s keeper for which we are known for would pave way for everyone in the region to be well off socially and economically”."
Igbo students urge political leaders to close rankshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/political-leaders-urged-to-close-ranks.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018#BBOG: Members take leave of absence to support Ezekwesili’s presidential bid"Four key members of the #BringBackOurGirls movement have taken leave of absence, as its co-convener, Oby Ezekwesili, emerged presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).
According to a statement by the group, four of the #BBOG group leaders including Aisha Yesufu, Florence Ozor, Maureen Kabrik and Dudu Bakam announced their leave on Saturday, while the movement announced Edith Yassin as its new coordinator.
The statement also said the four have stepped down in order to support Ezekwesili in her quest to be president in the upcoming election.
The statement further noted that Ezekwesili has also formally stepped down from leadership of the movement.
“We have spent the past four years on this journey, and we continue to be fired up in ensuring that #NigerianLivesMatter like any across the world. We have confronted #APCPDP governments who have failed in their responsibility to effectively protect lives and property. Those who thought this was an agenda against the PDP saw clearly that human life knows no party as we continued our advocacy with even more determination after the change of government to the APC in 2015,” Ozor said."
2019 general elections, BBOG supports Ezekwesilihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/bbog-members-take-leave-of-absence-to-support-ezekwesilis-presidential-bid.html
Daily Trust NewspaperTuesday, October 9, 2018Fayose: I wanted Tambuwal as PDP presidential candidate"Outgoing Ekiti governor Ayo Fayose, has regretted the failure of Sokoto Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, to emerge as the PDP presidential candidate at the party’s national convention held in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
Fayose, in a statement on Monday in Ado Ekiti, said that he supported his Rivers counterpart, Nyesom Wike, to ensure the emergence of Tambuwal.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that former Vice President Abubakar Atiku picked the PDP ticket for the presidential race after scoring 1,532 votes to floor Tambuwal who got 693 votes.
Fayose, while reacting to the outcome of the primary election, said that he was reconsidering his membership of the PDP because of Tambuwal’s loss.
“We have no regret aligning with Governor Wike to support Governor Tambuwal for the presidential ticket. We have no apologies either.
“We kept the party alive and strong when most men became ladies. We never compromised. If any group feels it can do it alone, we will see how far they can go
“I may renounce my membership of the party, if the need arises
“In the main time, myself and others will continue with our consultations while watching the turn of events.
“We cannot but appreciate leaders that have intervened so far, but this release became necessary to avoid fresh crisis or misrepresentation,” he said. (NAN)"
PDP presidential primary, Fayose speaks on TambuwalPage 8
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Plateau declares Wednesday work free for LG polls"The Plateau State Government has declared Wednesday as work free to enable voters participate in the local government elections scheduled to take place same day.
Daily Trust reports that the local government election is to hold in 13 out of the 17 local government areas of the state.
Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas have been temporarily exempted from the election due to the security challenges in the areas.
However, a statement signed by the Acting Secretary to the Government of the State, Richard Tokma, yesterday said the declaration of the work free day would enable voters exercise their franchise.
He urged all citizens to go about their lawful businesses and avoid anything that would affect the peace of the state."
Plateau State LG pollshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/plateau-declares-wednesday-work-free-for-lg-polls.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Few people should no longer determine who governs Lagos – Agbaje"he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has promised to empower the local government system to deliver service for the people of the state if elected the governor in 2019.
In a statement on Monday, Agbaje said it is high time the state was liberated from few people with vested interests determining who governs the state.
Therefore, he said the onus lay on the people to elect their leaders, saying in the months ahead, he would unveil his vision and plans for the state.
He said, “As Governor of Lagos State, I do not intend to build another government from scratch. A government is a going concern and will remain so.
“As Governor, what I will do is use that exalted office to make sure the government of Lagos State works for the people of Lagos State, minimizing waste and focusing on areas critical to the welfare of all Lagosians.
“A few vested interests should and must not determine the person occupying Alausa. The fate and direction of everyone living in Lagos should be determined by all who live in this great State.
“Who is to be imposed as governor of Lagos State isn’t important. What is very important is who the people of Lagos would want to be their governor.
“My government will be a government of minimal interference/influence so as to enable the free market flourish and run based on the forces of demand and supply”."
2019 Lagos State Governorship election, Jimi Agbajehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/few-people-should-no-longer-determine-who-governs-lagos-agbaje.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018APC, PDP trade words over Atiku’s candidature"The All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday that the office of Nigeria’s president is not for sale.
It specifically chided PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for allegedly paying delegates a lot of money to get their votes.
But the PDP had fired back, saying the APC was already jittery with the emergence of Atiku ahead of the 2019 contest.
The APC said in a statement by its acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, that Atiku was known as “A super-rich Nigerian who entrenched the undemocratic practice of buying votes of delegates.”
Nabena, who nonetheless congratulated the Atiku on his election as the PDP 2019 presidential candidate, however, said that Nigerians would consider the background of candidates before taking decision during elections.
“The pertinent question to ask about Atiku is what his scorecard in public office was? Regrettably, Atiku’s scorecard is abysmally low and he has proven to be an untrustworthy and unreliable character. A case in point is Atiku’s revealing altercation with his former boss President Olusegun Obasanjo,” the statement said."
2019 general elections, APC tackles PDP over Atikuhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-pdp-trade-words-over-atikus-candidature.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Primaries: Sacked Zamfara APC declares Idris, Yari winners"The sacked leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has returned Alhaji Mukhtar Shehu Idris as winner of last Wednesday’s botched governorship primary election in the state.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had announced the dissolution of Zamfara APC exco led by Alhaji Lawali M. Liman.
But the embattled Liman, who insisted he remained the chairman of the party, had also declared Governor Abdulaziz Yari as winner of Zamfara West senatorial zone’s primary election in the state, who he said had scored 166,610 votes.
Alhaji Liman said the state government-backed Shehu Idris polled 310,380 votes to clinch the governorship ticket of the party; while Senator Kabiru Marafa, a member of the G8 fighting Governor Yari, came second with only 54,607 votes."
APC Zamfara state primaries fallouthttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/primaries-sacked-zamfara-apc-declares-idris-yari-winners.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Sokoto: Tambuwal ‘replaces’ Dan’iya as PDP gov’ship candidate"The PDP in Sokoto State may have affirmed the candidature of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for the forthcoming governorship election in the state after he lost out at the presidential primaries held, Saturday, in Port Harcourt.
Tambuwal’s name may have replaced that of the immediate past Commissioner for Local Government Affairs in the state, Manir Dan’iya.
Delegates from the 23 local government areas of the state converged at the party’s secretariat on Sunday night and endorsed Tambuwal as their governorship candidate.
A chieftain of the party told Daily Trust that the former commissioner voluntarily stepped down for his boss and that their late night meeting was to reaffirm Tambuwal’s candidature.
The chieftain, who sought for anonymity, added that they tried to beat the deadline of INEC which was 12 midnight.
Daily Trust observed that during the meeting, former commissioners were involved in screening delegates and taking their inventory. The delegates were called according to their local government areas to line up for a head count after which they were asked to vacate the scene."
2019 Sokoto State Governorship election, Tambuwal emerges PDP candidatehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/sokoto-tambuwal-replaces-daniya-as-pdp-govship-candidate.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Why I want to be Sokoto gov — Female candidate"A female governorship candidate in Sokoto State on the platform of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA), Hajiya Salamatu Isah Abdullahi, says she wants to steer the affairs of the state to bring about real development to the ‘Seat of the Caliphate.’
The governorship hopeful said education would be the number one priority of her administration if voted into power.
Hajiya Salamatu, who was the PPA state secretary before emerging as the state chairman of the party in 2015, and now its governorship candidate, added that she would also prioritise women and youth empowerment.
“Women form a large chuck of voters, but when governments are formed, what women are mostly given are sewing machines, grinding machines, and the like, as empowerment. The only way is for women to be in charge, we will ensure empowerment programmes are actually empowering,” she stated."
2019 Sokoto State Governorship election, PPA candidate https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-i-want-to-be-sokoto-gov-female-candidate.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Battle for Imo gov’ship shifts to Abuja"All is quiet in Owerri, the Imo State capital, as the battle over who will be the governorship candidate of the ruling APC in the state has shifted to Abuja.
The combatants in the primary election are in desperate moves to get the nod of the national leadership of the party for their respective candidates.
Our correspondent gathered that immediately he was pronounced as the flag-bearer of the party by the Ibrahim Agbabiaka-led APC Electoral Committee, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu jetted to Abuja.
He was also to meet members of the APC Restoration Coalition who had moved to Abuja after boycotting the rescheduled governorship primary to get the ratification of the candidacy of Hope Uzodinma."
APC Imo State primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/battle-for-imo-govship-shifts-to-abuja.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Niger: Candidates threaten APC over replacement"Winners of the APC senatorial primaries in Niger State have warned the national headquarters of the party of the consequence of substituting their names with those of the three sitting senators in the state.
The candidates said the APC should be prepared to forfeit Niger to an opposition party in the forthcoming general elections if it failed to uphold the mandate of the people who elected them during the primaries held on October 2.
Alhaji Muhammad Bima, who won the Niger South APC primary, issued the warning in a statement in Minna on behalf of two other candidates.
Senators. David Umaru (APC, Niger East), Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC, Niger North) and Mustapha Sani (APC, Niger South) had failed in their bid to return to the upper chamber following their defeat by opponents during the primaries.
“We’ve heard of the plans by the officials in Abuja to replace our names with those of the incumbent senators,” Bima said."
APC Niger State primaries fallouthttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/niger-candidates-threaten-apc-over-replacement.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Adamawa: Ribadu, Modi insist on cancellation of gov’ship primary"Aggrieved APC governorship aspirants in Adamawa State said they are confident the disputed primary election that produced Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla will be cancelled.
The primary elections committee headed by retired Major General Tijjani Jibrin, had declared Jibrilla as candidate amid protest by other aspirants, Nuhu Ribadu and Mahmud Halilu who insisted that election did not hold in the state.
Speaking to Daily Trust on Monday, the spokesman of Nuhu Ribadu, Ibrahim Usman, said they were awaiting the decision of the national secretariat of the party.
He stated that their campaign had filed their petition challenging the conduct of the election after accusing the party executives of colluding with government officials to manipulate the primaries."
APC Adamawa State governorship primary, Ribadu speakshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/adamawa-ribadu-modi-insist-on-cancellation-of-govship-primary.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Osunbor heads APC appeal panel"The National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, inaugurated a National Appeal Committee for the party’s recently-conducted presidential, governorship and legislative primary elections.
The committee which was inaugurated at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, is to be headed by a former governor of Edo State, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor. Other members are: Rt. Hon. Mike Ugwa (Secretary), Alh. Musa Gwadabe, Bashorun Reuben Famnyibo and Alh. Abdulrahman Adamu.
The APC primary elections had left behind crisis in many states, a development that was threatening the party’s unity amidst plans by some members to defect to other parties."
APC Appeal Committee for primary electionshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/osunbor-heads-apc-appeal-panel.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Atiku: Journey to villa has truly begun — Secondus"The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has said the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate shows that PDP’s journey to Aso Villa has begun in earnest.
Chief Secondus, in a statement yesterday by his Media Aide, Mr. Ike Abonyi, also appreciated members of the party across the country and in the diaspora for contributing to the success of the convention held last Saturday to Sunday in Port Harcourt.
The PDP chief said all the doomsday predictions that the party was going to emerge from the national convention in crisis had been proven wrong as the party was not only more peaceful, but more united."
2019 general elections, Uche Secondus speaks on Atikuhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/atiku-journey-to-villa-has-truly-begun-secondus.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Adamawa gov ‘won’t shift loyalty to Atiku’"The Adamawa State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Ahmad Sajoh, has said that Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla will not shift his loyalty to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who just emerged as the PDP presidential candidate.
Addressing journalists in Yola, yesterday, Sajoh said Atiku’s emergence would not affect Jibrilla’s commitment to his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Governor Jibrilla is an APC governor working for APC and has no intention to support or canvass support for any presidential candidate outside APC. He has no support for any candidate other than Buhari,” he asserted."
Atiku's presidential candidacy, Gov. Bindow won't shift loyaltyhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/adamawa-gov-wont-shift-loyalty-to-atiku.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Cleric urges Nigerian’s to shun ‘do or die’ politics"The President of the United Church of Christ in Nations (UCCN), also called HEKAN, Reverend Amos Kiri, has urged Nigerians to shun “do or die” politics, especially in the forthcoming 2019 elections, saying, politicians are elected to serve the people and not to shed their blood.
Speaking during a pastoral ordination service for two newly appointed reverends held in Kaduna over the weekend, Rev. Kiri expressed displeasure over the attitude of politicians for making politics a do or die affair.
He said, “If politics is about service to humanity, then there is no need to kill anybody in order to serve them. The rate at which people are being killed across the country because of political reasons is very disheartening.”"
Cleric preaches against electoral violencehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/cleric-urges-nigerians-to-shun-do-or-die-politics.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Jega emerges Plateau UPP gov’ship candidate"The Chairman of Plateau State chapter of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Alhaji Isa Arzuka Jega has emerged as the governorship candidate of the party in Plateau State.
Alhaji Jega, before his emergence in the UPP, was a founding member of APGA in Plateau State."
2019 Plateau state governorship election, Alhaji Jegahttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/jega-emerges-plateau-upp-govship-candidate.html
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 9, 2018Choice of Atiku’s deputy splits South East"The question of who becomes the running mate of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) standard-bearer, Atiku Abubakar, has thrown the Igbo nation into a dilemma.
While some political stakeholders in the southeast are angling for the position, saying it would bolster their demand for restructuring, others disagreed.But even while the debate rages, some prominent PDP members from the region have reportedly begun underground moves to clinch the seat. Sources said the jostling assumed feverish pitch before the party’s national convention with the appointment of business mogul, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, as the director of Atiku’s campaign council. Posters emerged yesterday purporting to show the party’s former national chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, as Atiku’s running mate.
Nwodo, however, denied eyeing such an ambition. “Nwodo has not seen those campaign posters. I have not also discussed with anybody about aspiring to become vice presidential candidate to Alhaji Atiku,” he said.Other names from the region trending in the rumour mill are former Senate Presidents Adolphus Wabara (Abia State) and Anyim Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State), former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Senator Ben Obi.
But a source in Atiku’s camp said consultations are ongoing with key players in the country’s political scene. He said the PDP wants to hold broad discussions with the stakeholders backing Atiku’s candidacy, so that they also can make input. He stressed that a final decision may not be expected this week.The immediate past secretary general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nworgu, said: “Our objective is that Buhari must go next year, so that nation building will recommence. How to achieve it is to go back to the strategy we have always adopted by voting against Buhari. We are not fighting for position; it is not relevant right now. We are looking for who will restructure the country. This is what is more relevant to us, and this will depend on who becomes the senate president.
"
2019 general elections, Atiku's choice for VPhttp://guardian.ng/news/choice-of-atikus-deputy-splits-southeast/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 9, 2018PDP senators warn APC, Lawan over plot to impeach Saraki"Senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have warned their colleagues in the All Progressives Congress (APC) against plot to impeach Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Senate Minority leader,Biodun Olujimi, said in an interview yesterday that Nigerians should hold Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan, responsible should crisis erupts in the upper chamber.The call became necessary following the tension in the upper chamber as it convenes from its long break.Lawan was reported to have threatened that the APC senators would remove Saraki, through an impeachment process when it reopens for legislative activities today.
Olujimi said: “The Senate leader, Ahmad Lawan, should not cause tension and problem in the Senate. He should not promise the APC what they cannot deliver. “Nigerians should hold him responsible if the Senate is unable to sit, because the leadership of the Senate is not by party affiliation, but through an election by all the senators.
“Lawan should be reminded that the election of the present presiding officers was done, even when he was not present. He should be reminded that responsible senators who attended the inauguration of the Senate, as announced by President Muhammadu Buhari, elected the presiding officers.”"
Saraki's alleged impeachment by APChttps://guardian.ng/news/pdp-senators-warn-apc-lawan-over-plot-to-impeach-saraki/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 9, 20182019 election will be tough, brutal, says Ezekwesili"Convener of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has cautioned that the forthcoming 2019 general election would be tough and brutal.
Ezekwesili, who raised the fears yesterday in a television programme, Sunrise Daily, said Nigerians would give everything to deliver the country from corrupt politicians.
The former Minister of Education, who is the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), said she joined the race to deliver the country from corrupt politicians who have failed the people.She said the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have failed in governance, hence the need for a new crop of people.
According to her, only self-centered and visionless people are currently leading the nation’s political class.“There is a strong apathy out there for a new nation. We are going to get a new nation. We are going to walk the street, and we are going to walk everywhere.“We are going to do what it takes. We know that even the divine is tired of seeing Nigeria fail. We are running to win. I am not running because I am Oby Ezekwesili,” she said."
2019 general elections, Ezekwesilihttps://guardian.ng/news/2019-election-will-be-tough-brutal-says-ezekwesili/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 9, 2018Protesters hold Oshiomohole hostage"Hundreds of Senator Muhammed Sani Musa’s supporters yesterday held National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole hostage at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.They were protesting against the party’s failure to clear Musa who aspired for the Niger East senatorial district slot in the just concluded primaries in Niger State.
The protesters, who blocked the secretariat about 4pm yesterday vowed to vent their anger on Oshiomhole if they see him.Consequently, Oshiomhole was forced to remain in his office until 7:30pm even as scores or heavily armed policemen were sighted coming from the police headquarters to rescue members of the National Working Committee (NWC), who were at work at the complex.
The protesters carried several placards with inscription such as: No To Oshiomhole’s Dictatorial Rule; On Justice We Stand; We Want Senator Musa; and No To Imposition Of Candidates. Others poured invectives on Oshiomhole, as they shouted on top of their voices."
APC Niger State primaries, Party members protesthttps://guardian.ng/politics/protesters-hold-oshiomohole-hostage/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 9, 2018Tony Nwulu wins Imo UPP guber ticket, Ararume allegedly sponsored primaries"Representative of Oshodi/Isolo, Lagos Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Tony Nwulu, at the weekend emerged Imo State governorship standard bearer of the United Progressives Party (UPP).
Nwulu sponsored the Not-Too-Young-To-Run bill, which was passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari. However, about 13 aspirants have accused Senator Ifeanyi Ararume of sponsoring governorship primaries for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at Kanu Nwankwo Sports Centre, Owerri, which led to his emergence at the weekend.Addressing journalists, an aspirant, Sam Amadi, faulted the primary election, saying the aspirants agreed to present a consensus candidate and wondered why some people opposed the arrangement.
Also, scores of Nwulu’s supporters went into wild jubilation after his emergence as governorship candidate of the UPP. In the party’s primaries, which took place at the UPP secretariat in Owerri and adjudged as free, fair and transparent, Nwulu, who hails from Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Council of Imo State, scored 1,090 votes to defeat his rival, Chris Nwadigbo, who polled 101 votes."
Imo State governorship election, UPP candidatehttps://guardian.ng/politics/tony-nwulu-wins-imo-upp-guber-ticket-ararume-allegedly-sponsored-primaries/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 9, 2018Mbaka can’t pray for ‘stolen mandate’, says DG of VON"Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has charged purported winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Enugu West senatorial district primaries, Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, to stop dropping Ejike Mbaka’s name to justify a ‘stolen mandate.’
This is coming as protests continue to trail the October 3, 2018 exercise in the senatorial district.Ibekaku-Nwagwu had reportedly said that Mbaka, who is Founder of the Adoration Ministries in Enugu, prayed for her victory against Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s election.
But in statement issued in Enugu yesterday, Okechukwu said he has great respect for Mbaka, but doubted if he (Mbaka) would pray for a ‘stolen mandate,’ which Ibekaku-Nwagwu was bandying about.Okechukwu stated that Ibekaku–Nwagwu did not earn the results allocated to her in the primaries, stressing that he had protested the outcome of the exercise to the party’s Appeal panel in Abuja."
APC Enugu State primaries, DG Von tackles Rev. Fr. Mbakahttps://guardian.ng/politics/mbaka-cant-pray-for-stolen-mandate-says-dg-of-von/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 9, 2018OPC, group laud Atiku’s emergence as PDP’s standard bearer"A Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, the O’dua People’s Congress (OPC) has commended the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 general election.
A statement issued by its founder and President, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, said the PDP National Convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at the weekend made a popular choice in electing Atiku as its flag bearer.However, the Re–elect Buhari Movement (RBM) has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on the endorsement of his candidature by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 polls.
The group said Buhari stands a better chance of defeating Atiku at the poll.In a statement issued by its Convener, Emmanuel Umohinyang, RBM described Buhari’s endorsement as a reward for good performance in the last three years. Fasehun added that PDP has done the needful by giving Nigerians a formidable opposition candidate, who is not only capable of giving APC a good fight, but also stands a good chance of winning the presidential election.He further urged the other PDP presidential aspirants to close ranks and support Atiku for the final contest next year."
PDP presidential primary, OPC lauds Atikuhttps://guardian.ng/politics/opc-group-laud-atikus-emergence-as-pdps-standard-bearer/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 9, 2018Imo APGA guber hopefuls settle for consensus candidate"The Imo State All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has urged Nigerians to be patient with the party, as it has resolved to adopt a consensus candidate to fly its flag during next year’s governorship polls.
It stressed that they have resolved not to allow any imposition of candidate from any quarters, adding this is a way of settling the unending faceoff in the choice of governorship candidate among the 14 aspirants under APGA.
A statement issued yesterday by one of the aspirants, Sam Amadi, listed those who opted for the consensus arrangement to include Chief Executive Officer of ABC Transport, Frank Nneji, former Governor Ikedi Ohakim and a former member of the House of Representatives, Uche Onyeagocha.
Others are a former member of the state House of Assembly, Ike C. Ibe, Humphrey Anumudu, Steve Nwoga, Charles Onyeagbako, Chike Nsofor, Ziggy Azike, Philip Ibekwe, Nick Opara-Ndudu, Bright Nwanne and Obi Njoku.They regretted that the party leadership could not organise a primary election to elect a standard bearer among them for the 2019 elections and its failure to meet Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s October 7 deadline for submission of candidate."
APGA Imo state primarieshttps://guardian.ng/politics/imo-apga-guber-hopefuls-settle-for-consensus-candidate/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 9, 2018Agbaje, Sanwo-Olu unveil agenda for Lagos"Standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has pledged to build a better Lagos, if elected in 2019.In a statement yesterday, Agbaje promised to empower the local government system to make it deliver necessary service to people at the grassroots.According to him, the third-tier of government has been bastardised, and needs to be revamped to make the people determine who to elect at the local council level.
He condemned existing approach by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where individuals handpick council chairmen and councilors, while promising to unveil proposals that would make up his vision and plans for the state.
Agbaje, who promised to do his best in meeting all stakeholders to explain these plans, beliefs and convictions, stressed that he would not build another government from the scratch, because his vision is a going concern and would remain so. He also promised to run a working government that would reduce wastes, while focusing on areas that are critical to the welfare of the citizens.
The PDP candidate pledged to address the unpopular issue of a few vested interests in the state, who act against the will of the people to determine who becomes the state governor.According to him: “Who is to be imposed as governor of Lagos State isn’t important, but what is very important is who the people desire to rule them.
“My government will be a government of minimal interference and influence. This would enable the free market to operate and flourish on the forces of demand and supply.
Agbaje said he would empower all arms of government from the local governments upward. “The Local government is crucial and must be the first point of call for the people. We will promote a Lagos State that is accountable to the people,” he added.
Also, his counterpart in the APC, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed his areas of interest, if he wins the governorship poll in 2019.He said he would solidify the symbol of unity among the critical stakeholders across the state.Sanwo-Olu promised to take Lagos to a greater height of development, along the paths that his predecessors had laid.Both candidates agreed that there was no need to re-invent the wheel, but run government that would be people-oriented and inclusive in nature."
2019 Lagos State Governorship election, Agbaje and Sanwo-Oluhttps://guardian.ng/politics/agbaje-sanwo-olu-unveil-agenda-for-lagos/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 9, 2018PDP dismisses APC’s vote-buying allegation"The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned what it called “the uneasiness, apprehension and nervousness in the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) since the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said “such nervousness in the ruling party has led to a renewed attempt at smear campaign with spurious allegations against our presidential candidate.”
It, therefore, described the vote-buying allegation as a defeatist approach that shows that the APC and the Presidency are afraid of the Atiku candidacy and have reached their wits end well ahead of the elections."
PDP replies APC on vote buying allegationshttps://guardian.ng/politics/pdp-dismisses-apcs-vote-buying-allegation/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 9, 2018Borno APC aspirant petitions NWC, alleges election irregularities"The Borno State governorship aspirant of All Progressives Congress (APC), Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, has petitioned the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) over alleged irregularities during the gubernatorial primary election.
Ibrahim-Imam, who spoke at a press conference in Maiduguri, said the primary election was fraught with several irregularities from its preparation to implementation.
According to him, the primaries did not meet the barest minimum requirement for a free, fair and credible election.“It is indeed a travesty of justice,” he lamented.He alleged that the irregularities include unlawful use of state resources to induce delegates, purchase of nomination forms by the governor, anointing a preferred candidate, take-over of electoral panel by the governor, withholding of delegates’ list , among others."
APC Borno state governorship primarieshttps://guardian.ng/politics/borno-apc-aspirant-petitions-nwc-alleges-election-irregularities/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 9, 2018Female APC senatorial candidate in Benue dares Suswam, Gemade at poll"The first female senatorial candidate for Benue North East under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs. Mimi Adzape-Orubibi, has said that she is set to beat former Governor Gabriel Suswam (PDP) and incumbent senator of the zone, Barnabas Gemade (SDP), to landslide victory at the 2019 election. Adzape-Orubibi, who stated this yesterday at her Makurdi residence while briefing newsmen on her recent victory at the primary of the APC, said if she gets to the Senate, she would not be a sleeping senator but one that would be up and doing to bring succour for her people.
“At the 2019 election, I am not only going to win but win with a landslide. So, I don’t see the likes of Suswam or Gemade coming close to me.“I am not scared of the big names in politics because there is a wind of change and in that wind of change, new crop of politicians will come out to take the stage using the hand of God.
“Being a woman is not a curse but a blessing. This is because all humans came through a woman. To me, God has used me to break that jinx for women-folk so that tomorrow, other women will equally step in. The era of women being in the kitchen is over,” she maintained."
Benue State senatorial election, APC female candidate talks toughhttps://guardian.ng/politics/female-apc-senatorial-candidate-in-benue-dares-suswam-gemade-at-poll/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 9, 2018Mailafia emerges ADC presidential candidate"The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced Dr. Obadiah Mailafia as its presidential candidate for the 2019 election.In a statement yesterday, the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Yemi Kolapo, said the Chief Returning Officer, Alhaji Said Baba Abdullahi, made the announcement after the party’s convention in Abuja on Sunday.
The standard bearer polled 2,860 votes against Mrs. Saidat Odofin, who scored 1,310 votes. Mailafia commended Odofin for her resilience and passion for desiring a change in Nigeria, which he said, was her driving force."
2019 general elections, ADC presidential candidatehttps://guardian.ng/politics/mailafia-emerges-adc-presidential-candidate/
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 9, 2018Presidency tasks lawmakers on INEC budget, others"The Presidency has welcomed the Senate and the House of Representatives members as they resume for legislative work.
Sen Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), said he welcomed them back from the annual legislative vacation.
Enang spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. The National Assembly had declared its annual recess which began July 24.
Although the federal lawmakers were initially expected to resume on Sept. 25, the resumption was postponed to Oct. 9.
Mohammed Sani-Omolori, the Clerk of the Assembly, who announced the postponement in a statement on Sunday, Sept. 23, attributed the development to the primary elections of political parties."
Presidency welcomes NASS resumption for legislative dutieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/presidency-tasks-lawmakers-on-inec-budget-others.html
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018ANN Scribe to Petition IG over Alleged Signature ForgeryThe National Secretary of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), Sahid Umar, has vowed to petition the Inspector-General of Police (IG) over alleged forging of his signature in the Certificate of Nomination allegedly issued to Fela Durotoye making him the presidential candidate of the party.
The party had claimed that the said certififate was fake and has called on Nigerians to disregard it.
In a statement signed and issued yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Akinloye Oyeniyi, the party said it was aware that few elements within it had already congregated themselves into day-to-day runners of the party, usurping the functions of some organs of the party, especially the National Working Committee (NWC) and discharging them unilaterally with fake signatures; one of which is the said certificate of return.
“ANN thereby dissociates itself from all these elements’ actions especially the recent purported certificate in circulation due to signatures not regular with any of its national officers,” Oyeniyi said.
Alleged forged signature, Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) secretary set to petition IGPhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/08/ann-scribe-to-petition-ig-over-alleged-signature-forgery/
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018Oyemade Wins APC Lagos Mainland Constituency TicketHon. Adetayo Adekintan Oyemade, has been declared winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Assembly Primary election for Lagos Mainland Constituency II and returned elected as the candidate to fly the APC flag at the forthcoming Lagos State House of Assembly election.
Consequently, Lagos Mainland and environs erupted in wild jubilation upon the declaration of the result by the Returning Electoral Officer in Yaba, Lagos.
It was expected to be a keenly contested battle between the lawmaker currently representing Lagos Mainland II Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Moshood Olanrewaju Oshun, Hon Adetayo Adekintan Oyemade popularly known as Mashara, and Mr. Sunday Sawyer.
Oyemade recorded a landslide victory to defeat his closest challenger, Mr. Sunday Sawyer, while the incumbent member representing the constituency, Hon. Oshun, came a very distant third.
APC Lagos State primaries, Hon. Oyemade winshttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/08/oyemade-wins-apc-lagos-mainland-constituency-ticket/
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018Mimiko Emerges as ZLP Presidential CandidateThe Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) yesterday elected former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, as its presidential candidate for the 2019 election.
Mimiko was elected as a consensus candidate by members of the party in Abuja at its national convention.
The presidential hopeful said that he would leverage on the party’s social democratic ideological orientation to convince Nigerians to work with him.
According to him, with the party’s pedigree and those of its leading lights, he will not have trouble convincing Nigerians why the party is the preferred option for them in the elections of 2019.
“As a social democratic party, committed to the enduring principles of good governance, utilitarianism and a restructured federal system for Nigeria, ZLP is set to capture the imagination of Nigerians.
“The party will lead the process of renewing the Republic.
“I am resolutely committed to a programme of restructuring the Nigerian federation.
“This is with a view to affording every segment of the country the opportunity and privilege of development at its own pace.
“This will be done in such a manner that the age long beauty in competitive development will be fully tapped,” he said.
2019 general elections, Mimikohttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/08/mimiko-emerges-as-zlp-presidential-candidate/
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018Tension Mounts in Niger APC over Nomination of CandidatesTension is mounting within the ranks of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State over the reported re-substitution of the National Assembly list from the three senatorial zones of the state.
Some youths from the three zones yesterday protested the alleged action of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party on the issue.
The development is coming on the heels of the deadline given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the submission of names of candidates for next year’s general election.
In the primary election held last week, all the three serving senators from the state lost to new comers, but the federal lawmakers cried foul and protested to Abuja where the list was reported to have been changed.
One of the protesters, Malam Mohammed Alhassan, said they would not allow the mandate given to the candidates to be stolen from them.
APC Niger State primaries fallouthttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/08/tension-mounts-in-niger-apc-over-nomination-of-candidates-2/
ThisDaylive NewspaperMonday, October 8, 2018Kwara PDP Berates APC over Guber Primary ViolenceThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has berated the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the series of violence that marred its Saturday governorship primary in the state.
There was pandemonium in many parts of the state, particularly Ilorin metropolis as thugs attacked various wards where the primaries took place, shooting sporadically into the air and eventually disrupting the exercise.
Journalists that covered the primary were attacked by the APC thugs at Oko-Erin ward located at Ilorin Grammar School, Ilorin.
In a statement issued Sunday by the PDP state Publicity Secretary, Mr Tunde Ashaolu, the party noted that it was shameful that a party which prides itself as a ‘progressive party’ could not conduct a violence-free primary.
2019 Kwara State governorship primaries, PDP berates APCThis Day Newspaper, Monday, October 8,2018 (page 48)
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018How Atiku emerged as Buhari’s main challengerPeoples Democratic Party (PDP), making him the main challenger to President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 presidential election.
At the party’s national convention which held at the Adokie Amiesiekema Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Atiku polled 1,532 votes to defeat his closest rival Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who scored 693 votes.
Senate President Bukola Saraki scored 317 votes to come third, while Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso followed with 158 votes. Alhaji Sule Lamido polled 96 votes, while former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi scored 74 votes.
2019 general elections, Atiku vs Buharihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/how-atiku-emerged-as-buharis-main-challenger-2.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018Oby Ezekwesili, others get presidential ticketsAhead of the 2019 General Elections, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Accord (A), Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Peoples Coalition Party (PCP) and Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) have produced their presidential candidates.
The parties conducted their presidential primaries and national conventions mostly in Abuja and other parts of the country to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for the exercise.
Former minister of education and co-founder of the ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ movement Oby Ezekwesili emerged the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).
Prince Ike Keke, a former American Army officer, emerged the presidential candidate of the NNPP, while Mr. Isaac Babatunde Ositelu was elected the candidate of the Accord (A) at separate national conventions yesterday in Abuja.
Also, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) elected Major General John W.T Gbor, as its presidential candidate for the 2019 polls.
2019 general elections, parties primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/oby-ezekwesili-others-get-presidential-tickets.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018APC primary: How Buhari’s votes compare to 2015The National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday, October 6 announced that President Muhammadu Buhari got 14.8 million votes during the direct presidential primary the party held on Friday, Sept. 29.
Chairman of the Convention Election Committee and Governor-elect of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, said President Buhari polled 14,842,072 votes in 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Analysis by the Daily Trust revealed that the total number of votes given to President Buhari by APC members during the direct primaries is just 582,849 short of the 15, 424,921 he got during the 2015 general elections when he contested against then President Goodluck Jonathan.
The National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, had on Wednesday, September 12 while presenting membership card to President Buhari, said the party under his leadership had developed a database of 15.6 million members.
This means over ninety per cent of the registered members of the party voted for President Buhari during the direct primaries.
The figures given by the APC indicated that votes were cast and counted in all the states and the FCT as follows: Abia, 43,308; Adamawa, 263,945; Akwa Ibom, 140,822; Anambra, 248,268; Bauchi, 316,199; Bayelsa, 210,201; Benue, 259,130; Borno, 466,601; Cross River, 145,615; Ebonyi, 157,455; Edo, 505,827; Ekiti, 199,724; Enugu, 17,291; Gombe, 112,857; Imo, 115,830; Jigawa, 202,597; Kaduna, 597,209; Kano, 2,931,335; Katsina, 802,819; Kebbi, 210,687; Kogi, 387,003; Kwara, 159, 822; Lagos, 2,272,722; Nasarawa, 110,879; Niger, 387,097; Ogun, 586,453; Ondo, 436,968; Osun, 512,013; Oyo, 421, 200; Plateau, 123,073; Rivers, 388,653; Sokoto, 313,091; Taraba, 139,102; Yobe, 199,414; Zamfara, 247,847; and FCT, 54,128.
APC presidential primary, President Buharihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-primary-how-buharis-votes-compare-to-2015.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 8, 20182019: Incumbency power won’t help Buhari — Pastor BakarePresiding Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare says President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress cannot rely on the power of incumbency to win the 2019 general elections.
He noted that the power of incumbency had been broken before, hence the need for Buhari to tell Nigerians what his achievements, challenges and plans for improvement.
Bakare, a former running mate to Buhari when he contested under the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011, was addressing newsmen yesterday shortly after his independence anniversary state of the nation broadcast he addressed at the Church’s headquarters in Lagos.
He said: “The APC cannot rely on incumbency because that power has been broken before. They must rely on performance and be able to communicate to the nation exactly what they have achieved, the challenges they face and how they hope to improve on what they have done right now.”
2019 general elections , Pastor Bakare speaks on President Buharihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-incumbency-power-wont-help-buhari-bakare.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018‘Stop giving religious titles to corrupt politicians’The Chief Missioner, Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Imam Abdur-Rahman Ahmad, has called on Islamic organisations in Nigeria to stop giving Islamic titles to corrupt politicians.
Ahmad made the call in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, yesterday during an international conference on Islam in Yorubaland organised by the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) in commemoration of its 10th anniversary.
The cleric, who spoke on the theme “Islam in Yorubaland: Progress and Challenges”, said: “People that are involved in corruption, prostitution and other immoral acts are nowadays given an Islamic titles such as ‘Agbesin ga Adini, Asiwaju Adini,Baba Adini, among others.
“I am calling on Islamic organisations to properly review this and ensure that people that are conferred with Islamic titles are the ones qualified to hold it”.
The cleric also called on politicians to shun anything that would disturb the peace of the country as the general election approaches.
Cleric speaks against giving religious titles to corrupt politicianshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/stop-giving-religious-titles-to-corrupt-politicians.html
Daily Trust NewspaperMonday, October 8, 20182019: Buhari promises not to let Nigerians downPresident Muhammadu Buhari has accepted his nomination to seek second term in 2019, saying he would not Nigerians down.
Accepting his nomination at the convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, Buhari enumerated the successes recorded by his administration since 2015 to date, saying change has come.
2019 general elections, President BuhariDaily Trust Newspaper, Monday, October 8, 2018 (Page 7)
Daily Trust NewspaperMonday, October 8, 20182019: Aisha Buhari slams APC, OshiomholeWife of the President, Aisha Buhari, has attacked the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, over ‘automatic tickets’ and imposition of candidates.
The president’s wife commented through her official Twitter handle @aishambuhari hours after her husband accepted his nomination for a second term and her brother Mahmud Halilu was defeated in a primary by Adamawa State governor, Governor Muhammad Jibrilla.
APC primaries, Aisha Buhari lambasts party, chairmanDaily Trust Newspaper, Monday, October 8, 2018 (Page 7)
Daily Trust NewspaperMonday, October 8, 2018Osun poll: Melaye, Bruce to report to FCT Police CommandThe Nigeria Police Force says Sen. Dino Melaye and Sen. Ben Murray-Bruce are to report to the Police Command in the FCT on October 8, 2018 and not to the IGP monitoring unit for investigation as earlier stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the force on October 5 had invited the duo to report to the IGP monitoring unit for investigation for public disturbance in Abuja.
Osun State 2018 Governorship Election, Police invites Melaye, Bruce Daily Trust Newspaper, Monday, October 8, 2018 (Page 7)
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018Zamfara can’t risk losing 2019 contest — YariGovernor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state said the APC governorship, national and state assemblies’ candidate’s elections must be concluded and results announced before midnight to beat INEC deadline.
Briefing newsmen in Gusau, Yari said the people of the state should remain calm and that the results of the elections would soon be announced.
“We can’t risk losing the contest in 2019; we are on redline. By INEC’s guidelines, any election held after midnight is null and void, therefore we can’t afford to lose the contest,” he said.
However, Daily Trust learnt that as governor Yari was briefing newsmen on the development at 7:20pm yesterday, no voting material had reached any polling centre even as most of the centres were deserted by the voters.
Governorship aspirants on the platform of the party, yesterday, during a meeting, reportedly engaged in a heated argument over voters’ register that would be used for the direct primaries.
A source privy to the meeting told Daily Trust that the committee for the election had earlier presented a voters’ register containing 547,104 names, but that after the meeting another register of 251,100 was made available.
2019 general elections, APC Zamfara State primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/zamfara-cant-risk-losing-2019-contest-yari.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018Buhari not in receipt of El-Rufai’s letter on Shehu SaniThe Presidency said yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari is not in receipt of Governor Nasiru El- Rufai’s letter on Senator Shehu Sani.
A letter purportedly written by El-Rufai dated October 2, this year titled, ‘forwarding of a compendium of Shehu Sani’s denigration of President Buhari, the APC and the Governor of Kaduna state’ had gone viral on social media.
The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu has distanced Buhari from the letter.
“The presidency wishes to distance President Muhammadu Buhari from a letter currently in circulation, which alleges that the President had authorized a Governor or anyone else for that matter to “deal with traitors and disloyal members of APC, especially Senator Shehu Sani.”
APC Kaduna State primaries, Presidency speaks on Shehu Sanihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-not-in-receipt-of-el-rufais-letter-on-shehu-sani.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018Buhari’ll win more in 2019 — EkereThe governorship candidate of the APC in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nsima Ekere, has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in the 2019 will be greater than the one in 2015.
Speaking yesterday at the Eagle Square, Abuja, after the APC National Convention in which Buhari’s nomination was affirmed, Ekere said from the result of the presidential primary in the 36 states, it was clear that Buhari would secure even more votes from across the country than what he scored in 2015.
He said the president’s popularity rating, as reflected in his huge votes in the direct primary, had tremendously increased in all the 17 southern states from what it was three years ago, in addition to Buhari’s “rock solid support in the 19 northern states.”
Ekere, who is the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said the president would sweep the polls in the nine Niger Delta states because of his deep interest in the development of the region.
2019 general elections, APC governorship candidate speaks on President Buhari's chanceshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buharill-win-more-in-2019-ekere.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018Thirty nine parties to adopt AtikuBarely six hours after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 general elections, a coalition of 39 political parties has declared its readiness to adopt him as joint presidential candidate.
The parties under the umbrella of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), led by the PDP said they would adopt him as consensus candidate for the election in order to dislodge president Muhammad Buhari.
The CUPP in a statement last night by its Spokesman, Ikenga Ugochinyere said the process of his adoption would start this week.
2019 general elections, Thirty nine parties adopt Atikuhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/thirty-nine-parties-to-adopt-atiku.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018APC tells Saraki, Dogara to vacate seatsThe APC has advised Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, to vacate what it called “usurped positions.”
The APC also said the two should give way for the reconvening of the National Assembly to attend to “urgent and pressing national issues” which required legislative attention.
APC acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, gave the advice in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja in response to last week’s protest staged by some leaders of the PDP.
Nabena, who condemned the protest, described it as “irresponsible, shameful and reckless.”
He said the PDP, led by its National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, PDP state governors and ranking PDP federal lawmakers, led hired thugs in a failed attempt to forcibly enter the Nigeria Police Headquarters under the guise of a protest.
APC tells Saraki, Dogara to vacate their seatshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-tells-saraki-dogara-to-vacate-seats.html
Daily Trust OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018Tambuwal, Saraki, Kwankwaso, Dankwambo set for ‘Plan B’Twelve notable PDP stalwarts slugged it out for the presidential ticket of the party in Port Harcourt throughout Saturday night until yesterday when the final results were announced with ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerging as the flag bearer. The question many are asking is the way forward for the remaining aspirants.
Other presidential aspirants who tried their luck during the contest were governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State; Senate President Bukola Saraki; former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido; former governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi; former Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, former Senate President, David Mark; former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; former governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang; and founder of Baze University Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed.
However, while some of the aspirants would simply go back to their businesses as they did when they tried for the presidency or other positions in the past, there were insinuations that others would fall back on the ‘Plan B’ which they worked on long before Saturday.
PDP presidential primary, Tambuwal, Saraki, Kwankwaso, Dankwambo seek other optionhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/tambuwal-saraki-kwankwaso-dankwambo-set-for-plan-b.html
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018Learn from Ambode, Don’t Dump APC, Buhari Tells LosersPresident Muhammadu Buhari at the weekend in Abuja pleaded with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who lost at the party’s primaries to learn from Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and remain in the party.
Presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, said the president advised Nigerian politicians to learn from Ambode whom he said “despite his loss didn’t abandon APC for another party because he was angry over the outcome of the gubernatorial primaries.’’
He said the president urged the party members to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting the outcomes of the elections without bitterness or resentment.
“In every competition, someone has to win and someone has to lose, but those who lost should not abandon the party or lose their enthusiasm for the advancement of the party,” the president said.
He also quoted the president as saying, “the larger interest of our party is greater than our individual ambitions, and we should therefore work together for its success, despite our losses.’’
APC Lagos State gvernorship primary, President Buhari advises losers to emulate Governor Ambodehttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/08/learn-from-ambode-dont-dump-apc-buhari-tells-losers/
The Guardian.ngMonday, October 8, 2018Duke, Al-Mustapha, Ezekwesili win presidential ticketsThe Social Democratic Party (SDP) yesterday elected former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, as its presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections.
The Returning Officer, Dr. Abdul Ishaq, who declared the results at the party’s national convention held at Old Parade Ground, Abuja, said while Duke polled 812 votes to defeat his close rival, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, who polled 611 votes, Mr. John Dara, former Special Assistant to former Defence Minister, Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, scored 104 votes.
He also affirmed that that former Ambassador and former Minister, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, scored 72 votes; former Ambassador, Felix Osakwe, scored 10 votes while the number of invalid votes was 63.
In the same vein, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, yesterday emerged the presidential candidate of Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN).
Political parties presidential primarieshttps://guardian.ng/politics/duke-al-mustapha-ezekwesili-win-presidential-tickets/
The Guardian.ngMonday, October 8, 2018Alao-Akala picks ADP governorship ticketFormer Governor of Oyo state Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala has picked the governorship ticket of the Action Democratic Party (ADP).
The former governor who lost the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, has also directed all his supporters to join ADP.
The directive was issued after his emergence as the gubernatorial candidate of the party and certificate of return was presented to him in Ibadan.
“Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala was today issued a Certificate of Return as gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo State for next year’s general election,” said Jeremiah Akande, Head, New Media and Public Affairs of Alao-Akala Campaign Organization.
“This came to being after a Ratification exercise carried out on Saturday 6th of October, 2018 at the Party’s Secretariat along Mokola Sango-U.I Road, Oremeji, Mokola Ibadan where Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala emerged as the Gubernatorial candidate of the Party."
2019 general elections , Former governor Alao-Akalahttps://guardian.ng/politics/alao-akala-picks-adp-governorship-ticket/
The Guardian NewspaperMonday, October 8, 2018IYC chairman wins Bayelsa Assembly ticketThe Central Zone Chairman, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Tare Porri, has won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the 2019 House of Assembly election in Ekeremor Constituency I.
Porri, who polled 26 votes defeated the incumbent lawmaker, Ball Oyarede, who got 25 votes.
PDP Bayelsa state primariesThe Guardian Newspaper, Monday, October 8, 2018 (page 5)
The Guardian NewspaperMonday, October 8, 2018Niger APC cautions Oshiomhole against subverting people's wishChairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Mohammed Jibrin Imam, has warned the national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, not to go ahead with the plan to subvert the wishes of the people over the results of the party’s senatorial primaries in the state.
Imam, who spoke with journalists in Minna, asserted that such move would be counter-productive as the 2019 elections approach.
APC primaries falloutThe Guardian Newspaper, Monday, October 8, 2018 (page 5)
The Guardian NewspaperMonday, October 8, 2018Akoko aspirants petition Buhari, Oshiomhole over picking of flagbearersSome All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives and Ondo State House of Assembly aspirants in Akoko North West Federal Constituency have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari and Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, over the emergence of candidates in the zone.
In the petition signed by 13 of the APC members, including Muyiwa Olusa, Tunde Giwa Daramola, Olutayo Cyril Egunlayi, Mohammed Aliu Yahaya, Asiwaju Biodun Ilesanmi, Salau Tijani Mohammed, the aspirants said there were no primary elections for the House of Representatives and State Assembly in the zone.
APC Ondo State primariesThe Guardian Newspaper, Monday, October 8, 2018 (page 5)
The Guardian.ngMonday, October 8, 2018Eminent Nigerians applaud ex-VP over victoryThe social media yesterday went agog following the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Eminent Nigerians, especially members of the opposition have continued to congratulate him for clinching the party’s ticket to contest against President Muhammadu Buhari in next year’s presidential election.
Senate President Bukola Saraki in his verified twitter handle @bukolasaraki said: “We always knew that only one candidate would emerge. On behalf of all the aspirants, I want to assure Atiku Abubakar that we will work with him to ensure that come 2019, he emerges as Nigeria’s next President.
“I congratulate our presidential candidate, Atiku for your victory. You have stayed on course over the years and truly, you deserve this victory.”
Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, noted that the task ahead is to unite with other aspirants to work towards the success of the party in the 2019 elections.
He said: “Congratulations to Atiku on his emergence as the official PDP presidential candidate. I am hopeful that come February 2019, PDP will lead Nigeria to the transformation that we so dearly desire as citizens of this great country.”
Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, assured that they would support Atiku for the party’s victory in 2019.
He said: “Congratulations to Atiku on his emergence as the flag bearer of our great party. We are united under one umbrella and we will work assiduously for our party’s victory in 2019.”
PDP presidential primary, Eminent Nigerians congratulate Atikuhttps://guardian.ng/news/eminent-nigerians-applaud-ex-vp-over-victory/
The Guardian.ngMonday, October 8, 2018Wada, Awoniyi, Olafemi say Atiku’s win victory for democracyFormer Governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada and his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, have described the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abukar as victory for democracy.
They stressed that the development was an act of God and a sign that there was another chance for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019.
At the presidential primary election held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State over the weekend, Atiku polled 1,532 votes to defeat his closest rival, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who polled 693 votes, to emerge the party’s candidate.
Wada, who spoke in a telephone interview with The Guardian in Lokoja yesterday, congratulated the winner, the aspirants, delegates and the PDP.
Atiku's PDP presidential candidacy, Former governor, others applaud former VPhttps://guardian.ng/news/wada-awoniyi-olafemi-say-atikus-win-victory-for-democracy/
The Guardian NewspaperMonday, October 8, 2018Dickson, Okowa, Ortom felicitate with PDP's standard bearerBayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the just concluded presidential primaries in port Harcourt, Atiku Abubakar as a leader with the requisite experience to tackle the country’s challenges.
In a statement issued by Special Adviser to Governor Dickson on Media Relations, Fidelis Soriwei, the governor made the comment while speaking with journalists on the emergence of the former Vice President as PDP’s presidential candidate at the party’s National Convention in Port Harcourt yesterday.
PDP presidential primary, Governors Dickson, Okowa, Ortom congratulate AtikuThe Guardian Newspaper, Monday, October 8, 2018 (page 7)
The Guardian.ngMonday, October 8, 2018Market operators, investors differ on Atiku’s candidacyAs politicking continues to trigger slump in Nigeria’s equity market, shareholders and operators are divided over the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s presidential flag bearer as it affects the nation’s economy.
While some stakeholders described his emergence as a welcome development that would restore the fortunes of the stock market and the nation’s economy, others said he does not possess the credibility that could herald a vibrant economy.
Managing Director of Crane Securities Limited, Mike Ezeh, said: “The current government has not done anything to lift the economy and Nigeria currently ranks as the poorest country.
“The nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has not recorded any significant improvement in the past few years.
“Atiku’s emergence is a good omen because we have been yearning for a vibrant president. The development is good for the market. We have been looking for an alternative and he is a better alternative. He has the ideas and experience.”
Stock market operators react to Atiku's candidacyhttp://guardian.ng/news/market-operators-investors-differ-on-atikus-candidacy/
The Guardian.ngMonday, October 8, 2018PDP Presidential Aspirant: Ekweremadu greets winnerDeputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu has congratulated the winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Uche Anichukwu, he also congratulated the other aspirants and the party over what he described as “crucial and rancor-free exercise”, noting that the process was more important than everything else, as all the aspirants were eminently qualified to lead the nation.
“I join our teeming party faithful and supporters to congratulate Atiku Abubakar on his nomination as the standard-bearer of the PDP in the 2019 presidential elections.’’
“This is a watershed and a momentous occasion for the PDP and indeed, the nation. More important in the race was the transparent, free, fair, credible and peaceful process,” he stated.
PDP presidential primary, Ekweremadu greets Atikuhttps://guardian.ng/news/ekweremadu-greets-winner/
The Guardian NewspaperMonday, October 8, 2018SERAP urges Buhari to prosecute alleged corrupt governorsA human rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability (SERAP), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to prosecute serving and ex-governors allegedly involved in corruption.
The group in an open letter urged him to use his “good offices and leadership position to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami,” to lopen cases.
SERAP urges President Buhari to prosecute corrupt governorsThe Guardian Newspaper, Monday, October 8, 2018 (page 8)
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018I2 Years After, Atiku in Landslide Victory, Clinches PDP Presidential TicketIt was sweet victory for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as he edged out 11 other contestants yesterday to win the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential ticket that he had sort after since 2006.
The party’s primary held in Port Harcourt on Saturday, the capital of Rivers State, was Atiku’s third attempt, having lost out in 2006 to late President Umaru Yar’Adua and 2010 to former President Goodluck Jonathan. It was an emphatic win for him obtaining 1, 532 of the 3, 221 votes at the colourful national convention that was brought to a close yesterday afternoon.
Moment after his victory, Atiku told ARISE NEWS, a sister broadcast station of THISDAY, that he would work to keep his electioneering pledge of restructuring Nigeria, saying it was a worthy legacy he intended to attain and leave for posterity.
Atiku's PDP presidential candidacyhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/08/i2-years-after-atiku-in-landslide-victory-clinches-pdp-presidential-ticket/
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018APC Condemns PDP’s Protest at Police HeadquartersThe All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned as irresponsible, shameful and reckless last week protest by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by its National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; PDP state governors, and high ranking PDP federal lawmakers.
The ruling party accused the PDP of engaging hired thugs in a failed attempt to forcibly enter the police headquarters under the guise of a protest.
In a statement issued by the acting National Publicity Secretary of APC, Yekini Nabena, the party described PDP’s confrontation with the police as an attempt to copy APC leaders peaceful protests in Abuja, ahead of the 2015 elections, saying it was a low-budget imitation and terribly-acted script.
“The shocking footage of PDP leaders backed by their hired thugs trying to forcibly break the police cordon is a new height of PDP’s rascality and penchant for violence,” it said.
APC condemns PDP's protesthttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/08/apc-condemns-pdps-protest-at-police-headquarters/
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018APC Youths Set Akwa Ibom Police Station Ablaze over Imposition of CandidateThe Divisional Police Station in Okobo Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom State, and other property worth millions of naira in the locality have been destroyed by angry youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who were protesting the alleged imposition of candidate and hijacking of materials by the party officials in connivance with security agents.
Sources said the youths that staged the protest walked in major streets of the Oron federal constituency at the weekend condemning the alleged moves by one of the party’s leaders, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to substitute the name of the winner of the federal constituency primaries with his preferred nominee. The protest that reportedly started at Uya Oro junction was, however, quelled by anti-riot policemen who prevented the rioters from further fomenting more crises.
APC Akwa Ibom State primaries,m Youths set Police Station ablazehttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/08/apc-youths-set-akwa-ibom-police-station-ablaze-over-imposition-of-candidate/
ThisDaylive OnlineMonday, October 8, 2018Protests in Rivers over APC’s Decision on PrimariesThere were massive protests in some parts of Rivers State at the weekend over the recent decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to recognise candidates elected through indirect primaries by the Hon. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree-led State Executive Committee (SEC) of the party in the State.
The protesting APC members marched through streets of Bori, headquarters of Rivers South-East senatorial district, and Ahoada-Town, headquarters of Rivers West senatorial district of the state.
Displaying placards with various inscriptions, the protesters called on the NWC of the APC to recognise Senator Magnus Ngei Abe as the governorship candidate of the APC in the state as well as other candidates elected through direct primaries by the Prince Peter Odike-led faction.
They also demanded compliance with the earlier directive of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party on the use of direct primaries for Rivers state APC.
APC Rivers State primaries fallouthttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/08/protests-in-rivers-over-apcs-decision-on-primaries/
ThisDaylive NewspaperMonday, October 8, 2018Learn from PDP, Yakasai Tells INECThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been advised to take a cue from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to give Nigerians acceptable general election come 2019.
Making the call yesterday during a chat with THISDAY on the conclusion of party primaries in preparation for the 2019 general election, elder statesman and founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF), Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, commended the quality of the PDP primary that threw up former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as its candidate and also canvassed for issue-based politics.
PDP presidential primary, Tanko Yakasai advises INECThis Day Newspaper, Monday, October 8,2018 (page 47)
ThisDaylive NewspaperMonday, October 8, 2018PDP Aspirant, 200 others defect to APDA in Jonathan's home townAt least 200 kinsmen of former president Goodluck Jonathanin Ogbia, Bayelsa State, yesterday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Advanced Peoples Democratic Party Alliance (APDA).
Led by Mr Azibataman Johnbull, a lawyer, the defectors, who protested in Yenagoa, the State Capital, lamented that an unpopular candidate and incumbent member of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Mietema Obodor, was imposed on them by godfathers in the council.
Bayelsa politics, PDP aspirant, 200 others defect to APDAThis Day Newspaper, Monday, October 8,2018 (page 48)
The Guardian.ngMonday, October 8, 2018Why delegates dumped Tambuwal for AtikuThe battle line between the main contenders in next year’s general elections was finally drawn yesterday as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the standard bearer of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku, who is making his fifth run for president, will face the incumbent, Muhammadu Buhari, whose candidacy was affirmed yesterday at the convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.
Atiku polled 1532 votes, followed by Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who scored 693 votes. Senate President Bukola Saraki came third with 317 votes.
Prior to the commencement of the convention, held in Port Harcourt, efforts were made to prevail on some of the 11 aspirants to step down for Atiku, Tambuwal or Saraki to no avail.
Sources told The Guardian that some governors of the south south and eastern states swung the votes in favour of Atiku, whom they felt stood a better chance of defeating the APC in 2019.
Tambuwal had been tipped to win the primaries, as a result of backing from River State Governor Nyesom Wike and others. But a decision by Atiku’s team to book hotels in advance for delegates was a clincher that also gave the aspirant easy access to voters.
PDP presidential primary, Atiku and Tambuwalhttps://guardian.ng/news/why-delegates-dumped-tambuwal-for-atiku/
ThisDaylive OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Ekere Escapes Assassination AttemptTwo days after his nomination as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Nsima Ekere, yesterday narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at his house in Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, the state capital.
Ekere was meeting party leaders in the nearby residence of the Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, Mr. Umana Umana, when the bullet, clearly targeted at him, was fired into his upstairs bedroom where his wife and sister were at the time.
Following a distress call from his wife, Ekere, accompanied by party leaders, rushed home to the scene of the incident.
The scene was subsequently cordoned off and the expended bullet taken away by security agents following the visit of the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi and some personnel from the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Addressing a press conference later,Ekere said the incident was very disturbing coming at the beginning of the electioneering season and shortly after an attack on the residence of former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, following Akpabio’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Akwa Ibom politics, APC governorship candidate escapes assassinationhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/04/ekere-escapes-assassination-attempt/
ThisDaylive OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018APC NWC Declares Dapo Abiodun Winner of Ogun Guber PrimaryThe Muhammad Ndabawa-led eight-man electoral committee assigned to Ogun State by the National Working Committee(NWC) of the All Progressives Congress(APC), yesterday declared Prince Dapo Abiodun, winner of the direct governorship primary election held yesterday, preparatory to the 2019 gubernatorial election.
While declaring the oil magnate winner of the governorship primary election conducted throughout the 236 wards across the 20 Local Governments Area of Ogun State, the Chairman of the committee, Muhammad Ndabawa, said Abiodun polled 102, 305 votes to defeat five other contestants and thus, emerged the winner.
Ndabawa added that the five other contestants -Jimi Lawal scored 51, 153 votes while Abimbola Ashiru polled 29, 764 votes.
Also, Senator Gbenga Kaka got 17,771 votes and Abayomi Hunye 9,110 votes while Adekunle Akinlade scored 23, 443 votes.
The electoral chairman for the state, however, noted that the declaration of Abiodun winner of the primary and governorship candidate of APC in Ogun state for 2019 governorship election, is “subject to ratification by the National Working Committee” of the party.
Fielding questions from reporters regarding the primary earlier conducted by Committees set up by the Ogun State APC and subsequent declaration of Abdukabir Adekunle Akinlade winner and gubernatorial candidate by the state Chairman, Chief Derin Adebiyi, Ndabawa said he was “not aware of such a primary.”
2019 Ogun State Governorship elections, APC primary crisishttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/04/apc-nwc-declares-dapo-abiodun-winner-of-ogun-guber-primary/
ThisDaylive NewspaperThursday, October 4, 2018Al-Makura, Oshiomhole Disagree on Clearance of AspirantsGovernor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state has disagreed with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, on his decision to clear particular aspirants for the ongoing APC’s primary elections.
The governor expressed his dismay in a statement signed by his Director General of Communication Strategy and Press Affair, Yakubu Lamai, and issued to journaliists in Lafia, the state capital yesterday.
2019 general elections, Governor Al-Makura vs OshiomholeThis Day Newspaper, Thursday, October 4,2018 (page 11)
ThisDaylive OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Student Shot Dead at APC Primaries in AsabaA youth said to be a 200-level student of the Federal College of Education, Asaba, Delta State, was yesterday hit by a stray bullet from policemen who were deployed to the venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election in the state.
This is coming as the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mrs. Amaechi Joan Mrakpor, was whisked away with one of her aides after she acted violently to disrupt the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held at the Cenotaph, also in Asaba.
Although, the school is presently not in session, some of the student leaders were reportedly at the venue of the APC event to collect money from various hawkers who had besieged the place to sell their items like satchet water, groundnut and biscuits.
Two persons were said to have been hit by the bullets following the indiscriminate shooting by the police due to the rowdy attitude of the delegates and supporters of aspirants but the student, named Henry Nweke died on the spot.
The second victim, whose identity was unknown at the time of filing this report, was rushed to a nearby hospital in the city.
Party primaries, student shot deadhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/04/student-shot-dead-at-apc-primaries-in-asaba/
ThisDaylive NewspaperThursday, October 4, 2018Ndudi Elumelu Wins PDP Primary in DeltaHon. Ndudi Elumelu of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency has been declared winner of the primary election for the House of Representatives in the forthcoming 2019 election on the platform of the PDP.
Elumelu who emerged winner in the keenly contested primary election in Asaba, Delta State polled 254 votes, defeating Hon. Joan Mrakpor, who got 226 votes.
2019 general elections, Ndudi ElumeluThis Day Newspaper, Thursday, October 4,2018 (page 12)
ThisDaylive OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018I’m Still Rivers APC Governorship Candidate, Says AbeSenator Magnus Abe has declared that he remains the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Rivers State contrary to reports that he had backed off.
Abe was elected by his faction of the party in the state through direct primary while the faction loyal to Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, elected Tonye Cole through an indirect primary.
But there were media reports that he had backed off his governorship ambition and was negotiating with Amaechi for a chance to return to the senate.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, Abe’s spokesman, Parry Benson, described the report as unfounded, stressing that there was never such a meeting.
Benson said, “the said report by a self-styled media outfit said in attendance at the meeting were Senator Abe himself; Amaechi; National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole and select members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
“We hereby state that this trending story is another deliberate misinformation and mischief aimed at diverting public attention from the real issues and the reality on the ground.
“Let it be on record that Senator Magnus Abe remains the governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers State following the mandate freely given to him by members of the APC during last Sunday’s gubernatorial primary election in the state.”
Rivers State APC Governorship Primaries, Magnus Abexhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/04/im-still-rivers-apc-governorship-candidate-says-abe/
ThisDaylive NewspaperThursday, October 4, 2018Kwara PDP Primary: Saraki Did Not Betray Me, Says Bolaji AbdullahiA former spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Malam Bolaji Abdullahi has said he was not betrayed by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki over the gubernatorial primary election of the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Abdullahi who was a gubernatorial aspirant in the state, was reacting to reports that indicated the Senate President worked against his governorship ambition.
2019 Kwara State governorship election, Bolaji AbdullahiThis Day Newspaper, Thursday, October 4,2018 (page 50)
ThisDaylive OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Group Seeks Cancellation of Taraba APC Primary Election over IrregularitiesThe Taraba Progressive Movement, a group within the All Progressive Congress (APC), has called for the cancellation of the governorship primary election purportedly conducted in Taraba State, alleging that it was flawed with massive irregularities and violence.
The group also alleged that the committee led by Senator Emmanuel Dangana Ocheja, were financially induced by the eventual winner after an agreement was earlier reached by all stakeholders to suspend the process.
The group in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Muhammad Umar, said the committee was highly compromised and the outcome poorly rigged.
Umar said actions of the committee confirmed the plot to scuttle the primary election as hinted by the group earlier.
The group said there was no election in at least 120 wards across the state but the election committee sat in Jalingo to receive allocated result sheets written in the house of a stakeholder.
“The results were fabricated by an aspirant who hijacked returning officers and materials at gun point. We therefore call on the Party’s national leadership not to accept its outcome.”
“Elections did not hold in almost all of the 168 wards, and where elections were attempted in Jalingo and Wukari, they were marred with violence, use of fake election result sheets, intimidation of party members and hijacking of returning officers at the ward level.”
Taraba State 2019 Governorship Election, All Progressives Congress (APC)https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/04/group-seeks-cancellation-of-taraba-apc-primary-election-over-irregularities/
ThisDaylive OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018We’ll Carry Out APC’s Instruction on Dogara, Says Edo LawmakerThe lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo in the House of Representatives, Hon Peter Akpatason, has said that loyal members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will carry out any instruction of the party leadership on Speaker Yakubu Dogara, who recently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Akpatason, who spoke to newsmen at his country home residence also warned the APC leadership against manipulation of the party primaries.
Akpatason who is seeking a return ticket to the House of Representatives under the platform of APC, said his people were in support of his third term aspiration.
He said the APC was not happy with what Dogara has done.
The former NUPENG President said it was an aberration for a member of another political party to continue to be Speaker.
“We, as party loyalists, will carry out any instruction we get from the party. We will study the situation when we get back. Whatever the situation is is what we will react to.
“We cannot be happy to have a Speaker that belongs to another party. It is an aberration and has to be treated as such”, Akpatason stated.
2019 general elections, APC vs Dogarahttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/04/well-carry-out-apcs-instruction-on-dogara-says-edo-lawmaker/
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018APC: Adamawa, Enugu, Kwara gov’ship primaries hold todayPrimaries will hold today to produce governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa, Enugu and Kwara states, Daily Trust reports.
The primaries in the aforementioned states would have held two days earlier but were rescheduled by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, drawing varied response among stakeholders.
The APC in a statement by its acting National Publicity Secretary Mr Yekini Nabena also said the party would hold direct primaries for Enugu and Adamawa states, rather than the indirect primaries earlier announced.
The governorship primary will also hold today in Kwara State, just as the exercise in Imo State was suspended indefinitely.
Findings by the Daily Trust reveal that all primaries are expected to be concluded by Sunday, October 7, 2018 in line with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
INEC’s Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Prince Solomon Soyebi, had during a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters, Abuja, said primaries for Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections will, however, hold between September 4 and October 27, 2018.
2019 general elections, APC governorship primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-adamawa-enugu-kwara-govship-primaries-hold-today.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Tambuwal visits ObasanjoA former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday met with a presidential aspirant of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Aminu Tambuwal, behind closed doors.
The Sokoto State governor, alongside his entourage, arrivedObasanjo’s residence inside his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OkeMosan, Abeokuta, at 7:39 pm.
Tambuwal has been on campaign tour across the country over his presidential ambition.
PDP presidential primary, Tambuwal visits Obasanjohttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/tambuwal-visits-obasanjo.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Buhari to name campaign council after conventionThe Presidency said yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari will soon name a Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) to lead the All Progressives Congress (APC) to victory in the February 2019 general elections.
A statement by the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said Buhari was aware of the yearning by Nigerians for the formation of a full campaign council, adding that he appreciates the growing interest that Nigerians have shown in this issue.
President Buhari implored members of the party and the public to exercise some patience regarding the constitution of the PCC.
He said he and the party executives are focused on the APC convention scheduled for Saturday, October 6.
The PCC will be put in place after the convention.
“We are the party that will free Nigeria from corruption and poor governance. We are the party of change. We will not let the country down,” he said.
2019 general elections, President Buharihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-to-name-campaign-council-after-convention.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Nigeria needs restructuring to move forward – SarakiSenate President Bukola Saraki, has said Nigeria needs restructuring to move forward.
Saraki, a PDP presidential aspirant, spoke in Uyo yesterday while canvassing for votes for the primary holding on Saturday.
Saraki said restructuring would afford every state the opportunity to maximise its potentials and improve on infrastructure as well as meet its needs.
Saraki said “I believe in the issue of restructuring. Restructuring will ensure that every state reaches its potentiality.
“There are great opportunities here in Akwa Ibom and if left on your own, you can develop to get there; it is for the interest of Nigeria as well, because it is when all these states are fully developed that the country will get better.”
Saraki speaks on restructuringhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/nigeria-needs-restructuring-to-move-forward-saraki.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Ambode concedes defeat, vows to work for Sanwo-OluGovernor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has conceded defeat to his rival, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, who won the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary held across the state on Tuesday.
Ambode, in a telecast to Lagos State residents, yesterday, said the interest of an individual should not be greater than that of the party.
“Fellow Lagosians, the last few days have witnessed intense political activities that have gripped the attention of the nation and created palpable tension in the polity. I strongly believe that the time has now come for the state to move forward in order that the gains of the last three and half years are not lost.
“Dear Lagosians, APC is a great party and the interests of our beloved state must always supersede that of any person or group. It is in this regard that I wholeheartedly congratulate the winner of the Lagos State APC primaries, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and urge all Lagosians to immediately support our party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 elections and work for the success of our dear party.
“As governor, I will do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition in the remaining period of this administration and ultimately to the new governor come May 2019. I therefore appeal to all our party members that we remain one family and unite behind the candidate of the party, so that we can continue to move this state forward.
“The progress of Lagos State is non-negotiable. It is a project that I have passionately worked for in the last three and half years as your governor and one to which I will forever be devoted.
2019 Lagos State Governorship election, Ambode and Sanwo-Oluhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ambode-concedes-defeat-vows-to-work-for-sanwo-olu.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Gov’ship: 14 Borno APC aspirants uphold Zulum’s victoryFourteen out of the 20 aspirants who vied for the APC governorship ticket in Borno State have endorsed the outcome of the primary.
They also upheld the victory of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum as the flag bearer of the party ahead of the 2019 election. ‎
One of them, a former deputy governor in the state, Shettima Yuguda Dibal, said in a statement, yesterday, that a total of 15 of the 20 aspirants were physically present at the venue of the primaries which held at El-Kanemi Sports Centre in Maiduguri from Sunday night and lasted till Monday.
Dibal was reacting to a press conference held by some of the aspirants led by the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, calling for the cancellation of exercise.
Dibal said while 10 aspirants stepped down before voting, three others, including Alhaji Gambo Lawan, Attom Magira-Tom and Umar Alkali Nasco, each spoke in front of journalists with video evidence conceding defeat, and congratulated the winner with the promise of helping him win at the general election.
2019 Borno State Governorship election, APC aspirantshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/govship-14-borno-apc-aspirants-uphold-zulums-victory.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Sule Lamido’s son, 2 others win Senate ticketsMustapha Sule Lamido, the eldest son of a former Jigawa State governor and PDP presidential aspirant, Sule Lamido, has emerged as the Senate flag bearer of the party for Jigawa Central Senatorial District.
The chairman of the electoral committee, Alhaji Nasiru Barau Mustapha, said Mustapha, who was the sole aspirant in the party’s primary, polled 488 votes.
Similarly, Nasiru Umar Roni won the ticket of Jigawa North West Senatorial district and Senator Ubale Shitu, who recently defected to PDP after abandoning APC won the primary in Jigawa North East.
2019 general elections, Mustapha Sule Lamido wins Senate tickethttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/sule-lamidos-son-2-others-win-senate-tickets.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Court restrains APC from conducting Kaduna Senate primaryA Kaduna High Court has restrained the APC from conducting primary elections to elect the party’s candidate for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District.
One of the aspirants, Uba Sani, had sued the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, INEC and Senator Shehu Sani over alleged exclusion from the APC senatorial primary.
Counsel to Uba Sani, Sule Shuaibu explained in a statement that his client took the step to protect his democratic rights after exhausting the internal party grievance-redress processes.
He said when his client became aware of his “unlawful exclusion,” he wrote and submitted a letter of complaint to the national chairman, urging him to reverse the decision.
Justice Muhammad Lawal Bello ordered the APC to maintain the status-quo prior to 2nd October 2018, when Uba Sani and other aspirants were excluded from the contest and adjourned the case to 15th October 2018.
Court ruling on Kaduna Central Senate primaryhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/court-restrains-apc-from-conducting-kaduna-senate-primary.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Reps: Khadija Bukar defeats Son in-law in YobeThe Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim has defeated her son-in law, Mohammed Bukar Abba Ibrahim to emerge flag bearer of House of representative seat for Damaturu/Tarmuwa/Gujba/Gulani constituency of Yobe State.
Mrs. Bukar picked the APC ticket during the primary election conducted yesterday in Damaturu.
The contest for the seat took place at the August 27 Stadium Damaturu. A third aspirant, Ahmed Abba Kyari, withdrew from the race hours to the election following the intervention of party elders and Governor Ibrahim Gaidam.
The minister scored 1,295 votes while her step son got 15 votes.
In her acceptance speech, Khadija appreciated the party stakeholders for their intervention and promised to provide the leadership that would make her constituents and Yobe proud.
Family contest in Yobe politicshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/reps-khadija-bukar-defeats-son-in-law-in-yobe.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Buhari group woos voters in South EastA group, #iStandWithBuhari (ISWB) is set to bring together supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari in the South East to change the narrative about his changes in the region.
Tagged ‘South-East Affirmation Statement,’ the Deputy National Coordinator, South, Chineme Edwin Ume, said in statement yesterday that the event was meant to showcase President Buhari’s projects and interventions in the South East and then assure him of the commitment of the electorate to vote for him.
He said the event which comes up on October 13 in Enugu, would culminate in the adoption of the president as the preferred choice of the region. “Buhari has put in place a lot of infrastructure in the South East more than any past administration; that is why we resolve to come out en masse to support him,” he said.
2019 general elections, President Buharihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-group-woos-voters-in-south-east.html
Daily Trust NewspaperThursday, October 4, 2018Dust over senatorial primariesThe Chairman of the Electoral Panel of Yobe South Senatorial Primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Muhammad Yunusa, has said the panel secretary and two other members have declared Senator Mohammed Hassan as winner.
Yunusa, who responded to the report on the parallel primaries election in the zone, said he was not aware of any other election apart from the one they conducted which produced Senator Hassan popularly called ‘Dambu’as candidate of the party.
Yobe South Senatorial Primaries, PDPDaily Trust Newspaper, Thursday, October 4, 2018 (Page 16)
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Unease in Kwara SouthThere is wrangling within the PDP in Kwara State over who will get the senatorial ticket in Kwara South which sources said was the reason for the postponement of the senate primaries.
The contest was majorly between the incumbent Senator Rafiu Ibrahim and Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed.
Forces within the ‘Saraki Dynasty’ in the state were divided in respect to who gets the ticket, despite the fact that Senate President Bukola Saraki remained the determining factor.
The drama, Sunday, which disrupted the primary election for the gubernatorial position, has sent shivers down the spines of some loyalists of Saraki over his choice of gubernatorial candidate which, despite rejection, was imposed on other contenders.
Kwara South Senatorial Primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/unease-in-kwara-south.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Shehu Sani, other aspirants in proxy warThe controversy that arose over the automatic ticket given to Senator Shehu Sani to re-contest the Kaduna Central Senatorial seat has lingered.
Supporters of the senator and those of other aspirants affected by the decision have continued to exchange words over the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to hand over the party’s ticket to the senator.
Four other persons, Shamsudeen Shehu Giwa, Uba Sani, Mohammed Sani Saleh and Usman Ibrahim, were at the Murtala Square venue of the primary on Tuesday to contest when the party’s decision to favour Sen. Sani was made public.
Kaduna Central Senatorial Seat, Shehu Sanihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/shehu-sani-other-aspirants-in-proxy-war.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Delta: Emerhor, Omo-Agege claim same seatThe Leader of APC in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, has been declared winner of one of the parallel primaries held in respect of Delta Central Senatorial primaries.
The primary election conducted by the Chief Cyril Ogodo-led executive of the APC in Delta State, held at Ughelli, saw Emerhor defeating his rival and incumbent Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
However, a parallel primary conducted by the Prophet Jones Erue-led State Working Committee (SWC) has returned Senator Omo-Agege as winner of the election.
Delta State APC politics, Omo-Agege vs Emerhorhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/delta-emerhor-omo-agege-claim-same-seat.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Benue: APGA senatorial aspirant alleges foul playA senatorial aspirant for Benue North East district on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Victoria Sylvester, has alleged foul play intended to kill her ambition by the party’s officials in the state.
Sylvester told our correspondent in Makurdi, yesterday, that she remained the sole aspirant from the district’s senatorial primary election until Tuesday evening when another aspirant who failed to secure the ticket of Social Democratic Party (SDP) intruded to scuttle her ambition.
She claimed that since the “intruder, Senator Joseph Akaagerger, sealed a secret deal with APGA in the state,” the officials no longer involved her in any party development.
However, the acting chairman of the party, Paul Salem, when contacted, argued that Prof Sylvester was not a sole aspirant of the party in the zone, insisting also that there was no hidden agenda about the scheduled primaries.
Benue State APGA Senatorial primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/benue-apga-senatorial-aspirant-alleges-foul-play.html
Daily Trust OnlineThursday, October 4, 2018Primary election a charade — Sen UmaruSenator David Umaru (APC, Niger East) has alleged that the party’s senatorial primary election was fraught with irregularities and did not meet the basic standard of an election.
Umaru had lost the election to Alhaji Sani Musa in the primary conducted on Tuesday.
In an interview with newsmen in Minna, Umaru said election never took place in the first place, adding that the outcome was predetermined in favour of a particular candidate.
He alleged that the process of the primaries from the beginning was flawed while the list of eligible voters was kept secret by the party exco in the state.
“Thugs were used to beat up and chase away my supporters and disrupt voting. In many cases, elections were not done but results were manufactured and announced. This is shame to APC and I condemn it in total,” he said.
Niger State APC Senatorial Primaries, Senator David Umaruhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/primary-election-a-charade-sen-umaru.html
Daily Trust NewspaperThursday, October 4, 2018FCT Senate primaries: Aduda emerges PDP candidateSenator Phillip Tanimu Aduda, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has clinched the lone senatorial ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the territory.
Aduda, who emerged unopposed, is seeking a return to the National Assembly for a third term in 2019 election.
He was declared winner of the party’s senatorial primaries conducted on Tuesday in Garki after he polled 622 votes from 625 accredited delegates.
2019 general elections, Senator AdudaDaily Trust Newspaper, Thursday, October 4, 2018 (Page 24)
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018Tinubu reaffirms control in Lagos as Ambode bowsLagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has admitted defeat in the state’s gubernatorial primary, ending weeks of intrigues amid failure by the presidency to stave off the incumbent’s fate.
The governor’s press conference on Sunday where he dismissed his challenger as unfit raised tension. Yesterday, however, Ambode was conciliatory, congratulating Babajide Sanwo-Olu and urging Lagos residents to work towards the party’s victory in the 2019 general elections.Admitting “the last few days witnessed intense political activities that gripped the attention of the nation and created palpable tension in the polity,” the governor said he strongly believed the time had come for the state to “move forward, so that the gains of the last three and half years are not lost.”
He described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a great party, stressing that the interest of the state transcends that of any person or group. Observers would be quick to note the admission, coming after accusations that the governor failed to carry the party and its members along.“It is in this regard that I wholeheartedly congratulate the winner of the Lagos State APC primaries, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and urge all Lagosians to immediately support our party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 elections and work for the success of our dear party,” Ambode said.He promised to do “everything possible to ensure a smooth transition in the remaining period of this administration and ultimately to the new governor, come May 2019.”
According to Ambode, the progress of the state is non-negotiable and appealed to party members to unite behind Sanwo-Olu to move Lagos forward. According to him, “It (Lagos) is a project that I have passionately worked for in the last three and half years as your governor and one to which I will forever be devoted.”He also thanked the party’s leadership and faithful and APC National Leader Bola Tinubu, his estranged political godfather who threw his weight behind Sanwo-Olu.
2019 Lagos State Governorship election, Tinubu and Ambodehttps://guardian.ng/politics/tinubu-reaffirms-control-in-lagos-as-ambode-bows/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018How Ambode’s fall retells Mbadinuju, Shinkafi examplesLagos State governor must have learnt from the former governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Mahmud Shinkafi, who rose from being a deputy governor to a substantive governor, only to challenge the very political forces that catapulted him to power.
As part of his gambit to checkmate attempts by some state governors to deny him a second term in 2003, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had prompted the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to award automatic ticket to all governors on the party. However, in Anambra State from where his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, Dr. Andy Uba, hails, Mbadinuju’s performance was adjudged as abysmally poor and as such could spoil the chances of the party to produce another governor.
Uba’s younger brother, Chris, working in cahoots with party functionaries and security agents, ensured that Mbadinuju was denied the automatic ticket against the complaint of year-long closure of schools in the state and the killing of NBA chairman, Mr. Barnabas Igwe and his wife.Irked by what he described as glaring injustice, Mbadinuju defected from PDP and pitched tent with Alliance of Democracy (AD), from where he contested the 2003 gubernatorial election. Mbadinuju did not win the election. But the same political forces that supported him to emerge victorious in 1999 rigged out the winner of the election and installed Dr. Chris Ngige.
2019 Lagos State Governorship election, Ambode's fallhttps://guardian.ng/politics/how-ambodes-fall-retells-mbadinuju-shinkafi-examples/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018Ekiti APC finally adopts direct method for National Assembly primaryThe Ekiti State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday bowed to pressure from the aggrieved aspirants by accepting direct primary option to elect candidates for the state and National Assembly elections in 2019.The party had on Tuesday took a decision to adopt indirect primary contrary to the directive of the National Working Committee (NWC), a development that had led to a stalemate in the conduct of the primaries.
A statement yesterday by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ade Ajayi, said the primary had been shifted till today (Thursday) and that the party would now adopt direct system for the primary to be held across the 177 wards in the state.He said: “The National Working Committee (NWC) has humbly directed that the mode of the primary will be direct and it will be held on October 4 across the 177 wards
2019 general elections, Ekiti APC primarieshttps://guardian.ng/politics/ekiti-apc-finally-adopts-direct-method-for-national-assembly-primary/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018Ogun APC faction declares Akinlade guber candidateA faction within the Ogun State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared Kunle Akinlade as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2019 general election.The party chairman, Chief Derin Adebiyi, who spoke at a press conference yesterday at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta, said Akinlade, who is a preferred candidate of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, polled 190,987 votes to defeat the other five aspirants through direct primary.
According to the results, Jimi Lawal polled 5,046 votes while Dapo Abiodun (3,648). The rest were former commissioner, Bimbo Ashiru who polled 898 votes, former Deputy Governor Adegbenga Kaka (833 votes) and Hunye Abayomi (208 votes).Adebiyi, who stated that the election was conducted by a locally-constituted committee and supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all the relevant security agencies, said the electoral committee constituted by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) was not involved in the conduct of the election.
2019 Ogun State Governorship elections, APC primary crisishttps://guardian.ng/politics/ogun-apc-faction-declares-akinlade-guber-candidate/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018Senate Leader, Lawan, wins Yobe North APC senatorial ticketThe Senate Leader, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, has clinched the Yobe North Senatorial ticket to contest election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.The Returning Officer, Umar Kareto, who announced the results of the primaries on Tuesday in Gashua, said Lawan was elected unopposed by scoring 1,702 votes with 12 invalid votes.
Lawan, who appreciated the APC family in the senatorial district for their trust in him, said: “The people have kept faith in me. They have also shown trust, tolerance, resilience and support.”
2019 general elections, Senator Lawanhttps://guardian.ng/politics/senate-leader-lawan-wins-yobe-north-apc-senatorial-ticket/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018Ondo aspirants give Oshiomhole ultimatum to quit officeSequel to the disqualification of some All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants contesting for National Assembly in Ondo State, the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, has been asked to resign from the office.
The affected, led by a leading human rights activist, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, at a press conference in Akure yesterday, declared that Oshiomhole is not fit to be the party’s chairman.
Abayomi, who insisted that the party chairman lacked the intellectual capacity to lead the party, lamented that their disqualification was not only against the constitution of the party but also against the constitution of the country. He, therefore, urged the party leadership to rescind the decision or resign as the party chairman within the next 24 hours, vowing to explore all internal mechanisms before heading to court to correct the alleged injustice.
“It is wrong for Oshiomole to under-estimate the character of our people on Ondo State. We stand for justice, equity, rule of law, constitution of the country and the party,” he said.
The aspirants disqualified by the party’s NWC committee included former Speaker of the state Assembly, Victor Olabimtan, Abayomi, Ayedatiwa, Odunayo Akinrinlola, Felder Olatunji and Chief Morayo Lebi.
APC internal wranglings, Ondo State calls for Oshiomhole's sackhttps://guardian.ng/politics/ondo-aspirants-give-oshiomhole-ultimatum-to-quit-office/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018Police vow to deal with troublemakers in Kaduna State, APC factions to hold parallel contests in Rivers StateThe Kaduna State Police Commissioner Ahmad Abdurahaman has vowed to deal with any person wanting to take advantage of the on-going party primaries to foment trouble in the state.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Yakubu Sabo, the CP warned members of the public to desist from any act that is capable of causing violence or disrupting public peace following the on-going party primaries.
Also, the crisis in Rivers State APC in Rivers State may further deepen as factions are poised to hold parallel senatorial primaries.The national secretariat of the party had on Monday omitted the names of its senatorial aspirants in the state, thus fuelling rumours that Senator Magnus Abe had been offered automatic ticket to return to the Senate to end the impasse created by the parallel governorship primaries held on Sunday.
The Guardian gathered that the APC NWC yesterday approved that indirect senatorial primaries be conducted in Rivers State today. It was initially scheduled to hold on Tuesday, but was shifted to yesterday.
The Publicity Secretary of the Ojukaye Flag-Amachree-led state executive, Chris Finebone, told The Guardian that the mode of the senatorial primaries would be through indirect primaries.
But spokesperson to Abe, Mr. Parry Benson, told The Guardian that the Odike faction would hold direct senatorial primaries today inline with the consensus reached by stakeholders in the state and communicated to the national leadership of the party.
2019 general elections, police speaks on primarieshttps://guardian.ng/politics/police-vow-to-deal-with-troublemakers-in-kaduna-state-apc-factions-to-hold-parallel-contests-in-rivers-state/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018Luke, Onyong, others win PDP tickets in Akwa IbomThe Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Onofiok Luke, has defeated the incumbent member of Etinan in the National Assembly, Sam Ikon, with 323 votes.Ikon, former Speaker of the Assembly, polled 31 votes.
In Uyo Federal Constituency and Itu/Ibiono Ibom, the incumbent members defeated other contenders on the platform of the PDP.They are Michael Onyong, who scored 383 votes to defeat his closest rival, Godwin Henry, who scored 83 votes and Dr. Henry Archibong, who scored 162 votes to defeat his closest rival, a serving member in the state assembly, Mr. Ime Okon, who scored 83 votes.
Others federal constituencies whose results have been released included, Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika with former commissioner for information Mr. Aniekan Umana being elected with 261 votes. Oruk Anam/Ukanafun, Unyime Idem scored 160 votes to defeat three other contenders, Ikono/Ini has Mr. Ukpong Udo as the winner with 130 votes.
For Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara/Essien Udim, Nsikak Ekong, a former member of the state assembly scored 375 votes to clinch the ticket.As at the time of filling this report, the PDP Secretariat is still awaiting results from the three remaining federal constituencies of Eket, Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/ Eastern Obolo and Oron federal constituencies.
2019 general elections, Akwa Ibom PDPhttps://guardian.ng/politics/luke-onyong-others-win-pdp-tickets-in-akwa-ibom/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018Aspirant rejects APC results as Shekarau, Gaya, Barau secure victoryAn aspirant for the Kano Central senatorial district, Laila Buhari has rejected the results of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, which produced Ibrahim Shekarau as winner of the ticket.
Buhari, who spoke with journalists in Kano claimed the election was manipulated in favor of government’s anointed candidate, even as she alleged that the party sacrificed her interest to compensate Shekarau.
But announcing the result for the three senatorial districts at Kano Government House, the presiding officer of APC senatorial primaries, Professor Balarabe Abubakar Jakada said the primaries held across the 484 wards in 44 councils were free, fear and devoid of violence. Shekarau who only recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC scored 973,485 votes to defeat Suleiman Halilu and Buhari who scored 1,001 and 304 respectively.
Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya who represents Kano South district at the National Assembly also defeated Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on House of Representatives matters Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila in the primaries. Gaya scored 1,035,057 against Kawu who pulled 309,209 and Senator Is Zarewa who polled 15,643.
2019 general elections, APC Kano Senatorial primarieshttps://guardian.ng/politics/aspirant-rejects-apc-results-as-shekarau-gaya-barau-secure-victory/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018Internal crisis, cash crunch threaten NCP presidential primaryCrisis among leaders of the National Conscience Party (NCP) and lean purse may deny the party participation in the presidential general election next year, as its primary election continues to flounder.
The Guardian learnt that the party, founded by the late Gani Fawehinmi, lacks sufficient funds to executive the primary poll to select its presidential flag bearer.The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Okereke, said funds used to execute some of its programmes were from the national chairman and presidential aspirant, Dr. Tanko Yunusa.
NCP is the only political party that made its tickets at all levels free for its members. This development might have led to the party’s inability to pay for hotel accommodation for the primary scheduled for Saturday, October 6.However, Deputy National Chairman (South South), Peters Omoragbon and Deputy National Chairman (South East), Prince Gooduck Obi, accused Yunusa of anti-party activities and lack of accountability.
2019 general elections, National Conscience Party. (NCP)https://guardian.ng/politics/internal-crisis-cash-crunch-threaten-ncp-presidential-primary/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018Abaribe, Orji, Ohuabunwa get PDP’s nod to re-contest in AbiaThe Abia State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday elected senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Theodore Orji and Mao Ohuabunwa as its candidates for Abia South, Central and North districts in the 2019 polls.
They emerged from the party’s senatorial direct primaries conducted at Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia. Also, two factions of the state APC in their separate governorship primaries elected Ikechi Emenike and Uche Ogah as parallel candidates.
The Emenike faction, headed by Emmanuel Ndukwe, while announcing the result of its primary election yesterday, said the exercise was done through direct primary.The Chief Returning Officer, Professor Okezie Abarikwu who announced the results, disclosed that Emenike polled 274,133 votes.
The other faction led by its Chairman, Donatus Nwankpa, which also conducted direct primaries yesterday after two postponements, announced the results and declared Ogah winner with 86,875 votes, defeating former House of Assembly Speaker, Martins Azubuike who polled 10,889 votes.
2019 general elections, PDP Senatorial primarieshttps://guardian.ng/politics/abaribe-orji-ohuabunwa-get-pdps-nod-to-re-contest-in-abia/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018Jev, Suswam clinch PDP senatorial tickets in BenueRepresentative of Buruku Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Emmanuel Orker Jev, has clinched the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the Benue North West senatorial district in the 2019 general elections.
Similarly, former Governor of the state, Gabriel Suswam, has won the PDP ticket for Benue North- East senatorial district.In the primaries held in Makurdi, Orker Jev polled 591 votes, beating three other contenders, among who are Mike Mku who scored 333 votes, Gideon Dooyum Inyom and Georgina Ngufan who polled seven and one votes respectively.
While announcing the results, Returning Officer for the Electoral Committee, Cletus Tyokyaa, declared Jev winner of the primaries and thanked the delegates for conducting themselves peacefully leading to a free, transparent and credible election.
2019 general elections, PDP Benue Senatorial ticketshttps://guardian.ng/politics/jev-suswam-clinch-pdp-senatorial-tickets-in-benue/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018Dickson’s men get PDP senatorial slots in BayelsaFormer commissioners in the Governor Seriake Dickson’s government, Lawrence Ewrudjiakpo (Works), Blessing Izagara (Science and Technology) and House of Representatives member, Douye Diri, emerged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in the just concluded senatorial primaries. Izagara emerged winner the Bayelsa East senatorial district in the 2019 general elections and will replace Senator Ben Burray-Bruce, who withdrew days before the election.
He scored 330 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nimi Amange, who scored 62 votes, while Darius Obiene and Ayibaesin Edoghotu polled two votes each.Barrister Biriyai Dambo (SAN) scored one vote, while three votes were voided, totaling 400 votes of the accredited delegates that participated in the election. Ewrudjiakpo won the Bayelsa West senatorial district slot, while representative of Yenagoa/ Kolokuma/ Opokuma Federal Constituency, Diri, got Bayelsa Central slot.
2019 general elections, PDP Bayelsa Senatorial slotshttps://guardian.ng/politics/dicksons-men-get-pdp-senatorial-slots-in-bayelsa/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018Cross River APC voids Usani’s emergence as governorship candidateThe All Progressive Congress (APC) in Cross River State has voided the governorship primaries that produced Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani as winner. Usani was declared winner by a faction of the party at its governorship primaries conducted by the Etim John-led executive in Calabar. State Chairman of the party, Mathew Achigbe, at a media briefing in Calabar lampooned Usani, insisting that Senator John Owan-Enoh was the winner of the party’s duly conducted governorship primaries.
Achigbe said: “A seven member committee led by Aliyu Magaji was assigned by the national leadership to conduct the exercise in the state but was shifted from September 30 to October 1, 2018 for obvious reasons.”
“But Usani went to assemble some party members at various points across the state in the guise of conducting governorship primaries and as such, that exercise is illegal.
“It was not with the backing of the law, supervision and endorsement of the national leadership of our party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or law enforcement agencies,” he stated.
2019 Cross River State governorship, APC https://guardian.ng/politics/cross-river-apc-voids-usanis-emergence-as-governorship-candidate/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018Saraki advocates enduring policies to end restivenessSenate President Bukola Saraki has said that without a sound infrastructure and enduring democratic principles, the desire to end unemployment and youth restiveness may be a mirage.The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant said that such would guide his determination to ensure that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is given priority if he becomes the president in 2019.
Saraki expressed these views at the PDP secretariat in Uyo, while addressing Akwa Ibom State delegates to the PDP presidential primary poll in Rivers State on Saturday.
According to him, the global trend world over requires a leader that is abreast with current issues, adding that investors would look for such leaders with confidence and readily come into such country to invest.
Another PDP presidential aspirant and governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, blamed lack of basic elements of governance for the country’s many challenges. Tambuwal, who said no leader could give what he does not have, spoke at the party’s secretariat in Lagos yesterday.Nigeria as a complex country needs a leader who would understand its complexity to move it forward, he said.
2019 general elections, Saraki and Tambuwalhttps://guardian.ng/news/saraki-advocates-enduring-policies-to-end-restiveness/
The Guardian.ngThursday, October 4, 2018‘APC no longer fit to rule Lagos’Following the debacle between the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the incumbent’s scuttled second term bid, the standard bearer of the state’s chapter of Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), Mr. Abiodun Dabiri, has urged the electorate to vote the ruling party out of power in the coming election.
Dabiri, who was reacting to the controversial primary organised by the Lagos chapter of APC yesterday, said the ruling party and the incumbent have not only demonstrated a lack of focus and commitment to the common good of the people of Lagos but have also shown in character that the interest of the masses does not take priority in their thinking.
According to him, “What we need in Lagos is a better, committed and focus party with God fearing standard bearer to develop the state. The 19 years of APC rule in Lagos is not just a setback but it has not also added value to the citizens.”
2019 Lagos State Governorship election, Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP)https://guardian.ng/politics/apc-no-longer-fit-to-rule-lagos/
ThisDaylive OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018APC Holds N’Assembly Primaries TodayThe All Progressives Congress (APC) holds its primaries for the election of its National Assembly candidates today nationwide, the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabene, said yesterday, revealing that 281 aspirants are jostling for the party’s 109 senatorial tickets.
The party also suspended indefinitely, its governorship primary for Imo State, which held yesterday.
Although, the party did not state the reason for the indefinite suspension of the governorship primary election, THISDAY gathered that the move was connected with the rancour that attended outcome of the exercise.
In a statement yesterday, Nabene said the party had cleared its aspirants for the federal legislative election, noting that some ranking senators had been returned unopposed.
Among those who were cleared unopposed yesterday by the National Working Committee (NWC) were former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Goodwill Akpabio, Senator Shehu Sani and Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
From the list of cleared senatorial aspirants published yesterday, the party seemed to have rewarded some of the members for their loyalty.
The National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, had earlier said that the party would be unfair if it fails to reward loyal senators who stood by it in its trying period.
Among those cleared unopposed are Zamfara State Governor, Alhjai Abdulaziz Yari, Senate Minority Whip, Senator Francis Alimikhena, former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aliyu Wammako, former Benue State Governor, Senator George Akume, and former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Adebayo Adeyeye.
Also, the three senators representing Lagos State, Senators Oluremi Tinubu, Solomon Adeola and Gbenga Ashafa, as well as Senators Ajayi Borofice, Yele Onogunwa and Omotayo Alasodura from Ondo are flying the party’s flag unopposed as they emerged the only cleared aspirants from their states.
2019 general elections, APC National Assembly primarieshttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/03/apc-holds-nassembly-primaries-today/
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Uncertainty as APC NWC disowns Lagos primaryIn pulsating moments of intrigues from different contending forces, the National Working Committee (NWC) Monitoring Group of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declined to accept the result of the gubernatorial primary conducted yesterday across the 245 wards in Lagos State.
Earlier in the day, there had been massive turnout of party members to express their right by voting the aspirant of their choice between Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his main challenger Babajide Sanwo-Olu who is enjoying the support of the party’s National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other APC stalwarts.
The enthusiasm that came with the participation was overwhelming and in a few minutes, results, most of which were favourable to Sanwo-Olu, began trickling in.However, the celebration in Sanwo-Olu’s camp did not last long as the NWC Monitoring Committee disowned the process, insisting on a new one they maintained would be deemed credible by all.
According to the Chairman, NWC Monitoring Committee, Clement Ebri, a major reason for the non-recognition of the conducted primary was the non-submission of required agent lists across the 20 local governments by one of the contending parties.
“While one of the contending parties has submitted its completed list, the other has only submitted a list for seven names. And we cannot go to the field with just that. So we waited till about one hour ago when the names were brought to us.
“We want to ensure that whatever kind of victory that comes out of this process will be acceptable to all. Lagos is important to us and we want to do the primary with lots of circumspection,” Ebri told journalists in the afternoon, hours after thousands of APC members believed they had voted for their respective choice.
2019 Lagos State Governorship election, Ambodehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/uncertainty-as-apc-nwc-disowns-lagos-primary.html
ThisDaylive OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018PDP Assures Presidential Aspirants of Transparent ConventionThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday assured its presidential aspirants that its primary slated for Saturday would be transparent, saying every one of them would have a free and fair chance to be elected as its flag bearer.
The party’s position was publicised by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, who rolled out measures that had been taken to guarantee a transparent process.
The party’s National Convention would be convened on Saturday in Port Harcourt for the purpose of electing its presidential candidate for the general election scheduled for the first quarter of 2019.
Twelve aspirants, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal; Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo; former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido; former Kaduna State governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; and former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki SAN.
Others are former president of the Senate, Senator David Mark; a former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; former Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa; former Plateau State governor, Senator Jonah Jang; Mr. Stanley Osifo and Senator Baba Datti-Ahmed.
According to Ologbondiyan, “We are doing everything possible to carry all the aspirants along. We are going to publish the lists of delegates participating in the convention and all the aspirants will have a copy.”
He noted that the process adopted by the party was clean and clear, adding that each aspirant would nominate two people into the accreditation committee and another two each into the electoral committee.
2019 general elections, PDP presidential primaryhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/03/pdp-assures-presidential-aspirants-of-transparent-convention/
ThisDaylive OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Court Upholds Senate's Power of SummonsThe Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday, upheld the power of the Senate to summon public officers and dismissed the suit filed by the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris challenging his summons by the Senate.
The presiding judge, Justice John Tsoho also said the IG ought to have honoured the second invitation of the Senate on him, having failed to respond to the first one as he was on an official assignment to Bauchi State with President Muhammadu Buhari
Idris, in the suit marked, FHC/ABJ/ CS/ 457/2018, had approached the court for an order restraining the Senate and its leadership from insisting he personally appear in court to respond to questions involving police arrest of Senator Dino Melaye.
But delivering judgment in the suit yesterday, Tsoho, held that the IG’s suit constitute an abuse of court process.
Tsoho in his judgment upheld the argument canvassed by the defendants that the suit, as filed by the plaintiff is subjudice.
Justice Tsoho said he didn’t see any harm that would have been caused if the Police boss had honoured the invitation of the Senate.
“I hold that the Plaintiff (Inspector-General of Police) ought to have honoured the invitation of the Senate, instead of running to the court to stop the Senate from investigating him.
“The action of the Plaintiff amounts to an abuse of court process and, it is hereby struck out”, Justice Tsoho held.
Senate's Power of Summonshttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/03/court-upholds-senates-power-of-summons/
The Guardian.ngWednesday, October 3, 2018Gwamna, Braithwaite quit PDP for APCDespite the confusion and controversies trailing the governorship primaries of the Al Progressives Congress (APC), some chieftain from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, announced their defection to the ruling party.
In Gombe, Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, who contested and lost the PDP governorship ticket to Senator Bayero Nafada, expressed dissatisfaction with the primary election and moved over to APC alongside his supporters.
This is just as a Lagos–based lawyer, Mr. Olumide Braithwaite, joined other notable politicians to renounce their membership of PDP and declared for the ruling party in Lagos State at a ceremony, which took place at Agege Stadium.
Olumide, a son of the late elder statesman, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, leader of the Nigeria Advance Party (NAP), until recently, stood for primaries for the Lagos Central Senatorial District in 2015 and was also a member of the 40-man Caretaker Committee of the PDP Lagos State.
He attributed the leadership problems that have plagued the PDP in recent times in Lagos as one of the factors that informed his decision to decamp.
Describing the issue of the various personalities that have recently decamped from one party to another, Braithwaite said he consulted members of his constituency, adding that he was not one to take such decisions lightly as a matter of principle.
He commended the anti-corruption campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari as a continuing work in progress that requires the support of all Nigerians both home and abroad.
Party defection, PDP to APChttps://guardian.ng/politics/gwamna-braithwaite-quit-pdp-for-apc/
The Guardian.ngWednesday, October 3, 2018Ex-SSG faults delegates’ list, rejects Ebonyi primaryA frontline governorship aspirant and former secretary to the State Government for Ebonyi State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh has vehemently rejected the results of the primary election as a big fraud.
Odoh, who briefed journalists in Abakaliki, cited the use of fictitious delegates’ list in the conduct of the exercise, which he said debarred the authentic delegates access to vote in the election.
He listed the affected local councils to include Ikwo and Ezza South Councils respectively, questioning the electoral committee’s decision to allow the fraudulently substituted delegates in both councils to be used for the primaries.
The aspirant stressed that the committee, led by Senator Domingo Obende, did not act in the best interest of both the internal and external democracies, which the party relies upon to produce popular, credible and reasonably acceptable candidates to fly its flag in elections.
2019 general elections , APC Ebonyi State primarieshttps://guardian.ng/politics/ex-ssg-faults-delegates-list-rejects-ebonyi-primary/
The Guardian.ngWednesday, October 3, 2018How APC made itself a laughing stock in ImoIt was a catalogue of woes for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as its attempt to organise governorship primaries in some states ended up stoking fresh controversies and confusion.
In Imo, the exercise, which was slated to hold yesterday, began on a note of suspense and worry as the whereabouts of the head of the primary election committee Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, could not be ascertained.
While the search for Gulak lasted, allegations began to mount that he must have disappeared to write favourable but fictitious results for the Senator representing Imo West Senatorial district, Hope Uzodimma, a development which culminated in members of the committee announcing Governor Rochas Okorocha’s son-in-law, Mr. Uche Nwosu, as the winner of the primary.
The state chairman of the party, Mr. Daniel Nwafor, raised the alarm over the disappearance of Gulak, a former Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters.
2019 Imo State Governorship election, APC primarieshttps://guardian.ng/politics/how-apc-made-itself-a-laughing-stock-in-imo/
The Guardian.ngWednesday, October 3, 2018Lack of ballot papers disrupts poll in Enugu East, West zones, Nnamani, Ekwerenmadu leadEffort by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to elect candidates into Enugu West and Enugu East senatorial districts suffered glitches yesterday following dearth of ballot papers.
At Awgu, headquarters of Enugu West zone, 494 ballot papers for Udi Local Council got missing according to the party’s electoral committee.
However, 894 delegates were accredited in the zone but only 400 ballot papers were allegedly supplied.
In Agbani, the headquarters of Enugu East senatorial zone, the election process stopped midway after Isiuzo, Nkanu East, Enugu North, Enugu South and Enugu East councils voted leaving only Nkanu West. The council area could not vote, as there were no ballot papers to continue the process.
As at 3.15pm, Returning Officer for Enugu West senatorial primary, Innocent Ezeoha, announced that only 400 ballot papers were supplied, adding, “We have called Nsukka where the Enugu North senatorial election is taking place to supply us more.”
He, however, commenced the voting process, assuring that the materials would be supplied before other councils conclude voting.
But at the end of voting, Chimaroke Nnamani looks set to clinch the ticket of the for Enugu East senatorial zone in the 2019 elections.
2019 general elections, party primarieshttps://guardian.ng/politics/lack-of-ballot-papers-disrupts-poll-in-enugu-east-west-zones-nnamani-ekwerenmadu-lead/
The Guardian.ngWednesday, October 3, 2018Kwara PDP applauds Atunwa’s victory, Bayelsa chapter accepts Bruce’s withdrawalThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has applauded the emergence of Razak Atunwa as its governorship candidate during its just concluded governorship primary.
The primary, ‘a direct method’ held in Ilorin the state capital drew participants across the existing 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
Besides, the party clarified that there was no any form of imposition of a particular aspirant during the primary, insisting that it was the will of the delegates that prevailed.
The PDP, however, praised the party’s electoral panel chaired by Charles Menagbo, aspirants, delegates and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the governorship primaries.
Atunwa, a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly polled 1,555 votes to beat Senator Sh’aba Lafiagi, who scored 578 votes, while 32 votes were declared invalid after the exercise.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was however, absent at the election, a development that settled insinuations that he was supporting either former Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi and incumbent Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Ali Ahmad.
2019 general elections , PDP primarieshttp://guardian.ng/politics/kwara-pdp-applauds-atunwas-victory-bayelsa-chapter-accepts-bruces-withdrawal/
The Guardian.ngThe Guardian.ngBorno APC aspirants petition Buhari, Oshiomhole over alleged irregularitiesNo fewer than 10 of the 21 aspirants in the Borno State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries have petitioned the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, calling for its cancellation for not adhering to guidelines.
In the petition, a copy of which was sent to President Muhammadu Buhari, the aspirants complained that the primary fell short of their expectations, declaring that neither the guidelines nor the party’s constitution were observed.
The 10 signatories to the petition are, Baba Ahmed Jidda, Kashim Imam, Gambo Lawan, Mohammed Kumaila and Umar Alkali. Others are Attom Magira, Abba Jato, Mohammed Chiroma, Mustapha Shehuri and Idris Mamman.
2019 Borno State Governorship election, APC aspirantshttps://guardian.ng/politics/borno-apc-aspirants-petition-buhari-oshiomhole-over-alleged-irregularities/
The Guardian.ngWednesday, October 3, 2018Osinbajo mocks Adeleke, Melaye at independence gala nightVice President Yemi Osinbajo has made a veiled mockery of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke and his colleague, Dino Melaye for being humorous.
Osinbajo, who spoke at the independence gala night in Abuja, said he agreed with the poll reportedly conducted by the British Independent newspapers which declared Nigerians as the happiest and most optimistic people in the world.
The vice president said Adeleke provided humour by dancing while Melaye made people to laugh by claiming to escape assassination by hiding on a tree top for 11 hours.
Osinbajo said: “A few months ago, an important Nigerian politician, who was on his way to a trial in a court, said he was abducted.
And after he escaped from his abductors, he remained hidden on a tree for 11 hours.
The most interesting part of that story is that many people on the Internet started to tell stories of different birds and how long those birds could remain perched on a tree.
All these were the Nigerian contributions to that story.
“Yet another very important politician insists, and still insists that the most important attribute for leadership is dancing.
And for those who think that this is ridiculous, at least 200,000 people voted for him in a particular election.”
VP Osinbajo mocks Adeleke, Melayehttps://guardian.ng/politics/osinbajo-mocks-adeleke-melaye-at-independence-gala-night/
The Guardian NewspaperWednesday, October 3, 2018Aggrieved APC aspirants seek cancellation of exercise in TarabaEight out of the 10 governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State have urged the national secretariat of the party to, as a matter of urgency, declare the just concluded governorship primary election for the state as “inconclusive.”
The aspirants, who converged under the auspices of Forum of Aspirants, also called for the immediate disqualification of two of the aspirants whom they alleged perpetrated the “worse form of ballot snatching”.
2019 Taraba State Governorship election, APC primariesThis Guardian Newspaper, Wednesday, October 3,2018 (page 5)
The Guardian.ngWednesday, October 3, 2018APC fails to pick senatorial candidates in Ondo, aspirants allege impositionThe All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly primaries in Ondo State yesterday took a dramatic dimension as the National Working Committee electoral members were nowhere to be found.
Meanwhile, there had been crises across the three senatorial districts against alleged imposition of candidates by the governor and state APC chairman, Ade Adetimehin.
It took a serious trend on Friday as supporters of Morayo Lebi, a senatorial aspirant from Ondo South District, stormed the party secretariat to reject the choice of Lucky Aiyedatiwa by the governor.
Eventually, it led to mass protest in the South Senatorial District where supporters of other aspirants like Odunayo Akinrinsola, Dr. Tunji Felder, Senator Yele Omogunwa, who is seeking re-election, organised bonfires to express their grievances.
As the news filtered in that the primaries had been postponed in Ondo State, though unofficially, list of the aspirants screened by the NWC screening committee was released and only the three serving senators in the state: Ajayi Boroffice (North), Tayo Alasoadura (Central) and Yele Omogunwa (South), made it.
Two candidates: Tunji Abayomi and the former Speaker of the Assembly, Victor Olabimtan, were disqualified from the North; none from the Central District, while Aiyedatiwa, Felder and Akinrinsola were knocked out from the South District.
Ondo State APC National Assembly primarieshttps://guardian.ng/news/apc-fails-to-pick-senatorial-candidates-in-ondo-aspirants-allege-imposition/
The Guardian.ngWednesday, October 3, 2018Tension in Ogun as sporadic gunshots disrupt committee’s meetingA meeting by the Mohammed Indabawa-led committee assigned to conduct the Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary was yesterday disrupted by sporadic gunshots.
The election, earlier scheduled for Sunday, could not hold for yet to be given reasons.
The committee meeting had begun at about 11:00 p.m. inside the government-owned Mitros residence, Ibara, Abeokuta, but few minutes into the meeting, supporters of two factions within the party who had gathered outside were said to have disagreed on an issue.
The disagreement resulted into fisticuffs and later gunshots.
The eight-man electoral committee members hurriedly called off the meeting with the governorship aspirants and other stakeholders and sneaked out for safety.
In the last coupled of days, confusion and apprehension had continued to prevail in Abeokuta over the planned governorship primary.
Five of the party’s governorship aspirants had on Sunday alleged in a petition to the state security agencies that some politicians, in connivance with some policemen, had hatched plans to arrest their supporters during the primary.
Ogun State politics, APC governorship primarieshttps://guardian.ng/news/tension-in-ogun-as-sporadic-gunshots-disrupt-committees-meeting/
The Guardian.ngWednesday, October 3, 2018Confusion rocks Lagos APC gubernatorial primary pollThe confusion around the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) primary took a turn for the worse yesterday as the exercise was postponed the fourth time in a week and indefinitely.
The bewilderment intensified with the showdown between the state chapter of the party and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) tasked with overseeing the poll.
After thousands of party members had trooped out across the state to cast votes that suggested Mr. Jide Sanwo-Olu, the main challenger to incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was leading by a landslide, the NWC dismissed the exercise, announcing a fresh election would be held at a “fresh time and date.”
Sanwo-Olu enjoys the endorsement of the party’s National Leader Bola Tinubu, who is the state’s political godfather and Ambode’s estranged benefactor.
The NWC team, led by a former Cross River State governor, Clement Ebri, had on Monday told the state’s party chieftains that the national body proposed the use of ballot papers and membership slips for persons without cards.
2019 Lagos State Governorship election, APC primarieshttps://guardian.ng/news/confusion-rocks-lagos-apc-gubernatorial-primary-poll/
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Damagum emerges Yobe PDP gov’ship candidateAmbassador Umar Iliya Damagum has emerged as the consensus gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yobe State.
Damagum, a former Nigerian ambassador to Romania, emerged on Sunday, after his rival, Ambassador Umar Elgash Maina, withdrew from the race, minutes to the commencement of voting at the National Open University of Nigeria venue along Maiduguri road, Damaturu.
Announcing his withdrawal, Amb Algash Maina said it was to consolidate the unity of the party ahead of the 2019 elections. In his acceptance speech, Amb Damagum said he would work with every party member towards ensuring victory for the party.
2019 Yobe State Governorship election, Ambassador Damagumhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/damagum-emerges-yobe-pdp-govship-candidate.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Emmanuel Bello picks Adamawa SDP ticketChief Emmanuel Bello has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Adamawa State.
Emmanuel polled 634 votes out of 783 delegates that participated in the primary.
In his acceptance speech, Bello said he would fly the party’s flag high, and appreciated all stakeholders and members of the party for their support.
He said if elected, he would focus on social emancipation of the teeming youth through employment, secure the lives and properties of citizens as well as ensure accountability.
2019 Adamawa State Governorship election, Emmanuel Bellohttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/emmanuel-bello-picks-adamawa-sdp-ticket.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 20182019: Atiku commits PDP delegates to trustThe Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCO) has urged delegates to the forthcoming convention of the PDP to put their trust in ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, saying he will not betray them.
The Director of Media and Publicity of APCO, Mr. Segun Showunmi, made the plea yesterday in Abuja when he spoke with Daily Trust.
Mr. Showunmi said the PDP would be better for it if the delegates trusted Atiku with their votes, saying the former VP had been tested and had a proven record of uniting Nigerians through politics, business and education.
“As you (delegates) take a stand with us in these upcoming elections, you will never stand alone in Nigeria or anywhere else you may find yourself outside our borders,” Showunmi said.
2019 general elections, Atikuhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-atiku-commits-pdp-delegates-to-trust.html
ThisDaylive OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Osun APC threatens to Expose PDP’s Manipulations During Rerun ElectionThe All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has threatened to expose the secret of alleged manipulations by the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the last governorship election at the tribunal.
Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo yesterday, the APC Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famoodun, alleged that the opposition PDP inflated results of the election in the hometown of its gubernatorial candidate.
The APC alleged that the manipulation done by PDP in the governorship election was also used in the Senatorial by- election that brought their candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to the Senate.
“We have indisputable evidence that for the last election, indeed one week to the vote, the PDP withdrew cash from the banks in Osun to the tune of N18 billion. From one bank alone, they allegedly withdrew N13 billion. This is money laundering and a crime against our banking law."
Osun State 2018 Governorship Election, APC vs PDPhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/03/osun-apc-threatens-to-expose-pdps-manipulations-during-rerun-election/
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Court orders PDP, INEC to accept Kashamu’s delegates, candidatesA Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, yesterday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP national leadership to accept list of candidates and delegates submitted by the Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State executive committee of the party for the 2019 elections.
This followed the parallel governorship primaries held at the weekend by the Dayo-led faction, backed by Sen Buruji Kashamu, and that of the Sikirullahi Ogundele-faction supported by the national leadership of the party.
The two factions of the PDP produced Shittu Adeleke and Ladi Adebutu as governorship candidates.
The Kashamu faction had in a suit filed before the court, sought an interlocutory order directing INEC to accept or process delegates and candidates produced by the group as authentic for the next election.
Ruling on the suit, yesterday, Justice Abubakar Shittu granted an order restraining INEC from accepting or processing presidential nominees except done in compliance with court order.
Ogun State politics, PDP and INEChttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/court-orders-pdp-inec-to-accept-kashamus-delegates-candidates.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Why I withdrew from Senate race — Sen LadoOne of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirants for Kano Central, Sen Basheer Garba Lado, has said that he withdrew from the contest as a mark of respect for Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who he described as a father.
Lado, in a statement he personally signed, said he owed gratitude and appreciation to Governor Ganduje who advised him to put aside his senatorial aspiration in order to present an undivided front “in preparation for the ever sensitive upcoming elections in Kano State.”
He said: “I also want to announce the donation of my campaign structure, including personnel, 25 vehicles and other facilities for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and other elective offices of our great party, the APC.”
He appealed to his supporters to accept his decision in good faith.
2019 general elections, Senator Ladohttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-i-withdrew-from-senate-race-sen-lado.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Gov Abubakar returned as Bauchi APC candidateGovernor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar has emerged winner of the APC governorship ticket for the 2019 general elections.
He was declared winner after garnering 75,086 to defeat his closest opponent, former Police Affairs minister, Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, who got 3,988.
The other aspirants, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate and Captain Bala Jibrin got 2,886 and 2,539 votes respectively.
The three other candidates had however late Monday night stated that they had no confidence in the whole process.
2019 Bauchi State Governorship Elections, Governor Abubakarhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/gov-abubakar-returned-as-bauchi-apc-candidate.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Controversy as Uzodinma, Nwosu claim victory in Imo APCThe ruling APC in Imo State is embroiled in confusion following the declaration of two aspirants – Uche Nwosu and Senator Hope Uzodinma – as winners of its gubernatorial ticket.
While Uzodinma was declared winner by the chairman of Imo State governorship primary electoral committee, Ahmed Gulak, nine members of the committee disowned him and declared Uche Nwosu as winner.
According to the result declared by Gulak, Uzodinma polled 423,895 votes to beat his closet rival, the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Prince Eze Madumere, who polled 128,325 votes.
Nwosu scored 10,329 votes while Sir George Eche was said to have scored 16,597 votes. Engr. Chuks Ololo got 13,645; Sir Jude Ejiogu, 12,369; Peter Gbujie, 12,329; Barr. Chima Anozie, 11, 071; and Chris Nlemoha, 9, 253 votes.
But in a dramatic twist, Nwosu the favourite in-law of Governor Rochas Okorocha, was declared winner by eight out of the 12 members of the committee.
Meanwhile, a statement by the national spokesman of APC, Yekini Nabena, has cancelled the primaries but did not give any reason.
2019 Imo State Governorship election, APC primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/controversy-as-uzodinma-nwosu-claim-victory-in-imo-apc.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 201810 APC aspirants seek cancellation of Borno gov’ship primaryTen of the 21 aspirants at last Sunday’s APC gubernatorial primary election in Borno State have petitioned the national chairman of the party, calling for “outright cancellation” of the result over alleged irregularities.
The petition was copied to President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC’ electoral committee sent to Borno State.
The 10 aspirants: Baba Ahmed Jidda, Kashim Ibrahim Imam, Gambo Lawan, Umara Mohammed Kumalia, Umar Alkali, Attom Magira, Abba Jato, Mohammed Liman Chiroma, Mustapha Baba Shehuri and Idris Mamman Durkwa, signed the petition which was issued to newsmen yesterday in Maiduguri by Mustapha Baba Shehuri.
Among other issues, the petitioners listed alleged infractions in the conduct of the primary, saying the list of the delegates was not given to any of the aspirants up to the time of the primary.
2019 Borno State Governorship election, APC primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/10-apc-aspirants-seek-cancellation-of-borno-govship-primary.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018APC Senate primaries to hold todayThe National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC has shifted yesterday’s Senate primaries in the 36 states and the FCT to today.
But results of the primaries had been released in some states long before the announcement by the party in Abuja.
The NWC, in a release issued by its acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, added that the Imo State governorship primary had been suspended indefinitely. No reasons were given for the development, but sources said it might not be unconnected with last minute moves by the party to address some contentious issues.
Many APC senators would most likely lose their seats during the primaries considering that some second term governors would also like to move to the National Assembly on completion of their tenures.
2019 general elections, APC Senate primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-senate-primaries-to-hold-today.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Takai, Little, Doguwa others reject Kwankwasiyya-led PDP gov’ship primaryGubernatorial aspirants of the PDP in Kano State have rejected the just concluded primary election conducted by the Kwankwasiyya-led faction of the party.
Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, the son in law to former Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, yesterday emerged as the flag bearer of the of the party.
Also, aspirants for House of Assembly and House of Representatives rejected the Kwankwasiyya primaries, just as they threatened to leave the party if the national headquarters of failed to revisit the situation.
Former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau had since dumped the PDP for the APC on the grounds that Kwankwaso had taken over almost everything in the opposition party.
Addressing newsmen shortly after a meeting with aggrieved aspirants in Kano yesterday, the party’s state Chairman, Sen. Mas’ud El-Jibril Doguwa, described the Kwankwasiyya-led PDP faction’s primaries as “kangaroo and movie play.”
Doguwa warned that if PDP failed to address the issue amicably, the aggrieved aspirants would convene another meeting and decide their fate, noting that, “If PDP doesn’t need us, other political parties need us. In fact, some political parties have started consulting some of the aspirants.”
2019 Kano State Governorship election, PDP primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/takai-little-doguwa-others-reject-kwankwasiyya-led-pdp-govship-primary.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 20182019: Kwara North endorses Saliu Mustapha for APC ticketScores of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of Kwara North Senatorial District Tuesday endorsed the candidacy of Mallam Saliu Mustapha as the governorship flag-bearer of the party in the state
Mustapha, a former Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), received the endorsement during the tour of the two local government areas in continuation of his consultation ahead of the gubernatorial primary of the APC holding this Thursday.
A leader of the APC in Kaiama Local Government Area, Alhaji Umar Mahmud Aboki, who led the governorship aspirant to the Palace of Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Omar, described Mustapha as a formidable candidate that can give PDP a good run for its money.
Mustapha, The aspirant, who spoke amid array of endorsement by people of Kaiama, said the APC was desirous to take over the mantle of leadership in the state from the PDP and would require it to present a candidate from the Central to challenge the ruling party in the state.
2019 Kwara State governorship election, APChttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-kwara-north-endorses-saliu-mustapha-for-apc-ticket.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 20182019: ‘Sokoto deserves formidable leadership’Sokoto State deserves a formidable leadership that would transform lives of the masses in all spheres, the Social Democratic Party’s candidate for 2019 governorship election, Abubakar Sadiq, has said.
Sadiq who was the only gubernatorial aspirant under the platform of the SDP, stated this in Sokoto after his candidature was endorsed through affirmative votes by party members from 23 local government areas of the state.
He said if elected, he would provide the formidable leadership to turn the state around.
The chief returning officer, Mr Ahmad Umar, had declared Sadiq winner unopposed; and Mustapha Gada, Maccido Usman and Munniru Maude as SDP candidates for Sokoto East, North and South senatorial zones respectively.
2019 Sokoto State Governorship election, Social Democratic Party (SDP)https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-sokoto-deserves-formidable-leadership.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Tambuwal promises to tackle bad roads, ecological challengesA presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has promised to tackle ecological challenges and infrastructural deficits in the southeastern part of Nigeria.
Tambuwal made the pledge in Umuahia, Abia State, during a visit to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu yesterday in continuation of his consultations over his 2019 presidential ambition.
“I have seen first-hand what Abians and the people of the entire South East are going through as a result of bad roads. On my way to Umuahia from Port Harcourt, through Owerri, we meandered through potholes, gullies, ponds and even swimming pools, in the name of federal roads. This is a shame,” he said.
Tambuwal added that “Nigeria is a good country, but it can and will be better. When I become president we shall take on the challenges of infrastructural deficit in this region, address the ecological problems here, by applying the ecological funds judiciously.”
2019 general elections, Tambuwalhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/tambuwal-promises-to-tackle-bad-roads-ecological-challenges.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Ogun deputy speaker alleges attacks on his office, supportersThe Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Kunle Oluomo, has alleged that suspected hoodlums, numbering over 100, stormed his Ifo constituency office and attacked his supporters.
In a statement yesterday in Abeokuta, he said the suspected hoodlums also destroyed property in his office and smashed the windshield of the free school buses parked there.
“Over 100 hoodlums stormed my constituency office this afternoon, wounded party members that are with me and destroyed my office and my free school buses.
“They are still milling around my office and the town as I speak now, saying let Oluomo come out now and we teach him lesson of how not to disobey ‘Oga’ on consensus,” he said.
Ogun State politics, Deputy Speakerhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ogun-deputy-speaker-alleges-attacks-on-his-office-supporters.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018APC clears Yari, Okorocha, Shettima, Gaidam, others for SenateGovernors Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Kashim Shettima of Borno, Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe and Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa states who were rounding up their second term in office were among the over 270 aspirants cleared by the ruling APC to vie for Senate seats from their states.
Former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State was also cleared to vie for the Senate on the platform of the APC. He would join ex- Governors Abdullahi Adamu of Nasarawa and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom among others who had been in the Senate and now cleared to vie for their seats again.
The party had also cleared ex-Governors Aliyu Wammako, Abiola Ajimobi, Ibikunle Amosun, Orji Uzor Kalu and Emmanuel Uduaghan, among others.
A statement by the acting National Publicity of the APC, Yekini Nabena, disqualified a former Inspector-General of Police, Barr. Suleiman Abba, Uba Sani and Aliyu Tijjani from vying for the Senate seat from Jigawa, Kaduna and Nasarawa states respectively.
APC primaries, governors in senatehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-clears-yari-okorocha-shettima-gaidam-others-for-senate.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Ambode: Oshiomhole meets Buhari, says NWC in controlThe National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole yesterday met President Muhammadu Buhari on the ongoing primaries of the party in across the country.
Daily Trust reports that the meeting was held a day after the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu met with the president reportedly over Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state.
Briefing State House correspondents on the meeting held behind closed doors, Oshiomhole said “I updated the President with what I am doing and what roles he is expected to play and of course compare notes so that at any point in time, Mr. President is abreast of what the party is doing and we have the benefit of his own input, his own experience and his own thinking.”
Asked on what he told the President on the Lagos state primaries, the former Edo state Governor said, “All that is good to go on, direct primaries, and everything is being done to ensure that there is no violence. Democracy doesn’t flourish with violence and Nigeria must begin to learn how to differ in opinion and in choice without fighting. And for me I am excited that if we can do it in Lagos, we can do it anywhere.”
2019 Lagos State Governorship election, Oshiomhole meets Buharihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ambode-oshiomhole-meets-buhari-says-nwc-in-control.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Edo women threaten to boycott 2019 electionsThe Edo State chapter of the National Council of Women’s Society of Nigeria yesterday said its members would boycott the forthcoming 2019 general elections if the 35 percent affirmation action of the United Nations charter was not adhered to by the federal and state governments.
Its president, Mrs. Omoluru Aigbokhae Eniye, said this in Benin during a protest against alleged marginalisation of women.
“We are taking a stand either to boycott the election or ask the women not to vote because we have been cheated for a long time and want to correct that.
“We have come to tell the world, that the women of Edo State have been marginalized. We formed the majority when it comes to voting but when it comes to elective positions, they keep the women aside. They want to give us appointing positions so that they can keep the women aside.
“We watch President Muhammadu Buhari while making his speech United Nation Assembly, he drummed support for the inclusion of women in politics in Nigeria but unfortunately, women are relegated to the back ground and we are saying no”, she said.
2019 general elections, Edo womenhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/edo-women-threaten-to-boycott-2019-elections.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Protests, jubilation in Kaduna over Shehu SaniThere were protests in Kaduna yesterday over the automatic Senate ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) given to Senator Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central).
Our correspondent observed that immediately the information had it that the three other persons who were to contest for the ticket of the Kaduna Central Senatorial seat had been disqualified, party members trooped to the Alkali Road to stage a protest.
One of the protesters who gave his name as Awalu Sani, said they were protesting the attempt by the national secretariat of the party to impose a candidate on them.
He said: “We want the national secretariat to reconsider that position and allow for an election to hold because this is pure imposition.”
The supporters blocked the highway along Ali Akilu Road leading to heavy traffic gridlock.
But another group, which called itself the Kaduna Patriotic Front, commended the decision of the party.
The president of the group, Muhammad Ishaq, said the step taken by the party to reward loyal members would strengthen the party and congratulated Senator Sani for the ticket.
“We call on party faithful to remain steadfast and stand by the decision of Adams Oshiomhole,” he said.
Efforts to get Governor Nasir El-rufai to react to the matter were not successful as he was said to have travelled to Abuja over the matter.
But the atmosphere at the Kaduna Government House was tense and most of the political appointees did not want to talk about the matter.
2019 general elections, Shehu Sanihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/protests-jubilation-in-kaduna-over-shehu-sani.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018Presidency cancels FEC over APC primariesThe Presidency has postponed today’s weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) over the ongoing primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, who announced the postponement, said the development was due to the active involvement of some of the cabinet members in the party primaries.
He said: “This is informed by the on-going political activities, particularly party primaries, in which some members of the Council are deeply involved in various states of the federation.”
Daily Trust reports that the last FEC meeting was presided over by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo in the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari who was abroad for the United Nations General Assembly. Recall that only 14 out of the then 35 ministers were in attendance.
2019 general elections, APC primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/presidency-cancels-fec-over-apc-primaries.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, October 3, 2018‘PDP praises INEC only when it wins election’Aides of the Governor of Osun State, Raul Aregbesola, under the auspices of Forum of Senior Special Assistants (FSSA), have accused the PDP of “do or die” trait and cautioned it against false allegations targeted at INEC whenever the party loses an election.
Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, the Chairman of the forum, Engr. Bashir Lawal, said the candidate of the APC won the gubernatorial election fairly and wondered why PDP was all out to discredit INEC over it.
Engr. Bashir alleged that members of PDP had resorted to harassment and intimidation of APC members, particularly in Ede, the hometown of the PDP candidate.
He urged security agencies in the state to take proactive measures to address the situation so as to ensure safety of lives.
Lawal said, “The election has come and gone and Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC has been returned elected following a peaceful and credible process,” he said.
Osun State 2018 Governorship Election, APC, PDP and INEChttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-praises-inec-only-when-it-wins-election.html
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018Imam, Wakil get PDP's nod in Borno"The Borno State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has picked Mohammed Imam and Mohammed Wakil to contest next year’s governorship election after scoring 2,785 and 1,885 votes at separate primaries in Maiduguri.
Imam emerged PDP’s governorship flagbearer by beating Mohammed Wakil and Kyari Bukar, who scored 20 and 52 votes respectively."
2019 Borno State Governorship election, PDP primariesPage 8
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018Ribadu quits primaries, alleges compromise, others"Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, may have withdrawn from governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State.
Party sources disclosed that Mahmood Halilu, Ribadu and Governor Muhammadu Bindow were cleared to contest the rescheduled primaries on Thursday October 4, 2018.But a statement issued by the Director General of Ribadu Campaign Organisation, Salihu Bawuro, said Ribadu withdrew based on compromised modalities for the primaries.
The statement noted that the leadership of the party in the state decided to adopt indirect primaries instead of the direct mode directed by the national leadership, saying it was the reason Ribadu’s supporters prevailed on him to withdraw from the race.
However, another statement issued by APC National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabene, disclosed that the National Working Committee also rescheduled governorship primaries in Lagos and Enugu states."
2019 Adamawa State Governorship election, Ribadu faults APChttps://guardian.ng/politics/ribadu-quits-primaries-alleges-compromise-others/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018Masari, Ahmed emerge in Katsina, Sokoto"Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari has defeated other contestants to emerge victorious in the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries.
Announcing the results, Chairman Electoral Committee, Isa Adamu, said Masari polled 5,627 votes, his closest rival, Abubakar Ismaila Isa scored eight votes, while the third contestant, Garba Sani Dankane scored one vote.
The exercise, which began early hours of Sunday, saw a total of 5,959 delegates registered for the exercise but 5,627 delegates voted, while 56 of the votes cast were invalid.Similarly, Yakubu Lado Danmarke has emerged winner in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries, defeating five other contestants by 3,385 votes to clinch the party’s ticket.
Chairman, Electoral Committee, Bala Adamu announced the results, saying three of the contestants, Umar Abdullahi, Garba Faskari and Sada Ilu did not score any votes during the exercise. He said two other contestants, Aminu Ahmed Yar’Adua and Musa Nashuni, scored 243 and one vote respectively, while 28 votes were rendered invalid, as 3,684 delegates participated in the primaries.
However, Masari cautioned APC members against violence and bloodletting as long as the party’s primaries lasted.He said it was normal for tension to build up during political exercises, especially among groups supporting different candidates, adding that such should not be allowed to degenerate to shedding of blood."
2019 general elections, APC governorship primarieshttp://guardian.ng/politics/masari-ahmed-emerge-in-katsina-sokoto/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018Borno, Nasarawa APC endorse Zulum, Sule"The Borno State All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed Professor Babagana Umara Zulum to contest the 2019 governorship position in the state. Zulum, who was endorsed by Governor Kashim Shettima to succeed him, emerged the party’s flag bearer by scoring 4,432 votes at the primary election.
A total of 5, 012 delegates from 27 local councils participated in the poll to elect the governorship candidate at the El-Kanemi Warriors Stadium in Maiduguri, the state capital.Announcing results of election yesterday, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Ahmed Elmanzuk, said Prof. Zulum was returned as the APC gubernatorial candidate with the highest votes of 4,432.
“Prof. Zulum polled the highest number of votes cast, while Idris Durkwa trailed at second position by scoring 114 votes,” he said, noting that 317 votes were rendered invalid.
Meanwhile, Abdullahi Sule has emerged winner of the Nasarawa State governorship primaries in a keenly contested election. Sule, a former managing director with the Dangote Group and the preferred candidate of governor Umàru Tanko Almakura, contested the primaries with 10 other contestants, among whom is Deputy Governor, Ali Agara.
Declaring the results, Secretary of the Electoral Committee, Abdullahi Candido affirmed that Sule, having scored 926 votes being the highest, was declared winner of the election.In his reaction, Sule thanked the delegates for their support and assured the people that he will not disappoint the state in delivering quality leadership in the state if elected governor next year."
2019 general elections, APC governorship primarieshttp://guardian.ng/politics/borno-nasarawa-apc-endorse-zulum-sule/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018Fintiri, Buni win tickets in Adamawa, Yobe"Former acting governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has emerged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for next year’s elections. Fintiri polled 1,656 votes to defeat his closest rival and former chief protocol officer to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Abubakar Waziri who scored 465 votes.The former governor, Bala James Ngillari, scored 76 votes, while Aliyu Ahmed got eight votes and Umar Ardo, who announced his withdrawal on Sunday got only one vote.
The Returning Officer, Adamu Shuaibu, who declared Fintiri winner of the PDP governorship ticket, said the exercise was not only transparent, but that the contestants conducted themselves in a lawful manner.
Addressing the delegates after announcing the results, Fintiri said his emergence marks the beginning of positive change in the state, pointing out that his administration will be for the benefit of Adamawa people and that there will be no discrimination on any grounds."
2019 general elections, governorship primarieshttps://guardian.ng/politics/fintiri-buni-win-tickets-in-adamawa-yobe/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018Okechukwu accuses Oshiomhole of acting without NWC"Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, yesterday appealed to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole to place President Muhammadu Buhari and the party first in his decisions.
He accused Oshiomhole of acting without consultation with the National Working Committee (NWC), even as he frowned on the cancellation of Enugu State governorship primaries midway into the exercise.
Reacting to the crises that trailed the governorship primaries in some states and the decision to change the mode of the primaries earlier approved for the states, Okechukwu argued that such decision was taken without considering the peculiarities of the affected states.
He cautioned that unless care was taken, the APC was bound to lose the momentum it had gathered in the southeast zone.Speaking with journalists in Enugu, Okechukwu reiterated his position that South East would be a shoreline for President Buhari to cover what may be lost in North Central and South West, especially as the party has not yet known the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Okechukwu, leading aspirant for Enugu West senatorial seat, said the National Chairman was not taking the President into account and acts without due consultation with the NWC.He noted that the NWC published the mode for conducting primaries in various states and approved indirect primaries for Enugu State."
2019 general elections, APC internal wranglingshttp://guardian.ng/politics/okechukwu-accuses-oshiomhole-of-acting-without-nwc/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018Ortom, Ashiru,Ombugadu win PDP tickets in Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa"Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has emerged winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary to flag the party’s ticket for 2019 election in the state.
Ortom, in a keenly contested indirect primary supervised by Chairman of the governorship committee in Benue, Hajiya Zainap Meina, scored 2,210 votes to defeat John Tondo, Felix Atume and Dr. Paul Orhii who scored 475, 44 and 10 votes respectively.
In the same vein, former House of Representatives member from Makarfi/Kudan Cconstituency, Isa Ashiru, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Kaduna State. Ashiru, a former governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, pulled 1,330 out of 2,654 votes.
Chairman, Committee of the PDP primary elections in the state, Mr. Philip Aivoji, while declaring Ashiru as the winner, said the senator representing Kaduna North, Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, emerged as the second runners-up.
Also, a member of the House of Representatives representing Akwanga/Nassarawa-Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituency, David Umbugadu, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Nasarawa State.Umbugadu, who is the youngest governorship candidate, defeated Senator Solomon Ewuga with 745 votes."
2019 general elections, party primarieshttp://guardian.ng/politics/ortom-ashiruumbugadu-win-pdp-tickets-in-benue-kaduna-nasarawa/
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018How to propel Nigeria to its reserved heights – APC"The All Progressives Congress (APC) says the ability to harness Nigeria’s strength in its diversity will propel the country to deserved heights.
The APC, which said this yesterday its 58th Independence Day message released by the acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, said Nigerians could do a lot more together for the progress and development of the country whose future is bright. The party assured Nigerians that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration was focussed on the pressing issues that directly affected Nigerians, especially security, economy and fighting corruption, stating that “These are promises we made and we will keep.”
“We must continue to build and consolidate on the efforts of our founding fathers to ensure a united Nigeria. Despite our seeming differences, our ability to harness the strength of our diversity will propel the country to its deserved heights among the comity of progressive nations.
“We must look back at where we started and see the tremendous progress we are making as a country, particularly under the President Buhari-led APC administration,” the APC said.
The party said “As we go into General Elections in 2019, the need to elect responsive and responsible governments at all levels has become more imperative. We must not allow those individuals and their political party that ruined the country return to governance.”"
All Progressives Congress (APC) on state of Nigeriahttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/how-to-propel-nigeria-to-its-reserved-heights-apc.html
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018AD repositions to takeover Lagos State next year"A chieftain of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Mr. Akinkunle Caulcrick, has said the party is much alive and repositioned to takeover the governance of Lagos State next year, adding that what remains is for Lagosians to get their PVC and vote out the ruling party in the state.
Caulcrick, who is the chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government’s chapter of the party, made the assertion during the inaugural meeting of the party, and two Lagos State House Assembly aspirants, held at Fadeyi area of the state.He disclosed that Mr. Owolabi Salis has been nominated as the party’s governorship candidate in Lagos State, for the coming general election, stressing: “We wants all Lagosians to know that AD is progressive, AD is alive, AD is not dead. Our governorship candidate in Lagos State has emerged, he is Barrister Owolabi Salis, and we hope that by the power of God, he would become the next governor of Lagos State after Governor Akinwumi Ambode.
“We chose Barrister Salis, because he is knowledgeable and he is one of the top lawyers in United States of America. We chose Barrister Salis as our governorship candidate because we want him to use the knowledge he has garnered in America here in Lagos State, so that our dear state can witness more development.
“In AD, we want someone that should be thinking about the masses. We do not want someone that only thinks about bourgeoisies and have only the interest of the bourgeoisie in the heart. We want people that have the interest of the masses at heart.“Currently, the government we have in the state are capitalists, who only think about themselves alone and we in Lagos State are saying ‘enough is enough, ‘our mumu don do’.
Caulcrick said Lagosians should expect from his party, more in infrastructure development, progress, shelter, foods and other good things, adding: “Lagosians should expect progress, human faces, more infrastructural development, shelter and foods. Late Chief MKO Abiola once said: “ when food problem is settled in man’s life, poverty has reduced.”"
2019 Lagos State Governorship election, Alliance for Democracy (AD)https://guardian.ng/politics/ad-repositions-to-takeover-lagos-state-next-year/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018Atiku alleges elite conspiracy against his presidential ambition"Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has alleged political elite conspiracy against his presidential ambition.He disclosed to journalists in Abuja on Sunday night that he had failed to become president since 2007 because the political elite were scared of his independent mindset. Atiku further said that the conspiracy had been successful because Nigerians were not politically sophisticated.
According to the Waziri Adamawa, it is unfortunate that the electorate rely on the political elite to dictate who should be elected or not.On what had made it difficult for him to become president so far, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential hopeful said: “It is what I call the conspiracy theory of the political elite. If you are not going to be used, if you are not going to satisfy their personal aspiration, they won’t allow you. They say I am independent, principled and so on. That is part of the problem they have with me.”
Atiku promised to privatise the nation’s petroleum industry, if elected president in 2019.He told reporters: “The United States pumps more oil than Nigeria, yet they don’t have a Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
“If I have my way, I will hand over the entire thing to the private sector and I will get more money than what the government is getting.”Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources oversees the state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which is often criticised for its inefficiency and lack of transparency.NNPC manages joint ventures between the government and international oil companies including Royal Dutch Shell, Total and Chevron."
2019 general elections, Atikuhttps://guardian.ng/news/atiku-alleges-elite-conspiracy-against-his-presidential-ambition/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018Nigerians will shock Buhari in 2019, says Fayose"Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has said that the 2019 presidential election will be “a straight fight between President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians who are tired of his misrule.”In a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor said Buhari would have Nigerians, who would shock him, to contend with in 2019 and not the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or other opposition political parties alone.
Fayose said the tripod on which the Buhari administration was erected had collapsed like a pack of cards. “The international community has said corruption under Buhari is worse that in times past. “Nigerians themselves know that murderous herdsmen have joined Boko Haram under Buhari and the economy, which was booming under Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, went into recession under Buhari and has remained comatose.
“For Nigerians, the 2019 election is not about political parties, particularly as it affects Buhari’s presidency.“The election will be Nigerians versus Buhari and not PDP versus Buhari or PDP versus APC, especially knowing how negatively Buhari has impacted the lives of Nigerians,” Fayose said."
2019 general elections, Fayose vs Buharihttps://guardian.ng/news/nigerians-will-shock-buhari-in-2019-says-fayose/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Crises Persist as APC, PDP Round off Gov Primaries"Primaries for the election of the governorship candidates of Nigeria’s main political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were rounded of yesterday with rife accusations of malpractices.
The process which started on Sunday in many states, were carried over to yesterday in others due to wrangling over fairness of the exercise, most times arising from disputes over membership register and lists of delegates.
More candidates, however, emerged last night."
APC, PDP primarieshttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/02/crises-persist-as-apc-pdp-round-off-gov-primaries/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Fani-Kayode frowns at 'Loser' Tag"Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has taken exception to being described as a loser in the recent Osun state governorship election, saying that he was not a contestant in the election, so he cannot be a loser.
Fani-Kayode was also of the opinion that the victory claimed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) was pyrrhic which will never stand the test at the tribunals."
Osun State 2018 Governorship Election, Fani-KayodePage 17
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018PDP Presidential Aspirant Eyes FJP Ticket"The National Chairman of Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), Mr. Breakforth Onwubuya has said that one of the presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approached it for a ticket to run for presidency in the 2019 election.
As part of strategies to gain more defectors from the big political parties, Onwubuya said FJP has decided to hold its convention on October 7, the last day stipulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the exercise."
2019 general elections, Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) of NigeriaPage 17
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018South-west PDP Cautions against Victimisation of Fayose"The Peoples Democratic Party in the South-west zone yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari and security agencies not to victimise Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, after the expiration of his term as the state governor in a few weeks.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the party’s stakeholders meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the PDP also condemned the role of the federal government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
At the meeting were Chief Olabode George; the National Vice Chairman (South-west), Eddy Olafeso; Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Olusola Eleka; Deputy Publicity Secretary of the party, Diran Odeyemi; and the Zonal Secretary, Bunmi Jenyo.
The communiqué read, “We take with a serious view the recent Osun State governorship election, and note sadly that it was grossly compromised, neither free nor fair but an outright stealing of PDP’s victory as given freely by the people of the state to our candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke. We declare our disappointment in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for his inability to preside over a nation where votes must count."
Alleged victimisation of Governor Fayosehttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/02/south-west-pdp-cautions-against-victimisation-of-fayose/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Tambuwal: I Will Restructure Nigeria in a Realistic Manner"Sokoto State Governor and presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuarl, has said that he will split the the offices of the accountant general and attorney general of the federation, when elected president.
The aim, he said, is to promote transparency, professionalism, fiscal discipline and loyalty to the country in the conduct of government business.
He also promised that his government will facilitate a robust, scientific and realistic process that would lead to the restructuring of key areas of the Nigerian State and its political economy.
Sokoto State governor’s claim is coming as a former Vice President and another PDP presidential aspirant, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, yesterday declared that he had the capacity to take Nigeria to greater heights, if given the mandate in 2019.
Also a former President of the Senate, who is also a PDP presidential aspirant, Senator David Mark has urged Nigerians not to despair in the midst of socio-economic and political challenges.
Tambuwal who made this disclosure as he laid out his Vision to PDP delegates in Katsina and Jigawa states as he continued his “meet the delegates visit to the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, said: “for there to be transparency, fiscal discipline and professionalism, the office of the accountant general of the federation must be separated from that of the accountant general of the federal government. This will be one of the first key interventions of my government."
2019 general elections, Tambuwalhttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/02/tambuwal-i-will-restructure-nigeria-in-a-realistic-manner/
ThisDaylive OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Bolaji Abdullahi, Seven Others Withdraw from Kwara PDP Guber Race"A former spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, has withdrawn from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Kwara State.
This is coming as the Senator representing Bayelsa East senatorial district of Bayesla State, Ben Murray Bruce, has withdrawn his ambition to return to the Senate for a second term in 2019.
Abdullahi, a former minister, was among the eight PDP aspirants who withdrew from the exercise. The other seven aspirants include: Ali Ahmad, Saka Isau, Ladi Hassan, Ibrahim Kaia, Abubakar Anani, Zakari Mohammed and Ahman Pategi.
Their withdrawal facilitated the emergence of a member of House of Representatives from Kwara Central, Hon. Razak Atunwa, who defeated the Senator representing Kwara North, Sha’aba Lafiagi.
All the aspirants except Abdullahi announced their withdrawal at the venue of the primary.
Abdullahi was said to have been pressured to step down.
The state Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed said the eight aspirants withdrew from the race in the party’s interest.
“I thank the state’s political leader, Dr Bukola Saraki for his wise counselling and purposeful leadership which have so far kept members of the PDP united in Kwara State,” he said."
2019 Kwara State governorship election, Bolaji Abdullahihttps://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/02/bolaji-abdullahi-seven-others-withdraw-from-kwara-pdp-guber-race/
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 20182019: Kaduna won’t witness violence — El-rufai"Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-rufai yesterday assured the people of the state that his administration would ensure that the 2011 political violence that claimed 800 lives across the state would not happen again.
He gave the assurance in Kaduna yesterday while interacting with Muslim and Christian religious leaders from the 23 local governments in the state.
The governor charged religious leaders to sensitize people against violence in the 2019 general elections
He said: “The present administration will make sure that the 2011 political violence that claimed 800 lives across the stats does not repeat itself.”
He said people should not be instigated against each other because of political differences.
He stated: “What happened in 2011 which claimed about 800 lives in the state must not be allowed to repeat itself. There is no need to cause crisis because of politics.
“People should be allowed to vote for people of their choice. I beg you to please educate and sensitize the people to always live in peace and harmony with each other. I want you as leaders to also tell them there is no need for crisis during election because God gives power to whomever He wishes.”"
2019 general elections, Kaduna State.https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-kaduna-wont-witness-violence-el-rufai.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Group lauds Borno APC guber primary"The Coalition of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Good Governance in Nigeria has applauded the All Progressives Congress for the orderly conduct of the Borno State governorship primary election.
The coalition’s president, Omooba Aigbegbele, in a statement yesterday, said a nationwide assessments of governorship primary elections of various political parties indicated that “APC’s governorship primary in Borno State was the most organized and credible as its standard compares with presidential primary elections in Abuja.
He said the Borno APC governorship primary was particularly significant because of the interest generated by the exercise that paraded 21 aspirants, which, he said, made his group to monitor the processes from accreditation of delegates to the declaration of a winner.
“The APC governorship primary election in Borno State was one of the most highly organized and credible going by a nationwide assessments of governorship primary elections by various political parties in Nigeria.
“Borno State recorded as many as 21 APC governorship aspirants, and because of that we expected a chaotic situation. That is why we came here in Maiduguri to monitor the process,” the release said."
Borno State APC primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/group-lauds-borno-apc-guber-primary.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Osun poll: Observers laud INEC, security agencies"The Civil Society Organisations that monitored the recent gubernatorial election in Osun State have expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the election and commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for exhibiting neutrality.
The returning officer, Joseph Fiwape, had declared that the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Gboyega Oyetola scored a total number of 255,505 votes to defeat the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Ademola Adeleke who score 255,023 votes in the election.
In a joint press statement yesterday, the six groups: Centre for Women Agenda, Campaign Against Social Injustice, Centre for Sustainable Dialogue, Development Advocacy Group, Rights Monitor Agenda and Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms, also lauded the security operatives for displaying professionalism in performing their duties.
They congratulated the people of the state for their “civil, peaceful and orderly conduct in jealously guarding their mandate”."
Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, Observers commend INEC, security agencieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/osun-poll-observers-laud-inec-security-agencies.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 20182019: We’ll deliver 10m votes to Buhari — Bus conductors"The Bus Conductors Association of Nigeria (BCAN) yesterday promised to deliver over 10 million votes to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.
It explained that Buhari’s integrity and accountability stood him among all presidential aspirants.
Speaking at the inauguration of Ogun State’s liaison officers and executives of the association in Abeokuta, BCAN National Liason Officer Israel Adeshola said: “We have members all over the thirty-six states of Nigeria. We have successfully, over five million registered voters in BCAN. We are very sure that president Buhari has no strong rival. Buhari in 2019 is unshakable.
“His integrity and accountability stand him out and if we have that kind of quality in a leader like him, why should he not return?
“The other contenders have been governors before now and they have no good track records like that of Buhari.”"
2019 general elections, BCAN supports Buharihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-well-deliver-10m-votes-to-buhari-bus-conductors.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Buhari meets Tinubu over Ambode"President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa.
The meeting, a State House source said, was held at the residence of the President. Issues discussed included the ongoing primaries of the APC.
The meeting held behind closed door had in attendance, the first interim chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, a political ally of Tinubu.
There was no confirmation from the media office of the president on the meeting. The meeting was held 24 hours after Tinubu publicly stated his opposition to the return of Governor Akinwumi Ambode accusing him of abandoning the blueprint of the state.
Tinubu had indirectly endorsed Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the governorship ticket of the APC for Lagos State ahead of the party primary.
Ambode, had on Sunday attacked Sanwo-Olu and vowed to fight for the APC ticket with a view to retaining his seat."
2019 Lagos State Governorship election, Buhari meets Tinubuhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-meets-tinubu-over-ambode.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Atiku: I’ll take Nigeria to greater heights"A former vice president and presidential aspirant under Peoples Democratic Party, Abubakar Atiku, yesterday said he would take Nigeria to greater heights, if elected in 2019.
“I had been a very president before, I believe if given the opportunity, I will take Nigeria to greater heights that it has never witnessed before, “he said.
Answering questions from journalists in Sokoto, Atiku said: “I believe I have the capacity and experience to tackle the problems in Nigeria. The most important thing is to have the right leadership that has the knowhow to confront the challenges in the country.”
He said irrespective of who clinched the PDP ticket, all the presidential aspirants under his party platform would work to ensure the party’s victory in the 2019 elections."
2019 general elections, Atikuhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/atiku-ill-take-nigeria-to-greater-heights.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Kumuyi visits Buhari, says president must remain focused"The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi, yesterday met President Muhammadu Buhari in Villa, urging him to remain focused.
Pastor Kumuyi, who leads one of the country’s largest Pentecostal churches, said it was an honour to be received by the president on a busy day as October 1.
Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina in a statement said the visiting cleric told the president he appreciates the government."
Kumuyi visits Buhari on Independence DayPage 7
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Youths want 'Nigerian Dream' redefined"A group of young Nigerians under the aegis of Stand Up Speak Out (SUSO) Initiative has challenged Nigerians to charge towards to a reawaken national consciousness.
The group said the call to focus on human capital development became imperative with the growing desire for a clear-cut achievable ‘Nigerian Dream.’
The convener of SUSO, Doyle Edeni, in a press conference in Abuja yesterday, said it is imperative as Nigeria celebrates another Independence Day for citizens to wake up to their responsibilities and speak out against those who are determined to pull down the nation."
Independence Day, SUSO preaches national consciousnessPage 7
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018APC postpones Lagos, Enugu, Adamawa gov’ship primaries"The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC has rescheduled governorship primaries in Lagos, Enugu and Adamawa states.
APC acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, said Lagos governorship primary would hold today, Tuesday, October 2, 2018, while Enugu and Adamawa governorship primaries would come up on Thursday, October 4, 2018.
Nabena added that the mode of primaries for Enugu and Adamawa states had also been changed from indirect to direct."
2019 general elections, APC primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-postpones-lagos-enugu-adamawa-govship-primaries.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Sulaiman, Ajia, Abdullahi boycott PDP primary in Kwara"Following the disruption of the PDP gubernatorial primary yesterday in Ilorin, a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, a former APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, and Mr. Muhammed Ibrahim Ajia all boycotted the rescheduled exercise.
Sulaiman, on Sunday night, said he would boycott the rescheduled primary.
“I would boycott the primary because a particular aspirant has been anointed. This is contrary to the earlier assurance that a level playing field would be provided for all the aspirants. The fact is that the rescheduled primary would be a nullity,” he said.
All other aspirants contesting for the same position had all stepped down, leaving two federal lawmakers, Mr. Abdulrazaq Atunwa and Shaaba Lafiagi."
2019 Kwara State governorship election, PDP primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/sulaiman-ajia-abdullahi-boycott-pdp-primary-in-kwara.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Police halt Kwankwasiyya-led PDP primary in Kano"Heavily armed policemen disrupted the Kwankwasiyya-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) parallel primary election in Kano yesterday.
Hundreds of Kwankwasiyya supporters who converged at the Lugard House secretariat of the movement for the election were denied access into the building by heavily armed policemen who barricaded the structure as early as 06:00am.
The National Secretary of the Kwankwasiyya Awareness Network, Comrade Auwal Muhammad, said they were at the Lugard House for the screening of their delegates and aspirants preparatory to the primary.
“All Kwankwasiyya delegates and aspirants were asked to assemble at the Lugard House today for a final screening before the primary elections,” he said.
“This house is where we normally meet and deliberate on political issues. So both PDP and other Kwankwasiyya coalitions were invited from all the 44 local governments only for us to come and meet policemen barricaded the house,” he said."
PDP Kano primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/police-halt-kwankwasiyya-led-pdp-primary-in-kano.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 20182019: Akhimien emerges GDPN presidential candidate"A former military personnel and business mogul, Dr. Davidson Akhimien, has emerged the presidential candidate of Grassroot Development Party of Nigeria (GDPN).
Akhimien was elected by delegates at the party’s presidential primary held yesterday in Abuja.
Two other aspirants had stepped down for him to be the sole presidential candidate of the party, paving the way for his approval by delegates through voting to legitimise his candidature.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Akhimien promised to implement the party’s manifesto which, he said, was to tackle poverty if elected president next year.
The national chairman of the party, Ambassador Odion Okpebholo, told newsmen at the event that GDPN was passionate about addressing the challenges of rural urban drift, the economy and insecurity in the country."
2019 general elections, GDPN presidential candidatehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-akhimien-emerges-gdpn-presidential-candidate.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Aggrieved aspirants want Benue SDP primaries cancelled"Some aggrieved aspirants on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Benue State have called for the immediate cancellation of its primary election which results are yet to be declared.
The angry aspirants from all the three senatorial districts of the state alleged that the exercises conducted on Saturday were marred with grave irregularities.
Speaking for the complainants on Monday at a press conference in Makurdi, Senator Joseph Akaagerger, also a senatorial aspirant of the party, stressed the need for cancellation of the national and state assemblies primary election of the party in the state over alleged irregularities and malpractices.
He cited cases of snatching of electoral materials by hired thugs, violence, vote buying and predetermined choice of successful candidates before the conduct of the primaries as part of the irregularities which characterized the exercise.
Akaagerger further disclosed from the petition written to the party’s national secretariat, that there was criminal manipulation of the election results in all the 277 wards across the state.
He added that parallel executive of the party had been created in four local governments without following the party’s Constitution just as he accused all returning officers posted to the seven local government areas in his home, North East district consisting of 84 wards of submitting election materials to Senator Barnabas Gemade’s House in Gboko and some result sheets handed over to him."
Benue State Social Democratic Party (SDP) primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/aggrieved-aspirants-want-benue-sdp-primaries-cancelled.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018‘Hold leaders accountable’ - House of Rep Candidate"A House of Representatives candidate for Orlu, Orsu, Oru East of Imo State on the platform of Re-Build Nigeria Party (RBNP), Fidelis Onyedikam, has charged the electorate to hold leaders accountable.
Onyedikam, who stated this while briefing newsmen in Abuja, hinted that he was in the race to “take power back to the people through accountable representation.”"
2019 general elections, RBNP House of Rep candidatehttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/hold-leaders-accountable.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Senate: Tough contest awaiting Shehu Sani in Kaduna"Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central, may lose a return ticket to the Senate on the platform of APC, with sources saying his moves to have the presidency intercede on his behalf have failed.
Senator Sani had not been on the same page with Governor Nasir El-rufai, with sources saying the indirect primary election option adopted by the Kaduna State chapter of the APC, it would be difficult for those who were “outside the circle” to make any headway in their political aspiration.
To this effect, it was gathered that ahead of the APC senatorial primaries approaching, Sen. Sani had pleaded with two governors, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano and Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina, to approach President Muhammadu Buhari on his behalf.
However, it was gathered that the move, just like previous ones, failed, as nobody in the presidency would want to meddle into matters in states so as not to take side.
But Sen. Sani had refuted the claim, saying it was not true. “Fake story, ignore it,” he said in a text message when asked to comment on the development."
2019 general elections, Shehu Sanihttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/senate-tough-contest-awaiting-shehu-sani-in-kaduna.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018DPC tasks Nigerians on good governance"As the nation celebrates its 58 Independence anniversary, the Democratic People’s Congress (DPC) has urged Nigerians to use the opportunity to rededicate themselves to the service of God and the fatherland.
The national chairman of the congress, Rev. Olusegun Peters, said yesterday in Abuja that the dream of Nigeria’s founding fathers of a great, united, prosperous and just democratic nation had been a mirage in the past 58 years.
“This potential powerful country has been on life-support, ravaged and devastated by poor leadership, corruption, tribalism, militancy, insurgency, kidnapping, armed robbery and massive looting of the treasury by public officers.
“The state of the nation is bad and needs the collective efforts of patriotic Nigerians to rescue it from the cabal that has held the populace hostage in the past 58 years of independence, particularly the incumbent All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government,” Peters said."
Good governance, Democratic People's Party (DPC)https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/dpc-tasks-nigerians-on-good-governance.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Election duty: CP takes over in Imo"Imo State Police Commissioner Dasuki Galadanchi, yesterday, stepped aside as his Kogi State counterpart, Ali Janga, formally took over to conduct the APC primary election in the state.
Janga was received by Galadanchi at the headquarters of the Imo State Police Command on Monday.
Galadanchi, who spoke to newsmen while handing over to his colleague, said the change was necessitated by the desire of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris Kpotum, to ensure that there was transparency in the whole process.
According to him, since there were complaints from some of the dramatis personae that he was not neutral in the election, the IGP had to send Janga to Imo purely for election duties.
He pledged to assist the visiting CP to ensure a peaceful exercise.
Janga, who spoke to newsmen after receiving operational orders and telephone numbers of officers in the command from Galadanchi, said it was not the first time that the IGP was deploying CPs for election duties, adding that he had just finished a similar tour of duty at Osun State where he provided security for the election.
He said he was in Imo State for the APC primaries alone, adding that he would go back to his station as soon as the exercise was concluded.
He assured that there would be no incident of ballot snatching or violence of any sort and told the residents to go about their duties without any fear."
Imo State APC primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/election-duty-cp-takes-over-in-imo.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Disagreement hits Lagos APC over voting pattern"There was a sharp disagreement between members of the national monitoring committee of the APC and party stakeholders on the voting pattern to be adopted during the gubernatorial primary of the party in Lagos.
The gubernatorial primary in Lagos was postponed thrice, owing to the lingering crisis between Governor Akinwunmi Ambode who is seeking a second term ticket and his godfather, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who had endorsed the candidacy of Babajide Sanwo-Olu."
2019 Lagos State Governorship election, Ambode vs TinubuPage 16
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 201813 aspirants jostle for ADC gov'ship ticket in Oyo"The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, Dr Hammed Ayinla, yesterday, said 13 governorship aspirants are ready to slug it out for the ticket.
Dr Ayinla revealed this while speaking at an interactive session between Oyo State ADC executives and aspirants on the platform of the party.
He said the governorship aspirants were Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin, Barr. Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli, Dr. Muhammad Kola Baloogun, Engr.Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, Chief Ayodele Adigun and Dr. Yunus Akintunde.
Others are Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Sen. Gbenga Babalola, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, Mr Oluseye Opatoki, Chief Festus Adegoke, Barr. Lowo Obisesan and Engr. Aderemi Oseni."
2019 Oyo State African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship primariesPage 16
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Uncertainty persists over Lagos PDP governorship primary"Uncertainty still persists over the governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos state.
Daily Trust reports that the party had postponed the primary twice. It was supposed to hold on Sunday before it was postponed to Tuesday ostensibly in anticipation of the fallout of the primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC which had also twice postponed its primary is set for a stormy shadow election tomorrow between the incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the former Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who is the choice of party leadership in the state.
The National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had endorsed Sanwo-Olu ahead of the primaries tomorrow.
As anxiety over the APC primaries lingers, the PDP is dilly-dallying on its election ostensibly to take advantage of the fallouts from the ruling party.
Many sources in the PDP had confirmed moves by the opposition to woo the embattled Ambode with the governorship ticket to actualize its goal of governing the state.
As at the time of filing this report, many party members are in the dark on the date for the conduct of the PDP governorship primaries.
Spokesman of the party, Mr. Taofik Gani told our correspondent there was “no information” yet on the primaries.
But a chieftain of the party and former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe in a chat with Daily Trust said the primaries have been postponed indefinitely, saying, “We are not in a hurry at all”.
He confirmed that the party is biding its time to “harvest the mistakes of other parties”.
"
Lagos State PDP governorship primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/uncertainty-persists-over-lagos-pdp-governorship-primaries.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Makarfi leads in ‘poll’ ahead of PDP primaries"A poll has predicted that a former National Caretaker Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Mohamed Makarfi, will emerge as the party’s presidential candidate on Oct. 6.
An Interim Situation Report on 12 PDP presidential aspirants by an independent group, Presidential Mediation Committee showed that Makarfi was the early favorite before the primary election.
The report signed by Protem-Chairman Hon. Samaila Kankia, Ag. Secretary Dr. Amos Goje and Facilitator, Malam Muhammad Tasiu Hassan which they said they had submitted to the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus ranked each candidate’s potentialities and pedigree on a scale of 1 to 20 with 20 being highest. In all, the group said Makarfi scored 15 marks to beat the rest in the analysis."
2019 general elections, PDP presidential primaryhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/makarfi-leads-in-poll-ahead-of-pdp-primaries.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Borno South needs new representation"A senatorial aspirant from Borno South on the platform of PDP, Kudla Satumari, has said that he joined race so that the voice of his people could be heard loud at the national level.
Satumari who said Borno State had suffered a lot in the last nine years as a result of Boko Haram crisis, added that the southern part of the state which he wanted to represented, had its share of the difficulties.
He added that those who represented the area in the past and those currently occupying the Senate seat had all done their bests, saying it was time to have a change. He lamented that many of his people were living in IDP camps, saying it was time to take them home.
When reminded that Gwoza axis had always produced the senator from Southern Borno, Satumari said, “It is an unconventional coincidence that kept on happening.”"
2019 general elections, Borno South Senatorial Districthttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/borno-south-needs-new-representation.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Ogun APC boils over primaries"The APC in Ogun State is enmeshed in crisis over the rescheduled governorship primary of the party in the state.
The party had been polarised following the adoption of Hon. Adekunle Akinlade as consensus candidate by the state APC.
Daily Trust reports that five other aspirants rejected the move, as well as the indirect primaries adopted by the Amosun-backed party exco.
However, the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC approved direct primaries for Ogun, forcing the state exco to bow to the national leadership.
The party governorship primary slated for Sunday had been shifted to Tuesday, but members of the committee from the APC headquarters, Abuja, were yet to arrive the state as of the time of this report. Speaking at a meeting yesterday, Amosun declared that there will be “no retreat no surrender”, accusing the other group of planning to reap where they did not sow.
“We will defeat them one million times. We have the government, we have the people and we have the party,” the governor said."
2019 Ogun State Governorship elections, APChttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ogun-apc-boils-over-primaries.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 2018Atunwa emerges Kwara PDP governorship candidate"A member of the House of Representatives and former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Barr. Razak Atunwa, has emerged the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state.
Atunwa, a former commissioner for Information and Works in the state polled 1,555 votes to beat his rival, a former governor of the state and serving senator, Alh Mohammed Sha’aba Lafiagi who scored 578 votes.
Atunwa is from Asa local government area in Kwara central while Lafiagi is from Edu local government in Kwara north.
The conduct of the PDP governorship primaries, which started on Sunday, was declared inconclusive when the peaceful process was disrupted abruptly by some aggrieved delegates who alleged that the process was been manipulated."
2019 Kwara State governorship election, PDP primarieshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/atunwa-emerges-kwara-pdp-governorship-candidate.html
Daily Trust OnlineTuesday, October 2, 20182019 elections: Don’t debase temple of justice, NBA charges politicians"As the nation celebrates its 58th Independence Day, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has charged politicians not to allow politics to debase the temple of justice and the rule of law in the country.
The president of NBA, Paul Usoro (SAN), in a statement yesterday, insisted that the judiciary and the rule of law must remain sacrosanct. “The converse of the rule of law, we must always remember, is anarchy and we do not want to descend into that abyss. We must not, in the name of politics and for political reasons pollute our fountain of justice,” he said.
He said the judiciary remained one institution that had constantly kept the country united through its pronouncements. “The decision of our courts more often than not ward off ethnic strives, political unrests, chaos, bedlam and riots – the fingerlings of anarchy. We remain eternally grateful to Their lordships for their services to our fatherland and pray for continuous divine wisdom and guidance for them as we journey into another year of national elections”, he added.
Usoro charged Nigerians and more specifically the political class to continue to have faith in the country’s judicial system, adding that “workers and ministers in Nigeria’s temple of justice, must, by our conducts, words and deeds imbue in our people that faith and confidence in our justice sector."
2019 general elections, NBAhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-elections-dont-debase-temple-of-justice-nba-charges-politicians.html
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018President under fire over independence day speech"President Muhammadu Buhari’s independence anniversary speech was a litany of false claims and promises, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared yesterday.In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said that “while the president was fictitiously asserting that our economy had made progress under him and that there is enabling environment for local and foreign investments, hard economic reality shows that not only has the nation become more economically disadvantaged under him, it now ranks as one of the world’s poorest.
“Perhaps Mr. President needs to be reminded that his new Minister of Finance Zainab Ahmed had last month alerted that the nation was facing serious revenue challenges under him, while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) expressed fears that our country is sliding further into recession due to his poor implementation of 2018 budget.”
The leading opposition party said that Buhari deliberately failed to mention that his administration has returned the country to a debtor nation by accumulating over N22.4 trillion debt through which he has mortgaged the future of the nation.
It said that the president also failed to respond to the fact that his harsh economic policies and “demarketing tendencies,” have caused a dearth in local and foreign direct investment, leading to over 30 million job losses as detailed by independent surveys including those by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The PDP observed that the president failed to state “that due to his incompetence, the naira has fallen from the N165/1USD he met in 2015 to N360 to 1USD. He had no words for the increase in the price of fuel from N87 in 2015 to N145 as well as the hike in the prices of staple foods and essential commodities in Nigeria under his misrule.”
“Furthermore, President Buhari claimed that under his administration, corruption, including brazen theft of billions of naira and shady oil deals have become a thing of the past. Perhaps, Mr. President forgot that the latest corruption perception index released by Transparency International (TI), which saw our nation moving 12 places down the red line, shows that corruption has increased under him,” PDP said."
Independence Day Speech: PDP berates Buharihttps://guardian.ng/news/president-under-fire-over-independence-day-speech/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018CAN seeks cancellation of Ekiti, Osun guber elections"The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday sought the cancellation of the governorship elections held recently in Ekiti and Osun states for allegedly failing credibility test. Consequently, the body said it would monitor the 2019 exercise for transparency CAN President, Reverend Supo Ayokunle, made the call at a roundtable with Legacy Initiative International in Lagos.
According to him, since the reports of international observers and monitors did not confer credibility on the exercise, it behooves the Independent National Electoral Commission to do the needful through outright cancellation.He said: “Presently, Nigeria is a sleeping nation. It is creeping but the Lord can make the cripple to walk. With God on our side, we know that the nation is going to rise above all her challenges.
“What we saw in the recent past state government elections is not good at all. There were cases of vote buying, intimidation of voters by the security agents, as well as complaints of compromise by INEC officials.”Ayokunle went on: “Even international observers and monitors declared that the elections were not credible. INEC should therefore set the exercises aside and go back to the drawing board.
“We have gone to INEC to register CAN as election monitors. So we are going to put three people in each polling booth to monitor the polls. This movement is going to cost us N12 million to train 300 people, 50 in each geo-political zone. Those 50 will train the people that will give us three people in every voting unit.”
The CAN president also condemned the alleged discrimination of the South East region in federal appointments, saying no region has the right to have more people in government than the others.“We need mutual respect for one another. We need to make the law enforcement and security agencies to be objective and independent. If there is no justice, there would be hatred. We are stakeholders in Nigeria, the politicians are no better stakeholders than us and it is their duty to listen to those who elected them."
CAN calls for cancellation of Ekiti,Osun governorship pollshttps://guardian.ng/news/can-seeks-cancellation-of-ekiti-osun-guber-elections/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018Ezekwesili, others urge Buhari, INEC to tackle vote buying legally"Former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to activate extant legislations in containing the high incidence of vote buying to save the nation’s democracy.She observed that the menace was essentially a civilian coup in the sense that both the electoral umpire and security agents look helpless while being perpetrated by desperate politicians.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja at an event organised by a non-governmental organisation, The Church Must Vote, the erstwhile vice president of the World Bank for Africa warned government that Nigerians would not tolerate the unfortunate development any longer, stating that the political class had done enough damage to the nation. Ezekwesili tasked INEC on a voting arrangement that suffocates the menace, just as she urged the commission to test the few identified cases in court.
She noted: “None of us should be comfortable and watch this happen. There are many dimensions and solutions to vote buying. One of them is to hold INEC to their statutory responsibility of conducting free, fair and transparent elections.
“There is no place in our law that allows the electoral umpire to look away in circumstances that undermine our electoral process. Vote buying is essentially a civilian coup to the extent that the combination of INEC and security apparatus in the country look helpless while that was happening.”"
Buhari advised to tackle vote buying legallyhttps://guardian.ng/news/ezekwesili-others-urge-buhari-inec-to-tackle-vote-buying-legally/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018El-Rufai, Bagudu, Ekere emerge as APC guber candidates for Kaduna, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom"Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in the state to become the party’s candidate for the 2019 general election. The Committee Chairman for the party’s gubernatorial primary committee in the state, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, declared El-Rufai elected as a sole contender in the primaries.
El-Rufai, who described his endorsement as a “vote of confidence to continue the work of delivering progressive outcomes for our people,” called for unity among all APC members to ensure massive victory in the 2019 general elections.
Also, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has emerged unopposed as APC governorship candidate. Bagudu was announced as the party’s candidate by Prof. Monday Osunbor who led the APC governorship primary election committee from Abuja after 3,818 delegates from the 21 local councils of the state in affirmation voted him at the Township Stadium in Birnin Kebbi.
The governor, who thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him, promised to go on with the good work started by his administration if voted to power in the coming elections. In a related development, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Obong Nsima Ekere, has been declared winner of the APC governorship candidate for 2019 general elections in Akwa Ibom State.
He polled 160,458 votes to emerge the winner while the other three, Mr. Dan Abia, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe and Dr. Edet Efretuei, scored 4,189 votes, 2,015 votes and 1, 234 votes respectively."
2019 general elections, party primarieshttp://guardian.ng/politics/el-rufai-bagudu-ekere-emerge-as-apc-guber-candidates-for-kaduna-kebbi-akwa-ibom/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018I will not surrender Ogun to ‘profiteers’ in 2019, Amosun vows"Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday vowed that he would not “surrender” the state to those who he said, “are determined to reap where they did not sow.” Apparently, the governor, who was referring to the other faction within the party, All Progressives Congress (APC), stated: “We are on ground, well prepared and ready for the profiteers, whichever date the governorship primary is fixed, we will show them that we are waiting for them.”
Amosun, who spoke when he addressed party faithful in Abeokuta yesterday, charged them to “keep their gun-power dry” for the political battle ahead.The governor had earlier momentarily left the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, venue of this year’s Independence anniversary celebration where he led some traditional rulers and state officials to cut the 58th Independence anniversary cake to address his supporters.
He debunked the allegation of “security breach” by five APC governorship aspirants in the state, insisting that nobody is facing any threat and urged people not to de-market Ogun State with allegations of security breaches.“Don’t worry because of them. This position we are today is by the benevolence of God, we are more now. I have told them that we have the government, we have the party and we have the people.
“They have been trying all the tricks in the book, they will have trouble having 10 or five per cent of the people. If they do it one million times, the result will be the same, the disgrace they got last time in 2015 will be more this time.“Keep your gun-powder dry, we will mobilise you with the necessary logistics when the time comes. If they are doing kuru kere moves, tell them that they will be disgraced. We are on ground here. We will give you money for your transport fare back.
“Nobody is going to kill anybody. If you have the love of Ogun State, don’t de-market it, nobody will kill anybody. We are ready for them, I am the chief security officer of the state, something is worrying their brain; we are waiting for them.“Please, don’t touch anybody, if they bring money, collect from them. What we have done for you the day before yesterday, we are going to do another one,” Amosun said."
2019 general elections, Governor Amosunhttps://guardian.ng/politics/i-will-not-surrender-ogun-to-profiteers-in-2019-amosun-vows/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018Utomi, Ogboru emerge Delta APC governorship candidates at parallel contests"The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has deepened as Prof. Pat Utomi and Chief Great Ogboru emerged as governorship candidates for the party at different venues of the primaries in Asaba.
While Ogboru emerged yesterday at the Federal College of Education College (Technical), Asaba, venue of the primaries supervised by Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd) with 3,292 votes from a total of 3,515, Utomi was late on Sunday adopted by Chief Cyril Obodo-led faction on consensus at Nerise Hotel venue, also in Asaba, with 2,481 votes.
The Prophet Erue faction’s primaries, which began amid crisis on Sunday, finally started at 2:00 p.m. with accreditation of ward delegates till about 10:00 p.m. when Onoja ordered its stoppage as darkness enveloped the venue. Confusion erupted as the crowd became unruly leading to police teargas that sent all scampering for safety.
The process, however, continued at midnight when Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan came with the support of a Hilux van’s headlamps, before voting proper started at about 1:00 a.m.However, the slow pace of accreditation did not go down well with Ogboru whose intervention ensured that the gate was flung open for easier access to the venue."
2019 APC Delta State Governorship primaries, Utomi vs Ogboruhttp://guardian.ng/politics/utomi-ogboru-emerge-delta-apc-governorship-candidates-at-parallel-contests/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018Disqualified guber aspirants in Cross River head to court"Cross River State governorship aspirants have rejected their exclusion from the just-concluded primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that produced Governor Ben Ayade as the sole candidate and winner.
The PDP screening committee had screened and cleared Mr. Emmanuel Ibeshi to contest the primaries only to disqualify him late hours of Saturday which the primaries was fixed while Dr. Paul Udayi was screened and also disqualified from the primaries.They alleged that their disqualification from the primaries was a deliberate plan by the party to return the incumbent Senator Ben Ayade as the sole candidate of the party.
The aspirants also alleged that their exclusion was based on the party’s decision to give the incumbent governor and the National Assembly contestants automatic tickets so as to check them from decamping to an opposition party.
Ibeshi, at a press briefing yesterday, said the governorship primaries was a sham and unacceptable and an act of impunity that would be challenged in court.He said the party had duly screened and issued him with a certificate of clearance only to be informed unofficially at late hours of yesterday (Saturday) that he has been disqualified.
Meanwhile, Udayi has taken the party to the State High Court over his disqualification from contesting the primaries. Udayi filed a suit No: HC/408/2018 by his counsel, Chris Onugba and Bassey Okon, claiming that it was wrong for the party to disqualify him from contesting the governorship primaries."
2019 Cross River State PDP governorship primarieshttps://guardian.ng/politics/disqualified-guber-aspirants-in-cross-river-head-to-court/
The Guardian.ngTuesday, October 2, 2018APGA denies sack of Abia executives"The leadership of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has denied allegations that the Abia State High Court ever ordered the removal of the state executive of the party, stressing that the rumours are being orchaestrated by agents of the government in power in the state.
Describing the reports as false, malicious and without foundation, Abia State chairman of APGA, Reverend Augustine Ehiemere, said the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state was disturbed by the newfound cohesion within the party. Ehiemere said he was not party to any suit, stressing that not even joined any suit there was no way a court of competent jurisdiction could order for his removal, stressing that the state government started making efforts to cause confusion within the party after the warring parties reconciled by the national chairman, Sir Victor Oye, in Abuja.
In a statement, Rev. Ehiemere said APGA was finalizing plans to organize primary elections for aspirants in the state adding that Chief Nnanna Ukaegbu, who filed a frivolous suit in 2014 ceased to be the chairman of APGA Abia state since 2015 following the expiration of his tenure.Part of the statement read: “The attention of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Abia state chapter has been drawn to rumors making the rounds and orchestrated by the agents of the government in power to the effect that an Abia State High court has ordered the removal of the executive leadership of the party at all levels, and announced one Chief Nnanna Ukaegbu as the state chairman of the party."
Abia State APGA internal issueshttps://guardian.ng/politics/apga-denies-sack-of-abia-executives/
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, November 21, 2018Why I lost in 2015, Jonathan reveals at book launchFormer President Goodluck Jonathan has recounted how his opponents used the Boko Haram insurgency, abduction of Chibok schoolgirls and fuel subsidy to throw him out of power in 2015.
Jonathan spoke during the launch of his book titled, “My Transition Hours” in Abuja yesterday.
The 15-Chapter book details the major experiences of the Jonathan Presidency and the intricate events of the few hours of his concession to President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Whenever I travel out and even at home, people ask me, ‘why did you concede defeat?’ ‘Why did you make that phone call?’ ‘Why didn’t you go to court?’ That is one of the reasons I felt like writing the book. The book focuses mainly on the election."
Jonathan, my Transition Hours, Buhari, Boko Haram, https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-i-lost-in-2015-jonathan-reveals-at-book-launch.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, November 21, 2018Maulid: Ahmed tasks Muslims on peaceful 2019 electionsKwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has congratulated the Muslim faithful on the occasion of celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, urged Muslims to pray fervently for peaceful transition as general election approaches.
The governor, who extolled the sterling qualities of Prophet Mohammad as a shining example to humanity, advised everyone to emulate the character of just, equity and fairness as exhibited by the prophet.
He appealed to Muslim leaders to use the occasion to caution political leaders against divisive tendencies but put the country’s interest above every selfish and parochial interest.
Kwara state governor, Abdulwahab Oba, Maulid, 2019 electionshttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/maulid-ahmed-tasks-muslims-on-peaceful-2019-elections.html
Daily Trust OnlineWednesday, November 21, 2018Buhari, Atiku, Saraki, others to meet in Abuja over social, economic challengesPresident Muhammadu Buhari, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, among other dignitaries will meet on Thursday, November 22 in Abuja over the biting social, economic challenges in the country.
The event tagged “Nigeria Rising! It’s Time: Establishing Social Accountability between the Electorate and Leaders”, coming up at the NAF Conference Center, Abuja, is part of the second edition of The Osasu Show Symposium, organised in partnership with One Campaign, an international, non-profit, organization against extreme poverty and preventable diseases.
Buhari, Atiku, Saraki, Nigeria Rising, Abuja, Osasu Show Symposiumhttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-atiku-saraki-others-to-meet-in-abuja-over-social-economic-challenges.html

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