| Source | Date | Title | Summary of Report | Subject/Category | Page No/Web link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This Day Live | Friday, 29th April 2022 | Peterside: Poll Shows 40% of Nigerians Have Lost Confidence in APC, PDP | The Founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank and Founder, Anap Foundation, Atedo Peterside has revealed that an independent poll recently conducted showed that a growing number of Nigerians were displeased with the two biggest political parties in the country – the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also said concerned Nigerians have been using the GoNigeria initiative, which is a non-partisan initiative to boost and encourage youths to fully participate in the electoral process by registering to vote, voting and take part in party politics also. Peterside said this yesterday while featuring on ‘The Morning Show’ on Arise News Channel, a sister broadcast station of THISDAY. He explained: “In 2015 an opinion poll by ANAP Foundation showed that Buhari was very well ahead of Jonathan. You know what the opinion polls show today? It shows that 40 per cent of Nigerians don’t want APC or PDP. Now, we are following that trend. “And I think that 40 per cent may keep rising, but it is in the hands of APC and PDP. If every day, they do more foolish things, the 40 per cent will be increasing and each of them would keep diminishing. | APC, PDP, Opinion Poll, 2023 General Elections | https://bit.ly/3xYk4ub | |
| Independent Online | Friday, 29th April 2022 | Presidency: I’ll Resign 30 Days To Election – Nwajiuba | Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Minister of State for Education, has said he would likely turn up his resignation as member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to contest 2023 presidential elections within 30 days to the election. He made the declaration in Abuja on Wednesday at an event to get his nomination and expression of interest forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 presidential elections. He stated that section 82 of the Electoral Act was not binding on him, rather he was following the guidelines as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution. Nwajiuba is among the first candidates with presidential ambition that have collected the APC nomination forms for N100 million. He made reference to Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, whom, he said, resigned his position as Minister of Solid Minerals four years ago after he had won the ticket of APC at the primary elections before he informed the president and members of FEC that he was leaving for Ekiti State. He said: “I am not bothered by the call by some people for me to resign my position as Minister of State for Education, having indicated interest in the 2023 presidential elections. I am following what the constitution says which is the superior law of the land.” | FEC, Minister of State for Education, APC, Presidential Aspirant | https://bit.ly/38u96SB | |
| Independent Online | Friday, 29th April 2022 | 2023: APC Chieftain Disagrees With Falana On Jonathan’s Eligibility To Run For President | A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Bauchi gubernatorial aspirant, Sani Al’ameen has faulted the statement of Senior lawyer, Femi Falana, in which he said former President Goodluck Jonathan is ineligible to contest for the office of the President because he has been sworn into office twice. Recall that Mr Femi Falana, SAN, Wednesday, declared that former President Goodluck Jonathan cannot contest the 2023 presidential election by 137 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). Impress statement shared with journalists in Bauchi, Al’ameen disagreed with Falana, saying that the law does not apply to Jonathan because it was enacted after he had been sworn in twice. He explained that the first tenure of late President Umaru Yar’adua which he completed will not be counted as part of Jonathan’s tenure because it was originally Yar ‘Adua’s mandate. “It is wrong to say that Jonathan is disqualified from contesting the 2023 presidential election just for the simple reason that if he wins the election he will spend an additional term of four years. Let me take you a bit back. Former Governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Geidam completed the first tenure of the late Mamman Ali and he contested the election twice and won without the hindrance of any kind from anybody. | Presidential Aspirant, APC, Nigerian Constitution, Presidential Election | https://bit.ly/3KqmxQD | |
| Daily Post Online | Friday, 29th April 2022 | 2023 APC ticket: Lagos will support Tinubu – Sanwo-Olu to Amaechi | Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, hosted 2023 presidential hopeful, Rotimi Amaechi, on Thursday in Marina. The Minister of Transportation is on a tour of states over his bid on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform. In his remarks, Sanwo-Olu told the former Rivers Governor that Lagos will support the party’s leader, Bola Tinubu for the ticket. The governor said though Amaechi is qualified to lead Nigeria, the state’s endorsement is for Tinubu. “I have sheer regard and respect for our leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; I have been a direct beneficiary of his leadership. I have been part of his cabinet and continue to toe that line of leadership Asiwaju stands for. But because we are not God, God himself will help the course of this country. You are eminently qualified, you are very experienced in this journey. But for a whole lot of us in Lagos, Asiwaju continues to be our rallying point. I certainly know what your pedigree is and what you have done. I will be unfair if I don’t say that. I wish you all the very best”, Sanwo-Olu said. | APC, Presidential Aspirant, Lagos State, Presidential Election | https://bit.ly/3vqm6S5 | |
| Independent Online | Friday, 29th April 2022 | 2022: I Will Rescue Ekiti From Self-Inflicted Poverty – Oluyede | The standard-bearer of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for June 18, 2022, Governorship Election in Ekiti State, Dr. Wole Oluyede has lamented the worsening economic indices stressing that Ekiti is living in “self-inflicted poverty“. The ADC chieftain argued that the challenge of poverty and unemployment appeared intractable in Ekiti since successive administrations had failed to accept the current realities but preferred to live in self-denial. The governorship candidate maintained that it would take ingenious intervention for Ekiti to survive the economic quagmire with the huge debt burden of over N88bn. | ADC, Ekiti State, Gubernatorial Election | https://bit.ly/3kmc9io | |
| Daily Post Online | Friday, 29th April 2022 | 2023 presidency: Gov Umahi pays N100m, gets APC nomination form | Ahead of the 2023 All Progressives Congress, APC’s primary elections, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination form. The form, which was billed to be sold out for N100 million, was purchased by the governor on Thursday in Abuja. The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello was among the first presidential aspirants to have purchased the APC form since the party commenced selling to interested members. Francis Nwaze, spokesman of Governor Umahi, who disclosed the development in a post on his official Facebook page, claimed that his boss is more capable than other presidential aspirants. He said, “The Governor of Ebonyi State, and All Progressives Congress Presidential Aspirant Engr David Umahi, has purchased his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigerians, the time is now. Let all hands be on deck to ensure that Governor David Umahi gets the APC ticket. He is the man that the cap fits and he has ticked all positive boxes right.” | APC, Presidential Aspirant, Ebonyi State, Nomination Form | https://bit.ly/3Lvulls | |
| Punch Online | Friday, 29th April 2022 | Electoral Act: Your non-resignation risky, Gbajabiamila warns ministers, others | The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said political appointees who refuse to resign before contesting the forthcoming 2023 elections pose a risk to themselves and their parties. Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022, which was signed by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), provided that, “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.” The implication of the provision is that political appointees who intend to be voting delegates or stand as aspirants for elective positions in a primary election shall, first of all, resign their appointments. Ministers who are serving under the present regime who had declared their interest to contest in the 2023 elections without resigning included the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; and Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige. Gbajabiamila, in an interview on Channels TV, noted that some political appointees were obstinate to resign before contesting in the election. According to him, they run the risk of rendering the primary election null and void. He said, “There are a number of people who have been mischievous. Some appointees have resigned their appointments to seek election, while there are some who remain obstinate, for want of a better word. “Under the amended Act, there is a court decision pending that says there is no provision on this and during our conversation, we have said that the adjudication by the court should not be executed as of yet. Then there has also been an appeal by the National Assembly to set it aside. So invariably, it is a personal decision they have to make. Therefore the risk they run at the end of it all, if the court does find that the National Assembly was well within its rights to make such a provision that you are contesting an election while still a political appointee, then you are on a very serious risk of losing your election bid and not only that, you as a person also put the party you belong to at risk." | 2023 General Elections, Electoral Act | https://bit.ly/3ODVBjM | |
| Independent Online | Thursday, 28th April 2022 | 2023 Presidency: Thousands Storm APC Secretariat As Yahaya Bello Picks Nomination Form | Thousands of supporters on Wednesday stormed the national secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as Governor Yahaya Bello picked up his expression of interest and nomination forms to contest for the 2023 presidential election. Addressing the mammoth crowd that had come to welcome him, Bello said, “Right now, what we have ahead of us is a task of canvassing and consulting all party faithful, leaders, delegates and stalwarts, members and all Nigerians, at home and even in the diaspora to support us so that we become the flag bearer of this great party come May 30 and 31, 2022. On the call on Jonathan to join the race, he said, “That is the beauty of democracy. In democracy, anybody can push for, vie for and support anyone. But I am assuring you that our great party, the All Progressives Congress, is a party that has its own ethics, rules and regulations and I know that all of it is in my favour". | Presidential Aspirant, APC, Kogi State, Presidential Election | https://bit.ly/3rXwKOe | |
| This Day Live | Thursday, 28th April 2022 | Ogun PDP Aspirant Vows to Probe Past Corrupt Govs, Others | As scheming for the ticket of various political parties continues, a leading Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gubernatorial Aspirant for Ogun State, Segun Sowunmi, has said that he would push for a diligent probe and prosecution of those who have governed the state and plundered its resources, if elected in 2023. The governorship aspirant declared that he would ensure that looters of the state’s resources are jailed, saying he should also be jailed if found to have also stolen from the state. The aspirant expressed worry that the state had been plunged into unnecessary debts, stating that a new administration, would have to renegotiate the state’s debt for it to survive. He said: “I’m chasing immortality by the policies and programmes that we will run here. And if one day you find me a thief, jail me, because I will jail those who have stolen before me. Let nobody be deceived, I’m not asking to lead Ogun so that we can pamper ourselves. No. Government business is a sacred trust which you hold on behalf of all the collectives". | PDP, Gubernatorial Aspirant, Ogun State, 2023 General Elections | Page 12 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, 28th April 2022 | Fayemi, Amosun, Nwajiuba entry swells APC presidential aspirants | There were more entrants into the race to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a serving Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, joined Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to pick up the nomination and expression of interest forms at the party’s secretariat in Abuja yesterday. The Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Ibikunle Amosun, notified the Senate of his ambition to run for the presidency, while Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, continued his consultations with a visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun. Also yesterday, while supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan, under the aegis of the Youths Network for Nigeria Union, gave the former President a seven-day ultimatum within which to join the APC and declare a bid for the presidency or be prepared to have his private office picketed by its over 20,000 members. On Tuesday, Cross River State governor, Benedict Ayade, while declaring his intention to succeed President Buhari, had said he would withdraw his bid if Jonathan joins the race. Earlier, Bauchi State governor and a presidential hopeful of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bala Mohammed, said he would only consider stepping down his ambition in 2023 if Jonathan indicates interest in contesting for the position. The Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, who was represented by Mr Chidi Wogu to pick the nomination and expression of interest forms, said he has the wherewithal to administer the country just as he canvassed for power shifting to the Southeast geopolitical zone. | APC, PDP, Presidential Aspirants, 2023 General Elections, Presidential Election | Page 2 & 20 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Thursday, 28th April 2022 | 2023: Why Aspirants Must Undergo Drug Test Before Primaries – NDLEA Boss | The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has written to the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, requesting that officials of the agency be given access to conduct drug integrity test on politicians seeking political office in the country. The NDLEA chairman, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd), disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking at the first quarter best performing award ceremony of the agency for 56 officers. Gen Marwa also said that when it was the turns of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties to conduct their primaries, the agency would write their national chairmen and request that operatives of NDLEA be allowed to conduct drug integrity test on their aspirants. Gen Marwa said, “The drug test is necessary to ensure that politicians vested with important national offices do not use budgetary allocations to go and buy cocaine or methamphetamine instead of providing needed services for the masses. Two opposition parties, the Peoples Redemption Party, (PRP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have supported the decision. | NDLEA, APC, PDP, PRP, NNPP, Primaries, Drug Test | Page 11 | |
| This Day Live | Thursday, 28th April 2022 | PDP Rakes in N113.2m as 90 Aspirants Pick Forms in Bayelsa | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raked in N113.2 million from the sale of nomination and expression of interest form for the 90 aspirants for the state and National Assembly seats. THISDAY newspaper gathered that 67 aspirants have declared interest in the 24 seats of the State House of Assembly. On the other hand, 23aspirants have declared interest for the Federal House of Representatives and Senate seats. Among the leading aspirants for the state House of Assembly include the Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon. Abraham Ingobere, his Deputy, Micheal Ogbere, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Tari Porri. Others include: an aide to Gov. Douye Diri on Legislative Matters, Hon. Alfred Belemote. He is expected to slug it out with two others in Brass constituency 2. Leading the pack of aspirants for the Federal House of Representatives is an incumbent member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Fred Agbedi. But he was also reported to have picked the form for the Senate seat and dumped the idea after a resolution by the caucus of the party led by Gov. Douye Diri who resolved that former Governor, Seriake Dickson be allowed to return to the Senate for second term. For the Senate ticket, former Governor Seriake Dickson led the pack vying for the Bayelsa West Senatorial ticket. Also in the Senatorial race are former Chief of Staff to Government House, Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East), the former Secretary to Government, Hon. Kombowei Benson, incumbent Senator representing Bayelsa Central, Senator Cleopas Moses and retired Police Officer, Andrew Odua. | PDP, Nomination Form, Bayelsa State, 2023 General Elections | Page 12 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, 28th April 2022 | I’m desperate to make Nigeria work, Obi tells Diri | Presidential aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, has said he is not desperate to be president bur desperate to make Nigeria work. The two-time governor of Anambra State and vice presidential candidate of the PDP in 2019 stated this, yesterday, when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Douye Diri at the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa. Obi said Nigeria was a great country with untapped potential, noting that he was desperate to move the nation away from a consumption economy to a productive one. He stressed that Nigeria was not working because of its unproductive state, which, he said, was unacceptable to the nation’s young, intelligent and smart population. Obi asserted that if elected Nigeria’s president, he would end the current oil revenue sharing formula and introduce a production formula, particularly in agriculture and ICT. He said the $18bn Nigeria oil monthly income could not be compared to Facebook or Twitter, which was just sold for $44bn. “I am aspiring to lead this country. For me, it is not a desperate aspiration but I am desperate to see Nigeria work. | PDP, Presidential Aspirant | Page 10 | |
| Vanguard Online | Thursday, 28th April 2022 | 2023 Presidency: Why Jonathan can’t contest —Falana | Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, Wednesday, declared that former President Goodluck Jonathan cannot contest the 2023 presidential election by 137 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). There have been speculations that the former President may defect from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Jonathan was elected President of Nigeria in the 2011 election but lost to Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. Falana, in a statement, said: “It has been confirmed that former President Goodluck Jonathan has decided to join the All Progressives Congress, APC, to contest the 2023 presidential election. However, the former President is disqualified from contesting the said election by 137 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended which provides as follows: ‘A person who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as President shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.’ | Presidential Election, 2023 General Elections, Nigerian Constitution, APC, PDP | https://bit.ly/3Lr9QGM | |
| Vanguard Online | Thursday, 28th April 2022 | 2023: Political parties’ free nomination forms for women, a Greek gift —Tallen, Fijabi | The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen, spoke at a briefing jointly organised by Women Radio in partnership with the Women Trust Fund following the recent court judgment on 35 per cent affirmative action for Nigerian women. It would be recalled that penultimate week, the Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the enforcement of the National Gender Policy following a suit filed by some women’s groups seeking improved gender inclusion in public appointments. In her remarks, the Minister stated that though President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to ensuring the implementation of the court judgment, political parties must also show considerations for women when giving out tickets. She warned the leadership of political parties against playing the vulnerable groups out of the game through unfair tactics during their various primaries. According to her, offering free nomination forms without a level playing field would do little or nothing to ensure the much-needed inclusiveness for women, youths and PWDs in the governance of the country. She described the announcement of free nomination forms by some political parties as a ‘Greek gift.’ Speaking also, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Mufuliat Fijabi, said a new Nigeria would emerge for women with the April 6 judgement. According to her, the government must put value where it belongs by implementing the judgment totally. Fijabi also urged the NASS to acknowledge that Nigerian women deserve to be honoured with passing all the gender related bills before it. “The history made on 6 April 2022 is being documented and upon completion, it will be widely disseminated as a learning point for other strategies and other countries of the world to emulate and learn from,” she said. | PWDs, Female Aspirants, 2023 General Elections | https://bit.ly/3ESU30Y | |
| This Day Live | Wednesday, 27th April 2022 | Osinbajo: I’ve Decided to Run, I Owe No One Else Any Allegiance | The vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, took his nationwide consultation tour, in promotion of his presidential ambition, to his home state of Ogun, with a declaration that he swore the oath of allegiance only to Nigeria, and not to any single citizen of the country. Osinbajo was addressing swirling allegations that his decision to run for president was a betrayal of his former principal and erstwhile political godfather, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who had also declared his presidential aspiration ahead of 2023. The vice president, who addressed an ecstatic crowd of supporters, said he was not in the state to campaign yet, but to inform his people of his intention to be president. He added that he was one candidate, who would hit the ground running. Osinbajo said he owed no one, aside Nigeria, any allegiance, an apparent reference to Tinubu. The statement draws the line at accusations of disloyalty and betrayal being sold by supporters of the former Lagos State governor. In his speech, Osinbajo said he had consulted widely across different sections of the society and leaders, including Buhari, before throwing his hat into the ring. | Presidential Election, 2023 General Election, Vice President | https://bit.ly/3OQuItc | |
| Vanguard Online | Wednesday, 27th April 2022 | PDP leaders speak on Jonathan’s rumoured imminent defection to APC | As the rumoured defection of former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC is yet to abate; leaders of the main opposition party on Tuesday, spoke on the development in a chat with this medium. In a chat with Vanguard, PDP national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba said the party will not react to speculations on whether the former President will defect or not. “We are not going to say anything for now. As far as we know, the former President has not defected. He has not said he would defect. Until he defects, the PDP won’t react because we don’t treat rumours or insinuations. We deal with facts,” he said. Speaking on behalf of his principal, Nathaniel Ikyur, Chief Press Secretary to the Benue state governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom said “politics is all about interest,” noting that should Jonathan go ahead to defect to the ruling party, “I will still not make a comment.”On his part, former governor of Kaduna state, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi came short of saying that political choices are freely made as people at one time or the other, go right or left. After repeated efforts to make him react, former Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose said it was impossible for him to confirm or deny the possibility of Jonathan’s imminent defection to APC because in his words, “I am not in his mind.” On her part, Tari Iberia Oliver, the only female Presidential aspirant of the PDP, expressed doubt about Jonathan quitting PDP for APC. | Defection, PDP, Presidential Election, 2023 General Election | https://bit.ly/3Lo8U63 | |
| Punch Online | Wednesday, 27th April 2022 | 2023: I’ll never drop presidential ambition – Kalu | The Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor-Kalu, has said that he did not drop his 2023 presidential ambition, as reported by some sections of the media. He said he would contest the presidential ticket of the All Progressive Congress if the party zoned it to the South-East. Kalu, who cleared the air over a statement he released on Tuesday, maintained that equity demanded that the South East should be supported to get the presidential ticket of the APC. He said, “My stand is very clear, I didn’t drop my presidential ambition and I will never drop it. “I only urged our brothers from the South-South and South-West geo-political zones who came out en masse to contest for the office of the president to drop their ambition and support us because of equity. “If we are talking about equity, the presidential ticket should be zoned to the South-East being the only zone that has not tested power since 1999.We can’t have people from South- South and South-West running when we are talking about equity. | Presidential Election, Presidential Aspirant, APC, South-East | https://bit.ly/38rth3I | |
| Punch Online | Wednesday, 27th April 2022 | Abia: APC chieftain urges gov aspirants to step down for preferred candidate | A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress in Abia State, Chief Friday Nwosu, has called on other governorship aspirants in the state to step down for High Chief Ikechi Emenike to be the flag bearer of the party. He said Emenike was a detribalised Abia resident who would prioritise the well-being of Abia people above personal interest. Nwosu, a National Welfare Officer of the party who spoke at his country home in Obingwa Local Government, pointed out that Emenike had been instrumental to the upliftment of many Abian people in the business world and politics, not minding their local government of origin. Chief Grant Nwogu, who just served out his tenure as a board member of a Federal Agency courtesy of High Chief Emenike, enjoined the people to go get their PVCs, ” the only way we can show our appreciation and love to Ikechi Emenike, is to get our PVCs, ensure we massively vote for him on the election day and protect our votes. I know him very well if he emerges as Abia state governor, Abia and Abians will be the better for it,” he said. | APC, PVC, Abia State | https://bit.ly/3EShRCf | |
| Punch Online | Wednesday, 27th April 2022 | N100m form: APC raising funds to prosecute court cases, others –Okorocha | A former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has said the All Progressives Congress jacked up the price of its nomination and declaration of interest forms for the presidential election to N100 million to be able to finance court cases and pay judgment debts. According to Okorocha, members of the political parties usually forget about their party after being elected into public offices. “The issue of the cost of the forms has been a little bit controversial. On the side of the public, they think it is too high. And really, everybody will think it is too high, given the salaries of the president, the governors and others. But on the side of the party, for them, it is a way to raise money: one. Two, it is a way to remove people who are not serious in the business, who might find cheap funds and decide to go for court cases to seek injunctions and what have you. I think these are the reasons. “But, I think this is an eye-opener, going forward. I think the idea of democracy should be amended a bit in Nigeria so that we can begin to get, actually, the persons that the people want. We would have been better to say in the next political dispensation, let everyone aspiring should let the people purchase their forms,” he said. | Nomination Form, Presidential Election, APC | https://bit.ly/3vIQbeR | |
| Premium Times Online | Wednesday, 27th April 2022 | 2023: Osinbajo has paid his dues, should be Nigeria’s next president – Alake of Egbaland | The Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo, says Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has paid his dues and deserves to be elected Nigeria’s president in 2023. Mr Gbadebo spoke on Tuesday in Abeokuta, when he hosted the vice president who was on a courtesy visit. The traditional ruler said that Mr Osinbajo had creditably acquitted himself in service to the nation and was eminently qualified to be the next president. “Every president from this part of the country that has passed through here has succeeded in becoming the president. Every time the vice president has passed here and gone for something competitive, he has always won; this will not be an exception. By the grace of God, our vice president has paid his dues; he has gone through serving others and has been winning colours all the way. He had the same subjects in high school like I had and won laurels. In the university, through his research work, and in the legal practice, he has been most outstanding.Why should we not ask you for just one more position to the glory of God, and for the benefit of all Nigerians and you will say `no’? Certainly, not here,’’ the traditional ruler in Mr Osinbajo’s home-state said. | Presidential Election, Presidential Aspirant, Vice President | https://bit.ly/3ERhZ4M | |
| The Cable | Wednesday, 27th April 2022 | Fayemi consults Akeredolu over presidential bid, says he’ll drive Nigeria in right direction | Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti, visited Rotimi Akeredolu, his Ondo state counterpart, on Tuesday to seek advice on his presidential bid. Fayemi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is yet to formally declare his interest. In January, the Ekiti governor raised an alarm over the plot of some persons in the APC to “de-market him as the 2023 presidential election draws near”. Fayemi, who is the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), met with Akeredolu at the exco chambers of the governor’s office in Ondo state. He said he was in the state to consult with the governor ahead of the APC presidential primary election. Dr. Fayemi said he has the courage, knowledge, capacity, competence, experience and the Omoluabi virtues to drive the country in the right direction and bring the desired development in the country. | Ekiti State, APC, NGF, Presidential Election, 2023 General Election | https://bit.ly/3rTQRwQ | |
| This Day Newspaper | Tuesday, 26th April 2022 | Afenifere, Others Want Tinubu, Osinbajo, Southwest Aspirants to Withdraw from Presidential Race, Say It’s Turn of S’East | Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and other major socio political groups in different parts of the country, including Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Middle Belt Forum (MBF), have called on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Lagos Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other South West aspirants to withdraw from the 2023 presidential race, insisting it is the turn of the South East to produce President. The call is coming as political parties set for their primaries ahead of the 2023 general election. The call by the prominent socio-political groups reflects the sentiment in the country which increasingly favours the emergence of a president of Igbo extraction. Afenifere, PANDEF and Middle Belt Forum insisted the South East should produce the president of Nigeria in 2023 for equity, justice and fairness. The groups maintained that if the political class and the retired military generals could concede the presidency to the Yoruba in 1999, the same approach could be adopted to micro-zone power to the Igbo. They described the Yoruba presidential ambition as awkward. The groups spoke in Abuja at the Greater Nigeria Conference, organised by leaders and friends of the South East Geo-political zone, with the theme, “Together We Can.” Leaders of the different groups also condemned what they called a doomed 2023 presidential desire by former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying he would merely be presenting himself for shame. | PANDEF, MBF, Presidential Election, 2023 General Elections, Presidential Candidates | Page 10 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 26th April 2022 | Abe dismisses APC consensus, vows to contest guber polls | Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Senator Magnus Abe, has dismissed the party’s consensus arrangement, which reportedly chose Tonye Cole as sole aspirant and vowed to contest the 2023 polls. Speaking, yesterday, at a rally in the Okrika Council of Rivers State, Abe said: “I have come out to say very clearly that I will stand for the office of governor of Rivers State.” He described the meeting held at the Abuja residence of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, which produced Cole, as a “kangaroo” meeting. The senator, who represented the Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, urged Rivers people to take their destiny in their hands, stressing that Rivers people had never been slaves to anybody and would not be swayed by any amount of money to buy the conscience of the people. He said: “We know where we are headed, we are not afraid. I know no amount of gang-up can overtake the will of Rivers people if we make up our minds". | Rivers State, APC, Gubernatorial Election, 2023 General Elections, Senator | Page 7 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Tuesday, 26th April 2022 | It’ll Be Injustice To Nigeria If I Don’t Contest – Osinbajo | Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday, said it would be injustice if he did not contest the 2023 election with his vast experience in the last seven years in office. Osinbajo said this when he visited Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Ondo State in his office in Akure. He said that it was God that put people in power, but noted that it would be a betrayal of his country for him to retire with all his exposure in government. He said, ""I think It will be a betrayal to our country, to our nation, this is a nation that many people died for, people died for this country, if I with all that have been given to me by the grace of God, retire quietly either to Lagos or Ikene and go and be writing my memoirs. It will be great injustice to our country, that is why I throw my hat in the ring and ensure I make the best case for the position of President of Federal Republic of Nigeria". | Vice President, Presidential Election, 2023 General Election | Page 11 | |
| Daily Post Online | Tuesday, 26th April 2022 | 2023 presidency: It’s injustice for South-East not to produce Buhari’s successor – Umeh | A former Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Victor Umeh, has insisted that it is an injustice for the South-East region of the country not to produce Nigeria’s President in 2023. Umeh said this during an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today. He said, ""It is an injustice. South-East has never produced a President for Nigeria. Nobody from the South-East has been President, it is the turn of the South to produce a President now"". ""The way we have shared power over the years, you will see that the South-West has produced a president through Obasanjo democratically for eight years, now they have the vice president standing out for eight years with Buhari, then the South-South has produced President through Jonathan who has been there for nearly six years,” he added. | APGA, 2023 General Elections, Presidential Election | https://bit.ly/37KGMLJ | |
| Vanguard Online | Tuesday, 26th April 2022 | Anything short of Jonathan’s ticket ‘ll cost APC 2023 presidency — Buhari, Adamu warned | A political pressure group, Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria (CNPD), has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to adopt former President Goodluck Jonathan, as the party’s candidate for the 2023 presidential election. The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Ralph Okorie, who made the call on Monday at a news conference in Abuja, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to endorse the Jonathan project. Okorie said the call for Buhari to endorse Jonathan was to ensure that candidates without a clear cut vision do not emerge as the party’s flag-bearer in the 2023 presidential election. According to Okorie, the persistent calls from different parts of the country for Jonathan to contest the 2023 presidential election indicates that Nigerians have genuinely and passionately joined the support for Jonathan. | APC, CNPD, Presidential Election | ||
| Punch Online | Tuesday, 26th April 2022 | N100m form: APC promoting corruption, group tells Buhari | A youth group, Coalition of Southern and Middle Belt Youth Leaders Assembly, has crticised the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) and the All Progressives Congress, for pegging its presidential nomination form at N100 million, saying such was intended at promoting corruption. The group said it wondered how someone applying for a job with a remuneration of N56 million for four years will be expected to apply for the job with N100m if the president and his party were not planning to steal from the country. The group knocked President Buhari, saying in 2014, he criticised the party for fixing the fee at N27.5 million for the presidential forms ahead of the 2015 general elections, but under him, his party was now demanding N100m, and he was keeping quiet. | APC, Nomination Form, 2023 General Elections | https://bit.ly/37OH4kC | |
| Tuesday, 26th April 2022 | 2023: President of Igbo extraction will lay to rest IPOB agitation – Igbo Monarch insists | The Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Mekong River Asia (South East Asia), HRH Eze Ndubuisi Kenneth Oti (Chinyereugo1, Ezeudo1), emphasized that the emergence of a President of Igbo extraction would lay to rest agitations by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and other forms of agitations across the South East region of the country. Disclosing this in a statement, the Igbo Monarch called on the political class and indeed Nigerians, to give Ndigbo a sense of belonging by accepting and voting a presidential candidate of Igbo extraction in the 2023 general election. The Monarch, who described the South East region as the economic hub of the nation, added that a President of South East extraction would not only boost the economic base of Nigeria, but also, build bridges of unity, reconcilation and progress across regions of the country. | Igbo, 2023 General Elections, Presidential Election | https://bit.ly/3LgN9Fe | ||
| This Day Live | Monday, 25th April 2022 | Falana Lambasts APC, PDP over Outrageous Fees for Nomination Forms | The two leading political parties – All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – have been criticised by human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, for fixing huge amounts of money for their expression of interest and nomination forms ahead of the 2023 general election. The senior lawyer maintained that the amounts demanded by APC and PDP for nomination were not only outrageous, but also unconstitutional, as it would shut out a very high percentage of Nigerians from the electoral process. While APC pegged its nomination and expression of interest forms for the presidential primary election at N100 million, PDP approved N40 million for its own presidential form. According to him, political parties by the law are only permitted to charge administrative fees. He submitted, “By asking the young people to pay N40 million (being 40 per cent of the said N100 million) the APC has made a mockery of the Not Too Young to Run Act enacted by the federal government under its control.” Falana said, “Nigerian courts have repeatedly maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and State Independent Electoral Commissions lack the legal capacity to add to, alter, enlarge, curtail, or repeat the conditions contained in sections 106 and 107 of the constitution, which have covered the field with respect to the qualifications and disqualifications of candidates contesting elections in Nigeria. “Therefore, as political parties are incapable to prescribe conditions for the eligibility of candidates outside the provisions of the constitution the nomination fees of N100 million or N40 million pegged by the APC and PDP, respectively, are illegal and unconstitutional as they constitute a flagrant violation of sections 40, 106 and 107 of the constitution as well as article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act. | APC, PDP, Nomination Form, INEC, Nigerian Constitution, 2023 General Elections | https://bit.ly/3EHzRz4 | |
| This Day Live | Monday, 25th April 2022 | 2023: Aisha Buhari Advises Presidential Aspirants to Pick Women as Running Mates | The Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari at the weekend met with presidential aspirants drawn from all political parties with a plea on the aspirants to adopt women as their running mates in the forthcoming 2023 presidential poll. The First Lady, who hosted the aspirants to Iftar (breaking of fast) at the State House, Abuja, also urged political parties to reserve certain percentage of contestable offices for women. According to her, considering the voting strength and involvement of women in politics, they should be adopted as running mates in the forthcoming elections. “In fact, it is high time women were adopted as running mates at all levels, considering their voting strength and active involvement in political processes. “As we approach the 2023 elections with greater hope, I am confident that Nigeria will continue to grow from strength to strength on the pedestal of our democratic tenets,” she added. | Presidential Election, Presidential Candidates, 2023 Generak Elections | https://bit.ly/3EJM71Y | |
| Punch Online | Monday, 25th April 2022 | 2023: Makinde summons PDP aspirants ahead of party’s primary | The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has called for a meeting with all aspirants vying for different political offices in the upcoming 2023 general elections. The said meeting has been scheduled to hold on Monday, April 25, 2022 (today) by 11 am at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan. Daily Post reported that Makinde summoned the aspirants due to some disagreements concerning the forthcoming primary of the party. A statement confirming the meeting, which was signed by the State Secretary of the party, Wasiu Adeleke, was released late Sunday. It read, “This is to inform all aspirants for different elective political offices under Oyo State PDP that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State and the leader of our party will like to meet with us all tomorrow Monday 25/04/2022 by 11am prompt at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.” | Oyo State, PDP, 2023 General Elections, PDP | https://bit.ly/3MypUGZ | |
| Punch Online | Monday, 25th April 2022 | 2023: No cabal can impose president on Nigerians – Anyim | A presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Pius Anyim, has assured Nigerians that no cabal in Nigeria’s seat of power would dictate to the country who the next president will be. Anyim said any Nigerian with the impression that some inner caucus arrangement would produce the president in 2023 should come off it, noting that he would have his first shot at the presidential seat in 2023 and would win it. The former President of the Senate spoke while featuring on a programme, Political Roundtable, on Lagos Mainland FM on Sunday. Asked by a caller how he intended to deal with the ‘cabal’ in Aso Rock to become the next president, Anyim said, “Maybe you still have the impression that it is Aso Rock that will ordain who the next president will be. I do not share that view. “I think with the new Electoral Act, people have more confidence that their votes will count. “Whether cabal or no cabal, I am going to give my first shot at the presidency and I will win.” | PDP, Electoral Act, 2023 General Elections, Presidential Aspirant | https://bit.ly/3rOfnz8 | |
| Vanguard Online | Monday, 25th April 2022 | 2023 Presidency: We’ll mobilise over 15million votes if PDP gives Gov Udom ticket — Group | Ahead of the party primaries, a group under the umbrella of the Arewa Coalition for Sustainable Governance (ACSG), has vowed to mobilize over fifteen million votes for Akwa State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel if the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party gives him the Presidential Ticket. The northern-based group also said it has studied all Presidential aspirants, who have signified interest to contest in all the parties and discovered that only Governor Udom Emmanuel is a unifying factor and visionary leader that has the capacity to address the problems facing Nigeria at the moment. While urging PDP to consider the Akwa Ibom Governor as the Flagbearer of the party in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, it noted, thus: “This is the time to speak out and mobilize voters to elect the right and focused leader with proven track records of performance in the area of governance who could resolve the complex problems confronting the country.” | PDP, 2023 General Elections, Presidential Aspirant | https://bit.ly/3KhBCEa | |
| Vanguard Online | Monday, 25th April 2022 | 2023 Presidency: We’re not involved in emergence of PDP consensus candidates — Northern Elders | The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has denied direct involvement in the emergence of former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, consensus candidates of the north, ahead of the 2023 presidential elections. NEF’s Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said this in a statement, dismissing reports that northern elders had endorsed Mohammed and Saraki after a meeting in Minna, Niger State. According to him, the Forum is non-partisan, but strongly committed to the creation of a level playing field which will allow the emergence of only the best leaders in next year’s elections. The NEF spokesman warned mischief makers against causing confusion over the role of the Forum’s Chairman, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, in efforts to create consensus among four aspirants for the presidential ticket of the PDP. | NEF, PDP, Consensus Candidate, 2023 General Elections, Presidential Election | https://bit.ly/3vJjDBc | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, 25th April 2022 | N100m Forms: APC Presidential Aspirant Under Fire For Soliciting Funds On Twitter | A presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu Garba, has been criticised for appealing for funds in order to purchase the N100 million presidential forms of the party. Garba, who had earlier lamented over the huge cost of the forms, appealed to Twitter users to help him raise money to purchase the forms. In a series of tweets at the weekend, he urged Nigerians to fund his project in order to foster a sense of patriotism for the country. | APC, Presidential Aspirant, Nomination Form | https://bit.ly/36HNHVo | |
| This Day Newspaper | Friday, 22nd April 2022 | INEC Proposes One Million Staff Deployment for 2023 Elections | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, said it would require about one million electoral officials – a combination of permanent, temporary and ad hoc staff – to be deployed to man the 176,846 polling units in 8,809 wards and 774 local government areas across the country, for the 2023 general election. INEC, which claimed it was determined to make sure the 2023 elections hold, however, said the dates for all activities in the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 polls were already fixed, and therefore advised all stakeholders, particularly the political parties, to take that fact into consideration in planning their activities. Speaking at the presentation of INEC 2022 to 2026 strategic Plan and 2023 Election Project Plan, National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, also reiterated that claims doing the rounds that the Permanent Voter’s Card could expire was misleading, because there was no such thing. At the same time, the National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Munguno, has assured INEC and Nigerians in general of adequate protections during the elections. | INEC, 2023 General Elections, Plan | Page 5 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Friday, 22nd April 2022 | APC Women Leader: N100m Presidential Form Meant to Shut Out Unserious Aspirants | Following public outrage over the high cost of nomination forms for aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party yesterday explained that the fee was pegged at the rate needed to lock out unserious contenders. APC National Women Leader, Beta Edu, featuring on “The Morning Show” on Arise News Channel, yesterday, said the high rate of the ruling party’s nomination forms was to curtail the activities of persons with jokey ambitions. Edu said the APC National Working Committee (NWC) had consciously fixed the rate as part of a mechanism to ensure only serious aspirants were on the ballot. She said the ruling party could not afford to waste time, especially considering the fact that it was working in line with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, and former Governor of Cross River State, Chief Clement Ebri, condemned the high nomination cost for elective offices announced by APC. Human rights activist and lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, also criticised APC for “corrupting democracy” with the high nomination fee, saying the N100 million fixed for its presidential nomination form “rightly sent shock waves of righteous indignation across the country.” | APC, Nomination form, NWC, INEC, PDP | Page 5 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 22nd April 2022 | Osinbajo, Obi top list of presidential hopefuls, poll indicates | The duo of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have both emerged the most preferred presidential aspirants in the general elections scheduled for February 2023, according to a survey conducted by Nextier. The result was drawn from a survey conducted by Nextier, a multi-competency advisory firm, and Data-Tier, a data analytics and digital communications firm, released, yesterday, by Dr. Ndubuisi Nwokolo, Partner and Research Lead, Nextier. The survey aimed to gauge Nigerians’ preferences for a presidential candidate, understand the challenges they would like the next government to address promptly, and decode how ethnic and gender biases would inform the next election. Judged across all 467 responses, the most preferred candidate for president were Peter Obi (46 per cent), Yemi Osinbajo (28 per cent), Bola Tinubu (7.5 per cent) and Atiku Abubakar (3 per cent). The survey asked the respondent to rank the 15 candidates in their Most Preferred and Least Preferred order. Peter Obi and Yemi Osinbajo were the most preferred candidates, while Bola Tinubu and Abubakar Malami were the least preferred. Respondents were asked to select the top three attributes (out of a list of 10) they wished to see in their next president. The survey showed that despite Nigeria’s overt religiosity, “Believes in God” ranks very low compared to “competence,” which is represented on this list by terms such as knowledgeable (17.9 per cent), ability to solve problems (17.4 per cent), and capable (16.5 per cent). Being “young” received only 3.2 per cent of the responses. | APC, PDP, Poll, 2023 General Elections | Page 3 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 22nd April 2022 | Monye picks up form ahead of ADC Presidential primary | Chukwuka Monye, one of the over seven aspirants on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has shown readiness for the party’s primary by picking an expression of interest and nomination forms. In a statement, Director of Communications and Programmes, Ifenla Oligbinde, said the move indicated the party’s seriousness for the highest office in the land. ADC says it has opened its doors to Nigerian youths, women and persons with disabilities through its 35 + 35 percent allocation for elective and appointive positions. The party explained that forms are for free for the aforementioned categories, who want to run for office in the 2023 general elections, especially youths between the ages of 18 to 35. ADC also fixed its presidential fee at N25 million, governorship at N12 million, Senate at N2.5 million, House of Reps at N1.5 million and State Assembly at N500 thousand. | ADC, 2023 General Elections, Presidential Election, Nomination Form, Inclusion | Page 7 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Friday, 22nd April 2022 | Insecurity: 2023 Elections Will Hold As Scheduled — Yakubu | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said despite the insecurity and other challenges facing the country, the 2023 general elections would be held as scheduled. The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the public presentation of the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (SP) and the 2023 Election Project Plan (EPP). According to him, the documents were the third in the series of strategic election plans since deliberate planning of elections started in 2012. He expressed delight that the plans have been finalised 10 months ahead of the 2023 general elections. According to him, the elections would be conducted for 1,491 constituencies nationwide made up of one presidential constituency, 109 senatorial districts, 360 federal constituencies, 28 governorship elections and 993 state constituencies. He said the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will end on 30th June 2022 and all eligible voters that are yet to register are advised to do so on or before that date if they intend to vote. He urged Nigerians who registered between June and December 2021 to collect their PVCs in person as no PVCs will be collected by proxy. | INEC, 2023 General Elections, CVR, PVC, SP, EPP, Plan | Page 10 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Friday, 22nd April 2022 | 2023 Presidency: Bandits Will Run When They Hear My Name – Wike | Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has vowed to take the war to bandits if he wins the 2023 Presidency. The governor said this when he wooed delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State on Thursday. Wike added: “The one problem that our PDP government (under me if elected) must solve is to bring down the level of insecurity in this country otherwise there is no way the economy can grow. “When bandits hear my name they will run because I will take the war to them. I will be the Commander- in-Chief in action. I’ll be commanding in projects, in security, in agriculture and the economy together with the armed forces. I’ll be commanding every aspects of life that will make Nigerians happy. This is because I have the capacity to solve the problems of Nigeria.” | 2023 General Election, Presidential Election, PDP | Page 7 | |
| Punch Online | Friday, 22nd April 2022 | 2023: INEC budgets N239bn for poll materials, presidential run-off | The Independent National Electoral Commission will spend not less than N239.2bn on procuring voting materials and vehicles that will be used in the 2023 general election. This is according to the 2023 General Election Project Plan that was launched by INEC in Abuja on Thursday. The commission stated that N239.2bn, which constitutes 78.44 per cent of its N305bn budget, would be spent on 10 critical items which included ballot papers, operational vehicles, ballot boxes, allowances of ad hoc workers, printing of result sheets, logistics and procurement of accreditation devices. Also included in the N239.2bn budget is the N27.1bn set aside by the commission for possible run-off elections, including the one for the presidential poll. Run-off elections are conducted in the event that there is no clear winner in a general poll. A breakdown of the document, 2023 General Election Project Plan, shows that the highest single component will be the procurement of accreditation devices which will gulp N105.2bn. This also constitutes 34.51 per cent of the total election budget of N305bn. | INEC, 2023 General Elections, Plan | https://bit.ly/3OnsFMO | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, 21st April 2022 | Uproar over APC’s N100m presidential nomination | President Muhammadu Buhari’s advice to All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure that the party’s tickets were not given to the highest bidders were ignored, yesterday, as the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) approved N100 million as cost of Presidential nomination forms. According to the schedule of fees for expression of interest and nomination forms released by the NWC, governorship is N50 million, Senate N20 million, House of Representatives N10 million, while state House of Assembly aspirants would purchase theirs at N2 million. The N100 million for Presidential nomination form is over 100 per cent increase from the amount it sold the form for the same office in 2018 at N45 million; and nearly 200 per cent hike from N27 million it sold forms in 2014. The N100 million fee is also more than double the fee of the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which fixed its Presidential nomination form at N40 million. The NEC also revealed that it would begin selling the nomination and expression of interest forms for various electoral offices from April 23 until May 6, 2022. Reacting to the cost of the nomination form, rights group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe the source of wealth of any presidential aspirant who picks the APC presidential nomination and expression of interest forms. Also describing the cost of APC form as shameful, another rights group, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has called on all Nigerians to condemn money politics. In a statement by Executive Director, CISLAC/Chairman, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), the body said: “It is shameful that the ruling party, that the President belongs to, has endorsed the expression of interest and nomination forms for its presidential ticket at N100 million. This is especially at a time when many have expressed dissatisfaction with the level of youth participation in partisan politics and called for deliberate measures to create the enabling environment for wider inclusion and active participation of women and youths in politics and governance of the country. | APC, NWC, Nomination Form, 2023 General Elections, PDP | Page 2 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Thursday, 21st April 2022 | PDP Rakes In N646m From 17 Presidential Aspirants, Ends Forms Sale | The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, concluded the sale and submission of its nomination and expression of interest forms for all elective positions ahead of the 2023 general elections. As at the last count, 17 presidential aspirants bought the forms to contest for the presidential ticket of the party. Daily Trust correspondent reports that the party generated N646m from the sale of the forms. Based on party policy, the only female aspirant, Oliver Tareila Diana, paid for the expression of interest form which is N6m. The race is now set for the party’s primaries slated for May 28-29. | PDP, Nomination Form, 2023 General Elections, Presidential Election | Page 10 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Thursday, 21st April 2022 | Senator Ahmad Kaita Dumps APC For PDP | Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita (APC, Katsina North) has dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Kaita, who represents Katsina North, where President Muhammadu Buhari hails from, announced his defection from the ruling APC in a statement by his media aide, Abdulkadir Lawal. The senatorial district comprises 12 local government areas, including Daura, Buhari’s hometown. Babba Kaita was elected to the 8th Senate in 2018 to fill the vacuum in the senatorial zone following the death of Senator Mustapha Bukar. In 2019, he was re-elected to the 9th Senate after defeating his opponent, Hon Usman Mani of the PDP. He currently chairs the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND. The lawmaker said he dumped APC due to the marginalisation of critical stakeholders by the state government and the leadership of the party at the state level. According to him, the serial denial of the people’s mandate at the recent congresses among other related developments informed his decision to vacate the ruling party after wide consultations with his people. | APC, Katsina State, PDP | Page 10 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Thursday, 21st April 2022 | Buhari to APC Leaders: Avoid Dictatorial Behaviour, Imposition of Unpopular Candidates | President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, told the 11th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja that the party’s leaders must eschew imposition of candidates if APC was to emerge victorious in the 2023 general election. Buhari said the dictatorial behaviours of some leaders had cost the party many strategic elective positions, and led to the defection of several influential members of the party. The assertions came as the APC NEC transferred its powers to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) for 90 days. It was similar to what obtained during the now defunct Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party led by the governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni. That was as National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Adamu, yesterday, decried the “cold war” between serving and former governors, claiming the situation, fuelled by ego, is tearing the party apart. In a related development, the chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, said there was no explicit discussion at yesterday’s NEC meeting on the mode of primaries to be adopted by the ruling party, even though the timetable of the party suggested it might settle for indirect primaries. | NEC, APC, 2023 General Elections, NWC, PGF | Page 10 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Thursday, 21st April 2022 | INEC: 2023 Elections will Hold Despite Attacks on Our Facilities, Staff | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would conduct the 2023 general elections across the country, despite attacks on its facilities and staff in some parts of the country. The commission, however, said it would not announce results from polling units where violent incidents were orchestrated. While reacting to the violent attacks on its facilities and staff in Imo State last week, INEC assured Nigerians that the body would devise strategies to protect its offices, assets, and personnel nationwide. INEC described the attacks on its facilities and staff in Imo State as clear display of ignorance, and assured Nigerians of a transparent election in 2023. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, who gave the assurance, said INEC had developed robust systems that were replicable and sustainable to deliver credible elections. | INEC, 2023 General Elections, Imo State, REC | Page 8 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, 21st April 2022 | APC, PDP chiefs differ on outlawing defection | Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State, Abdullai Jalo, has called for the review of the nation’s constitution to outlaw defection by politicians, describing the menace as nuisance and ridicule on democracy. But a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship hopeful, AVM Adamu Fura (rtd), disagreed with him, noting that cross-carpeting ought to be an instrument to be deployed by any politician whose interest or those he represents is no longer served. According to Jalo, the changes should specify that the main opposition party should produce the House of Representatives Speaker, while the ruling party produces the Senate President, adding: “It works in Ghana, it would work in Nigeria.” | APC, Gombe State, PDP, Cross-carpeting | Page 28 | |
| Punch Online | Thursday, 21st April 2022 | Kogi official commends APC over free forms for PWDs | The Executive Secretary of Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs, Barr. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, has commended the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress for making nomination form free for Persons with Disabilities. The PUNCH reported that the executive secretary had made a passionate appeal for the PWD to be given the APC nomination form free. He commended the APC NWC for listening to the voice of the vulnerable, adding that the PWD will by this gesture have a sense of belonging, particularly as over 25 million of them are active voters. | APC, PWDs, Nomination Form, 2023 General Elections, Inclusion | https://bit.ly/3MjIZwf | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, 20th April 2022 | 2023 Presidency: You’ll Be A Good Loser, Ganduje Taunts Wike | Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has said his Rivers counterpart, Nyesom Wike, will lose the presidential election. Ganduje said this when Wike paid him a visit in Kano Monday as part of his (Wike) consultations for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Kano state governor, who did not mince words in the viral video that surfaced after their meeting, told Wike: “At the end of it (election), you will lose but you will be a good loser. I appreciate good losers because the have the courage and since you are doing this peacefully, then you will live long to fight again"". Earlier, the Rivers State governor had said he would probably have abandoned his presidential ambition of Ganduje had decided to join the race to save Nigeria. “If Ganduje is running for the presidency, some of us will quickly withdraw our ambitions, but thank God he is not running and I’m sure he will help me to make it,” Wike reportedly said. | Kano State, 2023 General Elections, Presidential Election | Page 10 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, 20th April 2022 | APC NEC To Ratify May 30/31 Presidential Primaries Today | Barring any last-minute changes, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will meet today in Abuja, to among other things ratify the dates for the presidential primaries ahead of the 2023 general elections. This will be the first NEC meeting since the emergence of the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party on March 26, 2022. Credible sources at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, hinted to Daily Trust Newspaper correspondent, yesterday, that the meeting would ratify the May 30 and 31 date for the presidential primaries as well as the governorship primaries slated for May 23, 2022. | APC, Primaries, 2023 General Elections, NWC | Page 10 | |
| Vanguard Online | Wednesday, 20th April 2022 | 2023: Ngige formally declares for presidency | Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, yesterday, formally declared his intention to contest for the position of President, saying he has a burning desire to see a prosperous, united and equitable Nigeria. Ngige, who unveiled his presidential ambition before a mammoth crowd at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Alor, Idemili South local government area of Anambra State, is seeking the ticket of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, as its Presidential candidate. Addressing the crowd, the former Anambra State Governor said having served 40 years in the public service, he was fully equipped as an administrator, with huge wealth of experience, capacity and energy as well as a large heart to accommodate the differences among Nigerians. Ngige who recounted his numerous achievements as a former governor, ex- Senator and two-time minister, described himself as the “Jack of all trades and master of all” that Nigeria needs now. | 2023 General Elections, Presidential Election, Senator, Anambra State, APC, Declaration | https://bit.ly/38Xso2V | |
| This Day Newspaper | Wednesday, 20th April 2022 | Buhari: With Advancement in Technology, No One Can Claim Millions of Votes Again | President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, assured the Nigerian people that with advancement in technology by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the 2023 elections would be different and prevent individuals from claiming millions of votes at elections. Buhari, who met with governors, ministers and heads of government agencies at the State House, Abuja, over Iftar, however advised Nigerians to resist agents bent on causing breakdown of law and order, in the country, assuring them also that no individual or group would be allowed to destabilise the country. Specifically on the 2023 elections, the president affirmed that being beneficiary of free, fair and credible elections, the introduction of technology and the Permanent Voters Card (PVCs), would make it impossible for anyone to claim millions of votes again in the country. | PMB, INEC, President, 2023 General Elections, PVC, Vote | Page 5 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Wednesday, 20th April 2022 | 2023: Three Oyo Coalition Commissioners, SAs, 93 LG Appointees, Others Defect to PDP | Ahead of the 2023 general elections, all the three Commissioners appointed into Oyo state’s cabinet on account of the 2019 political coalition that brought in Governor Seyi Makinde, yesterday announced their defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Commissioners who were also joined by Special Advisers and 93 other Special Assistants appointed into local government positions as well as those from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said their decision to pitch tent with the PDP in the state was as a result of Makinde’s fidelity to the promises made to the coalition. Speaking on behalf of other defecting members at a media briefing held in Ibadan, yesterday, Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, said the governor has fulfilled all promises made to the ADC as a coalition party, stating that the decision was aimed at ensuring the success of the governor’s second term aspiration. | 2023 General Elections, Defection, PDP, ADC, Oyo State | Page 8 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, 20th April 2022 | Parties yet to commence campaign in Ekiti one month after INEC’s nod | Exactly one month after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifted the ban on campaigns by political parties and less than two months to the election, the major political parties are yet to start their campaigns. However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had last week unveiled its campaign council, which would by led by Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former governor of the state and currently Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and the Deputy Governor of the state, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, for its governorship candidate, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji. Fayemi is to lead the 20-man campaign team as chairman, while Egbeyemi will serve as the vice-chairman. The candidate’s advisory council is to be co-chaired by Adebayo and Fayemi. Similarly, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier released the membership of its campaign council to be led by Mr. Yinka Akerele. On the other hand, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had also made public the membership of its campaign council, which is being chaired by former Ambassador to Canada, Mr. Dare Bajide. While the immediate past chairperson of Ado Local Council, Mrs. Omotunde Fajuyi, is to lead the campaign of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), not much is known about the campaign activities of the remaining 12 political parties. | INEC, Campaign, APC, PDP, SDP, ADC, Ekiti State, Gubernatorial Election | Page 5 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, 20th April 2022 | Lose Wike, lose election, Rivers governor warns PDP | Rivers State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, cautioned that should the national leadership lose him, the party would lose the next general elections. Wike was at PDP’s national secretariat to woo the National Working Committee (NWC) members to vote for him at the May 29 presidential primary. He said: “The household name now is Wike, so don’t make mistake and lose Wike. Because if you lose Wike, you have lost the election. It is not our prayer that we should lose the election.” Reminding the NWC members of how he had sustained the campaign prior to the October 2021 convention, the governor submitted: “So, let us not waste time. Go and tell our people that you have seen the right person, and the right person is Wike. | Rivers State, PDP, 2023 General Elections, Presidential Election, NWC | Page 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Tuesday, 19th April 2022 | Sanwo-Olu Gets GAC’s Nod For Second Term | The Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has finally secured the nod of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) to contest for a second term. The GAC is the highest decision making organ of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State led by the National Leader and presidential hopeful, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. GAC during its meeting at the State House, Marina, on Monday afternoon approved the second term for Sanwo-Olu, thereby ending speculation about it. A GAC member who confirmed the development to Daily Trust said members were unanimous that Sanwo-Olu had done well to deserve a second term. | Lagos State, GAC, APC, Gubernatorial Election | Page 14 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Tuesday, 19th April 2022 | Ondo Gov Endorses Wife’s Senate Bid | Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has declared support for his wife, Betty Anyawu’s aspiration to contest the Imo East Senatorial election in 2023. Akeredolu, in a statement he signed, said he believed in the mission of the first lady to emancipate women from the shackles of all forms of oppression. He described his wife as a fiercely independent personality who is never afraid to voice her dissent on any issue, saying “I have witnessed her triumphs over adversities at close quarters.” | Ondo State, Sentorial Election, 2023 General Elections, Imo State | Page 14 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 19th April 2022 | Alao berates Makinde for accusing APC members of corruption | A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Hakeem Alao, has berated Governor Seyi Makinde over comment that there would be no hiding place for members of the APC who looted the state’s funds. In a statement yesterday by his media office, Alao said the comment coming from the governor was nothing but playing to the gallery. Makinde, while featuring on a radio programme in Ibadan, had said his administration was after APC members in the state to retrieve every kobo of the state resources they stole. However, Alao, in the statement, said the governor is living in a glass house and throwing stones. He said it was under Makinde’s administration that the state’s accountant-general was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for corruption.He added that the governor takes delight in fooling the people by playing holier, wondering why it is taking him close to three years to be running after the so-called looters of the state’s resources. | APC, Oyo State, EFCC | Page 5 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 19th April 2022 | Action Democratic Party considers alliance with others on presidential candidacy | There was indication that the Action Democratic Party (ADP) may align with other political parties, which it tagged, ‘integrity-political parties, and present a joint presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential election. The ADP National Treasurer, Okey Udo, made this known, yesterday, when he addressed the members during the formal opening of the new state Secretariat of the party, located at 81, Awolowo Street Umuahia, Abia State. He assured that the alliance would not negatively affect the ADP, and clarified that the strategy to present joint candidates, even at other levels, was to be more able to wrest power from the big political parties in Nigeria and enthrone true leaders for the people. | ADP, 2023 General Elections, Presidential Election | Page 6 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 19th April 2022 | Cross River PDP caucus undecided on zoning | Cross River State caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is still undecided on the issue of zoning. This is as the state Chairman of the party, Mr. Venatius Ikem, insists the 2023 governorship race should not be zoned to any specific senatorial zone of the state. The caucus, comprising prominent leaders of the party, including two former governors, Senator Liyel Imoke, Mr. Donald Duke, Senator Gershom Bassey, Senator Sandy Onor, Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, Senator Musa Adede and others, met two weeks ago but could not decide on the issue of zoning and the matter was carried forward. Bassey, Henshaw and others stood for zoning while Onor, Adede and others stood against it. However, in an interview, the state Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Ikem, said: “I still stand by zoning by elimination because it is what we have practised before. I don’t know why people are making a big deal out of it, maybe it is the usage of the word elimination but right now, the three senatorial districts are at par once again having exhausted the eight years, let me assume that Ayade will be there till the end of his eight years". | PDP, Cross River State, Zoning, Gubernatorial Election | Page 7 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Tuesday, 19th April 2022 | Afe Babalola to FG: Suspend 2023 Elections, Set Up Interim Govt | Legal Icon and founder, Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola(SAN), yesterday, advised the federal government to suspend the 2023 elections and allow a 6-month interim goverment after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure that would give a new constitution that would tackle insecurity, economic, political and other ills bedeviling the nation. Periscoping the country’s high poverty and currency devaluation in the international market, Babalola, who declared that Nigeria now faced imminent bankruptcy due to alleged gross mismanagement by corrupt leaders, leading to free fall in naira’s value, maintained that no good leader could emerge under the current constitution. He has also recommended a new constitution that would peg the age limit of those seeking to be president, governors and members of the National Assembly at 60. Babalola said: “I decided to talk, because this country is now different from the one I used to know. That is why we need a new constitution after President Muhammadu Buhari that will spell out rules and regulations on the qualifications of those who are qualified to contest elections. I believe that whoever is seeking elections as a president, governors and National Assembly members should not be more than 60 years, with good and sound health, sound education, experience, good human relations, friendliness and firmness, vision and mission, among others. “The new constitution shall provide for part time legislators and not full time and the attendant wasting of resources, who will be collecting allowances and not salaries. Proposes federal system of government rather than presidential system and a parliamentary system with a unicameral legislature”. | SAN, 2023 General Elections, Nigerian Constitution | Page 6 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Tuesday, 19th April 2022 | APC NWC to Consider Transition C’ttee’s Recommendations Today | The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), will today consider the recommendations of the Transition Committee set up by its National Chairman, Senator Abdulahi Adamu. Adamu had set up the committee after he assumed the leadership of the party to know the state of finances of the party and to study the handing over note of the defunct Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and other sundry matters affecting the National Secretariat of the party. The committee was expected to come up with recommendations that would put the party in better shape and to restructure the party’s secretariat ahead of the 2023 primaries. A member of the NWC, who pleaded anonymity, revealed that the comprehensive report of the committee was submitted at the last meeting and would be considered at today’s meeting. | APC, NWC, CECPC | Page 8 | |
| Vanguard Online | Tuesday, 19th April 2022 | 2023: Prepare to handover to Jonathan, ex-warlord tells Buhari | The former warlord of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, and chairman of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Dreams of Niger Deltans, MADND, Josiah Oyakonghan (aka Oyimi) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to handover to Goodluck Jonathan who is a Southerner as President in 2023. The ex-militant commander who made this appeal during a press briefing noted that it is only Goodluck Jonathan who can be trusted by Nigerians with the multiplicity of our country’s problems. He said, “First, our hearty congratulations to all Nigerians in this Easter, particularly to President Buhari. We therefore use this Easter celebration to urge Nigerians to continue to support President Buhari’s administration for him to deliver on the promise of change we are committed to seeing, and also work for Jonathan to return to the Villa. The challenges before us as a nation are enormous. Insecurity, the economy, unemployment and the unity of Nigeria have never been this bad, if not worse in our national history. The solution to this, is returning Jonathan for the presidency. Given that the people’s expectations are very high and expectedly so, we therefore urge President Buhari to work for a Jonathan’s candidacy who will salvage our country and reawaken a new hope for national cohesion and development.” | MEND, MADND, Presidential Election, 2023 General Election | https://bit.ly/3KQ6KvD | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, 14th April 2022 | CVR: INEC uncovers 1.3m invalid registrations, to prosecute culpable officials | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, said it discovered 1,390,519 invalid registrations in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR). Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja, said this amounts to 45 per cent of the 2,523,458 completed registration. “Presently, nearly 45 per cent of completed registrations nationwide are invalid, rising to as high as 60 per cent or more in some states. This infraction happened in all states of the federation. No state is immune from it. The invalid registrations will not be included in the register of voters,” he announced. Describing the development as worrisome, the INEC boss cited multiple registration, failure of the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) and incomplete data as reasons for the invalid voter registrations. | INEC, CVR,ABIS | Page 2 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, 14th April 2022 | Okorie kicks as court declares Onu Ebonyi PDP chairman | Following the invalidation of the election of Mr. Tochukwu Okorie as Ebonyi State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, indications have emerged that the leadership battle is not yet over. Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had sacked Okorie following a suit filed by Silas Onu, in which he claimed that Okorie was not validly nominated for the chairmanship post before the state congress of the party. Before directing the PDP to accept that only Onu was lawfully nominated to participate in the election of October 16, 2021, the Judge stated: “It is the opinion of this court that the 2nd defendant (Okorie), who was indolent in submitting his nomination form as provided in the guidelines issued by the PDP, who, in spite of this failure, was still declared and returned elected, cannot be allowed to benefit from his wrongdoing.” Justice Mohammed, therefore, directed PDP to issue Onu with a certificate of return declaring him as the duly elected Chairman of PDP, Ebonyi State Chapter, reiterating that Okorie was not qualified to contest the October 16, 2021 election. But, in their separate remarks after the judgment, Okorie said the ruling was but a temporary setback, assuring that he would appeal the judgement and upturn the verdict. On his part, Onu commended the Judiciary for its steadfastness and rigour in dispensing justice, noting that immediately the judgment was entered, reports had it that Ebonyi State went agog with jubilation. | PDP, Ebonyi State, 2023 General Elections | Page 6 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Thursday, 14th April 2022 | 2023: Youths Lead In Fresh Voter Registration With 78.7% | Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Nigerian youths aged 18-34 are leading the pack of new registrants in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise with 78.7 per cent. The chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this on Wednesday in Abuja at a press conference. He said of the total 1,390,519 valid registrants, the youths recorded 1,093,834 fresh registrants; while the middle-aged registration peaked at 210,233 or 15.1 per cent. Also, the elderly aged 50-69 registrants were 5.5 per cent or 76,569 while the old who were 70 years and above were 9,883 or 0.7 per cent. The ongoing CVR exercise is now into the fourth quarter nationwide. We restarted the CVR on 28th June 2021 after it was suspended for the 2019 general elections. | CVR, INEC, Youths, 2023 General Elections | Page 16 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Thursday, 14th April 2022 | 2023: Christian Youths Reject Same Religion Candidates, Back Rotation | Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) has warned political parties, especially the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against fielding a presidential candidate and running mate from the same religion. While supporting the clamour for rotational presidency, the youths maintained that a Christian/Christian ticket or a Muslim/Muslim ticket would not be a true expression of equity, fairness and justice for Nigerians. YOWICAN made the submissions in a communiqué signed by its chairman, Belusochukwu Enwere, and secretary, Bako Elijah, at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting Wednesday in Abuja. | 2023 General Elections, YOWICAN, PDP, APC, Religion, NEC | Page 5 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Thursday, 14th April 2022 | PDP Presidential Ticket : Anyim, Bala Mohammed Submit Forms | The quest for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continued as two leading aspirants, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and the Governor of Bauchi states, Senator Bala Mohammed yesterday returned their completed presidential nomination forms to the party. Also, moments after submitting his president nomination forms, Anyim engaged the National Working Committee (NWC) in a meeting where he urged the party not to jettison zoning. Also yesterday, Bala Mohammed after submitting his presidential nomination form met the NWC of the party, the Board of Trustees and the Senate and the House of Representatives caucus of the PDP | PDP, NWC, Presidential Election, 2023 General Election | https://bit.ly/3ObXFzb | |
| Nigerian Tribune Online | Thursday, 14th April 2022 | INEC Disqualifies 106,280 Voters In Ekiti, Osun | Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu on Wednesday gave an update on the Continuous Voters Registration of eligible voters by the Commission, ahead of the next general elections. In the two Southwest states of Ekiti and Osun State, a total of 106,280 fresh applications for Permanent Voters Cards were rejected as invalid. Ekiti had 17,650 invalid registrants while Osun had 88,630. Professor Yakubu attributed the unfavourable development to deliberate multiple registrations by applicants in connivance with a staff of his Commission. He also identified ignorance on the part of prospective voters who did not know that they “do not need to re-register if they had done so before,” and “registrants whose data were incomplete and did not meet our Business Rules for inclusion in the register.” | Ekiti State, Osun State, PVC, INEC, Gubernatorial Election | https://bit.ly/3Mm9TUv | |
| Punch Online | Thursday, 14th April 2022 | Osun 2022: We expect fair, credible poll – US | United States Embassy in Nigeria has expressed hope of a credible Osun 2022 governorship poll with a pledge to work with the state government to achieve the objective. This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Political and Economic Chief of the US Embassy in Nigeria, Brandon Hudspeth, during a visit to Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, in his office in Osogbo. Hudspeth, who led a delegation from the Embassy, further said the team would visit security officials, civil societies and other stakeholders before the poll. He said, ""“We hope that the election will be free and credible because there are expectations within and outside this country over the forthcoming election in this state. Our expectation is that the election should be fair and credible. We are partners with Nigeria to ensure free and credible elections. We are meeting with you as the first citizen of the state and our officials will also meet security officials, civil societies and other stakeholders. We will be in the state for the next couple of months. We are ready to work with you for a free and credible election in 2022 in this state.” | US Embassy, Osun State, Osun Decides 2022, Gubernatorial Election | https://bit.ly/3xIs82n | |
| Punch Online | Thursday, 14th April 2022 | I’ll be courageous as Nigeria’s president, says Tinubu | The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said that he will be the courageous leader that Nigeria needs to tackle its challenges. Tinubu, who is a presidential aspirant, stated this on Wednesday during a one-day forum organised by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, for serving Speakers and former Speakers and deputies in Ikeja GRA. He said, “We have the brilliance, the resources and the focus. We do not just know how to run the race and take care of the gear of progress. Just as I need Nigeria, Nigeria needs me. Nigeria needs drastic courageous changes that will bring revenue and I am that courageous one it needs. I was raised to be courageous and this has been working for me. I want to bring same to bear as president of Nigeria.” | APC National Leader, APC, Presidential Aspirant, Presidential Election, 2023 General Elections | https://bit.ly/3O9PN1k | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, 13th April 2022 | Akeredolu asks political appointees contesting for 2023 polls to resign within 48 hours | Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has asked all political office holders and appointees in his cabinet to resign before tomorrow, April 14, 2022, if they wish to contest for 2023 general elections. This was contained in a memo signed by Secretary to Ondo State Government (SSG), Oladunni Odu, and addressed to all political appointees in the state. “As you are aware, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has signed the amended Electoral bill into law and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released guidelines on the conduct of the general elections, thereby signalling the commencement of political activities both at the federal and state levels. “Consequently, and in line with the provision of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022, political and public office holders desirous of participating in the political process either as contestants for elective positions or as delegates should resign their appointments on or before Thursday, April 14, 2022. This is for your information and strict compliance,” the memo reads. | Ondo State, 2023 General Elections, Electoral Act 2022, INEC, SSG | Page 5 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, 13th April 2022 | Ekiti gov, deputy, minister to lead APC guber candidate’s campaign | Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and deputy governor of the state, Bisi Egbeyemi, are to lead the campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for the June 18 governorship election. Fayemi is to lead the 20-man campaign council as chairman, while Egbeyemi will serve as the vice chairman. The candidate’s advisory council is to be co-chaired by Adebayo and Fayemi. This was contained in a statement by the state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Segun Dipe, yesterday in Ado-Ekiti. Others in the campaign council include two former deputy governors of the state, among others. Prof. Modupe Adelabu and Abiodun Aluko; Ekiti State First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; State Chairman of the party, Paul Omotosho and a former state chairman, Jide Awe. A renowned grassroots mobiliser, Cyril Fasuyi, will serve as the director-general of the campaign organisation. | Ekiti State, APC, Gubernatorial Election, Campaign | Page 5 | |
| Punch Online | Wednesday, 13th April 2022 | Osun: INEC releases final list, okays Oyetola, Adeleke, others | The Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday released the final list of candidates eligible to participate in the July 16 governorship election in Osun State. According to the list, the state governor, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress and Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party will slug it out with 13 other candidates. According to the commission, only 15 political parties will participate in the election. INEC had rejected the nominations of three parties -Action Alliance, African Democratic Congress and the All Progressives Grand Alliance. The commission cited failure of the parties to comply with the guidelines on political party operations (2018) or the constitution of as reasons. While AA did not submit a nomination jointly signed by the national chairman and secretary of the party, ADC and APGA nominated candidates that do not meet the age requirements for the office of deputy governor as enshrined in the constitution. “The final list is published in our state and local government offices in Osun State as well as our website and social media platforms for public information as required by law"", says INEC. | INEC, Osun State, Gubernatorial Election, APC, PDP, Political Parties, ADC, AA, APGA | https://bit.ly/3EaHnSL | |
| Punch Online | Wednesday, 13th April 2022 | APC chairman, deputy quit Senate | The National Chairman and the Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress, Senators Abdullahi Adamu and Abubakar Kyari, respectively, have officially quit their seats in the Senate, two weeks after the ruling party’s national convention. President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, read their letters of resignation at the plenary on Tuesday. Adamu and Kyari emerged as the consensus candidates for the APC National Working Committee positions at the convention held in Abuja on March 26, 2022. Until then, Adamu was representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District while Kyari was representing Borno North Senatorial District at the Senate. Adamu had chaired the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, while Kyari headed the Committee on Federal Capital Territory. After their resignation, Lawan is expected to declare their seats vacant and communicate the vacancy to the Independent National Electoral Commission, which will in turn conduct a bye-election to fill the vacant seats. | APC, Senate, NWC, Resignation | https://bit.ly/3vhPlp9 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, 13th April 2022 | LG Polls: APC Sweeps Katsina, PDP Clears Adamawa | The leading opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) have kicked against the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded local government election in Katsina State. The Katsina State Independent Electoral Commission (KSIEC) had yesterday declared that APC won 33 of the chairmanship seats. The Secretary of the commission, Lawal Alhassan Faskari, had on Monday night said APC won all the chairmanship and councillorship seats in 31 LGAs. Also yesterday, the commission announced that the ruling party won Daura and Funtua LGAs. The election in Dutsinma LGA, where the former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shema, hails from, has been cancelled due to irregularities. Reacting to the outcome of the poll, PDP claimed that it won all the elections, saying the results announced by the commission were not obtained from the polling units. Speaking with members of the press, a PDP chieftain and governorship candidate in the 2019 election in the state, Senator Yakubu Lado, appealed to the state government not to plunge the state into anarchy by changing the will of the electorate. On its part, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) described the election as “child’s play”. The state Financial Secretary, Zubairu Alti, who stated the position of the party, said it rejects the outcome of the election in its entirety. Meanwhile, the state governor, Aminu Masari, will today swear in the newly elected council chairmen. The Director General, New Media to the governor, Al’Amin Isah, stated this in an invitation released yesterday. | PDP, APC, PRP, KSIEC, LG Elections, LGA, Katsina State | Page 17 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, 13th April 2022 | Osinbajo Moves APC Membership From Lagos To Ogun | Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has moved his membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from Lagos to Ogun State. This followed an online report which said the vice president revalidated his APC membership status in Ward One, Ikenne, Ogun State on February 9, 2021. Osinbajo was a chieftain of the Lagos APC with his polling unit at Code 33, Unit 2 Victoria Garden City, Lagos. On Monday, Osinbajo formally declared his intention to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in a video posted to his social media handles. Meanwhile, the vice president on Tuesday night hosted APC Senate Caucus members for iftar at his official residence. | Vice President, APC, Lagos State, Ogun State, Presidential Election, 2023 General Elections | Page 16 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Wednesday, 13th April 2022 | Obi: I Will Maintain Public Trust If Elected President | Former Governor of Anambra State and one of the presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi has promised to live up to his oath of office in the discharge of duties if chosen to lead the country. Obi said while he was well disposed to the moves for a consensus presidential candidate in the PDP, he would like his party and Nigerians to ensure that fairness, justice and respect prevailed. Obi who spoke on his plans to secure the PDP presidential ticket on, ‘The Morning Show,” monitored on Arise News Channel yesterday, said he would pursue an aggressive economic policy that would give priority to funding of small and medium scale businesses, improve power supply and tackle insecurity by pulling large numbers of citizens out of poverty. In addition, he said he would tackle corruption by ensuring that public officers do not violate the constitution or betray the confidence and trust placed on them by Nigerians. | Anambra State, PDP, Presidential Election, Aspirant, 2023 General Elections | Page 58 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Tuesday, 12th April 2022 | Tinubu Disowns Osinbajo, Says He Has No Son Grown Enough to Declare for President | Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday, denied Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as a political son, declaring he has no son grown enough to declare for president. But Osinbajo, who announced his intention to succeed his current principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, through a short video uploaded on various social media platforms, said his over seven years of working with Buhari had provided him requisite insights to complete what the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had started. The announcement came as the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) described Osinbajo’s presidential declaration as a betrayal of trust. However, Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, described as a welcome development the fact that Osinbajo and Tinubu were seeking to be president of Nigeria. Bagudu said it was an indication of a robust democratic contest within a party that had endeared itself to Nigerians. Asked about the declaration of the vice president, Tinubu declared, ""I don’t have a son grown enough to declare for the office of president". | Vice President, APC, PGF, 2023 General Elections, Presidential Election | Page 11 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Tuesday, 12th April 2022 | Saraki: PDP Consensus Candidate Will Oust APC from Power | Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said the quest by some presidential aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to form a united force, was for the party to take over power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023. Saraki, however, said this was what informed their decision to advocate for a consensus candidate among the aspirants. The presidential hopeful spoke yesterday while briefing journalists after a closed-door meeting alongside his co-aspirants, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, with Governor Douye Diri at the Creek Haven Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Saraki said as an opposition party, the PDP could not wrest power from the APC if not united. | Senate President, PDP, APC, 2023 General Elections | Page 35 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 12th April 2022 | Insecurity biggest threat to 2023 general elections, says CAN, IDFP | President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle Olasupo, yesterday, warned that the much talked about 2023 general elections might not hold as planned due to rising insecurity across the country. Similarly, the co-chairman, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), Alhaji Kunle Sanni, who corroborated the position of the CAN President, raised questions about the effect of huge money expended on arms procurement in response to the insecurity across the country. Both religious leaders spoke in Abuja at the Inclusive Security Dialogue Meeting, jointly organised by Global Peace Foundation and Vision Africa, towards social cohesion, sustainable peace and security in Nigeria. They were worried and concerned that the political and socio-economic destiny of Nigeria was fast nose-diving, hence the need to reawaken the consciousness of Nigerians to make right electoral choices when the opportunity comes next year. | CAN, IDFP, 2023 General Elections, Insecurity | Page 3 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 12th April 2022 | 2023: Youths demand Amaechi’s resignation over presidential bid | The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), yesterday, deplored the “rush” by Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to declare his bid for the presidency come next year. In a communiqué at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the body argued that Amaechi’s declaration was tantamount to “dancing on the graves of the victims of the Kaduna train attack and celebrating the pains of the abducted and the wounded.” The Solomon Adodo-led NYCN said it was equally saddened that “Amaechi, who is supposed to take responsibility and lead the way in ameliorating the plight of the victims, has rather thrown caution to the winds and shown no strand of care.” The group, thereby, demanded the resignation of Amaechi within the next 48 hours. Calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack Amaechi if he fails to resign, it consequently passed a vote of confidence on the President to rein in the insecurity in the land. | NYCN, NEC, Resignation, Insecurity, Presidential Election | Page 4 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 12th April 2022 | Thugs burn LG election materials in Katsina | Thugs, yesterday, set on fire election materials in Bakori Local Council of Katsina state. The thugs, who reportedly stormed the State Independent Electoral Commission (KTSIEC) office in the area in the morning, overpowered security personnel guarding the materials and carted away the materials, which they later set on fire. A viral video circulating on social media confirmed the action. Governor Aminu Masari had dissolved council executives, after forming government in 2015, over alleged misappropriation of public funds. Yesterday’s election had 12 political parties on the ballot, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Meanwhile, former Governor Ibrahim Shema has expressed disappointment over conduct of the council election. Shema, who spoke with journalists at his residence in Dutsinma Local Council, yesterday, lamented that the exercise conducted by KTSIEC and was marred by irregularities. The former governor, who said reports reaching him showed that several polling units didn’t have result sheets, alleged that some government officials were colluding with KTSIEC personnel to influence the outcome of the exercise. He alleged that a government official brought in thugs from the forest into his local council, to rig the election in favour of a major political party. | KTSIEC, Katsina State, APC, PDP, Local Government Elections | Page 8 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Tuesday, 12th April 2022 | 2023 Presidency: S/West Weighs Options On Tinubu, Osinbajo | The presidential ambition of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has brought out the divisions among governors, leaders and other stakeholders in the South West geopolitical zone. Tinubu had in January this year formally declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2023. It is unclear if the ruling party had zoned the presidency to the South, particularly the South West as other aspirants have also indicated interest. A chieftain of the party in Lagos State said Osinbajo’s declaration did not come as a surprise to Tinubu, whom the VP had allegedly informed earlier. Meanwhile, the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has said that it is not supporting either of the candidates at the moment. However, Daily Trust learnt that the declaration by Osinbajo has unsettled the permutation of the South West presenting a single candidate at the party’s presidential primary any time from now. A former spokesperson for Lagos APC, Joe Igbokwe, in a veiled post on Facebook, urged Osinbajo to step down from the race. | APC, Presidential Election, 2023 General Elections | Page 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Tuesday, 12th April 2022 | Sha’aban Declares For Kaduna Governorship Race | A former governorship candidate of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2007 in Kaduna, Alhaji Sani Sha’aban, has joined the governorship race on the platform of the All Progressive Party (APC). He promised to build on the foundation laid by Malam Nasir El-Rufai, who has been piloting the affairs of the state since 2015. Declaring his ambition, yesterday, amid a mammoth crowd, Sha’aban said he believes Kaduna can be made better adding, “We want to see Kaduna develop, prosper and become the pride of all.” | ANPP, APC, Gubernatorial Election, Katsina State | Page 11 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, 11th April 2022 | Court stops AGF, others from frustrating appeal against judgment on Electoral Act | The Court of Appeal has ordered the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and others to desist from taking steps capable of frustrating hearing in an appeal filed against the judgment of a Federal High Court, which ordered the removal of Section 84(12) from the Electoral Act. This was as the appellate court granted a nod to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join as a person interested in an appeal against the High Court judgment, which voided and struck down the controversial section. PDP was granted permission by the Owerri division of the Appeal Court to file its appeal as an interested person against the decision of the Federal High Court, Umuahia, on the order for removal of the section. | AGF, Court, PDP | Page 4 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, 11th April 2022 | I’m a founding member, will contest for president under APC, says Bakare | Serving Overseer of The Citadel Global Community Church, formerly known as the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2023 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Bakare, who disclosed his intention during a Zoom event organised by the PTB4-Nigeria movement on Saturday evening, claimed he was one of the founders of the APC and has never been part of any other party. He noted that his mandate would be founded on peace, progress, prosperity and possibilities, adding that ‘Project 16’ is focused on his interest in becoming Nigeria’s 16th leader since the country gained independence in 1960. | Presidential Election, APC,Pastor | Page 2 | |
| Premium Times Online | Monday, 11th April 2022 | 2023: Osinbajo declares intention to run for president | Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has declared his intention to run for the office of president. Mr Osinbajo, from Ogun State, seeks to to succeed his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, whose second term in office ends in May 2023. In his declaration speech posted on his social media handles, Mr Osinbajo said he has, in the past seven years as vice president, “traversed every part of our country, meeting Nigerians of every cadre, class, tribe and walks of life, both young and old"". Mr Osinbajo will challenge for the ticket of the ruling party, APC, with others who have declared their intentions; including ex-Lagos governor Bola Tinubu and transportation minister Rotimi Amaechi. | Presidential Election, 2023 General Elections, APC | https://bit.ly/360rEsR | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Monday, 11th April 2022 | 2023 Presidency: Mess In States Will Blow Up PDP – Bode George | A former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has cautioned the National Chairman of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, to listen to the concerns of stakeholders and resolve the crisis in Lagos, Kano and many other state chapters of the party. In an interview with newsmen, the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) member said the crises rocking some state chapters of the party were capable of derailing the party’s chances of reclaiming power in 2023, stressing that the mess would blow up the party. He cautioned that big states like Lagos and Kano among others with their voting strength should not be allowed to remain in crises. George insisted that the recent congress conducted by the committee chaired by Governor Douye Diri was allegedly flawed, adding that the process must be reversed for peace to reign. | PDP, BOT, 2023 General Elections | Page 14 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Monday, 11th April 2022 | Katsina LG Poll: Electoral Body Distributes Sensitive Materials | The Katsina State Independent Electoral Commission (KATSIEC) yesterday began the distribution of sensitive election materials to the 34 local government areas of the state ahead of today’s poll. Briefing newsmen while dispatching the election materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria Katsina branch, the commission’s chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Bako, said over 9,000 ad hoc staff of the commission would conduct the election while there are over three million registered voters in the State. He explained that 12 political parties would participate in the elections and urged parties and their candidates to be of peaceful conduct and abide by election guidelines as stipulated by the Electoral Act. | Katsina State, Electoral Act, KATSIEC | Page 14 | |
| Punch Online | Monday, 11th April 2022 | 2023: Make APC nomination forms free for disabled – Official | An appeal has gone to the All Progressive Congress to make the nomination forms free for persons living with disabilities in the country wishing to contest the 2023 general election on the platform of the party. The Executive Secretary, Kogi State Office of the Disability, Zacchaeus Dare Michael, who made the appeal in a chat with newsmen in Lokoja, praised the National Executive Committee of the Party for making the forms free for women wishing to contest. He described the PWDs as more vulnerable in the society, saying one way to integrate them into the society was to make the nomination forms free for them. He wondered where such people would get the money to purchase the forms, adding that even though many of them were graduates and intelligent, raising the money would be a challenge. He urged that the forms be made available for them to contest in whatever capacity they might want to, pointing out that in that way, they could be integrated into the society. | APC, PWDs, Kogi State, Nomination Form | https://bit.ly/3xiicw0 | |
| Punch Online | Monday, 11th April 2022 | Fayemi’s wife wants more women in elective positions | The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Bisi Fayemi, has urged more women to contest for elective positions in the 2023 general election. The governor’s wife lauded a House of Representatives member, Omowumi Ogunlola, representing Ijero/Ekiti West/Efon Federal Constituency, for her outstanding performance. Fayemi spoke at Aramoko Ekiti where the All Progressives Congress lawmaker donated empowerment items to the constituents across the three local government areas of Ijero, Ekiti West and Efon. The governor’s wife said, “She is a worthy ambassador of the womenfolk in political positions. Indeed, you have done well and I am very proud of you. We will keep saying we want women in a position of leadership, Hon. Ogunlola is a perfect example of what we mean. “Thank you very well for not disappointing us. With her sterling performance, more opportunities will be open for women. I will like to call on other members of the green chamber for them to do more for their people because Ogunlola has been a fantastic representative of the people,” she added. | Ekiti State, 2023 General Elections, House of Representatives, APC | https://bit.ly/3KCx9Ny | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 8th April 2022 | Mixed Reactions as Court Upholds Ayade's defection | Citing a new decision by the Court of Appeal on defection, a Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, declined to declare vacant, the seat of Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, over his defection from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Justice Taiwo Taiwo departed from his earlier judgement which sacked all members of the Cross River legislature on account of defection and held on to the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered in April 1, to the effect that defection is not an offence under the Nigerian Constitution. The Judge held that governors and their deputies could only be removed from office in line with sections 180, 188 and 189 of the Constitution on account of death, resignation or impeachment. he however agreed that defection from a winning party to a losing one is immoral, improper and condemnable. Aondo Jerry, a lawyer, described the judgement as inconsistent with the position of the law. He argued that if a governor was to be considered immune, it would create position where a sitting governor would be able to flout electoral laws and regulations, to the detriment of other persons contesting with him. | PDP, APC, Cross River State, Court, Governor, Defection | Page 3 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 8th April 2022 | Lasun Yusuff joins Labour Party, Gets Gubernatorial Ticket | A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuff, was yesterday unveiled as the Governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Osun State. Yusuff, who has dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month after failing to clinch the governoship ticket of the Party, defected to LP in a bid to contest against Governor Gboyega Oyetola, candidate of the APC and Senator Ademola Adeleke, who is the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, among candidates from other political parties. | LP, Osun State, Gubernatorial Election | Page 26 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Friday, 8th April 2022 | 2023: APC Declares Free Nomination Forms for Female Aspirants | Ahead of the 2023 elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared free nomination forms for female aspirants who intend to contest. The National Women Leader of the party, Ms. Betty Edu disclosed this yesterday, during a media briefing held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.She said the leadership of the party took the decision to encourage all female aspirants and mainstream them in politics. She said, ""The party has gone ahead to approve that women will be running with a free nomination form “They have thrown the ball into our court. Before now we have women saying we cannot afford nomination forms". | APC, Women, Free Nomination Form, 2023 General Elections | Page 6 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Friday, 8th April 2022 | PDP: We’ll Convene NEC Meeting to Consider Zoning Committee Report | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it would convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to consider the report of its zoning committee. The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Debo Ologunagba while featuring on ‘The Morning Show,’ on Arise News Channel, yesterday, said that whatever was the recommendation of the zoning committee of the party, it would be subject to the ratification of the NEC of the Party. He recalled that the NEC of the party decided to set up a committee of 37-member committee to consider the issue of zoning of the presidential position and other positions at its last meeting.Ologunagba said, “Because we are a party that follows its procedure and processes, the committee has made its recommendation and the recommendation will be forwarded to the National Working Committee (NWC), which will thereafter send it to the NEC for determination one way or the other. | PDP, NEC, Zoning, 2023 General Elections | Page 8 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Friday, 8th April 2022 | APC ‘ll Zone Presidential Ticket to South-East, Group Says | An Igbo group, the South East Renaissance Assembly has said it is confident that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will zone its presidential ticket to the region. National Coordinator of the group and former governorship aspirant in Enugu state, Gbazuagu Nweke made this known yesterday while addressing a press conference. Nweke said that the group was working to facilitate, persuade and encourage fellow party members to see reasons why they should give the southeast the opportunity to lead the country. He said that the decision to zone the ticket to the region will further increase its popularity in the Southeast and give the people a sense of belonging. | APC, Zoning, Presidential Ticket, 2023 General Elections | Page 44 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Friday, 8th April 2022 | 2023: Fresh Crisis Brews In Benue PDP As Ayu, Ortom Disagree Over Consensus Candidates | A fresh crisis is brewing in the Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the position of Governor Samuel Ortom as leader of the party in the state is being threatened and his chances of winning a senatorial election in 2023 are shaky. This is sequel to alleged moves by the PDP national chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who Ortom played a key role to make chairman, to dump the governor and allot the senatorial ticket to an aspirant he prefers. Daily Trust gathered that the trio of Ayu, Ortom and a former governor of the state and now senator, Gabriel Suswam, have anointed candidates for the governorship and National Assembly seats, especially in zones A and B. It was hinted that when the three political bigwigs met on March 31, 2022, to reach a consensus on the governorship slot which has been zoned to Jechira Federal Constituency and micro-zoned to Vandeikya LGA, Dr Ayu, a former senate president and three-time minister, and Gov Ortom clashed. Sources said the meeting ended in a stalemate because Ayu insisted on handing the ticket to Rt Hon Titus Uba, the speaker of the house of assembly, while Ortom had his eyes on another aspirant. Party supporters loyal to Ortom claim that if Ayu succeeds in installing Uba as governor with his position as national chairman, Ortom would be relegated to the background in the scheme of things in the state. | PDP, Governor, Senate, Benue State | Page 10 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Friday, 8th April 2022 | Peterside Urges Amaechi To Declare For Presidency | A governorship aspirant in Rivers State on the platform of the APC, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has urged the minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to declare for the 2023 presidency without further delay. Dr Peterside, who made the call in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, venue for an APC thanksgiving service in honour of Amaechi, a former governor of the state, said Amaechi was eminently qualified to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari and run the country for the better. According to a statement yesterday by his media office, Peterside said Amaechi had shown sufficient capacity and will to take the best decisions for the overall interest of Nigerians if given the mandate. | APC, Rivers State, Presidential Election, 2023 General Elections | Page 10 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, 7th April 2022 | Ayade knows fate today as court rules on defection suit | A Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted judgment delivery on the defection suit against Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State to today. Justice Taiwo Taiwo halted delivery of the judgment, yesterday, to enable him consider implications of a fresh Court of Appeal judgment on defection related matters. The Court of Appeal, Enugu division, had, five days ago, held that defection does not constitute any known offence but rather falls under constitutional rights of freedom of association, as enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution. Ayade and his deputy had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC), prompting PDP to demand that their seats be declared vacant in a lawsuit. | Cross River State, Court, APC, PDP, Defection | Page 3 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, 7th April 2022 | South, Middle Belt, Ndigbo leaders rage as PDP dumps zoning | Leaders of Southern and Middle Belt groups, yesterday, were enraged over the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to jettison zoning in the selection of the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, threatening to work against the party, if a Northerner is fielded. There were expectations that the PDP would zone the presidential ticket to the South, in line with the zoning arrangement that had been in place since Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1999, whereby the presidency rotates between the North and the South. But the 37-member zoning committee set up by the PDP and headed by Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, recommended that the presidential ticket be thrown open to aspirants from all parts of the country. Traditionally, in the PDP, the region that holds the office of the national chairman does not produce the party’s presidential flag-bearer. Reason PDP stakeholders from the South had pushed for the zoning of the position of national chairman to the North in the expectation that the development would pave the way for the emergence of a Southerner as presidential candidate in 2023. The decision of the zoning committee yesterday drew the ire of leaders of thought across the regions of Southern Nigeria. Some of the groups in the vanguard of power shift include the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF), Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Middle Belt Forum. Leader of the Middle Belt Forum, Bitrus Pogu said while PDP’s decision is left for the party, their position as reached at a January 22, 2022 meeting where they declared that they would not support any political party that does not field a Southerner as a presidential candidate, remains the same. | PDP, Zoning, PANDEF, SMBLF, Southern Nigeria, Middle belt, Presidential Election, Ndigbo | Page 2 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Thursday, 7th April 2022 | Ohanaeze To PDP: Jettisoning Zoning Is Conspiracy Against Igbo Presidency | The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo World Wide, Ambassador George A Obiozor, has said the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has committed political suicide by abandoning zoning ahead of the 2023 general elections. Obiozor was reacting to the decision of the Governor Samuel Ortom-led PDP committee on zoning. Obiozor, who was quoted in a statement by the association’s National Publicity Secretary, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, wondered why the PDP decided to jettison zoning when it is the turn of the South, and particularly the South East of Nigeria, to produce the next president. Obiozor deplored what he called “the unconscionable shifting of the goal post in the middle of the game. “Such unscrupulous violation of the zoning principle that has been well entrenched in the PDP constitution simply changes the rules of the game in order to deprive Ndigbo the opportunity to produce a president for Nigeria. The machinations and conspiracies to deny Ndigbo their due place in Nigeria is an ingratitude that daily cries to God,” he said. Ohanaeze urged “all the Igbo presidential aspirants to remain focused and undaunted because of the PDP shenanigans because history will always vindicate the just,” the statement added. | PDP, Ndigbo, 2023 General Elections, Zoning, South East | Page 10 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Thursday, 7th April 2022 | SDP Governorship Candidate, Oni, Escapes Attack In Ekiti | The convoy of the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Segun Oni, was on Wednesday, attacked at Efon Alaaye in Efon Local Government Area of Ekiti State by thugs suspected to be loyal to a political party in the state. A press statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity of Segun Oni Campaign Organisation (SOCO), Jackson Adebayo, said the attack occurred around 3:30pm. He said shortly after the members and supporters of the SDP candidate had converged to receive him, the thugs started shooting and attacking them with sticks and cutlasses. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, ASP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the attack. | SDP, Ekiti State, Governorship Candidate | Page 7 | |
| Punch Online | Thursday, 7th April 2022 | 2023: Shehu Sani joins Kaduna gov race | A former Senator representing Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, Shehu Sani, on Wednesday in Abuja, has joined the 2023 Kaduna State governorship race. Sani lamented that the state had never been more divided on ethno-religious lines than it is today. He also pledged to end insecurity in Kaduna State and to make it inhabitable for terrorists if he emerges governor in next year’s elections. Sani spoke at Wadata Plaza, the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abuja, after he obtained the N21m expression of interest and nomination forms to vie for the Kaduna State governorship ticket of the PDP. | Senator, Senate, Kaduna State, 2023 General Elections, PDP | https://bit.ly/3x52pke | |
| Punch Online | Thursday, 7th April 2022 | 2023: APC diaspora faults zoning, endorse Amaechi | A group of stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress under the aegis of the Diaspora Leadership Alliance Wednesday in Abuja called on the party and Nigerians to, ahead of next year’s elections, seek common ground on broad national issues on a bipartisan basis; not based on personalities or geopolitical zones, tribes or factions. The DLA maintained that it was high time the party and electorates replaced the politics of impressions and personalities with politics of issues and ideas. It therefore, called on the Minister of transportation and former Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, to contest for the presidency in 2023. | APC, 2023 General Elections, Presidential Election, Presidency | https://bit.ly/3DPEgj5 | |
| Punch Online | Thursday, 7th April 2022 | Yahaya Audu joins Kogi East Senatorial race | The immediate younger brother to a former Kogi State governor, late Prince Abubakar Audu, has signified his intention to join the race for Senate in Kogi East. Prince Audus’ intention was made known on Wednesday in a meeting with critical stakeholders of the area, where he said that his intention was to be a positive reference point for representation if elected. The aspirant promised to be an unusual senator making the people his core representation, promising to import his “rich array of experience and exposure” to bear if elected. He promised to bring his rich array of travelling, professional and political experiences to bear. He also promised to donate his salaries as Senator for the youth and women’s development. | Kogi State, Senate | https://bit.ly/3JbmsQo | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, 6th April 2022 | PDP jettisons zoning, throws open contest for presidential ticket | Despite the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum last year, known as the Asaba Declaration, that the region should produce Nigeria’s next president and repeated calls by leaders of thought in the Southeast, making a case for the region, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) committee on zoning, yesterday, recommended that the contest for the party’s presidential ticket be thrown open to aspirants from any part of the country. At its final meeting, which lasted for four hours in Abuja, the 37-member committee, led by Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, however, said it would not make its decision known to the public. It said it can only report its decision to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party for it to in turn inform Nigerians of their decision. The party is yet to fix a date for the NEC meeting. But a leaked document showed that the committee recommended as follows: (1) Zoning, as in our party’s constitution, is affirmed; (2) Inspite of (1) above, ticket is thrown open, this time around due to exigency of time; (3) Our party is encouraged to always make the issue of zoning very clear at least six months before sales of forms; (4) Our party should commend the efforts of some of our contestants on the issue of consensus candidacy; the efforts should be seen to a peaceful and logical conclusion. | PDP, Presidential Election, SGF, Southern Governor's Forum, Nigeria, NEC, National Executive Committee, Consensus Candidacy, Zoning, Southeast | Page 2 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, 6th April 2022 | Court stops Edo April 19 council polls | Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, granted an order of interim injunction restraining the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDOSIEC) from going ahead with planned council elections slated for April 19, 2022. The order followed an exparte application filed by Irene Sylvester, Ayoboh Francis, Edogun Toyin and Ogioba Kelvin, praying the court to restrain the state electoral body from conducting elections into councils in Edo State. Joined as respondents in the exparte motion are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Clerk of the Edo State House of Assembly, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its National Chairman, Prof. Iyiorcha Ayu. In the motion exparte filed on March 31, the applicants, who are PDP members in Edo State, want the court to restrain, “INEC, its agents, servants, officers, privies, howsoever described, from handing over the voters register covering all the councils in Edo State for the conduct of elections under the Edo State Local Government Electoral Law and the State Independent Electoral Commission Establishment (Re-enactment Law 2017 (as amended in 2022) to the 3rd defendant (Edo State Independent Electoral Commission)”, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice they filed before the court. The judge, in his ruling, agreed with the counsel for the applicants, Dr. Joshua Musa (SAN), that the essence of the exparte motion was to protect the subject-matter in the motion on notice and added that the applicants do not want to suffer irrevocable damages, for which no compensation will be enough to assuage them. Justice Taiwo adjourned the suit till April 14, 2022 for hearing of motion for interlocutory injunction. | EDOSIEC, INEC, Edo State, PDP, AGF, Court | Page 7 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, 6th April 2022 | INEC asserts benchmark for valid primaries | Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties against conducting rancorous primaries, saying it would only accept candidates who emerge from transparent and valid processes. National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter, Festus Okoye, gave the warning in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, following commencement of primaries by political parties, in line with the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general elections released by the commission. Okoye insisted primaries must be conducted in various constituencies as provided in Section 84 of the Electoral Act, noting that it is a violation of the law to conduct primaries outside the constituencies for which parties are nominating candidates. He said the commission would not monitor primaries conducted otherwise or accept the outcome. Okoye noted that two out of the 14 activities in the timetable and schedule of activities have been successfully accomplished. | INEC, 2023 General Elections, General Elections, Electoral Act | Page 3 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, 6th April 2022 | APC UK Youth Leader Dumps Party For NNPP | The Youth Leader of the United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Usman Tijjani Shehu, has dumped the ruling party for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). He confirmed his resignation in a letter addressed to the ward chairman of the APC in Kabo LGA and copied to the United Kingdom chapter of the party. The former youth leader, who is an aspirant for the House of Representatives for Kabo/Gwarzo constituency, said he decided to dump the party for the fact that it has failed Nigerians and couldn’t fulfil its campaign promises. He accused the ruling party of sabotaging the overall development of the country, and not giving opportunities to young Nigerians. “Presently in the country, there are no jobs, ASUU is on strike, there are security challenges, lack of health care facilities, poor economy and lack of youth inclusion in governance,” he said. | APC, NNPP, Youth Leader, UK, United Kingdom, LGA, House of Representatives, ASUU | Page 14 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, 6th April 2022 | Consensus: Buhari Didn’t Order Fee Refunds To Aspirants – Akume | Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari did not give any directive for the refunds of money paid by aspirants for the expression of interest and nomination forms. There are reports that the President had directed that aspirants who would step down at the March 26 national convention of the party held at the Eagle Square in Abuja, should be refunded the money they spent on forms. Addressing newsmen at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, after a closed-door meeting with the party’s national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Akume, who led a delegation of Benue APC stakeholders to the secretariat said Buhari didn’t say anything of such, adding that the N20 million he used for the purchase of forms was a donation to the party. Akume was one of the contenders for the office of national chairman. The party had pegged N20 million for expression of interest and nomination forms for that slot. | Muhammadu Buhari, Senator, APC, Nomination forms, National Convention, Stakeholders | Page 14 | |
| Punch Online | Wednesday, 6th April 2022 | 2023: Ex-gov Jonah Jang’s son declares for Reps | Pam Jang, the son of a former governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, has declared his intention to represent the people of Jos-South/Jos-East Federal Constituency in the National Assembly. Some friends and associates of the former governor’s son, led by Dr Dagwom Gyang, who purchased the Peoples Democratic Party form for the position, presented it to him at a brief ceremony in Jos, on Tuesday. Gyang stated, “We saw the enduring legacies left by your father (Jonah Jang) when he was the governor of Plateau State and as his son, we know that you are a good man and will do the same thing and even better in governance position. Jang, who expressed surprise at the action of the people said, “I sincerely thank you all for this honour which I consider a privilege. It is a common fact that our people are in dire need of genuine and effective representation in the green chambers that should be defined by results, not attributes and making speeches or being liked. | PDP, Jos, Plateau State, House of Representatives | https://bit.ly/3NQ1QRa | |
| Vanguard Online | Wednesday, 6th April 2022 | 2023 Presidency: Politicians against zoning lack conscience —Igbo Elders | Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, yesterday, declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; and other politicians who are kicking against the zoning of the presidency to the Southeast lacked conscience and could not be trusted. The Forum said it was ridiculous and hypocritical of the politicians, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki to promote a power shift to the North in 2015 and then turn around to demonise zoning ahead of next year’s general elections. Chairman of the Forum, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, said this in Abuja when Igbo leaders of thought and traditional rulers paid him a condolence visit over the demise of his wife. Speaking to journalists, Ezeife, who is a former Governor of Anambra State, insisted that an Igbo man must succeed President Muhammadu Buhari after his second tenure elapses in 2023. He said: “Everything (in the country) is a comprehensive failure, including our leadership and the politicians. “The political parties are not serious about zoning and power rotation, because their conscience is dead; justice, equity and fairness are far-fetched. This is what is wrong with us. | Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, Forum, Anambra State, Presidential Election, Igbo, Zoning, Southeast | https://bit.ly/3O2WfHx | |
| The Cable NG | Tuesday, 5th April 2022 | ‘I want to deliver good governance’ — Oshiomhole declares senatorial bid | Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo, has declared his interest in contesting a senatorial seat at the 2023 elections. Oshiomhole is seeking to represent Edo north in the upper legislative chamber. Francis Alimikhena is the current senator representing the constituency. Speaking on Monday at an event to mark his 70th birthday in Edo, the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said as senator, the interests of Edo north would not be ignored. The former governor said he declared his intention now because the party has been able to resolve its leadership crisis. In his words, “I have determined to use the rest of my life — asking God to use me as His instrument — to influence the direction of governance and politics to deliver the greatest goods in the shortest possible time""." | Declaration for Senatorial Bid, Elections, Politics, Senate | https://bit.ly/3DGrUti | |
| This Day Live Newspaper | Tuesday, 5th April 2022 | 2023: Malami Declares for Kebbi Governor, Promises Not to Betray His Supporters | The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, has declared his intention to contest the 2023 gubernatorial election in the State. Malami who declared before his supporters in Kebbi State, promised not to betray them. He would be contesting under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and would be seeking to succeed the current Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who is completing his second term. In his words, he said, "I want to announce that i will contest indeed and as such I am counting on your prayers and support so that we can all work and survive the race together"". In 2014, Malami picked nomination form to run for Kebbi State Governor under the platform of the APC, but lost to Bagudu in the party's primary election. | Declaration for Governorship, Governor, APC, Election, Gubernatorial Election | Page 34 | |
| This Day Live Newspaper | Tuesday, 5th April 2022 | INEC Launches Application Portal for Ad Hoc Staff for Ekiti, Osun Elections | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched an online portal for interested and eligible citizens to apply as ad-hoc staff for the upcoming Ekiti and Osun governorship elections billed for June 18 and July 16 respectively. The portal, with the link, http://pres.inecnigeria.org, was expected go live on Monday at 12:00am, and close on Sunday April 24 at 12:00 midnight. INEC on its website stated that interested qualified persons were expected to log into the portal, fill and complete the application form online for consideration as Ad-hoc staff in the election. The Commission said it welcomed applications for all categories of Ad-hoc staff EXCEPT Collation Officers. Some of the available positions on INEC website are: Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO), Registration Area Center (RAC), Manager Presiding Officer (PO), Assistant Presiding Officer (APO), and Registration Area Technical Support (RATECH) with requisite eligibility criteria. It stated that all applicants are to visit the Eligibility Page, where they would review the qualification/criteria necessary for any election staff position of their interest. According to INEC, “applicants who have previously applied ONLINE for any ad-hoc position prior to this election are to click on the “LOGIN” button, while fresh applicants who have not applied online for an Ad-hoc position prior to this election were advised to click on the “REGISTER” button." | INEC, Osun Elections, Ekiti Elections, Gubernatorial Elections | Page 35 | |
| This Day Live Newspaper | Tuesday, 5th April 2022 | Ekiti 2022: Oni Woos Voters, Urges them to Resist Poll Riggers | Former Ekiti State Governor and the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the June 18 governorship poll, Engr. Segun Oni, has advised electorates to troop out en masse on election day to cast their votes and also prevent poll riggers from subverting their will. Oni said this yesterday during his visit to Ido/Osi, Moba and Ilejemeje Local Government areas of Ekti state, on a consultation with party members ahead of the June 18 election. He appealed to residents of Ekiti State to act as true soldiers of democracy and rescue themselves from bad governance, which according to him had taken over the land after his exit in 2010. The former governor stressed that he was not seeking re-election for personal enrichment like some governors were allegedly doing in Ekiti, saying he bowed to people’s pressure to plunge into the race and prevent few individuals from cornering the state’s Commonwealth. | Ekiti Elections, Gubernatorial Elections | Page 36 | |
| This Day Live Newspaper | Tuesday, 5th April 2022 | 2023 Presidential Ticket: PDP Zoning Committee Decides Today | The 37-man committee set up by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to decide where the party would zone its presidential ticket for the 2023 general election would announce its decision at a meeting today. PDP had been in a dilemma over where to zone its presidential ticket ahead of the general election, with analysts warning that the issue of zoning might make or mar the main opposition party’s at the poll. This was as members from the south and those from the north sought the zoning the presidency to their region. The party, in a bid to resolve the disagreement, had on March 17 set up a 37-man committee, headed by the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, to find an amicable solution. The committee met last week but could not reach a consensus on the zoning. So it is expected to announce its decision today. Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, returned his completed expression of interest and nomination forms for the presidential ticket. The screening of PDP aspirants to choose the party’s candidates for the coming general election would take place from April 9 to 18, while appeals from aspirants would be resolved between April 14 and 21. | Presidential Election, PDP, 2023 General Elections | Page 8 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 5th April 2022 | Why Electoral Act alone will not guarantee credible polls, by INEC | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday, said the Electoral Act 2022 alone would not guarantee credible polls unless all stakeholders imbibe the spirit of the law. It also disclosed that over 700,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remained uncollected in Oyo State. The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Mutiu Agboke, stated this in an exclusive interview. The REC said the INEC had the opportunity to deploy technology to conduct elections, adding that whatever law given to the electoral body is what it has to work with. In his words, “However, for me, I do not think having a law suffices to stem the tide of all the shenanigans of our stakeholders. When I say stakeholders, I am referring to the politicians and the political parties. When INEC is thinking in the direction of deepening the process of electioneering with credibility, our stakeholders should not come up with the idea of ensuring that the whole thing is thwarted. Thwarting it is to draw us back and if we are drawn back such that we cannot make progress, people will say INEC is not doing anything, whereas stakeholders are supposed to protect us. | INEC, Electoral Act, Electoral Act 2022, PVC, Oyo State | Page 5 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 5th April 2022 | Oyo PDP aspirants reject consensus plan, insist on primaries | Some aspirants jostling for elective positions in the 2023 elections under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State yesterday, vowed to resist attempt by Governor Seyi Makinde to foist consensus candidates on them. The aggrieved aspirants rather called for primaries instead of consensus. The House of Assembly aspirants are: Dikko Salami, Moruf Adepoju, Femi Bamigbola, Olawale Olatunbosun, Taofeek Ogunrinde, Kola Oladikun, Kolawole Tosin, Kemi Obanibaseri, Francis Adewale Adetunji and Alhaji Taofik, while the House of Representatives aspirants are Olawale Mogbonjubola ‘Jagaban’, Bolu Adebayo, Tokunbo Ogunbola, John Ogunsola and Bolu Olapade. Bamigbola, who spoke on behalf of the House of Assembly aspirants and also eyeing the Oluyole State Constituency seat, said there is no state consensus candidate for Oluyole at the state level. Adebayo, who is aspiring to run for Oluyole Federal Constituency, decried the process that produced the consensus candidate. MEANWHILE, a source in the party described the aspirants as strangers in Oyo PDP, who are not even known in their wards. The source said it would amount to dignifying the aspirants, if one responds to them, saying: “How can someone based in overseas just move in and start making unnecessary noise? They are better ignored.” | PDP, Oyo State, 2023 General Elections | Page 5 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Tuesday, 5th April 2022 | Benue Fixes April 30 For LG Election | The Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BESIEC) on Monday announced April 30, 2022 as the new date for the local government elections in the state. BSIEC’s Chairman Tersoo Loko, who announced the changes to newsmen in Makurdi, noted that it had to reschedule the date to avoid a clash with the election activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). | Local Government Elections, Local Government, INEC, Elections, Benue State | https://bit.ly/3LL6vlM | |
| Daily Trust | Tuesday, 5th April 2022 | APC: Uncertainty Over Lai As Key Supporters Dump Ruling Party | For the minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, these are indeed trying times in the political career of the Kwara State politician. After leading the process that saw APC at the helm of affairs in the state, the minister has found himself at a crossroads as a majority of his loyalists who fought the struggle with him on Saturday in Ilorin dumped the ruling party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The event ended months of speculations of the group’s next line of action in the protracted leadership crisis rocking the party in the state. But the development has sparked speculations and a cloud of uncertainty regarding the position of Lai in the party. Although former factional chairman of the APC, Bashiru Omolaja Bolarinwa, a long-time loyalist of the minister was conspicuously missing during the formal defection, top sources described his absence as “strategic”. The former Lagos lawmaker was recently inaugurated as the chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) facilitated by Lai. Another key loyalist of the minister who has ditched the APC is a member of Kwara State House of Assembly, Saheed Popoopla, who publicly announced his defection before his seat was declared vacant. While Lai did not respond to several calls and text message seeking his reaction to the development last night, his key allies confided in our reporter that their “boss” is in a tight corner. | APC, Kwara State, SDP, NBC | https://bit.ly/3LHVuS5 |