| Source | Date | Story Title | Summary of Reports | Subject/Category | Website Link/Page Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 30th October 2019 | INEC reads Riot Act on Bayelsa, Kogi Polls | With less than three weeks to the governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday, 29th October 2019, read the Riot Act to its staff and officials of political parties participating at the polls, against misconduct. To guarantee the proper conduct of all its staff and ad-hoc staff deployed for the elections, the Commission has directed that they should be placed under official oaths. Also, the Commission is to liaise with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Related Commission (ICPC) whose agents would be deployed to polling stations to arrest vote buyers. INEC has reiterated its earlier order prohibiting the use of mobile phones at voting cubicles. Speaking at a quarterly meeting with political parties, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated that all the political parties would sign peace accords in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on 7th November 2019 and in Lokoja, Kogi State on 11th November 2019, ahead of the two elections on November 16. | Kogi and Bayelsa States 2019 Governorship Elections, INEC | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/30/inec-reads-riot-act-on-bayelsa-kogi-polls/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, 30th October 2019 | Appeal Court affirms election of four Akwa Ibom PDP Lawmakers | The Court of Appeal on Tuesday, 29th October 2019, upheld the elections of one Senator and three members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives from Akwa Ibom State, as the Court upheld the judgment of the Akwa State Election Petition Tribunal, which confirmed the election of the four PDP lawmakers. The appellate court dismissed the applications from the All Progressives Congress (APC) petitioners seeking that the election of the four law makers be set aside. Members of the House of Representatives whose elections were upheld include: Senator Bassey Albert of Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District whose election was challenged by Bassey Etim; Aniekan Umanah of Abak/Etim Ekpo Federal Constituency, whose election was challenged by Emmanuel Ekong; Michael Enyong of Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituency, who was challenged by Edem Ekere Ekpenyong and Nse Ekpenyong of Oron/Okobo/Mbo/Uruefong Aruko/Odung Uko Federal Constituency who was challenged by Victor Antai. | Court of Appeal, National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal | https://guardian.ng/politics/appeal-court-affirms-election-of-four-akwa-ibom-pdp-reps/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, 30th October 2019 | I will focus on development in my second term -Governor Bello | Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has stated that he would focus on the development of the State if re-elected for another term on November 16. Bello who stated this at Kabba during the APC governorship campaign rally for Kogi West senatorial district, explained that he would reverse the downward trend in development of the State in his second term. The Governor added that with the commencement of prompt payment of salary arrears, his government had also started the repositioning of the State for the better. According to him, “My government is better prepared to reverse the downward developmental trend forced on us by the previous administration”. Bello also stated that the State will witness “ease, happiness, joy and prosperity” in his second term. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, Yahaya Bello, APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/i-will-focus-on-development-in-my-second-term-gov-bello.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, 30th October 2019 | National Assembly poll: PDP wins appeal in Anambra, Sokoto States | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won two of its appeals against the verdicts of the Election Petitions Tribunal at the Court of Appeal in Anambra and Sokoto States. The Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu on Tuesday, 29th October 2019, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a certificate of return to Hon. Obinna Chidoka of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the authentic winner of the February 23 election for Idemili North/South Federal Constituency of Anambra State. The court also directed INEC to withdraw the certificate of return from the House of Representatives member representing Idemili North and Idemili South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ifeanyi Ibezi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Also, the Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto has ordered a fresh election in the Sokoto North/Sokoto South Federal Constituency of the State. INEC had declared Alhaji Bala Hassan of All Progressive Congress (APC) as winner of the February 23 2019 election in the constituency but the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) candidate in the election, Abubakar Abdullahi filed a petition at the Elections tribunal, alleging that the poll was marred by irregularities. The tribunal dismissed the petition, stating that the petitioners failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt. However, the PDP candidate appealed the judgement of Election Petitions tribunal. | Court of Appeal, National and State Assembly Elections Petition Tribunals, Anambra, Sokoto | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/n-assembly-poll-pdp-wins-appeal-in-anambra-sokoto.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, 30th October 2019 | Federal Government moves to regulate social media space | Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, 30th october 2019, stated that the social media at present constitutes real danger to the unity of the country. He explained that since the government launched its reform of the broadcast industry, many Nigerians have reached out to it demanding that it also looked into sanitising the social media space. The Minister emphasised that contrary to insinuations, the government had no intention of muzzling the media or stifling free speech, stating that the campaign was against fake news and hate speech. According to him, “We cannot allow fake news and hate speech to become free speech because these Siamese twins of evil are capable of inflicting untold damage on our democracy and are threatening our national unity. They represent a clear and imminent danger to our survival as a nation”. He gave assurances that the planned social media regulation would be in line with international best practices as obtainable in Singapore, the United Kingdom and other countries. | Social Media, Lai Mohammed | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/fg-moves-to-regulate-social-media-space.html |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, 28th October 2019 | Kogi PDP Mega Rally, a Red Card for Yahaya Bello, says Party | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had the official flag-off of its governorship campaign in Lokoja, Kogi State capital, on Friday, 25th October 2019. The party described the large turnout of citizens despite threats of violence by the All Progressives Congress (APC), as a resounding declaration by the people that nothing will stop them from removing Governor Yahaya Bello from office come November 16. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP stated that the large turnout was an unmistaken demonstration of the fact that Kogi State remains the home of the party, which will further manifest in what he described as a landslide victory for the party at the November 16 election. The party also commended the patriotism of members of the APC who have crossed over to the PDP in the last few weeks to support its governorship candidate, Musa Wada. The party, in its statement, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security forces to resist the shenanigans of the APC and remain on the side of truth and fairness as Kogites will never accept any process that does not reflect their will and aspiration in this election. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, PDP, APC | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/28/kogi-pdp-mega-rally-a-red-card-for-yahaya-bello-says-party/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, 28th October 2019 | Opposition Lawmakers Insist on thorough scrutiny of 2020 Budget | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led opposition in the House of Representatives has stated that the N10.3 trillion 2020 National Budget would be subjected to thorough legislative scrutiny to ensure that it reflects the general aspiration of over 200 million Nigerians. The Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, in a statement issued on Sunday, 27th October 2019 frowned at reports that certain committees in the National Assembly barred the media from covering their budget defence sessions. He insisted that budget defence must be transparent so that Nigerians are fully carried along in all the processes leading to budgetary decisions in all critical sectors. To this end, the minority leadership has directed all opposition members in various committees to ensure strict compliance with the democratic principles of transparency, accountability and prudence in budget planning, as well as in the implementation of oversight of both the capital and recurrent components. Elumelu stated thus: “Given the sorry state of our infrastructure, the opposition must ensure that the votes earmarked by the President for the rehabilitation of roads, power infrastructure, health services, agriculture, water resources, education, among other critical sectors are thoroughly scrutinised to guarantee full implementation, as well as reflect the federal character principle across board”. | 2020 udget, House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/28/opposition-lawmakers-insist-on-thorough-scrutiny-of-2020-budget/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, 28th October 2019 | Yahaya Bello will emerge victorious — Osinbajo | Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole and some APC Governors visited Kogi State to flag off the re-election campaign of Governor Yahaya Bello. The campaign flag off, which held at the ancient town of Idah, attracted a crowd of supporters, APC stalwarts and enthusiasts from within and outside the State. Prof. Osinbajo, while presenting the APC flag to Yahaya Bello and his running mate, Edward Onoja, expressed optimism that the party and its candidate would emerge victorious in the election. He stated that the party’s candidate has passion for the sustainable development of the State, adding that he would not disappoint the people of the State. According to Adams Oshiomhole, “If you know where this State was during the reign of the PDP and now, you will understand there is a need to vote for Bello for continuity. Bello has the capacity to translate his vision into reality and that is why I am appealing to you to vote for him during the election and he will not disappoint you”. Bello in his address urged his supporters to work hard to ensure victory for the party, stating that the party will go on a “door-to-door and village-to-village campaign” so as to ensure that APC is re-elected. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, APC, Yemi Osibanjo | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/yahaya-bello-will-emerge-victorious-osinbajo.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, 28th October 2019 | INEC urges Kogi religious leaders to preach peace | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on religious leaders in Kogi State to help sensitise their followers on the need for peaceful governorship election in the State on November 16. INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kogi State, Prof. James Apam made the call at the weekend during an interactive session with religious leaders and faith-based groups. He stated that the menace of violence, ballot box snatching, harassment of electoral officials and vote buying were of concern to the Commission as they hamper conduct of credible, free and fair elections. He also appealed to the religious leaders to educate their followers on how to vote properly to avoid cases of void votes. Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kogi State, Bishop John Ibenu in his remarks, assured the Commission of its support in sensitising followers on the need for peaceful election. On his part, the State Chairman of Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Amb Usman Bello, urged security agencies to provide adequate security and enjoined the Commission to ensure justice and fair play in terms of its conduct throughout the poll. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, INEC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/inec-urges-kogi-religious-leaders-to-preach-peace.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, 28th October 2019 | Vote for me, I’ll harness oil wealth for your good, Lyon tells voters | The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Chief David Lyon, has promised to protect and judiciously use the crude oil wealth of the State for the growth and development of the people if elected on November 16. Addressing a crowd of supporters at Egbema-Angalabiri community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the State during a campaign rally, Lyon lamented that Bayelsans are still living in penury. According to him, this was as a result of the failure of the outgoing administration to protect and invest the common wealth of the people on profit generating projects, thereby causing the people to live from hand to mouth. He stated that one of the State's Local Government Area, Ekeremor has abundant crude oil deposits in several communities but that the level of development of the communities and the people did not reflect the true nature of their contributions to the wealth and economic growth of the nation. | Bayelsa State 2019 Election, APC, David Lyon | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/vote-for-me-ill-harness-oil-wealth-for-your-good-lyon-tells-voters.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, 28th October 2019 | Despite 2019 Governorship defeat, APC still strong in Bauchi — State Chairman | Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, Alhaji Uba Nana, has stated that the party is still strong and formidable, despite losing the 2019 governorship election in the State. Nana stated this when he received the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, at the party’s State secretariat during his official visit to Bauchi State. He explained that the party won all the three senatorial seats in the State, nine out of the 12 House of Representatives seats and 21 out of 31 State House of Assembly seats in the 2019 general elections. The Chairman told the Minister that the current Speaker of the State House of Assembly and Majority Leader of the House are all members of the APC, adding that the party is still strong and popular in the State. He also informed the Minister that the party had filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal against the recent verdict delivered by the Governorship Election Petitions tribunal in the State, with a view of reclaiming "APC’s stolen mandate". | Bauchi State, APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/despite-2019-govship-defeat-apc-still-strong-in-bauchi-chairman.html |
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, 25th October 2019 | INEC Saves N300m in Kogi Elections | The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has revealed that the Commission will save N300 million by its plan to hold both the Kogi State governorship election and Kogi West senatorial rerun on Saturday, November 16. Yakubu stated this at the 2020 Budget Defence session his agency had with the Joint National Assembly Committee on INEC. He added that, “We decided to combine the two elections after realising a margin of N300 million. So, voters in Kogi West will now have two ballot papers and two boxes during the elections. We have saved the cost of adhoc staff, observers, media and other logistics of conducting two elections, independently”. The INEC boss added that the Commission will combine the governorship poll in Bayelsa State with supplementary election in six places in Brass Local Government Area on the same November 16. | INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/25/inec-saves-n300m-in-kogi-elections/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, 25th October 2019 | Vote Buying: APC Chieftain urges Federal Government to withhold Bayelsa’s N7bn VAT Refund | Ahead of the November 16 governorship election, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the federal government not to release N7 billion Value Added Tax (VAT) refund for Bayelsa State Government at this time, to avoid diversion of funds for the purpose of vote buying. APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, in a statement on Thursday, 24th October 2019, urged the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, to delay the approval of the money until after the election. He stated that he believed that if the money should be released to the outgoing government in the State, it would not serve its purpose. According to him, “Governor Dickson must be stopped from achieving his selfish and desperate plan to buy votes using State funds and rig the election in favour of his unpopular candidate". | Bayelsa State 2019 Election, APC | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/25/vote-buying-apc-chieftain-urges-fg-to-withhold-bayelsas-n7bn-vat-refund/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, 25th October 2019 | INEC Seeks Financial Autonomy for States’ Electoral Commissions | The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Thursday, 24th October 2019, called for financial autonomy for the 36 States independent electoral bodies, stating that financial independence will enhance their performance. He also called for the streamlining and review of electoral laws to increase the credibility of Local Government elections. Yakubu told members of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON), who visited him in Abuja that the two issues of financial autonomy and electoral law reform critical to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections at the Local Government level, needed to be seriously considered. According to the INEC Chairman, there have been discussions in the past on the need to have a modern law model on the Electoral Act to govern the conduct of Local Government elections nationwide. He explained that while there was law establishing SIEC and its composition, each State has its procedures, regulations and guidelines for the conduct of Local Government elections. According to the INEC Chairman: “The second issue we need to work together on, is the independence of SEIC. Independence of SIEC cannot be guaranteed where there is no financial independence. We will look at whatever we can do to work to ensure financial independence for the SIEC that will enormously help the conduct of elections". | INEC, SIEC, Financial Autonomy | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/25/inec-seeks-financial-autonomy-for-states-electoral-commissions/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, 25th October 2019 | Votes: Bayelsa women, youths give conditions to Governorship candidates | Women and youths of Bayelsa State have outlined their conditions to support the candidate of any political party ahead of the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the State. According to them, they will queue behind any candidate that will agree to implement policies that would enhance their wellbeing and work towards ensuring a violence free election. The governorship candidates, during a policy dialogue organised by the Girl Child Empowerment and Reproductive Health Initiative (GREP) in collaboration with National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Thursday, 24th October 2019, the candidates promised to promote good policies to enhance the wellbeing of women and the girl child, as well as provide employment to the teeming population of youths. The Executive Director of GREP, Mrs. Rosemary Owefawari, during her presentation, urged any of the candidates that will be elected as Governor of the State to work assiduously to improve the free maternal and child health care services in the State. | Bayelsa State 2019 Election | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/votes-bayelsa-women-youths-give-conditions-to-govship-candidates.html |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 25th October 2019 | Bayelsa PDP, APC bicker over guber poll, as group sensitises Police | Ahead of the November 16,2019 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, the State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have continued to be at loggerheads, as both parties alleged plots by the other to compromise the exercise. While the State Chairman of the PDP, Moses Cleopas, claimed that its rival was allegedly planning to rig the poll through the military, the APC Publicity Secretary, Doifie Buokoribo, accused the ruling party in the State of “trying to foster panic in the State to prepare the ground for a government-sponsored violence ahead of the governorship election”. In a press statement made in Yenagoa on Thursday, 24th October 2019, Cleopas stated that information at his disposal backed his claims. However, who doubles as the Secretary of the Media and Publicity Committee of the APC Governorship Campaign Council in the State, dismissed the allegation and accused Governor Seriake Dickson and his party of “engaging in a dress rehearsal for their own usual electoral violence and poll robbery". However, a non-governmental organisation, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), has sensitised the Police Force on the need for a peaceful poll. During a workshop at the Ogbia Divisional Command in Ogbia Local Government Area of the State, the organisation’s Project Officer, Joseph Ekong, stated that it was important to educate participating security agents on the need for a violence-free election. He also underscored the importance of enlightening other critical stakeholders like the media, civil society groups, traditional rulers and others on playing by the rules. | Bayelsa State 2019 Governorship Election | https://guardian.ng/news/bayelsa-pdp-apc-bicker-over-guber-poll-as-group-sensitises-police/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 24th October 2019 | Nigerians losing Confidence in the Electoral System, Jega Warns | As Nigeria prepares for governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States in NOvember 2019, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has warned that Nigerians are losing confidence in the electoral process. Jega stated on Wednesday, 23rd October 2019, at Tell Magazine’s 20 years of democracy conference in Abuja, that the loss of confidence had resulted in declining voter turnout since 1999 when Nigeria returned to civil rule. He also warned that if care was not taken, the prediction of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on the disintegration of Nigeria would come to pass. He attributed the low turnout of voters during elections to lack of trust, adding that majority of registered voters in the past election cycle did not vote. According to him, there has been a remarkable trust deficit by the electorate in the electoral process. The former INEC Chairman also stated that the country had witnessed some reversals in the progress it made during the 2015 elections he conducted. Jega added that more work needed to be done to protect the integrity of the country’s electoral process before 2023. | Prof. Attahiru Jega | |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, 24th October 2019 | Call Yahaya Bello to order, House of Representatives caucus urges Buhari | The Minority caucus in the House of Representatives has condemned the impeachment of Kogi State Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba, by the State House of Assembly and his replacement with Edward Onoja, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to order. The caucus, in a statement made on Wednesday, 23rd OCtober 2019, signed by the Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu (PDP, Delta), described the action as “overt lawlessness unknown to the laws of the land”. The group warned that the people of Kogi State should brace up for a “more oppressive and rapacious mode of governance if Governor Bello and the All Progressives Congress (APC) were allowed to force a minority government on the people once again”. The statement reads: “The so-called removal of the Deputy Governor is the height of unhinged travesty. It is impunity taken too far. It is neither known to law nor the Constitution of Nigeria and cannot be allowed to stand. “By the purported removal of the Deputy Governor despite a ‘not guilty’ verdict returned by the impeachment panel, it is self-evident that these people are no respecters of law. The travesty is of no consequence for it imposes a defacto and not a dejure deputy on the people of Kogi State and can only be short-lived". | Kogi State, House of Representatives | |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, 24th October 2019 | Ensure credible poll in Bayelsa to avoid violence – Police urge INEC | Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone five, Mr Dibal Yakadi, has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa State is free, fair and credible to curb violence during and after the poll. Yakadi, while speaking on Wednesday, 23rd October 2019 in Yenagoa, the State capital, during a stakeholders' meeting for political actors in the State, also cautioned political party supporters to go about their campaigns peacefully, as the force will deal decisively with troublemakers. He ascribed the cause of election violence to include unemployment and poverty, 'get-rich-quick' syndrome among youths, proliferation of fire arms in the country and lack of societal values. He urged the stakeholders, including the candidates and party supporters, not to see election as a do or die affair. | Bayelsa State 2019 Election, INEC, Police | |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, 24th October 2019 | You’re wasting public funds on campaign, PDP tells Bello | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello to “stop wasting public funds on campaign” and get prepared to accept defeat in the November 16 governorship election in the State. The party, in a statement made on Wednesday, 23rd October 2019 by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, claimed that it already had the support of over 70 percent of registered voters in 18 out of the 21 local government areas of the State. “Since we kicked off our grassroots campaigns in the last few weeks, the PDP has continued to receive overwhelming support, solidarity and endorsements from all segments of the voting population, including political leaders and community groups, workers, pensioners, students, youth groups, business groups, professionals, and a host of other Kogites who have become despondent with the excruciating misrule of Yahaya Bello. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, PDP, APC | |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, 24th October 2019 | PDP not ready for election in Kogi -Smart Adeyemi | Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Organisation for the November 16 election in Kogi State, Senator Smart Adeyemi, has stated that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not shown readiness for the forthcoming election. He made the statement on Wednesday, 23rd October 2019 in Lokoja after an audience with the First Secretary, British High Commission in Nigeria, Alistair Hodson, who was in Kogi State to assess the political situation and level of preparedness ahead of the election. According to Adeyemi: “The main opposition party in this election, the PDP is not ready for this election. We have it on good authority that they are planning mayhem to discredit this election. And that is why until today, they are not campaigning, you can not see their posters and they are not talking. It is quite disturbing when you have your main opponent not talking”. Reacting to Adeyemi's claims, the Deputy Director Public Communication of the PDP governorship campaign council, Austin Okai, stated that the PDP was fully ready for the election and that the official flag off of its campaign holds this Friday (25th october 2019) in Lokoja. He added that, “After the flag off, we will not retreat again until Engr Musa Wada is declared Governor of Kogi State”. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, APC, PDP | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 23rd October 2019 | INEC to correct General Election Mistakes with Bayelsa, Kogi Polls | At the end of a two-day seminar on the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the November 16 governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States, the Commission stated that the two elections would correct the mistakes in the 2019 general elections and set a new standard for future elections. This is coming as stakeholders from Kogi and Bayelsa States have listed violence, vote buying and manipulation of youths as some of the issues that would determine the outcome of the polls in the two States. Speaking on Tuesday, 22nd October 2019, the Chairman of the Board of INEC’s Electoral Institute, who is also a National Commissioner, Prince Solomon Soyebi, stated that: “The election will provide the Commission with yet another opportunity to test-run its policies, processes and new initiatives. “Since the conduct and outcome of the 2019 general election, the Commission has done a lot to re-organise and strengthen its processes, procedures and systems for better performance”. He also added that, "The Commission is not under any illusion about the many issues and challenges posed by the electoral process”. | Kogi and Bayelsa 2019 Governorship Elections, INEC | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/23/inec-to-correct-general-election-mistakes-with-bayelsa-kogi-polls/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, 23rd October 2019 | We want election not war – Diri tells diplomats | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the November 16 election in Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon are not ready for peaceful election and suggested that the APC will employ violence and federal might to intimidate the electorate. According to him, “We don’t want violence. Election is not war. We are ready for a peaceful, free and fair election unlike our main opponent. Speaking in Yenagoa on Tuesday, 22nd October 2019 when he received a delegation from the British High Commission and the United States Embassy Office in Nigeria, Diri stated that the recent activities of the opposition party and threats to PDP supporters were indications of their plots to compromise the election. He added that the PDP is firmly rooted in Bayelsa State and would not need to engage in violence to win the November 16 governorship election. | Bayelsa State 2019 Governorship Election, Diri, PDP | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/we-want-election-not-war-diri-tells-diplomats.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, 23rd October 2019 | Bayelsa poll: INEC threatens zero votes for ballot box snatching | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has threatened to record zero votes for parties in areas where there is violence or ballot box snatching during November 16 Bayelsa governorship poll. INEC National Commissioner in charge of Bayelsa, Edo and Rivers States, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, disclosed this at the round table meeting on the Commission’s preparedness for conduct of the election, organised by the Electoral Institute in Abuja on Tuesday, 22nd October 2019. Speaking at the event, Agamuche-Mbu stated thus: “We are looking unto the political parties, that they will be kind to the people of Bayelsa by doing what they are expected to do. There will be no hijacking of ballot boxes because if they are hijacked, the area is going to get zero votes. We are going to use smart card readers and where it fails, which I believe it won’t , we will come back again because we are ready for this election and I pray that the political class will allow us do our work”. Agbamuche-Mbu reiterated that the Commission would work to ensure that the poll does not result in inconclusive election. She added that the Commission needs the cooperation of all stakeholders, especially political parties to conduct credible election in the State. | Bayelsa State 2019 Election, INEC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/bayelsa-poll-inec-threatens-zero-votes-for-ballot-box-snatching.html |
| Punch Newspaper | Wednesday, 23rd October 2019 | Nine women, seven men make Abdulrazaq's Commissioners’ list | The Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, on Tuesday, 22nd October 2019 sent another list of six Commissioner-nominees to the State House of Assembly to complete the list of 16 nominees sent to the legislature for screening. According to the final list read on the floor of the Assembly by the Speaker, Yakubu Danladi, during plenary on Tuesday, 22nd October 2019, nine were women and seven were men. The women in the nominees list are Hajia Saadatu Modibbo-Kawu, Miss Joana Kolo, Hajia Arinola Lawal, Hajia Aishat Ahman-Patigi, Mrs Afolabi Adenike, Ahmad Fatima, Aremu Deborah, Oyedun Juliana and Oyeyemi Florence. The seven men, according to the list, are Rotimi Iliyasu, Salman Jawondo, Aliyu Kora-Sabi, Dr Raji Razaq, Aliyu Saifudeen, Wahab Agbaje and Murtala Olarewaju. | Kwara State, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq | https://punchng.com/nine-women-seven-men-make-abdulrazaq-commissioners-list/ |
| Punch Newspaper | Wednesday, 23rd October 2019 | Gbajabiamila promises constitutional change for women | The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, has promised to lead a constitutional change that will give women better placement in the society. He spoke on Tuesday, 22nd October 2019 in Lagos at the 19th National Women’s Conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials. According to Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila, “We have all heard about 30 per cent. The question is how do we empower women? I believe education is the first step to empowering women. There are constitutional impediments when we talk about 30 per cent. Our thought is that I will champion the amendment to those constitutional impediments”. The Speaker also stated it was time the constitution was amended to accommodate whatever percentage was needed without discrimination on the basis of gender. | Women representation, Gbajabiamila | https://punchng.com/gbajabiamila-promises-constitutional-change-for-women/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, 22nd October 2019 | INEC fixes date for Kogi Senatorial District re-run Election | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the dates for the conduct of the re-run elections in Sabuwa State Constituency, Katsina State and Kogi West Senatorial District. The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mr. Festus Okoye, stated on Monday, 21st October 2019, that the Commission fixed the dates after its management meeting in which the time table and dates of the elections were considered. According to him, INEC has fixed 30th November 2019 for the conduct of a Katsina State bye-election and also fixed 16th November 2019 for the conduct of a fresh election in the Kogi West Senatorial District. He stated that the Kogi West Senatorial District election will take place simultaneously with the Kogi Governorship election, which had earlier been fixed for November 16, same day as the Bayelsa State governorship election. | Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/melaye-inec-fixes-dates-for-kogi-senatorial-district-rerun.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, 22nd October 2019 | Governorship poll: Early warning signs indicate possible violence in Kogi – INEC | The Electoral Institute (TEI) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that considering all indicators, there are early warning signs indicating that there will be violence and it can not be over looked. TEI Chairman, Prince Solomon Adedeji Soyebi stated this on the sideline of a Round Table and Policy Dialogue on Kogi election themed “A successful Governorship Election in Kogi: What are the Critical Issues?”, organised by the institute on Monday, 21st October 2019 in Abuja. He also stated that vote buying in November 16 governorship election in Kogi State would be discouraged by concealing all forms of evidence of the votes cast by the electorate. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, INEC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/govship-poll-early-warning-signs-indicate-possible-violence-in-kogi-inec.htmlb |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, 22nd October 2019 | Benue Local Government poll postponed | The Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) on Monday, 21st October 2019 announced the postponement of the proposed November 30, 2019 Local Government poll in the State to the first quarter of next year. BSIEC Chairman, Dr. Joseph Tersoo Loko, made the announcement during a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Commission in Makurdi, the State capital. Loko explained that the postponement was necessitated by the need to regularise the contradiction on the election timetable released on September 23, 2019, in respect of two conflicting provisions: Section 30 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), which has provided for 90 days’ notice of election and Section 15 (2) of the Benue State Electoral Law 2012 (as amended), which has provided for a 21 days’ notice of election. | Benue State, Local Government Elections | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/benue-lg-poll-postponed.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, 22nd October 2019 | You‘ll get value for your money, Makinde assures Oyo people | Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has assured the people of the State that they will get value for every State fund spent on any project. Governor Makinde stated this on Monday, 21st October 2019 after an inspection tour of three government projects in Ibadan, the State capital. The Governor expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of some government property, especially lands and other abandoned public structures across the State. He frowned at the culture of spending State resources on projects only to abandon such projects halfway. Makinde assured the people of Oyo State that his administration would ensure that they get value for the tax payers’ money spent. He directed Dr Akin Fagbemi, the Chairman of the State Road Traffic Management Agency (OYRTMA) office, where he visited, to use the abandoned structures at the old Urban Mass Transit Park as the agency’s headquarters. The Governor promised to provide necessary equipment and other logistics that would enhance the job of the agency. At the Jericho Specialist Hospital and the Pediatric/Maternal Centre, Ibadan, Makinde promised to provide facilities to promote qualitative healthcare delivery. He stated that the paediatric hospital would be equipped with furniture and other clinical equipment to accommodate some of the departments at the hospital. | Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/youll-get-value-for-your-money-makinde-assures-oyo-people.html |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, 21st October 2019 | My Removal as Kogi Deputy Governor is Unconstitutional, says Achuba | The impeached Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Simon Achuba has described his purported removal by the State House of Assembly as unconstitutional. Achuba also described the removal as "an illegality that will not stand the test of time". The embattled former Deputy Governor disclosed this in a press conference shortly after moving out of the official residence of the Deputy Governor in Lokoja, the State capital. He stated that swearing in anyone else will amount to continuation of the illegality being perpetrated by Governor Yahaya Bello. Achuba described his ordeal as the height of the disobedience to the rule of law, which should be the major driver in a democracy. The Chairman of the panel that investigated the allegations of gross misconduct against the sacked Deputy Governor, John Baiyeshea, has clarified that his committee did not indict Achuba because it could not prove the allegations levelled against him. | Kogi State, Deputy Governor, Simon Achua | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/21/my-removal-as-kogi-dep-gov-unconstitutional-says-achuba/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, 21st October 2019 | We did not Indict Sacked Kogi Deputy Governor, says Panel | John Baiyeshea, the Chairman of the panel set up to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the sacked Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Simon Achuba, has clarified that his committee did not indict Achuba because it could not prove the allegations levelled against him. Describing the announcement that Achuba had been removed as “the most bizarre thing that I have ever heard in my life”, Baiyeshea stated that the report of the committee was submitted on Friday, 18th October 2019, when the State Assembly was not in session. He added that in accordance with the law, the lawmakers could not have commenced the removal proceedings since the panel could not prove the allegations against Achuba. “As far as the report that we submitted to the House of Assembly is concerned, the committee returned the decision that all the allegations were not proved. What the constitution states in section 188(8) is that, once the panel returns a verdict like that. No further proceedings can be taken on it". | Kogi State, Deputy Governor, Simon Achua | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/21/we-didnt-indict-sacked-kogi-dep-gov-says-panel/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, 21st October 2019 | Bayelsa Poll: APC alleges Diversion of N17.5bn against the State Government | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to urgently investigate and freeze bank accounts belonging to the Bayesla State government for an alleged diversion of N17.5 billion of public fund to prosecute the November 16 governorship election. This was contained in a public statement issued by Deputy National Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr. Yekini Nabena, on Sunday, 20th October 2019. He also called for the arrest of the State’s Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Maxwell Ebibai, who he alleged to have overseen the alleged illegal withdrawals. Nabena stated thus: “In the last two weeks, the Bayelsa State government has, in highly suspicious circumstances, made several withdrawals to the tune of N17.5 billion without any corresponding project to justify the withdrawals". | Bayelsa State 2019 Governorship Election, APC | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/21/bayelsa-poll-apc-alleges-diversion-of-n17-5bn-against-state-govt/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, 21st October 2019 | Appeal Court upholds Uba Sani’s election in Kaduna | The Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division on Monday, 21st October 2019 upheld the election of the Senator Representing Kaduna Central Zone, Senator Uba Sani . Delivering judgement on an appeal filed by Hon. Lawal Adamu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who contested the senatorial election with Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Justice A.O. Okojie dismissed the appeal for lack of merit and upheld the APC candidate as winner of the Senatorial election. Speaking to newsmen after the court judgment, one of Senator Uba Sani’s counsel’s, Barrister Frank Ikpe (SAN) described the judgemnt as fair and just in accordance with the rule of law. According to him, the Court of Appeal judgment has affirmed the jugement of the Election Petition Tribunal, adding that the Appeal court judges confirmed the Tribunal's judgement on three issues, including Uba Sani's qualificarion to contest, being a public officer or a political office holder. | Kaduna State, Kaduna Central Senatorial District, PDP, APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/appeal-court-upholds-uba-sanis-elections-in-kaduna.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, 21st October 2019 | Onoja sworn-in as Kogi Deputy Governor | The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasir Ajanah swore in Edward Onoja as the Deputy Governor of Kogi State on Monday, 21st October 2019. Onoja took the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance administered to him. The Chief Judge was supported by the Chief Registrar of the State judiciary. The event was witnessed by Governor Yahaya Bello, Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole, members of the State Assembly, political office holders and other well wishers of Onoja. | Kogi State, Deputy Governor | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/onoja-sworn-in-as-kogi-deputy-governor.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, 18th October 2019 | INEC assures persons with disabilities, cautions youth against violence | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured persons with disabilities (PWDs) that adequate provisions have been made to guarantee their full participation in the November 16th governorship election in Kogi State. Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Prof. James Apam gave the assurance in Lokoja at a sensitisation forum the Commission organised for PWDs in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES). He stated that priority would be given to the PWDs by allowing them to vote first on election day. At another event, Prof. Apam cautioned youth against violence, stating that the Commission can only conduct credible, free and fair elections under a peaceful atmosphere and therefore urged the participants to sensitise their peers on the need to avoid being used as agents of violence during the election. INEC National Commissioner supervising Bayelsa, Edo and Rivers States, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu charged journalists on investigative reportage to complement the Commission’s efforts in achieving free and fair poll, during a one-day workshop for journalists for the 2019 gubernatorial election on legal and procedural issues. | Kogi 2019 Governorship Election, INEC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/inec-assures-persons-with-disabilities-cautions-youth-against-violence.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, 18th October 2019 | Dickson meets Buhari, says APC can not govern Bayelsa | Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State on Thursday, 17th October 2019, met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Speaking at the end of the closed doors meeting, Dickson stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has already won the coming election. He said the APC and its governorship candidate, David Lyon, cannot govern Bayelsa State. The Governor also revealed that he was still leading the reconciliation efforts to pacify the aggrieved members following the outcome of the PDP primaries for the governorship election in the State. He called for synergy between himself as the PDP leader and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, an All Progessives Congress (APC) leader in the State to achieve free, fair, and peaceful governorship election in the State. | Bayelsa State 2019 Governorship Election, Dickson, PDP, Buhari, APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/dickson-meets-buhari-says-apc-cant-govern-bayelsa.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, 18th October 2019 | APC heads to Appeal Court over Adamawa Governorship tribunal verdict | The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State has concluded plans to challenge the verdict of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal which dismissed its petition against the victory of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of the PDP, at the Court of Appeal. One of the party's counsel, Barrister Albert Kopbe disclosed that APC has concluded plans to challenge the verdict of the Tribunal at the appellate court. The tribunal had dismissed the petition filed by the APC against election of Fintiri. Barrister Kopbe who described the tribunal’s judgement as miscarriage of justice, said the legal team had concluded plans to approach the appellate court, saying he was confident of victory. | Adamawa State Governorship Election, Appeal Court | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-heads-to-appeal-court-over-adamawa-govship-tribunal-verdict.html |
| ThisDay Live | Friday, 18th October 2019 | PDP Caucus Cautions CJN against Subverting Convention on Election Petition Panel | The House of Representatives caucus of the People Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko, against subverting the convention and integrity of the judiciary on the selection of Supreme Court Justices, ahead of the hearing of the presidential election appeal panel. This was disclosed in a statement issued Thursday jointly signed by the PDP Caucus Leader, Kingsley Chinda, his deputy Chukwuma Onyema; Caucus Whip, Umar Barde, and his deputy, Muraina Ajibola. The PDP House caucus said the selection of Justices to hear the appeal of the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, must be in accordance with the conventional practice of admitting only the first seven most senior Justices of the Supreme Court. According to the caucus, “What isn’t conventional is the present attempt to influence Chief Justice Ibrahim Tanko, going by reports in the media, to subvert the age-long and time-tested practice, precedent and convention of selecting the most senior Justices of the Supreme Court to hear the presidential election appeal. | Presidential Election Petition, Supreme Court, PDP | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/18/pdp-caucus-cautions-cjn-against-subverting-convention-on-election-petition-panel/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 18th October 2019 | Usage of ICT eliminates multiple registrations, vote fraud, says INEC Chairman | The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has stated that the Commission has employed a number of innovative approaches, including the use of technology to improve the management and conduct of elections in the country. Specifically, the INEC Chairman declared that technology has drastically reduced incidences of electoral malpractices, stressing that research has revealed that the usage of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in election has eliminated incidents of multiple registrations. INEC Chairman made the remarks on the occasion of the public presentation of “Women’s Participation in the 2019 General Elections from an Accountability Perspective: Kano and Oyo Under Spotlight” by the Nigerian Women Trust Fund in Ibadan, Oyo State on Thursday, 17th October 2019. While describing multiple registrations as one of the main political tools for rigging elections by unscrupulous and savage elements, Prof. Yakabu said a review of the ICT system in Nigeria has shown that the introduction of Electronic Voters Register (EVR), Automatic Fingerprints Identification System (AFIS) and Smart Card Reader (SCR) have reduced multiple registration and multiple voting. The INEC Chairman, who was represented by the Commission's Chairman of Outreach and Partnership Committee, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmole, however acknowledged the report that Nigeria was yet to meet up with international standard for the provision of viable, successful and generally accepted electoral system of democracy due to lack of full implementation of the required electronic voting system in the country. He expressed the hope that the full implementation of the required electronic voting system, which entails combining electronic voters register and smart card readers with election result devices that would be self-auditing and fully equipped with real time facuilities would improve election management to meet international standard. | INEC, Nigerian Women Trust Fund | https://guardian.ng/politics/usage-of-ict-eliminates-multiple-registrations-vote-fraud-says-inec-chairman/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, 15th October 2019 | APC crisis deepens, Buhari, Oshiomhole’s States worst hit | The meeting of the State Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha over the lingering crisis in the party, ended in a deadlock. The closed-door meeting convened to review the 10-day ultimatum given to the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) to address concerns within the party, held on Sunday, 13th October 2019 in Abuja. The ultimatum given to the National Chairman of the party elapsed on 3rd October 2019. The APC State Chairmen refused to speak to the media on the outcome of the meeting. The State Chairmen, in a communiqué issued and signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the forum, Ali Bukar Bolari and Ben Nwoye in September 2019, protested against poor reward system in the party, abandonment of founding fathers, neglect of the entire party structure, and failure to produce a substantive National Secretary after the exit of Mai Mala Buni, the present Yobe State Governor. Another issue of concern to the party’s stakeholders is the refusal to convene a quarterly meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), a decision making organ of the party. The meeting was held last 13 months ago. In Katsina, the home State of President Buhari, the crisis is between the Governor, Aminu Bello Masari and a group he describesd as “Abuja forces”, which are said to be undermining his administration, using federal might and resources. There is a similar situation in Edo State, where Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of the party hails from. The rift between the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and Oshiomhole, has tensed up the political atmosphere in the State, ahead of its 2020 governorship election. | APC Crisis | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-crisis-deepens-buhari-oshiomholes-states-worst-hit.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, 15th October 2019 | 2.5m registered voters for Bayelsa, Kogi polls — INEC | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that there are 2,467,088 registered voters for the November 16 governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States. The Commission stated that 1,646,350 registered voters are for Kogi State, while 867,088 are for Bayelsa State. The Commission also stated that a total number of 1,485,828 of the registered voters have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Kogi State. INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Kogi, Nasarawa and Kwara States, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this on Monday, 14th October 2019 in Lokoja at the presentation of the soft copy of the Register of Voters to the 23 political parties listed for the November election. According to him, the Commission’s official Register of Voters used for the 2019 general elections will be used for the November governorship election. The registered voters consist of 825,663 men and 820,687 women. For Bayelsa State, the INEC National Commissioner supervising Bayelsa, Edo and Rivers States, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu presented the Register of Voters in Yenagoa to 45 political parties contesting in the election. | Kogi and Bayelsa 2019 Governorship Elections, INEC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2-5m-registered-voters-for-bayelsa-kogi-polls-inec.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, 15th October 2019 | Double registration: Natasha Akpoti asks court to disqualify Yahaya Bello | Barrister Natasha Akpoti, a governorship aspirant in Kogi State, has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to disqualify Governor Yahaya Bello as a candidate in the forthcoming November 16 governorship election in the State for alleged double registration. Akpoti, in an originating summons filed before the court on Monday, 14th October 2019 by her counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), told the court that Bello’s alleged act of double registration as a voter grossly violated Section 24(e) of the Electoral Act. She also listed the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants in the suit. She further asked the court to, apart from disqualification, bar Bello, the governorship candidate of the APC in the forthcoming poll, from holding public office for 10 years. Akpoti, who was disqualified by INEC from contesting the forthcoming poll on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP), also prayed for another order compelling INEC to “thoroughly investigate the act of double registration” and “to immediately prosecute him (Bello) upon the expiration of his first tenure of office as Governor of Kogi State in January 2020”. Akpoti stated that INEC had severally threatened to prosecute Bello for the said act of double registration with the Commission but failed to take any discernible action in stopping him from contesting the governorship election. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/double-registration-natasha-akpoti-asks-court-to-disqualify-yahaya-bello.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, 15th October 2019 | ‘Katsina APC leaders supported Atiku in 2019’- Kabir Murja | A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kabir Murja, has alleged that the leadership of the party in the State should be held accountable for their “anti-party” role in supporting the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, against Muhammadu Buhari of the APC during the 2019 elections. However, the Special Assistant to the State Governor on Public enlightenment, Abdulaziz Maituraka, faulted the claims, describing it as “frivolous accusation’’ that cannot be substantiated. He stated that Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari was a diehard APC man and a Buharist to the core. He stated that all the anti-party allegations being made by the State chapter of the APC against some key members of the party in Abuja was just a move to gain relevance. | Katsina APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/katsina-apc-leaders-supported-atiku-in-2019.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, 15th October 2019 | Ignore calls for party de-registration, YDP urges INEC | The co-founder of the Young Democratic Party (YDP) and its governorship candidate for the 2019 general elections in Akwa Ibom State, Nya Ezekiel Etuk, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reject calls to de-register political parties. Nigeria currently has 91 registered political parties and there have been calls for de-registration of many of them for non-viability. Etuk, who was also the pioneer National Chairman of YDP, spoke to journalists in Abuja on Monday, 14th October 2019, that the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, should ignore calls for the nation’s political parties to be reduced to only five. | Political Parties, YDP, INEC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ignore-calls-for-party-de-registration-ydp-urges-inec.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, 11th October 2019 | Kogi govrnoreship: 25,000 Policemen deployed as violence, vote buying worry INEC boss | Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu has expressed concern over issues of electoral violence and voter inducement ahead of the November governorship election in Kogi State. He made this known in Lokoja on Thursday, 10th October 2019, during a meeting with governorship candidates in the forthcoming election, political parties and other stakeholders in the electoral process. Mahmood stated that utterances and actions of political actors and their supporters which could lead to violence in the build up to the election were of concern to the Commission, hence the need for the meeting to sensitise critical stakeholders and political actors on the need to give peace a chance before, during and after the election. The INEC Chairman warned that the Commission will not tolerate harassment of election officials at polling units and collation centres during the poll. The IGP, who was represented by the DIG Operations, Abdulmalik Ali, stated that the police was fully prepared to provide adequate security for the election. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kogi-govship-25000-cops-deployed-as-violence-vote-buying-worry-inec-boss.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, 11th October 2019 | 5,000 APC youths stage victory walk for Lyon | Youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State have organised a solidarity walk/sensitization rally to garner support for the victory of their governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon and his running mate, Senator Biobarakumo Degi Eremieyeyo. The youths under the aegis of Sylva Youth Vanguard (SYV), numbering over 5000 from the 105 wards in the State, who commenced a march from the State secretariat of the party in Yenagoa, promised to vote massively for the party’s candidate. Speaking during the rally, the director general of the youth group, Mr Joseph Kiyaramo, stated that the eight years of Dickson’s administration has brought "nothing to the youths but suffering, slavery, joblessness and hunger" and called on the leadership of the party and all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the PDP is voted out during the governorship election. | Bayelsa State 2019 Governorship Election, APC, David Lyon | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/5000-apc-youths-stage-victory-walk-for-lyon.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, 11th October 2019 | Kogi guber: Bello assures of violence-free, credible poll | Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has assured stakeholders and citizens of the State of rancour-free and credible governorship election in the State on November 16, 2019. The Governor gave the assurance on Thursday, 10th October 2019 in Lokoja during a stakeholders' meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to interface with political parties, their candidates, security agencies and others. Governor Bello, while assuring the stakeholders of his commitment to democratisation and the need to protect the integrity of the electoral process, noted his preparedness to ensure governance did not suffer in the course of the election. Governor Bello urged supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his loyalists to remain calm and law-abiding at all times, adding that election is not war and that he would never allow any act of criminality to take place before, during and after the November election. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, APC, Yahaya Bello | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kogi-guber-bello-assures-of-violence-free-credible-poll.html |
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, 11th October 2019 | PDP Withdraws from Ekiti LG Elections, Accuses EKSIEC of Bias | Ahead of the Local Government election in Ekiti State scheduled to hold on 7th December 2019, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ado Local Government Area of the State has withdrawn from the race, stating that it would not allow Governor Kayode Fayemi to use the party members to legitimise a “skewed and predetermined process”. The opposition party added that rather than participating in the elections, it would focus on the 2022 Governorship election in the State. In a statement made on behalf of Ado-Ekiti PDP Stakeholders by Hon. Yinka Olomofe in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, 9th October 2019, the party alleged that the Chairman of Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC), Justice Jide Aladejana lacked the moral impetus to superintend over a body as sensitive as EKSIEC. According to the party, “The integrity of the man named as Chairman of State Independent Electoral Commission is in doubt. A man suspended as Chief Judge of the State due to his professional misconduct lacks moral standing to conduct a free and fair election”. The statement also read thus: “We also frown at the ridiculous amount of money which is said to be about N5 billion purportedly allocated for this shoddy exercise. We will not participate in an exercise which is solely aimed at siphoning the State’s scarce resources”. PDP also cited its resolve not to endanger the lives of its members as another reason its members would not be participating in the elections. However, the SIEC Commissioner in charge of Publicity, Chief Tunde Oloketuyi, stated that Justice Aladejana is still an employee of the State judiciary and eminently qualified to be appointed as a chairman of SIEC. He reiterated the Commission's commitment to remain apolitical and resolute to conduct a free and credible poll. | Ekiti State, Local Government Elections, PDP | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/10/pdp-withdraws-from-ekiti-lg-elections-accuses-eksiec-of-bias/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, 11th October 2019 | APC Group Elects New Leadership | The forum of Non-National Working Committee members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the forum. The Chairman of the Forum, Nelson Alapa, who addressed a press conference on Thursday, 10th October 2019 at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, asked the party stakeholders to ensure that all vacant positions in the APC are filled appropriately to guarantee equity and fairness, especially the reconstitution of the Board of Trustees or National Elders Council of the party. Alapa stated thus: “It is disheartening that the NWC has usurped completely powers of the National Executive Committee (NEC). The negative effects of this are currently hitting back to all levels of the party and portend serious dangers to the stability, coherence, unity, loyalty, commitment and preparedness for continuity in governance". Alapa, therefore, called on all the key stakeholders of the party to ensure that Board of Trustees/National Elders Council is constituted within a reasonable time frame to enhance the party’s status and operational efficiency. | APC, Non-National Working Committee | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/11/apc-group-elects-new-leadership/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 11th October 2019 | Dino Melaye loses appeal as court orders re-election | Nigerian lawmaker, Dino Melaye on Friday, 11th October 2019 lost his appeal of an Election Petitions tribunal judgment that nullified his election as the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District. The Kogi State National and State Assembly Election Tribunal on Friday, 23rd August 2019, nullified Dino Melaye’s election. Melaye, a candidate of the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier been declared the winner of the February 23 election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His victory was challenged in court by Smart Adeyemi, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election. The three-man panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice A. O. Chijioke in a unanimous judgment accepted Adeyemi’s appeal and ordered a re-run election. Melaye expressed hope in winning the re-run election ordered by the court and asked his supporters to be law-abiding, noting that he and his supporters will “always overcome”. | Kogi State, Kogi West Senatorail District | https://guardian.ng/news/dino-melaye-loses-appeal-as-court-orders-re-election/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, 10th October 2019 | INEC insists Natasha’s nomination was invalid | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate’s nomination for the Kogi election was invalid. INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC) Barr. Festus Okoye, who spoke on Wednesday, 9th October 2019 in Lokoja, stated that 23 political parties will be on the ballot for the Kogi election. He added that the nominations by SDP for both Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections were not valid on the ground of fielding underage candidates. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, SDP, Natasha Akpoti | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/inec-insists-natashas-nomination-invalid.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, 10th October 2019 | Bayelsa, Kogi guber: INEC to publish Voters' register Monday, 14th October 2019 | In line with Section 20 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it will officially publish the Register of Voters and present same to all the political parties sponsoring candidates for Bayelsa and Kogi governorship elections scheduled for 16th November 2019, on Monday, 14th October 2019. The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye, made this known on Wednesday, 9th October 2019 in Abuja. He explained that the events will take place at the Commission’s offices in Yenagoa for Bayelsa State and Lokoja for Kogi State and will be presided over by the Supervising National Commissioners, assisted by the Resident Electoral Commissioners of the respective States. He also stated that, “As we continue the countdown to the elections in the two States, the Commission wishes to remind political parties that 2nd November, 2019 is the last day for submission of names of Polling Agents for the election to the Electoral Officers in the two States, while 14 November 20l9 is the last day for campaigns”. | Kogi and Bayesla State 2019 Governorship Elections, INEC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/bayelsa-kogi-guber-inec-to-publish-voters-register-monday.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, 10th October 2019 | LG polls: PDP kicks as Lalong swears in APC candidates as caretakers | Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State on Wednesday, 9th October 2019, swore in caretaker Chairmen for four Local Government Areas (Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom) of the State. Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) had conducted Local Government council polls in October 2018, but exempted the four local governments, citing security reasons and early warning reports of violence. Caretakers were therefore appointed and at the completion of their one-year tenures, another set of caretakers have been appointed. However, the new appointees were candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the polls in October 2018 before it was suspended, thereby causing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to describe the development as undemocratic and unjust. Following this development, spokesman of the PDP in the State, John Akans stated thus: “As a party that believes in the rule of law and also represents the interest and mandates of majority votes in Plateau, we are on this note sending very strong words of caution to PLASIEC, APC and the State Government that any undemocratic act of illegality and injustice will face appropriate resistance from the people of Plateau State. | Plateau State, Local Government Elections, APC, PDP | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/lg-polls-pdp-kicks-as-lalong-swears-in-apc-candidates-as-caretakers.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, 10th October 2019 | APC crisis delays constitution of Kwara cabinet | The constitution of the Kwara State Executive Council has continued to experience delay, months after Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq was sworn in. The Governor, who was sworn in on May 29, 2019, named Mrs Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, Arinola Fatimoh Lawal, Aisha Ahman Pategi, and 26-year-old Joana Nnazua Kolo as the first set of Commissioner nominees. In addition to these, he sent in the names of six Commissioner nominees on Wednesday, 9th October 2019. Reports around Ilorin, the State capital, claim the delay was connected to the crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State. The said rancour was reflected in a statement issued by a group within the party, Kwara APC Unity Group (KAUG), in which it stated that it was investigating the lingering crisis in the State chapter of the party. The State Chairman of the party, Bashir O. Bolarinwa, in a statement addressing the removal of some Local Government Chairmen of the party, expressed concern over the control of the party by "some desperate politicians who are fixated with personal gains". | Kwara State, APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-crisis-delays-constitution-of-kwara-cabinet.html |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 10th October 2019 | Senate Kicks against INEC’s Clearance of Many Candidates for Kogi, Bayelsa Guber Polls | The Senate on Wednesday, 9th October 2019, faulted the clearance of many governorship candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the forthcoming governorship elections in both Kogi and Bayelsa States. The Senate committee on INEC at a meeting with the leadership of the Commission described the clearance of the candidates to contest the two Governorship elections as a clear contravention of the provisions of the amended Electoral Act. Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Kabiru Gaya questioned the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, as to why such “failed” political parties would be allowed to appear on the ballot in Kogi and Bayelsa States. He, however, expressed his committee’s resolve to reduce the number of existing political parties to three or five. According to Gaya, "We need to amend the Act to reduce the political parties to a maximum of five. This committee is really committed to reducing the number of political parties to save tax payers' money. In his response, Prof. Yakubu stated that the Commission was in a fix with regard to deregisteration of political parties as a result of pending electoral litigations. He added that although the Commission could systematically deregister parties under the provisions of the Electoral Act, the parties have insisted that the Electoral Act is inferior to the Nigerian Constitution. | Senate, Political Parties, INEC | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/10/senate-kicks-against-inecs-clearance-of-many-candidates-for-kogi-bayelsa-guber-polls/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 10th October 2019 | EFCC Recovers N65m from INEC Office in Zamfara | The Sokoto State Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) wednesday raided the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Zamfara State, recovering of the sum of N65,548,000. The money in higher denominations of naira notes was recovered from two fire proof safe during a search in the offices of the head of Accounts and Cashier of INEC in the State. The operation was sequel to a petition by an ad hoc staff of the electoral body, alleging that officials of the commission illegally deducted part of the allowance due to them for the last general election. The recovered fund is suspected be part of the funds illegally deducted from releases meant to cater for the movement of materials and electoral officials as well as provision of chairs, tables and canopies for the 2019 governorship and presidential elections in the state. Before the raid, the commission few days ago, had arrested four officials of INEC in the state for alleged conspiracy, breach of trust and criminal diversion of ad hoc staff allowance to the tune of N84,696,000. | EFCC, INEC Zamfara | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/10/efcc-recovers-n65m-from-inec-office-in-zamfara/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, 9th October 2019 | INEC recruits 16,139 ad-hoc staff for Kogi governorship | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday, 8th October 2019 stated that it has recruited 16,139 ad-hoc staff for the conduct of the Kogi State governorship election. INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Barr. Festus Okoye, disclosed this at Federal College of Education Okene during the Commission’s campus outreach tagged ‘Youth Votes Count’, organised by the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) in collaboration with INEC. He stated that the outreach was imperative because students represent 95 per cent of election ad hoc staff, stressing that there was need to sensitise them before the election. “We will train all the ad hoc staff for the election because we require credible election in Kogi State. Election will take place in 2,548 polling units, across the 21 LGAs of the State”. In his remarks, the Provost of the college, Dr. Umar Hassan, stated that for the country to attain the desired development, youths have significant roles to play, adding that the youths form the fulcrum of any nation’s development. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, INEC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/inec-recruits-16139-ad-hoc-staff-for-kogi-govship.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, 9th October 2019 | PDP to Buhari: Your budget proposal will impoverish Nigerians | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the National Assembly to redirect President Muhammadu Buhari’s proposed N10.7 trillion 2020 budget presented to it on Tuesday, 8th October 2019. PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, expressed fear that if not redirected, the budget would further impoverish Nigerians and mortgage the future of the nation. According to the party, “The core of the budget remained hazy, showing streaks of padding, fraudulent duplications, replete with false performance indices, deceptive projections and inexplicable expenditure assertions which create openings for continued looting of our national patrimony by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and persons close to the Presidency”. The PDP added that the budget was skewed to serve the interest of the opulent, as projects that had direct bearing on the wellbeing of the masses were not substantially accommodated in the overall expenditure profile. The party also challenged the Presidency to make public the details of the Presidency allocation for Nigerians. | President Buhari, 2020 Budget | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-to-buhari-your-budget-proposal-will-impoverish-nigerians.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, 9th October 2019 | Abuja forces undermining Masari to be sanctioned — Katsina APC | The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State has announced that it is awaiting the report of its disciplinary committee on alleged anti-party activities of some of its Abuja-based members, before making any names public. Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari alleged that some forces of the APC in Abuja were undermining his administration. Following that, the State Chairman of the party, Shitu Shitu stated that the APC is a party that believes in the rule of law and would follow due process in all its activities. He added that no one is above the party's laws and laid down rules must be obeyed, underscoring that “anyone found wanting will surely be sanctioned accordingly”. | APC, Katsina State, Governor Aminu Masari | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/abuja-forces-undermining-masari-to-be-sanctioned-katsina-apc.html |
| Punch Newspaper | Wednesday, 9th October 2019 | Embattled Bayelsa Speaker ‘resigns’ | The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has received an official letter of resignation from the embattled former Speaker of the House, Mr Tonye Isenah. Isenah’s letter was read on the floor of the House by his successor Mr. Monday Bubou-Obolo, during plenary on Monday, 7th October 2019. It will be recalled that Isenah was impeached on September 30, 2019, by 17 out of the 18 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers of the 24-member Assembly, following his refusal to resign and in his place, Bubou-Obolo was elected speaker. The former speaker’s resignation letter was dated 30th September 2019, the day he was removed by the lawmakers. He stated that the resignation became “necessary for peace to reign and for the greater good of the State”. | Bayelsa State House of Assembly | https://punchng.com/embattled-bayelsa-speaker-resigns/ |
| Punch Newspaper | Wednesday, 9th October 2019 | SDP candidate denies stepping down for Bello | The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in Kogi State, Natasha Akpoti, has denied stepping down for the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. Akpoti made her position known in a press statement on Tuesday, 8th October 2019 in Lokoja, through the spokesman of her campaign organisation, Odaudu Joel. Part of the statement read: “On no condition will Natasha Akpoti ever turn her back on the people to whom she has sworn to provide good governance and liberate from maladministration in Kogi State. We reiterate that the candidacy of Natasha Akpoti is not a negotiable enterprise to be traded to the same elements that she is trying to liberate the impoverished and weary people of Kogi State from". | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, Natasha Akpoti, SDP | https://punchng.com/sdp-candidate-denies-stepping-down-for-bello/ |
| Punch Newspaper | Wednesday, 9th October 2019 | Alleged corruption: Obaseki suspends another council boss | Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday, 8th October 2019, suspended the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Patrick Aguinede over alleged corrupt practices. Aguinede is the third Local Government Chair to be suspended in the past three months by the Governor. The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Monday Osaigbovo, who confirmed the suspension of Aguinede stated that he was suspended for a period of two months to allow investigation into allegations made against him. According to him, one of the allegations was made by an estate agent, who wrote a petition that he helped Aguinede to buy a house for N30 million but that Aguinede refused to pay his agency fees. Osaigbovo also stated that Aguinede was alleged not to have been remitting the accurate sum of money collected as Internally Generated Revenue. In reaction to his suspension, Aguinede stated he has accepted it in good faith. | Edo State, Governor Obaseki | https://punchng.com/alleged-corruption-obaseki-suspends-another-council-boss/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, 8th October 2019 | APC Governors admit existence of Internal Crisis in the Ruling Party | Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, 7th October 2019, did an appraisal of the ruling party, and admitted the existence of an internal crisis in the party, especially with the lack of synergy between the Governors and the Federal legislators. The APC Governors under the aegis of Progressive Governors Forum have therefore expressed concern in this regard. The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, who led the Governors on a visit to the leadership of the National Assembly, explained that they came to present the report of the Forum’s committee on Legislative Matters, headed by the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari, to the National Assembly. Commenting on the report, Masari lamented that all efforts by his committee to come up with an acceptable mutual relationship between the Governors and the National Assembly members had not been successful. According to Masari, “The absence of co-ordination has produced crisis of trust, which if care is not taken can destroy our party and the political process. So, as leaders, we need to make amends, especially in the area of management of political relations among all the party stakeholders". | APC, Governors, National Assembly members | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/08/apc-govs-admit-existence-of-internal-crisis-in-ruling-party/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, 8th October 2019 | Dickson cautions security agencies against intimidation | Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson has called on the Independnet National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to maintain peaceful conduct during the November 16 governorship election in the State. He made the call while speaking in Yenagoa during the campaign rally flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the election of Senator Douye Diri as the next Governor of the State. Governor Dickson stated thus: “Please don’t use your power to advance the evil ambition of any politician; our State is peaceful even now, and we will continue to work with all agencies to make it more peaceful”. | Bayelsa State 2019 Governorship Election, Governor Seriake Dickson | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/dickson-cautions-security-agencies-against-intimidation.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, 8th October 2019 | Wada igniting violence in Kogi, APC alleges | The Secretary of the Media and Publicity committee of the Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council, Dr. Tom Ohikere, has called on the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr Musa Wada, not to heat up the polity in the State through his actions and utterances. The APC chieftain, who stated that Kogi State has enjoyed relative calm in recent times under Governor Yahaya Bello’s war against insecurity, stated that entry into the State by Wada for the official commencement of his campaign has ignited violence in the State. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, APC, PDP | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/wada-igniting-violence-in-kogi-apc-alleges.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, 8th October 2019 | Bauchi Governorship: Tribunal upholds Bala Muhammed’s election | The Bauchi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Monday, 7th October 2019, upheld the election of Bala Muhammed as the duly elected Governor of Bauchi State. The petition was filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, the immediate past Governor of Bauchi State, Muhammed Abdullahi Abubakar, alleging over voting, gross malpractices and irregularities in Bauchi, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State. Abubakar had asked the tribunal to declare him winner of the March 9, 2019 election which was concluded on March 23, 2019 following a supplementary election. He asked the court to alternatively nullify the election in 336 polling units in three local governments of Bauchi, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro LGAs against Bala Muhammed, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the election. The tribunal panel led by Justice Salihu Shuaibu dismissed the petition in its entirety for failure of the petitioners to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt. | Bauchi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal,. APC, PDP | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/just-in-bauchi-governorship-tribunal-upholds-bala-muhammeds-election.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, 8th October 2019 | Tribunal upholds Ortom's election | Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Monday, 7th October 2019 floored his opponent of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emmanuel Jime at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Makurdi. The tribunal led by Justice Olusiyi Henry upheld the election of Ortom as the duly elected Governor of the State. Jime, had earlier dragged Ortom of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the tribunal seeking nullification of the latter’s election and his (Jime) return as winner of the polls. However, Justice Henry in his ruling, dismissed the petition on the ground that the petitioners failed completely to prove that Ortom did not win the election by the majority of lawful votes cast. He added that the petitioners also failed to prove that the election did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act. He explained that even if deductions are made as pleaded by the petitioners, the margin of lead was high and as such, the petition should be struck out in its entirety. The tribunal therefore upheld the election of Ortom, stressing that the petition brought before it by Jime and the APC lacked merit. | Benue State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, APC, PDP | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/updated-ortom-floors-jime-at-tribunal.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, 8th October 2019 | Kogi guber: PDP cautions Bello, APC against ethnic politics | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Governorship flag bearer in Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to desist from playing the 'ethnic card' and to get ready to face the electoral consequences of the alleged poor governance it foisted on the people of Kogi State since 2016. The party also warned against the alleged recourse to violence by the Governor of the State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the APC and its supporters. The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, who spoke to journalists in the course of the PDP campaign inauguration in Lokoja, Kogi State stated that the ongoing attempts by the APC to ethnicise the November 16th governorship election was “dead on arrival”. He also stated that the APC administration under Bello was a “complete failure and an embarrassment to the people of the State who are known in the country and beyond for their integrity and industry in all areas of human endeavours”. He lamented that the people of Kogi State had suffered untold hardship, pain and agony under Governor Bello and the APC. Furthermore, Ologbondiyan assured that the issues of non-payment of salaries, allowances and pensions would become a thing of the past under a PDP-led administration as from January 28, 2020. He therefore, urged the electorate to remain firm and resolute in their standing with the PDP governorship candidate, Engr Musa Wada, in the quest to rescue the State from the current administration. | Kogi 2019 Governorship Election, PDP, APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kogi-guber-pdp-cautions-bello-apc-against-ethnic-politics.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, 7th October 2019 | Tambuwal persecuting APC members in civil service — Aliyu | Congress (APC), in the 2019 general elections in Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, has alleged that APC members working in the State civil service were being maltreated through punitive postings, transfers and denial of salaries. He stated this while addressing a crowd of APC supporters who gathered to welcome the party leader, Senator Aliyu Wamakko at his Gawon Nama residence in Sokoto State, on his return from Abuja. However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State has rebutted claims that the State government was persecuting APC supporters in the civil service. According to the State Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma, “Our party, as well as the entire people of Sokoto State are aware that these allegations by the APC are actually right out of their post-election blueprint, if they had won. It is common knowledge that the APC planned a massive sack of civil servants who did not support their party and targeted many of them for physical assault and other forms of humiliation”. | Sokoto State, PDP, APC, Ahmed Aliyu | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/tambuwal-persecuting-apc-members-in-civil-service-aliyu.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, 7th October 2019 | Court determines Diri, Alaibe’s fate today | A Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has fixed Monday, 7th October 2019 for hearing of the suit filed by the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidacy in Bayelsa State, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, against the emergence of Senator Douye Diri as the governorship candidate of the party. In the suit, Alaibe who emerged as the first runner up in the September 3, 2019 governorship primary of PDP, challenged what he described as the failure of the party to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, the PDP constitution and its guidelines. He is alleging manipulation of the processes adopted during the governorship primaries in the State, stating that he was brazenly robbed by the emergence of Diri as flag bearer of the party. | Bayelsa State, Timi Alaibe, Duoye Diri | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/court-determines-diri-alaibes-fate-today-2.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, 7th October 2019 | Kebbi APC suspends aspirant over utterances | The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, has suspended a Council Chairmanship aspirant, Shafiu Abubakar, over what it described as unlawful utterances. Umaru Bakatara, Chairman of Zauro ward in Birnin Kebbi, disclosed this on Sunday, 6th October 2019 at a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi. He stated thus: ”This is to inform you that following the unguided and disrespectful utterances by Shafiu Abubakar directed at the government of APC in Kebbi State on Saturday, 5th October 2019 through a radio interview, the party has therefore suspended him from the party and we wish to inform you that APC Zauro ward has disassociated itself and it is not in any way in support of his actions. The leadership of the ward wish to register its unflinching support and loyalty to the constituted authorities of the government of Kebbi State under the leadership of Governor Abubakar Bagudu”. Abubakar, however, insists that his suspension was null and void, stating that the Zauro ward executives of the party have no jurisdiction under the law to suspend him for merely expressing his views as enshrined in the constitution. | APC, Kebbi State, Abubakar Zauro | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kebbi-apc-suspends-aspirant-over-utterances.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, 7th October 2019 | PDP urges Police, DSS to investigate attack on Kogi governorship candidate | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council has urged the Kogi State’s Commissioner of Police and Director of DSS in the State to investigate the attack on the convoy of the party’s governorship candidate, Engr Musa Wada in Ankpa area of Kogi State on Saturday, 5th October 2019. The party, in a statement by its Director of Public Communication for the campaign council, Comrade Austin Usman Okai, stated that Engr Wada's convoy was attacked in Ankpa by some top politicians allegedly belonging to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area. Okai, therefore, urged security agencies to immediately investigate the incident. Comrade Okai underscored that the call became imperative as the location was the same venue a top leader of the APC recently boasted that anybody who does not intend to vote for the party’s governorship candidate should not come home for the election during the youth summit. Okai drew attention to the repeated attacks on the PDP in the State, as the party's candidate begins his campaign. He urged the members of the ruling party in the State to “imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and conduct themselves in an orderly manner". Kogi State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Busari confirmed the incident, stating that one person was injured. He added that the police have commenced investigations into the matter. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, APC, PDP | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-urges-police-dss-to-investigate-attack-on-kogi-guber-candidate.html |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, 7th October 2019 | Warring Bayelsa Assembly Leaders Strike Peace Deal | A reconciliatory meeting held by Governor Seriake Dickson on Sunday, 6th October 2019 has culminated in a peace deal between the impeached Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Tonye Isenah and his successor, Monday Obolo. Dickson had prevailed on the former speaker on the need to accept his removal and work for his kinsman, Douye Diri, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 16 governorship election. The former Speaker, who had not been seen in public since his impeachment was present at the reconciliatory meeting, which also, had Diri in attendance. Confirming the peace deal, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei stated thus: “The PDP is one big strong, reliable and cohesive family in Bayelsa and its umbrella is formidable enough to accommodate the members. Political differences are not substitutes for irreconcilable disagreements and bitterness". | Bayelsa State 2019 Governorship Election, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, PDP, Seriake Dickson | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/07/warring-bayelsa-assembly-leaders-strike-peace-deal/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, 7th October 2019 | Wike flays rivals’ claims that no governorship election held in Rivers State | Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has berated opposition political parties over their claims at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, that there was no election in the State on March 9, 2019. He was reacting to the dismissal of the petitions of governorship candidates of the African Democratic Party (ADP), Victor Fingesi and Biokpomabo Awara of the African Action Congress (AAC) against his victory. Wike, who was accompanied by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Uche Secondus and other PDP leaders in Rivers State, stated this during a thanksgiving service at Government House Chapel of Everlasting Grace in Port Harcourt. He stated that the tribunal’s judgment has accentuated his victory, pointing out that if not for the opposition parties’ reliance on connections, all PDP candidates in the 2019 general elections had no opponents in the State. | River State, PDP, Governor Nyesom Wike | https://guardian.ng/politics/wike-flays-rivals-claims-of-no-guber-polls-in-rivers/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, 4th October 2019 | We’ll reclaim our stolen mandate in Sokoto — APC | The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State has described as unfair the judgement of the Election Petition tribunal that dismissed its case challenging the election of Governor Aminu Tambuwal. The party, however called on its teeming members across the State to remain calm and peaceful, while it explores all available legal means to reclaim its stolen mandate. The State Chairman, Isa Acida, in a statement revealed that their lawyers are studying details of the judgement with a view to filing an appeal at the appropriate court of law. According to Acida, “Sokoto State chapter of the APC wishes to state categorically that it rejects the ruling. We believe that the judgement has turned justice on its head. We remain committed to defending our interest at all times”. | Sokoto State, Governorship Election Petition tribunal, Governor Tambuwal, APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/well-reclaim-our-stolen-mandate-in-sokoto-apc.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, 4th October 2019 | 51 political parties ready for Kebbi LG poll — KESIEC | The Kebbi State Independent Electoral Commission (KESIEC) has stated that 51 political parties have confirmed their readiness to participate in the Local Government council election scheduled for October 26 2019, in the State. The State electoral body stated that only five political parties sought extension of time for the election by three weeks. KESIEC Commissioner II, in charge of Media and Public Relations, Kabiru Muhammed Dabai, stated this to journalists while speaking on the level of preparedness of the electoral body for the conduct of the poll. Though he did not mention the parties that had sought for three weeks extension, he stated, “we have sat with 51 political parties and we have agreed that election should hold in all 21 Local Government Areas of the State on the 26th of October, 2019 and the parties have signed agreement with KESIEC”. He refuted claims that a political party had secured an injunction restraining the Commission from holding the election as scheduled. | Kebbi State, Local Government Elections | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/51-political-parties-ready-for-kebbi-lg-poll-kesiec.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, 4th October 2019 | Bayelsa, Kogi guber: PWDs want Electoral Act amendment over voting materials | Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), under the aegis of Access Nigeria: Disability Votes Matter campaign, have called for the immediate amendment of Section 56(2) of the Electoral Act. The call was contained in the communique of the “Fourth Edition of The Access Nigeria Quarterly Roundtable on Inclusive Elections in Nigeria” held in Abuja. The forum is part of the campaigns to make Nigeria’s elections more accessible and inclusive for the country’s estimated 30 million PWDs. The communique stated that it was important that Section 56(2) of the Electoral Act be amended by the National Assembly to make it mandatory for the Independet National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide PWDs voting materials and to ensure they are institutionalised. The communique was signed by the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of Kogi and Bayelsa States, two National Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as heads of various organisations projecting the interests of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The participants also commended INEC for acting on the resolutions of the third edition of the stakeholders' round table. Some of the developments undertaken by the Commission include the building of ramps in the Bayelsa State office of the Commission, training of election workers on materials and processes like the Braille ballot guide, Form EC 30E PWD and EC 40H. | Electoral Act, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/bayelsa-kogi-guber-pwds-want-electoral-act-amendment-over-voting-materials.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, 4th October 2019 | Supreme Court strikes out HDP’s appeal against Buhari’s election | The Supreme Court has struck out the appeal by the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) challenging the election of President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 23 presidential election. A five-member panel of justices presided by Justice Mary Odili on Thursday, 3rd October 2019, unanimously held that HDP has no valid appeal before the apex court and therefore struck out the two appeals. HDP’s presidential candidate, Ambrose Owuru had brought the appeal following the dismissal of his petition by the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal on August 22 2019. Owuru and HDP had claimed they won a referendum conducted on February 16 following the postponement of the general election, by 50 million votes. Defence lawyers, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), representing President Buhari; Yunus Ustaz Usman (SAN) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) all asked the tribunal to dismiss the appeal for being incompetent since both HDP and Owuru filed two notices of appeal with related grounds rather than one notice of appeal with additional grounds of appeal. Justice Odili upheld the argument of the lawyers. She stated that the ground of multiplicity of petitions, which was used by the tribunal to dismiss the petition was not appealed and therefore the court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the appeal. | Presidential Election Petition, Supreme Court, HDP, APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/s-court-strikes-out-hdps-appeal-against-buharis-election.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, 4th October 2019 | Ogun: Akinlade files 20 grounds of appeal against Abiodun’s victory | The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate in the March 9 election in Ogun State, Adekunle Akinlade on Thursday, 3rd October 2019 formally filed 20 grounds of appeal against the Election Petitions Tribunal judgement, which validated Governor Dapo Abiodun’s election. The panel led by Justice Yusuf Halilu had on September 14 dismissed the petition filed by Akinlade and his party over failure to prove the allegations. The appellants alleged that the tribunal made “a volte-face on several grounds upon which the case was decided, thereby occasioning a miscarriage of justice”. Akinlade and his party prayed the court to set aside the tribunal judgment, stating that it was not based on the issues canvassed by the petitioners, especially in relation to the respondent’s academic qualifications. The notice of appeal also alleged that the trial judges denied the APM and Akinlade fair hearing with their judgment at the tribunal. | Governorship Election Petition, Court of Appeal, APM, APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ogun-akinlade-files-20-grounds-of-appeal-against-abioduns-victory.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, 4th October 2019 | You’ll handover Bayelsa to Lyon, Oshiomhole tells Dickson | National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has stated that Governor Seriake Dickson has resorted to using ‘terrorist’ tag on his party’s governorship candidate, David Lyon because of the aspirants intimidating qualities. Oshiomhole spoke on Thursday in Abuja, while addressing Bayelsa State APC stakeholders and aggrieved governorship aspirants during a reconciliatory meeting at the APC national secretariat. According to Oshiomhole, “Let me use this opportunity to reply directly to my friend, Governor Dickson of Bayelsa. I think he has allowed his fears, lack of self-confidence, his imminent defeat that awaits him and his party to overcloud his judgement to resort to the use of inelegant language and uncouth statement to describe one of his own and a fellow citizen of Bayelsa. Let me assure him (Dickson), that we will not go low as he has chosen to but we will rather go high and higher until he packs out of government house and hands over decently like a gentleman to our candidate, by the special grace of God, the next governor of Bayelsa State, David Lyon”. | Bayelsa State 2019 Governorship Election, Governor Seriake Dickson, PDP, Adams Oshiomhole, APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/youll-handover-bayelsa-to-lyon-oshiomhole-tells-dickson.html |
| Friday, 4th October 2019 | Guardian Newspaper | Oshiomhole distances APC from Supreme Court justices selection | National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has explained that the party has no hand in the recent appointment of Supreme Court justices. Interacting with Bayelsa State stakeholders of the party Thurday, 3rd October 2019, he expressed optimism that the Supreme Court would uphold the election of President Muhammadu Buhari. Oshiomhole, who accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of dragging the judiciary in the mud to score political points, also distanced himself from posters in parts of the country tipping him as APC Vice Presidential candidate in 2023. He reiterated his party’s commitment towards delivery of democracy dividends to Nigerians. | APC, Adams Oshiomhole, Supreme Court | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, 3rd October 2019 | Ganduje, Lalong, Tambuwal win at tribunal; PDP to appeal verdict in Kano | The Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday, 2nd October 2019, upheld the election of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje after dismissing the appeal filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, Abba Kabiru Yusuf for lacking merit. Speaking with Journalists after the judgement was delivered, PDP Chairman, Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, confirmed that PDP would appeal the tribunal’s judgment, insisting that it would exhaust all legal means to seek victory. The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Mohammad Halima Shamaki maintained that the petitioners did not lead credible evidence in the case. Shamaki added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) decision to conduct a supplementary election was not a unilateral action, but a collective endorsement of all party agents including the PDP. The Plateau State Governorship Election Petition tribunal sitting in Jos dismissed the petition filed by PDP gubernatorial candidate, General Jeremiah Timbut Useni, challenging the election of Governor Simon Bako Lalong of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Having reviewed the arguments and final written addresses of the parties, the tribunal held that the petitioners failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt. The three–man panel headed by Justice Halimat Saleeman added that the evidence of the witnesses collapsed ab initio and should be discountenanced. Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja dismissed the petition filed against the election of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. The three-man panel in a unanimous decision upheld Tambuwal’s election as Governor of Sokoto State. In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Abbas Abdullahi, the tribunal held that the petitioners failed to prove allegations of over-voting, electoral frauds and partial non-compliance. | Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Kano, Plateau, Sokoto, APC, PDP | https://guardian.ng/news/ganduje-lalong-tambuwal-win-at-tribunal-pdp-to-appeal-verdict/">https://guardian.ng/news/ganduje-lalong-tambuwal-win-at-tribunal-pdp-to-appeal-verdict/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, 3rd October 2019 | PDP cautions APC, presidency over alleged third term agenda | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday, 2nd October 2019, cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency against purported plans to push a third term agenda for President Muhammadu Buhari. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, it described the alleged plot as a dangerous underhand politics capable of derailing Nigeria’s democracy. It also described the statements from the presidency and the APC as an unhealthy ploy to introduce a repugnant issue into official discourse in a bid to give it a life and achieve its fruition in the nation’s politics. The statement further read thus: “It is preposterous for the Presidency cabal and the APC to think that Nigerians cannot see through their shenanigan to import and elevate what they labeled as rumour and internet-based gossip, into official national discourse". The party urged President Muhammadu Buhari to speak out and immediately call his supporters to order as Nigerians would not allow anybody, no matter how highly placed, to alter any part of the constitution to serve a selfish interest. | President Buhari, Third Term, APC, PDP | https://guardian.ng/news/pdp-cautions-apc-presidency-over-alleged-third-term-agenda/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 3rd October 2019 | Bayelsa Guber: Dickson, PDP’s Rigging Plan will Fail, Nabena Alleges | The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Yekini Nabena, has alleged that the plan by the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, to rig the November 16 governorship election in the State in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate will fail. Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, 2nd October 2019, he also raised alarm over the level of insecurity in the State ahead of the governorship election, following the violence that erupted in the State capital, Yenogoa on Monday, 30th September 2019 after the purported removal of the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. Nabena further stated: “We cannot allow the Governor for the sake of his selfish politics, undermine and rubbish the work of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure lasting peace and security in Bayelsa State and the entire Niger Delta. Governor Dickson should also be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the coming election”. Nabena also alleged that the PDP had mobilised thugs with dangerous weapons from neighbouring States to cause unrest in the State ahead of the poll. He added that a petition had been sent to the Inspector General of Police on the worsening security situation in the State. | Bayelsa State 2019 Governorship Election, APC, PDP, Yekini Nabena, Seriake Dickson | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/03/bayelsa-guber-dickson-pdps-rigging-plan-will-fail-nabena-alleges/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, 3rd October 2019 | SDP sues INEC for disqualifying Governorship candidate | The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has filed a suit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the disqualification of its governorship candidate in Kogi State, Natasha Hadiza Akpoti, for presenting an underaged running mate. National Chairman of the party, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, who addressed journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, 2nd October 2019, enjoined Kogi electorate and the supporters of Barrister Akpoti to keep faith as the party would get justice. He described her disqualification as not only a sad development but a great disservice to democracy and an infringement on the rights of Nigerian citizens of Kogi extraction. He described as false the statement credited to the National Commissioner and spokesperson of INEC, Mr. Festus Okoye, on a live television programme, that SDP had accepted that it would not be included on the ballot for the November 16, 2019 Kogi State governorship election. | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, SDP, Natasha Akpoti | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/sdp-sues-inec-for-disqualifying-govship-candidate-2.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, 3rd October 2019 | Group canvasses supports for Bello, Onoja | The Chairperson of African Youth Leaders Roundtable, Comrade Ben Duntoye, has called on Kogi youths across the country to support the re-election of Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and his running mate, Chief Edward Onoja, for a second term. Duntoye, who spoke with journalists in Lokoja, stated that it was important for the people to rally round the Governor so that “he can complete the numerous people-oriented projects presently going on in the State". He added that the nomination of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, as running mate to the Governor was a good omen as Onoja has shown that he has what it takes to be Deputy Governor of the State. Duntoye further stated that, “Since the Governor has been tested, trusted and has just another four years to spend in office, it is wiser for the people of the State to vote for him instead of another experiment with another governorship candidate. Another four years of Yahaya Bello will bring about consolidation of landmark achievements and greater youth empowerment and youth involvement in decision making". | Kogi State 2019 Governorship Election, APC, African Youth Leaders | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/group-canvasses-supports-for-bello-onoja.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, 3rd October 2019 | Tambuwal extends olive branch to Sokoto APC, Aliyu | Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Wednesday, 2nd October 2019, dedicated his victory at the election petitions tribunal to the Almighty God and the people of the State. While addressing supporters at the Government House in Sokoto, Governor Tambuwal stated that, he and his party won in the first round of election before it was declared inconclusive and won yet again after the rerun was conducted. In addition, they won at the election petitions tribunal. As such, there was every cause to celebrate. However, he called on the APC’s candidate, Ahmed Aliyu and members of the party to join hands with him to move the State forward. He stated thus: “I hereby extend the hand of fellowship and an olive branch for them to work with us for the good people of Sokoto together because we have no other State but Sokoto State". | Sokoto State, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, PDP, APC, Aliyu | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/just-in-tambuwal-extends-olive-branch-to-sokoto-apc- |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, 2nd October 2019 | Buhari Rejects Insinuation of third term, Says It’s uninformed | President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, 1st October 2019, reacted to messages and commentaries on social media, that he was seeking to amend the Constitution to spend a third term in office. The insinuation became stronger when some of his supporters began to stage demonstrations, urging him to go for a third term. According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the President explained that under no circumstance could he amend the Constitution to give him a third term. The statement read: “The Presidency wishes to correct internet-based gossip and uninformed media commentary regarding presidential term limits, given credence by so-called support groups, staging street demonstrations asking President Muhammadu Buhari to do a third term. President Buhari intends to serve his full second elected term in office, ending 2023 and then there shall be a general election in which he will not be a candidate. President Buhari is a democrat. He respects the Constitution. Any activity aimed at altering the two-term limit will not succeed and shall never have his time nor support”. | President Buhari, Third Term | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/independence-day-kogi-sdp-guber-candidate-natasha-urges-supporters-not-to-lose-hope.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, 2nd October 2019 | Independence Day: Kogi SDP guber candidate, Natasha urges supporters not to lose hope | The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State, Natasha Akpoti, has called on the people of Kogi State to remain steadfast in their clamour for good governance, and in the pursuit of peace and unity in the State. Part of her statement read thus: “To all friends and supporters of our movement to provide good governance to Kogites, we are on course. No amount of scheming and plotting by those who want to hold our State to ransom and to impoverish the ordinary people by hijacking our commonwealth will work. We will combat and surmount the hurdles together. Come November 2019, I will be on the ballot; I will contest and win the gubernatorial election of Kogi State. I urge you all to remain steadfast and not lose heart”. | Kogi State Governorship Election, Natasha Akpoti, SDP | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/independence-day-kogi-sdp-guber-candidate-natasha-urges-supporters-not-to-lose-hope.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, 2nd October 2019 | Buhari’s independence broadcast mockery of democracy — PDP | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s Independence Day broadcast as an insult on the psyche of Nigerians and a mockery of the nation’s democracy. PDP, in a statement made on Tuesday, 1st October 2019 by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated that the speech was completely ‘unpresidential’, lacking in patriotic stance and replete with manifest inconsistencies, contradictions, paradoxes and false performance claims. Buhari in his recorded address, failed to address the key issues of freedom, social justice, constitutional order, separation of powers, rule of law, human rights, credible elections, national cohesion, accountability and transparency in government". According to the party, it regretted that President Buhari had no forceful reassurances on the challenge of escalated insecurity under his watch. The PDP Spokesperson added that, “Our party notes that this address further exposes that the Buhari presidency is not interested in nation building; that it is completely disconnected from the people and remains insensitive to the plights of Nigerians”. | Indpendence Day broadcast, PDP, President Buhari | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buharis-independence-broadcast-mockery-of-democracy-pdp-2.html |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, 2nd October 2019 | PDP members in Omala LGA in Kogi defect to APC | Ahead of the November 16 election in Kogi State, some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Omala Local Government Area (LGA) of the State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). A former Chairman of the LGA, Alih Ajuh, led other members of PDP including youth and women leaders, as well as party faithfuls from across the wards in the LGA to the APC at a ceremony held in Abejukolo. Receiving the defectors, the Administrator of Omala LGA, Ibrahim Aboh, charged the new entrants to maintain high sense of integrity and party loyalty to ensure smooth re-election of the APC candidate, Governor Yahaya Bello and his running mate, Chief Edward David Onoja, in the forthcoming governorship election. | Kogi State Governorship Election, PDP, APC, Defection | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-members-in-omala-lga-defect-to-apc.html |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 2nd October 2019 | Buhari Rejects Insinuation of third term, says it is uninformed | President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, 1st October 2019, reacted to messages and commentaries on social media, that he was seeking to amend the Constitution to spend a third term in office. The insinuation became stronger when some of his supporters began to stage demonstrations, urging him to go for a third term. According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the President explained that under no circumstance could he amend the Constitution to give him a third term. The statement read: “The Presidency wishes to correct internet-based gossip and uninformed media commentary regarding presidential term limits, given credence by so-called support groups, staging street demonstrations asking President Muhammadu Buhari to do a third term. President Buhari intends to serve his full second elected term in office, ending 2023 and then there shall be a general election in which he will not be a candidate. President Buhari is a democrat. He respects the Constitution. Any activity aimed at altering the two-term limit will not succeed and shall never have his time nor support”. | President Buhari, Third Term | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/01/buhari-rejects-insinuation-of-third-term-says-its-uninformed/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 2nd October 2019 | EFCC Grills INEC Officials in Zamfara | The Sokoto State Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Administrative Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Zamfara State, Hassan Sidi Aliyu; Head of Operations, Hussain Jafar; Accountant, Abdullahi Yusuf Abubakar and another official of the electoral body in Zamfara State, Abdulmumin Usman, for an alleged conspiracy, breach of trust and criminal diversion of ad hoc staff allowance to the tune of N84,696,000. The petitioner, one Abdullahi Nasiru, who wrote on behalf of all Presiding Officers that worked for INEC during the 2019 presidential and gubernatorial elections in Zamfara State, alleged that the ad hoc staff were denied payment of their N6,000 movement allowance each for the two elections. The Commission allegedly paid its staff the sum of N9,000 in Zamfara while in other States like Sokoto State, the Commission paid N12,000. Investigation by the EFCC revealed that none of the 10,500 presiding officers who participated in the elections were paid their entitlements, commutatively put at N84,696,000. Effort is being made by the Commission to recover the money allegedly diverted by the three INEC Heads of department and Electoral Officers of the 14 Local Government Areas in Zamfara State. According to EFCC, the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is completed. | INEC Zamfara, EFCC | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/02/efcc-grills-inec-officials-in-zamfara/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 2nd October 2019 | Atiku Intervenes in Kogi PDP Crisis | Ahead of the November 16 gubernatorial election in Kogi State, a former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has waded into the crisis in the State’s branch of the party, stating that unity among the warring factions is needed to win the poll. As part of the ongoing reconciliations, Atiku was reported to have met with the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Mr. Mohammed Wada, in Dubai and also met with Senator Dino Melaye, one of the contenders for the party’s ticket, on how to mend the cracks that became bigger after the party’s primaries. Atiku would also meet with the former Governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris, to reconcile him with his son, Suleiman Idris, who is believed to be the sponsor of the PDP governorship candidate. Furthermore, the purpose of the said meeting is to ensure that Sulaeiman Idris withdraws his court case against Wada and pave the way for the flag-off of the governorship campaign in the State. | Kogi State Governorship Election, Atiku Abubakar, PDP | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/02/saying-unity-needed-to-win-atiku-intervenes-in-kogi-pdp-crisis/ |