PDP supporters protest against polls’ result

Supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday took to the streets in Benin City, in protest against the declaration of Godwin Obaseki as the governor-elect.
The protesters, who stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, blocked the Benin-Auchi road for over one hour.
They accused the INEC and the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, of manipulating the results to subvert the wish of the voters.
Chanting disparaging songs, they described the announced results as fake and a rape of democracy.Among the protesters were youths, under the aegis of Generational Shift Movement (GSM).
The demonstrators called for the cancellation of polls in Oredo, Ikpobaokha Local Council and Aduwawa areas of the state.
According to the group’s president, Mike Enahoro, the results of the election were manipulated in

Edo guber: Ize-Iyamu can go to court – Idahosa

The Special Adviser to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State on Political Matters, Hon. Charles Idahosa, yesterday asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to go court if he feels aggrieved about the outcome of the election instead of engaging in an unlawful protests.
Idahosa who reacted to the PDP protest in front of the INEC headquarters office, Benin City against the suspension of collations of results from the 18 local government areas, frowned at Ize-Iyamu’s media briefing, ejecting the results that was still been collated by INEC.
“Ize-Iyamu actions from day one showed that he is not ready for election. Instead of focusing on issues, he was busy insulting Oshiomhole, that has played his role as governor.
“His desperation has further jeopardised by Chief Lucky Igbinedion, who said his political family will produce the next governor of Edo State not knowing that Edo people are not fools.”
Idahosa, a former Commissioner for Information and Orientation, also condemned the unwarranted

Edo guber: Obaseki thanks Buhari, Oshiomhole for victory

The governor-elect of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has thanked the people of the state for voting him as the next leader.
Obaseki, who accepted his victory in the governorship election with enthusiasm, said he would make sure that all his campaign promises were fulfilled as soon as he takes over power.
Obaseki spoke on Thursday after the Independent National Electoral Commission returned him as winner of the election.
“With great humility, I accept this announcement of my victory as the governor-elect of Edo State,” said Obaseki.
He garnered 319,483 votes in the election, as against the 253,173 votes polled by Osagie Ize-Iyamu

Why can’t APC hire another expert to fix economy?

In the heat of the election to halt the Peoples Democratic Party’s 16 years rule in 2015, the new coalition of opposition political parties that formed the All Progressives Party brought in a renowned American political strategist, David Axerold, to help develop and implement the strategy that facilitated the demise of the former ruling party.
For those who may not be aware, Axerold was the chief strategist for President Barack Obama’s successful campaign in 2008 which made him the first black president of the USA. Axerold also served in the same capacity for the re-election of Obama in 2012.
The renowned political strategist is currently a director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, USA.
Recall that before the engagement of the American expert in political strategy, the opposition parties had failed in three previous election circles, 2003, 2007 and 2011 to unseat the PDP as the ruling party.
Muhammadu Buhari was a presidential candidate in all the three times vying on the platforms of three different political parties and failed to win the contest until the APC leveraged the expertise of Axerold in the last presidential election in 2015 and won.

APGA condemns outcome of Edo guber election

The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), one of the political parties that took part in Edo State governorship election on Wednesday, has condemned the outcome of the election.
Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress was declared winner of the election that had 19 political parties vying for the governorship seat.
But the National Chairman of APGA, Dr. Victor Oye, condemned the outcome of the election, describing the way his party was treated as contemptuous, callous and malicious.
He expressed surprise that the 876 votes allotted to his party was deliberately done to humiliate and intimidate its members because of the massive attractions the party had among the people of Edo during preparations for the election.
Dr. Oye wondered how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) came to 876 votes when the support for the party cut across the three political zones of the state.
He requested that INEC should produce the results collated at each polling unit and get a forensic expert to examine each of them.

Buhari pledges improved funding for creative industry in 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that his administration will improve funding of creative industry in the 2017 budget in order to boost employment opportunities.
The president made the pledge in Abuja at the public presentation of a pictorial book titled “Buhari A New Beginning’’.
The book launch with the theme: “Creative Youth as Drivers of the Change Agenda’’, featured youth conversation, discussion session where seven selected youths exchanged ideas with the President on issues relating to the creative industry.
The President said the improved allocation will provide the requisite infrastructure for rapid transformation of the creative industry in the country.
He said the fund would be channelled through the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.
The President said steps would be taken by his administration to tackle the menace of piracy across the country and other challenges facing the country.

Buhari sends 6 names to Senate for confirmation as INEC commissioners

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, sent six names to the Senate for screening and confirmation as national commissioners of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The President also sent names of five persons for screening and subsequent confirmation as national commissioners of National Population Commission, NPC.
Buhari in two separate letters to the Senate, which were read at plenary by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said his appointment of national commissioners for both INEC and NPC was in

Nigeria’s economic survival depends on agriculture – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the key to Nigeria’s quest for economic diversification and survival lies in agriculture and the manufacturing sector.
According to him, a strong manufacturing sector will create more jobs and wealth for people and it will also usher in sustainable economic prosperity.
Buhari made this comment yesterday in Abuja at the 44th Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). with the theme, ‘Diversifying the Nigerian Economy: the Role of Government in Manufacturing.’
He also expressed appreciation to the president and the members of MAN for their immense contributions and unwavering commitment to the socio-economic development of Nigeria over the years.
Buhari noted that Nigeria owed MAN a debt of gratitude for their show of commitment, demonstrated by their respective investments in Nigeria’s economy despite daunting challenges.
He said this administration was convinced that the key to the nation’s quest for economic diversification and survival lies in agriculture and the manufacturing sector. A strong manufacturing sector will create more jobs and wealth for our people.

I’ll work for good of Edo people – Obaseki

Edo State Governor-elect, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, pledged to work tirelessly for the good of all Edo people, irrespective of gender, social status, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
In an acceptance speech he gave at his campaign office in Benin City, Obaseki also reminded the people of the state that‎ elections were over and that it was time to bury the hatchet and close ranks for the good of the state.
“Our state is superior to all other interests and we must, as individuals, subordinate our personal ambitions to that of the collective,” he said.
Pointing out that the success of Edo State does not depend on government alone, but on each and every one, the Governor-elect asked for the peoples’ “support and prayers in the challenging task of leading the state and charting a refreshing future for our children.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the results of the 2016 Edo State gubernatorial poll, and I have been declared as the winner of the election.
‎”It is with great humility and abiding faith in God Almighty, that I accept this pronouncement of

Buhari congratulates Obaseki, Oshiomhole on victory at polls

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja congratulated the government and people of Edo State on the successful conclusion of the gubernatorial election, and the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Godwin Obaseki at the polls.
In a telephone call to Governor Adams Oshomole, President Buhari commended the well-articulated campaign programme of the APC in the state, the doggedness of the governor,

Crisis hits Kogi PDP as SEC suspends chairman

The Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kogi State, Sam Uhuotu, has been suspended by the State Executive Committee, SEC.
The suspension, which came after a vote of no confidence was passed on Uhuotu, was contained in a letter addressed to him, dated September 29 and signed by 30 out of the 37 SEC members.
The members, at a meeting held at the secretariat of the party in Lokoja, the state capital, accused the chairman of violating the provisions of Chapter 10, Section 58 (1 a, b, c, d and h) of the constitution of the party.
However, in a swift reaction, the embattled Chairman said he does not believe in the suspension as he was yet to be served with the letter.
However, Uhuotu said until he receives the letter in person, he will not “react to mere allegations.”

Jibrin gives federal lawmakers 3 days to return illegal allowances

Suspended lawmaker, Abdulmumin Jibrin, on Thursday gave his colleagues in the House of Representatives three days to return all questionable allowances they paid themselves.
Jibrin said any lawmaker who fails to heed his call should be prepared for the backlash that would follow when he publishes details of how such official perpetrated the fraud.
Jibrin’s statement came a day after he was suspended by the House for 180 legislative days —approximately a full calendar year as the House sits three times a week— after being found guilty of violating House ethics and lawmakers’ privileges.
It also came a month after Jibrin accused his colleagues of raking in millions in illegal allowances,

Edo guber: Obaseki’s victory fraudulent – Ikimi

A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, has rejected the outcome of the Edo State governorship election, claiming the result was manipulated in favour of the All Progressives Congress.
The Peoples Democratic Party chief, who hails from Igueben Local Government Area in Edo Central Senatorial District of the state, insisted the APC didn’t deserve victory in the poll.
APC’s Godwin Obaseki defeated the candidate of the PDP, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, by 319,483 to 253,173 votes.
Ikimi, in an interview with newsmen on Thursday, said the election did not represent the wish of the people.
He said, “All I can say is that I dispute the election completely. I take the view expressed by our

Young Democratic Party sues INEC over Edo guber election

The Young Democratic Party (YDP) has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court for allegedly being responsible for its abysmal performance in the Sept. 28 gubernatorial election in Edo.
Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress, APC, won the election.
The Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mrs Evelyn Okere, made this known at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Okere attributed the poor number of votes scored by the party to the failure of INEC to display the correct logo of the party on the ballot paper.
“We lost a lot of votes because our voters did not know where to vote and this has caused us a lot; we prepared very well for this election.
“We did our campaign; we went from house to house campaigning in Edo for our candidate and

House of Reps yet to receive court papers on suit instituted by Jibin

The House of Representatives has said it is yet to receive any court papers regarding the suspension of the former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumin.
It added that while the suspended lawmaker has a right to go to court, there is a clear separation of powers between the three arms of government.
The Chairman, Committee on Media and Publicity, Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak, while briefing journalists yesterday, noted that the House is empowered by the constitution to have its own rules.
Namdas explained that Jibrin breached the collective privileges of members with his blanket statements that the House is corrupt.
“…That we are all corrupt, that the public hearings and investigations are corrupt…the House has rules and if anyone errs, there are certain sanctions which are applied. What we have done is

FG plans 45,101MW electricity generation by 2030

The Federal Government has unveiled a sustainable energy for All-Agenda (SE4ALL-AA) that would increase Nigeria’s power generation the present 3,000 Mega Watts (MW) to 45,101MW by 2030.
Government planned to achieve this target gradually from the present 3,121MW from fossil fuel to 18,200MW by 2030.
The Federal Government, which disclosed this its Sustainable Energy For All Action Agenda document obtained by The Guardian on Tuesday, also expected renewable energy generation to reach 13,800MW.
It declared that by 3030, the country would be generating 13,000MW from gas, 3,200MW from coal; 2,000MW from nuclear; 5,000MW from solar; 1,000MWfrom solar thermal; and 1,100MW from biomass.

PDP crisis: Justice Abang adjourns suit indefinitely

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Thursday adjourned indefinitely the suit on the leadership tussle rocking the PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP.
Justice Abang’s decision was to enable the Court of Appeal hear and enter its verdict in an appeal filed by the Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s faction of the PDP, challenging Justice Abang’s ruling querying the legality of his leadership.
It would be recalled that the former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, had approached

Edo guber: APC used Oshiomhole’s aide to rig Oredo election – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) used one of Governor Adams Oshimhole’s trusted aides, Osakpanwam Eriyo, to rig the outcome of the Wednesday’s governorship election in Edo State in Oredo Local Government Area.
The party, therefore, called on the Inspector-General Police, Ibrahim Idris, to immediately arrest Eriyo and bring him to justice.
In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, PDP said its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, secured “a massive victory over the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)” but Eriyo allegedly invaded the collation centre along with several armed men.

PDP protests as INEC declares APC winner of Edo election

After hours of collating results, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday declared the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Godwin Obaseki, as the winner of the keenly contested Edo State governorship election.
At 3:53 p.m., the returning officer for the election and Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Kayode Soremekun announced that Obaseki polled 319,483 votes to defeat his closest rival, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 253,173 votes.
The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Osaro Onaiwu scored 876 votes while Labour Party (LP) came third with 182 votes.
But the PDP agent refused to sign the results sheet, the party having earlier at a press conference while collation was going on rejected the results, alleging that they were not a true reflection of the exercise. Altogether, 19 political parties participated in the election.
Soremekun said there was a total of 1,900.223 registered voters in the state, out of which 622,039

Aregbesola thanks Edo electorate for “not changing change”

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Thursday in Abuja thanked Edo electorate for voting Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying “thank you for not changing the change’’.
Aregbesola said this when he broke the news of Obaseki’s victory as Edo governor-elect to newsmen at the “National Day of Solidarity with Cuba’’.
The event is a roundtable discussion on strengthening International Struggle against all forms of

Edo people made right choice – Ambode

Ambode, Obaseki and Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole when the Lagos governor visited Oshiomhole at the Government House in Benin... on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has said the people of Edo State made the right choice by electing Mr. Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress to be their governor.
Ambode, who was the Chairman, APC National Campaign Committee for the election, said in a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, that the decision would ensure that the people of the state would continut to receive the dividends of democracy.
He said, “Like I said during the grand rally of our great party – APC, at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin some few weeks back, Edo State, being the heartbeat of the South-South region, has all it takes to become another Lagos, and the decision of the people to speak with their votes in support of Obaseki is a signpost of their readiness for greatness and a testament to the

Edo guber: Ondo APC congratulates Obaseki

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has congratulated the Governor-elect of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on his victory at the just concluded September 28, 2016, governorship election in the State.
A statement issued by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya said the

Edo is a morale booster – APC

The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo, has said that the victory in Edo state is a morale booster for the party as it plans and prepare to move to Ondo to replicate the winning streak.
He further stated that whoever may not be satisfied with the process can proceed to the election tribunal which is the adjudicating body for election cases to seek redress as this is natural in a democratic setting.
The party stalwart spoke to journalists at the national secretariat in Abuja after the announcement of the victory of the party in the just concluded elections in Edo state even as he stated that issues arising from the Ondo primaries conducted by the party is expected in an evolving

Edo guber: We are happy Obaseki won – NUT

The Edo chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers says it is happy with Godwin Obaseki’s victory at Wednesday governorship election.
The Chairman of the union, Mr. Mike Uhumwangho, on Thursday said the election was free and

Ex-APGA guber aspirant , 50,000 others defect to APC in Anambra

Ahead of 2017 election in Anambra State, an ex-governorship aspirant in the state on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance, Dr. Chike Obidigbo; and 50,000 others have defected to the All Progressives Congress.
The APC state chairman, Emeka Ibe, while receiving the defectors, described the event as “memorable and long expected.”
The event took place at Obidigbo’s premises at Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking, Obidigbo said APC was not the first or only political party to approach him and his co-defectors, but that they decided to join APC because “it is peaceful, has the political muscle

PDP mock Gov. El-Rufai over failure to conduct LG election

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has berated Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State for failing to conduct local council elections in the state.
A statement issued in Kaduna on Thursday by the party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr Abraham Katoh, said the action was in total violation of Nigeria’s Constitution.
It said that by failing to conduct the polls, the state government had clearly displayed its

Tinubu’s allegation confirms plot by APC to rig Edo poll – PDP

Edo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, that his party can afford to lose Edo state and that heavens will not fall if that happens in the governorship election.
The PDP, in a statement issued Tuesday evening by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Chris Nehikhare, also wished that outgoing governor, Adams Oshiomhole, would live to witness and hand over the reins of power to its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu on November 12, this year.
The statement reads: “The allegation by the APC national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu that the party’s governorship primary in Ondo State was rigged in favour of a particular candidate, once again brings to fore the desperate complexity of the new ruling party, and its penchant for unfair and undemocratic measures for winning elections.
“This allegation in which the national chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun is being accused of complicity, justifies the alarm raised by the PDP that the ruling party has put in place a machinery to rig the September 28 Edo state governorship election.

Edo guber: Anenih, Igbinedion, Ikimi, others under security watch – PDP

Edo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  has raised the alarm on the move by the Presidency to place its leaders under security watch.
The party said the move was to prevent its leaders from moving out of their homes after 10 o’clock tonight to embark on last minutes’ mobilisation of electorate for Wednesday’s governorship election.
Top on the list of those who have been purportedly watch-listed are former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, former minister of foreign affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, business mogul, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, governorship candidate of the pay, Pastor Osagie  Ize-Iyamu and state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, among others.
A statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Chris Nehikhare reads: “We have just received credible information from our very reliable inside source that the Presidency has

Makarfi’s meeting with me not a face-saving one – Sheriff

The two factional National Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senators Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi, again met on Tuesday in the bid to settle the crisis in the party.
Makarfi visited Sheriff along with the spokesman of the faction, Prince Dayo Adeyeye.
However, in a statement late on Tuesday, the Sheriff faction disowned a Facebook post saying the visit by Makarfi and Adeyeye was a face-saving one.
A statement by Sheriff’s spokesman, Inuwa Bwala, on the development, reads: “The attention of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, National Chairman of the PDP, has been drawn to some posts earlier today on Facebook, which tended to portray a meeting he held earlier in the day with Distinguished Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Caretaker Committee Chairman of the PDP and Prince Dayo Adeyeye in bad light.
“I have the authority of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to state for the avoidance of doubt that any

Rivers, Wike and the road revolution strategic plan

Availabilibity of accessible roads remains one of the key indices in measuring the performance parameter of any government in Nigeria given the nexus between portable roads and economic development.
Unfortunately, only a few state governments have lived up to that billing while majority are struggling to make a noticeable impact. In respective of this, many governments are usually quick to point at the number of kilometres of roads they had purportedly constructed when in the true sense, the attraction in that is often times powered by the culture of using the undertaking as a conduit pipe for embezzlement.
However, of Nigeria’s 36 states, Rivers State in the present dispensation, has so far, presented a fresh thinking to the road construction narrative in Nigeria. It is not the usual Nigerian story that is empty and full of noise, as empirical evidence abound on how a promise made during the electioneering period across the 23 Local Government Areas in the state, is being honoured.

Ikpeazu, Ogah oppose Alex Otti’s bid to join gov tussle at S’Court

The battle for the soul of Abia State Government House shifted to the Supreme Court where the incumbent governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu and another governorship aspirant, Dr. Samson Uchechukwu Ogah, yesterday opposed the bid by Dr. Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to join the legal action.
Dr. Otti was the governorship candidate of APGA for Abia State in the 2014 governorship election now in dispute.
In opposing Otti’s application for joinder, the two politicians on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) informed the apex court that an attempt by the appellant/ applicant (Otti) to be included in the legal tussle would breach the law since he has no legal right for the request he was demanding before the apex court.
Counsel to Governor Ikpeazu, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN objected to hearing of the appeal, by

PDP kicks as Jigawa Assembly extends council caretaker chairmen’s tenure

Jigawa House of Assembly yesterday extended the tenure of the state’s 27 local government caretaker committees by six months just as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared the action as illegal.
Speaker Idris Garba approved a bill to amend the 2015 local government administration law at yesterday’s plenary, which allows caretaker chairmen remain in office for six more months.

APC delegates Tambuwal to mediate in Tinubu, Oyegun face-off

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has nominated former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to mediate in the crisis rocking the party.
The cold war within the party became public knowledge earlier this week when the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in a letter, called for the immediate resignation of its national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
Whereas, Odigie-Oyegun has not made a definite pronouncement on the call for his resignation, saying he would only speak after the governorship election in Ondo State, sources within the party confirmed that the Presidency and some party stalwarts have since Sunday, been working round the clock to nip the crisis in the bud, leading to the nomination of Tambuwal to interface with the aggrieved Tinubu for an amicable resolution of the crisis.
Tambuwal, who went into action immediately, was at the Presidential Villa yesterday afternoon, to brief President Muhammadu Buhari on how far he has gone on his assignment and to take further briefing.

Edo guber: PDP House caucus express concern over INEC’s neutrality

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives on Tuesday expressed concern about some arrangement put in place for the governorship elections in Edo State.

Rivers APC endorses Niger Delta peace initiative

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed the Niger Delta Peace Initiative recently launched by South-South leaders under the leadership of the Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
The party in a statement issued on Monday in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Chief (Dr.) Ibiamu Ikanya, praised Amaechi for assembling South-South stakeholders under the umbrella of the Initiative for Peace, Governance and Development of the South-South to proffer solutions to the current destruction of the oil pipelines and ecosystem of the region.
“This historical peace parley held at the Lagos Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, on 24th September, 2016 was a welcome development and should be supported by all true sons and daughters of the Niger Delta.
“We are ashamed that some disgruntled elements can take pleasure in destroying the facilities that convey oil, the mainstay of our national economy. Apart from this, our environment is polluted,

Ondo guber: Akeredolu appeals to aggrieved APC aspirants

The embattled governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, yesterday pleaded with aggrieved governorship aspirants in the party to sheathe their sword even as he assured that the challenges facing the party would soon be over.
This came as 13 out of the 18 party youth leaders across the council areas of the state, alongside the three senatorial districts’ youth leaders and the Deputy State Youth Leader, Mr. Rasheed Lateef, yesterday, rejected the emergence of Akeredolu.
Akeredolu, while addressing party members at the secretariat, promised to unite the party and wrestle power from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.
He said that with their support and cooperation it was “certain that the party would defeat the ruling PDP and all other parties that would be contesting the November 26, 2016 governorship election in the state.”
Akeredolu said: “Whatever the challenges, we shall overcome without any fear because of our belief and trust in God, we have character and integrity to bring good governance to Ondo State.

APC in disarray, desperate to regain losses – Ondo PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State has said the post primary crisis rocking the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is an indication that the party is naïve when it comes to the business of politics and governance.
The party said events that unfolded after the APC’s governorship election are obvious manifestation of a party in disarray and one which is doomed to fail in the November 26 governorship poll in the state.
In a statement issued in Akure, by the publicity secretary of the party, Hon. Banji Okunomo, the unilateral exercise of power by the national chairman of the APC, who turned down the majority view of the National Working Committee (NWC) which supported the cancellation of the primaries, further spelt doom for the already sinking party.
According to him, “It is on record, without exaggeration, that aside some of the aspirants who

Taraba APC calls for Gov. Ishaku’s resignation

The Taraba State chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Hassan Ardo, has called on governor Darius Ishaku to resign if he knows he cannot address the problems of the state.
Ardo, who stated this yesterday in Jalingo while answering questions from journalists said the government of governor Ishaku lacks focus.
He added that since the governor assumed office, over 12, 000 Taraba workers have been languishing in abject poverty.

Elections: PDP debunks Edo, Ondo candidates’ trade-off

The Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State has denied a report making the rounds that the party has engaged in the trade-off of its choice of governorship candidates in Edo and Ondo states, as a way of resolving the leadership tussle between its two factional leaders, Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff.
In a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Banji Okunomo, on Monday, the PDP insisted that Mr. Eyitayo Jegede remained the candidate of the party for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State.
The party alleged that the supporters of the Accord Party took to the social media to announce

Fayose’s ban on banks, threat to Ekiti’s economic survival – APC

The All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State has berated Governor Ayodele Fayose for imposing a ban on workers and government’s agencies from transacting business with Ecobank and Zenith Bank over private affairs that have no bearing with state matters.
The APC described Faye’s action as a threat to the state’s economy and disservice to the state’s indigenes who stand the risk of losing their jobs in the banks.
Fayose had last week instructed all government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies, including workers, to move their accounts from Zenith Bank in response to the freezing of his accounts with the bank by the EFCC over alleged arms purchase cash traced to his accounts.
He gave them few days within which to comply with his order as communicated by the state Accountant-General to all the MDAs, including workers.
Reacting, the APC spokesman, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said in a statement that Fayose’s action is a wrong signal to the investing community and threat to the state’s economy as well as a recipe for job losses among workers in the bank, majority of whom are Ekiti State indigenes.

Ondo guber: Odigie-Oyegun declines comment on Tinubu

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has refused to respond to allegations levelled against him by the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over Ondo State primaries. He may however, react after the Edo State governorship election.
Odigie-Oyegun said on phone yesterday that he has so much respect for Tinubu and should not be seen speaking against him. “I have to consult properly with other leaders of the party before we make any definite statement. Again, you know we have a crucial election here in Edo, which is my priority right now.
“We don’t want to lose focus and I know Asiwaju also wants us to win because we all have worked hard for this. So, may be after the election if there is need, I will speak. If there is no need, I

Ondo guber: Akeredolu pledges people-oriented administration

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the November 26, 2016 governorship election in Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, says he would run a people-centred government if elected.
He spoke yesterday when addressing party members and supporters who trooped out to welcome him at the party’s state secretariat in Akure.
“Whatever the challenges, we shall overcome without any fear because of our belief and trust in God. We have character and integrity to bring good governance to the state.
“Ondo State APC delegates in their wisdom voted for me to become the candidate of our great party and by the grace of God, APC will win Ondo State,” he remarked.
The former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who was declared winner of the September 3 primary election, lauded the party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) for their commitment, adding that “the change has started in Ondo State.”
Meanwhile, some youth leaders across the three senatorial districts have kicked against Akeredolu’s candidacy.In a communiqué signed by Deputy State Youth Leader, Sheed Lateef, at the end of their meeting yesterday in Akure, they begrudged the overruling of the appeal

Ondo guber: I’m on rescue mission – Akeredolu

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu has said ,he is on a mission to rescue the state from the shackles of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led-government.
The legal luminary who said the state can no longer afford not to join the mainstream of Nigerian politics , noted that it is time to bring a change into the sunshine state.
Addressing mammoth crowd of supporters in Akure, the state capital during his “welcome back home rally”, Akeredolu promised not to disappoint the people of the state.
Akeredolu who was received by students, market women, pedestrians, road side traders as well as the people of the town, noted that the primary election is over and it is time for full-fledged campaign.
Present at the reception rally were some aspirants, Victor Olabimtan, Tunji Light Ariyomo,

APC leader behind attacks on Kyari, Daura – Group

The Arewa Youth Leaders for Development and Change (AYLDC) has alleged that a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the South-west is behind “the nefarious activities to bring down both men and all those close to President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement in Kaduna at the weekend, the group maintained that the current campaigns of calumny against the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari, and the president’s nephew, Alhaji Mamman Daura, in some online news platforms were being sponsored by the APC leader.
The statement signed by the National President of AYLDC, Abubakar A. Karga, said the group had observed with disappointment, the unwarranted and malicious attacks on Kyari and Daura in some online publications re-publishing the malicious contents, stressing that a US-based online medium had been at the forefront of the attacks.
The grouse of the APC leader, according to the statement, is that “he is still smarting for not being the one to make every single appointment made by Mr. President.”
The group said it has reasons to believe that the chairman of the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and a top government official are complicit in the show of shame.
“They are the ones who use their offices to lend legitimacy to questionable information to make it

Ex-TUC President predicts rancour-free poll, victory for APC

Former National President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele, has expressed confidence that the September 28, 2016 governorship poll in Edo State will be rancour-free just as he predicted victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Esele, who was among the aspirants that lost the primaries to the APC governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, added that the developmental strides of the outgoing Adams Oshiomhole-led administration has set the foundation for such success.
Speaking with journalists in Benin City yesterday, Esele said: “My expectations is that the election will be free and fair and at the end of the day the APC will be victorious after the counting.
“I think the governor has done its best in the near past eight years and this is more of a referendum of what APC and the governor has done in the state. My appeal to everybody is that

Edo PDP alleges conspiracy by INEC, APC, Police to rig election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised the alarm over alleged plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Edo State government in league with the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig the Wednesday’ governorship election in the state.
The party at a press conference in Benin City yesterday by its state Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, said with just three days to the elections, more disturbing facts and information were continually brought forward to the party that the state government and the APC want to deny the people the right to vote for the candidate of their choice
According to Nehikhare, “Very credible information reaching us says that Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his APC have concluded arrangements to thumb print fake ballot papers on Monday 26/9/2016 at Ibillo, Akoko Edo local government area, Edo North, and then transport the thumb printed fake ballot papers to their areas of weakness. Thereafter they will pretend to expose the perpetrators as PDP supporters. This “show” becomes the excuse to crackdown on PDP foot

Ondo guber: Odigie-Oyegun mus go, – Tinubu

The controversy over the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the forthcoming election in Ondo State is further tearing the party leaders apart.
Aggrieved National Leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday called on the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun to resign.
Tinubu, who broke his silence on the controversy surrounding the party’s governorship primary held on September 3 in Ondo, said in a statement yesterday that the APC, “a party born of the quest for democratic good governance”, was under critical threat by those who managed to be in it but are never of it.
He accused Odigie-Oyegun of breaching the principles of democratic fairness and justice meant to guide the party’s internal deliberations.
“To rescue the party, Odigie-Oyegun must go,” Tinubu said.
Efforts to get the APC chairman’s reaction to the matter yesterday failed as all calls to his phone were not picked.

PDP truce will expose forces behind crisis – Makarfi

Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi

The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has said reaching a truce with Senator Ali Modu Sherriff would expose those instigating the crisis in the party.
According to Makarfi, who spoke yesterday, both parties in the crisis have agreed to maintain peace to pave the way for reconciliation.
Makarfi, a former Governor of Kaduna State said he would not go into the details of those who were involved in the reconciliation.
According to him, what is important is that “We have agreed to form a joint committee that will look at all the issues, with a view to getting lasting solutions to all outstanding issues, so that we will move as one body.
“I raised a team that will meet with the team that Senator Ali Modu Sherriff and his people will present. That will be the body that will really discuss all issues and put a seal on all items.”

Ondo guber: Tinubu demands Odigie-Oyegun resignation

All Progressives Congress, APC, national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has demanded the resignation of the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who he claimed Sunday had derailed from the path of progressives.
In a stinking communiqué from his media office, Tinubu accused Oyegun of sabotaging the will of democracy in Ondo State by overriding the decision of the appeal panel that asked for a fresh governorship primary following investigations that showed that the delegates’ list used had been tampered with.
Tinubu in the communiqué further alleged that Oyegun’s action in allegedly subverting the will of the people was not of his doing, saying that for a man of the age of the national chairman to have done what he did that he must have been under the influence of a “powerful and sinister arm at work.”
Tinubu who said that the APC was now under threat of being suffocated by anti-democratic forces pretending to be progressives, said:
“The APC, a party born of the quest for democratic good governance, is under critical threat by

Resist election rigging by all means – Ize-Iyamu tells Edo people

Osagie Ize-Iyamu

The Edo PDP governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has advised Edo people and other eligible voters to protect their votes and resist by all means possible any attempt by the APC, security agencies and other institutions to manipulate the governorship election scheduled for Wednesday.
Advising officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to do the right things by conducting a free, fair and acceptable election, the PDP candidate however stated that those who have planned to manipulate the election will be disgraced.
He also advised the electorate not to allow themselves to be insulted by Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his puppet candidate, Godwin Obaseki, through any inducement, saying the APC-led government that had subjected them to unbearable hardship in nearly eight years cannot come on Election Day to offer them money or rice just to purchase their conscience.