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