Local Government elections in Nigeria a mockery of democracy – Dogara

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has described the conduct of local government elections in Nigeria as a shame and mockery of democracy. Dogara, in a meeting with senior journalists in Abuja said the current system is not working. “If we keep sticking to it and expecting it to work someday, I don’t know who termed it as the very definition of foolishness.”

He said the local government elections have benefitted only those who constituted themselves into middlemen to grab the resources meant for the development of the grassroots.

The speaker accused the state electoral commissions of promoting a mockery of democracy by organizing elections where only one political party wins by sweeping all the votes.

He posited that as long as the resources appropriated to local government are mismanaged by a powerful few, so long would it remain the bane of development in Nigeria. If local governments are able to achieve autonomy, Dogara believes it will improve the pool of quality leadership that will manage the resources at that level more efficiently and at the end of the day, “we can have an oasis of prosperity in the desert of nothingness and instead of all our people migrating to the cities, they will be able to find some kind of prosperity at the local level that can sustain them.’’

He disclosed that repeated efforts to grant autonomy to local governments through constitutional reviews have remained a mirage because of vested interests. Reacting to the fresh constitutional effort to free the third tier government, he said, “If care is not taken, it will still not scale through. It will take a general resolve from Nigerians, the media, civil society organisations, local government staff to insist on their state assemblies that when the bill is submitted to them, they must pass it.”

He cited the example of value added tax (VAT), where the Federal Government benefits only 15 per cent while 85 per cent go to the states and local governments where the bulk of this fund is believed to be diverted and misappropriated.

Meanwhile, Dogara has assured pensioners that the House of Representatives will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to work out a definite plan to offset outstanding pension liabilities which currently stands at over N200 billion.

He also disclosed that the House will today consider a motion to invite key players in charge of pension matters to appear in plenary next week Thursday and speak on how they plan to clear the pension liabilities.

He spoke when he received a delegation from the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, led by its national president, Dr. Abel Afolayan. The Speaker emphasised that all pensions due to retired public service workers must be paid because it is a constitutionally provided right.

 

Source: The Guardian

Elections are too expensive, so we may not have one this year – Congo Government

The ruling government in Congo has indicated it may not hold long-awaited elections this year.

Why? It’s simply too expensive, a government official suggested this week

“It will be difficult to think that we can mobilize $1.8 billion this year,” Pierre Kangudia Mbayi, minister of state in charge of budget, said at a news conference Wednesday, Africa News reported. “At this stage, I prefer to keep a language of sincerity.”

That $1.8 billion cost was the one estimated by Congo’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) last year.

It is certainly a large amount of money — almost two-thirds the estimated cost of America’s 2016 presidential vote, despite a vast difference in economic size between the countries. However, election officials say funds are needed to register more than 30 million voters in a vast country with poor transport links that has not held regular elections. CENI had already announced late last year that it doubted it would be able to register all voters before 2018.

These explanations are unlikely to placate critics of current leader Joseph Kabila, who has led been president of Congo since his father was assassinated in 2001. Kabila was due to step down at the end of his second term in November, and the country’s constitution bars a third term.

Opinion polls show most Congolese want him to step down and make way for a new leader.

But Kabila has refused to leave office until a new president is chosen, a decision later upheld by a constitutional court viewed as loyal to the president. The delayed elections have sparked a political crisis in the country. In the sprawling capital of Kinshasa, scattered demonstrations against Kabila were put down by soldiers and police; at least 20 people died in the ensuing violence.

While a deal was eventually reached to hold elections before the end of 2017, Mbayi’s comments suggest that further delays may be coming.

The situation in Congo highlights a broader issue across sub-Saharan Africa: leaders who won’t step down. Across the continent, there are widespread examples of governments flouting term limits and other standard democratic practices so they can retain power, sometimes for decades.

Even when these leaders are compelled to leave office, they often don’t give up without a fight: Yahyah Jammeh, president of the Gambia for 22 years, lost a reelection bid but left office only after West African troops threatened to oust him by force.

Congo, sub-Saharan Africa’s largest nation, has never had a peaceful handover of power, and it was plagued by conflict for many years in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Tensions between Kabila’s government and its opposition have been strained further by the death of veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi last month.

It is true that the country’s economic problems are very real. According to one estimate, many Congolese citizens live on $2 a day despite the country’s vast mineral resources. But Kabila himself is estimated to have made a large fortune out of his time in office, with hundreds of millions of dollars funneled to his family, according to a Bloomberg News investigation.

 

Source: Washington Post

Angolan Opposition Unites to Monitor Poll

Angolan opposition parties have announced a united front to monitor the August General Election.

“The opposition parties are working out ideas and in a few days we will sit down to shape the strategies for the common front,” said Mr Lindo Bernardo Tito, of the broad convergence for the salvation of Angola (CASA-CE).

CASA-CE emerged third in the last General Election in 2012.

Several civil society groups have also expressed their wish to work with the united opposition to ensure a credible poll.

An advantage

Human rights activist and university lecturer, Mr Domingos da Cruz, said they would on Friday unveil an online application to help people report any electoral irregularities.

“The fact that people will record all they observe in the electoral process in a safe way and send it anonymously, is an advantage,” Mr da Cruz added.

The Union for the Total Independence of Angola (Unita) deputy Secretary-General, Mr Rafael Massanga Savimbi, said his party would no longer do a lone monitoring as happened in the last two elections.

Party is ready

“Everybody heard our President (Isaias) Samakuva saying our party is ready not only to monitor, but also to win the elections,” VOA Radio quoted Mr Savimbi saying.

The August poll will be the third since the end of the Angolan civil war in 2002.

MPLA won elections in 1992, 2008 and 2012 with a parliamentary majority.

The embassies

The ruling party in 2012 secured 74 per cent of the vote against Unita’s 18 per cent.

There were no international observers for the elections.

None of the embassies represented in Luanda secured accreditation to monitor the elections.

 

Source: www.africareview.com

Edo: Tribunal Begins Recounting of Ballot Papers

The recounting of ballot papers used in four local government areas in the September 28 Governorship Election in Edo State has begun.

It is being done in the open court as ordered by the tribunal.

Representatives of the petitioners and the respondents are monitoring the recounting.

The People’s Democratic Party and its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu are expecting to prove their allegations of over voting during the election.

Meanwhile, the Tribunal has rejected an application of the petitioners seeking for extension of time to present its witnesses.

The petitioners were expected to close their case by 1pm on Friday but pleaded for extension of time to enable it call more witnesses and conclude the recounting of ballot papers.

As at press time, the petitioners have only called 90 witnesses against 400 witnesses lined up to testify.

Lead Counsel to the PDP, Yusuf Alli, urged the tribunal to allow the reign of mercy to flow and grant them time but Counsel to respondents refused.

The Nigerian Police Force Parades Erring Rivers Officers

Democratic Policing is one of the core values of the current Police management under the leadership of IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni. The IGP as an ardent apostle of the rule of law and adherent of international best practices of Policing has since assumption of office articulated a master plan to guarantee a reformed electoral process across the country. This is a novel security template devoid of violence, electoral malpractices and attendant destruction of lives and property which have been a recurring decimal in previous elections in the country.

Undoubtedly, this master plan as implemented by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies under the auspices of Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, (ICCES), has proved largely successful and should engender a credible roadmap for the foot-proof security of future elections in Nigeria.

The IGP has also instituted comprehensive measures to ensure compliance with strict rules of professional behaviours and code of conduct for officers and men under his watch. To this extent, they are under obligation to conform to the dictates of enabling laws while carrying out their statutory responsibilities to the letter.

Consequently, personnel of the Force who abuse their office, privileges and discretionary powers in the discharge of their official duties, will be brought to justice.

In the case of the recent parliamentary election in Rivers State, the IGP’s resolve to secure the process, was reciprocated with the unethical conduct of some bad eggs within the Force.

Inspite of strict warnings and instructions from the IGP that all Police personnel on election duty should be of good conduct and desist from escorting their principals, notably public office holders and politicians to polling units throughout the period of the election, some recalcitrant police personnel were still found blatantly breaching these directives. This is unacceptable by all standards in the Force.

Therefore, in the course of discreet investigations into the above misconduct, the following personnel of the Force were found to have in total disrespect to orders and directives, compromised, engaged in unprofessional acts and other unbecoming conduct

These acts, if not checked can be inimical to discipline and proper administration of the Force. Their actions are capable of bringing the entire Nigeria Police Force to disrepute and portray the Force in a very bad light as a lawless organization not guided by the rule of law. The officers are as follows:
i. AP/No.177893 EX. Inspr. Eyong Victor
ii. F/No. 400872 EX. Sgt Peter Ekpo
iii. F/No.374585 EX. Sgt Oguni Goodluck
iv. F/No. 385870 EX. Sgt. Orji Nwoke
v. F/No. 234216 EX. Sgt. Okpe Ezekiel
vi. F/No. 437983 EX. Sgt. Tanko Akor

These aforementioned Police personnel while in the convoy of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State Barr. Nyesom Wike on the date of election, 10th December, 2016 misused the firearms in their possession contrary to the provisions of Force Order 237.
The Service personnel became overzealous, took laws into their hands and opened fire, causing panic in the crowd. They joined in storming the Port Harcourt City Council Secretariat and prevented the movement of election results of Emouha polling unit to the appropriate collation centre designated by INEC, in flagrant disregard and disobedience to senior Police officers present at the venue.

The six (6) Police officers, after the conclusion of investigation into this public mischief, were subjected to internal disciplinary measures, found guilty and consequently dismissed from the Force. They will be prosecuted under the Electoral Act to serve as a deterrent to others.

The IGP wishes to restate the commitment of the force to carry out its constitutional obligations in accordance to the law of the land before, during and after every election in Nigeria. This will be done in a very professional manner bearing in mind the need not only to be unbiased but to be seen by members of the public as responsive and responsible security agency in election security in the country.

Nigerians should rest assured that the IGP and indeed the entire management team of the Force will not be deterred in its resolve to rid the Nigeria Police Force of personnel who indulge in actions or inactions that amount to unprofessional and serious misconduct.

The IGP commends all officers and men of the Force for their dedication, commitment, sacrifice, hard work and display of utmost professionalism in their service to the country despite daunting challenges. Without doubts, our sacrifices and sincerity of purpose will be commensurately rewarded.
Thank you for your time and God bless.

DCP Don N. Awunah,fsi,
Force Public Relations Officer,
Force Headquarters,

6 policemen dismissed for ‘using their firearms for Wike’ during election

Six police officers attached to Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, have been dismissed for “misusing their firearms” during the Rivers legislative rerun election of December 10, 2016.

The decision to dismiss and prosecute these officers was sequel to a report from a panel set up by Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police, on the incidents recorded during the legislative re-run election.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Don Awunah, force public relations officer, said the officers failed to abide by the instruction of not escorting their principals to polling units.

Awunah said these police officers were “overzealous, took laws into their hands and opened fire, causing panic in the crowd”.

“These police personnel while in the convoy of His Excellency, the executive governor of Rivers state Barr. Nyesom Wike on the date of election, 10th December, 2016 misused the firearms in their possession contrary to the provisions of Force Order 237,” he said.

“They joined in storming the Port Harcourt city council secretariat and prevented the movement of election results of Emouha polling unit to the appropriate collation centre designated by INEC, in flagrant disregard and disobedience to senior Police officers present at the venue.

“The six police officers, after the conclusion of investigation into this public mischief, were subjected to internal disciplinary measures, found guilty and consequently dismissed from the force. They will be prosecuted under the electoral Act to serve as a deterrent to others.”

He further assured Nigerians of “the commitment of the force to carry out its constitutional obligations in accordance to the law of the land before, during and after every election.”

The police officers are Eyong Victor, Peter Ekpo, Oguni Goodluck, Orji Nwoke, Okpe Ezekiel andTanko Akor.

#Rivers Rerun: We did not deploy drones to monitor elections – Austin Tam-George

According to information made available to Omojuwa.Com by some electorates this morning, drones were sighted hovering above polling units in parts of Rivers State. Most people opined that the state government deployed the said drones as part of extra efforts to monitor the ongoing rerun elections in the state.

 

However, in a swift reaction to the speculations, Austin Tam-George, Rivers commissioner for information, says the state government did not deploy drones to monitor the rerun election.

 

That is a lie, we never contemplate using drones to monitor the elections, we are interested in following, casting our votes and ensuring they count.

Group Commends Rivers Voters, Condemn Attack On Voters

The Civil Society Alliance for Sustainable Democracy (CSASD) have raised alarm over reported cases of ballot snatching by thugs and intimidation of eligible voters by Policemen in the ongoing Rivers rerun election.

In a statement issued this afternoon in Port Harcourt and signed by its publicity secretary,  Comrade Femi Lawson, the group wondered what could be the basis of the open collaboration between the Police and the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the ongoing elections, judging by the seen cases of the arrest of agents of the opposition PDP, and other compromises being done by the security agents on the directives of the notable Chieftains of the APC, at the polling centres.

The group commended the people of Rivers State for their steadfastness and peaceful conduct so far,  while also praising their courage in resisting various attempts to hijack the ballot or disrupt the process in some parts of Obiakpor Local government, and few other areas in the State.

However, it was gathered that SARS personnel (Police)  controlled by Akin Fakorede allegedly snatch materials in Bodo City, Gokana LGA resulting in a seemingly breakdown of law and order.

[UPDATE] #RiversRerun: Hoodlums Snatch Ballot Boxes At Etche LGA

The ongoing River State re-run election is experiencing violence and ballot snatching, report says.

It was reported that there are no ballot boxes in PU32/11/13/012, Ulakwo Ward, Etche LGA. Voters are casting their votes into sack bags

But an observer group, the Independent Service Delivery and Monitoring Group (ISDMG which deployed obervers and election monitor to the election said the ballot boxes were snatched by hoodlums but voters in the area insisted on going ahead with the election.

According to ISDMG Director Communications/Team Leader, Faith Nwadishi the INEC deployed election material to the polling unit just like in every other polling unit but the ballot boexes were snatched by hoodlums.

There were also reports of bombing in Bera, Gokana Local Government Area of the State.

It was also gathered that militants blocked Asari Toru waterways.

Oyegun to Rivers electorate: If they slap you, slap them back.

John Oyegun, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday encouraged members of his party to retaliate whatever action they get from loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during Saturday’s senatorial rerun election.

Speaking during a mega rally of the party in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, Oyegun particularly said: “If they slap you, slap them back.”

He expressed satisfaction with the turnout at the rally, and urged the people to head to the polling units in droves on Saturday.

“I am very pleased with the turnout here today. It shows you are truly ready. As you can see, we came in force. The whole federal might is here. You have the governors of this nation here today,” he said.

“We are sending one message, and that message is clear. It is that we respect you the people of Rivers state. We respect the courage of our members in this state. We want to let you know that we have heard your cry; we have seen your anguish; enough is enough. This is the beginning of a rescue mission.

“I was here during the time of our beautiful governor, Rotimi Amaechi. He drove me round Port Harcourt; we strolled in the city, but can you do so today? We now have a blood-thirsty regime in Rivers state.”

He described Saturday’s rerun election as the beginning of a rescue mission, and encouraged the people not to be intimidated.

“I am glad with what I am hearing here today; very glad. If they push you, push them back. If they slap you, slap them back,” he said.

“We cannot allow them. The APC came on a rescue mission, unfortunately they are fighting back, the same way they have always done. Are you going to allow them? It is within your powers to return the members of the house of assembly.

“Return the members of house of representatives and senators because we need them. When you do that, it will be the beginning of the end.

“Go and cast your vote, and if they snatch the result sheet, give me the answer.”

The crowd responded: “Snatch it back.”

#GhanaDecides Update: Ghanaians Await Election Results As Voting Counting Begins

Vote-counting has begun in the West African nation of Ghana, after polls to choose the country’s next president and parliament.

 

VOA’s Peter Clottey, reporting from Ghana’s capital of Accra, reports polls closed in Ghana at 5 p.m. local time, although people in line at that hour were allowed to vote. He says the electoral commission postponed voting in one western Ghanaian district (Jaman North) until Thursday, due to an unspecified security threat.

 

Otherwise, Clottey says, “It has been really quiet … A little bit of competitiveness. Nothing in the way of violence.”

 

Incumbent President John Mahama is seeking a second term against main opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo, the man he defeated four years ago.

 

Nana Akufo-Addo, presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party, cast his vote during the Presidential and parliamentary elections at the Rock of Ages pooling centre in Kibi, eastern Ghana, Dec. 7, 2016.

 

Nana Akufo-Addo, presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party, cast his vote during the Presidential and parliamentary elections at the Rock of Ages pooling centre in Kibi, eastern Ghana, Dec. 7, 2016.

 

Akufo-Addo, a former foreign minister, has seized on Ghana’s current economic woes as a campaign theme, accusing Mahama and his ruling National Democratic Congress of incompetence.

 

Ghana is a major exporter of oil, gold and cocoa. But Mahama’s term has been overshadowed by the plunge in global oil prices, which reduced government revenues and contributed to soaring inflation. The government accepted a $918 million bailout from the International Monetary Fund.

 

The president traveled across the country in the waning days of the campaign to promote a set of new major infrastructure projects he has undertaken.

 

Ghana has enjoyed a reputation as beacon of democracy on the African continent, but this year’s campaign has been marred by accusations of voter intimidation and concerns about the country’s electoral commission.

Ghana’s electoral commission warns against fake results, says voting still ongoing.

The Electoral Commission of Ghana (ECG) has called on voters to disregard a result being shared on social media showing that the opposition New Patriotic Party has scored over 54 per cent of votes cast from 80 per cent of the country’s polling stations.In a statement posted on its Twitter handle, the ECG described the result as fake.

The commission also stated that voting has been extended in Afram Plains South constituency and is still on-going in Jaman North constituency on Thursday.

“Update: NO official results have been declared by the EC. No final constituency results are in. There is no declared winner yet. The EC undertook a hugely successful election yesterday. Let us trust the process for the results. We will keep you updated minute by minute.

“No final results can be declared until Jaman North has had the privilege of voting today. We call upon the people of Ghana to respect the process and keep faith with the EC. Results will be out as soon as they are available.

The website of the electoral commission also crashed for some hours early on Thursday before it was restored. The commission said the website was hacked. It said that the attempted hack was an attack on its integrity and independence.

“We deplore the attempt to hack the EC’s website. Please respect the integrity and independence of the EC.”

The commission had early announced that it may take up to 72 hours before it would release the result of the poll.

Meanwhile, supporters of both leading political parties, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the main opposition party New Patriotic Party (NPP), are claiming early leads from results collated from unofficial sources.

A statement by the campaign organisation of incumbent President John Mahama, praised the conduct of the election as “very smooth and orderly”. It also commended the large turnout during the election.

The statement, signed by its spokesperson Joyce Mogtari implored supporters of the president to remain calm while they await the announcement of the result. It however stated that details from its Parallel Vote Tabulation put Mr. Mahama “in a comfortable lead.”

BREAKING: Ghana election commission website hacked

Hackers have targeted the website of Ghana’s electoral commission as votes are counted after tightly contested elections.

The commission says the website is up again, but it it is currently blank.

The commission has tweeted, urging people to ignore “fake results” circulating on social media.

President John Mahama is facing a strong challenge from main opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo in a campaign dominated by Ghana’s faltering economy.

Wednesday’s election passed off peacefully, but voting was postponed to Thursday in one constituency after voting material failed to arrive on time.

A run-off will be held later in the month if neither of the two main candidates secures more than 50% of the votes.

In the previous election in 2012, Mr Mahama defeated Mr Akufo-Addo by less than 300,000 votes.

“We deplore the attempt to hack the EC’s [electoral commission’s] website. Please respect the integrity and independence of the EC,” it said in a tweet.

All seven candidates have pledged to keep the process peaceful but an opposition supporter died when a rally tuned violent on Monday.

Results are expected in the next two days

Voting in his northern home region of Bole on Wednesday, where he was mobbed by a cheering crowd, President Mahama said Ghana’s democracy had “matured” and this election would further consolidate it.

Asked about corruption, he told AFP news agency: “There is a general perception of corruption in all African countries. I think it is a stage of our development. As we continue to strengthen the institutions of state, I think that people will come to see the integrity in these institutions.”

Mr Akufo-Addo said he hoped for an orderly election as he voted in Kibi in the south of Ghana.

“It’s very important that this process goes off efficiently and smoothly and peacefully so that Ghana continues to maintain its deserved image of being a democracy that takes democracy seriously,” he said.

The candidates signed a pact last week vowing to follow electoral rules and keep the peace.

Clashes near the border with Togo on Monday left one person dead and six in a critical condition.

Defeat for Mr Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would make him the first incumbent to lose an election since Ghana returned to multi-party democracy.

He has been nicknamed “Mr Dumsor”, a local word that refers to the power cuts that have blighted the country during his term, but on the campaign trial has been trying to convince Ghanaians that he is delivering on his promise of creating more jobs.

Mr Akufo-Addo has promised free high-school education and more factories, but his critics have questioned the viability of his ambitions.

The other four candidates include former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings of the National Democratic Party (NDP), whose husband Jerry John Rawlings initially took power in the 1979 coup.

She is the first woman to run for president in the West African country.

2019: Okada Rider Vows To Run Against President Buhari & Win [Video]

A random commercial motorcycle rider has vowed to contest the 2019 general election against President Muhammadu Buhari and win regardless of his present unpopularity.

The current hardship in Nigeria seems to have boosted the fantasy of some Nigerian ahead of reality. An Okada man on the street boldly told a journalist attached to Naij about his presidential ambition.

The middle-aged man plans to join any available political party in 2019 to contest against President Muhammadu Buhari and beat him to become the President of Nigeria.

He promises to seek the face of God for the wisdom of the biblical King Solomon to rule Nigeria. He suggested that Buhari has not been forthcoming in his leadership approach.

Watch video below:

 

Nigeria civic group, CDD, to monitor Ghana election

The Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, has deployed its staff to monitor the December 7, 2016presidential election in Ghana.

A statement by its director, Idayat Hassan, on Monday said that the CDD is one of the 400 international observers accredited to observe the election.

“Ghana has been envied for its atypical quality of elections and democracy in Africa. The Centre’s election observation mission is to assess the conduct of the forthcoming elections against international standards,” said Ms. Hassan.

“In particular, CDD will observe how rules and regulations that govern as well as practices that characterize the conduct of the election comply with standards established in the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance”.

Ghana, which is increasingly becoming a beckon of democracy in the West Africa sub-region, will hold its presidential election on Wednesday. The main contenders in the poll are the incumbent president, John Mahama, 58, of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Nana Akufo-Addo, 72, the candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Interestingly this is the second time both candidates will contest against each other. In 2012, Mrs. Mahama narrowly defeated Mr. Akufo-Addo by three points.

Power shortages and double-digit inflation are some of the topical issues in the election.

Ghana’s presidential candidates make final push before vote.

With just 48 hours left before voters in Ghana head to the polls, presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo said the country’s democracy was in a “critical space”.

Akufo-Addo accused the ruling party of fomenting violence as police turn a blind eye, casting doubt on the country’s reputation as beacon of democracy in Africa.

“We’re certainly in a very critical space,” Akufo-Addo told reporters at his house in Ghana’s capital Accra after a rally.

“It’s important that these acts of violence being perpetrated by operatives of the ruling party are dealt with according to the rule of law,” Akufo-Addo said.

“We have definite reservations about the neutrality of the police.”

Fears about the erosion of Ghana’s democracy have dominated the presidential campaign, with claims of voter intimidation and questions over independence of the Electoral Commission.

An exporter of gold, cocoa and oil, the West African country was once hailed as a regional growth model but has lost its lustre after taking on too much debt.

During the bitter presidential campaign, New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate Akufo-Addo criticised incumbent John Mahama for mismanaging the economy and allowing corruption to flourish.

National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader Mahama has painted a radically different picture of Ghana, touting his government as an example of fiscal discipline and promising that tackling corruption will be one of his priorities if reelected.

– ‘Winds of change’ –

If neither the NDC or NPP win more than 50 percent of votes, a presidential run-off will take place later in December.

Elections in Ghana are often down to the wire — Akufo-Addo has lost narrowly twice before — but the economic crisis may swing voters his way.

At a final NPP rally in Accra, there were echoes of Barack Obama’s seminal 2008 campaign, with jubilant supporters waving huge blue “hope” flags and blowing plastic horns.

Many in the crowd said they were “suffering” without jobs, describing Akufo-Addo as an “incorruptible” leader who could restore the economy and help Ghana compete with regional star Ivory Coast.

“The winds of change are blowing the whole of Africa, all the corrupt leaders are being taken away,” said 40-year-old Bernard Owusu.

“It happened in Gambia, it happened in Nigeria, and other parts of Africa, and it’s time for Ghana.”

When Akufo-Addo took the stage, the crowd unleashed an earsplitting roar as fireworks popped overheard.

“NDC is corrupt,” said Margaret Darkwah, a 55-year-old decked out head-to-toe in NPP paraphernalia.

“So we are throwing them out.”

– Statesman –

Mahama has worked to take the high road in the campaign, playing the part of statesman.

“Let’s continue to ignore all forms of provocation,” Mahama said in a statement on Twitter over the weekend, urging Ghana to vote and peacefully “wait for the results.”

Mahama studded his campaign with announcements of new infrastructure works and “cash donations”, according to a October report by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development, a non-profit organisation based in Accra.

In a recent survey, local pollster Ben Ephson predicted Mahama will win in the first round with 52 percent of the votes, although others have predicted a NPP victory.

Mahama will hold a rally Monday in Accra before heading to his hometown of Bole in the north to cast his ballot.

Akufo-Addo will go vote in the eastern town of Kibi, with the election results expected to be announced in Accra within a couple of days.

Sporadic violence, spurred on by so-called “macho men” — party-affiliated gangs — may break out in some areas, but nationwide violence is unlikely.

Still, it’s a “dangerous” time, Akufo-Addo told reporters at his house.

“The consequences of the election on Wednesday are really, really serious for the future of our country.”

Here is what we know about Adama Barrow, the ‘next’ President of Gambia.

Information coming in from the electoral commission in Gambia has it that the opposition candidate, Adama Barrow, is in the lead after almost 75 per cent of votes had been counted in Gambian presidential voting, threatening President Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year-rule, the electoral commission said on Friday.

 

Mr. Barrow, who has the support of seven political parties, has won 22 out of 53 constituencies or 138,148 votes in Thursday’s presidential polls.

 

Just in case Mr Barrow is declared President-Elect of Gambia, Omojuwa.Com has compiled a summary of what we know about Mr Barrow for your reading.

 

Mr Barrow:

 

  • Born in 1965 in small village near the market town of Basse, eastern Gambia
  • Moved to London in the 2000s, reportedly working as a security guard at Argos department store in north London while he completed his studies.
  • Returned to Gambia in 2006 to set up his own property company
  • 51-year-old wins nomination to lead coalition of seven opposition parties against President Jammeh
  • Criticises the lack of a two-term limit on the presidency and condemns the jailing of opposition politicians
  • Promotes an independent judiciary, freedom for media and civil society
  • Says he will introduce a three-year transitional government made up from members of the opposition coalition if he wins

After 22 year rule, Gambia’s President Jammeh ‘to concede defeat’.

The Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh is about to concede defeat, the electoral commission chairman has told the BBC.

Mr Jammeh, who has been in power for 22 years, faced estate agent Adama Barrow in Thursday’s election.

Electoral commission chief Alieu Momar Njie said it was unprecedented for a Gambian head of state to accept defeat before the final results.

The West African country has not had a smooth transfer of power since independence in 1965.

There has been no official word from Mr Jammeh, who took power in a coup in 1994.

The 51-year-old leader has been trailing Mr Barrow in partial results and was defeated in the capital, Banjul, his stronghold.

A devout Muslim, Mr Jammeh once said he would rule for “one billion years” if “Allah willed it”.

“It’s really unique that someone who has been ruling this country for so long has accepted defeat,” Mr Njie told reporters.

During the campaign, the country’s mostly young population seemed to be yearning for change, said the BBC’s Umaru Fofana in Banjul.

The economic challenges the country faces have forced many to make the perilous journey to Europe, with some drowning on the way, he said.

Human rights groups have accused Mr Jammeh, who has in the past claimed he can cure Aids and infertility, of repression and abuses.

Several previous opposition leaders are in jail after taking part in a rare protest in April.

Observers from the European Union (EU) and the West African regional bloc Ecowas did not attend the vote.

Gambian officials opposed the presence of Western observers, but the EU said it was staying away out of concern about the fairness of the voting process.

The African Union did despatch a handful of observers to supervise the vote, however.

The Gambia, a tiny country with a population of fewer than two million, is surrounded on three sides by Senegal and has a short Atlantic coastline popular with European tourists.

BREAKING: Gambian government shuts down internet amidst elections.

The Gambian government has switched off its telecommunication gateway from the outside world ahead of Thursday’s Presidential elections. Gamtel’s the nation’s main telecommunication company has turned off its international call gateway. International calls have been blocked.  No one can call The Gambia from Europe, Asia, the Arab world, America, and Africa at this hour.

Local and international outcry greeted Gambia’s move to disrupt international calls. A Gambian living in New York, told the Freedom Newspaper he has phoned ten different lines in The Gambia without success. All the lines he dialed were off.

Another Gambian based in Denmark said he has spent over two hundred Euro to reach his family in The Gambia without success.

“I am disappointed at Jammeh’s move to disrupt international lines. This is outrageous,” he said.

A Gambian living in Sweden, said his wife also dialed five different lines in The Gambia, without success. He said his wife was trying to reach her parents, but the phone lines were switched off.

Gambia’s unhinged dictator Yahya Jammeh, has given directives to the country’s main telecommunication company Gamtel, for the Internet to be shut down on Thursday morning, marking election day in The Gambia, the Freedom Newspaper can reveal. International phone calls would also be blocked on polling day, sources said. Gambians on the ground will not have access to social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Viber, Tango, and snap chat.

The intercepted circular spelt out a game plan designed by the dictator to keep Gambians both at home and abroad from reporting happenings on elections day. Our trusted and dependable sources at Gamtel have alerted us about Jammeh’s plans to rig the polls and cover up the atrocities he intends to wage against the opposition.

Mr. Jammeh is seeking a fifth term re-election. He is one of the most unpopular candidates in this race.

Gamtel insiders said the order to yank the Internet from the outside world will commence in earnest at 7:00 AM Gambian time. Gamtel engineers are on standby to implement Jammeh’s order, sources said.

There are reports also circulating that on the spot counting might be abolished. The dictator wants to resort to his old trick of escorting ballot boxes to Governors offices for counting. The rigging usually occur during the transportation of ballot boxes.

In the meantime, some police men were seen around the vicinity of the Amadiyaa hospital carrying ballot boxes of Jammeh. There is growing suspicion that the dictator is going to rig the polls.

In another development, armed soldiers assaulted supporters of the opposition alliance, and Mama Kandeh’s GDC party. Some causalities have been recorded during the soldiers assault waged against the opposition followers late Tuesday evening, Some opposition supporters have been detained ahead of the polls.

Police dares Wike to prove rigging allegation by releasing video

The Rivers State Police Command has challenged the state governor, Nyesom Wike to prove his latest allegation about plots to rig the forthcoming rerun legislative elections in parts of the state by making public the purported video.

Wike had during his outing at Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area claimed that the state government was in possession of audio-visual footage of alleged plot to rig the rerun.

He also accused the Commissioner of Police, Francis Odesanya of involvement in the alleged plot with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

But the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, Nnamdi Omoni challenged the Rivers State Government to release the video.

Omoni said, “We are not aware of it. It is a mere allegation which is not verifiable. We insist that his allegation is never correct. Such thing never happened.

“If the Governor claims he has a video footage, a video recording or audio recording let him bring it out and make it public so everybody will see.

“As it stands what he said is still speculative and it does not offer any futuristic defence.”

Meanwhile, All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State has alleged that Wike is getting out of hand in his sundry allegations in the buildup to the rerun elections on December 10.

The Rivers APC stated that with less than two weeks to the legislative rerun, the Governor appears to have thrown caution to the wind as he launches a campaign of blackmail on everyone especially the APC, INEC and the Nigeria Police.

State Publicity Secretary of APC, Chris Finebone noted, in a statement, that Wike was putting up what he described as “a pitiable image of a disarmed dictator.”

In a counter allegation, the APC spokesman said Governor Wike has never embarked on any election without buying over the police and the rest of the security agencies.

The statement reads, “Governor Wike has also not engaged in any election without taking firm control of the election umpire and the judiciary.

“As the rerun elections approach, it appears to be dawning on the Governor that times have changed, as the security agencies are way beyond his influence.

“Despite still having pockets of moles in the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Rivers State Governor has lost the services of the top echelon of the commission due to the anti-corruption stance of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.”

Tribunal to commence pre-trial hearing of Edo election Thursday

The Election Petition Tribunal will commence pre-trial hearing in the case filed by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, against Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and two others in Benin on Thursday.

 

The PDP and Mr. Ize-Iyamu are challenging the declaration of Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winner in the September 28 Edo governorship election by INEC.

 

The petitioners are asking the tribunal to nullify the result and instead declare Mr. Ize-Iyamu as the winner of the said election.

 

Photo credit: Punch Newspapers

 

But APC and Mr. Obaseki have urged the tribunal to discountenance PDP’s petition and uphold their application which challenged the areas where PDP claimed victory.

 

The tribunal had on October 11, ordered INEC to allow PDP have unhindered access to all electoral materials in the September 28 governorship election in Edo.

 

The order followed an ex-parte motion filed by PDP’s counsel, Kingsley Obamogie.

 

Mr. Obamogie had argued that the motion was in compliance with section 151 of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended which he relied on. He prayed the court to grant them the order to inspect the INEC materials.

 

The three-member tribunal led by Justice A. Badamasi, on Tuesday, fixed Thursday, December 1 for the commencement of the pre-trial hearing in the petition.

 

The other two members of the tribunal are Justices E. A. Ade Sodun and Adamu Usman.

OndoDecides: Civil society groups say INEC performed well.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has earned high ratings for its conduct of the just concluded Ondo State governorship election won by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Rotimi Akeredolu, according to separate reports by two civil society organisations – Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement, YIAGA, and Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room – that observed the election

But the reports also indicted politicians, without mentioning names though, for bribing voters with monetary inducement in some areas in the course of the election.

In its preliminary report on the Saturday election, YIAGA scored the electoral commission according to processes of setting up polling units, accreditation, voting, counting and posting of results at polling units.

According to the report signed by the body’s director, Samson Itodo, the polling process afforded the Ondo electorate a largely credible opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

The report read: “YIAGA noted an improved deployment of INEC poll officials and materials as compared to recent off-cycle gubernatorial elections, which saw 65 per cent of polling units open by 7:30 a.m., and accreditation and voting begun by 10:00 a.m. at 95 per cent of polling units. Our observation also revealed that card readers were used throughout accreditation in 96 per cent of polling units.”

Describing its methodology, YIAGA said it deployed 340 stationary and 23 mobile citizen observers to a representative random sample of 300 polling units.

On adherence to electoral rules, YIAGAA said, “perhaps most significantly, no voter at nearly 100 per cent of sampled polling unit was accredited to vote without a permanent voter card (PVC).”

Starting with the Benue South senatorial rerun poll held early 2016, INEC switched to accrediting voters and allowing them cast their votes simultaneously.

Reporting on this recently adopted policy, YIAGA said polls ended swiftly, noting “that At 23 per cent of polling units, accreditation and voting ended before 2 p.m., and by 3 p.m., 89 per cent of polling units had completed.”

“As for the counting process, by 4 p.m., 85 per cent of polling units had completed, and by 6 p.m., another 14 per cent of polling units had completed.”

Issues still remain with the PVC and card reader’s use, said YIAGA.

“While only 4 per cent of polling units had card readers that were not used throughout accreditation, some areas of the state were particularly problematic around completing two-step verification.”

Perhaps the major downside reported by YIAGAA, secrecy of the ballot was a challenge in some areas. In 14 per cent of the polling units, the report said, voters could not vote in secret.

Also, 12 critical incident reports described voters to have displayed their ballots before placing in the ballot box, the report added. This may give some credence to allegations that voters were induced monetarily.

The interim report did not include areas were voters could not exercise their voting right secretly.

“Secrecy of the ballot is a fundamental dimension of democratic elections and INEC should continue to review its material deployment and voting procedures to allow voters to cast their ballots freely and without exposing their voting preference,” the report noted.

YIAGA also reported 61 critical incidents, including cases of buying votes, confirmed through its “Critical Incident desk as part of its State Information Centre to receive urgent messages from its 340 stationary observers.”

“The most frequent incident reports recorded by #WatchingTheVote citizen observers related to vote buying and bribery (17), card reader malfunction (13), voters publicly displaying their ballots before placing in the ballot box (12), and intimidation or harassment of voters, poll officials or party agents,” said the report.

Similar concern over inducement of voters was raised by the Situation Room.

According to its convener, the practice of paying voters to induce support posed threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

He noted that the Situation Room observed in Polling Unit 005, Ward 01, Akoko South East and Polling Unit 005 Ward 03 in Idanre councils respectively, report of police officer found collecting envelope from party agents.

But like YIAGA, Situation Room also commended INEC for the “professionalism displayed.”

The candidate of APC, Mr. Akeredolu, scored 244,882 votes to emerge winner in the election, coming ahead of Eyitayo Jegede of Peoples Democratic Party who polled 150,380 votes.

Olusola Oke of Alliance for Democracy came third with 126,889 votes.

Ondo guber: We are ready for poll – INEC, Police

The police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday declared their readiness to conduct a hitch-free election on Saturday.

Former INEC Acting Chairman, Amina Bala Zakari, said effort would be made to avoid an inconclusive election.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Segun Agbaje, said all electoral materials had been distributed.

He said the commission was more determined to prosecute anyone who violated the Electoral Act.

Zakari and Agbaje spoke when they briefed international observers, including representatives of the United Kingdom, German and the Netherlands embassies at the INEC headquarters in Akure.

Residents were seen in last minute shopping as they prepare for Saturday’s polls. The markets and banks were busy.

Agbaje dispelled rumours that the election had been postponed till December 19. He said the poll would hold on Saturday as scheduled.

He said sensitive materials were distributed on Thursday and Friday to the local government areas, from where they will be taken to the polling units on Saturday.

Agbaje said smart card readers had been configured to ensure that voting does not go beyond the stipulated time.

He said when fully charged, the machines could work for 10 hours.

The REC said effort was being made to ensure there were little or no hitches.

Agbaje said accreditation and voting would be done simultaneously which he believes would “help capture more voters.”

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Joshak Habila, said anyone found inducing voters with money would be arrested no matter how highly placed.

The DIG, who is the ground commander-in-charge of Ondo governorship election, said every arrangement had been made to ensure there were no security breaches.

Habila is being assisted by two Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Paul Okafor, of Zone 11 and E. S. Saha of the Air Wing.

Each senatorial zone is headed by a commissioner of police.

The DIG said over 26,000 policemen had been deployed to ensure a smooth election.

Ondo 2016: Resist any attempt to rig, Mimiko tells supporters

The Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, has called on his supporters to resist an alleged attempt by the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, and the All Progressive Congress, APC, to subvert the will of the people and rig Saturday’s gubernatorial election in the state.

Mr. Mimiko, who was speaking during a press conference at the Dome in Akure, the state capital, on Friday said INEC has perfected plans to “deliver ill-fated results for the APC candidate.”

He alleged, as did the spokesperson for his Peoples Democratic Party, Banji Okunomo, that they have uncovered an arrangement by the INEC to use “the same team of election ad-hoc staff which masterminded the controversial Edo election” to rig the election in the state.

“I have to say this here and now that our people will not accept the rigging of the process unleashed on Edo. We reject unequivocally the mission of this team on our state,” said Mr. Mimiko, looking very agitated.

“In Edo State, they did not only call off collation (early), party agents, observers and journalists were ordered out of the collation centres allowing for final subversion of the will of the electorate. We shall not allow such ungodly process to be repeated in our state,” he said.

The governor alleged that INEC violated its own laws to make sure that its preconceived plans for the election come to past.

“Effort has been concerted by INEC and forces within the APC to prevent the emergence of a credible and electable candidate in Ondo state. For the avoidance of doubt, this ungodly process started when INEC in flagrant violation of extant laws governing elections removed the name of Eyitayo Jegede on the basis of a Justice Okon Abang order that has since been declared as a fraud at the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

“We wonder why INEC would remove the name of a man who emerged from a party primary that was conducted in a free, fair and open environment and by legitimate organs of the party where INEC itself was represented, with another name from a process that was illegal and by people not known to law.

“INEC discarded all legal advice not to substitute Eyitayo Jegede by its own chosen consortium of lawyers because Eyitayo Jegede was the legal and proper candidate of PDP.”

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal on Wednesday stating that Mr. Jegede was the legitimate candidate or the PDP.

Mr. Mimiko said INEC only replaced the name of Jimoh Ibrahim, the factional candidate of the PDP with that of Mr. Jegede, after the Supreme Court’s ruling.

He added that the PDP has not been given the opportunity to submit the names of its party agents or even the opportunity to raise funds to campaign

He questioned why INEC insisted on going ahead with the election on Saturday when it still has up to January to conduct the election. He said INEC’s insistence showed that it was working with powers with the APC to rig the election.

“Several other hurdles were placed on the way of the PDP candidate Eyitayo Jegede to the extent that he did not become a candidate until about 48 hours to his own election.

“INEC did not release the list on the voters register to PDP until yesterday in clear infraction of its own laws. In a free and fair contest, INEC is supposed to have released the electoral register so that the candidate should actually know and the party should properly organise. Under the electoral act and INEC guideline a nominated candidate should have his name published at least 30 days to the election.

“INEC denied Eyitayo Jegede to submit the names of his party agent which according to Section 35 of the Electoral Act 2010, is supposed to submit it at least 7 days before the election. Two days to the election, Eyitayo Jegede’s supporters are not sure of those parading themselves as agents of the party. In fact, we got the information yesterday that some so called party agents of the PDP held a meeting in Akoko and agreed to work with the APC.

“Those are agents of candidates that have been described as an impostors in our party. A day to the election, many of our units and wards have not received agent cards from INEC. The agents with INEC were submitted by a man who has been exposed as a fifth columnist in the election. We were expected to run a race with our arms tied behind our back. While INEC goes ahead to foist a wururu to the answer result. We would not accept.

“Forty-eight hours to the election you are saying that the election must continue willy-nilly, how does the candidate raise money for the election? Are we saying that money is not part of this process or is he expected to raise the funds within 48 hours.

“The question is why the stubborn insistence on going ahead with tomorrow. Knowing full well that they still have up to January under the law to conduct this election. We shall not take it. In this instance, injustice stares us in the face and we are being treated by INEC and all the agents and the powers that control them, the power that sent them obnoxious phone calls to act outside the law, we are being treated like slaves and a conquered people in our own country, we will no longer take it. INEC is being forced to subvert its own process.

He, however, called on the people of the state to remain peaceful but to be firm in resisting any attempt at rigging the election at the polling unit or the collation centres.

BREAKING: Ondo APC chieftain ‘killed’

Afolabi Olaposi, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Owo, Ondo State, was killed by unknown gunmen on Thursday night in Owo, the party said.

 

The party said in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, on Friday in Akure that Mr. Olaposi was shot dead on his way home after attending a meeting of the party in preparation for the governorship election.

 

“Olaposi, who is one of the leaders of our party in Igboroko Ward 1, Owo, was also an ardent supporter of our Governorship Candidate, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

 

“He was a perfect gentleman who was committed to the development of the party in Owo and Ondo State in general.

 

“The assailant also went to the house of Chief Jamiu Ekungba, an APC aspirant in the Sept. 3 Primary, and vandalised seven vehicles in his compound.

 

“Ekungba was not to at home during the attack.

 

“We believe those calling for the postponement of the election and threatening a repeat of 1983 violence were behind these dastardly acts.

 

“We call on security agents in the state to fish out those behind these acts and ensure the protection of our people before, during and after the election,’’ Mr. Adesanya said.

 

Speaking in a telephone interview, the spokesperson for Ondo State Police Command, Femi Joseph, said: “ I don’t have the details of the incident now, but the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of the election will speak about it later’’.

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed Ondo Governorship Election for Saturday.

Akeredolu Accuses Oke Of Thugs Importation To Cause Violence

The Aketi Campaign Platform, the campaign group of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has raised the alarm over alleged importation of thugs from Lagos and Osun states for attacks on APC members and cause violence in the Saturday governorship election.

 

A statement by the spokesman of the campaign platform, Soji Alakuro, alleged that the thugs were being sponsored by Lagos and Osun governments in alleged active connivance of the governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, to unleash violence on Ondo State to help the candidate of the Alliance of Democracy, Olusola Oke, in the weekend governorship election.

 

Alakuro expressed dismay at the desperation of Lagos and Osun States’ governors in Ondo State election, wondering while the governors elected on the platform of APC would be working against their party in favour a party that had no roots and no single councilor across the country.

 

Akeredolu’s spokesman added that Fayose’s connection was baffling, wondering while a governor elected on the platform of PDP would abandon his party to work for the success of the opposition party in Ondo State.

 

Berating the three governors for their acts of desperation in Oke’s support, he said AD’s allegation of rigging against the Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Works and Power Minister, Babatunde Fasola, Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai was a smokescreen to cover their alleged evil plan.

 

He added that the latest discovery followed alleged deployment of N10b by Lagos State government to help Oke win the election “to allow Lagos and Osun axis control the economic and political destiny of Ondo State people”.
He said: “We have it on good authority that fierce-looking thugs are being housed at Oke’s expansive home and other adjoining streets in Ijapo Estate.

 

“Members of the public can recollect that media reports had earlier indicated that Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State working with Fayose had earlier ferried suspected Niger Delta militants to Ekiti State during his last visit to Ondo and Ekiti states in readiness for deployment for Ondo election.

 

“Reports indicated that Dickson was allegedly coordinating the recruitment of the militants from the Niger Delta while Fayose is complementing this with the deployment of a factional local ethnic militia called OPC under a disguised name of ‘Vigilante’ all lodged in Ekiti State Government House for onward deployment in Ondo State to cause violence to rig election in Oke’s favour while they take over the media to turn around that APC is planning to rig.

 

“What the desperados are doing is called reversed psychology, where planners of evils accuse the innocent of planning evils.

 

“They had earlier disbursed billions of their state funds to back Oke, part of which they spent to book all the hotels in Akure to enable their thugs lodge there.”

 

He urged security agents to comb all hotels in the state capital to fish out the thugs that were allegedly armed to disrupt Saturday’s election “if it does not go Oke’s way”.

 

Assuring voters that security agents would protect them from “desperate acts of outside sponsors with the eye to control Ondo’s economy,” he charged Ondo people to resist attempt by Oke to sell Ondo State to “outside sponsors who are desperate to recoup their money through manipulation of contracts and appointments”.

 

Urging voters to vote for Akeredolu as “independent-minded candidate who is also sincere about the development of the state and its citizens”, Alakuro said: “Media reports as contained in Thisday newspaper of November 18, 2016 indicated that Oke has ceded the positions of the SSG, chairmanship of OSOPADEC), commissioner for finance, commissioner for works, commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, commissioner for health and the headship of Ondo State Board of Internal Revenue to his Lagos and Osun sponsors.

 

“Other positions ceded by Oke to Lagos and Osun in his deal with his sponsors, according to the newspaper, include six caretaker committee chairmanship positions, two per senatorial district; four special advisers, while Aregbesola’s former Special Adviser, Bola Ilori, is tipped for Secretary to State Government (SSG).

 

“Lagos-based chartered accountant, Mr Adebo Akinbobola, according to the report, will take the position of commissioner for finance while one Dr Taiwo Malumi is chosen by the former Lagos governor for the chairmanship of OSOPADEC.”

 

Warning the voters against sale into slavery, he urged them to vote for Akeredolu “who emerged as APC’s candidate through due process of people’s support” and who would work in the interest of Ondo people and not for any outside sponsors.

Governorship Battle In Ondo: How Parties, Candidates Will Perform.

Despite the call for postponement by some of the parties, the governorship election in Ondo State will hold on Saturday as scheduled. There is an increased tempo of campaigns and political activities by the various actors. The drumbeats of war are dying down. The candidates are reaching out. And as the Election Day draws near, the candidates and their parties are becoming even more conscious that the voter armed with his voter card is king.

So much has gone into preparations for the elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said on Tuesday that all was set for the exercise. According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Olusegun Agbaje, all the sensitive and non-sensitive materials are on ground for the election. “Ad-hoc staff have been trained, stakeholders have been sensitized and security has been mobilized.”

The race is now before the candidates, whose only goal is to win and become the next governor of Ondo State. Having emerged from their respective party primaries as victors, they are prepared to test their popularity among the electorates whose votes would determine their fate on Saturday.

About 28 political parties and their candidates are standing for the coming election. However, only four of the parties have shown seriousness in the race. This informed the invitation of only four candidates for the Ondo 2016 governorship debate which held in Akure on Monday. The candidates are Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress, APC; Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy, AD; Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; and Olu Agunloye of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

PARTY CONTROVERSIES

Three of the four parties, PDP APC and AD, had entered the race for Alagbaka from controversial primaries and prolonged litigations. While the APC and the AD appeared to have managed to quell the legal storms that rocked their political campaigns, the PDP’s troubles have failed to abate. The SDP, which held a modest primary, had Agunloye without any contention.

The September 3 primaries of the APC was destined for tribulations. It began its faulty march to the election with so many candidates showing interest in the ticket. Then came the endorsement of Olusegun Abraham, one of the aspirants, by a national leader, Bola Tinubu. The crisis started. It spilled over into the primaries and with allegations of fraud and doctoring of the delegates’ list, the APC was no longer a home at ease with itself. Mr. Abraham, the runner up, went to court and he is still in court, but Mr. Oke left for the AD. Ajayi Boroffice, who did not leave the party, had become withdrawn, after reaching a truce with Mr. Akeredolu to halt hostilities. But the decision of the party to have Mr. Akeredolu fly its flag stood.

Mr. Oke’s trip to the AD met with a legal backlash, as some of the old members of the party refused to recognize him as the party’s candidate. A youth group within the party protested his entrance and sudden emergence as the candidate of the party after replacing Akin Olowookere, who was earlier picked as the candidate. A youth group in the party questioned the decision of the leadership to circumvent the process of membership of the party in admitting Oke. The party’s legal adviser, Kehinde Aworele, went to court to seek the nullification of the candidature of Mr. Oke on the grounds that he was not properly elected as the flag bearer of the party. His sojourn in the courts came to an end recently when he was prevailed upon by the elders of the party to let peace rain. The legal adviser has since joined in the campaigns for the man he rejected initially.

The PDP is currently embroiled in legal intra party conflict which has distorted its hitherto smooth-sailing campaigns. Two factions of the party laid claims to the ticket to run for the office. The Ahmed Makarfi faction in the state is led by the governor, Olusegun Mimiko, and is the most formidable and better organised. It produced Eyitayo Jegede as its candidate. The Ali Sheriff camp, chaired in the state by Biyi Poroye, successfully elected businessman Jimoh Ibrahim as its candidate for the governorship election. Confident that it had followed all due process in compliance with the Electoral Act, the Makarfi group submitted Mr. Jegede’s name to INEC as the authentic candidate for the party. However a High Court decision changed that status quo as Jimoh Ibrahim became the candidate of the party. This development sucked out the steam off the campaign of Mr. Jegede, who had started his run earlier than the rest of them. He rode on the wings of the state government as the anointed of the government and governor, Mr. Mimiko.  His campaign train thinned out as the legal tussle to reclaim his place on the INEC list of candidates lasted.

Mr. Jegede through the ordeal, although relocated to Abuja to focus on the legal battle, continued to reach his supporters through radio jingles. He had no time for large rallies and city-to-city rides, to assure the people to vote for the PDP. A strong supporter of Mr. Eyitayo’s PDP, Moses Adekunle, had complained that the fears within his camp are that should the people vote for the PDP and the court fails to deliver judgment in his favour, the unintended outcome of a Jimoh Ibrahim governorship, would, as he said, “inflict pain and hardship” on the people of the state. Some of his supporters had moved to other parties. Yet others sat on the fence, hoping that a favourable judgment few days to the election could reignite the Eyitayo movement and rally him to victory. That judgement came from the Appeal Court on Wednesday and INEC has since restated that Mr. Jegede is PDP candidate.

THE CANDIDATES, THEIR CHANCES

Akeredolu

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, born 60 years ago in Owo, the northern senatorial district of Ondo State, is a legal luminary, whose tenure as President of the Nigeria Bar Association marked him out as an activist committed to the wellbeing of the common man.

rotimi-akeredolu

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria was a member of the Legal Aid Council from 1989 to 1991 and became its Chairman in 2005. He was a member of the Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies between 2008 and 2010, a member of Council of Legal Education, a member of Council, International Bar Association and Pan African Lawyers Union during the same period. He currently serves as NBA representative in the National Judicial Council, NJC.
Mr. Akeredolu was the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the 2012 election. He is a greatly misunderstood character in the Ondo political landscape. He, however, enjoys the support of the leadership of the APC in Abuja. This factor informs the audacity of his supporters. Mr. Akeredolu and the APC in the state are wooing the people with the benefits of bringing Ondo State to the mainstream politics, promising developmental projects from Abuja. President Buhari has been part of the campaign and his presence is thought to possess the ability to sway votes in Mr. Akeredolu’s favour.

Some voters who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES said they are not sure if the Buhari factor would have any effect on the decisions of many of the electorates, in the midst of the ongoing recession, hardship and unpaid salaries, largely blamed on the president’s inability to turn the economy around for the better.

Mr. Akeredolu is largely popular in Owo and other parts of the northern senatorial district. But he has an albatross in the rising profile of Olu Agunloye, who appears to be the weeping boy among the four major candidates in the contest. Mr. Agunloye of the SDP is also from Akoko, in the north. Those in the central zone are still holding on to Eyitayo Jegede. Now that Jegede is back in the fray, Mr. Akeredolu may have problems with garnering enough votes in the central zone to guarantee his victory.

Mr. Akeredolu is still being hunted by the split that occurred at the party primary where he emerged as the candidate of the party. Three of the contestants who were runners up in the exercise had opposed his election. Mr. Tinubu known for his sweeping influence in the south west, has also refused to reconcile his interest with the candidate, choosing to stay away from his campaign. He had not hidden his opposition to Mr. Akeredolu and he is believed to be backing the protests against him from within.

Aspirants Abraham and Borrofice, believed to be allies of Mr. Tinubu, although still in the party, refused to identify with Mr. Akeredolu in his campaign to win the election. They refused to appear in any of the rallies along with other aspirants.

They were also absent at the meeting the other defeated aspirants had with President Muhammadu Buhari last Saturday in Akure. This negative signals point to the rumoured  anti-party posture of the aggrieved aspirants. The attendant rifts and conflicts would appear to have weakened the party, coupled with fractionalization and a gale of defections to other parties.

Other political parties have voiced their fears that the election may be rigged in his favour using the federal might. But if the pledge of the police and the INEC to ensure transparent, free and fair election on Saturday is anything to go by, then Mr. Akeredolu will need to do more than the anti-corruption campaign to curtail the rising popularity of Olusola Oke, who could be his major threat to clinching the trophy of Alagbaka.

Oke

Olusola Oke, a native of Ilowo, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, is a lawyer by profession, having been called to bar in 1987. He has held several positions in the Ondo State government before he was elected a member of the House of Representatives (Ese-Odo federal constituency) in 1992 on the platform of the Social Democratic Party.

olusola-oke

In 1999, he was appointed a member of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to represent Ondo State. He was appointed the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, OSOPADEC. He is a one-time National Legal Adviser of the PDP. He contested the 2012 governorship election under the PDP and lost to the incumbent governor who was then in Labour Party. His sojourn in the PDP followed the failure of Goodluck Jonathan to return as President in 2015. He had complained of the discomfort created by the defection of Mr. Mimiko to the party, which resulted in realignments and power blocs within the party.

Mr. Oke left the PDP for the APC. However, after the APC’s controversial primaries where he came a close third, he joined the AD.

He began his campaign on a wobbling note because his new party lacked structures and personalities to help drive and sell his candidature. It is believed by many that with the support of Bola Tinubu and his allies, his campaigns have risen in strength and lengths to endear him to the people of the state. This is buttressed by the fact that a loyalist of Mr. Tinubu, Bola Ilori, a leading politician in Ondo West, where Mr. Mimiko hails from, is the Director General of the Oke Campaign Organisation.

The colourful billboards and large banners found nearly in all the nooks and crannies of the state, coupled with the huge crowd he is able to mobilise at his different rallies, suggest that his campaign is well funded. Mr. Oke himself has denied the allegation that he was receiving funding from Mr. Tinubu for his campaign.

“Tinubu is in the APC and I am in the AD, our paths do not cross and he cannot be funding my election,” Mr. Oke said, while responding to a question at the governorship debate on Monday. The fact is that Mr. Oke has risen from a struggling candidate in the race to a strong force in the entire equation. This is due largely to the dwindling fortunes of the PDP.

Politically, the southern senatorial district, which is his traditional home, is a PDP stronghold. He is now faced with the trouble of sharing the votes in the region with the wounded Mr. Jegede backed by the incumbent Governor Mimiko. Several people believe that Mr. Oke stood no chance of winning the region with the Mimiko factor. It is, however, arguable that Mr. Oke would take the misfortunes that befell the PDP to take adequate control of the area before Mr. Jegede fully bounces back to reckoning.

His new following in the south also results from the fact that he is traditionally a PDP person, who only left the party to actualise his dreams to become the governor of the state.

With his state wide political structures and financial resources available to prosecute the governorship race, the 60-year-old politician has a brighter chance of emerging victorious at the polls on Saturday. However, he has the formidable force of APC’s Mr. Akeredolu and a wounded Mr. Jegede to contend with. Going past Mr. Akeredolu at the polls could be Mr. Oke’s major task.

Agunloye

Olu Agunloye hails from Erusu-Akoko. He emerged the governorship candidate of the SDP for the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State through a party primary where he was the only aspirant. However, his candidacy was endorsed by 291 of the 310 delegates from the 18 LGAs of the state.

olu-agunloye-2

He was also the pioneer Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC. He is a former minister of power under the administration of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. Before then he had had a stint in the academia and distinguished himself as a scholar.

His campaign has been well articulated and his messages straight to the point with the view to change the political thinking of the Ondo voters who are inundated with the trends of money politics and corruption. His plan to develop the state through industrial revival has been considered well proposed and realizable.

But his performance at the polls on Saturday could be affected by the fact that the SDP is weak in the state. Except Olu Falae, the national leader of the party, whose name came up on the list of beneficiaries of the Dasukigate, the party lacks other prime movers who could give it the tonic to woo voters.

His record of changing parties, especially his defection from LP to ACN and back to LP shortly before and after the 2012 governorship election in the state, respectively, has been seen as another weak point.

The obvious lack of funding of the Agunloye campaign when compared with the three other contending parties is likely going to adversely affect the number of votes that would be registered against his name. This is because of the mindset of people who would follow only those who are willing to part with a lot of money.

His media aide, Tunde Fajimbola, however, said his lack of funds should be a strength rather than weakness.

“People should know that if it is said that he doesn’t have money, it means that when he was minister of the federal republic of Nigeria, he did not steal, or he is so generous that he did not have so much savings to prosecute the election in the way others are doing,” Mr. Fajimbola said.

However, his choice of a female deputy governorship aspirant and his style of going from door to door to humbly woo voters are his strongest points. He certainly lags behind the APC and the AD candidates ahead of the election on Saturday.

Jegede

Mr. Jegede, a legal practitioner, is the immediate past Commissioner for Justice and  Attorney General of the state.

eyitayo-jegede-2

After graduating from the University of Lagos in 1983 and called to bar in 1984, he was counsel with the law firm of Murtala Aminu and Co, Yola, in the then Gongola State and served there for 12 years before setting up his law firm, Tayo Jegede and Co with offices in Yola and Abuja in 1996.

He was appointed a Notary Public by the Chief Justice of Nigeria in 1992 and was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on December 16, 2008. He was deeply and actively involved in political cases and election petition matters, an area of law where his industry and practice is noted and respected.

Mr. Jegede, is a member of the Council of Legal Education in Nigeria, the body responsible for setting standards for legal education in Nigeria.

He emerged as candidate in the primary election conducted by the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party with little or no resistance, as the incumbent governor, Olusegun Mimiko, had paved the way for a smooth ride for him to take the ticket. A parallel primary by the Ali Sheriff-led faction shortly after, challenged his legitimacy as the party’s candidate.

His name remained on the list of chosen candidates for the election until October 27, when INEC published the final list of candidates, as his name was substituted with Mr. Ibrahim’s on the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja. In the last 25 days, Mr. Jegede’s campaign which had lighted the entire state with colour and fanfare, was drowned in the noise of legal battles. To many of his admirers and party officials, all was over for him, as Jimoh Ibrahim held on to the ticket through legal manipulations. The Appeal Court judgment on Wednesday was a final breather for the candidate. He is now back as the authentic candidate of the PDP in the Saturday election.

But the campaigns are no longer where he left off. His campaign train was the first to hit the streets of Akure and its environs and was prepared for every battle. The governor and commissioners were all out campaigning and wooing voters for him. Many people liked him and his handsome  and gentle looks cut him out as governor to be loved. Then the crisis began.

The Publicity Director of the PDP, Ayodele Fadaka, admitted that some party persons left following him while the case in  court lasted.

“Grounds have been lost and we are calling on those who were misled to return so we can recover outperform lost grounds to ensure victory on Saturday,” he said.

The Governor of neighbouring Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, whose comments reflected the sorry state of the Eyitayo campaign, said “This is not the best of times for the PDP, it is not the best of times for the judgment.” His conclusion was that a postponement was necessary to allow the PDP campaign in Ondo State be put back on track for it to perform well on Saturday.

While in court, Mr. Jegede retained his radio and television jingles and got some persons to move around the towns distributing his posters and rallying support for him. As Mr. Fadaka said, the campaign structure was not dismantled altogether.

He would have to rely heavily on the machinery of the Mimiko administration to kick-start his campaign which has less than 48 hours to catch up with that of Messrs. Oke and Akeredolu. His chances of emerging victorious in the polls have been narrowed by his party’s crisis and sadly too his enemies are unrelenting.

INEC PLEDGES FAIRNESS

The Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, has assured that the next governor of Ondo State will only be determined by Ondo State voters.

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has also reassured that the election on Saturday will be transparent and credible. If the two crucial agencies act based on their pledges, which by implication means they would be neutral and not rig the election in favour of any candidate, then the voter can certainly cast his vote on Saturday with the confidence that only the popular candidate will win.

This is the only guarantee for peace when the new governor is eventually announced.

PDP rejects INEC’s reappointment of Edo Returning Officer for Ondo election.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the decision of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to appoint Kayode Soremekun as the returning officer for Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Ondo State.

Mr. Soremekun, who is the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, was the returning officer during September’s gubernatorial election in neighbouring Edo State, which the party’s candidate lost.

The PDP claimed Mr Soremekun was a party to the alleged widespread rigging during the election won by the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Godwin Obaseki.

Banji Okunomo, the publicity secretary of the PDP in Ondo State, said the party had confirmed that several officials who perpetrated the “rigging” of the Edo election were being escorted to the state capital, Akure, on Friday by policemen from Ekiti State, with instructions to repeat what they did in Edo State.

“This is uncalled for and a further attestation to the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) desperation to rig the governorship election in favour of its candidate. We will not accept this,” he said in a statement late on Thursday.
“It would be recalled that these same people were the ones used by the APC to manipulate the Edo State election which, today, is being described as one of the most fraudulent elections in the history of the nation’s democracy.”

Mr Okuomo said the APC in the state had been instructed to repeat the template it used in rigging the election in Edo State.

“It is rather unfortunate that the INEC in Ondo State would heed the instructions given by its defacto Chairman, Mrs Amina Zakari to use the Edo State template for Ondo State.

“Just like the experience in Edo State, the PDP has gathered that results have already been written for Prof. Soremekun and his team to announce after the election,” he said.

Mr Ojunomo wondered why INEC would bring back Mr. Soremekun after the controversy that surrounded his role in Edo State, when it could have used any professor from other nearby universities.

“There are so many University Dons of repute in Nigeria. If at all the INEC is constrained financially, it could still make do with Vice Chancellors of nearby Federal Universities in Osun, Oyo and even Edo States.

“Apparently, Prof Soremekun is not the only Vice Chancellor in Nigeria and there is no reason why he should be INEC’s choice again especially considering his controversial role in the rigging of the recently held Edo Election,” he said.

He warned INEC that any attempt to manipulate the result of Saturday’s election would be vehemently resisted by the people on Ondo State

“We must let the INEC know that much as Ondo State people are peace loving, we would not allow any form of misdemeanour on the part of INEC or its agents. We would resist any attempt to manipulate the election result.

“We reject any form of advanced rigging in the Ondo State governorship election and want the electoral umpire to be unbiased for the sake of peace during and after the poll.

“We remain resolute in our commitment to building our democracy. However, we call on the electorate to be at alert till the final results of the election is announced,” he said.

Conducting Ondo election on Saturday will violate the law – Jegede

The Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the Ondo Stare governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to postpone Saturday’s election for at least 30 days.

He said this would allow the party to submit a list of its agents in good time before the election as provided for in the Electoral Act 2010.

The Act stipulates that each party should make their party agents available to the commission, 14 days before the day of election.

The Biyi Poroye faction of the PDP had submitted a list of party agents to the commission before the expiration of the deadline for Jimoh Ibrahim, who was removed by Wednesday’s Appeal Court judgment.

Mr. Jegede, who led a protest to the INEC state headquarters at Alagbaka, in Akure on Thursday, told the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Olusegun Agbaje, that the postponement was necessary in order not to be in breach of the Electoral Act.

He also submitted a letter he addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, Mahmood Yahkoob, demanding the postponement of the election.

“It follows from the foregoing that any list of agents purportedly forwarded by one Poroye and his fellow pretenders who had been illegally parading themselves as the state executive members of the PDP, Ondo State cannot be regarded as authentic,” the letter read in part.

“As it is, the peoples democratic party has not forwarded the list of its agents to the commission.

“Whichever way one may look at the situation on ground, the governorship election of Ondo state slated for 26th November, if conducted, will undoubtedly be in breach of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

“It is in light of the foregoing that I request you to differ the governorship election for Ondo State for at least 30 days so as not to conduct the election in flagrant violation of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.”

But Mr. Agbaje said INEC had gone past the issue of postponement, given that it had distributed sensitive materials to all the local governments already for the elections.

He insisted that the commission was prepared for the election come Saturday.

“We can no longer talk about postponement of the election right now,” he said. “The matter is an internal dispute within the PDP and so we cannot be talking about postponement.

“If we postpone the election, we will be losing billions of naira knowing that we have already deployed sensitive and non-sensitive materials to all the local government areas of the state.”

He said the list of party agents would be received from the Mr. Jegede and the former one would be discarded.

The materials which were supplied directly from the vault of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in Akure include ballot papers, result sheets and other forms that would be used to collate the results.

Mr. Agbaje said adequate security had been provided to escort the materials to the respective local government areas.

Trump then and now: How the President-elect has changed since his election.

President-elect Donald Trump is sounding a different tune as he prepares to take on the mantle of the presidency.

The brash businessman has already begun to step away from some of his rhetoric and promises he made during the presidential campaign — ranging from how he’ll treat Hillary Clinton to what he can accomplish with Congress.
Here’s Donald Trump then and now.

On investigating Hillary Clinton

Trump repeatedly bashed Clinton’s use of a private email server during his campaign, ticking down a list of alleged misconduct and repeatedly arguing that Clinton should be behind bars as his supporters erupted in “Lock her up!” chants.
Trump then: “If I win, I am going to instruct my attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation, because there has never been so many lies, so much deception. There has never been anything like it, and we’re going to have a special prosecutor,” he said at the second presidential debate last month. He added that she’d be “in jail” if he were president.
Trump now: “I want to move forward, I don’t want to move back. And I don’t want to hurt the Clintons. I really don’t. She went through a lot. And suffered greatly in many different ways. And I am not looking to hurt them at all,” Trump told The New York Times on Tuesday. “It’s just not something that I feel very strongly about.”

On climate change

Donald Trump called climate change a “hoax” invented by the Chinese before launching his presidential campaign
Trump then: In a March interview with the Washington Post’s editorial board, he said, “I think there’s a change in weather. I am not a great believer in man-made climate change. I’m not a great believer…I’m not a big believer in man-made climate change.”
Undeniable climate change facts
Undeniable climate change facts 02:24
And in May, he said he would “cancel” the Paris climate change accord.
Trump now: “I have an open mind to it,” he told the Times on the Paris deal. “We’re going to look very carefully. I have a very open mind.”
Asked about the scientific consensus on a connection between human activity and climate change, he added: “I think there is some connectivity. There is some, something. It depends on how much. It also depends on how much it’s going to cost our companies.”

On Obamacare

One of Trump’s core campaign promises was his pledge to “repeal and replace” Obamacare, which he repeatedly dubbed a “disaster” during the campaign. Now, it seems like things aren’t so clear cut.
Trump then: “Real change begins with immediately repealing and replacing Obamacare,” he said on the eve of the election.
Trump now: “Either Obamacare will be amended, or repealed and replaced,” Trump told The Wall Street Journal, praising several provisions of the law he said he intends to keep, such as coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions and for adults under 26 who would like to stay on their parents’ health care plans.
“I like those very much,” he said of those provisions.

On waterboarding

Trump repeatedly argued the US should take a more aggressive approach to combating terrorism, including bringing back the use of the controversial torture tactic known as waterboarding.
Trump then: “I would bring back waterboarding and I’d bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding,” he said in a GOP debate February 6. And even in the last week of his presidential campaign, Trump bemoaned criticism of waterboarding, saying “we have to be pretty vicious.”
Sen. Tom Cotton: Trump ready to make tough decisions
Sen. Tom Cotton: Trump ready to make tough decisions 00:56
Trump now: He now seems to be changing his mind after talking with retired Gen. James Mattis, a leading candidate to become secretary of defense.
“(Mattis) said — I was surprised — he said, ‘I’ve never found it to be useful.’ He said, ‘I’ve always found, give me a pack of cigarettes and a couple of beers and I do better with that than I do with torture.’ And I was very impressed by that answer,” Trump told the Times.
“Look, we have people that are chopping off heads and drowning people in steel cages and we’re not allowed to waterboard. But I’ll tell you what, I was impressed by that answer. It certainly does not — it’s not going to make the kind of a difference that maybe a lot of people think. If it’s so important to the American people, I would go for it. I would be guided by that.”

On South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley:

Trump has been meeting with a slew of his former critics as he looks to build his administration. And he’s even making room for those critics in his administration.
Trump then: “The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley!” he tweeted in March.
Trump now: Wednesday, Trump picked her as his ambassador to the United Nations.

On the New York Times

Donald Trump meets with New York Times
Donald Trump meets with New York Times
Donald Trump meets with New York Times 02:18
The newspaper was one of Trump’s prime targets for ridicule and attack during his campaign rallies.
Trump then: “No media is more corrupt than the failing New York Times.”
Trump now: “I will say, The Times is, it’s a great, great American jewel. A world jewel.”

Ondo Election: Police Deploys 26,000 Officers, 20 Gunboats, 3 Helicopters

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris has announced that no fewer than 26,000 officers and men of the Force drawn from 26 mobile units would be deployed for this weekend’s governorship election in Ondo State.

The IGP stated this On Tuesday in Akure, the state capital, at a meeting with INEC officials, security operatives and others stakeholders.

According to him, special attention would be paid to riverine communities where 20 boats have been stationed to tackle any security challenge on the waterways.

He said 12 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) would be moved to the state while 300 Hilux vehicles have been earmarked for the exercise.

Idris also said that dogs and horses would be on standby in case of reinforcement, while 3 helicopters would also be used for aerial vigilance.

He said the police operatives would work in synergy with other security agencies to ensure hitch free exercise.

 

BREAKING: Supreme Court orders continuation of Appeal Court hearing on Ondo election

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the Abuja Division of the Appeal Court to continue its hearing in the ongoing legal battle for the Ondo State’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket.

 

The Appeal Court had on October 18 suspended hearings into the various applications pending the decision of the highest court.

 

The applications were brought to the Appeal Court by a factional candidate of the party, Eyitayo Jegede, who challenged the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja to replace him with another contender for the ticket, Jimoh Ibrahim.

 

While both candidates belong to the PDP, Mr. Jegede was picked by the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party, and Mr. Ibrahim represents the camp of former Borno governor, Ali Sheriff.

 

A three-member panel of the appeal court led by Ibrahim Salauwa set aside the matter to await the decision of the Apex Court.

 

Applications regarding the forthcoming elections were taken to the Supreme Court by a factional leader of the party in Ondo state, Biyi Poroye, who represents Mr. Sheriff’s faction.

 

On Tuesday, a five-man panel of justices led by the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, ordered the Appeal Court to proceed with the matter.

Ondo Election: Why I Missed Governorship Debate – Akeredolu

The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the forthcoming Ondo election, Rotimi Akeredolu, has explained his absence from the governorship debate organised by Channels Television on Monday night.

Akeredolu had been absent from the event moderated by Channels TV correspondent, Seun Okinbaloye.

But Akeredolu, in a letter signed by Kunle Adebayo, communications secretary of his campaign organisation, said he could not attend the debate because it coincided with its organisation’s campaign schedule.

He said the debate came “at a time when our grassroots rallies are at their peaks”, adding that he was, at the time of the programme, “tucked in the deep riverine communities of Ilaje Local Government, most of which have no access to electricity to watch television”.

Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy; Jimoh Ibrahim of Peoples Democratic Party; and Olu Agunloye of  Social Democratic Party, were the three candidates that were at the two-hour programme.

Full Statement

“Akeredolu Campaign Platform (ACP) regrets its inability to attend today’s governorship
debate organised by Channels Television.

“It is unfortunate that the debate is coming at a time when our grassroots rallies are at their peaks.

“As we speak, Akeredolu is tucked in the deep riverine communities of Ilaje Local
Government, most of which have no access to electricity to watch television.

“In view of the demands of this hectic campaign schedule, we therefore regret our inability
to honour Channels TV’s call for debate with the remaining time. “

Jimoh Ibrahim is a product of ‘black market’ judgement – Hon. Omogbehin

Member representing Okitipupa/Irele federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Mike Omogbehin has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has developed a strategy to humiliate the ruling All ProgressivesCongress (APC) in Ondo gubernatorial election slated for Saturday.

 

In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST in Abuja, the lawmaker noted that the APC at a point saw defeat staring at them decided to use those he described as ‘disgruntled elements’ within PDP to hijack the resolution of Ondo electorates in the elections.

 

“There is no doubt that our strategy to win Ondo electionhas been impeded. There is no doubt that our time and strategy has been wasted by some disgruntled elements in PDP who have been supplanted by the APC”, Omogbehin stated.

 

He was optimistic that the appeal court would restore the name of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, emphasizing that at any given time, PDP will win the election.

 

The lawmaker pointed that Mr Jegede passed through a process that legitimised him as the flag bearer of the party primary, while describing Jimoh Ibrahim as a product of black market judgement.

 

“What is required of INEC is to restore the name of Eyitayo Jegede as the true candidate of PDP in Ondo election, because he was the one whose primary was monitored by INEC, before Jimoh Ibrahim made Justice Abang to give a black market judgement rejecting our candidate”, he said.

 

He added that those extraneous forces creating confusion in Ondo gubernatorial election, have serious internal rancour that would disintegrate them moments from now.

Don’t Repeat 1983 Violence, Yorubas Beg Ondo Electorate

As the people of Ondo State prepare for Saturday’s governorship election, Yoruba communities in some parts of the country have appealed to the electorate in the state to avoid a repeat of the violence that erupted between Michael Ajasin and Akin Omoboriowo during the 1983 election.

The President General-elect of the South-South, South-East Yoruba Council, Chief Adekunle Alabi, who made this plea while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday, expressed the need for the people of Ondo State to embrace peace during the exercise.

Recalling how lives and property worth millions of naira were lost during the politically motivated violence that erupted in the state 33 years ago, Alabi warned that a repeat of such incident could affect the nation’s democracy.

Alabi, who emerged the president general-elect of the council after an election in Port Harcourt on Saturday, urged politicians in Ondo to play by the rules of the game.

He also pleaded with the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to be neutral during the governorship election so as to avoid serious agitations that could affect the safety of the people.

“The people of Ondo should embrace peace and ensure that the governorship election is violence-free. I also urge them to avoid a repeat of the violence that erupted between Michael Ajasin and Akin Omoboriowo factions in 1983.

“INEC and security agencies should do their work properly; they should be neutral and with God, we believe the exercise on Saturday will be free and fair,” Alabi stressed.

Why I Visited President Buhari Again – Mimiko

The Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, on Monday said he visited President Muhammadu Buhari for the second time to brief him on the security situation in Ondo state ahead of November 26 gubernatorial election.

Mimiko spoke with State House correspondents shortly after meeting with Buhari for the second time inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, since the crisis over the PDP candidate started.

He said the purpose of his two meetings with the President was to brief him on the security situation in his state ahead of the elections.

The governor said, “This is my second visit to the Villa since this crisis in our party started. Like I said, as the Chief Security Officer of my state, if there is any credible threat to security, I owe the responsibility to Nigerians to apprise Mr. President of what is going on in the state.

“Mr. President was in my state to campaign for his party. I extended to him the courtesy of receiving him at the airport and seeing him off as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not as APC (member).

“I understand that people have speculated that this means I am going to APC. There is nothing of such. I only extended him normal courtesy that protocols demand.

PDP committed to violence-free rerun polls – Wike

Rivers state governor, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains committed to a violent-free legislative rerun election in the state come December 10, 2016.

 

He also has declared that the state is too big for anybody to impose representatives on the people, stressing that the people must be allowed to elect their representatives.

 

Wike, who spoke yesterday during the dedication service for the flag-off of the PDP campaign for the 2016 re-run election in the state at Saint Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Garrison Junction, Port Harcourt, called on the opponents of PDP to play within the rules of engagement.

 

The governor urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be neutral in the course of the rerun election to ensure that the will of the people prevails, saying, “this election will prove whether INEC is ready to conduct free and fair elections in Nigeria.

 

“What causes violence during election is when the umpire wants to manipulate, rig or write results. We will resist any attempt to write results. PDP will not be involved in anything violent, but we will not allow anyone to steal our votes. We will protect our votes and make sure that the people’s mandate is declared.”

 

He explained that the PDP was dedicating its forthcoming campaigns for the rerun elections to God, because the party relies on God for victories, noting that the party is sure of victory at the rerun polls because of the massive achievements of his administration in the last 17 months.

 

Venerable John Adubasim of the Saint Paul’s Anglican Church while dedicating the PDP campaigns for the rerun elections to God, asked members of the party to trust in the Lord for their sustenance and victory.

OPINION: The sad news of Trump’s triumph By Reuben Abati

Democracy is tricky; it sometimes ends up as a parody of itself.  When the people clamour for change, they can vote with their hearts, and prove impervious to plain sight reason, and overlook likely pitfalls.  We can only hope that Donald Trump does not become the symbol of the change that Americans are seeking. That would be sad indeed for the free world.”  – Reuben Abati,  “Anything Can Happen in America”, The Guardian, March 6, 2016. 

Earlier this year, I had written a piece titled “Anything Can Happen In America”, from which the quote above is excerpted, but I had virtually no idea that the outcome of the 2016 Presidential election could be so shocking, unthinkable and unbelievable. I was like the pollsters, the cultural activists, the Nobel Laureates, the American media establishment and the global community, minus Russia and Vladimir Putin, a Clintonite. I stood with her. When the unthinkable happened on Tuesday, and Americans chose as their 45th President, Donald John Trump, the real estate developer, reality television celebrity, a complete outsider who stumbled on politics and turned it into a celebrity show, I could only ask: how did it happen?

     

The triumph of Trumpism, a byword for incorrect conduct, misogyny, hate, racism, nativism, isolationism, anger, and defiance is sad news for the world. It is an assault on the ideals of American democracy. Trump’s triumph has left America more divided than it was a week ago, and the prospects of that nation rescuing itself from the tragic mistake it seems to have made may take long in coming. The same country that champions it the most has exposed the underbelly of democracy, that beloved option for global leadership, ironically.

      

Democracy is said to be driven by the values of good rather than evil, of humanity as opposed to inhumanity, individual freedom and rights rather than oppression, inclusion as different from exclusion but the same model of governance hands over power to the majority. As we have seen, the majority may not necessarily represent the will of all the people, or even the real majority, it is the choice that is made by the voting majority or as determined by the guiding rules as in the case of the United States: and no matter how stupid, illogical or unreasonable that choice may be, it is taken as the voice of the people and it is binding. This dictatorship of the determined majority has nothing to do with popular opinion or goodwill, but the actual choice that is made according to the guiding rules of the game.

   

Democracy, relying on the strength of numbers and local rules has fed many countries with statistically right but logically wrong outcomes.  The outcome in the United States this week is completely confusing.  And that explains why there have been protests across America by those chanting “notmypresident” to express their dismay over Trump’s surprise win. This is the first time in a long while that the outcome of an American Presidential election will leave the entire country so tragically divided the morning after. Even the international community is in shock. Trump’s triumph is a threat to the liberal standards on which the global order is anchored.  Hillary Clinton in her concession speech said her defeat is “painful and it will be for a long time.” Not necessarily for her but for America and the rest of the world.  The deepest cut is in America’s heart; the wound that has been inflicted therein by Americans themselves will be felt for a long time to come.

    

This year’s American general election should inspire a deeper interrogation into the nature of democracy and its many pitfalls. The people of the United States had a plain choice between good and bad alternatives. More than any other American Presidential candidate in this election, Hillary Clinton got the most impactful endorsements, yet she did not win. If the rest of the world had been asked to vote, she would have won by a landslide, but it was up to the Americans themselves to choose their own President, and they have just told us to mind our own businesses in our countries.  Hillary Clinton is urbane, experienced, charming and gifted. She has proved her mettle as First Lady, Senator and as Secretary of State.  She won the Presidential debates, ran a dignified and organized campaign and won the confidence of every critical constituency.  Bernie Sanders who ran against her for the Democratic party’s ticket and Donald Trump, as well as their agents in many places threw mud in her direction, but the polls favoured her to the last minute.           

 

The pollsters have been proven wrong by the choice that America has made. Hillary Clinton gave hope to generations of women across the world. Her emergence as America’s President would have broken the glass ceiling at the most powerful spot in the world, and energized young men and women across the world. America has decided to spit in the face of history and opt for misogyny birthed by ultra-conservatism. Confronted with the obvious choice of a decent, tested and experienced woman who could have given them the prize of two Presidents for the price of one, they chose a foul-mouthed, egoistic, bombastic, free-wheeling outsider with a wife whose body shape and naked assets would be part of a yet uncertain legacy.

    

America’s future post-Trump’s triumph is uncertain because what Trump stands for, the little that we know about that, raises nothing but anxiety, definitely not confidence.  America has as President in waiting a man elected on the wings of sheer populism and racist, nativist propaganda. His campaign was anchored on the hate-propelled belief that the only way to make America great again is to shut out Muslims, blacks, immigrants, intruding neighbours from Mexico and Latin America, keep Americans for Americans only so they can have jobs and prosper, and the spin that America is not safe in the hands of women whom he considers fit only as objects and pieces of decoration.

      

By voting Trump, America with its intriguing electoral college system, which robs a popular candidate on technical grounds, has deleted the triumph of American-led neo-liberal progressivism in the global order. The sad news in part is that this is also a growing trend in Europe, the equivalent of Brexit. Trump’s triumph is however worse than Brexit. It is not likely “to make America great again.” It is more likely to reduce, if not jeopardize America’s influence as a stabilizing force in the global system. Donald Trump as Presidential candidate repudiated America’s commitments within the global system. He says he will pull out US troops and command stations in Europe and Asia. If he keeps to his words, he could create such instability across the globe that would result in countries which otherwise depended on the United States looking out for themselves security-wise.

     

Trump is perhaps America’s nemesis: too much rationalization and over-simplification of everything was bound to get the United States into trouble. The chasm between the American establishment and its ordinary people has been blown open. Washington is a living symbol of correctness on every stage, but now the people have rejected Washington and its politics. There have been about 44 female Presidents across the world, and now, the most powerful country in the world has proven itself to be less progressive than India, Bangladesh, Brazil, South Korea, Liberia, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Croatia, Nepal, Taiwan, Chile, Costa Rica, Philippines, Indonesia, Iceland, Malta, and even Kosovo! America preaches inclusion and unity in diversity, but the white, blue-collar and middle-class Americans who voted majorly for Donald Trump have shown that the average American is not interested in diversity; they want America to themselves alone. America is not a country of nationalities, it is a country of immigrants, and yet the settled immigrants want to shut the door of the land of dreams to others. Donald Trump exploited their fears. He has proven that it is possible to become President by appealing to the people’s basest instincts.  Shameful.

       

Trump, Machiavelli’s “great-great-grandson” has through dirty tricks created a revolution from which even the same party that saw him as an outsider and treated his emergence as flag-bearer as an accident has benefitted. The Republican Party owes its ascendancy in the White House and Capitol Hill to this outsider who brought the tactics of Machiavelli, soap opera and television shows to push a failing party back to reckoning. Trump is neither Republican nor Democrat; he belongs to the party of the streets, of a racist American street motivated by a determination to reverse the misfortune of disappearing jobs in inner America, inability of make ends meet, pay children’s school fees or live decently.  Americans chose Trump because he spoke the language of the streets and projected himself as their messiah. He projected himself, in his own words, as the champion of “the forgotten men and women of our country…People who work hard but no longer have a voice. I am their voice”. And so the people think, and so they voted for him so enthusiastically they even handed him the battleground states of Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and North Carolina, which secured his victory and ended the emerging Clinton dynasty.  He is the candidate of America’s children of anger.

    

Trump’s organized blackmail and dirty job may have given him the biggest job in the world but it will not sustain him there or make him a great President. The easiest thing to do is to promise the people change by pulling down the sitting government and the entire political Establishment. In Trump’s reckoning, he did not just defeat Hillary Clinton; he has defeated Barrack Obama, the entire Washington Establishment and its allies. Inexperienced, badly prepared and ignorant, as is the common consensus, Trump has to run the most complex governance system in the world. He can repudiate his campaign promises and turn 360 degrees. This is not beyond him. In the last year, his position on anything and everything has changed from one stop to another. Or he may choose to fulfill his bizarre promises and imperil the American Presidency and the global order. One option will expose and ridicule him. The other may fetch him the aggrieved assassin’s bullet or a one-term Presidency that could end up either as a tragi-comedy or a nauseating farce. The fulfillment of the Simpsons’ and Michael Moore’s prophecy is the highest point of America’s disillusionment. Soon enough, America will learn, at substantial cost, new lessons about its new reality.  Take it easy, Hillary. Destiny is what waits for every person behind the dream. 

Ibrahim begins campaign, pledges to restore electricity supply.

Factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jimoh Ibrahim, has promised to restore electricity supply in the south senatorial district of the state.

Ibrahim made the promise when he started his campaign in Okitipupa Local Council area on Wednesday.The candidate said he would ensure that the areas were connected to regular electricity supply within his first three months in office.

He condemned the “I don’t care” attitude of the outgoing administration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko to the protracted outage in the area.

According to him, the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) had cut off towns like Oke-Igbo, Ore, Odigbo, Okitipupa, Irele, Ode-Aye, Ajapa, Akotogbo, Igbokoda, Igbotako from the national grid.

At the palace of the Jegun of Idepe-Okitipupa, Micheal Adetoye, he promised to reintroduce the boarding system to government-controlled secondary schools across the state.

He explained that only such a system could restore the lost glory and high educational standards enjoyed by students in the past.“The boarding system was what sharpened and built our educational and moral standards as students in those days, which had continued to be our guide and approach to life, both in business and political participation.

“The issue of electricity is very embarrassing and shameful. The last time I checked with the BEDC, the company said the senatorial district owed a backlog of unpaid bills of about N300 million, which made it to cut off its electricity supply.”

Ibrahim, who hails from Igbotako in Okitipupa Local Council area, said he deliberately started his campaign in Okitipupa to reawaken the consciousness of his people in Ikale land towards electing another of their own sons as the next governor of the state.

He assured the civil servants that the payment of salaries, allowances, pensions and gratuities would be the priority of his government.

Ibrahim was accompanied on the campaign by his running mate, Ebenezer Alabi, the party’s state chairman, Biyi Poroye and two former Senators from the area, Omololu Meroyi and Hosea Ehinlanwo, among others.

Unbelievable pictures from protest following Donald Trump’s victory at the #USElections

Following the victory of Republican candidate, Donald Trump at the US Presidential elections, hundreds of protesters have flooded the streets to condemn the results.

 

Police say the group started peacefully, before some of the protesters grew violent.

 

The protesters are carrying anti-Trump signs, declaring their refusal to accept Trump’s victory.

 

Trump had defeated Clinton 278 to 221 after compilation of votes.

 

See Photos below:

 

 

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ANALYSIS: The majority of Americans VOTED for Clinton. – The Cable

This could be some consolation for Hillary Clinton: the majority of Americans actually wanted her to be president. In fact, more American voters picked her ahead of Donald Trump with roughly 98% of all the results collated. It would take a dramatic turn for Trump to overtake Clinton.

Associated Press collation of results shows that Clinton, the Democratic candidate, has so far polled 59,814,018 popular votes while Donald Trump, the Republican flag bearer, scored 59,611,678.

This represents a margin of about 200,000 votes which would have given Clinton the edge were it not for the US “indirect” electoral system which determines the winner by the electoral college and not the popular vote.

Trump has won 279 electoral votes, while Clinton had 228 – and these are the figures that really matter.

Three states are yet to complete vote reporting, but Trump is leading in Arizona and Michigan and Clinton is in control in New Hampshire.

This is purely mathematical: Trump crossed the magical 270 delegate vote count on election night.

After Mitt Romney lost in 2012, Trump had tweeted: “The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy.”

He just turned out to be the biggest beneficiary of the “disaster” since 2000.

Floored in Florida

US-VOTE-ELECTION

The people preferred Clinton, but the winner is determined by number of “pledged” electoral college delegate votes

California, with 55 electoral votes, has the highest number. Alaska, Delaware, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming each has three votes – the lowest. DC is also entitled to three delegate votes.

All American states, except Maine and Nebraska, pledge their electoral votes to the candidates who won the popular votes there.

Data analysis by TheCable suggests that Clinton failed mainly because of the outcomes in Florida and Pennsylvania, two states with a combined figure of 49 electoral votes.

If she had won the popular votes in those states – as President Barack Obama did in 2008 and 2012 – she would have been the president-elect. She would have gained 49 votes and hit the magical 270 figure.

In Pennsylvania, she scored 2,844,705 while Trump got 2,912,941 – a difference of less than 100,000 votes. That meant 20 delegate votes out of her hands.

The Florida margin was slightly wider: she scored 4,485,745 to Trump’s 4,605,515. That was 29 delegates lost.

The final results were not yet in at the time of this report, but the total popular vote tally should favour Clinton as absentee votes trickle in.

Al Gored by Bush

bush al gore

Bush (l) lost the popular vote but still defeated Al Gore by the tiniest of margins in the electoral college in 2000

There is somewhat a replay of the 2000 election when George W. Bush, the Republican candidate, lost to Al Gore, the Democratic flag bearer, in the popular vote.

Gore scored  50,996,582 votes, beating Bush who had 50,456,062, but the Republican was elected president based on electoral college votes, garnering 271 to the Democrat’s 266.

Then, there was the little matter of Florida state, where Bush’s brother was governor and where the ballot system seemed “rigged” to favour the Republican.

With 25 electoral votes on offer in the state at the time, it became clear that Florida was going to determine the next American president.

On election night, Bush was credited with 1,784 votes more than Gore, which automatically triggered a recount under the state laws.

The first recount reduced the margin to 537 votes, with Gore going all the way to the US supreme court to trigger another recount amidst reports of several irregularities. The justices voted 4-3 to effectively make Bush president.

What is Electoral College?

Many Nigerian voters cannot understand a system where a candidate wins the popular vote and yet loses the election – but that is a possibility in the indirect voting system.

In 1804, the US presidential electoral system was changed to give power to “electors” – electoral delegates from each state of the federation – under the the Twelfth Amendment (Amendment XII) to the US constitution.

Under the refined system, each state is allocated electoral college votes, and all states except for Maine and Nebraska, choose electors on a “winner-take-all”.

This means a state has all of its electors pledged to the presidential candidate who wins the most votes there.

However, Maine and Nebraska use the “congressional district method”, by which one “elector” is selected within each congressional district by popular vote. The remaining two electors are picked by a statewide popular vote.

The number of “electors” in each state is equal to the number of members of congress the state is entitled to.

Currently, there are currently 538 electors, in accordance with the 435 representatives and 100 senators. The rest are the three from DC.

In the end, the US presidential election is not to elect the president but to elect those who will elect the president.

How would it work in Nigeria?

InaugurationPhotos

If Nigeria used the indirect system, Buhari would still have defeated Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election

Although Nigeria adopted its presidential system of government from the US, it chose to pick the president “directly” by popular vote rather than the somewhat complicated electoral college route.

If this were to apply in Nigeria, there would be 469 “electors” based on 109 senators and 360 representatives.

With every state entitled to equal number of senators, every state will have three delegates while FCT will have one.

However, since house of reps is determined by proportion of population, some states will have more than others in total.

Lagos and Kano would each have the highest of 27 electoral votes, and the lowest would be FCT (3), Bayelsa and Nasarawa (both 8).

To be elected president, the candidate would need a minimum of 235 electoral college votes in Nigeria.

But how many Nigerian voters would understand that their candidate had more popular votes than the declared winner – who managed to get the support of only 235 “electors”?

Trump’s Victory: “For the first time, I feel homeless in America” – Thomas L. Friedman

I began election night writing a column that started with words from an immigrant, my friend Lesley Goldwasser, who came to America from Zimbabwe in the 1980s. Surveying our political scene a few years ago, Lesley remarked to me: “You Americans kick around your country like it’s a football. But it’s not a football. It’s a Fabergé egg. You can break it.”

With Donald Trump now elected president, I have more fear than I’ve ever had in my 63 years that we could do just that — break our country, that we could become so irreparably divided that our national government will not function.

From the moment Trump emerged as a candidate, I’ve taken seriously the possibility that he could win; this column never predicted otherwise, although it certainly wished for it. That doesn’t mean the reality of it is not shocking to me.

As much as I knew that it was a possibility, the stark fact that a majority of Americans wanted radical, disruptive change so badly and simply did not care who the change agent was, what sort of role model he could be for our children, whether he really had any ability to execute on his plan — or even really had a plan to execute on — is profoundly disturbing.

Before I lay out all my fears, is there any silver lining to be found in this vote? I’ve been searching for hours, and the only one I can find is this: I don’t think Trump was truly committed to a single word or policy he offered during the campaign, except one phrase: “I want to win.”

But Donald Trump cannot be a winner unless he undergoes a radical change in personality and politics and becomes everything he was not in this campaign. He has to become a healer instead of a divider; a compulsive truth-teller rather than a compulsive liar; someone ready to study problems and make decisions based on evidence, not someone who just shoots from the hip; someone who tells people what they need to hear, not what they want to hear; and someone who appreciates that an interdependent world can thrive only on win-win relationships, not zero-sum ones.

I can only hope that he does. Because if he doesn’t, all of you who voted for him — overlooking all of his obvious flaws — because you wanted radical, disruptive change, well, you’re going to get it.

I assume that Trump will not want to go down as the worst president in history, let alone the one who presided over the deepest fracturing of our country since the Civil War. It would shake the whole world. Therefore, I can only hope that he will, as president, seek to surround himself with the best people he can, which surely doesn’t include the likes of Rudy Giuliani or Newt Gingrich, let alone the alt-right extremists who energized his campaign.

But there is also a deeply worrying side to Trump’s obsession with “winning.” For him, life is always a zero-sum game: I win, you lose. But when you’re running the United States of America, everything can’t be a zero-sum game.

“The world only stays stable when countries are embedded in win-win relationships, in healthy interdependencies,” observed Dov Seidman, the C.E.O. of LRN, which advises companies on leadership, and the author of the book “How.”

For instance, America undertook the Marshall Plan after World War II — giving millions of dollars to Europe — to build it up into a trading partner and into a relationship that turned out to be of great mutual benefit. Does Trump understand that? Do those who voted for him understand how many of their jobs depend on America being embedded in healthy interdependencies around the world?

How do I explain Trump’s victory? Way too soon to say for sure, but my gut tells me that it has much less to do with trade or income gaps and much more to do with culture and many Americans’ feeling of “homelessness.”

There is nothing that can make people more angry or disoriented than feeling they have lost their home. For some it is because America is becoming a minority-majority country and this has threatened the sense of community of many middle-class whites, particularly those living outside the more cosmopolitan urban areas.

For others it is the dizzying whirlwind of technological change we’re now caught up in. It has either wiped out their job or transformed their workplace in ways they find disorienting — or has put stressful demands on them for lifelong learning. When the two most important things in your life are upended — the workplace and community that anchor you and give you identity — it’s not surprising that people are disoriented and reach for the simplistic solutions touted by a would-be strongman.

What I do know for certain is this: The Republican Party and Donald Trump will have control of all the levers of government, from the courts to the Congress to the White House. That is an awesome responsibility, and it is all going to be on them. Do they understand that?

Personally, I will not wish them ill. Too much is at stake for my country and my children. Unlike the Republican Party for the last eight years, I am not going to try to make my president fail. If he fails, we all fail. So yes, I will hope that a better man emerges than we saw in this campaign.

But at the moment I am in anguish, frightened for my country and for our unity. And for the first time, I feel homeless in America.

#HesNotMyPresident: Americans distance themselves from Donald Trump.

Billionaire businessman Donald Trump was today declared the next President of the United States after winning the 2016 election.

 

Trump opened up a lead against opponent Hillary Clinton in the early hours of the morning before making a victory speech when the news was finally confirmed.

 

As riots break out across the USA, Americans against Trump’s presidency have been taking to social media to voice their despair, disbelief and terror at the news – with some even comparing the outcome to 9/11.

 

And many are immediately distancing themselves from the decision by using the hashtag #HesNotMyPresident. Below are some tweets some Americans tweeted in defiance of Donald Trump’s election victory.

 

 

https://twitter.com/pilimoreralev/status/796337260765544449

 

 

https://twitter.com/WeNeedHillary/status/796354946975354881

 

https://twitter.com/ryanleejohnson/status/796343321690042368

 

https://twitter.com/KingLadyGaga/status/796308317203296257

 

https://twitter.com/itsjay9gmiller/status/796369781716897792

 

https://twitter.com/Shawns_Bestie/status/796369503131234306

https://twitter.com/Forca_Barca11/status/796368683681595392

https://twitter.com/biebrswilk/status/796359969641734144

https://twitter.com/AnialixyC/status/796379286328446976

https://twitter.com/Iamchrisluke/status/796379180548161536

https://twitter.com/colemccarthey/status/796380103269814272

https://twitter.com/___Lanie___/status/796380011477528576

Just In: Putin congratulates Donald Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday became the first world leader to congratulate President-elect of the United States Donald Trump.

 

According to a statement from the Kremlin, Putin “expressed hope for mutual work on bringing US-Russia relations out of their critical condition” and said that “building constructive dialogue” would be in the interest of both countries and the world community.

We won’t allow one zone to govern for 16 years at a go – Jimoh Ibrahim

The PDP Governorship Candidate, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, yesterday, said his mission is to take the state from “the hopeless situation it is now to a very hopeful situation.”

Addressing newsmen in Akure, for the first time after he was declared the party’s candidate, Ibrahim said: “I need to take away injustice, we cannot afford to have a senatorial district producing governors for 16 years at ago. That is complete injustice, that is hopeless and we will not allow that, and that will not happen in Ondo State.’’

On why he is not going round to campaign ahead of the election, he said: “This is not my first time of running for the governorship of the state. In 2003, I ran for the governorship of the state under ANPP. So, politics is not new and I’m not like those people who are running for the first time, only to do all the work by moving to all the nooks and crannies of Ondo state. I am not new to the people of Ondo State. I ran before and I have very impressive result at the last engagement when I ran for the governorship of this state. It’s my ambition to become the governor of this state and I’m back to realise that ambition.’’

On the ambition of Eyitayo Jegede, who is in court to retrieve the PDP ticket from him, Mr. Ibrahim said: “Jegede is brand new in the system, he’s new and let him take his time, it took me from 2008 to the present date to enjoy this political legitimacy. You cannot come just in one day and begin to think you can win election like that in Ondo State. Nobody comes and enters like that. Take your time and queue behind.’’

On his first priority, if elected, he said: “My priority is the payment of outstanding salaries of workforce because it is the workforce that can deliver the dividends of democracy or deliver efficiency and effectiveness. The public service is really my own major focus. I want them to be trained and retrained and I want them to be first among equals in public service spectrum in Nigeria.’’

He assured of a massive industrial revolution and utilization of natural resources for sea-ports adding that his government would provide conducive atmosphere through partial tax integration system to attract more investors into the state.

He said that he would establish the Ondo State Infrastructural Development Commission, which will diagnose the state of infrastructure in the state.

He continued: “Within six months in office, most of the secondary schools in the state would return to the boarding school system, which would be institutionalized through government policy. These are the things we intend to do when I become the governor of this state. We want to affect education and employment; we want to ensure efficiency, capability development and innovation in the workforce.”

He promised a “strong data bank, upgrading of Board of Internal Revenue to a full-fledged ministry adding that he would scrap the Ministry of Special Duties and rename it Ministry of Employment to tackle unemployment in the state.

‘It is the most humbling feeling:’ Hillary Clinton casts ballot.

Seeking to become the nation’s first female president, Hillary Clinton cast her ballot Tuesday and settled down to wait for the country to make its choice.

The Democratic nominee and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, voted at an elementary school near their home in suburban New York before greeting supporters waiting for her outside.

“It is the most humbling feeling,” she said of voting for herself for president. “I know how much responsibility goes with this.”

It was a relatively calm moment Tuesday compared with Clinton’s hectic final few days day on the campaign trail. The former secretary of state and New York senator dashed through battleground states, encouraged get-out-the-vote efforts and campaigned with a star-studded cast of celebrity supporters.

It was an election eve punctuated by an emotional rally in Philadelphia with her husband, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, as well as performances by Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen, and capped by Lady Gaga, who serenaded thousands of supporters before the Clintons took the stage for a 1 a.m. rally in Raleigh, North Carolina. It ended with cheering fans greeting her at the airport back in New York when she landed in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

After the divisive rhetoric of the campaign against Republican Donald Trump, Clinton sought to offer a positive closing message on Monday. She told supporters in Pittsburgh they “can vote for a hopeful, inclusive, bighearted America.” In a buoyant mood, she also greeted voters who cried out “we love you,” smiling back: “I love you all, too … absolutely.”

Some good news boosted Clinton’s spirits in the final moments of the campaign. On Sunday, FBI Director James Comey sent a letter to Congress, informing lawmakers the bureau had found no evidence in its hurried review of newly discovered emails to warrant criminal charges against Clinton.

The late October announcement of a fresh email review rocked the race just as Clinton appeared to be pulling away from Trump in several battleground states. The update from the FBI may have come too late for some: In the nine days between Comey’s initial statement until his “all clear” announcement on Sunday, nearly 24 million people cast early ballots. That’s about 18 percent of the expected total votes for president.

But campaign aides projected confidence in the final moments. They said they felt good about Nevada, where they said support for Clinton in early voting was strong. They were encouraged by the strong Latino turnout in Florida and felt they took a strong lead in Michigan and Pennsylvania into Election Day, when the bulk of votes are cast in those states.

Leading up to Election Day, Clinton made stops in Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio and New Hampshire — often flanked by star guests. Jay Z and Beyonce performed with pant-suited backup dancers in Cleveland. James Taylor serenaded New Hampshire voters and Katy Perry sang “Roar” in Philadelphia.

She also campaigned with Khizr Khan, the father of a slain U.S. Army officer whose indictment of Trump at the Democratic National Convention was an emotional high point for Clinton’s party.

Her last two days on the campaign trail felt almost like a Clinton family reunion, with some of her closest confidants jumping on the campaign plane for her final hours. Even Huma Abedin, her embattled personal aide caught up in the email controversy, jumped on the plane for the midnight rally in Raleigh.

Why Trump will win U.S. presidential poll – Supporters

With only hours to the heated U.S. presidential elections, the Republicans have exuded confidence that their nominee, Donald Trump, would win the election and not his rival, Democratic Hillary Clinton.

Some of Mr. Trump’s supporters who spoke to a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the U.S. on Monday said Mrs. Clinton’s support base was fast crumbling.

According to them, the Republican nominee will win all the battleground states to be elected president of the U.S. on Tuesday.

John Fredricks, the Chairman of the Trump Campaign in the State of Virginia said Trump would get more than the required votes to become president.

He said “we are gaining on Hillary Clinton every single day and we feel very confident that by Tuesday, Trump is going to win; we are very confident about that.

“As for the Electoral College and the so-called Blue wall, it is crumbling as we speak and the Electoral College is not as they say they have it, it is a complete mess now.

“We are going to turn the table in the battleground states, including winning Virginia and get elected and Trump is going to win the election on Tuesday night,” he said.

Mr. Fredricks also said that the African-Americans and other minority groups would overwhelmingly vote for Mr. Trump in the election.

He accused the media of painting Mr. Trump as hating African-Americans and other minority groups in the U.S., adding that the Republican nominee would get a chink of the minority votes.

“We are going to get more than 50 per cent of the African-American votes. We are going to get a high percentage of the Hispanic.

“Regardless of the way the media have painted Trump before average working-class American, Black, White, Hispanic, Indians, does not matter.”

Jeff Ryer, a Republican chieftain in the state of Virginia said the game changer in Tuesday’s election was that traditionally speaking, Republicans have greater percentage of votes in polling and turnout on election day.

Mr. Ryer said “part of our base is that it is very easy to motivate; they are going to show up. The campaign has been working on a get-out-to-vote operation through Internet and telephony.

“One of the reasons the race is tightening at the polls is because the percentage of the Republicans who are with Trump continues to increase with each polls and his percentage goes up.”

He said the polls showing Mrs. Clinton winning could not be totally relied upon as the whole electioneering process this year had been unusual.

A Republican member of the Senate of the State of Virginia, Frank Wagner, said the determinant of who would appoint the next Supreme Court justice had made Republicans disgruntled by Trump’s candidature to support him lately.

“We don’t sense the excitement in the African-Americans like we saw in 2008 and 2012 during President Barack Obama’s elections.”

According to him, however, there will be high turnout in traditional White states, which support Trump.

Mr. Wagner, who is a governorship candidate for Virginia, said the polls could not be relied upon but that Americans would be the utmost deciders of the poll.

NAN reports that U.S. president is elected by Electoral College made up of 538 electors as against popular vote and to be elected president, a candidate must win 50 per cent plus one (51 per cent) electoral vote.

Each of the 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, has a certain amount of Electoral College votes to award a candidate, based on the number of members of Congress it has.

This is roughly in line with each area’s population and the votes are given on a winner-takes-all basis, except in Maine and Nebraska.

In 2008, President Barack Obama won 53 per cent of the vote but this led to 68 per cent of the Electoral College vote.

Tight Security as Supreme Court Rules on Bayelsa Gov Election

Residents of Yenagoa woke up on Tuesday morning to witness  increased security around Government House and strategic areas of the capital in anticipation of Supreme Court judgment on Bayelsa governorship poll.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria in Yenagoa reports that all the roads leading to Onopa, the seat of government were blocked by armed security men.

Motorists and other commuters were forced to seek alternative routes to their destinations.

The Supreme Court will deliver judgment on Monday on the legal tussle between Gov. Seriake Dickson of the PDP, who was declared the winner of the poll and Chief Timipre Sylva, the APC candidate who challenged the victory.

Sylva had approached the election petitions tribunal which upheld Dickson’s election.

Not satisfied with the verdict of the tribunal, the APC candidate took his case to the Appeal Court which also affirmed the decision of the tribunal.

However, in spite of the heavy presence of security men deployed in strategic locations, the capital remains calm.

DSP Asinim Butswat told NAN in a telephone interview that the deployment was to ensure the prevailing peace in the capital is maintained.

Psychic Fish Picks Trump as US Next President

A “psychic” fish in India on Tuesday picked Donald Trump as the next president of the United States, hours before Americans head to the polls.

Chanakya II, a flowerhorn cichlid fish, was given three chances to pick between two floating sticks bearing a photo of Republican Trump or his Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton.

The creature, which has a bulbous forehead that resembles the extravagant coiffure of the real estate mogul, swam towards Trump all three times.

Chanakya II’s first official prediction sees him join the swelling menagerie of soothsaying animals.

His predecessor, Chanakya I, was famous for accurately forecasting winners in football and cricket matches, his owners at the Chennai-based NGO Indian Community Welfare Organisation said.

There have been numerous “psychic” animals since Germany’s football oracle, Paul the Octopus, successfully tipped the winner of eight-straight matches during the 2010 World Cup.

All eyes are on the US presidential election as a divisive 511-day campaign comes to an end with either the country’s first female president or a populist property tycoon poised to enter the White House.

More than 40 million Americans have already cast ballots in states that allow early voting, with opinion polls suggesting Clinton has a slim edge.

On Elections eve, Trump attacks US Somali community.

US Republican party presidential candidate Donald Trump has accused the Somali community in the state of Minnesota of “spreading extremist views all over the country”.

 

He used a knife attack by a Somali immigrant in September in St. Cloud city as an example, saying the people of Minnesota have “suffered enough”.

 

Mr Trump, who was on a whirlwind campaign trip before Tuesday’s election, said that if he became president he would ensure that local communities were consulted before refugees settled.

 

Like his Democratic party rival Hillary Clinton, Mr Trump was upbeat about winning the contest to replace President Barack Obama.

 

Tuesday’s election could hinge on about a dozen so-called ‘swing states’ where the contest between the two leading candidates was particularly tight.

Hold Mimiko responsible for fresh breach of peace – AD

The Ondo State Chapter of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) has called on security agencies in the State to hold the State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko responsible for any fresh breach of peace in the State.

AD in a release in Akure signed by its Secretary, Dr Sola Agboola on Monday alleged that Governor has surreptitiously begun another round of the planned breach of public peace and security in his bid to cause confusion and create a semblance of insecurity.

He said: “This is to facilitate his plans for the postponement of the Governorship Election coming up on November 26.”It will be recalled that Governor Mimiko who had been away from the State to Abuja for upward of two weeks in his prosecution of his Court case against the removal of the name of his Candidate for the election, Mr Eyitayo Jegede from the ballot paper, came back at the weekend.

“On Sunday, he addressed his supporters at the International Event Centre (The Dome) where he amongst others urged them to brace up for another rounds of protests in the State to force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the election thus buying them time with to prosecute their Court case.

“While we are not opposed to his getting justice at the Court, which we believe is his fundamental right, it is however an irony that a man saddled with the onerous responsibilities as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the State is now the very one behind sponsored mayhem in the very state he governs all because of politics.

“This is to threaten the peace and security he professes to uphold at all times when he took his Oath of Office.”

The AD therefore, called on the security agencies in the State to be abreast of this “grand plot” by the governor and be abreast of this latest attempt by Governor Mimiko to sacrifice the lives, properties and peace of Ondo State on the altar of politics.

Trump and Clinton fight to the finish in bitter US vote.

White House rivals Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were still flailing for a knockout blow Monday as a presidential race that has cast a pall over US democracy neared its end.

With one day of campaigning left, both sides had packed schedules in the swing states that will decide whether the Democrat can convert her slim opinion poll lead into final victory.

Trump, a populist tycoon who co-opted the Republican Party and created a raucous, nativist grassroots movement in his own image, was still campaigning at midnight Sunday.

Branding 69-year-old Clinton the “most corrupt candidate ever to seek the office of the presidency,” he urged supporters to “deliver justice at the ballot box on November 8.”

Clinton, the former secretary of state running to become America’s first female president, had events planned through midnight Monday to take her into polling day itself.

The Democrat spent the last eight days of campaigning under a renewed FBI inquiry into whether she had exposed US secrets by using a private email server at the State Department.

That burden was finally lifted on Sunday, when the FBI confirmed it would not seek criminal charges, but at the cost of another cycle of headlines about an issue that has hurt her.

She tried to end Sunday’s round of rallies on a note of optimism about the United States, albeit couched as a warning that her supporters need to rise to counter the Trump threat.

“I really want each and every one of us to think for a moment about how we would feel on November 9, if we were not successful,” she said in Manchester, New Hampshire

“When your kids and grandkids ask you what you did in 2016, when everything was on the line, I hope you’ll be able to say you voted for a better, stronger, fairer America.”

The world has looked on agog during the campaign, as Trump’s once mocked reality television shtick became a plausible vehicle for victory in a divided and suspicious country.

World markets were rocked last month when the renewed FBI probe threated to sink Clinton’s chances, and Asian exchanges opened higher after that threat was lifted.

But Trump came back fighting, and experts said the renewed scandal had already damaged the Democratic former first lady’s chance of succeeding President Barack Obama.

Clinton’s lead dropped from 5.7 to 2.9 percentage points in the week since the scandal returned, according to influential data journalist Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight.com.

Trump is predicting a ballot upset on a par with Britain’s shock vote this year to quit the European Union, or what on Sunday he called: “Brexit plus, plus, plus.”

Clinton has booked a star-studded roster of supporters — headlined by President Barack Obama and rock star Bruce Springsteen — for her final events on Monday.

But Trump is also touring key swing states and was determined not to let Clinton off the hook over her email, a symbol for his supporters of the corruption of the Washington elite.

– ‘Rigged system’ –

“The rank and file special agents of the FBI won’t let her get away with her terrible crimes,” Trump told a rally in Michigan, a state won comfortably by Obama in 2012.

“Right now she’s being protected by a rigged system. It’s a totally rigged system. I’ve been saying it for a long time,” he declared, as his supporters chanted “Lock her up!”

Late last month, with Clinton seemingly on a glide path to victory, a renewed FBI investigation in Clinton’s email use sent shock waves through both campaigns.

Trump, the 70-year-old property tycoon and Republican flag-bearer, seized on the opening, condemning Clinton’s “criminal scheme” and arguing that she is unfit to be president.

He has previously threatened to reject the result of Tuesday’s vote if he loses, alleging that the race has been “rigged” by the media and the establishment elite.

Opinion polls tightened as Trump began to recover ground he lost after several women accused him of sexual assault, and the race looked headed for a photo finish.

Clinton made no direct reference to her reprieve during her Sunday campaign stops.

Instead, she hammered her opponent over his sometimes ugly rhetoric and, implicitly, the alleged covert Russian interference that have poisoned the race.

“There are powerful forces inside and outside of America that do threaten to pull us apart,” she said.

“We’ve arrived at a moment of reckoning in this election. Our core values as Americans are being tested.”

If Clinton wins, she will seek to build on Obama’s cautious but progressive legacy, including his controversial health insurance reforms.

Trump has vowed to tear up the reform along with free trade agreements, to rebuild a “depleted” US military and review US alliances.

The latest polls give Clinton a narrow national lead of between three and five percentage points, but rolling averages point to a closer race, with Trump up in some swing states.

Silver has Clinton as a two-to-one favorite against Trump, but warned Sunday that her lead appears “less solid” than Obama’s did before his re-election victory in 2012.

US Election: ISIS orders Muslims not to cast votes but slaughter Americans.

The Islamic State Jihadist group, ISIS, has ordered Muslims not to cast a vote but to attack voters during the US election.

 

The threat comes as polls open for the closely-fought race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

 

MirrorUK reports that the new ISIS threats were made in an essay published by the terror group’s Al Hayat media centre.

 

The essay said: “There is no difference between the Republican and Democratic parties in the US in their policies against Islam and Muslims.

 

“Militants have come to slaughter you and smash your ballot boxes.”

 

This is coming after the FBI was reportedly probing a major terror attack planned for the day before the US elections in multiple states.

3 wounded as Ekiti Nigerian Union of Teachers’ election turns bloody.

No fewer than three persons were reportedly wounded during the election into Ekiti State Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Ado Ekiti on Thursday.

Two other persons were said to have been arrested by men of the Department of State Service during the violence which broke out when a group of teachers protested against alleged manipulation of delegates list.

The victims, who were loyalists of a chairmanship candidate, Mr. Taiwo Adu, were reportedly beaten by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the DSS.

Adu, who later addressed journalists, said those wounded had been taken to hospitals for treatment.

He explained that violence broke out when the outgoing executive refused to address a petition raised by his support group – the Progressives – which queried the delegates list.

He accused the outgoing chairman, Samuel Akosile, and the secretary, Olugbenga Ajibade, of doctoring the list to favour his rival, Mr. Olusegun Olugbenga.

“Instead of 87 delegates for Ado Local Government, we were given 35. We submitted petitions to the state and the national body of NUT but received no response.”

Adu said the security men invited by the secretary shot sporadically into the air to scare his supporters away.

He added, “Three of us were wounded by the members of the other group -The Possibility- and two of us detained in DSS custody. The election should be cancelled.”

But reacting, the Ekiti NUT secretary denied the allegation that the delegates list was doctored.

According to him, the delegates were carefully chosen in line with the NUT constitution and based on financial strength of the local governments.

Ajibade said nobody was beaten by security agencies, clarifying that security men were only there to maintain the law and order.

“Before the election, the issue was taken to the state executive council and all the representatives from the 16 local governments were present. At the meeting, the numbers allotted to each council was read and nobody raised an objection. So, it was wrong for them to come and raise the issue on election day.”

Rivers re-run holds Dec 10, Lagos & FCT Dec 3 – INEC

The outstanding National and State Assembly elections in Rivers State will be conducted on December 10, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Thursday in Abuja.

 

Mrs Auguta Ogakwu, Secretary to the commission in a statement said that the commission had also approved December 3 to conduct election for the vacant Ifako/Ijaiye seat of Lagos State in the House of Representatives.

The seat became vacant following the death of the member who represented the constituency in the House, Mr Adewale Oluwatayo, in July.

 

On the same day, according to the statement, the commission will also conclude rescheduled councillorship polls in some area councils in the Federal Capital Territory.

“After months of intensive planning and wide consultations, the Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday approved the conduct of Lagos’ House of Representative election on Saturday, Dec 3, 2016.

 

“Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Councillorship election will also hold on Saturday, Dec 3, 2016.

 

“Rivers, National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) and State House of Assembly elections on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016,” the statement said.

Why we won’t postpone Ondo governorship election – INEC.

The Chief Press Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Rotimi Oyekanmi, on Wednesday said the internal crises within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will not prevent the commission from conducting the Ondo governorship election as slated.

Recall that the nation’s electoral umpire had recently replaced Eyitayo Jegede with businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim as the PDP governorship candidate in the November 26 election in Ondo State.

The INEC Chief Press Secretary stated that the intra-party conflicts are not enough reasons to postpone an election under the Electoral Act, Punch reports.

Oyekanmi, “The process for postponing or shifting of elections are spelt out in the Electoral Act as amended. One of the reasons is natural disaster. No aspect of the reasons stated for this include intra-party crisis as we are witnessing in the party you have mentioned.

“Under the Electoral Act, intra-party conflict is not recognised as one of the reasons why INEC must shift the date of an election we have given notice of since March.

“As I speak today, there is no plan to postpone it. We are going ahead with the election as slated for November 26.”

Ondo PDP crisis: Counsel to Jimoh Ibrahim withdraws.

Alex Iziyon, a senior counsel to Ondo governorship candidate, Jimoh Ibrahim has withdrawn as his counsel.

Iziyon was representing Jimoh Ibrahim in his candidacy tussle with Eyitayo Jegede at the Appeal Court.

A respondent in the appeal, Biyi Poroye had accused the appeal panel led by Justice Jummai Sankey of receiving bribe in order to rule in favour of Eyitayo Jegede.

The panel had withdrawn from the case pending the determination of the allegations raised while the counsel had claimed to not have prior knowledge of the petition and condemned it.

In a letter addressed to Jimoh Ibrahim, Iziyon said he was withdrawing because of allegations made against him by Sankey.

He said, “You will recall my position was indicated by the presiding justice as having the foreknowledge of the petition written by the first respondent, despite my protest and innocence. It is in this regard that I hereby withdraw from further appearance.

“This is to enable you brief another lawyer who shall take over the file. We will forward the file and the processes to your Personal Assistant forthwith,” Iziyon said.

INEC: Nigerians in diaspora may vote in 2019.

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday disclosed that plans are on to allow Nigerians in diaspora participate in the exercise.

The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this yesterday at a meeting with members of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations who visited the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Yakubu said Nigerians living abroad “have the right like their compatriots in the country to exercise their franchise in all elections organised in the country.”

However, before this can be actualised, he said relevant sections of the Nigerian constitution would have to be amended. Besides, some challenges that could emerge from allowing diaspora voting, such as funding and the modalities to be adopted would have to be addressed.

The Chairperson of the committee, Senator Rose Okoji Oko stated that the continuous calls by Nigerians in the diaspora to be given the opportunity to exercise their franchise and the favourable disposition of President Muhammadu Buhari and his predecessor, former President Goodluck Jonathan to the idea, informed the committee’s visit to INEC.

According to her, the former president had endorsed the idea in 2010 during his visit to Gabon, while President Buhari also gave his support during a recent visit to Malabo.

The senator affirmed that 115 countries, 28 of which are on the African continent currently have provisions for diaspora voting. She admitted that some Nigerians were against the idea “because of what they perceived as funding challenges, the current position of the law on the matter and some fears about the electoral system.”

FBI releases Bill Clinton closed case files days before election.

The FBI has unexpectedly released documents concerning ex-president Bill Clinton’s pardon of the husband of a wealthy Democratic donor, in a surprise move just days before the election in which his wife is seeking to become America’s first female president.

The release of the heavily redacted 129-page report over the pardon of trader Marc Rich — an investigation that closed in 2005 without charges — triggered questions from Democrats already angered by the FBI’s probe into hundreds of thousands of newly uncovered emails possibly linked to Hillary Clinton.

While the Rich documents were published online Monday, they received little notice until they were posted on Tuesday on a Twitter account for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s division managing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests that had had no posts since a year ago, except for a small handful released simultaneously on Sunday.

“Absent a FOIA litigation deadline, this is odd,” said Hillary Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon.

“Will FBI be posting docs on Trump’s housing discrimination in ’70s?” he added, referring to Clinton’s Republican rival Donald Trump, a billionaire real estate magnate.

The FBI said the documents were posted shortly after they were processed, as with FOIA materials requested three or more times.

“Per the standard procedure for FOIA, these materials became available for release and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBI’s public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures,” the statement said.

The FBI indicated that this was only a “preliminary” release that could therefore be followed by more.

Rich was indicted on federal charges of tax evasion in the United States. He was a fugitive from the Department of Justice — at a time one of the FBI’s most wanted — living in exile in Switzerland at the time of his indictment. He died there in 2013.

In a controversial move, Bill Clinton pardoned him on his last day in office on January 20, 2001. The FBI opened its investigation into the pardon later that year.

Rich’s ex-wife Denise Eisenberg Rich, whose name was redacted from the FBI files, “has been a major political donor to the Democratic Party, and these donations may have been intended to influence the fugitive’s pardon,” reads a bureau note requesting that a preliminary investigation be opened.

Some of the donations went to the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation, the predecessor to the Clinton Foundation, according to the document.

“It appears that the required pardon standards and procedures were not followed,” reads the FBI document dated February 15, 2001.

The Rich case fell under the watch of current FBI Director James Comey, then a younger prosecutor.

The FBI document dump comes as Comey is under fire, from both Democrats and some Republicans, for effectively reopening in recent days the bureau’s investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server.

INEC Gives Condition for Diaspora Voting In 2019

The Independent National Electoral Commission said in Abuja on Tuesday that the possibility of Nigerians living abroad to vote in the 2019 general elections would depend on the amendment to the country’s electoral laws.

The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, stated this when he played host to the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs.

He said for the nation to allow Nigerians living abroad to vote, several sections of the constitution and the Electoral Act must be amended by the National Assembly.

He said it was after his was done that the hope of voting by Nigerians living outside the country would materialise.

Yakubu said, “Because election is a continuous process, the first thing to do is to provide the enabling environment.

“So, we have to start from the amendment to our constitution and the Electoral Act. I want to assure you that this INEC is determined to providing Nigerians living outside the country the opportunity to have a say in determining who will be our leaders.

“But the first thing in actualising this rests squarely on the National Assembly. They have the power to amend the constitution and our laws.”

For now, he said the commission was only concerned with the registration of Nigerians living abroad who “are 18 years of age and above.”

Earlier, the Chairperson of the committee, Senator Rose Oko, had told the INEC Chairman that there had been calls from various quarters for Nigerians living abroad to be involved in the nation’s electoral process.

US Stocks Fall as New Poll Suggest Possible Trump Victory

Wall Street stocks fell Tuesday as a new poll suggested Republican candidate Donald Trump could win the presidency, an outcome that has stirred anxiety in financial markets.

The share price declines sent leading equity indices to their lowest level since just after Britain’s shock vote to exit the European Union in June.

At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.6 percent to 18,037.92.

The broad-based S&P 500 declined 0.7 percent to 2,111.75, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 0.7 percent to 5,153.58

Clinton is generally preferred by markets compared with Trump, who is viewed as a wildcard, in part because of his harsh criticism of Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen and international trade pacts.

“The market is pricing in a somewhat reduced likelihood of a Clinton victory, but it’s not down all the way to pricing in a Trump victory,” said Karthik Sankaren, director global strategy of Eurasia Group.

AFP

 

US markets not fully buying a Clinton win.

As the US presidential election moves into the home stretch, financial markets are not fully invested in polls that show a win for Hillary Clinton.

Even though polls show the Democratic candidate with a strong lead over Republican Donald Trump, analysts say investors are waiting until after November 8 to lay their money on the table.

“I don’t think it’s fully 100 percent Clinton is in,” said JJ Kinahan, chief market strategist at TD Ameritrade, who sees a pullback in risk-oriented investments as a sign of investor caution.

“Usually people are looking to take on extra risk for reward,” he said. “I think this is one case where people are paring back on their risk.”
Wall Street is thought to generally favor Clinton over Trump for president, and equity markets have hovered at historically high levels since July, with the S&P 500 less than three percent below its all-time peak.

Clinton is considered the more market-friendly outcome, expected to maintain the policies of outgoing President Barack Obama, while the market views Trump as a great unknown, both because of his penchant for controversy and his lack of a record in public office.

Trump has attacked trade partners China and Mexico and accused Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen of being a political tool of the Democratic party. Investors are also unsettled by Trump’s seeming embrace of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a sign he may take foreign policy in radical new directions.

Signs of nervousness have been seen in certain trades, analysts say, like the Mexican peso. Trump’s pledge of immigration controls and trade restrictions with Mexico have raised worries over its economy.

The peso sank against the dollar as Trump’s campaign added momentum, but then rebounded on Clinton’s gains following the first presidential debate on September 26.

But it remains down about 9 percent since Trump secured his party’s nomination in May.

On the other hand, another gauge of market sentiment has been the biotechnology sector, which is seen as vulnerable in a Clinton presidency given the Democrat’s vow to address runaway drug prices. The Nasdaq biotechnology index has fallen about nine percent over the last month.

Some analysts say the markets have already assumed a Clinton victory.

“To me, the markets clearly want a Clinton win and they have priced that in,” said Nathan Thooft, senior managing director at Manulife Asset Management.

“That’s what they predict, and that’s what they want. If that doesn’t happen, I feel there’s a great level of uncertainty and possible downside to the markets.”

– Some ‘complacency’ over Trump –

Indeed, investors are aware that Trump has been consistently underestimated by the political, media and business establishment. Many are also loath to repeat the error of Britain’s June referendum to leave the European Union, when polling supported the market bet on a “stay” vote, only to be thrown into turmoil when Brexit passed.

“There’s a bit of complacency in the market.” said Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management,

“I think the market’s underestimating the possibility of things going wrong as a result of either a Trump victory or the possibility of internal strife in the nation as a result of Clinton winning,” she said.

Briefing.com analyst Patrick O’Hare cited sluggish trading volume, as well as the flatness of the S&P 500, as a sign investors are in “seeing is believing mode” with respect to polls pointing to a Clinton triumph.

One sign of a pickup in caution is the VIX volatility index, also known as the “fear” index. The index has risen the last three days and jumped nearly 8 percent Thursday to 15.36. Still, that is far below the 25.76 level on the day after the Brexit shock.

A big jump in the VIX before November 8 would signal “that the market is fearing something odd,” Kinahan said.

Ondo guber: AD suspends 3 principal officers.

The Alliance for Democracy (AD) has suspended three principal officers of the party for their alleged involvement in the governorship candidacy saga in Ondo State.

A communique signed by AD National Chairman, Mr Joseph Avazi, issued in Abuja on Friday, said the three officials were suspended by the party’s National Executive Council [NEC] at its meeting on Oct. 26.

It listed those affected as: Alhaji Shehu Musa, Deputy National Chairman North, Mr Kehinde Aworele, the National Legal Adviser, and the National Organising Secretary, Mr Abdallah Ibrahim.

The communique added that the suspension was to allow the NEC to meet again and resolve the matter.

It stated that the NEC had appointed Alhaji Magaji Kwairanga to act as Deputy National Chairman North, Mr Roland Kientey, as acting National Organising Secretary, and the Deputy Legal Adviser to oversee the legal department.

According to the communique, the NEC has recognised Mr Olusola Oke as the AD candidate in the Nov. 26 governorship election in Ondo state

Trump: ‘We should just cancel the election’ and declare me the winner.

Donald Trump, trailing his opponent in key battleground states polls less than two weeks from Election Day, said Thursday he’d like to “cancel the election” and be declared the winner.

“Just thinking to myself right now, we should just cancel the election and just give it to Trump,” the Republican presidential nominee said during a rally here on Thursday.
“Her policies are so bad. Boy, do we have a big difference,” he added of his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
The apparently lighthearted comment falls against the backdrop of Trump’s repeated and serious questioning of the legitimacy of the presidential election in recent weeks as he has tumbled in the polls.
Trump has called the election “rigged,” argued that the media and establishment politicians are conspiring to sink his campaign and warned supporters that the presidency could be stolen from them due to voter fraud — instances of which are extremely rare.
Trump is trailing Clinton in national tracking polls and in key battleground states, and its unclear how Trump can amass the Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency if polls hold where they are through Election Day.
Trump’s comments about the election also came as he mocked Clinton as “low energy” for the second time in as many days, even polling the crowd to ask them if they think Clinton or his GOP primary foil Jeb Bush is more “low energy.”
“Who is more low energy, Jeb Bush or Hillary Clinton?” Trump asked the crowd, re-upping a question he said Fox News host Bill O’Reilly asked him earlier in an interview airing Thursday evening.
“Hillary!” replied most of the crowd.
Trump had repeatedly mocked Bush, the very early favorite to win the GOP presidential nomination, as “low energy” during the primary contest and has repeatedly argued that Clinton does not have the “strength or stamina” to serve as president. On Thursday, he referred to her as “very low energy.”

Jay Z to Perform Ohio Concert for Hillary Clinton

Jay-Z is set to perform a “get out the vote” concert in Ohio, prior to Election Day, with the aim of getting black voters out for Hillary Clinton in the key swing state. The date nor the venue of the performance have been confirmed but a Clinton aide confirmed to BuzzFeed News on Monday that the show will take place in Cleveland. The gig comes as part of Clinton’s effort to lock up key battleground states, with Ohio being among the states in which she has consistently trailed Donald Trump. By encouraging younger minority voters to show up to the polls, Trump’s chances in a state like Ohio would diminish. Jay-Z, along with wife and fellow pop icon Beyoncé, have been outspoken supporters of President Obama and endorsed Clinton early on in the Democratic primary.

Leave Justice Odili out of Rivers election verdict – CGGA

The Centre for Good Governance and Accountability (CGGA) has dismissed reports accusing Justice Mary Odili of influencing the Supreme Court verdict on Rivers State governorship election, describing it as a calculated effort at discrediting her credibility.

It particularly warned against further dragging of her name into any orchestrated controversy on the matter, describing the development as false, wicked and baseless.

A statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the lead-advocate of the accountability group, Prof. Nasiru Gomwalk, said the insistence on linking Justice Odili to the Supreme Court verdict on Rivers State was an indication of desperation to discredit her by every means.

The statement reads: ‘’This platform is inclined to make this statement on the strength of the concorted narrative making the rounds online to the effect that Justice Odili allegedly facilitated perceived questionable act in the run up to Supreme Court ruling on Rivers State governorship election petition. This surreptitious and well scripted act was birthed by an online news media and it is being passionately driven the same medium. While we are not averse to conventional and acceptable attempt aimed at curbing corruption in every facet of Nigeria’s life, the mission to demean the hard earned credible professional and public integrity of Justice Odili is what we strongly condemn in every term.

‘’It is on record that she has been contributing positively to the growth of the judiciary in the country through display of unquestionable professional practices over the years. In all these, there had not be any incident of abuse of the best practices in the profession against her, as her career had been marked excellence and credibility. Therefore, one wonders why the authors of the aforesaid allegation would resort to blackmailing and deconstructing her person.

‘’It is instructive to state herein that Justice Odili was never a member of the Supreme Court panel that adjudicated on the Rivers Election matter and was only a spectator like every other citizen that was not part of the legal persons involved. It is on record that attempts by the same medium to discredit Justice Odili when the apex ruled on the matter failed given that it was as baseless and misleading as the latest effort.

‘’Now, let it be categorically stated that the report by the online medium is fraught with falsehood, wickedness and mischief just to get Justice Odili for reasons known to its initiator(s). There had never been a time in history when injustice triumphed over good, even it happened momentarily, the truth takes prominence in the fullness of time. That is why we urge the authors of this sinister script to invest their time in things that could strengthen our institutions and avoid pulling down those committed to making the institutions work.’’

God has asked me to recover my stolen mandate, says Ize-Iyamu

Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Edo state governorship election, says God has told him to recover his “stolen” mandate.

Addressing some protesters in Benin, capital of the state, on Friday, Ize-Iyamu alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) robbed him of victory.

He said the alleged robbery of the Edo people’s mandate would not stand, adding that he had been seeking God’s intervention in the past few days.

Ize-Iyamu said while his supporters had refused to be violent, those who were given the victory by INEC were ashamed of celebrating.

Dan Orbih, chairman of the PDP in Edo, said the party was putting everything in place to defend democracy.

Appealing to the protesters to eschew violence, Orbih maintained that the will of the people must prevail.

Ize-Iyamu’s statement comes barely 24 hours after Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who won the election said he was dedicating his victory to God.

Edo POLLS: “APC Will Expose PDP In Court” – Oshiomhole Says

The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has said that the All Progressives Congress will lead evidence at the election petitions tribunal to show how the Peoples Democratic Party allegedly benefited from an electoral fraud during last Wednesday’s governorship poll conducted in the state.

Oshiomhole noted that, contrary to claims by the PDP that its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, was allegedly denied victory in the election, he (Ize-Iyamu) “is not worth 50,000 votes”.

The governor spoke while addressing some APC youths during a road show held from Five Junction to Dawson Road, shortly after a visit to the crown prince of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Highness
Eheneden Erediauwa.

The state chapter of the PDP had on Monday vowed to challenge the outcome of the poll at the election petitions tribunal.

But Oshiomhole said, “We encourage our opponents to go to court. We will be able to lead evidence to show how much they profited from electoral fraud because the Ize-Iyamu that I know is not worth 50,000 votes.

“So, it is like an armed robber rushing to a police station with bullet wounds and claiming that he has been shot, whereas he is the one who opened fire on very innocent people. We will expose them where it matters in our courtrooms.”

While expressing satisfaction with the performance of the APC in the September 28 election, he stated that the victory of the party signalled the final political “funeral” of the godfathers in the PDP.

The governor, whose tenure will end on November 12, noted that he would want to be remembered not only for the development of infrastructure but also for liberalising the political space, so that the youths could take charge of their destiny.

Oshiomhole said, “My message to them is, whether it is Igbinedion, (Tony) Anenih or (Tom) Ikimi, it is not me.

“It is God who knows their sin against our people that decided to recall their political lives. He has only used us to cement it and to celebrate their political funeral.”
Meanwhile, Obaseki has promised to run an all-inclusive government.

Obaseki spoke when he received the state chapter of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs on Wednesday in Benin City, the state capital.

He explained that he was mindful of the different tribes and religions in the state and would ensure that all of them had a sense of belonging during his administration.

The governor-elect said, “I want to assure you that the type of administration that I want to run in Edo State is one that will be all-inclusive, so that people will feel that they are part of the state, irrespective of religion and tribe, because we are one Edo State and there is strength in our unity.
“I want to thank you and assure you that I will be there for you.”

Obaseki also commended the Islamic council for their support before and during the election.

He added, “I am overwhelmed for several reasons because you are the first set of people who have come to congratulate me.

“For me, it is significant because you men of God prayed for me and today, there is something to celebrate.”

Earlier, the state Chairman of the council, Alhaji Yusuf Bako, urged the governor-elect to be resolute in achieving his objectives and to be accessible to the citizens of the state.

Bako, who was accompanied by a leader of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, Alhaja Aminatu Moti, said, “We are glad that you are a peaceful man and we Muslims are also peaceful. Be resolute. Be dogged and accessible, and the sky will be your limit.”

Source: Punch

INEC Distributes 1.2m PVCs in Ondo State

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State said it had distributed a total of 1,201,073 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to registered voters. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, made this announcement at a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure Wednesday.
He added that 344,006 PVCs haven’t been collected yet and encouraged those yet to collect theirs to do so as distribution continues. He said:

 

“It is important to stress at this juncture that only the PVCs would be used to vote during the governorship poll, while the smart card readers would be used for accreditation of voters,’’

He also said that selling of PVCs or any form of manipulation of the card is a serious offence punishable under the law with fines and/or prison term.

He assured electorates in the state that INEC will remain fair and unbiased to everyone during elections.

Source: Vanguard

US Vice President Joe Biden on Trump: ‘He’s Not a bad Man, But he’s Out of Touch & his Ignorance is So Profound’

US vice-president Joe Biden has blasted Donald Trump saying the U.S Republican party presidential candidate lacks knowledge of the ‘sensibilities of the American people’.

Biden also blasted Trump for his action on Friday morning when he tweeted around 3a.m slandering the media and blasting former Miss Universe Alicia Machado for being used as a tool by Hillary Clinton in her presidential campaign.
In a video chat with CNN on Tuesday, Biden said: “He’s not a bad man,”
 “But his ignorance is so profound, so profound.”
“I bet he couldn’t carry his bag 18 holes in one of his own golf courses, speaking of energy,” Biden said.
 “Can you imagine the President getting up at 3:30 in the morning and tweeting vitriol?”
“Since when does somebody who lives at the top in the world, in a penthouse overlooking the world, be in a position that he doesn’t feel any obligation at all to pay any federal income tax to support the military, to support education, to support our foreign policy?” Biden said about Trump.
“Since when is that a patriotic thing to do? Can you imagine any other president, any other president, just ever say that and be proud of that? I can’t fathom it.

Biden also said that despite Trump’s promises to challenge the status quo by becoming president, his proposed tax plan will preserve the tax breaks he took advantage of.
“What he’s proposing in the tax cut would lock in all of those special interests from real estate folks and cut their taxes even more,” Biden said. “This is all about Trump. This is all about Trump.”
Biden continued: “What’s that say about all the people here? Are they all suckers for paying their taxes, because they can’t hire a tax lawyer, because they couldn’t make significant contributions to try to change the law to benefit themselves? Come on, man. That’s just not right.”
The U.S vice president also said he’ll invite Trump to the “battlefield” with him in Afghanistan and Iraq so that Trump could experience what soldiers go through after Trump said on Monday that Army veterans suffer from PTSD and ‘are weak’.
“I was asked to present a Silver Star to a young man who had jumped into a burning Humvee to pull out his buddy after an IED exploded,” Biden said. “And the kid died. The commanding general … asked me to pin on a Silver Star, when I was there. You know what the kid said to me? ‘I don’t want it. I don’t want it. He did not live, sir. He did not live, sir.’ That kid probably goes to sleep every night with a nightmare.”
“How can (Trump) be so out of touch and ask to lead this country?” Biden asked.
Source: CNN

Source: http://www.kevindjakporblog.com/2016/10/us-vice-president-joe-biden-on-trump.html#ixzz4MCZeXoVq

Ize-Iyamu accuses INEC of doctoring electoral documents

The Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation on Tuesday highlighted a plot by the APC, led by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, to perfect what it called the, “rigging carried out in connivance with INEC”, on Wednesday, 28th September 2016 during the gubernatorial election held in Edo state.

In a statement signed by Mr Efe Igbinovia for the organization, it said it has received calls from numerous people seeking to know why Presiding Officers in the just concluded gubernatorial election are being called back by INEC to ?come to its offices to sign an undisclosed document.

“We are also told that some Presiding Officers are also moving in and out of government house to sign this said document. Fortunately, some of these persons have volunteered information about the documents that they were invited to sign and they have pledged to give evidence in court”.

The statement said, it will be foolhardy for the youth corpers reportedly to desist from such act of illegality as it is capable of ?landing them in jail, adding ,”To be forewarned it to be forearmed. We also call on the security agents to investigate this matter and bring the culprits to book. It is unreasonable for someone to be signing for an election document days after its conduct”.

“We are not unaware of the plans by Adams Oshiomhole to destroy all evidence that will lead to the emergence of our candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, at the Tribunal. ?However, we are determined to continue to fight for the people in order to reclaim the mandate freely given to us by the good people of Edo State”.

The organization added, “Edo people came out to vote on Wednesday, September 28th, 2016, they voted for justice, equity, fair tax, industrialisation, freedom from dictatorial tendencies and economic recession, only for their votes to be upturned in the night. However, these issues they voted for will continue to be the foundation upon which our stolen mandate will be pursued and reclaimed”.

The statement appreciated Edo people for remaining steadfast in the struggle to reclaim the people’s land from the hands of upstarts and opportunists who see governance as a means to an end.

Edo Elections: My View – Inibehe Effiong

It is clear from the just concluded gubernatorial election in Edo State that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has devised an intelligent policy in order to uphold the integrity of elections and the Card Reader. INEC has resorted to cancelling results from polling units where the total votes cast exceeded the total of voters accredited by the Card Reader.

This practically leaves those opposed to credible elections with the aid of the Card Reader with a fait accompli. By cancelling such results, the election was determined based exclusively on electronic accreditation.

In any case, the total number of votes cancelled due to non usage of the Card Reader did not impact on the election. The Card Reader has come to stay. While the National Assembly is making efforts to give the Card Reader a definite legislative backing to undo the harsh effects of the Supreme Court judgments on the issue, INEC’s policy is commendable.

My impression is that the Edo election was largely credible. I will give three reasons:

First, the margin between the two leading candidates shows that there was indeed a real contest. The APC scored 319,483 while the PDP came second with 253,173. This is in contrast to the fraudulent and arbitrary culture of allocation of phantom votes as witnessed during the 2015 governorship elections.

Second, the election was generally peaceful and devoid of violence. No single life was lost in Edo State. This is also in contrast to the bloodbath witnessed in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States during the last election. The Supreme Court upheld both elections.

Third, the fact that there was no over voting shows that the election was largely credible. Edo State has 1, 900, 223 registered voters, while 662,039 of the registered voters were accredited with 613, 244 voters casting their votes in the election.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have up to October 19, 2016 to file a petition against the election of Mr. Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC). They should ventilate their grievances in court.

Since they are raising allegations of corrupt practices and violence, they should approach the tribunal with evidence and prove same beyond reasonable doubt.

Obaseki and the APC can conveniently cite recent decisions of the Supreme Court on governorship elections. The precedents are there and known to all.

Only the courts can determine whether an election complied substantially with the law. If the 2015 governorship elections in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Abia States complied with the law I do not know what will invalidate the September 28 election in Edo State.

Though the election was not without flaws, the process was substantially credible, free and fair.

I commend the people of Edo State for their peaceful conduct. This should be a lesson to the people of other South South States and the country at large.

I rise.

INIBEHE EFFIONG

Live Updates: Edo Governorship Election

Official Edo State Governorship Election Result as released by the Independent National Electoral Commission

Owan West LGA

APC : 12, 862
PDP : 10,132

Registered Voters: 54, 406
Accredited Voters: 24, 487

Igueben LGA:
APC: 7,802
PDP: 7,560
Registered Voters: 42,655
Accredited Voters: 16,482

LGA: Esan North East
APC: 9,130
PDP: 16,220

Number of registered voters: 74,293
Number of accredited voters: 27,121
Total valid votes: 25,747
Rejected votes: 1,197

Egor LGA

APC: 26,177
PDP: 19,514
Total registered voters: 184,296
Accredited voters: 49,802

Esan South-East LG
APC: 9,554
PDP: 11,466
Reg. Voters – 66,698
Accredited Voters – 22,522

BREAKING: APC leads PDP by 5,616 votes halfway to results announcement

The electoral commission, INEC, has announced the results of nine of the 18 local governments in Edo State.

 

The results show that the ruling All Progressives Congress won in 5 local governments while the Peoples Democratic Party won in 4 local governments.

 

The APC so far has 142,424 votes while the PDP has 136,808 votes.

 

The ruling party candidate, Godwin Obaseki, thus leads his main challenger, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP by 5,616 votes.

Rivers rerun: Police must be apolitical – Wike tells AIG

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has advised the Police High Command to take urgent steps to weed out bad eggs from the force.

Governor Wike made the call at the Government House in Port Harcourt during a courtesy call on him by the AIG, Abubakar Marafa of Zone Six.

Governor Wike observed that the bad eggs in the police structure negatively affected the implementation of security measures.

He assured the Zone 6 Police Command of the continued support of the Rivers State Government in the maintenance of security across the zone

According to him, “Our security is becoming stable but it can be more stable if the police can be apolitical. If they continue to see the entire state as their own constituency.

“Even though the AIG has promised me that they will be apolitical, I don’t want to believe it until the rerun. That is the only time we will know whether they are apolitical or not.”

Governor Wike appealed to the Police Zonal Command to support the Amnesty Programme of the Rivers State government, which he said was aimed at improving security in all communities within the state.

Stop addressing Ize-Iyamu as Pastor, he’s a pathological liar – Oshiomole

The Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has berated the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate in the ongoing governorship election in the state, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, for claiming to be a pastor.

Addressing reporters, the Governor described Ize-Iyamu, who is his former campaign director, as a “pathological liar”, who “lies effortlessly”.

Oshiomhole stressed that the PDP flag bearer is not worthy of being addressed as a pastor for alleging that some All Progressives Congress, APC, governors, including Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos and Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, were in the state to perfect ways of rigging the governorship election.

According to the governor,“I have always said that Ize-Iyamu is not a pastor because one of the 10 commandments of God includes… but the man claims to believe in Jesus Christ, lies effortlessly like a pathological liar, and he insists he must be addressed as a pastor.

“Governor Ambode is too busy in Lagos and he is not registered to vote in Edo. Governor Ambode is a golden fish, there is no hiding place for him so where did they find him? Let them produce the photograph.

“It is because of the nature of our democracy… people who have criminal records are not supposed to vote. I am sure Governor Ambode is in Lagos doing what he was voted to do and we don’t need his help to come and vote for us because he didn’t need my help to vote for him in Lagos.

“El-Rufai is not here and if there is a place where the media is visible, I believe it is Edo state. Is it really in the mouth of a non-believer to parody the truth? You are the people who have the training/skill for what elsewhere is called investigative journalism, so it is for you to go round everywhere and find out whether any of these people are in town.

“The world has changed that even pathological liars have limits to how much lie they can tell, you know. The PDP is already smelling defeat; they want to start the process of creating confusion and distraction.

“You see, we are using valuable airtime now to discuss non-issue but I challenge the media, and this is sometimes my frustration, don’t take it from me, don’t take it from them. There are many ways to establish where the man is.

“The world has changed; we are no longer in an analogue age where one-eyed man can be leading blind men. Nigerians are not blind and a blind-eye pastor cannot lead us. So, please, let’s spend our time discussing serious issue.”

Oshiomhole had last week alleged that Ize-Iyamu connived with a former governor of the state, Lucky Igbinedion to divert N4 billion bank loan to a private bank account in Lagos.

Inconclusive elections: Senate to probe INEC’s performance

The Senate has resolved to investigate the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the last one year, while calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately nominate suitably qualified persons to fill vacant positions in the commission.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion on the matter co-sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the Senate majority leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, against the backdrop of the spate of inconclusive elections conducted by the electoral body and non-conduct of election in some national and state assemblies’ constituencies in some parts of the country.

While moving the motion, Ekweremadu said effective, efficient and reliable electoral institutions are necessary for sustainable democracy.

The Senate therefore noted with deep concern that at least 20 states of the federation have no Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) contrary to Section 14(2) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The lawmakers further noted that INEC cannot function optimally without the full complement of members that will superintend the activities of other personnel of the commission.

Senate also observed that the failure of INEC to conduct re-run elections within the timeframe ordered by Election Petition Tribunals or other courts was in breach of the Electoral Act and Section 76 of the 1999 Constitution, thereby endangering the nation’s democracy.

The Upper Chamber expressed concern and described as “worrisome” trend of inconclusive elections and postponement of elections, adding that they are wrong signals and symptoms that cannot just be dismissed with a wave of the hand.

For his part, Ndume said there was the need to overhaul INEC, adding that it was unacceptable to spend resources on an exercise only to be declared inconclusive.

“We even know that it is better to take a wrong decision than not to take any decision at all,” he said.

I Will Not Trade Words With Tinubu Because I Respect Him – Oyegun

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said monday that he would not be drawn into a war of words with one of the National Leaders of the party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the allegations levelled against him by the latter on the Ondo State governorship primary until after the governorship election in Edo State.

Tinubu on Sunday took a swipe at Oyegun over the outcome of the Ondo State governorship primary of the APC, declaring that the chairman must step down for rejecting the report of the Appeal Panel set up by the party to review the outcome of the primary in the state and instead submitted the name of Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as the governorship candidate of the party to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Oyegun who spoke in Benin City, the Edo State capital, said: “Asiwaju is a well respected leader of the APC and as such, I cannot be heard speaking evil against him,” adding that he had to consult properly with other leaders of the party before making any definite statement because “you know we have a crucial election here in Edo which is my priority right now”.

According to Oyegun, “I don’t want to lose focus and I know Asiwaju also wants us to win because we all worked hard for this. So may be after the election if there is need, I will speak if there is no need, I will relax.

“But all I can say now is that most of the things said in the papers about me are not true. I have always believed in internal democracy, that the credibility of primary must be taken seriously.”

He added: “I believe that if the primaries of parties are not credible, it may derail any democracy, so I don’t play with these things at all. Everybody knows me and I don’t joke with my credibility and I have tried to maintain it.

“Like I said, Asiwaju is our leader and we all hold him in high esteem, so I will never join issues with him.

“But may be after the Edo elections, after we must have emerged victorious, we may speak on some of the issues raised. So there is no problem at all.

Edo guber: IGP Idris orders restriction of movement

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has ordered restriction of movement during Wednesday’s governorship election in Edo State.

He also ordered the activation of the revised operation plan for the election.

The operation plan, according to a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the Force Spokesman, Don Awunah, is expected to guarantee free, fair and credible election, secure electoral process, enable eligible voters exercise their franchise freely and voluntary, protect election materials and officials and ensure adequate security before, during and after the election.

The statement reads: “The IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police in Edo State to enforce the restriction of vehicular movement from 12:00 midnight Tuesday, 27th September, 2016 to 6:00pm, 28th September, 2016 except those involved in essential duties who must be properly identified.”

The Force also noted that adequate resource and personnel will be mobilized and deployed to execute the election conclusively.

“In order to achieve the expected outcome of credible election acceptable to all stakeholders, the police will deploy 25,000 conventional police officers for the election.

“Tactical teams comprising of Police Mobile Force [PMF], Counter Terrorism Unit, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Special Protection Unit, Force Animal Branch, Police Air wing [Aerial patrol) and Marine Police Unit [Riverine Patrol) will also be deployed,” the statement added.

Edo guber: Army Confirms Arrest of Miscreants with Election Materials

Amid the controversy over the arrest of some persons alleged to be in possession of sensitive election materials, the Nigerian Army has confirmed holding some miscreants but denied that they were journalists.

Soldiers of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were alleged to have raided a hotel where some people alleged to be journalists were arrested.

An online publication was said to have made the allegation. But, a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR, Col. Sani Usman refuted the report.

The statement explained that none of those arrested explained that they were journalists, neither did they show any means of identification to that effect.

On the contrary, the army said: “A number of incriminating items including the Independent National Electoral Commission’s sensitive materials were recovered from them.”

Usman confirmed that the troops actually arrested a deserted soldier and other suspected miscreants in possession of some election materials.

The statement titled “Re: Edo Elections: Soldiers, DSS Molest and Arrests 10 Journalist in Edo” reads in part: “It is important to state that sequel to the prevailing security situation in the state, which led to the postponement of the earlier scheduled gubernatorial election, there were credible security reports that some unpatriotic persons have hired hoodlums with the intention of causing mayhem during the forthcoming election.

“The reports further showed that the suspected hoodlums have been lodged in some hotels within Benin City and its environs. Acting on this, the DSS, in conjunction with troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army carried out cordon and search operations in the suspected areas.

“This led to the arrest of 10 suspected persons in one of the hotels. Among the suspects arrested was a deserted soldier. It is pertinent to state that none of the arrested suspects identified himself as a journalist or mentioned the media he reports for, contrary to the allegations of the online media.”

However, the statement added that the arrested persons were well handled, in line with the operational codes of the services and the tradition of dignified human treatment.

It stated that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai, has zero tolerance for unprofessional and unethical conduct such as harassing and molesting innocent citizens.

Reports said those arrested have been handed over to the DSS for further investigation.

The state chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Roland Osakwe, said he was aware that some arrests had been made.

He, however, said he could not confirm their identity as they did not register their presence at the NUJ state secretariat.

Meanwhile, as part of the activities to check the reported security challenges, the Nigerian Army has promised to deploy drones during the governorship election.

Army To Deploy Drones During Edo Governorship Election

To ensure fair, free and credible governorship election on September 28 in Edo State, the Nigerian Army said it would deploy drones to monitor strategic location during the conduct of the election.

The Commander of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Raji Benbela, who spoke to journalists in Benin during operation show of force staged by a combined team of security agencies in the state, said the deployment of the drones will support the aerial view of strategic locations across the state and also help to check activities of hoodlums.

He said the show of force was not to intimidate the people but to assure them to come out en masse
and vote on Election Day, adding that security agents would be deployed to strategic locations to stop unwanted elements from disrupting the process.

Benbela disclosed that the Army had arrested some persons and that they would be made to face trial after the election. He appealed to the electorate and political gladiators to conduct themselves in such a manner that would not jeopardize the process.

Ogbemudia Endorses Obaseki Ahead Of Sept. 28 Edo Election

Former governor of Edo and respected elder statesman Samuel Ogbemudia on Sunday endorsed Mr Godwin Obaseki, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Sept. 28 governorship election.

Ogbemudia, whose voice is regarded like that of the Oracle, gave the endorsement at a banquet organised by Gov. Adams Oshiomhole in Benin to celebrate his 84th birthday.

 

During the occasion, Oshiomhole announced the renaming of New Era College, built by Ogbemudia decades ago, as Dr Samuel Ogbemudia College.

The college fell into ruins before Oshiomhole decided to rebuild it.
It was the second time  Oshiomhole honoured Ogbemudia, who was a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party, until a few years ago when  he quit.

 

In 2014, Oshiomhole’s government built an Ogbemudia Statue at the state-owned Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

 

Oshiomhole told Ogbemudia at the birthday party “you came, you saw and you conquered and Edo people are proud.
“Therefore, with your permission and in exercise of my privileges as governor of the greatest state in Nigeria, the only state that is up-to-date in payment of salaries in the entire South-South, the only state that increased minimum wage when others cannot pay, on behalf of government and people of Edo, New Era College will hereafter be named Dr Samuel Ogbemudia College.

 

“It is my hope that this will inspire other people to give their best to our state, to our country so that role models shall be formed within us. God bless you. God bless your family, and if you ask me, may God give you another 84 years.

 

“I just want to say, we are very proud of you and we thank God for your life. Dr Ogbemudia, I am proud of you. Edo people are proud of you.

 

Nigerians who know you are proud of you, and even children yet unborn will be proud of you when they read the history of your contributions to the growth and development of Midwest Region, Bendel State, and Edo State.”

 

Responding, Ogbemudia was also full of encomiums for Oshiomhole.

 

He said “my mission is not to come and praise you, but to catalogue your achievements so that the verdict of history will be in your favour.“You have done wonderfully well. Nowhere in this state, nowhere in this region, in all the six political regions can you find a building like this (the New Era College Hall) meant for a College.“You have done wonderfully well. It is said that it is better to make history than to write it. You have made history today and you will always be remembered and your memory will never fail.”

 

Ogbemudia also  canvassed votes for Mr Godwin Obaseki, the APC guber candidate in Edo.

 

The elder statesman said “I want to appeal to the people of Edo, through those who are here that Sept. 28 is a day of decision, a day on which we will decide our future.

 

“We have two options, either to remain as we are and nothing happens and two years hence, we will be looking for boats to travel on the roads because it would have been flooded or we work hard, get the right person to carry on from where Comrade will leave it.

 

“That option is staring at us in the face.

 

“For me, I choose the option to get somebody who understands good governance to carry on from where Comrade Oshiomhole will leave it.

 

He has done enough. He has left sufficient evidence for historians to appreciate, and many years hence they will be falling on each other to determine what made you do this or that. I think you have wonderful wisdom that will live with you forever.”

 

“For the young ladies, I have always appreciated the need to work with women because at the political field, they are very useful.

 

Once they tell you they are with you, they are with you. So, I want them to go back home to make sure that everyone of them has a hundred persons queuing behind them to vote for Obaseki.

 

“And for the men, of course, the number is limitless. What we want to do is to see that the votes the man acquires are such that it leaves no doubt as to his popularity.”

 

Obaseki, who had earlier given his tributes to Dr Ogbemudia, said “we are happy to still have you around with us. I am aspiring to fill your shoes.

 

“You have been twice governor in the state and I am aspiring to be governor for the first time. And my inspiration is largely you. My assurance comes from the fact that you are one leader who I met after I decided to run for governor.

 

“I want to assure you, sir, that I owe it to you and our Comrade Governor not to fail Edo people. The fact that we are here today, this school, New Era was your idea. We want to thank our Comrade Governor for taking that idea forward, and by the grace of God, I will take it even further.”

 

“My responsibility is to now continue from where Gov. Adams Oshiomhole stopped so as to create that new design and place our people where they should be in the next century,” Obaseki added.

Buhari Will Win 2019 Election If He Contests – Ex-PDP Chairman

A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Ahmadu Ali has seen his party as a contending force for power in 2019, but said Nigerians will vote for President Muhammadu Buhari if he decides to present himself for another term in office.

 

He stated that though Nigerians are currently criticising Buhari over his performance in office so far, they will be singing his praise a year from now as they would have forgotten their present complaints by then.

 

Speaking with Saturday Sun, the Director-General of the Goodluck Jonathan/Mohammed Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2015, said:

“Buhari’s performance that you are criticizing now, give him another year, you will be singing his praise.

“As far as Nigeria is concerned, they have forgotten the past, they will vote for him unless he is not standing. If Buhari is standing in 2019, people will vote for him.”

 

Explaining why he sees the possibility of Buhari’s victory in 2019 despite the present cries of Nigerians about hardship, Ali said:

“In order to get something good, you have to do a radical surgery, that radical surgery the pain is what we are suffering from; I am telling you when the pains heal and we start enjoying the surgery that was put in place, we will be ready to vote again if it is the same Buhari because they will say if things go wrong, he knows how to fix it.”

 

Ali, who noted that his party will be up against an uphill task if Buhari “continues to perform well and he wants to come back”, stated that such does not mean the PDP cannot defeat the President, adding that,“after all he defeated us so we should be able to defeat him.”

 

He went on to blame the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, for the current leadership squabble in the PDP, stressing that their plan is to disorganize the opposition so the party in power can have peace.

 

He continued that the current crisis rocking the former ruling party was also caused by western powers who are envious of PDP’s record of governing Nigeria for 16 uninterrupted years.

 

The former minister stated that the forces, who he called enemy outside Nigeria, believe that leaving the PDP to continue in power after 16 years, will make it grow into an impossible party which cannot be manipulated.

 

His words,

“The PDP imbroglio is most unfortunate but it is all within the realm of politics. If APC finds that they are not performing excellently well and we who can claim to be experts in running the country for 16 years are now outside government and we keep criticizing, the best thing is to find a way of disorganising us and they succeeded in disorganising us.

“And again our friends, the enemy outside Nigeria who believed that the PDP has broken such a record in the governance of Nigeria… 16 years uninterrupted… one political party… it has never happened in Nigeria.

“So they believed that leaving the PDP to continue in that run, they will end up to become an impossible party that they cannot manipulate, like the Gulf Party of the Arabs where they had to destroy Saddam and everybody to disorganize the region,” the ex-PDP chairman said.

Edo Guber: INEC merely postponed APC’s defeat – Dokpesi

A frontline contender for National Chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi has described the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to postpone the Edo State governorship election as “unfortunate”.

In a statement by Omor Bazuaye of the Raymond Dokpesi Campaign Organisation, Dokpesi said it is a shame that once again Nigerians are subjected to such gross impunity and flagrant abuse of power that is currently being exhibited.

Dokpesi said he received information about the postponement of the election just as he led a last minute campaign for the candidate of the PDP, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, in Etsako East, taking the campaign and the message of a better future from his own Ward 1 deep into Zone 4.

Dokpesi said what INEC had done was to postpone PDP’s victory at the polls and delay the inevitable defeat of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.

He said no matter how many times and how long INEC postpones the election, the people in his Etsako East have rejected APC and have made up their minds to vote the PDP.

Dokpesi visited Oshiolo Village where he met with the village head, Chief Agaye Izobor.

The campaign train then journeyed to Ekwotsor, where it was received by a large crowd of party supporters before moving on to other neighbouring villages such as Agiere and Weppa.

INEC has fixed a new date of September 28 for the election, which was previously fixed for September 10.

Corps members are ready for Edo election – NYSC

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has insisted that Corps members involved in the Edo state governorship election are prepared to deliver a credible electoral process.

 

In a statement signed by the Corps’ Director of Press and Public Relations, Abosede Aderibigbe, the Director General, Brigadier General Sulaiman Kazaure stated that the scheme is committed to the entrenchment of a credible electoral system.

Brigadier General Kazaure warned politicians to play by the rules and avoid any attempt to distract the Corps members from discharging their assignment.

 

He added that the Corps members involved in the Edo governorship election have been warned that any violation of the scheme’s code of conduct would be met with consequences as provided in the electoral law and the NYSC bye-laws.

Edo Guber: INEC ignores DSS, Police advise to postpone poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday said it will go ahead with the Edo State governorship elections against the advise of Nigerian security agencies.

 

The Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS) had advised INEC to postpone the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, September 10, 2016 in Edo state.

 

The two security agencies said the advise was based on credible intelligence at its disposal, which suggests that insurgents are planning to attack vulnerable communities and soft targets, with high population during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations between 12th and 13th September.

 

The agencies said Edo State is amongst the states being earmarked for these planned attacks.

In a joint statement, the agencies reminded the public that similar threats were issued during the May 1, Labour Day and Democracy Day, May 29, celebrations as well as the Eid-el-Fitr holidays in July, 2016.

 

The statement further adds that “the security agencies were able to decisively disrupt and thwart the insurgents’ plan. In the same vein, while election is important, the security agencies cannot allow the peace of the country to be disrupted, and we will continue to remain vigilant and ensure consolidation of the successes gained in the current counter-insurgency fight.

 

It is in regard of these that we are appealing to INEC which has the legal duty to regulate elections in the country to consider the need for possible postponement of the date of the election in Edo State, in order to enable security agencies deal decisively with the envisaged terrorist threats”, they said.

#Edo2016: APC alleges Plot by PDP to unleash mayhem, rig polls

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has raised alarm over what it called an alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unleash violence and cause confusion in the state during the governorship election.

The party, which is holding power in the state, claims that the plan would pave way for the opposition to rig the governorship election scheduled for September 10.

A statement by the party said “no less than 500 militants from Delta are being mobilised to critical areas of Edo State to carry out this evil plan using the waterways.

“The primary targets are Edo-North using the River Niger to access areas around Agenebode; Edo-South, via the Osse River; and Edo Central, via Ilushi River”.

Citing internal sources within the PDP, the APC also alleged that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members recruited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to participate in the conduct of the elections were being compromised by the PDP with the lure of huge financial rewards should they agree to act out their script to rig the elections.

“In their desperation to seize power at all cost, they have not only perfected plans to usurp the distribution of the Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) across the state but have already started acting it out as we have received reports that some PVCs meant for certain Local Government Areas have been hijacked by PDP thugs.

“We want to use this medium to call on the security agencies in the state, particularly the Nigerian Police Force, to investigate the matter expeditiously and immediately put in place measures to forestall their wicked plans, and maintain peace and order throughout this electioneering period.

“We also call on INEC to carry out due diligence on all its ad-hoc staff and monitor them closely so that those who have been compromised will not be allowed to carry out the PDP’s devious plans,” the statement read.

In his reaction to the alleged plot, the APC flagbearer, Godwin Obaseki, said: “We, in the APC, are not totally surprised by this distasteful development as the PDP is reputed for crude ‘do-or-die’ politics.

“We, however, want to state categorically that we will not be intimidated by their antics, and we will continue to push, through every legitimate means, our message of hope and prosperity.

“We are also confident that the good people of Edo State, having experienced unprecedented development and transformation of the state under the leadership of Comrade Adams Oshiomole of the APC, will vehemently resist any attempt by the PDP to halt the remarkable progress we have made, and lead us back to the dark days when our people watched helplessly as a few thieving politicians pillaged our commonwealth and nearly destroyed our state”.

Amidst uncertainty on the September 10 exercise due to recommendations for postponement by security operatives, Obaseki urged his supporters to be vigilant, and continue to conduct themselves peacefully as law-abiding citizens of Edo State.

Meanwhile the PDP has described the call for postponement of the election as shocking and a bizarre.

The party responded to the advice by security agencies in a statement by its spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye, on Wednesday.

After the advice was issued, the INEC said it had not received any official document advising it to shift the election and insisted that it would go ahead with the election as scheduled.

Call for postponement of Edo election suspicious – TMG

The Transition Monitoring Group has faulted the call by security agencies on the Independent National Electoral Commission to postpone the Edo State governorship election.

The Department of State Services and Nigerian Police Force had on Wednesday called on INEC to shift the election, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday due to threats by insurgents and extremists.

But the Chairperson, TMG, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said the call for the postponement of the election was suspicious.

“The advice by the DSS to postpone the Edo 2016 election is suspect and one must be quick to say that it is coming rather late, especially because the election will take place in less than 72 hours,” she said.

“One would have expected that such advice would have been issued earlier. Such announcement, close to election, could also trigger apathy by voters and capable of building tension in the state, which can lead to electoral violence, which they are supposedly trying to prevent.”

The President, Campaign for Democracy, Usman Bako, however, called for caution on the call to postpone the election by security agencies.

The Peoples Democratic Party, which expressed shock at the call, rejected it and urged INEC to do the same.

INEC, which said it was fully prepared for the conduct of the poll, had also expressed surprised by the call for the exercise to be shifted.

The National Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, said it would take a decision after holding consultations with relevant stakeholders.

“Whatever the case, the commission will take a decision swiftly and communicate it to the Nigerian public,” he said on Wednesday.

Zambia Court Throws Out Election Result Challenge

Zambia’s constitutional court on Monday threw out an attempt by the defeated presidential candidate to annul August’s election results, clearing the way for President Edgar Lungu’s inauguration.

Hakainde Hichilema, who lost the election by 100 000 votes, claimed that the result was rigged and launched a legal bid to stop Lungu retaining power.

Lungu took office only last year when he beat Hichilema in a snap election.

Zambia is known for its relative stability, but the run-up to the vote was marked by clashes between supporters of Lungu’s Patriotic Front (PF) and Hichilema’s United Party for National Development (UPND).

“There is no petition to be heard before this court,” said judge Annie Sitali, ruling that a 14-day deadline for a legal challenge had expired.

Hichilema had argued for an extension after legal arguments lasted until midnight on Friday.

At the court, where hundreds of his supporters had gathered on Monday, Hichilema, known as “HH” gave no immediate reaction to the judgement.

The official results put Lungu narrowly ahead on 50.35% against 47.63% for Hichilema among a field of nine candidates, just enough to avoid a second-round run-off.

Lungu’s short term in office has been marked by falling prices for copper, the country’s key export, soaring unemployment and inflation rising to over 20%.

INEC Bars Corrupt Staff From Edo, Ondo Guber Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission has stopped its officers, who are currently undergoing investigations for alleged corrupt practices, from taking part in the conduct of the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

 

The commission said the action was taken in order to give credibility to the two elections.

 

Governorship elections are to hold in Edo and Ondo states on September 10 and November 26 respectively.

 

The commission also said if the affected officers were not cleared even after the two elections must have been held, they would continue to be left out of other electoral assignments.

 

INEC’s Deputy Director, Publicity and Voter Education, Mr. Nick Dazang, stated this in an interview in Abuja on Sunday.

 

Dazang was asked if the over 100 officers, being investigated for alleged bribery by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with bribery allegations during the last general elections, would be deployed for the two elections.

 

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had confirmed the number of the suspects, stating that at the end of the probe, those found guilty would be sacked.

 

Some resident electoral officers of the commission were alleged to have been bribed by the officials of the Peoples Democratic Party during the general elections.

 

For example, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Mrs. Gesila Khan, and other top INEC officials in the South-South geopolitical zone were alleged to have received N675.1m from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

 

According to impeccable sources at the EFCC, Khan, who was later deployed as REC in Cross River State, allegedly received N185.8m ahead of the March 28 and April 11, 2015 elections.

The commission also arrested one Oluchi Obi Brown, who was the INEC administrative secretary in Delta State, said to have allegedly received over N111m.

 

Further investigations by detectives revealed that Brown had about $75,000 in an account in the United States.

 

The anti-graft agency also arrested one Edem Okon Effanga, who is a retired INEC official. Effanga was arrested alongside his alleged accomplice, Immaculata Asuquo, who was the Head, Voter Education of INEC in Akwa Ibom State.

 

Effanga was alleged to have received over N240m, which he shared among INEC ad hoc workers during the last elections.

 

Dazang said those still under investigations would be excluded from the elections in order to give credibility to the polls.

 

He said, It is the rule that anyone undergoing investigations for any allegations will not be deployed for any electoral duty.

 

We will obey this simple logic. We won’t deploy any of those being investigated for the forthcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

 

All those who have questions to answer either from the EFCC or any other security agencies, regarding the roles they played in the last general elections, are to be excused from these elections.

 

We need to give the elections credibility. If we don’t do that, Nigerians will query us. Until these officers are cleared, they won’t be deployed for any electoral duty.”

 

Though the list of invited members of staff INEC kept increasing, Yakubu had said the commission was cooperating with the EFCC, adding that ultimately, members of staff, who were culpable, would “be shown the way out.”

Ondo guber: Why We Are Backing Abraham – APC Chieftains

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) holds its governorship primaries tomorrow, one of the chieftains of the party in the state, Dr Taiwo Malumi, has thrown his weight behind the aspiration of Dr. Oluwasegun Abraham .

Malumi who is a senatorial leader of the party in the state, admitted that the challenges of governance in the state currently need somebody of Abraham status, and that he will be the best man to restore the state back to its place of pride.

While addressing delegates to the Saturday governorship primary of the party in Igbokoda, Ilaje local government, the politician described Abraham as a grassroot politician who would hit the ground running immediately he emerges as the governor of the state.

According to him, Abraham is a man who by words and deeds, has shown character, leadership, sincerity of purpose, selflessness, uncommon sacrifice and integrity.

Malumi who further described him as a team player, bridge builder, mobiliser and mediator, noted that he is the only person that have the good credentials that said to be towering above others.

He said the party has recognised the need to put square pegs in square holes in order to sustain the progressive stance of the party, hence, the state-wide Abraham’s acceptance as the flag bearer of the APC in the forthcoming governorship poll.

His words, “Our party prides itself on singling out the best heads for positions of responsibility. And, as far as Ondo is concerned, her economy is in need of someone who can produce results based on evident economic experience. Abraham is a successful businessman who will get the best deals that will profit Ilaje and Ondo as a whole”.

“I do not support losers, I’ve known him for a while, I know he also doubles has a technocrat with the highest hands-on experience and professionalism among the aspirants, at a level sufficient enough to use what we have in our state to transform Ondo to the Amsterdam of Africa. We must vote for him, and with these acceptance the whole state has given him, I’m sure he will win by a wide margin,” Malumi stated.

PDP Is Dead and Buried – Oyegun Says As 3000 Defect To APC

National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) John Oyegun, said this while received two former leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oredo LGA of Edo State on Wednesday.

Some of the defected members of the party included Mr. Ebima Ogbeide, Tony Anileh, Madam Goldenpenny, Pius Izemwingie, Ikponmwonsa Usiobafoh, Mrs. Vero Aguebor, Wilfred Enabulele, secretary ward 5, and Mr. Ebima Ogbeide.

Oyegun said:

“Massive development has already started in the state, and we welcome people who have the interest of the state and are progressive minded to join to continue with this development.

“Looking at the calibre of leaders defecting, I laugh when I see PDP boast of winning. Honestly, they are dead and buried in Edo.”

US Presidential Aspirant, Donald Trump Spotted Naked, In New York.

Donald Trump, the Republican candidate has been a controversial figure ever since he announced his intention to run for office. 

His many outbursts which have offended just about every race in the known universe have made him much maligned and disliked figure in the American community.

This is not to say he is not without his supporters, but even those are dwindling as he lost the support of major republicans who labelled him as ‘Reckless’.

 

Now, a life-size, flesh-coloured statue of a completely naked Donald Trump popped up at Union Square in downtown Manhattan but has since been removed by New York authorities.

 

To make things worse, he was crafted without balls which made it all the more amusing.

 

The statue is the work of a group of artists known as Indecline, and it was their way of protesting against the Republican nominee. in the middle of a heavily crowded area were aiming to protest the attitudes and statements of the Republican candidate, EFE news reported.

 

It was in a crowded area and it stood there for over 2 hours with tourists and other people taking pictures of it and generally laughing at the spectacle.

 

It was finally removed by personnel from the city’s Parks Department who said in a communique that it is illegal to display artwork in public without the proper permits.

The group, Indecline, carried out similar protests against Trump in Seattle, Cleveland, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
In a statement they said, “Unlike the statues, it’s our hope that Donald Trump, our modern-day Emperor of Fascism and Bigotry is never installed in the most powerful political and military position in the world. These fleeting installations represent this fleeting nightmare, and in the fall, it is our wish to look back and laugh at Donald Trump’s failed and delusional quest to obtain the presidency,”
You can check out photos below.

 

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“I Have Found My Missing Original Certificates” – Obaseki

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday said that he has found the original copies of his academic credentials, which had earlier been declared missing in a sworn affidavit.

Obaseki had, in the said affidavit submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the September 10 election, reportedly stated that his academic documents got missing while he was moving his office from one place to another.

The development had on Monday attracted criticisms from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, which described his reasons for not being in possession of the certificates as “flimsy” and
“unconvincing.”

However, Obaseki, who spoke during an interactive session organised by civil societies for governorship candidates in Benin, noted that though he had no reason to search for the documents, he had to provide the photocopies and swear to an affidavit for the election.

He explained, “I have found them. The truth is that I have not had any reason to look for them in the last 25 years. I know that I kept them somewhere in a safe box and I had photocopies.

“When I needed them for the exercise, I could not find them. So, I swore to an affidavit that I cannot find the originals.

He said that the photocopies of the documents were certified by the issuing institutions.

Obaseki added, “I took the photocopies to the institutions that issued them and they certified the photocopies.

“So when the whole controversy started raging, my cousin called me from New York and said, ‘But your originals are here. I said, ‘Please, send them to me now.”

The APC candidate also reiterated that his administration would provide security and manpower necessary to attract investors.

Donald Trump’s Adviser Says He Doesn’t Want Clinton Assassinated, Just Executed By Firing Squad ‘For Treason’

Al Baldasaro, a New Hampshire state representative and member of Donald Trump’s GOP veterans’ coalition has repeated calls for US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to be executed and says reporters misunderstood the type of harm he wishes her. According to Al, Clinton’s use of private e-mail servers while she was secretary of state could be seen as treason, to which the punishment is death.

In a radio show , Al Baldasaro, an army veteran said:

“This whole thing disgusts me. Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason.”.
But after the US Secret Service said they have started investigations into Al Baldasaro’s comments, for his encouragement of violence, Baldasaro now claims that he is the victim.
“The liberal media took what I said and went against the law and the Constitution and ran with it, and they said that I wanted her assassinated, which I never did,” Baldasaro told MassLive.com on Tuesday.
“I said I spoke as a veteran, and she should be shot in a firing squad for treason.”

Federal High Court Stops PDP National Convention Slated For Wednesday

ustice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja has asked the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to suspend its National Convention fixed for Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Abang gave the order late Monday afternoon while hearing the suit filed to determine who is the authentic National Chairman of the party between Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

Abang had in an earlier judgement sacked Makarfi as the National Chairman of the party.

But Makarfi swiftly filed an appeal to quash the ruling.

His faction is organising the convention in Port Harcourt.

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Sheriff, however, insists he remains the national chairman, warning that any convention conducted without his approval is null and void.

Details later…

I Am Ready To Kneel Down To Beg Atiku, Saraki, Others – Raymond Dokpesi

Raymond Dokpesi, contestant for the chairmanship position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said that he is ready to kneel down to beg former members of the PDP who have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to return.

 

Some former members of the PDP who have defected to the APC include former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar and embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

 

Dokpesi reminded the party that it needs to provide a viable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

Dokpesi said he would reunite the grieving factions in the party, and appealed to those who left for the APC to “return home”.

 

We want to give strong opposition to this government because there is a lot hunger and poverty in the country and Nigerians are suffering,” he said.

 

“My ambition is for PDP to win 2019 and I am going to deploy massively for that to happen. For that reason I am going to bring back all those leaders who left and I hereby tender my unreserved apology to them to return.

 

“There will be level playing field for all candidates under my leadership. I am not an agent of anybody and I am not sponsored by anyone and I feel insulted to hear that someone is sponsoring me. But I have no commitment to anybody.

 

“I am ready to kneel down for those aggrieved to come back to the party in order for us to be victorious in 2019.”

Eghosa Igbinóvia: Continuity As A Necessary Tool For The Development Of Edo State.

In the face of the new economic challenge we face, we need leadership with fresh and original ideas to take on these new challenges, so that we can build on and deepen the success of the current administration. There is only one course of action- we must be courageous and determined, we must build on and extend the success of the current administration to achieve the aspiration of Edo people (Godwin Obaseki, 2016).

 

There is no iota of that in the fact that Godwin wants to transform Edo State from its current state to a better one, this is evident in his manifesto delivered on the 16th July, 2016 at the official flag off APC campaign for Edo Governorship election. This foresighted man has held different positions, which he judiciously utilized in implementing his part to the development of the state. He is the wax burning the fire of development in Edo state, leading a team of professionals and technocrats in the progressive government of the Comrade Governor as Chairman, Edo State Economic Team for about eight years.

 

Some ten years back, Edo state was in comatose in the hands of hind-sighted men, it was indeed a decade of mismanagement and failed promises. Then came in a man of purpose, he was ready to transform things, and that he has been doing with the help of other foresighted men, notable of which is Godwin Obaseki. Godwin doesn’t want the progress of the inland state dragged back, he wants to continue with the good work the present administration has embarked on.

 

Godwin understands the plight of the people; he has gathered enough experience to control the affairs of Edo State. He has plans of focusing on job creation, which is one of the challenges facing our country today. Within his four-year term he hopes to create 200,000 new jobs across the state, through Agriculture, Entrepreneurship schemes attracting investments for the development of industries, technical and vocational skills development. He believes many Edo people will generate wealth by keying into value chain development of Oil Palm, Cassava, Cocoa, Grains, Rubber, among others.

 

Currently the electricity demand in Edo State is over 450 megawatts but the Benin Electricity Distribution company is rationing about 150 megawatts of electricity between four States. Attracting more investments in large and small scale electricity generation and partnering with BEDC will ensure that more power is available for domestic and industrial activities, this and many others have been lined out to be worked on.

 

Also, Godwin plans to see to the empowerment of Women. He plans on providing an enabling environment for them, to help them achieve their highest potential by taking their empowerment beyond the phase of women empowerment. Launching development projects under the leadership of women, improving the access to low interest rate for financing their business among others is what this vision man has envisioned for the progressive women of Edo State.

 

Exempting the youths from the government is one risk Godwin’s administration wont undertake. He understands the impact of youths in the development of the nation. And as a result he has planned to provide medium and small scale enterprises financing for the young entrepreneurs, he will also focus on the development of the youths through investments in sports, arts and crafts.

 

Godwin wont also forget to protect the lives and properties of his people. This is paramount to a man who understands what it means to be safe, just as learnt from the administration of the Comrade Governor. He plans to formulate a comprehensive strategy with inputs from all stakeholders with a view to making Edo State safe for the citizens and for investors. He would also implement a pocket friendly tax regime to grow the tax as which will help the state run so many things in times like this.

 

The plans have been rightly set, execution is what is left, immediately after the collective support for the emergence of the man of purpose. Continuity is what is needed, change is out rightly out of discuss!

#Edo2016: The Comrade Governor Is Leaving, Who’s Next? By Patrick Omoregie

The election that saw President Muhammad Buhari emerge as the president of Nigeria could be described as the most inclusive presidential election, after the all-out 1993 general election, which General Babangida annulled; it was recorded to have been the most peaceful election Nigeria ever had. You will agree with me that people are seeing things from the root now, and not from the flamboyant and fragrant flowers anymore. Nigerians don’t want to be deceived any longer, they don’t want looters for leaders any more, they don’t want to rest their hands on their cheeks to wait for years to pass, they now want leaders of repute.
 
The heartbeat of Nigeria will in some days witness the transition of power from the Comrade Governor to the hands of another leader. Edo state which was created on the 27th August, 1991 was in no shape some ten years back, as all the inland state in the southern Nigeria had was a government of failed promises. Then came in the change maker, Governor Adams Oshiomole, who rescued the drowning ship of Edo state. The former Nigeria Labour Congress President was determined to change the spate of things, and he has been changing things for the better. His administration undertook one of the greatest revolutions in Education in Nigeria, by reconstructing and rebuilding over 50% of primary school infrastructures and over 30% of secondary schools within the space of seven and half years. This progressive leader also constructed state-wide roads, and is still on the storm water project, among many other achievements.
 
If the transition within few years can put smile on the faces of the people, what then could be more desirable than continuity?  When a drummer is drumming, and people are enjoying him, they fail to give credit to the drum producing the interesting sound, all that comes out of their mouth is, that drummer is the best. It would be interesting to note that Godwin Obaseki has been the drum sounding unnoticed; he has indeed played numerous and countless roles in the achievements of the Comrade Governor. If he can do that under the capacities he held, he would definitely make a good Governor.
 
Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki was born into the famous and illustrious family of Obaseki of Benin city. He didn’t try ignorance, and as a result, had his early education in St. Matthews Anglican Primary School Benin City, from where he proceeded to Eghosa Anglican Grammer School, also in Benin City. He graduated from Premier University, University of Ibadan, obtaining BA in classics. Godwin didn’t just stop there; he proceeded to study abroad where he bagged different degrees. He is a professional in what he has chosen for himself, as he is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers.
 
People are graduating away from celebrating mediocrity; everybody wants to work with intellectuals. Godwin began his career 30 years ago and has established track records in Investment Banking, Asset Management, Securities Trading and the Public Sector both internationally and in Nigeria. Godwin Obaseki has got all it takes to steer the boat of the state for the next four years. It would interest you to know that, he is currently the Chairman of the Edo Sate Government’s Economic and Strategy Team, a position he has held for years. He was responsible for the documentation of the State’s Economic Development Frame work through Sector’s Strategic Planning; he was also the brain behind the Introduction and Enculturation of Retreats as a platform to ensure all parties engagement.
 
Godwin was also the Chairman of the Tax Assessment Review Committee for Edo state Internal Revenue service, just as he was an active member of the Committee on Contributory Pension Scheme, just to mention a few. The mark of difference has been drawn, brilliant initiatives have also been transformed into what Edo state is today, the success story will not only end well for Governor Oshiomole, but the good times will continue for the good people of Edo State if Godwin Obaseki is elected as the Governor of Edo state.
 
When the right things are in place, continuity should be the ultimate request of the people.

Will Smith Angrily Slams Donald Trump Over Hateful Comments Against Women

Top Hollywood actor Will Smith has criticized Presidential hopeful Donald Trump over history of misogynistic comments especially one where he called a woman ‘a fat pig’ and says the Billionaire’s remarks reflect ‘darkness’ of his soul’.

“For a man to be able to publicly refer to a woman as a fat pig, that makes me teary,” Smith toldnews.com.au in an interview posted Tuesday. “And for people to applaud, that is absolutely f—ing insanity to me,” he added. “It’s absolutely collective insanity.”

Smith also said he would throw out any of his sons if any of them uses the kind of offensive language Donald Trump uses.

“If one of my sons — I am getting furious just thinking about it — if one of my sons said that in a public place, they couldn’t even live in my house anymore,”

The former “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” acknowledged there was a lengthy list of offensive comments Trump has made, but his views on women were “such an absolute illustration of a darkness of his soul.”

“For me, deep down in my heart, I believe that America won’t and we can’t (elect Mr Trump). Of all the things he has said, and we could go through the laundry list, that was the one that was such an absolute illustration of a darkness of his soul. I just cannot figure out how people can clap for that.”

Some of the recipients of Trump’s vitriol include Rosie O’Donnell, Arianna Huffington and Bette Midler.

“I think as much as we want to believe that love is the greatest human motivator, it’s not. Fear is. Fear is the most dangerous and powerful motivator because when a human being gets scared, fight or flight kicks in. And there is this really separatist non-inclusive xenophobic, racist wave that is sweeping the globe that is making us pull apart farther than putting us together. The importance of leaders is that they have to be level headed, they have to be calm, because when people get scared, they lose their morality and that reptile mind takes over. It’s the type of thing that you see in all forms of nature, but our leaders can’t be that.” Clearly enraged, he continues. “So, we are not even going to pretend it is going to happen. I have faith in America. America has had really critical times but the good (people) tend to make their way to the top.”

 

“Reveal Your Tax Returns”, Warren Buffett Challenges Donald Trump.

US billionaire Warren Buffett challenged Donald Trump Monday to release his tax returns, a feat which the Republican presidential candidate has so far resisted.

 

Trump has said he won’t release the documents because he is under audit, which Buffett — one of the world’s richest men — suggested is a weak excuse.

 

Now I’ve got news for him, I’m under audit too,” Buffett said, speaking at a Hillary Clinton rally in Nebraska. “You’re only afraid if you got something to be afraid about.”

 

He’s afraid because of you,” Buffett told the attendees.

 

Buffett suggested he and Trump meet “any place, any time” before election day to publicly go over their tax records together.

 

The business magnate also sharply criticized Trump for a recent dispute with the parents of a slain Muslim American soldier.

Pakistani immigrant Khizr Khan galvanized the Democratic National Convention with a tribute to his dead son in which he rebuked the Republican nominee for having “sacrificed nothing” for the country.

 

In an interview aired on ABC Sunday, Trump insisted he had, in fact, made “a lot of sacrifices” for the United States.

 

Buffett declared otherwise: “Donald Trump and I haven’t sacrificed anything,” he said, referencing Trump’s remark.

 

How in the world can you stand up to a couple of parents who have lost a son and talk about sacrificing because you were building a bunch of buildings?”

 

Buffett is one of several extremely wealthy Americans to back Clinton for president, including billionaire and independent former mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

Ekiti 2018 Gubernatorial Elections: PVCs To Be Distributed Today – INEC

In preparedness ahead of 2018 gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to commence the distributions of Permanent Voters Cards.

 

Speaking at the interaction session with stakeholders in Ado Ekiti, the Administrative Secretary of the Commission, Dr Musilim Omoleke, who represented the Resident Electoral Commissioner, said the purpose of the meeting is to demonstrate transparency and fairness of the commission.

 

He stated that the commission still has 224,840 uncollected PVC.

He appealed to all political parties to help educate their supporters and party members on the importance of the PVC.

 

Meanwhile, the representative of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Taiwo Olatubosun, who is also the party’s Publicity Secretary, said the commission should ensure adequate awareness of the PVC collection exercise.

 

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ekiti State, Mr Gboyega Oguntuase, said his party is ready to support the commission in achieving a free and fair election come 2018.

Hillary Clinton Is The Devil, She May Rig The Elections – Donald Trump

Republican nominee makes claims on campaign trail while ignoring controversy over his remarks about a Muslim soldier’s parents.

 

Donald Trump has claimed that there is a possibility of the US presidential election being “rigged” as he tried to divert attention away from a disastrous week for his campaign by also labelling hisHillary Clinton Is The Devil, She May Rig The Elections – Donald Trump rival Hillary Clinton as “the devil” and praising the primary opponent of Republican speaker Paul Ryan.

 

The Republican nominee has in the past few days faced a barrage of criticism following his controversial comments about the Gold Star parents of a Muslim soldier killed in Iraq.

APC Wins All Seats, Positions in Adamawa LG Elections

Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC), has announced the results of Local Government Election held in the state on Saturday.

 

The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Isa Shettima, said on Monday in Yola that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the chairmanship seats of 18 local governments where results were announced.

 

Shettima said that the commission had cancelled the elections in Michika, Lamurde and Numan Local Government Areas, and fixed Aug. 6, for fresh polls.

 

“There will also be election in two wards in Guyuk Local government on the same date,” the ADSIEC chairman said.

He said that results of councillors for the 226 wards in the state would be announced at the headquarters of the three senatorial zones.

 

Shortly after the announcement of the results, the winners were presented with Certificate of Return by the chairman.

 

Speaking to NAN after receiving her certificate, the only female candidate, who was elected Chairman of Demsa Local Government, Mrs Wale Fwa, said that she was prepared for the job and would not disappoint the people.

 

“I am used to that; I was once the only female member in the state House of Assembly, my people have confidence in my ability to deliver and I will do just that,” Wale said.

Breaking The Jinx: Tokyo Gets First Ever Female Governor

Tokyo broke its long history of electing male Governors as exit polls reveal that the former Japanese Defense Minister, Yuriko Koike emerged the winner of the Tokyo gubernatorial election.

 

The newly elected Governor will be saddled with the task of organising a world-class Summer Olympics which is scheduled for year 2020 amongst other responsibilities.

 

Koike’s win on Sunday confirms her a the successor to the former governor Yoichi Masuzoe.

 

Recall that the election was called due to Masuzoe’s resignation in June. His resignation followed his implication in financial scandal which makes him the second successive city leader to step down due to such charges.

 

Koike, a former TV anchorwoman while speaking on Sunday after the announcement of the exit poll win assured that she will lead the city in an unprecedented manner, being the first female governor of the Japanese capital.

APC Wins Imo North Senate District, 2 State Constituencies In Re-Run Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mr Ben Uwajumogu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) winner of Imo North Senatorial District rerun election held on July 28.

 

Uwajumogu scored 56,076 votes to defeat Mr Athan Achonu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 43, 815 votes.

 

Prof. Arinze Agbogu, the INEC Returning Officer for Imo North Senatorial District, who announced the result in the early hours of Friday, said the outcome was a summation of scores of July 23 and that of July 28 exercise.

 

It will be recalled that Uwajumogu had scored 48,921 on July 23, while Achonu, of the PDP, scored 40, 142 votes which made INEC to declare the rerun inconclusive.

 

Agbogu said that available data before him showed that Uwajumogu had majority of lawful votes cast, and therefore returned elected for the Imo North Senatorial District.

 

Similarly, INEC declared Mr Nkenna Nzeruo of the APC winner of Oru East State Constituency, while Mr Collins Chiji also of APC was declared winner for Isiala Mbano State Constituency.

 

The two state constituencies’ elections were equally declared inconclusive due to reported cases of violence that marred the exercise in some communities in the two areas on July 23.

 

Uwajumogu told journalists in Owerri that he was highly elated over the victory, adding “my gratitude goes more to Governor Rochas Okorocha whose structure helped me to win this senatorial election’’.

INEC Wants SIECS To Adopt Technology In Elections

Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has advised states’ Independent Electoral Commissions to emulate the commission in the deployment of technology for conduct of elections.

Yakubu gave the advice when he received the Executive of the Forum of States Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) led by its Chairman, Mrs Gloria Ukpong, in his office on Tuesday in Abuja.

 

He said that the time had come for SIECs to adopt the use of technology in conducting elections, saying that INEC had taken the bold step in introducing technology to the process.

 

“It is now time for the SIECs to follow suit. We cannot continue to operate manually if we must achieve credible and free elections in the country.

“I hope very soon the use of technology will become mandatory for conduct of local governments elections in the country,” Yakubu said.

He said that the commission would not only continue to collaborate with SEICs but would strengthen its Memorandum of Understanding with them, including capacity-building within available resources.

Yakubu promised that INEC would give necessary support and collaboration to SEICs towards ensuring that their elections were credible “to deepen the country’s democracy’’.

Speaking earlier, Ukpong said that the forum executives were at the commission to ensure that the MoU between it and INEC was improved upon.

INEC
Ukpong, who is also Chairman of SEIC, Akwa-Ibom, said that through the MoU, the relationship between the two bodies had been strengthened while the capacity of SEICs’ staff had been improved.
She, however, urged INEC to help SIECs in training of staff and use of technology such as card reader.
“In SIEC, only one state has deployed technology in the conduct of its election.
“Others are looking forward to the adoption of technology in the process but it is quite expensive, especially this period of the economy,’’ she said.
Ukpong also urged INEC to assist the states in accessing the updated voters register, saying that while some states had been able to update their registers, other had been unable to access it at INEC.
“Democracy is there for the people and people should be happy whenever we conduct free and credible elections,” she said.

(NAN)

Probe Rivers Re-run Elections Crisis Now, PDP To Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has tasked the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to constitute a panel to carry out a comprehensive and dispassionate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crisis in the March 19 rerun elections in Rivers State. The National Chairman of PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff made the call at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, just as the United States Government, through its diplomatic mission to Nigeria in a statement on Tuesday, condemned reported violence and irregularities that rocked last Saturday’s rerun elections in Rivers State, even as the British High Commission also expressed concern over the level of violence recorded at the polls.

Also on Tuesday, the PDP members in the House of Representatives urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately release results of rerun elections in Rivers. Briefing newsmen in Abuja, the caucus led by Minority Leader of the house, Rep. Leo Ogor, condemned the suspension of the election, saying it was strange to the country’s electoral laws. According to him, in accordance with section 27of the Electoral Act, the Constitution and all Supreme Court judgements, elections were concluded, and results had been announced at the unit levels.

“In this context, anything contrary to the announcement of the result is a breach of all our electoral laws and evidently a coup against the people of Rivers State. “It is very sad that it is the umpire, that is, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that is spearheading this illegality abetted by law enforcement agencies, particularly the military whose attention is needed in the North-East,’’ they said. Ogor briefed the press just as INEC offered automatic employment to a member of the National Youth Corps (NYSC) who lost her sight during the 2011 general elections in Yobe State. Similarly, the commission promised to fully participate in the burial programme of Okonta Samuel, a corps member who lost his life in last Saturday’s rerun elections in Rivers State.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yukabu offered the employment and made the promise when he paid a condolence visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig-General Johnson Olawumi on Tuesday. Professor Yakubu, who regretted the circumstances, which led to the unfortunate death of the corps member, praised the services of youth corps members in the conduct of elections. The PDP National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, at the press conference contended that the probe panel would unravel those behind the violence and bring the culprits to book.

The rerun National and State Assemblies’ elections, it will be recalled, were marred by crisis leading to killings, abductions and assassination attempts. The PDP National Chairman said “Whilst we join well-meaning Nigerians to condemn the cases of violence which reportedly characterized the process in some areas, we enjoin the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to immediately constitute a panel to carry out a dispassionate investigation of the circumstances with a view to unraveling the truth and bringing the culprits to book”.

Sheriff equally condemned the role played by some officers and members of the Armed Forces. He accused them of acting beyond their expected role of maintenance of law and order, alleging that they have taken over the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) in the conduct of the rerun election. According to him, the military acted in flagrant disobedience of a order of court, and further called on President Muhammadu Buhari to also investigate the role of the military personnel in the election and appropriate sanction meted for those found culpable.

His words, “Our longheld view, proven over the years by our attitude of accepting declared results of elections, is that the mandate of the Nigerian people is sacred and anybody or party which seeks to govern Nigeria or any part of it must solicit and obtain this mandate freely given in an openly contested election where democratic norms and ethos are rigidly observed.

Credit: Thisday

INEC To Investigate Alleged Distribution Of Fake Result Sheets In Rivers Rerun

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will investigate alleged distribution of fake result sheets in some polling units in Saturday’s legislative re-run elections in Rivers.

 

The commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, made this known in an interview on Monday in Abuja.

 

Osaze-Uzzi also said that the commission would also investigate other allegations raised during the conduct of the election.

He, however, insisted that there was no way fake election materials could have been distributed by INEC’s election officers.

 

“Was there really distribution of fake result sheets? How did the people know that they are fake?

“The allegation will be investigated, anyway.

“We are having a meeting on Wednesday with the Rivers Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Monitors and Supervisors who went to the state for the election.

“This issue will be raised there; thereafter, we will issue a public statement on our findings.

“We will also investigate any allegation that has been raised and backed with fact,” Osaze-Uzzi said.

 

On when the commission would release the remaining results of the election, he said that decision on it would be taken at the Wednesday meeting.

 

“We are not going back to the state until the atmosphere is conducive to have a violent-free election.

“But I don’t want to pre-empt anything ahead of the Wednesday meeting.”

 

On update about electoral officers abducted during the Saturday election, Osaze-Uzzi said that he was yet to be briefed on the matter.

 

“I cannot speak categorically on that, but I was told that some of the people we are much concerned about have been released.

 

“But regrettably, I think we lost a youth corps member but I can’t state categorically,” he added.

 

(NAN)

‘Wike Lacks Capacity To Govern Rivers State’ – Amaechi

Former Rivers State governor and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has accused his successor, governor Nyesom  Wike of lacking the political will and capacity to govern Rivers State.

Amaechi stated this on Sunday at an APC rally in Rumueme, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, ahead of the state and national assembly elections on Saturday.

Amaechi said, “Wike lacks capacity to govern. Somebody who just knows how to steal money is a bushman. Wike said, am corrupt. He should bring evidence to show. I will bring evidence to show that Wike is corrupt. Wike did the Rukpoku/ Eneka road during my tenure he did not complete it. I
gave Wike the contracts to do all the roads around Aristle House(a hotel in GRA) but he failed to do them, I gave him fourteen schools to give to Obio/Akpor people, he stole them, he lacks character”.

Also speaking on the security situation in the state, Amaechi said, “When I was the governor, one thing that I kept thinking of was how to chase these criminals away but under Nyesom Wike, he meets with them. If Wike does not secure you people, the federal government will secure you. If he doesn’t want to be ignored he should go and secure you people because federal government will no longer tolerate these killings in Rivers State.

Amaechi further told his supporters not to be intimidated by Wike’s threats and come out to vote APC at Saturday’s election.

Saturday is your day, come out and vote.They will no longer have the Police they had, they will no longer have the Army they had, we pray that INEC should be neutral, your job is to match out and vote for APC ,we will not write results like Nyesom Wike , so go back to your wards and do door to door”.

Also, in Akuku/Toru local government area, Amaechi told his party supporters to be courageous in exercising their franchise without fear of intimidation

“You see, it is not enough to provide security because if there are no votes we will lose, the implication therefore is that all of you must come out and vote for APC so that we will win the election.”,he said.

Amaechi had earlier paid condolence to the family of slain APC stalwart  Mr. Ofirite Amachree who was killed and burnt beyond recognition by unknown gunmen in Buguma.

Amaechi has also pledged to assist families of slain All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Omoku, Ogba,Egbema/Ndoni local government area of  Rivers state.

Amaechi gave the assurance at the weekend when he visited families of late Frankline Obi and late Chukwuladi Adiela in Omoku, Rivers State.

The late Frankline Obi was the APC chairman of ward 4 and was killed and beheaded by unknown gunmen alongside his pregnant wife and son while late Chukwuladi Adiela was an APC stalwart of ward 14.

Addressing the deceased families, the Minister said, “The President is aware of the death of your son who was our party ward chairman. I personally gave him the photograph of the beheaded body. Everybody must learn to give account of their action or inaction in Omoku. We can’t have police and be experiencing this kind of thing. Internal security is the responsibility of the police so if we have police and keep experiencing this in Omoku it means the police in Rivers State has failed and the people that are been killed are mostly APC members”, he said.

Amaechi  also told the bereaved families that the president was aware of the killings in Omoku and promised that full investigation will be carried out to unravel the killers.

“The President is fully aware of the situation. I was the governor of this state and Omoku wasn’t this bad Stay clear they will kill more. The police can’t claim not to know who the people are because I was governor, the police worked with me, we knew where the criminals were and we went after them.”

Amaechi also assured the people that arrangements have been made to beef up security ahead of the State and National Assembly re- run elections in the state.

“There will be enough security on the election day, there will be enough security to protect lives.

Court Orders The Arrest Of Tope Aluko, Ex Ekiti State PDP Secretary

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This is the official press statement…

A Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital has ordered the State Commissioner of Police to arrest of former State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Temitope Aluko over alleged perjury. Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye gave this order today, upon a Motion Ex-parte number MAD/10cm/2016, filed by the Ekiti State Government against Mr Aluko and the State Commissioner of Police,

pursuant to Section 117 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, law of Ekiti State 2012, Section 79 of the Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2014 and Section 23 (D) of the Magistrates’ Courts Law 2014.

In the Motion, which was filed and moved by the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr Gbemiga Adaramola, an order of the court was sought to issue warrant of arrest against Mr Aluko to be executed by the State Commissioner of Police for the purpose of committing him (Aluko) for trial for the offence of perjury. Chief Magistrate Adegboye said the order was granted as a means for the first defendant (Aluko) to attend the court for defence.

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The matter was premised upon an application to the State Attorney General by a lawyer, Mr Sunday Olowolafe, calling for the prosecution of Mr Aluko for alleged perjury. The legal practitioner said; “I hereby apply to your office that Dr Temitope Kolawole Aluko be arrested and sued for perjury in view of the interview recently granted on Channels Television by 8:00pm on Sunday 31 January, 2016.

“The said Dr Temitope Kolawole Aluko now recanted the evidence he gave in the cause of the hearing of the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition as a star witness even up to the Supreme Court. The Certified True Copy of the State on Oath, evidence of Dr Temitope Kolawole Aluko in Court on the 12/11/14 and Nigerian Tribune and The Punch newspapers of Monday, 01/02/2016 that reported the interview granted are hereto attached. “It is to be noted that this if this act (Perjury) is not looked into, it will definitely defile the cause of justice and consequently rubbished the judicial proceedings.”

In the affidavit filed in support of the motion ex-parte by Special Assistant to the State Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, he said Mr Aluko, who was a witness before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sworn to a Statement on Oath on August 4, 2014 wherein he stated that the Election was not only free and fair, but devoid of violence, thuggery, hooliganism, snatching of ballot boxes, and related forms of electoral disorderliness.

Olayinka further averred that Mr Aluko tendered and adopted his Statement on Oath on November 12, 2014 and further gave evidence under cross examination.

He stated that all what Aluko said on Channels Television on Sunday, January 31, 2016 were contrary to and opposite in direction to his evidence before the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. Issuing the warrant of arrest against Mr Aluko, Chief Magistrate Adegboye said since the court had the power to grant the order and it will serve the interest of justice, the State Commissioner of Police should arrest Aluko for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting him.

FIFA Announces Final Candidates To Replace Sepp Blatter As President In February Elections

The ad-hoc Electoral Committee of the world’s football governing body, FIFA, has announced the candidates that will contest in it’s February 26th presidential election, that will herald a new reign in the leadership of football globally.
Names of the candidates include Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim AL Khalifa of Bahrain, Jersey Champagne of France, Gianni Infantino of Italy and Tokyo Sexwale of South Africa.

“The Ad-hoc Electoral Committee has formally admitted and declared the candidates eligible for the election of the office of FIFA president at the extraordinary FIFA Congress,” said a formal notice sent to the 209 member associations by FIFA.

The vote will be held in Zurich on Feb. 26.

Appeal Court Upholds Akpabio’s Election

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday upheld the election of the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, as Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District after dismissing the appeal by the All Progressives Congress’ candidate in the March 28, 2015 poll, Chief Inibehe Okori.

The Justice Abdul-Rahman Oredola-led three-man panel in its judgment, held that Okori’s appeal against the verdict of the Akwa Ibom National and State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja which earlier affirmed Akpabio’s election October 14, 2015, lacked merit.

The Court of Appeal which narrowed the issues raised by Okorie to his allegation that Akpabio was not validly nominated as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial election, held that the Senate Minority Leader was validly sponsored by his party.

The tribunal earlier upheld the preliminary objection filed by Akpabio’s legal team, a decision which saw it striking out grounds five, six and seven of Okorie’s appeal.

The tribunal had also struck out the issues two and three formulated by the appellant from the grounds of appeal, holding that the issues were not distilled from the judgment of the tribunal.

The two remaining issues which Okorie was left with were merged together by the Court of Appeal ?since both of them bordered on the alleged non-qaulification of Akpabio to contest for the election.

Justice Oredola who read the lead judgment said the issue of non-qualification raised by Okori did not fall within the contemplation of section 66 (2)(b) of the Constitution which stipulates the criteria for qualification of a candidate to stand for an election.

President Buhari Congratulates Kabore On His Election As President Of Burkina Faso

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Mr Roch Marc Kabore of the Movement of People for Progress Party on his historic election as the second civilian President of Burkina Faso.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

The statement also quoted Buhari as expressing the hope that the successful conclusion of the electoral process would usher in a new era of true democracy and inclusive good governance in Burkina Faso.

The President, who appreciated the commitment of the people of Burkina Faso in ensuring peaceful election, urged them to continue to give the new leader the maximum support he needed to take the country to greater heights.

He also commended the outgoing transition President, Mr Michel Kafando, for his tenacity and determination in ensuring that the electoral process was concluded amicably in the face of daunting challenges.

He called on Kabore to use his famed democratic credentials and vast parliamentary experience to join hands with other contestants to work together for the peace, progress, prosperity and unity of Burkina Faso.

President Buhari also used the opportunity to call on fellow African leaders to continue to sustain the democratic principles sweeping across the continent.

He particularly commended the courage and perseverance of ECOWAS leaders for their support in ensuring that the transition and election processes were fully concluded.

He expressed optimism that the success of the Burkina Faso election would deepen the democratic processes in Africa and emphasise regional and continental integration.

President Buhari wished Kabore a successful tenure particularly in his service to the people of Burkina Faso and to the global community in general.

“We Are Solidly Behind David Mark” – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Part (PDP) has described the former senate president David Mark as an asset to the Nigerian nation.

former Senate President, David Mark
A statement by the party’s national publicity secretary, Oliseh Metu said the PDP and the entire people of Benue state are “solidly” behind Mark in an election re-run for Benue South senatorial zone.

Metu said the former Senate president is expected to repeat his victory in a re-run ordered by the court of appeal.

He said the Benue people and supporters of the PDP since 1999 would remain steadfast in giving Mark another resounding victory at the rerun election.

He said the party is confident the senatorial seat will be retained even stronger now.

He said this is possible now that ruling party, All Progressive Congress (APC) deceit has become obvious to Nigerians.

Metu said: “The inexplicable ruling of the Appeal Court, even when all evidence pointed to Mark’s victory as upheld by the lower tribunal, is yet another evidence of APC’s dangerous interference in the judiciary, which negative consequences the PDP has continued to alert the nation.”

He said contributions by the senator in the growth and stability of the nation’s democracy growing and stabilizing through his mature, responsible and patriotic leadership of the senate is still highly needed in the polity.

The party also urged its members in Benue South to resist any attempt of intimidation, especially in their determination to ensure effective and result-oriented representation in the senate as typified in senator Mark.

Mark’s elections as senator representing the Benue South zone was nullified by the Court of Appeal on Saturday.

The court also ordered a re-run of the election.

However, Mark has also said he is confident of winning the election many times.

‘I won the election clean and clear. If we go back to the polls 100 times , I will still win convincingly,” Mark said in a statement by his media assistant.

UK Indicates Interest In Kogi, Bayelsa Elections

The United Kingdom has told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that it is very much interested in how events playing out in Kogi State’s inconclusive governorship election finally unfold.

British High Commissioner, Mr. Paul Arkwright, who dropped the hint when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the electoral commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, further expressed happiness over conduct of credible elections in Nigeria.

Charging the INEC boss to surpass the 75 per cent name recognition of his immediate predecessor, Professor Attahiru Jega, the UK Government equally promised to help Nigeria in improving on visible deficiencies noticeable in computerised electoral system in the country.

His words: “We are here to see how we can work with you in future in alliance with your commissioners. We want to see how we can continue our relationship with you. We also came to congratulate you on your appointment as the commission’s chairman .

“I heard that you did a very good job during the confirmatory hearing  and you showed huge amount of confidence in the structure. I want to also congratulate the new commissioners. It is really wonderful to know that you have some outstanding individuals among the commissioners with rich international backgrounds.

“I appreciate all you said and hope that in the future you will live up to expectations as the commission’s chairman. I was told that your predecessor, who did very well on the job, has 75 per cent name recognition in the entire country. That was a very impressive statistic and it will be nice if you have the same or above such record.

“I want to equally tell you that we are interested in your plans concerning Kogi elections. The death of the APC candidate for that election was a very sad news. We are equally happy about the plans for the Bayelsa election. We appreciate the professionalisation of your elections,” he assured.

Credit: Sun

Gunmen kidnap Timipre Sylva’s cousin in Bayelsa

Gunmen believed to be kidnappers yesterday afternoon kidnapped Krinpere Douglas, a cousin to Timipre Sylva, the APC Governorship candidate for Bayelsa governorship election. According to Nathan Egba, the Director for Media and Publicity of Sylva’s campaign who made this known to newsmen, Douglas was kidnapped along the Ogbia-Brass waterways this afternoon as he was heading to a political rally in support of his cousin, Mr. Sylva.

”The victim was coming for this campaign but, unfortunately, their boat which was in our convoy was attacked by the gunmen who abducted him to an unknown destination. I pray that nothing will happen to him,” he said.

Buhari’s Meeting With INEC, Police Not To Rig Elections – Presidency

The Presidency says President Muhammadu Buhari’s meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police was geared towards ensuring credible governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa.

 

A statement issued on Sunday by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, dismissed PDP’s insinuation regarding the meeting.

 

NAN reports that PDP had earlier said the meeting was part of plans by the APC to rig the forthcoming governorship elections in the two states.

 

“The President called the meeting cited by the PDP to warn in particular INEC and the Police, to prepare to give the nation a credible election.

 

“He said he expected nothing short of a free, fair and credible election.

“He said he had suffered election manipulation in 2003, 2007 and 2011 and would not like to have any Nigerian go through that again.

“He also warned against the intimidation of voters in any way and vowed that he was prepared to move with all the forces available to him against anyone who undermines the rights of any citizen.

“The meeting was short and straight to the point. It ended after five minutes.

“Furthermore, he asked the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, if he had anything to say and Osinbajo had added nothing to what the President said,” the statement had quoted Shehu as saying.

 

The presidential spokesman advised Nigerians to be wary of PDP’s fruitless attempts to destroy the national institutions President Buhari was determined to rebuild.

 

“They started with the courts, then the EFCC, then on to the Police and now they are on the one-week old INEC.

“When will PDP allow our national institutions to do their job?” he said.