₦airaland Forum

I congratulate Senator Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on his victory in the Osun gubernatorial election. The people of Osun have expressed their will through the ballot.

This is what democracy is all about: respect for the will of the people.

The successful conduct of #OsunDecides2022 is a demonstration of the maturity and the commitment of all stakeholders, towards strengthening the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria.

I remain fully committed to leaving behind a legacy of credible elections in Nigeria.

senatordave1:
I dont agree.the margin is tight.the governor could have been ruthless

The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has revealed that he was still saddened by the outcome of the presidential primaries of both All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party respectively.

Umahi, who doubles as the Chairman of South-East Governors’ Forum, expressed displeasure over the role played by the people of the South-East geopolitical zone, saying the zone hid and seek attitude during the primaries, raised a question about their said agitation for Igbo Presidency.

A statement signed by the Governor’s Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, said Umahi stated this in Abakaliki, while receiving members of the Ebonyi State Founding Fathers, on Saturday.

According to the Governor, the South-Easterners didn’t demonstrate the clamour of the Igbo Presidency, during the primaries.

The statement, which was obtained by our correspondent, quoted Umahi as saying, “My heart is saddened by the outcome of the APC and PDP presidential primaries because when we were saying that we are clamouring for South-East president and it was time to demonstrate it.

“The South-East people couldn’t demonstrate it, so, it caused a lot of doubts on the sincerity of South-East on their quest but if not for anything else, I have achieved a state with proven character and content, we must be very proud of ourselves and we know that in God’s time, it will come to pass.

“My defection to All Progressives Congress, APC, was in the interest of the state and South-East in general but it was misjudged because if our people had taken my reasons seriously, probably, we would have been differently treated especially in the party that we have invested so much in since 1999. But at the end of the day, I became a prophet because all I predicted came to pass.”

Umahi expressed satisfaction with the roles of delegates from Ebonyi State during the just concluded APC presidential election, explaining it was an indication that Ebonyians were people of character and content.

He further informed the founding fathers of his wish for an elaborate celebration of his last democracy day as the governor of the state by October.

“Let me inform you that we are going to have an elaborate celebration of Ebonyi at 26 years in October, that should be my last by God’s grace and the founding fathers will play a cardinal role during the celebration.

“In the rotation of the governorship position in the state, if the North has gone, the central has gone and the South, it is equitably correct for it to go back to the North. So, within my 9 to 10 months as the governor, I want the founding fathers to discover their feats and play their roles. The founding fathers are expected to come in between the line to even resolve communities’ bad blood.

“The Founding Fathers should up their game in the making of the next governor of the state. When it was decision time on who becomes the next governor, some people believed that it should be retained in Ebonyi South, you were there when I publicly declared that nobody from the South is expected to contest for the position of the next governor and so, I have to set up a committee.

“The committee went round and came back and say that the next rotation should start from the north and I stood by that. I expect that the founding fathers will play another significant role in maintaining equity, justice, and fairness.

“I expect you all to be vocal about equity, fairness, and justice for the peace of the state. What is just is for the North to start the second circle, after the North, the central, and then the South. So, I charge you to begin to draw the charter of equity now. People will say that it is a charter of equity written in the heart, but we are alive, and I will support you to do justice to that. I have demonstrated equity, fairness, and justice to the task, leverage on that, and be vocal about it. I will not want the south or central to make the mistake that will hunt them tomorrow.”

Leader of the delegation, Chief Francis Orji, commended Umahi for his excellent performance in the recently concluded APC primaries, declaring that the governor won in their heart.

Orji said, “We are aware that your excellency asked for the number one seat in this country, the presidency, you moved on – campaigned very vigorously in every part of Nigeria – Northcentral, Northeast, Northwest, South-West, South-South, and South-East.”

senatordave1:
Yes.apc might wait till pdp release ede and obokun

famology:
Wetin b ur interest for Osun? Lol...

garfield1:
Even if he wins,it will be upturned.theres no way tinubu will lose osun

fergie001:
RESULT

PU 004, Fajuyi Hall OAU, Ward 05, Iremo/Ajebamidele, Ife Central LGA

PDP: 28

APC: 29

Accord: 9

LP: 2


RESULT

PU03, Ward 10, Egbedore LGA

APC: 150

PDP: 261


RESULT: Ward 8 Unit 10 Ifelodun LG
Accord—1
ADP—1
APC—19
PDP—9

Prince111111:
majority of those results are posted by those on ground in Osun

Prince111111:
you no get phone to check?

Seeker123:
Pdp leading

AHEAD of the 2023 presidential election, some North East elders have endorsed the candidacy of Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party, describing his choice as the best for modern Nigeria.

The elders denounced the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Muslim Muslim presidential ticket, saying the action of the party would not enjoy their blessings as açcording to them,it did not promote equity and fairness in a diverse Nigeria.

In a statement on Saturday, the elders who described APC’s action as highest level of madness and an evil agenda in Nigeria, reminded the promoters of the same faith ticket to go memory lane to see if their action was in line with what founders of Nigeria’s democracy preached and practiced.

Noting that Nigeria was a secular country that no religion should be elevated against others, the elders tasked APC to reflect on its action given that Nigeria of today had shifted from 1993 where such was promoted without any opposition.

The North East elders, operating under the aegis of Coalition of North East Elders for Peace and Development (CNEEPD), told APC not to be comfortable with their action, saying the rigging which it was relying upon as party in government will fail them woefully as açcording to them,Nigerians would vote and safeguard their votes without fear or intimidations from APC’s hired agents.

In the statement by its National Coordinator, Engr. Zana Goni, the group insisted that contrary to APC’s expectation,it would lose the presidential poll before 12 noon, adding that “indications across the country were not in favour of the party that had put Nigeria in its present bad situation.”

The North East elders, also flayed the attacks being carried out on the facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the South East, attributing the developments to some sponsored terrorists outside the zone with the aim to deplete the South East voting strength.

The statement read in part: "As the 2023 general elections draws near, we the Coalition of North East Elders for Peace and Development have noted with concerns some actions and statements by some political parties and actors in our democratic process. The latest being the impunity orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in settling for a same faith ticket in a multi-religious, multi-ethnic and above all, multi-cultural country like Nigeria and the party’s defence of the absurd action in the face of widespread opposition to the abnormalities.

“As leaders who have not only monitored but also actively contributed to political developments in Nigeria for decades, we wish to categorically denounce the APC’s action which we view as inimical to the progress and growth of Nigeria.

Without mincing words, we describe the party’s decision in fielding Muslim Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election as the highest level of madness, insensitivity, and an evil agenda against our dear country which we have laboured for years to build. This decision which threatens the unity of the country does not have our blessings and must be resisted by all Nigerians of good conscience. Anything contrary will threaten the fragile unity and peace of Nigeria.”

The elders added: ”We wonder why a sane man and sane political party will contemplate and even go ahead to pick a Muslim as running mate to a Muslim candidate in a presidential election in secular country as Nigeria at this modern age.”

Açcording to the group, "To make the matter worse, they picked Alhajji Kashim Shetima, a man whose alleged link with terrorism is still a subject of debate in public domain.”

Noting that, ”This is a costly mistake that must be resisted at poll by all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, tribe or ethnic backgrounds in the interest of peace”, the group said:” If this madness is allowed to see the light of the day, the unity and peace of Nigeria will be threatened forever.”

“How can someone tries this in Nigeria? As it stands together Christians and Muslims have started supporting candidates based on religious lines, in mosques and churches across the country. This is not what we need now.

“The peace in Nigeria is too fragile to contemplate this kind of madness as exhibited by the ruling APC. The party has actually made more Nigerians to believe that they have an Islamization agenda as widely speculated,”it said.

The group alleged that attacks on INEC facilitaties in the South East are orchestrated by some political interest groups to reduce the voting strength of the region.

” Given the carefully coordinated attacks launched in recent times on both INEC personnel and facilitaties, we will not be wrong to believe that the actions are carefully calculated, planned, and executed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists with aim to disenfranchised the people of South East and also put them in the bad light.

“Security agencies must clamp down on these evil people and bring them to book immediately,”it said.

“We also urge all the South East communities to constitute a special task force to protect INEC facilities and officials across the zone,”it tasked the region.

“We call on all Nigeria’s to resist this evil and selfish agenda of Muslim Muslim ticket with every legal means. The current level of hunger and terrorism in the North today does not respect the Muslim or any religion hence Muslims must look beyond the lies APC is selling to us. We must vote credible leaders with capacity and programme for our dear country,”the elder advised.

Jack500:
Please, pity yourself and your family first, no one needs your useless pity.

The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has charged all Muslim faithful in Osun State to vote for the incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola, to continue his tenure as governor for the second term because he is a Muslim like them.

This is as he stated that Oyetola was the only Muslim governor in the South-West, noting that he was their ‘brother’.

This was made known in an audio clip published by BBC Hausa on Friday night.

Ganduje reportedly visited a mosque in Osogbo on Friday during the Jumaat prayers, where he was said to have met with the Hausa community in Osogbo, canvassing vote for Oyetola.

Ganduje said, “I have come to this mosque to talk to the Muslims here. Please, the person you should vote for is Oyetola. Do you know why? This is because he is a Muslim like you. We are guiding you on the path (to follow).”
Ganduje also noted that the presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress was asked to pick a fellow Muslim as running mate, which he did.

According to him, that was enough reason for them to vote for the incumbent governor, who he claimed would “build your markets, roads and bring development to your community”.

Responding to a question asked by a member of the audience, he said, “For the progress of the country, we don’t have to be religious-bias.

“Christians are also our brothers, too. We must also support them.

“When the Hausa said they are the ones that should return to the seat, we said no, ‘It was the turn of the Yoruba’.

“That is why we have chosen Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That is the only way we will be able to avert fighting and crises. I’m here to help our brother (Oyetola) who we want to win the election tomorrow.

The Peoples Democratic Party has instituted a lawsuit compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission to prevent All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu; and Labour Party standard bearer, Peter Obi, from replacing their running mates with Senator Kashim Shettima and Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed respectively.

The PDP is also asking the court to declare that Tinubu and Obi be disqualified unless they contest alongside their previous running mates – Kabiru Masari and Doyin Okupe respectively.

In the originating summons with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1016/2022, the PDP is seeking an order barring the Independent National Electoral Commission from replacing the running mates of Tinubu and Obi.

Those listed as first to seventh respondents in the case are INEC, APC, Tinubu, Masari, Labour Party, Obi and Okupe.

Recall that Tinubu had nominated Masari as a surrogate running mate or placeholder in order to beat the June 17 INEC deadline. Obi had also nominated his campaign manager, Okupe, as an interim running mate. However, INEC gave a grace period of about one month to substitute their names.

After weeks of consultations, Tinubu and Obi nominated Shettima and Baba-Ahmed respectively while Masari and Okupe resigned.

However, the PDP asked the court to determine if by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the constitution, Section 29(1), 31 and 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s timetable, Tinubu and Obi are bound by the submission of Masari and Okupe respectively as their running mates.

The party also asked the court to determine if “by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sections 29(1), 31, 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, the first defendant (INEC) can validly accept any change or substitution of the 4th (Masari) and 7th (Okupe) defendants as running mates of the 3rd (APC) and 6th (Labour Party) defendants.”

The PDP is also seeking five reliefs including a declaration that by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the constitution, Section 29(1), 31 and 33 of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s timetable, both Tinubu and Obi must be bound by their submission.

The party asked the court to rule that both Tinubu and Obi will be disqualified the moment they substitute the names of their running mates.

One of the reliefs reads, “A declaration that by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Sections 29(1), 31, 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, the 1st defendant’s (INEC’s) election timetable, the 3rd (Tinubu) and 6th (Obi) cannot validly contest the 2023 Presidential election without the 4th (Masari) and 7th (Obi) respondents as their respective running mates.”

The PDP also based its argument on the fact that the term ‘placeholder’ is unknown to Nigerian law.

“The Electoral Act makes no provisions whatsoever for placeholder or temporary running mates. The acts of the 2nd (APC), 3rd (Tinubu), 5th (Labour Party ) and 6th (Obi) defendants in nominating and forwarding the names of the 4th (Masari) and 7th (Okupe) defendants as running mates for the 2023 Presidential elections is valid and subsisting,” the party added.

In a supporting affidavit sworn to by Evelyn Oroh, a litigation secretary in the law firm of Gordy Uche (SAN), it was stated that some of the defendants had stated openly that they were mere placeholders.

“I know that the 3rd (Tinubu) and 6th (Obi) defendants have stated in media interviews and publications that the 4th (Masari) and 7th (Okupe) defendants are not their real running mates but merely holding the place as placeholders for the real running mates,” it stated.

When contacted on the telephone, the Labour Party’s lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, said he had received the court processes.

“I have received the processes and we are filing a response already,” he simply stated.

The Head, Legal Directorate, Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), said he was aware of the suit when contacted by one of our correspondents on Thursday.

Ogala, a former Legal Adviser of the APC, however, said Tinubu’s legal team had not been served a notice by the court. “Yes, I’m aware (of the matter). But they have not served us.” When asked to confirm the service, he restated, “They have not.”

Earlier, INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, had in an interview with Arise TV, described the issue of placeholder as a unique invention that had no place in the constitutional and legal framework of the country.

He had said, “Political parties’ candidates have submitted names of associates to run with them, and that is the position of the law as of today and nothing has changed.

“For there to be a substitution of a candidate, the vice-presidential candidate must write to the INEC, with an affidavit stating that he is withdrawing from the race within the time frame provided by the law, as that is the only way there can be a substitution of candidates.”

Also, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Prof Abdulganniy Raji, had said, “Being a part of the umpire, I will not say I see danger or I didn’t see danger (in party submitting place holders instead of running mate).

“I will rather abide by the constitutional provisions, the extant laws. The Electoral Act makes provisions for the procedure of how to nominate and there are also provisions for the substitution of the names, either in case of death or withdrawal by any candidate, whether the substantive candidate or the running mate.”

Senior lawyers, in separate interviews with The PUNCH on June 20 had said the only risk involved in the place holding arrangement would be the refusal of the running mate to step down.

A senior advocate, Adegoke Rasheed, said a placeholder could only be withdrawn if he died or voluntarily withdrew as neither INEC nor the court could make him relinquish the position.

Another SAN, Rotimi Jacobs, said political parties had taken advantage of the silence of the Electoral Act on the issue.

He said, “The political parties are just taking advantage of the provision of the Electoral Act: Section 33 permits the candidates to withdraw or an account of death or may be substituted. The political party will conduct another primary election. Or if he voluntarily withdraws, the political party that is affected must within 14 days conduct fresh primary elections to produce another candidate.”

An Ikeja Special Offences Court has convicted the embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, alias Baba Ijesha, of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old minor.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, in a two-hour judgement on Thursday, convicted Baba Ijesha of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault

Taiwo, however, discharged and acquitted him of count one and count six, which were: sexual assault by penetration and attempted sexual assault by penetration.

At the time of filing this report, the case has been stood down for a a few minutes for sentencing of the convict.(NAN).

garfield1:
Ikpeazu might lose to abaribe. Aba is apga.ukwa should go with apga.obingwa will be shared so you see,it favours abaribe... I think lolo and badaru bought tickets too.

garfield1:
How will I trust a faceless fellow? You have always been against apc.no reasonable christian will vote atiku....in 2019 guber polls,everybody wanted to vote out bello but you saw the results.that someone wants to vote obi doesnt mean they won't change their minds on election day.bello is good in intimidation and coercion...in 2019,bello won with only ebira votes and might repeat it.dont forget the okuns will prefer their Yoruba brother

In any case, kogi votes are not relevant.they dont give bloc votes just like plateau, benue, abj and nasarawa.always narrow winnings.so even if atiku wins,it is not crucial.the crucial states in north central are Niger and kwara which gives bloc votes.in 2015,buhari won with 100k....the north central will be shared by the three parties.
By the way,kogi guber polls comes up in Nov DEC and primaries will take place from June so it won't affect the presidential polls.I believe that eventually bello might give it to okun.the okun must rule before igala again...

garfield1:
Lokoja is an apc stronghold. Even dino never won there. Bello,re election should have thought you that bello will always delivver kogi.You should know that all these sentiments do not work with dictators like bello.he delivered kogi forcefully twice and will do it again.dont forget the igalas have been dominating.in the end he might give it to okun Yoruba...

garfield1:
Obi has made it a party.a vote for obi is indirectly for tinubu

Enyimbafc:
30%,do u mean igbos will there son Obi and vote a fulani terrorist because he is in pdp.2023 is not 2019(were two muslims and fulani compete against each other)

garfield1:
The church has alwats worked against apc.tinubu will eventually divide some churches.most of those churches will vote obi so it is good for tinubu

garfield1:
Tinubu has already started working.guy,the church mobilized heavily against buhari codedly in 2019.umahi and uzodinma are equal to the task.the church can only talk but on election day,a lot will do otherwise

garfield1:
It will eventually die down

garfield1:
I didnt say obi won't win east.umahi gave buhari 25%,he will give tinubu too.cc penguin2,vicdom