APC is best platform for change — Sylva

By Samuel Oyadongha

APC candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva says his party remains the best platform to bring the desired change in Bayelsa just as he has dismissed claims by his rivals that the PDP is an Ijaw party.

Sylva in an interview in Yenagoa urged the Ijaw to embrace the APC, declaring that the state has a history of aligning with the ruling party at the centre.

He described as cheap sentiment the claim that the PDP is “Ijaw party” saying the only true Ijaw party was the National Solidarity Movement (NSM) formed by the late Chief Melford Okilo.

The former Bayelsa State governor said though the forthcoming election is not about him or his main rival, Governor Seriake Dickson of the PDP, “it is about Bayelsans and the Ijaw people.”

Sylva said he was one of the founding members of the PDP in the state before he left for the APC and described the incumbent governor as a beneficiary of the PDP  having crossed from the, Alliance for Democracy, AD.

“I have said in other fora that none of the parties, either APC or PDP is an Ijaw party, they are national parties. I was one of those who brought PDP into Bayelsa; he (Dickson) was not even a member of the PDP. He was a member of AD at that time.

He was never even a member of the PDP and that is, he doesn’t know that I know the PDP more than him and what the PDP stands for even though I am not a member of that party now.

“The APC is also a national party. The true Ijaw party we had was called the NSM, the National Solidarity Movement, formed by the late sage, Chief Melford Okilo. That party, when Chief Okilo realize that PDP has won the national government he decided to subsumed that party into the PDP because he thought that we cannot survive without the centre.

“So, if we are talking of Ijaw patriot, I consider myself one as I think today that well meaning Ijaw people are quite happy with me because they believe that without me, there would have been no link with the centre, there would have been no bridge builder.

“It is not the Ijaw people that lost the election because Ijaw people did not contest an election, I didn’t see Ijaw people on the ballot. I saw the PDP and the PDP Presidential candidate, who was an Ijaw son, but he lost and we have to carry on in this state, we have to carry on in this country,” Sylva said.

Kogi: Constitutional crisis looms as Audu’s death divides lawyers

By Clifford Ndujihe, Charles Kumolu, Gbenga Oke & Omezia Ajayi
LAGOS—DIVISION was the lot of lawyers, yesterday, over how the country could proceed with the Kogi State governorship election following the death of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu.

With results from the 21 local councils of the state, Audu with 240,867 votes was on his way to a historic third electoral victory after six attempts as his closest challenger, Governor Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 199,514 votes.

However, instead of being declared as the winner of the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced yesterday afternoon that the election was inconclusive, saying that there would be re-run polls in 59 polling units which have about 49,000 registered voters.

Audu died shortly after the announcement raising questions on how the exercise could be concluded because the the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act are silent on what should be done if a candidate dies while the election is on-going.

There should be fresh election – Braithwaite

Speaking on the issue yesterday, Second Republic politician and legal icon, Dr Tunji Braithwaite said the demise of Prince Audu calls for a fresh governorship election in Kogi.

His words: First, it is sad that Audu died. Our thoughts are with his family at this time. However, coming to mankind, life and activities must go on. If the front runner in an election drops dead, the next person with higher votes cannot automatically be declared winner.

‘’The deceased according, to INEC scored higher votes. Audu’s death calls for another election. The incumbent, Capt Idris Wada will continue as governor until another election. There must be another election.’’

Just another election  – Adegbuyi

Dr Braithwaite’s views were shared by Barr Bisi Adegbuyi, a stalwart of the Afenifere Renewal group, ARG.

‘’There is nothing other holding another election. APC should be allowed to present another candidate. Since the election has not been concluded, the deputy governorship candidate cannot take his place, he is not the candidate,’’ he said.

The re-run polls should be concluded  – Basorun

However, Chief Olorunfunmi Basorun, Second Republic politician and Secretary to the Lagos State Government under Governor Lateef Kayode Jakande, said the re-run polls in 59 polling units should be concluded and the winner declared by INEC.

Reason: ‘’It is the party that matters. The party sponsored the candidates. In 1999, when Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was nominated as Vice presidential candidate, although the Adamawa governorship election had been concluded, the deputy governorship-elect, Boni Haruna, stepped in. So, the INEC should conduct the election in the remaining polling units and declare the winner.’’

Audu’s running mate should step in – Quakers

In his reaction, Mr Norris Quakers, SAN, said since the Nigerian Constitution did not envisage what has happened, it makes it tricky and dicey.

He however said, “In my thinking, if you read sections 36, 39 and 40 of the Electoral Act as amended, I think the Independent Electoral Commission will have to conduct elections in those areas where they are inconclusive. What the party that was affected needs to do is to allow the deputy governorship candidate run as its governorship candidate while a new deputy governorship candidate is picked”.

Ticket belongs to APC – Ngige

On his part, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, said:  ‘’There is no lacuna. In Adamawa, after Obasanjo picked Atiku, who had already won the governorship election in the state to be his running mate, the opposition led by Bala Takaya kicked against the decision to pick Haruna as a replacement for Audu. The opposition went to the Federal High Court to stop it and the matter dragged to the Supreme Court that it was right for Haruna, who was Abubakar’s running mate to become the governor. The opposition demanded for fresh election but that was rejected by the Supreme Court. ‘’However, this is a peculiar situation. What is happening now is a combination of a lot of issues. In Rotimi Amaechi’s case the court ruled that it was the party that owned the ticket. It also said that the party owned the votes. So, such a scenario may play up this time again. The situation we have at hand is called areccondite situation in law. And it will require a lot of interpretations. I foresee a very stormy and testing period for INEC. The judiciary will also be put on trial.

‘’In Amaechi’s case, he had no running mate but since the court had ruled that the party owned the ticket, Ikuru, who was Omehia’s deputy, became his deputy. In my opinion, I will say that the APC owns the ticket. INEC should go ahead with the elections and conclude it because the votes belong the the APC.’’

A source at the INEC headquarters in Abuja said yesterday: “Ordinarily, the commission would normally cancel the polls and fix another date for the election, but since an election has been conducted, INEC can give seven days to the party to announce another candidate before the conduct of the supplementary polls.”

Okorocha counsels PDP to play credible opposition

Okorocha

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to rise to the challenges of remaining a credible opposition party than fighting the All Progressives Party (APC), dissipating energy.

Okorocha stated this yesterday in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, noting that in recent times, comments coming from some officials of the party attacking his APC-led government in the state, was not advisable.

Okorocha said the PDP should remain a credible opposition party to the benefit of the Imo citizens, adding that he would not subscribe to the party going into extinction.

The statement advised two groups of the party led by a former Legal adviser of the PDP in the state, C.OC. Olisa, a lawyer and a former lawmaker in the state, Nze Ray Emeana, to be upright for the good of the state.

THE people A-Ibom urged to support Udom

Uyo—CHAIRMAN of CALAKWA Group of Companies and a shipping magnate in Lagos, Mr. Johnson Attah, has applauded the policies and programmes being pursued by the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration in Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking with newsmen, Thursday in Uyo, Attah said that Governor Emmanuel needs the support of the people to actualize those lofty policies and programmes, stressing that only an environment of peace, unity and harmony could ensure that the programmes work in the interest of the people.

Describing Emmanuel as a round peg in a round hole who has already demonstrated through intervention programmes that with his wealth of experience in the private sector, Akwa Ibom State was sure to grow from strength to strength, and enjoined the people to give him the needed support to succeed.

How PDP, Wada Dazzled Supporters in Okene

Onyebuchi Ezigbo writes that the success of the Peoples Democratic Party’s recent campaign at Okene, Kogi State, was a major boost to the re-election bid of Governor Idris Wada

For the residents of the sprawling ancient commercial town of Okene, Saturday, the last day of October would perhaps go down in history as a unique one. That day, the governor of the state, Capt. Idris Wada came to ask the people to give him another mandate to govern them for a second term and to enter a fresh bond of relationship with them.

There was an unusual excitement in the air that Saturday. As early as 8.am, people had started gathering at the campaign ground for the PDP flag-off campaign. Men, women, youths and children – no one wanted to be left out. The ancient city of Okene was decorated with PDP campaign posters and pictures of its candidates, Governor Idris Wada and his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi.

In the end, the people got the message that is very dear to their heart, a firm commitment from the state governor that he would ensure the peoples’ aspiration for power rotation is actualised. An obviously confident Wada told the cheering crowd that he would ensure the next governor of the state after him comes from one of the minority areas of the state.

For this singular promise, it seemed the people have heard what they needed to hear and what needed to re-elect him for a second term. Wada went further to say that his administration has fulfilled most of the promises made to them and is in the process of consolidating on the gains. Buoyed by the applause from the excited crowd, Wada said the party would break yet another ground as the first to actualise the aspiration of the people for power rotation.

“I made a promise on providing critical infrastructure for the people and we have delivered on it. Now, we are promising to ensure power rotation and I am sure that the PDP being a party of the people will not renege on that promise and will after the next four years ensure that the zone produced the next governor of the state. I assure the leadership of the party that they will not regret the ticket they have given to me”.

As if putting the icing on the cake, the Governor of Ondo State and chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko painted the Kogi Governor’s image in glowing terms and described him as a man of integrity and humility, which is the hallmark of quality leadership.

Mimiko, who spoke amidst cheers from the excited crowd, pledged the support of all the PDP governors to Wada in his quest for a second term in office.

Also addressing the people, immediate former governor of the state, Alhaji Idris Ibrahim said the party had always maintained a tradition of winning second terms for its governors, adding that this one will not be different. “Kogi state is for PDP and so shall it remain”.
Another chieftain of the party and former national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Ahmadu Ali urged the people of Kogi State not to trust someone who had stolen state funds during his stay in office but vote for Wada who had exhibited honesty in the management of state resources.

Speaking on behalf of the PDP national campaign team, Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu, urged the people of Kogi not to make the mistake of entrusting their destiny in the hands of the APC, which has shown that they cannot be trusted with power.

“First, the governor is very humble person and humility is a very positive virtue in politics. Wada is somebody, who is connected with his people and in spite of his attainment of power, has remained a grassroots man. Power belongs to the people, so I believe that attribute is a plus for him. The governor has also recorded some modest achievements which he can build upon if given the chance again.

“Of course, PDP has been on ground and Kogi is traditionally a PDP state. About 80 per cent of the state assembly is made up of PDP and it is those who voted for the assembly men that will be available to vote for the PDP as well. You also know that even in his senatorial district where the PDP was robbed, we have recovered one of the seats. PDP is on ground in Kogi State and there is no doubt that we are going win the governorship election come November 21.

He asked whether the people have received the N5000 allowance promised them by the APC administration and whether their lives have been impacted positively since the coming to power by the Buhari administration.

The Deputy Senate President admonished the people to make a wise choice between a man, who has proved that he can be trusted with the resources of the state without misusing it and someone who has a corruption allegation hanging on his neck.

“The APC candidate has no respect for the youths, no respect for women. He is arrogant and did not even show due regard for revered traditional rulers while he was in office”.

Acting National Chairman of PDP, Chief Uche Secondus while presenting Wada to his people urged them to vote massively for the party in the forthcoming governorship election so that there will be continuity of governance.

The rally which attracted many PDP leaders including, former governor of Benue, Gabriel Suswan, Gombe Governor, Ibrahim Dankwanbo, Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and all the members of the National Working Committee, no doubt boosted the chances of Wada to possibly clinch the votes from an area which political pundits believe would play the deciding role in the November 21 governorship poll.

Delta politics: Nullify Okowa's Election, Emerhor & APC cries as they Appeal Court

All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate In Delta State during the last the April 11 election Olorogun O’tega Emerhor have appealed the decision of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which affirmed the victory of Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa.

In a suit filed by their lawyer, Chief Thompson Okpoko (SAN), at the Appeal Court in Benin, the Edo State capital, APC and Emerhor raised 11 grounds of appeal.

They prayed the appellate court to set aside the decision of the tribunal.

The appeal sought to prove that the tribunal committed legal errors in its verdict, when it discarded their petitions and awarded victory to the PDP and Okowa.

The appellants averred that the tribunal overlooked the alleged infractions committed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the election.

The appellants, among other grounds, averred “…that the learned justices erred in law in resolving against the appellants that the petition was incompetent on the grounds of non-compliance with the procedural rule in Paragraph 4 (3)(b) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).

The Nation

N3Million Transport Fare from Akpabio to Politicians Each After Every Meetings – Ex- Minister

A former Nigerian minister of FCT and senator from Akwa Ibom State, John Udoedehe, has narrated how the state’s immediate past governor, Godswill Akpabio, regularly doled out huge amounts of money as “transport” to politicians, each time they had a political meeting, according to Premium Times.

Udoedehe, said caucus members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were given at least N3 million each as “transport”, every night they met to discuss the party’s affairs.

The governor gave him a “special” sum, way more than the already outrageous N3 million others received, he admitted.

Senator Gods will Akpabio 

“Godswill Akpabio used to give us at least N3million each as transport money every night we attended caucus meeting in Government House,” he said during an interview on Planet FM in Uyo on Saturday, November 7. “My own was special, it was more than N3million.”

The former minister said despite the largesse, he still fell out with Mr. Akpabio, who is now the senate minority leader.

He made the claim to buttress his argument that he could not be bought with money.

Mr. Akpabio could not be immediately reached for comments.