EXCLUSIVE REPORTS: Amosun’s aide dies, SSG injured in auto crash

Governor Ibikunle Amosun ’ s aide , Adeniyi Adesanya , has died while the Secretary to the Ogun State Government , Taiwo Adeoluwa , was reportedly injured in a fatal motor accident on Friday evening .

The PUNCH gathered that the accident occurred at Siun- Kobape along Sagamu -Abeokuta road .

Adeoluwa reportedly sustained a severe injury and has been rushed to the Federal Medical Centre , Idi -Aba , Abeokuta .
A source reliably told The PUNCH that the SSG has been transferred to the Intensive care unit of the FMC .

The remains of Adesanya who was popularly called ‘ friend of the governor ’ have been deposited at the hospital morgue .



Via Punchng

2019 ELECTION - INEC achieves 90% deployment

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has deployed 90% of materials needed for this weekend’s election, high level sources in the commission told Vanguard yesterday.

Logistical challenges besides the reconfiguration of the card readers and alleged sabotage were last weekend blamed for the inability of the commission to conduct the election by Monday. It had been reported that several materials including sensitive and non-sensitive materials were either not deployed or wrongly deployed leading to the failure of the commission to conduct the election last Saturday as promised. The commission within the short period following the approval of its budget late last year had to print more than 500 million ballot papers and result sheets to be used for the series of elections this February and March. 

The he commission had the option of flying them to its five hubs spread across the country. However, as the chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu explained last weekend, inclement weather became a challenge. “Unfortunately, in the last one week, flights within the country have been adversely affected by bad weather. 

For instance, three days ago, we were unable to deliver materials to some locations due to bad weather. We therefore had to rely on slow-moving long haulage vehicles to locations that can be serviced by air in spite of the fact that we created five zonal airport hubs Abuja (North Central), Port Harcourt (South South and South East), Kano (North West), Maiduguri and Yale (North East) and Lagos (South West) to facilitate the delivery of electoral logistics”. 

However, that claim has been challenged by the minister of aviation Haid Sariki and some commentators who observed that weather did not stop President Muhammadu Buhari from flying to vote. It also did not cripple flights by commercial airlines. So, how has INEC been able to tackle this particular challenge, bearing in mind that Monday, February 18 2019 was the date INEC set for itself for the “completion, confirmation of deployment of electoral materials”? Both the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi and INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzi did not immediately respond to media inquiries. A top official of the commission however said there had been over 90 percent success rate of deployment as at 4pm on Monday.


Via Vanguardngr

2019 ELECTION - Buhari warns ballot box snatchers could pay with their lives

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned those planning to disrupt the 2019 general elections by snatching ballot boxes or disturbing polling units they could pay with their lives.

While speaking at the caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Monday, February 18, 2019, he said he's confident that he'll win re-election so he won't rig the polls for his own benefit, or be seen to be manipulating the process.

The president said he's mandated law enforcement agencies to be ruthless against people planning to disrupt the elections.

He said, "Anybody who decides to snatch boxes or lead thugs to disturb it, maybe that's the last unlawful action you'll take.

"I really gave the military and the police order to be ruthless. We're not going to be blamed that we want to rig elections. I want Nigerians to be respected. Let them vote whoever they want across the parties.

"I'm going to warn anybody who thinks he has enough influence in his locality to lead a body of thugs to snatch boxes or to disturb the voting system, he'll do it at the expense of his own life."

Buhari fires INEC over incompetence

While speaking at the meeting, the president also fired the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its incompetence in the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

Just hours to the commencement of the polls on February 16, the commission postponed the elections for an extra week due to logistical problems and claims of attempted sabotage.

The president said the commission's failure to conduct the elections on the scheduled date was unacceptable.

He said INEC had all the time and resources they required and didn't have to wait for six hours the polls to postpone it.

He said,"Definitely, the reasons why such incompetence manifests itself has to be explained to the nation."After the elections, we have to know exactly what happened and who's responsible. Otherwise, our efforts to make sure this system we voluntarily accept is not making progress.

"What is the use if we accept incompetence? The constitution and the laws protected INEC but they must not take us for granted."

The national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, also criticised INEC's decision and accused the commission of informing the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) about the postponement before it was officially made public.

He also said the party will not adhere to INEC's ban on the resumption of campaigns by political parties, noting that the party has to continue to inform the electorate about its plans.

The Presidential and National Assembly elections that were supposed to take place on February 16 will now take place on February 23, while the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections initially scheduled for March 2 have been moved to March 9.


Via Pulseng

REPORTS - PDP writes INEC, asks KPMG, PwC to verify sensitive electoral materials

The Peoples Democratic Party has suggested that the Independent National Electoral Commission should allow either of two audit firms — KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers — to verify all the sensitive electoral materials that were returned to the various Central Bank offices across the nation after the deferral of the general elections earlier scheduled to commence last Saturday.

It also expressed support for the Commission’s “perceived resistance to pressure” to implement a partial postponement.This would not have been in the best interests of democracy in Nigeria, the main opposition party said.

The PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, made the party’s position known in a letter dated February 17 and addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, which was made available to journalists on Monday.

Speaking on behalf of the PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Secondus urged Yakubu to address certain questions, which, he said, PDP raised but were not answered during the press conference where INEC announced the postponement of the 2019 general elections early Saturday morning in Abuja.

Secondus sought confirmation that Activate Technologies Ltd will have no

involvement in the collection and reconfiguration of any card reader when they are taken to state level.

He also asked to have the new date and time of February 23 election programmed into them.

Secondus said, “We asked and you agreed to independent verification that

sensitive materials returned to the CBN offices at state levels have not been tampered with.

“We believe it makes sense to appoint one company to verify both issues or, on the issue of sensitive materials, we can use the party officials and observers.”

He suggested two companies from which one could be chosen — KPMG and

PricewaterhouseCoopers.

He stated that once the choice of an audit firm is agreed upon, PDP would agree to the methodology and the minimum number of units to represent a statistically significant number.

Secondus added that, given the short time frame, the appointment of the audit

firm should be made by Monday, February 18 (today).

“Finally, at the Press conference, you stated that you have evidence of ‘sabotage.’ We would be grateful if you could confirm the specific incidents you have identified?” Secondus said.

Via Punchng

REPORTS - Buhari, Osinbajo, Tinubu, govs hold APC national caucus meeting

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, APC National Leader Bola Tinubu and some governors are currently attending the national caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress.

“The meeting is being held to discuss critical issues affecting the party, including the postponement of the general elections by one week,” says the President’s Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad.

“The meeting is holding at the APC headquarters in Abuja,” Ahmad added.

This was contained in a tweet via Ahmad’s verified Twitter handle, @BashirAhmaad,

Bashir Ahmad

✔@BashirAhmaad

President @MBuhari, VP @ProfOsinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and some governors are currently attending the national caucus meeting of the APC, to discus critical issues including the postponement of the general elections by one week, at the Party’s Headquarters in Abuja.

484

12:02 PM - Feb 18, 2019 · Abuja, Nigeria

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Ahmad also quoted the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole as saying,

Bashir Ahmad

✔@BashirAhmaad

“We are reassuring Nigerias that free and fair elections must take place ‘daga sama har kasa’ (from top to bottom), and we are not going to compromise on that.” – APC National Chairman, Com. Adams Oshiomhole #NigeriaDecides

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1:14 PM - Feb 18, 2019 · Abuja, Nigeria

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The News Agency of Nigeria reports that those in attendance included the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; APC members of the National Assembly, APC governors from Lagos, Niger, Zamfara, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Jigawa, Borno, Bauchi and Kaduna states.

Via Punchng

2019 ELECTION - PDP rejects elections postponement

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the shift in the dates of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing it as an `act of wickedness’.

PDP National Chairman, Mr Uche Secondus said this in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Mr Ike Abonyi on Saturday in Abuja.
INEC had on Saturday morning shifted the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday Feb. 16 to Feb. 23, while state elections also rescheduled from March 2 to March 9.

Secondus described the postponement as part of a “grand design by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to thwart the will of Nigerians at all cost”, which he said had clearly exposed the INEC as a failure.
He called on the Chairman of the commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu to resign immediately.
Secondus alleged that the shoddy arrangement for the elections by INEC was a deliberate predetermined agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari to cling on to power even when it is obvious to him that Nigerians wanted him out.
“The PDP leader warns that the party will not accept anything short of a well organised electoral process devoid of manipulation, harassment and intimidation of voters and the opposition particularly members of the PDP.
“Having failed in all their nefarious options to enable them cling on to power, the APC and the INEC came up with the idea of shifting election, an action that is dangerous to our democracy and unacceptable”.

Secondus said that the party was privy to all the pressures from the APC and the federal government to arm-twist the INEC to dance to their new strategy after the earlier ones failed.
“With several of their rigging options failing, they have to force INEC to agree to a shift in the election or a staggered election with flimsy excuses pre-manufactured for the purpose.
“For the avoidance of doubt the PDP sees this action as wicked and we are also aware of other dubious designs like the deployment of hooded security operatives who would be ruthless on the people ostensibly to scare them away.”

He also described the action as `huge cost’ to Nigerians including those who came home from abroad and had mobilised to their various constituencies.
The National Chairman recalled that the PDP had earlier alerted Nigerians that the APC was coming up with lined up rigging strategies including burning down of INEC offices and engineering crisis in PDP strong hold areas to scare away the people.
Secondus said that the wicked killing of over 60 persons mostly women and children in Southern Kaduna on the eve of election was a copious ploy by the APC to scare the people from voting knowing too well that they were not going to record any vote from the area.
He recalled that the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el rufai had earlier threatened international election observers of going to their country in body bags.

The chairman said that with the fatal violence in the state on the eve of election, it was clear that the motives were to frighten the observers from the state.
Secondus also regretted the deployment of soldiers and other security agencies to arrest, harass and intimidate opponents in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Kwara, Kano, Kaduna states.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announcing the postponement said that after a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plan and the determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections, the commission came to the conclusion that proceeding with the elections as scheduled was no longer feasible.
Yakubu said that the decision would afford the commission the opportunity to address identified challenges to maintain the quality of our elections.
He described it as a `difficult decision’ for the commission to take, but necessary for the successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of Nigeria’s democracy.
The INEC Chairman said that the Commission would meet key stakeholders to update them on the development at 2 p.m. on Saturday, at the Abuja International Conference Centre.

EXCLUSIVE REPORT - INEC reschedules presidential, NASS elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections earlier scheduled for today ( Saturday ) by one week .

Consequently, the commission has rescheduled the Presidential and National Assembly Elections to Saturday , February 23 , 2019 while the governorship , State Houses of Assembly and Federal Capital Territory Area Council polls earlier fixed for March 2 would now be conducted on Saturday , March 9 2019 .
The chairman of INEC, Prof . Mahmood Yakubu, who read a five -paragraph statement by 2 :50 am on Saturday , attributed the decision to logistic reasons , but refused to entertain any question.

He said , “ The Independent National Electoral Commission met on Friday, February 15, 2019 , and reviewed its preparations for the 2019 General Elections scheduled for Saturday , February 16 2019 and Saturday , March 2 2019 .
“ Following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plan and the determination to conduct free , fair and credible elections , the commission came to the conclusion that proceeding with the elections as scheduled is no longer feasible .

“ Consequently, the commission has decided to reschedule the Presidential and National Assembly Elections to Saturday , February 23 2019 . Furthermore, the Governorship , State House of Assembly and Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ) Area Council Elections is rescheduled to Saturday , March 9 2019 . This will afford the commission the opportunity to address identified challenges in order to maintain the quality of our elections .
“ This was a difficult decision for the commission to take, but necessary for the successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of our democracy .

“ The commission will meet key stakeholders to update them on this development at 2 pm on Saturday 16 ( today) February 2019 at the Abuja International Conference Centre. ”

Via Punchng

Exclusive Reports - INEC chairman summons stakeholders

There appears to be uncertainty over tomorrow ’ s Presidential and National Assembly election as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission , Prof Mahmood Yakubu , is currently meeting with stakeholders , including international and local observers.

Sources close to the commission confided in our correspondents that the commission is discussing the possibility of shifting the date of the election over logistics problems .

An insider said some reasons were being tabled before the stakeholders by the commission as possible reasons why the election might be shifted .



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Ex President, Olusegun Obasanjo - I haven’t fled Nigeria

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday said he has not fled Nigeria , contrary to a social media report that he had travelled out of the county ahead of the presidential election scheduled for Saturday .

Obasanjo spoke with newsmen at his Presidential Library , Abeokuta , describing the Social media post as “ fake news. ”

The former president was reacting to a Facebook post of one Gbenga Lawal who posted: “ Breaking : Obasanjo jets out of Nigeria . He can ’ t even wait for the thief he is imposing on Nigerians . ”
In his reaction , Obasanjo said “ Why should I travel out of the country before the election ?

“ If not for anything , I believe I should be here to perform my civic responsibility , which is to vote according to the dictate of my heart tomorrow and on the second of March .
“ Those who are carrying that type of rumour or fake news ; I leave them in the hands of God ; I am used to that kind of thing .

“ In Yoruba land , if your head is hard , you don ’ t have to worry yourself .
“ Let anybody tell lies against you , let anybody issue fake news against you , let anybody abuse you , God will deal with them rightly and appropriately . ”


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Exclusive Reports - No one will unseat me, Buhari vows

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that nobody will unseat him.
He said contrary to opinions in some quarters , he had the strength to lead the country for four more years.

Buhari stated this in an interview aired on Friday on the verified Instagram page of CNN Africa while responding to doubts about his ability to run the country for a second term.
The interviewer had asked the President , “ This is a vibrant democracy . You came in , unseating the incumbent . Are you worried the same could happen to you ?”
To this , Buhari responded , “ No . Nobody would unseat me . ”
He added, “ I am ready to take this country forward for the next four years. ”
When asked his plans for containing the terror in the North -East , the President insisted that Boko Haram was no longer “ technically ” having a grip on any local government area in the region.


He said, “ We have 774 local governments in this country . They ( Boko Haram ) used to hold 17. They are not technically holding any local government now.
“ But they are indoctrinating young men and women , especially girls , wrap them up with explosives and let them explode them in soft targets like churches, mosques, marketplaces, motor parks and other places . ”

Buhari added, “ Of course , we are doing our best ( to contain the terror ) and we thank some foreign countries in Europe and the United States for training our armed forces and going to the battlefront to see how they have performed . ”


Via Punchng

AWKA - Election violence erupts in Anambra

Hours to the commencement of the 2019 polls, Anambra State has recorded some violence in three local government areas as the various political parties get set to test their popularity in tomorrow’s presidential and national assembly polls.

A member of House of Representatives, Mr. Gabriel Onyenweife, who defected from All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, after failing to secure a ticket of APGA, had one of the houses in his compound set ablaze, while 30 motorcycles he assembled for empowerment were razed.

Onyenweife is currently the deputy director of APC campaign council and the attack on his house is causing tension in his Ayamelum local government area.
Also, the campaign vehicle of the member representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo federal constituency, Mr. Chirs Azubogu, was burnt by unknown persons. Nnewi is regarded as one of the areas likely to pose security challenges during the polls.
Only on Thursday, the divisional police station at Ajali in Orumba North local government area of the state was gutted by fire.

Many policemen were beaten up before the station was set ablaze, while some vehicles parked at the station were burnt.
Some detainees at the station were allegedly released by people suspected to be members of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, who moved into station immediately the fire started.


Via Vanguardngr

2019 ELECTION - INEC replaces ballot boxes, voting cubicles lost in Plateau fire

The Qua'an Pan fire incident was the third to affect INEC in the space of 12 days.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has replaced election materials lost in the fire that destroyed its office in Qua'an Pan local government area of Plateau State.
The fire outbreak completely razed the commission's office on Saturday, February 9, 2019, with several materials burnt, including 360 voting cubicles, 755 ballot boxes, 14 generators, election forms and officials stamps.

INEC's National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, had disclosed that a total number of 5,987 uncollected permanent voters' cards (PVC) were also destroyed.
However, in a statement posted on the commission's official Twitter account (@inecnigeria) on Friday, February 15, the voting cubicles and ballot boxes have been replaced.
"Truck carrying ballot boxes and voting cubicles offloaded at Qu'an Pan LGA of Plateau State to replace those destroyed in the recent fire incident.
"Reprinting of voters' register for all polling units completed. Office relocated to a new building. Elections will hold in Qu'an Pan," a brief statement read.
Even though Okoye disclosed in his statement that the destroyed PVCs would be reprinted and made available for collection before the elections, that appears to be unlikely as collection for PVCs ended on Monday, February 11.

The fire destroyed many election materials on Saturday, February 9, 2019 [Channels TV]

The Qua'an Pan fire incident was the third to affect INEC in the space of 12 days. The commission lost 4,695 smart card readers in a fire that destroyed two containers filled with election materials at its Anambra State head office on Tuesday, February 12. It also lost 2979 PVCs in another fire at its office in Isiala Ngwa LGA in Abia State on Saturday, February 2, cards the commission announced on Sunday, November 10 to have now been reprinted and delivered to the LGA.
On Thursday, February 14, the commission revealed that some of the card readers lost in Anambra have already been configured and delivered to 14 LGAs.
"Working hard on the remaining 7 LGAs - Ayamelum, Ogbaru, Idemili North, Idemili South, Aguata, Awka North and Oyi," the statement read.

The commission has requested additional security measures to enhance security around its offices and other critical structures before, during and after elections.
"The commission wishes to assure all Nigerians that it will not succumb to the antics of arsonists whose motive might be to create fear in the minds of voters and sabotage the conduct of the 2019 general elections," an official statement read.
2019 general elections
The 2019 general elections will kick off with the Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 16 while Governorship and State Assembly elections will take place on March 2.
A total of 84,004,084 are registered to vote in the elections.


Via Punchng

2019 ELECTION - Police promise neutrality, professionalism during elections

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Tuesday promised that policemen will be neutral and professional during the forthcoming elections.
He said the police would collaborate with other security agencies to provide maximum security for election observers and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Adamu spoke during a briefing organised by INEC for observers accredited for the election.
“We promise to be professional, to be neutral and work with other election management stakeholders to ensure free, fair and credible elections,” the police boss promised.
Adamu said apart from the regular policemen, 24,000 riot policemen and 8,000 special protection unit personnel will be on election duties.
He said no security personnel would be allowed to hinder observers from their legitimate duties.

Adamu also warned office holders to avoid going to polling centres with their police orderlies.
He said policemen who are seen accompanying their principals to polling centres would be arrested.
The chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission would continue to improve on election processes and procedures even after delivering a credible election this year.
He promised adequate security for the 196 observers and advised them to adhere strictly to their observation roles, saying “You are observers and not monitors.”


Via PUNCHNG

2019 ELECTION - PDP wants foreigners excluded from elections

The Peoples Democratic Party has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission, Nigeria Immigration Service, Minister of Interior and the All Progressives Congress before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

According to an affidavit of urgency deposed by the PDP’s Legal Officer, Adedamola Fanokun, which was made available to journalists on Tuesday, the party prayed the court to direct INEC, NIS and the Minister of Interior to ensure that foreigners do not participate in the general elections.

The affidavit, which was acknowledged by the Commissioner for Oaths, Federal High Court, Abuja on February 8, stated that the substantive suit is a pre-election matter as according to it, it raised issues that ought to be determined before the general elections are held.
Noting that the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for February 16, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections are to hold on March 2, the party stated that the foregoing had created a situation of real urgency.

Our correspondent gathered that the matter had not been assigned to any judge.

Via Punchng

Exclusive Reports - APC threatens to punish Amosun for instigating violence at Ogun rally

The All Progressives Congress has vowed to punish the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, for allegedly hiring thugs that attacked President Muhammadu Buhari and party leaders at Monday’s campaign rally of the party in Abeokuta.

Expressing regrets at the disruption of the campaign, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement on Tuesday said that those responsible for the “premeditated attacks” would be dealt with.

The party said the sanction would be delayed till after the elections.

Issa-Onilu said, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) regrets Monday’s premeditated attacks sponsored by Governor Ibikunle Amosun on President Muhammadu Buhari and other senior party leaders at the venue of the presidential campaign rally in Ogun State.

“This is one act of indiscipline too many. The APC will not condone acts of indiscipline, indiscretion, and anti-party activities from any party member no matter how highly placed.

“The party will review this gross misconduct of deliberately positioning thugs to attack and embarrass the President and the party’s leadership. The party will take a decision on this matter immediately after the elections.

“It must be stated that party supremacy and discipline according to our constitution are not matters of choice but binding principles which must be adhered to by all party members.

“The APC is a party known for discipline, justice, fairness, and equality hence any plan to destroy what this party stands for would be rejected. No single person will be allowed to put his personal and selfish interests ahead of the wishes of the people of Ogun State and elsewhere.”

The APC said the decision of the National Working Committee on post-primaries remained unbendable.

“Post primaries, the decision of the National Working Committee to uphold the wishes of party members is unbendable. Therefore, whatever means being presently deployed by persons intending to undermine the wishes of the people for personal gains will not be tolerated.

“We urge our teeming party supporters and members not to be disturbed by Monday’s condemnable incident. We urge all to continue trooping out en masse for our remaining campaigns and vote massively for all and only APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections,” the statement added.

Via Punchng

Exclusive Reports - Imposition of candidates is the hallmark of APC —ADP senatorial candidate, Babayemi

The Osun West Senatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party, Dotun Babayemi, tells BOLA BAMIGBOLA why the ADP is a credible alternative to the two major parties in the country.

Many people see you as a good candidate on a weak platform. What is your take on this?
You may not be right to say the Action Democratic Party in the State of Osun is a weak platform. A party that had over 48,000 votes in the last governorship election could not be said to be weak. The so-called big parties have failed this nation. They are birds of a feather with the same cantankerous ideologies and it is obvious that the nation needs a third force that will take it to the Promised Land. The ADP is the third force and the only credible alternative.

Do you harbour fear that ongoing reconciliation of aggrieved APC members in the state may affect your chances of winning the election?
Which reconciliation? Who are the aggrieved APC members? Those of us that left the APC for the ADP, especially in the Osun West Senatorial District, did so in the spirit of finding equity and justice for the area which has been continuously marginalised in the opportunity for governance in Osun State.
The new governor appears to be reaching out to some aggrieved members of APC that left the party.

Since 28 years after the creation of Osun State, the West has only governed the state for 22 months. Despite promises and commitments to field a candidate from the West for the 2018 governorship election, the APC reneged, ignored all candidates and chose a candidate from Osun Central.
We reject, in its entirety, a party whose internal democracy did not allow the people to pick a preferred choice. A party where imposition has become the hallmark cannot stand to address the yearnings of the people.
You are facing formidable opponents, bearing in mind that this your first shot at an elective post, are you confident?

May I correct the notion that I am participating in electoral process for the first time. This is misinformation. In order to bring government closer to my people by representing them at the federal level and to the overwhelming approval of all in the Federal Constituency and Osun West Senatorial District, I contested and won the APC primaries to represent Irewole/Ayedaade /Isokan Federal Constituency in 2014. The then party imposed another candidate in the name of gender sensitivity.
Again in May 2017, I obtained the APC nomination form to represent Osun District at the National Assembly after the death of my personal friend, Senator Adetunji Adeleke, but the party imposed another candidate.

We that are technocrats are not always given the chance because the so-called godfathers prefer those who are prone to being controlled to suit their selfish motives.
After visiting all wards in the West Senatorial District, have you been able to identify the missing link between the needs of the people and what previous federal lawmakers offered them?
Well, I would not want to attack personalities here. It is obvious that there is no appreciable impact on the lives of our people. I want to state categorically that definitely there is a missing link. People are not having the best in terms of dividends of democracy.
Without holding any political post or being awarded any government contract, I have strived to put smiles on the faces of the people in my senatorial district through various empowerment programmes.

You promised at one of your campaign rallies to facilitate the establishment of at least a federal higher institution in the West Senatorial District if elected; do you think priority should be on this for your senatorial district considered to be the least developed in Osun?
Education is one of the priorities I listed. We all know education is germane and one of the bedrocks of development in any clime. So, I am irrevocably committed to it. While we will still address the overall development of my constituency which had suffered decay in the hands of successive administrations

Don’t you think the results of the last Osun governorship poll is an indication of what may happen during the National Assembly elections?
The ADP made history last election. In fact , Alhaji Adeoti, the governorship candidate left the APC seven weeks to the governorship election and we were able to muster close to 50,000 votes. The Osun West Senatorial district electorate have spoken; they have rejected the APC, and they will speak again this month.

We will continue to appeal to the electoral umpire to remain impartial and unbiased as the name indicates or else they will throw the nation into anarchy. I may not be able to comment on Osun election.The issue is being addressed by a tribunal of competent jurisdiction and it will be prejudicial for me to give any submission on that.



Via Punchng

Exclusive Reports - Obasanjo meets parties, security chiefs, warns against violence in Ogun

Former President , Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday met leaders of top political parties and security chiefs in Ogun State over violence which has characterised campaigns in the state ahead of the general elections .
Obasanjo held a closed -door meeting with some political parties ’ leaders for more than two hours at Owu Hall inside Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library , Oke -Mosan , Abeokuta .

Obasanjo who arrived at the venue of the meeting at 10 :02am was said to have called the meeting so as to chart a way forward to violent -free elections in the state.
The political parties in attendance at the closed -door meeting , included ; Action Democratic Party ; African Democratic Congress ; the All Progressives Congress, and the Allied Peoples Movement .
The All Progressives Congress and the Allied Peoples Movement clashed on Thursday leaving several persons injured.
Emerging from the meeting with Obasanjo, the State Chairman of the Action Democratic Party , Chief Wale Egunleti , spoke to journalists on behalf of the four political parties present at the meeting .



Egunleti disclosed that Obasanjo warned them to maintain a peaceful campaign in the interest of all .
Divulging the details of the meeting , Chief Egunleti said Chief Obasanjo called the meeting to foster peace among political parties ahead of the Presidential and governorship elections slated for February 16 th and March 2 nd respectively in the state.
He said , “ Our father ( Obasanjo) has called the political parties for a meeting to shun any act of thuggery , fighting , and any form of violence during and after the elections .
“ We want to serve the people and we must lead by example . Therefore , we have been warned and advised to keep the peace in Ogun for the benefit of all .


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