Incumbent Governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is leading his opponent, Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with 58,720 votes.
Akeredolu’s lead is premises on results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in 15 Local Governments.
While only three Local Governments are still being awaited to complete the exercise, results from 15 LGs indicates that Akeredolu polled 229,218 votes to defeat Jegede who scored 170,498 votes, while the ZLP garnered 53,422 votes.
With the results, it is almost certain that Akeredolu of the APC will win the poll, with three LGs to go.
In the next few hours, the winner of the poll will be declared by INEC.
Ondo Governorship Election in 15 LGs stated below.
No LGs APC PDP ZLP
1 Ifedayo 9,350 11,852 1.863
2 Ile Oluji-Oke Igbo 13,278 9,231 1,971
3 Irele 12,643 5,493 5,904
4 Akoko North East 16,572 8,380 3,532
5 Akoko South West 21,232 15,055 2,775
6 Akoko North West 15,809 10,320 3,477
7 Ondo East 6,484 4,049 3,221
8 Owo 35,957 5,311 408
9 Akure North 9,546 12,263 1,046
10 Idanre 11,286 7,499 3,623
11 Akoko South East 9,419 4,003 2,004
12 Akure South 17,277 47,627 2,236
13 Ose 15,122 8,421 1,083
14 Ondo West 15,97760 10,627 10,159
15 Okitipupa 19,266 10,367 10,120
(L) One of the last pictures of Jimoh Isiaq just moments before he was killed by Oyo police who fired live bullets at #EndSARS demonstrators in Ogbomosho. (R) File photo of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
The #EndSARS protest across states in Nigeria did not turn out well for the Isiaq family as their son, Jimoh Isiaq, a student of Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomoso, was shot dead by the police on Saturday in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
As youths in Ogbomoso joined their compatriots across Nigeria to continue the EndSARS protest, lending their voices to the ongoing demand for government to put an end to the impunity and human rights abuses perpetrated by officers of the police force, especially the notorious tactical team, Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), a police team deployed to monitor the demonstration opened fire at the unarmed protesters and in the process killed Jimoh Isiaq.
While describing the incident that led to the killing of the young man, who lived in Ogiri Compound Ita Alasa, Ogbomoso, an eyewitnesses according to PM said the police officers used live bullets to disperse the crowd and in the process, Isiaq was hit, and in a pool of his own blood.
Reports stated that the victim was rushed to the Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso where doctors were said to have battled to save Jimoh’s life but couldn’t. The bullet had pierced his rib.
What makes Isiaq’s death intriguing is that he was not part of the protesters, as he was only an onlooker.
However, police in Oyo state denied that Jimoh Isiaq was killed by a bullet when its men fired at unarmed protesters in Ogbomoso.
According to a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, Fadeyi Gbenga, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Nwachukwu Enwonwu said the police did not fire a shot or kill any protester.
“The CP wishes to state that the Police allowed the protesters to express their feelings during the protest and they were not hindered in any form until when they started throwing stones into the Police premises and attempted to gain entrance into the premises.”
In a twist, the stand of the Oyo CP was punctured by Governor Seyi Makinde, who courageously confirmed, as the Chief Security Officer of the State, that the young man was shot during the peaceful protest.
The Governor argued that the constitution backs Nigerians protesting against the brutality of the Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). He stated further that he will not support an attempt to rob the youths of their rights.
“I have received with deep sadness the news of the passing of one of our children, Jimoh Isiaka, who was shot during the End SARS protest in Ogbomoso.
“Also, at this same protest, Abdulrasaq Olawale, Oluwadamilare Gbolohunmi, and five other persons sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
“The End SARS protests are a strong indicator of systemic failure. It is a failure on the part of those who have been constitutionally empowered to protect the citizens.
“It again calls into question why State Governors are called Chief Security Officers of their state whereas, they do not have the necessary powers to control the police force.
“Peaceful protests are a big part of our democratic process. The right to freedom of speech and assembly are guaranteed by our Constitution, and I will never support any attempt to rob citizens of their fundamental human rights,” Governor Makinde stated.
If anything, Jimoh Isiaq’s death has further emboldened Nigerian youths to continue to press for a decisive action by government against police impunity and human rights abused, especially the excesses by the now labeled notorious SARS tactical formation.
President Buhari attends Combined Passing Out Parade, Commissioning and Oath Taking of 67 Regular Course and Short Service Course 46 in Kaduna State on 10th Oct 2020
President Muhammadu Buhari Saturday assured that the Federal Government would increase manpower and improve training to meet the changing dynamics of security in the country, Nigeria is passing through a time of great need for cohesion, peace and unity.
The President expressed full confidence in the ability of the Nigerian Army to protect the territorial integrity of the nation, particularly in the ongoing war against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping and commended “the resilience and steadfastness of our personnel in the Armed Forces for their professionalism and bravery in tackling the menace of terrorism, insurgency and armed banditry in the North-east and North-west zones as well as herders/farmers conflict, kidnapping, piracy and communal clashes in other parts of our country.”
Buhari stated this at the Combined Passing Out Parade of the Cadets of 67 Regular Course and Short Service Course 46 (Army) at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna.
According to him, “We remain committed to ending the security challenges bedeviling the country. I am confident that the training received by the passing out cadets has adequately equipped them to face any challenges in their line of duty.
“The broad contexts to which these prospective officers will be deployed is complex, fluid and dynamic. Thus, you will have to keep pace with these ever changing challenges.
“Let me at this juncture, restate our administration’s will to support the operations of the Armed Forces in the defence of the nation. Just recently, I approved the increment of manpower intake into the three services in order to cater for the deficit of personnel being experienced.
“Additionally, the Federal Government will sustain the provision of adequate modern equipment, logistics and infrastructure needed to support the operations of the Armed Forces.
“These no doubt will enhance the preparedness of the Armed Forces to meet contemporary security challenges especially with innovations in the field of warfare, Information, Communication and Technology.”
The President, who was the Reviewing Officer, said the loyalty and patriotism of service personnel must be sustained and strengthened, appealing to all Nigerians to uphold and project the unity of the country.
“Despite our obvious differences, we must strive to ensure that our actions, and utterances are aimed towards strengthening our democratic framework.
“We must subsume our personal and sectional interests to the overall national aspirations of unity, economic prosperity and good governance,” he said.
Buhari noted that the government remains focused in the fight against insurgency, armed banditry and other forms of criminality across the nation.
He said: “Gentlemen Officer Cadets, a successful completion of a rigorous and demanding task of this nature undoubtedly infuses you with a sense of self-esteem, efficacy and accomplishment.
“Furthermore, it lifts your spirit and leaves you with conviction that with commitment and dedication you would successfully accomplish future tasks that will come your way as officers of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Let me now remind the passing out cadets of the need to be committed to the nation by taking your rightful place among your peers in the Armed Forces of our country.”
The President said all the accomplishments in national security was made possible by the untiring efforts of the military and other security agencies, urging the graduates to join their senior colleagues in the field and contribute to the defence of the country.
“With the quality of training you have received, I am convinced that you will discharge your duties professionally and responsibly. I can say without ambiguity that the future holds promise for our national defence and security,” he added.
Buhari commended the Commandant, officers, men and academic staff of the Nigerian Defence Academy for their dedication to duty and determination to run the course despite the peculiarities of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“I note that despite the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Academy has remained focused and committed to its core mandate of training officer cadets. I therefore, commend the Nigerian Defence Academy Council for its steadfast performance
“The Nigerian Defence Academy has since its establishment in 1964 continued to train young Nigerians for the Armed Forces to discharge their role of protecting the territorial sovereignty of the nation.
“I have been made to understand that the Academy in furtherance to enriching its training curriculum recently took cadets on a tour of frontline communities in the North-east Theatre of operations. The tour was to keep the cadets informed of the challenges of real battle scenario and to boost their combat readiness.
“As a retired General, I can say with all sense of responsibility that, I am encouraged by the excellent work invested in the training of these officer cadets for service to this great nation and humanity in general,” Buhari pointed out.
The President said it had been a challenging year for all nations in the world, and Nigeria which recorded her index case of COVID-19 in February, adding that “this administration has proactively responded to the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic by helping to prevent further spread and taking necessary appropriate measures.
“In addition, government has taken positive palliative measures to cushion the adverse impact of the pandemic through people-oriented policies,” said the President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
Buhari also appreciated the parents and guardians of the young men and women for taking the bold steps of ensuring that their wards enrolled into the military.
(L-R): A collage file photo of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and main opposition figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2019 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has berated President Muhammadu Buhari over his 2021 budget proposal recently presented to the National Assembly.
Atiku, in a statement on Saturday titled: “The 2021 Budget Proposal Contravenes The Fiscal Responsibility Act,” charged the President to be courageous enough to recall and recalibrate the 2021 budget proposal to reflect the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) of 2007 and the current economic realities in Nigeria.
According to him, “The budget deficit in the proposal is ₦5.21 trillion. This amount is just over 3.5 per cent of Nigeria’s 2019 GDP.
“This is contrary to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, which provides in Part II, Section 12, subsection 1 that: ‘Aggregate Expenditure and the Aggregate amount appropriated by the National Assembly for each financial year shall not be more than the estimated aggregate revenue plus a deficit, not exceeding three per cent of the estimated Gross Domestic Product or any sustainable percentage as may be determined by the national Assembly for each financial year.'”
He explained that the deficit of 2021 budget shows the precarious state of Nigeria’s finances, which have since been overburdened by excessive borrowing on the part of the Buhari administration.
Atiku, who stated that he could itemise several reasons why Buhari’s 2021 budget is not feasible and realisable, insisted that the President should be patriotic enough to recall the budget otherwise it would be catastrophic for Nigeria’s economy.
The statement reads in part: “Looking at the 2021 Budget Proposal placed before the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, October 8, 2020, a number of issues, very grave and perhaps disturbing issues arise.
“I could bring up several of them, but for the sake of its direness and consequence to our economy, permit me to address one very important issue.
“The budget deficit in the proposal is ₦5.21 trillion. This amount is just over 3.5 per cent of Nigeria’s 2019 GDP. This is contrary to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, which provides in Part II, Section 12, subsection 1 that: ‘Aggregate Expenditure and the Aggregate amount appropriated by the National Assembly for each financial year shall not be more than the estimated aggregate revenue plus a deficit, not exceeding three per cent of the estimated Gross Domestic Product or any sustainable percentage as may be determined by the national Assembly for each financial year.’
“Nigeria had a GDP of approximately $447 billion in 2019. Three percent (three per cent) of this amount is $13.3 billion, which at the current official exchange rate of ₦379 to $1, gives you a figure of ₦5.07 trillion.
“So clearly, the budget deficit of ₦5.21 trillion, as announced by President Muhammadu, is above three per cent of our GDP and is therefore in contravention of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.
“Even more disturbing is the fact that our GDP has fallen sharply from its 2019 figures, and has been projected by the World Bank and other multilateral institutions at somewhere between $400 billion and $350 billion. Meaning that in actual sense, the ₦5.21 trillion budget deficit is actually far above the three per cent threshold stipulated by the FRA.
“That this escaped the notice of the Buhari administration shows a glaring lack of rigour in the formulation of the Budget. A very disturbing development.
“Furthermore, this deficit shows the precarious state of our national finances, which have since been overburdened by excessive borrowing on the part of the Buhari administration.
“It has not escaped my attention that the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007 makes provision for the National Assembly to raise the threshold of the budget deficit from three per cent to a higher figure. However, if this is done, they will be serving this administration’s interests, not Nigeria’s, because the Act says that such a threshold must be sustainable. Is it sustainable when our budget makes almost as much provision for debt servicing, as it does for capital expenditure?
“As such, I call on the President, to recall this budget, and recalibrate it to reflect the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, and the current economic realities of the nation. To do otherwise will not only be unpatriotic, it will also be catastrophic for our nation’s economy.”
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat,at the site of gas explosion which occurred in Baruwa, Lagos on Thursday.
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has carried out an on-the-spot assessment to the site of gas explosion which occurred in Baruwa area of the state on Thursday.
Speaking at the site of the incident, Hamzat said the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government would not tolerate any form of carelessness, which could jeopardise the health and safety of the people.
He called on business owners and entrepreneurs in Lagos State to always be responsible and mindful of the safety of others while siting their businesses to prevent loss of lives and property.
According to him, “We are not saying that people should not do business but you must not do it to the detriment of other people. It is okay to have a business but you cannot do that at the risk of people’s lives.”
While describing the incident as very sad and unfortunate, the deputy governor disclosed that the Sanwo-Olu administration would ensure those in the hospital get the best treatment, just as he commiserated with the families of the deceased.
He said the Sanwo-Olu administration would leave no stone unturned in its efforts at getting to the root cause of the explosion, adding that anyone who violates protocol in siting gas stations would be prosecuted.
“There are protocols to be followed in doing things. As a government we have to make sure that those protocols are followed and in cases where the protocols are not followed, people are prosecuted to the full extent of the law in order to serve as an example,” he said.
Hamzat was accompanied on the visit by Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, and the Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Femi Oke-Osanyintolu.
Incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has convincingly won the Ondo governorship election at Polling unit 004 St Luke’s CAC Primary School Prison Quarters, in Owo, his hometown.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commision’s (INEC) Returning Officer, the declared results shows that the Governor Akeredolu polled 413 votes to defeat Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Eyitayo Jegede, his closest challenger, who polled 12 votes only.
At Akeredolu’s unit, Zenith Labour Party candidate and Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi scored no single votes, while eleven ballots were voided.
Compared to other candidates’ home run, Governor Akeredolu’s margin of victory at home turf was the biggest, reports said.
At the Akure polling unit of PDP’s candidate, Eyitayo managed to beat Akeredolu with 220 to 62 votes, a mere margin.
The result was for polling unit 009, Ward 1, Gbogi/Isokan area in Akure South Local Government Area, PM News reported.
Similarly, running mate to PDP’s Eyitayo Jegede, Gboluga Ikengboju, won his polling unit 010, Ward 09 in IluTitun, Okitipupa local government of the state, polling 121 votes to defeat APC which had 24 votes.
However, Deputy Governor Agboola Àjàyí of the ZLP, who scored only nine votes in the unit, won with a wide margin in his polling unit in Kiribo, Ese Odo Local Government Area.
PM News reported Agboola to have won in his Apoi Ward II, Unit 004, Idumado Quarters, with a wide margin, second to the margin recorded in Owo, by Akeredolu.
Scoring 395 votes in his home turf, the Incumbent Deputy Governor, Agboola, beat his boss, Governor Akeredolu, who scored 13 votes, while PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, secured only five votes.
Candidate of the PDP in the Ondo Governorship Election, Eyitayo Jegede votes Ward 1, Sacred Heart polling unit 9 in Gbokan/Isikan Akure South LGA
Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede says he is disappointed with the conduct of some security officials deployed to monitor the Ondo governorship election.
The Governorship candidate expressed this when he addressed journalists after casting his vote in Akure on Saturday.
Eyitayo’s reservation is coming after along with his wife experienced delay in voting for about 3hrs due to difficulties in authenticating their voter’s card by polling officers at his Ward 1, Sacred Heart polling unit 9 in Gbokan/Isikan Akure South LGA.
He later voted and commended the voters for properly conducting themselves at the poll.
However, the governor accused some security officers at the polling unit of allowing some people to check people’s voting preferences.
“I’m a little bit disappointed at some of the officers here. I’m disappointed because you have an officer standing directly behind the person casting his vote and you have them giving allowances to the person who should not be there giving signals to some people in their presence until I protested.
“I have had good reports about INEC and I saw good reports in Edo and I have had a lot of reports and good things happening until it came to my turn to vote and the machine suddenly malfunctioned.
“I had to be delayed and I insisted I will stay until the card functions. My wife’s card did not pass through too and we tested others who were behind me, their cards did not pass too, so all of us waited there
“After the protest, exactly ten minutes thereafter the card started functioning again. I have voted and I’m hopeful that everything will work out well,” Eyitayo said.
An old video of a passer-by, who spotting some SARS officers harass some Nigerian Youths, halted his vehicle and demanded explanation on why the agents wanted to search their car, is trending online.
The prompt intervention of the un-identified man stopped the notorious SARS officials from taking the youths away in the unofficial bus vehicle they operated with.
The #EndSARS protest has now caught the attention of the international community, including celebrities.
Solidarity protest are being planned in Germany, USA, Canada and the UK.
The #EndSARS hashtag has continued to trend at the very top online since Friday.
African Development Bank (AfDB) Corporate Headquarters, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
African Development Bank (AfDB) has made case for agro-industrialisation projects by seeking support from Nordic country partners towards adding value to the competitive production of commodities such as cocoa, livestock and cotton in order to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Speaking at a webinar held on Thursday by Nordic-African Business Association (NABA), Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation at African Development Bank, Solomon Quaynor, called for a strategic investment opportunities in Africa.
He explained that this singular gesture would allow “African production to participate more in these value chains and also to increase jobs and increase incomes to private sector and also the African economy.”
One good example of this is Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and AP Moller Capital’s Arise Group of Companies, in partnership with Olam of Singapore.
The digital webcast, jointly organised by NABA, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Scatec Solar and AFC, was part of a day-long event aimed at reconnecting Nordic businesses with the continent.
Nordic-African Business Summit has been hosted for nine consecutive years in Oslo – with more than 3,000 guests and 300 speakers from over 40 countries taking part so far.
Quaynor, who was joined by African Development Bank’s Executive Director for the Nordic countries, Ireland and India, Paal Bjornestad, addressed a virtual audience made up of Nordic business representatives, government and private sector and interested individuals.
The panel entertained various questions, such as that of bankability which includes market and profitability/cashflow risk, lack of a conducive enabling environment, properly conducted Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), and challenges of integrity of sponsors and contractors.
Other questions focused on project financing available for investors, trade finance, and whether the bank has invested in tourism projects.
Responding, African Development Bank said it supported “all projects which support economic development, but we have decided to be selective and focus on areas of our comparative advantage.”
The bank is being more selective and targeting larger transformational industrialisation projects. “We also support financial institutions to indirectly support smaller projects. We will also be pivoting more from maximising our direct loans to using guarantees to crowd in other private investors,” Quaynor added.
On the criteria for Bank support in smaller projects, he said: “In areas where the opportunities are small but very important, such as off-grid renewable energy, we support through platforms such as SEFA (the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa)…
“Overall we need bankable projects, credible business plans…and we need to be sure that ESG and compliance work has been done.”
The bank’s mandate to spur sustainable economic development and social progress on the African continent, saw $9 billion in commercial and concessionary lending in 2019, Quaynor outlined, during his presentation on the bank’s activities and priority areas, which was followed by a question and answer session.
This lending went towards its priority High5s, across its key cross-cutting themes – that is mainstreaming gender, support to fragile markets, and climate-friendly projects. Twenty five per cent was to the private sector.
One example of this is Boko Mine and Port in Guinea, described as a “truly transformative project.”
The $1.4 billion integrated mining and related transport infrastructure project has benefitted from a 14-year senior loan of up to $100 million from African Development Bank, with up to a three-year grace period.
The project is expected to add $400 million to Guinea’s GDP, $300 million to the country’s trade balance annually during the operational phase.
Additionally, over 4,000 jobs would be created during its construction phase, as well as 700 permanent and 1,500 temporary jobs during the operational phase.
As part of activities to celebrate Nigeria’s 60th Independence Day anniversary, a film, Eyimofe (This is my desire), is set to be premiered in the United Kingdom, at BFI London Film Festival on October 11.
The film, which had its world premiere at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival in February, is also billed to celebrate its U.S premiere at the AFI Fest on October 20.
Ahead of the London screening, which would create an opportunity for the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom to join in the country’s 60th anniversary celebration, Eyimofe has debuted its official trailer for the festival, which is already generating interest from the global film community.
A GDN Studios production, the 114 minutes film directed by twin brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri, features Jude Akuwudike, Temi Ami-Williams, Cynthia Ebijie, Sadiq Daba, Tomiwa Edun, Jacobs Alexander, Tomiwa Edun, Chioma ‘Chigul’ Omeruah and others.
Funded entirely in Nigeria and shot in 16mm and filmed across 48 locations in Lagos, the two chapter drama follows the stories of Mofe (Jude Akuwudike), a factory technician, and Rosa (Temi Ami-Williams), a hairdresser, on their quest for what they believe would be a better life on foreign shores.
A passport, photos and a visa form recurring elements. The characters’ misfortunes are part of their everyday life and they are sketching out the need to leave Nigeria at the same time.
At the bottom of the socio-economic ladder, status, money, gender, skin colour and family structures are inextricably connected. The longing for another life is but one thread in this complex mesh, a promise that floats above things at once near and far away.
It would be recalled that Eyimofe is the 2020 official selection for Vancouver International Film Festival, an annual film festival held in Vancouver, British Columbia.
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