Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Oshiomhole

  • Edo Guber Poll: Uzodimma Rejects Election Results, Accuses INEC of Colluding with PDP

    Edo Guber Poll: Uzodimma Rejects Election Results, Accuses INEC of Colluding with PDP

    Imo State State Governor and Deputy Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo State governorship campaign council, Hope Uzodimma, has rejected the results of Edo State governorship election.

    The governor made this known when he arrived Imo State Government House Owerri on Sunday morning after the election which took place on September 19.

    Obaseki Wins Edo Guber Poll, Defeats Ize-Iyamu


    Uzodimma, in his assessment, alleged that the entire process in Edo State was marred by irregularities from officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who sabotaged the system, making it difficult for APC votes to count.

    He described the conduct of INEC officials in Edo State governorship election as “shameful”

    The governor also thanked APC governorship candidate in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, for his resilience and doggedness.

    Buhari Congratulates Obaseki as PDP Tells President to Sustain His ‘Newfound’ Democratic Credentials


    He also assured that APC is already gathering evidence to proceed to yet to be constituted Edo State Election Petition Tribunal any moment from now with the confidence that the party would get judgement in due time.

    Uzodimma, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, urged all APC faithful and supporters to remain calm and law abiding, alleging that what happened in Edo State is “a sabotage to our hard-worn democracy in Nigeria.”

  • Obaseki Says Edo People Supported Him to Defeat Godfatherism

    Obaseki Says Edo People Supported Him to Defeat Godfatherism

    Obaseki Says Edo People Supported Him to Defeat Godfatherism

    . Ize–Iyamu: I’m Studying Election Results

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has celebrated his victory at the Saturday governorship election in the state, saying the collective will of the people made it possible for his triumph over godfatherism.

    Obaseki defeated his closest rival, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polling a total of 307,955 votes against APC’s 223,619 votes.

    Obaseki Wins Edo Guber Poll, Defeats Ize-Iyamu


    He commended the people of Edo State and supporters of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for their display of immense courage and support in the face of threats, intimidation and brutalisation as he emerged victorious in the Saturday gubernatorial election in the state.

    Obaseki praised President Muhammadu Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other stakeholders who participated in the conduct of the gubernatorial election for ensuring a free, peaceful and credible poll in the state.

    However, Ize-Iyamu has also commented on his electoral defeat, saying he’s studying the results along with other party members and would announce the next line of action soon.

    Buhari Congratulates Obaseki as PDP Tells President to Sustain His ‘Newfound’ Democratic Credentials

    Obaseki, in his appreciation message in Benin City on Sunday, said: “The great people of Edo State have spoken. They have spoken loud and clear. We thank God Almighty and give Him all the glory for this victory.

    “Thank you, President Muhammadu Buhari, for defending our democracy and allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to perform their constitutional functions without interference.

    “INEC and the security services have shown to Nigerians and the world that they are capable of conducting free and credible elections.

    “Words fail me in saluting our teeming supporters who displayed immense courage in the face of threats, intimidation and brutalisation. The collective will of Edo people made it possible for this triumph over godfatherism.

    “I am eternally grateful to my party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and my brother governors not only for giving me the umbrella during my political storm but for the hard work which has brought me back to office.

    “Our success has reinforced my belief that there is nothing we cannot achieve as a people if we pull forces together and collectively call on God for support.

    “I reiterate that working with my Deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, we are committed to Making Edo Great Again. Thank you for your support.”

    Atiku Celebrates Obaseki’s Re-election, Describes Victory as Independence from Godfatherism

    But, speaking on his electoral loss, Ize-Iyamu appreciated his supporters for enduring what he described as many evils including being prevented from exercising their franchise during the Saturday governorship election in Edo State.

    According to him, “I hereby thank and appreciate my teeming supporters, who have had to endure many evils including being prevented from exercising their franchise, for their support and determination during the election process.

    “I assure you all that I am studying the results along with other party members and will announce the next line of action soon.

    “God bless you all.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • [Leaked Video] PDP to Buhari: Pull in Gambari, Oshiomhole for Questioning

    [Leaked Video] PDP to Buhari: Pull in Gambari, Oshiomhole for Questioning

    Peoples Democratic Party National Campaign Council for Edo State Governorship Election has called out the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency over the trending video showing the sacked National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, and the Chief of Staff to Mr. President, Ibrahim Gambari, at the Presidential Villa, in which alleged discussion on the arrests of certain individuals, ahead of the September 19 governorship election, was held.

    “Nigerians were alarmed by the video in which Oshiomhole was seen emphatically urging the Chief of Staff to Mr. President on the need to clampdown on certain unnamed Nigerians to achieve political suppression and submission ahead of the Edo election.

    File photo of Spokesman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbodiyan.

    “Our National Campaign holds that the presence and involvement of the Chief of Staff to the President and the fact that the discussion held within the precincts of the Presidential Villa, have made the Presidency complicit and place a huge burden on President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Already, there is anxiety in the public space that the discussion between Oshiomhole and Prof. Gambari as captured in the video is an extension of discussions that must have held behind closed doors in the Presidential Villa.

    READ ALSO:

    Just In: Sacked APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole meets President Buhari

    “The video has validated earlier revelations of plots by Oshiomhole and the discredited APC governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to use compromised security operatives being mobilised by certain individuals in the Presidency, to arrest innocent Nigerians, including traditional, faith-based and community leaders on trumped up charges, ahead of Edo State governorship election.

    “It also confirms our stance that Adams Oshiomhole and the APC candidate have completely lost ground in Edo State, hence the plot to clamp down on the people.

    “Nigerians and the people of Edo State now know those to hold responsible should there be cases of illegal arrests, assassinations and unexplained killings, sudden disappearances of prominent people, accidental discharge by federal security operatives and mysterious accidents in the course of this Edo State governorship election.

    “The PDP National Campaign Council on Edo State governorship election charges President Buhari to reassure Nigerians by immediately ordering that Adams Oshiomhole and Prof. Gambari be pulled in for questioning over the video.

    “Anything short of a decisive action on this matter will further indict the Buhari Presidency especially coming on the heels of public anxiety over Mr. President’s widely condemned comment on the use of security forces for elections.

    READ ALSO:

    Oshiomhole Denies Plot to Stage a Comeback as APC National Chairman

    “Our campaign, however, wants the APC and Oshiomhole to know that their ignoble plots against the people of Edo State have come to naught as the people are at alert and will use every legitimate means available to defend their already expressed will in support of the candidate of our party, the PDP, Governor Godwin Obaseki in this election,” PDP alleged, in a statement by its Secretary, National Campaign Council on Edo State Governorship Election, Kola Ologbondiyan.

    Video:

     

     

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • APC Crisis: Oshiomhole camp fights back, dismisses NEC meeting as PDP mocks Buhari

    APC Crisis: Oshiomhole camp fights back, dismisses NEC meeting as PDP mocks Buhari

    Idowu Sowunmi

    Members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to the suspended National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, has reaffirmed their strong opposition to the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting called by the party’s factional Acting National Chairman, Victor Giadom.

    This was coming as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) berated President Muhammadu Buhari for violating his oath of office by using the Federal Executive Council (FEC) Chambers and government resources to conduct the affairs of his party.

    NWC, in a statement by the factional Acting National Chairman, Hillard Eta, and the Acting National Secretary, Waziri Bulama, explained that they were consulting their lawyers and other stakeholders on the dissolution of NWC and other decisions taken at the NEC meeting on Thursday.

    They insisted that the NEC meeting was illegally convened by the suspended Deputy National Secretary of the party, Victor Giadom.

    Giadom’s NEC meeting attended by Buhari, among others dissolved the 18-member NWC and other decisions.

    “The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress wishes to reiterate its earlier position that Chief Victor Giadom has no authority whatsoever to convene a meeting of the National Executive Committee of our great party.

    “Article 25(b) of the constitution of the APC is explicit that only the National Chairman or the National Working Committee is given the prerogative of summoning meetings of the National Executive Committee of the party either for statutory quarterly meetings or for emergency meetings. The same provision of the constitution makes it compulsory for a notice of minimum of 14 days in respect of statutory quarterly meetings and seven days in respect of emergency meetings.

    “We note that Chief Victor Giadom had convened and conducted a virtual meeting purportedly to be a National Executive Committee meeting of our party wherein certain far-reaching resolutions were purportedly reached. While the National Working Committee is studying the unfolding drama, it will be consulting with stakeholders and team of lawyers on the next line of action.

    “Therefore, all members of our great party and concerned Nigerians are urged to remain calm pending the outcome of the consultations.”

    Other NWC members privy to the statement apart from Eta and Bulama include: the National Vice Chairman (North-west), Inuwa Abdulkadir; National Vice Chairman (South-west), Bankole Oluwajana; and the National Vice Chairman, (North-central), Ahmed Wambal.

    Meanwhile, PDP has condemned the use of public facilities by the President to host the NEC meeting, saying it’s the height of corruption.

    “Our party describes this action of Mr. President, in using public facilities and resources for APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, as the height of corruption as well as a desecration of the sanctity of the seat of power and our national values,” the opposition party said.

    PDP added that “never in the history of our nation has governance been so devalued to the extent of using the hallowed chamber of the highest executive body in the country, where high-level executive decisions are taken, for an illegal, wrongly constituted and Nicodemus meeting of a political party.”

    The party said: “This shameful development is a further manifestation of the level of impunity, recklessness, disrespect for rules and disdain for our laws by the APC administration, whose latest action exposes a move towards instituting the art of running processes and programmes through illegality, illicitness, illegitimate and unlawful means driven by crude force and naked power.

    “Furthermore, it is an indefensible double standard for President Buhari, whose administration has been hounding and prosecuting innocent Nigerians for allegedly using public resources for activities of their political parties, to use the resources and facilities of the FEC chamber for his party’s NEC meeting.

    “It is even more distressing that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, is part of this desecration of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by functioning as a notary public to a political party and using official facilities of FEC chamber to administer oath of office to a functionary of a political party, in total disregard to his oath of office, the code of conduct prohibitions under the 5th Schedule and extant public service rules.

    “This is the same Attorney General, who has been prosecuting others for alleged but unsubstantiated use of public resources for  activities of their political parties.”

    PDP noted that by using government facilities and resources to promote the activities of his party, the Attorney General has become culpable of the same offence for which he has been prosecuting innocent Nigerians.

    “Malami has therefore become ethically challenged to continue in office as the Chief Law Officer of our nation.

    “Our party therefore demands that the Attorney General should immediately resign from office and surrender himself for prosecution

    “It is even more disgraceful that the furtive APC NEC meeting at the FEC Chamber was convened in total violation of the APC Constitution, which prescribes 14 days notice for regular NEC meeting and 7 days notice in the case of an emergency meeting under Article 25 (b) (i) and (ii) respectively.

    “Such a coup against their own party’s constitution renders the purported APC NEC meeting illegal and decisions taken therein, a complete nullity.

    “Significantly, the kind of marshal orders and threats which President Buhari was issuing out at the so called NEC meeting without allowing for a debate was a sad reminder of his days at the Supreme Military Council in 1984.

    “This raised questions on the democratic content of the charade called a NEC meeting by the APC.

    “Moreover, now that the Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni, has been sworn in as the Chairman of APC Caretaker Committee, he has made himself a full administrative officer of the APC and as such, should immediately resign as the Governor of Yobe state, in keeping with Article 17 (iv) of the APC Constitution which prohibits such dual mandate,” PDP said.

    The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, counseled APC leaders to note that “Nigeria is a nation governed by law and as such their party will not be allowed to use their crisis to destroy our democratic order.”

  • APC Crisis: How Amaechi’s intervention made Buhari to recognise Giadom’s faction

    APC Crisis: How Amaechi’s intervention made Buhari to recognise Giadom’s faction

    Idowu Sowunmi

    It’s no longer news that President Muhammadu Buhari has recognised Victor Giadom as Acting National Chairman, with a promise to attending the virtual meeting called by Giadom tomorrow afternoon.

    Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari admitted that he has been well schooled and legally advised accordingly on the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “The President has received very convincing advice on the position of the law as far as the situation in the party is concerned and has determined that the law is on the side of Victor Giadom as Acting National Chairman. Because he will always act in accordance with the law, the President will be attending the virtual meeting Giadom called for tomorrow afternoon.

    “We urge the media to stop promoting manufactured controversies and to not give any further room for mischievous interpretations of the law on this matter.

    “In addition to the President, the Giadom meeting will, hopefully, be attended by our Governors and the leaders of the National Assembly,” said a statement by Shehu, in response to enquiry by some journalists.

    Sources at the Presidency said Buhari’s new position was made possible by the intervention of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

    Amaechi’s singular effort has made some political analysts to describe him as the new kid on the block of Nigerian politics.

    “He (Amaechi) understands the game of power. He practises politics with so much dexterity and sagacity. His influence looms larger than life in the Presidency. When he speaks and analyses politics, every one is often taken awe.

    “That’s how he succeeded in winning President Buhari and other key people in Presidency to accept the candidacy of Victor Giadom as the Acting National Chairman of APC. The deal is done. Welcome to a new era in the ruling party,” said the source.

    Amaechi’s intervention was coming after Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, and Giadom made unsuccessful frantic efforts to meet Buhari over the APC crisis.

    Though the duo visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday night, they could not see the President. Instead, the President’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, attended to them.

    Earlier, Amaechi claimed he had decided to keep out of the crisis rocking APC because he did not want to get involved in politics, noting that he’s not sure what the cause of the crisis was.

    He had said: “What is happening in APC, I don’t know; what is happening in Rivers State, I don’t know. What I’ve done is to keep away from politics. Even if I’m bothered, it’ll be internally.

    “There’s nobody there (in the party) who is a child; we’re all adults. I don’t want to get involved in politics.

    “Nigerians know me for being blunt and honest. Some see it as arrogance, some see it as being brash, whatever it is. What do I need to say that I have not said before? It’s internal dynamics of politics, it’s internal struggle.

    “So, I have said it several times. When we fought in 2015, I said this country cannot continue the way it is going. I’m not helpless, but I’m doing what they call ‘siddon look (sit down and look).”

    But, on Wednesday his politics of “siddon look” took flight to unknown destination as he moved in to save the party from further crisis.

    With Giadom’s recognition, it may be politically difficult for Adams Oshiomhole and his sympathisers to return to the leadership mantle of APC.

    As APC supporters and Nigerians await the official statements of Mr. President tomorrow afternoon during the party’s virtual meeting called by Giadom, one thing seems to be certain for now: there’s a new sheriff in town and the ruling party may not be the same again.

  • Shortly after Oshiomhole’s sack, APC appoints Ajimobi as acting National Chairman

    Shortly after Oshiomhole’s sack, APC appoints Ajimobi as acting National Chairman

    Idowu Sowunmi

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally reacted to the news in which the Court of Appeal has upheld the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court had ordered the suspension of Oshiomhole as APC national chairman.

    Reacting to the Appellate Court ruling on Tuesday, APC NWC, in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said: “Guided by advice from the party’s legal department in line with the provisions of Section 14.2. (iii) of the party’s constitution, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Senator Abiola Ajimobi, will serve as the party’s Acting National Chairman.

    “According to Section 14.2. (iii) of the APC constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, North/South “Shall act as the National Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman from his zone.”

    Read the full text of the statement below:

    Senator Abiola Ajimobi to Serve as APC Acting National Chairman

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has received the news indicating the Appeal Court has upheld the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, by an FCT High Court pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    Guided by advice from the party’s legal department in line with the provisions of Section 14.2. (iii) of the party’s constitution, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Senator Abiola Ajimobi, will serve as the party’s Acting National Chairman.

    According to Section 14.2. (iii) of the APC constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, North/South “Shall act as the National Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman from his zone.”

  • Is Senator Amosun really an “Alaseju”?

    Is Senator Amosun really an “Alaseju”?

    By Atanda Odewole

    Keen observers of Ogun State political developments are still trying to discern the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries. On one hand, the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) seems to be irreconcilably divided with the Dayo Adedayo led faction emerging victorious through the judicial process. This has almost certainly assured Senator Buruji Kashamu the gubernatorial ticket.

    On the other hand, the Ogun APC primaries brought a different dimension. While the PDP gladiators fought their battles in courts, the Ogun APC leaders opted to settle scores through the ballots. A former Governor of the State, in tango with an erstwhile Governor of Lagos State have pitched their tent with the official APC candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who emerged through a process described by most observers as lacking democratic participation by APC party members. In essence, Prince Abiodun’s emergence as the gubernatorial candidate was ordained by the aforementioned erstwhile Governors through the National Chairman of APC Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    The other party in the Ogun APC, simply opted to restructure their electoral participation through the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), where Governor Amosun’s preferred gubernatorial candidate and many others emerged as INEC recognised candidates for various elective offices.

    So what could have led to this scenario? Is this a case of Ogun APC becoming the jewel of the shrine in the 2023 political calculations of Capo Du Tutti? Or as some have suggested that the Governor is an “Alaseju”.

    Be that as it may, the point must be made that as fractious as APC appears, the opposition, as personified by PDP, is equally so weak that it poses little threat to the outcomes of the 2019 Ogun electoral battles.

    But in order to comprehend the causal factor of the Ogun APC fracture, it is necessary to highlight the departing pressure points. First is the October 2nd 2018 gubernatorial primary and second the October 7th primary. Both primaries were conducted by two different NWC panels led by Indabawa and Col. Ali Ciroma (Rtd.). The October 2nd 2019 primary conducted by the Indabawa NWC panel became controversial following the annulment of the primary results that threw up Hon. Abiodun Akinlade as the winner. On another note, the October 7th national and state assembly primaries were rancour-free and the results were declared by the NWC Panel Chairman Col. Ali Ciroma (Rtd). These results, won fairly by Amosun loyalists, were also jettisoned by the Chairman of APC Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on the instigation of the aforementioned erstwhile Governors. It is this that finally led to the parting of ways by the Ogun APC leaders.

    Bearing these in mind, the question that lingers in the minds of some who desired mechanical unity is that “Is Amosun an Alaseju?” As the leader of APC in Ogun State, Senator Amosun has tried his best to keep the party together as one family. Up till September 2018, before the primaries, the party was strong and united. If all other things were to remain equal, there is a high probability that the APC will coast home to victory in the 2019 governorship election without much ado.

    But the same cannot be said of Ogun APC today. The party is now in a big mess following the controversial primary election in which the mandate given to Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade was annulled and handed over to Mr. Dapo Abiodun by the Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. This was a rape of democracy, the height of injustice and the most inglorious electoral robbery ever perpetrated in the history of APC.

    It is only natural that the governor, who is the leader and conscience of the party, must respond to that development. In the midst of his response, which was not palatable to his detractors, we often hear a riposte that Senator Amosun is an “alaseju”, meaning, when literally translated, that he is overdoing things and cannot be kept under check. Haba! I am tempted to say that this kind of riposte on the part of some supposedly learned individuals lacks a sense of history and fails to understand the power play within the party.

    A recount of how the APC under Senator Amosun got to where it was, before hell was let loose, will clear the air. Prior to the 2015 elections, a group within the party led by a respected former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, stirred the hornets’ nest and decided to organise a parallel governorship primary in Ogun APC, which did not jell. In an attempt to avoid the shame of losing out in the primaries, Chief Osoba and co, including all their disgraced candidates, left APC to contest the election under the banner of Social Democratic Party (SDP). Osoba boasted to high heavens that the SDP would win the 2015 elections and put the Amosun-led APC to ignominy. As it turned out, the results showed that Chief Osoba and his group were electoral liabilities as they lost the 2015 elections woefully.

    The Amosun-led APC won the said elections with a landslide victory. Senator Amosun immediately initiated policies that transformed the APC into a virile and the most organised chapter of the party in the country. As it were, the rancour-free congresses of the party in May 2018 had kept the other chapters in the country wondering how the Ogun State chapter did it.

    Though Chief Osoba and co found themselves back in APC on the eve of 2015 elections, one cannot really blame them for this. Chief Osoba is a well discerned politician. He realised that while he was outside the APC, Senator Amosun had used his resources to build the party. There is nothing bad in wanting to be part of the success story. However, Chief Osoba and co had a different agenda; the intention was to come and hijack the APC structure and feed fat where they didn’t sow.

    What happened before, during and after the primaries in Ogun APC is no longer news. Chief Osoba, in concert with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman of the party, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, upturned the will of the people and imposed Mr. Dapo Abiodun as the governorship candidate of APC in Ogun State. The imposition of Mr. Dapo Abiodun was a volte-face.

    In his response to this treachery, Senator Amosun didn’t do anything unwieldy to warrant the shout of “alaseju” as some gullible observers would want us to believe.  He only allowed those who were cheated in the primaries to exercise their democratic rights. Would it be right for Senator Amosun to stop them from dumping APC and moving to a new party?

    Indeed it is unreasonable to expect Senator Amosun to agree to the Oshiomhole-led treachery. It would have amounted to committing a political hara-kiri, just as Wole Soyinka said: “The man dies in him who keeps silence in the face of tyranny.”

    Senator Amosun is perceived to have acted rightly by standing firm without betraying his conscience.