Author: Isah Mukhtar

Melaye survives recall as INEC releases results of signatures verification

Melaye

Lokoja, April 29, 2018 (NAN) The bid to recall Sen.Dino Melaye from the Senate has finally crashed as only 5.34 per cent of the total 188,500 signatories to his recall petition were verified in an exercise held on Saturday.

The result of the verification released early Sunday in Lokoja by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that 39,285 of the signatories were verified, out of which only 18,762 signatures were genuine.

The genuine signatories represent a dismal 5.34 per cent of the total signatories to the petition, which fell short of 51 per cent or 98, 364 signatures required for the petition to sail through.

It was observed that the verification failed largely due to fictitious and forged signatures and names of dead persons affixed to the recall petition by its promoters.

The News Agency Of Nigeria ( NAN) recalls that some electorate in the Kogi West senatorial district had on June 24, 2017 submitted a petition to recall Melaye to the headquarters of the INEC in Abuja.

One Mr Cornelius Olowo led the petitioners to submit the recall petition which alleged poor representation as one of the reasons for the move to recall Melaye.

However, the INEC’s presiding officer for the verification exercise , Prof. Okente Morthy of the university of Abuja said that the number of signatures verified fell short of the number required.

He consequently gave the breakdown of the results of the verification exercise which took place in 552 polling units in seven local government areas in Kogi West senatorial district .

According to him, in Kogi Local Government with 46,727 registered voters and a total number of 24,459 signatures to the petition , only 2,335 were verified out of 2,566 signatures recorded during verification.

He said that at Kabba/Bunu Local Government with 59,319 registered voters and 27,910 petitioners , only 2,085 signatures were verified to be genuine out of 2,151 that came out for the exercise.

Also at Ijumu Local Government, with 46, 810 registered voters and 24, 389 petitioners , 2,664 were verified out of 2, 811, the returning officer announced.

According to Morthy, others are Yagba East, 35, 329 registered voters, 18, 229 petitioners while 3,506 were verified out of 3, 580 recorded at verification.

At Mopa-Amuro Local Government with 18, 350 and 9, 173, signatures, 710 were verified out of the 729 recorded

However, the Returning Officer, said that there was violence in six polling units at the Mopa town towards the end of the exercise, forcing the INEC to nullify the exercise in the affected wards.

At Yagba West which has 35, 506 registered voters and 19, 444 signatories, only 3,729 petitioners were verified out of the 4, 221 that turned up, the returning officer stated.

In Lokoja Local Government with 109,105 registered voters and 66,266 petitioners, INEC said that 3,763 were verified out of the 4, 810 recorded during the botched verification exercise. (NAN)
KKA /
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08033702984

Note to editors: This story was earlier moved with the title: Not many turned up for verification.

Verification
By Kola Adeyemi

Lokoja, April 28, 2018 ( NAN) Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  cannot be held responsible for the poor turnout of petitioners in  Saturday’s verification of signatures for the recall of Sen. Dino Melaye, an official has said.

The INEC Federal Commissioner in-charge of Kogi, Kwara and Nasarawa states, Alhaji Mohammed Haruna, made the statement in Lokoja shortly after the end of the exercise.

Haruna said that the main concern of INEC was to ensure transparency in the process, insisting that the organisation was neutral in the bid to recall Melaye from the Senate.

“Turnout is not our problem; turnout is the problem of parties concerned, ours is to ensure transparency,” Haruna said.

Commenting on insinuations that INEC might tamper with the wish of the people, the commissioner said that nothing like that would happen, stressing that the agency had no interest in who won or lost in the matter.

“Nothing untoward will happen, I assure you . Whatever happened at the polling units is what INEC will announce,” he stated.

Commenting on the mix up in the list of petitioners, Haruna said that mistakes in such exercise was normal but gave an assurance that the mistakes would be corrected.

He lauded the peaceful conduct of the people before and during the exercise.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in Koton Karfe and Lokoja, the people conducted themselves well, although the turnout was poor.

At Ukwo polling unit in Koton Karfe, 18 out of 440 petitioners came for the verification, while at Oworo polling unit in Felele area of Lokoja, none of the 815 petitioners showed up.

Also at polling unit 004 of Ward 3 in Lokoja, 32 out of the 1,251 petitioners showed up.

During the exercise, there was no case of malfunctioning of card reader machines while security personnel adequately manned the polling centres.

Melaye, representing Kogi West in the Assembly, has been struggling to retain his seat following a petition by some of his constituents in 2017 that he was not representing them well.

The senator’s accusers gathered signatures to demand his recall but Melaye, who accused the state Governor, Mr Yahaya Bello, of being the mastermind of the plot,  mobilised his supporters to resist the move.

He subsequently approached the court to stop the process but could not get the relief he sought at the Court of Appeal. (NAN)
KKA/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

Cultism

By Bolaji Buhari

Lagos,April 28,2018(NAN) Alhaji Fathiu Salisu, the Chairman of Ijede Local Council Development Area, Ikorodu, Lagos state, said no fewer than 500 youths in the area had renounced cultism and embraced peace.

Salisu, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Saturday in Lagos, said the development was made possible with the intervention of the council and other stakeholders.

The chairman said the area used to be a battle ground for cultists who unleashed terror on one another as well as innocent residents.

“Ijede used to be known for deadly cult activities with no fewer than two to three people killed on a weekly basis.

“But we thank God all now belonged to the past as residents are now enjoying peace.

“At our own level in the council, what we did was to set up a committee to look at the situation and see if we could bring the youths to embrace peace.

“We appointed people who could talk to them into the committee and they engaged the youths, leading to the renunciation of cultism by 500 of them.

“We also carried security agencies along in the process.

”The Commissioner of Police, Mr Edgal Imohinmi, was in fact here to witness the laying down of arms by cultists.’

He noted that residents now had a new lease of life following end of cult activities in the area.

Salisu said cult killings were once so high that Ijede became notorious for cult activities at a time.

He expressed delight that the situation had since changed for peace with the intervention of the council, security agencies and other stakeholders.

“The youths have been engaged in various vocational programmes facilitated by the council, we are now enjoying peace in Ijede.”

He said his administration had impacted positively on the lives of residents when he became chairman nine months ago.

Salisu said the council, recently, organised free medical outreach for the people during which now fewer than 500 residents benefitted from the programme.

He also said that the council had built six blocks of classrooms and fenced Anwarul Islam Primary School, Ijede.

The chairman said  the council also constructed roads and rehabilitated others in the area to ease movement of people and goods.

He said empowerment support had been given to residents among other things.

The chairman thanked Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode for support the council and other local governments in the state.

He said the governor’s performance and guidance had also spurred council to deliver dividends of democracy at the grassroots.

Salisu, who said the development of Ijede was an ongoing project, promised to his best to further the develop the area (NAN)

BHB/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

Shunning of Melaye recall exercise a verdict on the APC – PDP

Recall

By Kola Adeyemi

Lokoja, April 28, 2018 (NAN) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the poor turn out that characterized Saturday’s bid to recall Sen. Dino Melaye (APC/Kogi West) signified a total rejection of the Gov. Yahaya Bello-led administration in Kogi.

“`The general apathy that greeted the exercise, in spite of government efforts to mobilise people to participate, is a clear indication that the APC has lost relevance in Kogi,” PDP said in a statement signed by Mr Dickson Achadu,  Director, Research and Documentation.

The statement was issued on Saturday in Lokoja, shortly after INEC conducted its verification exercise for the recall process.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise witnessed a very low turn out with some polling units in Lokoja, Kabba, Ijumu and other local governments recording zero votes.

In Kabba, INEC officials were threatened by youths, while some women and youth groups sang songs praising Dino Melaye and vowing to resist any attempt to disgrace him out of office.

The PDP, while accusing Bello of trying to force the idea on the people, said that the rejection of the recall process had confirmed that he had lost value in Kogi.

It thanked leaders and people of Kogi West senatorial district for heeding its call to shun the exercise.

“The failure of the recall exercise is an indication that the present administration is not popular which, of course, is only natural because it has inflicted poverty, hardship and suffering on the people,” the statement said.

The PDP accused the state government of being insensitive to the plight of the people, and condemned the Bello-led administration several months salaries and pensions.

“It is unfortunate that in spite of the massive resources available to the present administration, no visible development has been witnessed in the last three years.

“The failure of the recall process is a signal that the people have bid the administration goodbye.

“We want to advise Bello to start packing his load; the red card signal is clear. It is an indication that Gov. Bello and his APC’s time in Kogi is up,” the statement said. ( NAN)
KKA /ETS
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Ephraims Sheyin

Electorate shun INEC recall process, say Melaye excellent representative

Recall

By Aledare Akinwale

Kabba(Kogi), April 28, 2018 (NAN) Voters in Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in Kogi have shunned the ongoing verification exercise organised by INEC to authenticate the signatures of voters seeking to recall Sen. Dino Melaye (APC/Kogi West).

Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), monitoring the exercise in Melaye’s Kogi West Senatorial District, observed that the polling units were empty, with many people claiming that they were not aware of it.

At some areas, youths protested against the move to recall the senator who they described as “an excellent representative”.

An NYSC member, Miss Opemipo Solomon, the INEC officer at Akafe Lane polling unit, said that no one had shown up since they arrived the voting venue at 6.45 a.m.

“No one has come to sign the recall papers; what we have had so far are threats from people asking us leave this place.

“The people do not appear interested in what we are doing. Some youths have come to warn us against staying here,” she said.

Another corps member, David Adah, INEC presiding officer at the Odo Akete polling unit also in kabba, said that many youths were angry over the recall process.

“So many youths from the community are angry; they have alleged that their signatures were forged to endorse the recall process.

“Most of the youths, who saw their names among those that signed for the recall of Melaye, have disowned the signatures and insisted that they are happy with the Senator,” he said.

At the embattled senator’s polling unit in Ayetoro Gbede, a traditional ruler, Chief Ojo Adekunle, who led some youths to protest against the recall process, said that they were not aware of Melaye’s offence.

“Melaye has done so well and we are happy with him; we have no reason to want to recall him,” he said.

Adekunle told NAN that Melaye was the best Senator Kogi West had ever produced, and urged his people not to betray their representative at this trying period.

Mrs. Vicoria Ajewole, APC Woman Leader in Kabba Local Government, expressed surprise at the recall process, and declared that “it won”t work”.

“Melaye is our son; there is no way anyone can recall him,” she said.

At the central area of Kabba town, youths were seen chanting songs in praise of Sen. Dino Melaye.

They vowed to resist attempt to disgrace him.

Efforts to speak with INEC officials at the commission’s office in Kabba proved abortive as they refused to comment on the exercise

Stern-looking Policemen keeping vigil at the polling points also refused to comment on the exercise. (NAN)

WAL/ETS

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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

Recall
Lokoja, April 27, 2018 (NAN) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed its members in Kogi State to vote against the recall of Sen. Dino Melaye during the verification of signatures of petitioners holding on April 28.

In a statement in Lokoja on Friday, the party said that it was not in support of the recall of Melaye from the beginning.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed April 28 for the verification of signatures the petitioners that signed for the recall of Melaye.

INEC said that the verification would hold from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in 552 of 560 polling units in the seven local governments that make up Kogi West Senatorial District.

Meanwhile, Mr Dickson Achadu, the PDP Director of Research and Documentation, who signed the statement, described the attempt to recall Melaye as a product of an internal crisis in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He, therefore, urged his party members to distance themselves from the exercise.

However, the party said it was in support of the senator’s agitation for good welfare for workers and the downtrodden, adding that the state had been made a laughing stock.

The statement urged INEC and security agencies to guard against being used in the plan to forcefully deny Kogi West quality representation at the senate.

The party further urged its members to remain peaceful and law-abiding but refrain from submitting to intimidation and inducement by the sponsors of the recall.

Meanwhile, the Police Command in the state has assured the people of Kogi West senatorial district that the exercise would be peaceful and violence-free.

The Police Commissioner, Mr Ali Janga, in a statement, urged them to cooperate with the security agencies to ensure that criminal elements do not hijack the process.

The statement signed by the police spokesman, ASP William Aya, said that Janga warned political thugs as well as those who do not have business at the polling units to stay away.

He also expressed the command’s readiness to deal with any miscreants, urging law-abiding citizens to go about their lawful businesses.

He also advised members of the public to always avail the security agencies with credible information on the existence of criminal elements in any part of the state. (NAN)
KKA/NKO/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

Dino’s recall : INEC to verify signatures of petitioners April 28

Recall

Lokoja, April 25, 2018 (NAN The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it will commence the verification of signatures of those seeking the recall of Sen. Dino Melaye on April 28.

INEC Federal Commissioner, Mr Mohammed Haruna, made the disclosure at a stakeholders meeting on Wednesday in Lokoja over the commencement of the recall process.

He explained that the verification exercise would hold in 552 polling units in seven local governments under Kogi West senatorial district.

According to him, the verification will hold from 8 am to 2 pm using the card reading machines to authenticate the voter cards of those that signed the recall petition.

“ Only those who signed the petition are expected to turn up at their polling units for verification,” Haruna said.

Also speaking , the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Prof. James Apam said that local observers would be allowed to monitor the exercise.

He explained, however, that the verification exercise will not hold in eight polling units as no petition was received from them.

The REC said that no party agents would be allowed access to any of the polling units, adding that the result of the exercise will be announced on April 29.

“ We have concluded all arrangements in line with our schedule of activities and are set for the exercise.

“ The adhoc staff have been trained at the state and local government levels and materials procured and sent to the registration area centres ready for movement to the polling units on the day of verification,” Apam explained.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders meeting was attended by representatives of registered political parties, civil society organisations, media, police, army, civil defence and other paramilitary organisations. ( NAN)
KKA /MZA
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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Appeal
By Awayi Kuje
Gitata (Nasarawa state) April 25,2018 (NAN) Mr Turaki Robo, the Village head of Gitata community in Nasarawa state has appealed to the state government to provide the community with basic amenities to improve the people’s standard of living.

Danlami Robo made the appeal on Wednesday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gitata, Karu Local Government Area of the state.

He said the community lacked potable water and public power, a situation he said had forced residents to resort to borehole water and generating set provided by individuals.

“Gov. Tanko Almakura must be commended for the giant strides of his administration to develop the state and ensure that the efforts of his government have direct bearing on the lives of the people.

“The governor has done his best, but I want to appeal to him to provide this area with social amenities. We lack portable water supply, electricity and among others,” he said.

Danlami Robo called on the people of the area to continue to support the Almakura-led administration to enable it succeed.

The village head also urged the people to co-exist peacefully, irrespective of affiliation in order to achieve speedy development for the community and the state at large.

He also advised the people, especially the youth, to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and shun acts capable of tarnishing their image and the community.(NAN)
AKW/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

Commitment
Abuja, April 25, 2018 (NAN) The new President of Abuja Country Club, Alex Osakwe, has called for more commitment and support from members to efforts to reposition the club and take it to greater heights.

Osakwe, while making the appeal in his acceptance speech after being sworn in on Tuesday, however said he has absolute confidence in the new members of the club’s executive committee.

“They are committed members of the club, and are willing to build on existing facilities which will attract new members to the club.

“However, I promise that we shall not disappoint while at the same time, I urge all members to ensure they play their part properly in uplifting the club’s ideals,’’ he said.

Osakwe commended the club’s outgoing executive committee, led by Felix Nwankwo, and pledged to build on the successes it recorded.

He said the new executive committee would set up committees to address critical issues at the club, “especially in the area of completing ongoing projects and repositioning the club to attract new members’’.

The new president also pledged to complete the ongoing construction of squash court and swimming pool, which had been abandoned for years now.

He called on members to be willing to support and be ready to make sacrifices for the club’s development.

Speaking earlier, the outgoing President of the club had thanked the members for their support throughout his four-year tenure.

“We recall with great joy the events of the Manifesto Night and the subsequent election on April 12, which was highly successful.

“We call for continuous support for the new executive committee, as the Exco members will be expected to take the club to higher heights,’’he said.

Nwankwo charged the club’s new leadership to build on existing structures, particular in the maintenance of existing tennis courts, revamping the swimming pool and completing the squash court.

He pointed out that the facilities, when completed, would help to attract new members who are willing to exercise their respective bodies.

“I am handing over to you, a vibrant club in a decent environment. Abuja club is the place to be, as we normally say,’’ the club president added.

Members of the new executive committee include Albert Ukpogolo as First Vice-President, Ngozi Ikwueme as Second Vice-President, and Julius Enehikhuere as Secretary-General.

The rest are Kola Balogun as Financial Secretary, Sulaiman Bukar as Club Secretary, Mohamed Shehu as Treasurer, Brendan Bassey as Property Secretary, and three Ex-officio Members. (NAN)
AIK/JIE/OLAL
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(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere and Olawale Alabi)

Barrack
By Moses Omorogieva
Lagos, April 24, 2018 (NAN) The Oke-Oko, Oke-Tapa and Isawo communities in Ikorodu, Lagos State, have earmarked 10 acres for the construction of military barrack in the area.
The traditional ruler of the communities, Chief Muse Ibrahim, said that the gesture was in appreciation of the military’s efforts in ending militancy and pipeline vandalism in the areas.
Ibrahim told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday that the communities have continued to enjoy relative peace devoid of militancy and vandalism in the past two years.

The royal father noted that the continued presence of security agents had deterred militants and other criminals from operating in the area.
The traditional ruler said that the land was part of the areas previously occupied by suspected militants and vandals who unleashed terror and killed many residents of the area.
Ibrahim also commended Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode for his efforts at ending militancy and pipeline vandalism in the area.
“We want to really appreciate the governor for his swift response and handling of the issues of militancy, pipeline vandalism, kidnappings, armed robbery which terrorized our areas through the creeks.
“His immediate response and assistance in the area of quick deployment of special military joint taskforce and other security agencies to our areas helped us greatly in restoring peace to the various communities.
“We also thank the governor for the deployment of swamp buggy excavator which were used to clear the creeks where the militants operated and caused us havoc,” he said.

The traditional ruler commended the Lagos State Government on the ongoing construction of a major road linking Agric-Owutu-Isawo areas of Ikorodu with Arepo on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
“The road leading to Lagos – Ibadan Expressway will bring rapid economic development to the area. The road will attract revenue to the state and communities,” he noted.
NAN recalls that the Inspector-General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, on Aug. 4, 2016 visited Isawo creeks and deployed joint military taskforce to dislodge militants and vandals from the area.
No fewer than five policemen and two soldiers, including an army captain, were killed after the militants and members of the Joint Task Force clashed on April 9, 2017. (NAN)
MIO/WOJ
Edited by Wale Ojetimi