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2019: Coalition of Ebonyi youths backs Buhari, Sen. Ogbuoji

Coalition

By Douglas Okoro

Abakaliki, Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN)  Coalition of Ebonyi Youths Organisation, under the aegis of 2019 Buhari /Ogbuoji Youth Support Network, on Saturday in Abakaliki, declared support to the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

The group also said it was committed to ensuring the emergence of Sen. Sonni Ogbuoji as the next governor of Ebonyi in 2019.

The group embarked on a solidarity road walk to mobilise the youths of Ebonyi for the re-election of Buhari and the election of Ogbuoji.

The group said its commitment to the projects were due to Buhari’s outstanding performance and credible representation of Ogbuoji.

The spokesman of the coalition, Mr Eseni Ukoh, in an interview with journalists after the road walk, said that Buhari has demonstrated his ability to take Nigeria to the next level.

“What Nigerians want is good and transparent governance that will stimulate economic growth and development to improve the standard of living of the people”, Ukoh said.

“The president promised to tackle insecurity, corruption, power, unemployment; improve infrastructure and agriculture and his achievements in these areas can be seen everywhere.

“Ogbuoji is the only aspirant among other aspirants from the various political parties that possesses the experience, capacity and capability to wrest power from the ruling People’s Democratic Party in the state.

“He is a sitting senator, a former Commissioner for Economic Empowerment and Job Creation and one time chairman of the old Afikpo Local Government Area.

“His entry into the All Progressives Congress (APC) has helped to restructure and reposition the party and the evidence is what we are witnessing today.

“We are appealing to both the national and state leadership of APC to give him the party’s ticket and to let them know that no other aspirant that can deliver Ebonyi people from bad governance than Ogbuoji”, he added.

The coordinator who also spoke on the alleged recall of Ogbuoji by some group allegedly sponsored by politicians in the state, described the exercise as a show of ‘shame’ and an exercise in futility.

“They are only being afraid of the senator because they know that he is the only person that has all it takes to oust the sitting governor.

“These people are very jittery and that is why they have employed all sorts of devious, laughable and anti – democratic means to distract the senator.

“There are processes to follow in recalling a serving lawmaker by his or her constituents and not at a political rally.

“Ogbuoji is the only credible, experienced and competent person to lead the state and take Ebonyi people from the shackles of heavy taxation, political stagnation and general maladministration,” Ukoh said.

The spokesman stressed that the coalition with membership drawn from across the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi would not rest on its oars until Buhari is re-elected in 2019 and Ogbuoji emerged the next Ebonyi governor.

The Legislative Assistant to Ogbuoji, Mr Ifeanyi Ogba who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), commended the youths for the solidarity march and urged youths to support the re-election of Buhari and Ogbuoji ‘s gubernatorial aspiration.

“This is not a political rally, it is a road walk organised by a coalition of about five youths organisations to support the re-election of Buhari and the election of Ogbuoji as governor.

“The road walk commenced from Ishieke park at Water Works Road through Vanco and moved down to Ogbuoji ‘s campaign office along the Abakaliki-Enugu highway.

“I commend the youths for the orderly conduct and the display of their zeal for a change in the governance of Ebonyi in 2019. (NAN)

ODO /OU

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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Osun Poll: Observer group gives INEC pass mark

Report

By Taiye Agbaje

Abuja, Sept 22, 2018 (NAN) The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in partnership with Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the conduct of the Osun governorship election.

According to the Preliminary Report made available on Saturday by the CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, CDD -PTCIJ deployed 180 trained and accredited observers for the poll.

The group said its observers reported that election materials arrived in Polling Units (PUs) on time in most PUs and the accreditation and voting processes commenced with minimal hitches to the voting process.

‘’CDD-PTCIJ observer reports indicate that on the average, accreditation and voting processes commenced at 8:19 a.m. across 122 polling units observed across the 30 LGAs.

‘’The voter turnout is impressive compared to previous off-cycle elections. We are hopeful it may be at par with the 53 per cent turnout recorded in the last 2014 governorship election in the state,” it said.

According to the report, the voting process went on smoothly without significant hitches.

‘’In few instances, there were minor glitches with the smart card readers (SCR), but INEC technicians were on hand to fix them, an example is PU 04 located at Oja Oke Open Space, the voting session was momentarily halted to fix an issue with the card reader.

‘’On the whole, however, the voting process commenced promptly and mostly went on peacefully as citizens exercised their franchise,” it said.

The report also revealed that the INEC’s new policy on vote buying was commendable.

‘’The ban of the use of mobile phones and other recording devices in voting cubicles by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) largely thwarted blatant vote buying.

‘’In most of the polling units where we observed the ongoing election, voters willingly complied with the policy, and in a case where such attempt to violate the policy, law enforcement agents and INEC officials saw to its enforcement.

The group, however, commended INEC on what it called ‘’the introduction of tactile ballots in the elections.” (NAN)

TOA/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Mrs Buhari heads to New York for meeting on ending HIV/AIDS

Meeting
By Ahmed Ubandoma
Abuja, Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, will on Sunday depart for New York to participate in the  Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFLA) against HIV/AIDS meeting.

According to the itinerary of the visit made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by her Director, Information, Mr Suleiman Haruna on Saturday in Abuja, the OAFLA event will be conducted at the sideline of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

Mrs Buhari who is one of the global Ambassadors and advocate against the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa is expected to make her commitment to end the menace.

Mrs Buhari will also deliver the keynote address at a reception to honour individuals and NGOs that champion the cause of reducing the spread of Tuberculosis around the globe, tagged STOP TB Partnership.

Other events to be attended by the president’s wife include advocacy meeting on Global call for Elimination of Cervical Cancer as well as OAFLA high-level meeting on Breast and Cervical Cancer.

Mrs Buhari will also engage African First Ladies in a technical Advisory working Lunch with the theme “ Free to shine Campaign Resources of HIV in Africa.”

She is also expected to join the wife of the President of Niger Republic Mrs Malika Issoufou, at another event on fistula, with the theme Impact of Country Intervention: Fistula ILLIMIN Adolescent Girls Programme. (NAN)
AMU/MZA
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Ribadu seeks to dislodge Bindow in Adamawa governorship race

Ribadu

By Yakubu Uba

Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) Former EFCC boss, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has formally declared his intention to challenge incumbent Governor Muhamadu Bindow for the 2019 Adamawa governorship ticket under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing party official at the state secretariat on Saturday in Yola, Ribadu said Gov. Bindow has performed below expectation, as such the APC needs a new face to make a difference.

“Give me the chance and opportunity to make the difference.

“Our dear state is facing a number of developmental challenges that require urgent, holistic and strategic handling.

“We do not need cosmetics, which do not address fundamental issues that are cornerstone to our development as a people.

” It takes visionary leadership with capacity and modern thinking to provide that needed redirection, beyond deceptive makeup.

“It is this much-needed leadership that I promise to offer to our people.

“I come with genuine intention and I have a burning passion to change the fortunes of our people for good.

“With all sense of humility, I believe I possess the requisite credentials, both academic and character, required to move this state forward.

“I will run an all-inclusive government where all stakeholders like you truly have stakes,” Ribadu said.

He urged party officials to ensure level playing ground for all aspirants.

“As we move into the primaries, what we require from you, our party leaders, is utmost level of responsibility by allowing free and fair contest.

” We cannot afford to manipulate our party into failure. Injustice can never stand. Even if it does, it would be on shaky foundations which can collapse at any time.

“Therefore, skewing a process like the primaries to favour one person, even though unpopular, may only lead our great party to failure, something no genuine party member would desire.”

Responding, the Adamawa APC chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Bilal, lauded Ribadu for his commitment to the party and assured him and other aspirants of level playing field.

“I want to assure you of free and fair primaries and the commitment of the party executives to fully support any candidate that emerge,” Bilal said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that apart from Ribadu and Bindow, another aspirant, Dr Halilu Ahmed is also seeking the party’s endorsement to fly its flag for the governorship race. (NAN)
AMA/YMU/MZA

Edited by Yakubu Musa/Maharazu Ahmed

NCP
By Bolaji Buhari
Lagos, Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) Mr Funsho Awe, an Anglican Church priest, on Saturday emerged as the governorship candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) for the 2019 elections in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Awe, who was unopposed, emerged after delegates overwhelmingly endorsed him in a `Yes or No’ vote at the primaries.

NAN reports that candidates for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate also emerged via consensus of the 120 delegates.

Mr Ayodele Akele,the NCP National General Secretary and former labour union leader in the state, emerged as the Lagos West Senatorial candidate, while Mr Marcus Eyahon and Mr Hector Onajobi emerged East and Central Senatorial candidates respectively.

The state chairman of the party, Mr Fatai Ibu-Owo, also emerged as one of the state house of assembly candidates for the Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 1 Seat.

The process for picking the party’s candidates was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by Mr Titus Ugwuegbu.

Speaking at the primaries, Ibu-Owo said the exercise was a major step in the party’s preparations for the 2019 elections.

He added that the party was determined to win Lagos in 2019 and that the party had selected credible candidates to help actualise that objective.

The party chairman said the All Progressives Congress had failed to address the problems of the people in the state and the NCP was ready to provide a credible alternative.

“Lagos under APC has failed .There is the collapse of infrastructure and the poverty is high among the people even with rising debt of the state.

“We are determined to change the narrative of despair and picture of gloom. We are determined to deliver real governance to Lagosians.

“NCP is the party for the masses and by God’s grace, we will rescue the state in 2019, ‘’he said.

He commended the peaceful conduct of delegates at the primaries, saying the successful conduct showed that NCP was a truly democratic party.

Ibu-Owo, however, told party members to see the primaries as just one step in the journey to win the state, urging them to do their best to drive the party to victory.

The chairman said that the party would kick off its campaign at the right time to sell its socialist 10-point agenda to deliver impactful development.

Awe, while thanking delegates for picking him, said that Lagos needed somebody with the right vision to fix the problems in the state.

He decried what he called the near collapse of critical sectors such as education, health and environment in the state, saying residents were not feeling the impact of governance.

Awe said he had the capacity, the drive and the passion to reposition the state and make it a model state in Africa.

“I am on a mission to build a Lagos that prioritises the welfare of the people as the source of its wealth and, therefore, gives the citizenry a sense of belonging in government.

“I am also on a mission to invest in human and natural resources development, community service, poverty alleviation, safety, accountability, transparency and the development of the commonwealth, ‘’ he added.

The governorship candidate urged residents to believe in his agenda to make things better in the state.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the primaries, Mr Hakeem Keshinro, said that all the candidates for all the seats were unopposed.

He said that the governorship aspirants were two until Mr Ibrahim Adelabu wrote the party he was stepping down for Awe.

Keshinro said Awe was subjected to a `Yes or No’ vote to ensure that his emergence was a decision of all party members even without an opponent. (NAN)
BHB/AJA
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

Omagbitse, emerges ANRP’s AMAC, Bwari Reps candidate, Lawrence gets FCT Senate ticket
ANRP
By Angela Atabo
Abuja Sept.22, 2018(NAN) Mr Barrow Omagbitse on Saturday emerged as the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) House of Representatives candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council(AMAC) and Bwari Federal constituencies .

Omagbitse at the ANRP’s primaries contested the position with Olu Ricketts and got 144 votes out of the 183 delegates accredited for the election.

He promised to revamp the education sector and champion a renaissance that would change the cause of the FCT for the benefit of all.

He said he would set up offices where people could go to lay complaints on any crime or irregularities going on in the society to enhance good governance.

The candidate said that he chose to contest on the platform of ANRP because it was a party for the youths and with a difference.

ANRP’s FCT Chairman,Mr Partrick Okonkwo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the party adopted direct primary to elect its candidate to avoid the cases that usually came with indirect primary.

“We had to adopt the option A4 system to ensure that everyone is carried along and to curb malpractices and falsification of results.

“Now that the primary is done,the party will hit the ground running in support of the candidates to ensure they win.’’he said

He said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials monitored the process.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Olarenwaju Lawrence was also elected as the senatorial candidate of the party for the FCT .(NAN)
ATAB/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-
Installation
Omu-Aran (Kwara) Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) Oba Abduraheem Adeoti, the newly-installed traditional ruler of Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara, has called for presence of more government establishments in order to move the community forward.

Adeoti made the call during his installation as the 27th Olomu of Omu-Aran at the Olomu’s palace in Omu-Aran, Kwara on Saturday.

Adeoti’s installation was sequel to his recent approval by the state government, being the kingmakers’ nominee to occupy the vacant stool following the death of Oba Charles Ibitoye who died on Nov. 30, 2017 after a brief illness.

The new monarch who hails from Olaelu Ijoko ruling house, said the presence of more government establishments would fast track commercial and socio-economic development of the community.

Adeoti, who recognised and paid tributes to past traditional rulers of the town, said that their reign brought unprecedented developments to the community.

He said that the demand for more developmental projects was informed by the high level of expansion and infrastructure development going on in the community.

According to him, presently, the growth pattern is beyond what can be termed as just urban centre.

“It would not be an exaggeration to say that Omu-Aran’s physical expansion is already engulfing its immediate adjoining settlements and turning it to what can be termed as Urban Conurbation.

“Omu-Aran as an emerging urban centre has an approximate population of about 150,000 people and unarguably the third largest settlement in Kwara State.

“Omu-Aran has a threshold population that can support the provision of specialised services like university, specialist hospital, ultra-modern markets and fire services stations, among others, ‘’ Adeoti said.

Mr Muyiwa Oladipo, Chairman of Irepodun Local Government Area, in his remarks, praised both the government and the kingmakers for ensuring a peaceful and transparent succession processes.

Oladipo, while appealing for more support for government policies and programmes, pledged the support of the council to the new monarch in order to achieve success in his new post.

Chief Jide Adebayo, the Eesa of Omu-Aran, who formally presented Adeoti to the community, called for stakeholders support toward the growth, progress and development of the community.

Present at the installation were government functionaries, religious leaders, traditional rulers as well as friends and associates of the new monarch. (NAN)
ISHO/AJA
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

Flood

Abdullahi Shugaba

Auyo (Jigawa), Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) The District Head of Auyo in Jigawa, Alhaji Umar Baffa,  wept openly on Saturday over the devastation caused by flood in Auyo town and other villages in the district.

Baffa, who holds the title of Sarkin Auyon Hadejia, said at his palace that the flood, caused by the overflow of Hadeja-Jamaare River, completely submerged the town and neighbouring communities.

“Three of my people died and properties worth N3.5 billion were lost in the flooding that submerged the town and some villages in my domain.

“ For two days water was overflowing from the Hadejia-Jama’are River to Auyo, and before we could do anything, the water submerged the town and the neighbouring villages.

“The villages included Jura, Rafeji, Uza, Gamakwai, Zabaro, Ayama among others.

“In the process, three people got missing and we immediately put up a search team and their bodies were later found.

“Many houses, farmlands, animals and other properties were destroyed during the flooding,” the monarch said.

A businessman, Alhaji Isa Auyo, who lost 10 trailer loads of fertilizer, said it was a devastating experience.

“You can see the whole town is submerged; all the people have deserted the town and are now taking refuge in various Internally Displaced Person (IDPs) camps across the state.

“I am really worried about the plight of the people and I appeal to the government, individuals and corporate organisations to rescue us from this catastrophe.

He said that the state government had already undertaken an assessment of the damage and brought food and medicines.

The businessman Auyo added: ”This is not the first time we are experiencing this episode in Auyo town,  we had similar incident in 2001, but the current one is more devastating.

“I am appealing to the Federal Government to look into ways of tacking this recurring phenomena.

“We were told that the water was from River Congo which overflowed through Cameroon to Lake Chad Basin causing havoc in many places in Nigeria.

“I urge the federal government to do something to control the water so that that it can pass through our rivers with low velocity without causing any harm to us.

“I also want the Federal Government to include Jigawa among the 11 states where a state of emergency was declared over flooding.” (NAN)
AIS/MZA

Group says Osun poll improvement over Anambra, Ekiti governorship elections

Improvement

By Angela Atabo
Abuja, Sept.22, 2018 (NAN) YIAGA Africa,a Civil Society Organsiation, says Saturday’s governorship election in Osun is an improvement on previous polls.

Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, a board member of the group, said this in a midday situation report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) for the feat which included the early opening of polling booths for the poll.

Nwagwu said that the group under its Watching The Vote(WTV) initiative had deployed more than 500 observers to monitor the Osun election in 250 polling units.

“Watching The Vote commends INEC on continued improvements to the timely opening of polling units, as compared to the Anambra and Ekiti gubernatorial elections.

“ In Anambra, INEC officials were observed in only 28 per cent of polling units by 7:30 a.m. and accreditation and voting had begun by 9 a.m. in 39 per cent of polling units.

“In Osun , INEC officials were observed in 78 per cent of polling units by 7:30 a.m. and accreditation and voting commenced in 91 per cent by 9:00am.

“Watching The Vote however noted two polling units where observers were initially turned away: Ife-East LGA where voters obstructed the observers from carrying out their tasks .

“Secondly , Ifelodun LGA where observers were prevented from observing by political party agents,as of 12:00 noon, but both of these situations had been resolved.’’

Nwagwu said that in view of the foregoing, YIAGA Africa WTV following its preliminary observation recommended that voters should respect the secrecy of the ballot.(NAN)
ATAB/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf