Obasanjo re-echoes do-or-die politics at Jonathan’s Lagos rally

by nigerian newspapers today on March 2, 2011 · 1 comment

in Featured Headline News, News, Politics

The ‘do-or-die’ electoral philosophy espoused by former in the build-up to the 2007 elections resonated on Tuesday as the former president again said in Lagos that he would never allow the to lose the April elections.

Though he did not clarify how he would do it this time around, Obasanjo, at the party’s presidential rally at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, sang in Yoruba, “Lau erebe, erebe lau; Obasanjo oni gba kadibo kama wole o, lau erebe, erebe lau.”

Literally translated, the song means, “Bravo is the song of the day, Obasanjo cannot condone, Obasanjo would resist if we vote and we dont win.”

In , the Ogun State capital, on February 10, 2007 during a meeting of the PDP members and stakeholders, Obasanjo had reportedly said that the elections were a do-or-die affair for his party.

Obasanjo had said then, “It is left to you to ensure that we elect credible and committed leaders. I commend those of you in the PDP for your efforts so far. I will campaign. This election is a do-or-die affair for me and the PDP. This coming election is a matter of life and death for PDP and Nigeria.”

Though, he clarified later that the election would only be a do-or-die affair to prevent those who might drag the nation backward from coming to power, the opposition said the statement was behind the massive rigging that hallmarked the 2007 poll which both local and international observers condemned as falling short of acceptable democratic standards.

The late President Umaru Yar’Adua at his inauguration on May 29, 2007, admitted that the election that brought him to power was faulty.

Till date, judicial contests over the election that held almost four years ago are still raging while the results of the poll in several states have been upturned by the courts.

The courts, for instance, had sacked the PDP governors enthroned in Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and Edo states, while the victory of many erstwhile members of national and state assemblies had been equally upturned.

At the Tafawa Balewa Square on Tuesday, Obasanjo assured President that he would win the April 9 presidential poll.

He told the president, “I know that you have flagged off your zonal campaign in the South-West, but this is the first time you are beginning the state by state campaign in this region and you are beginning with Lagos. You have given the state the pride of place which it deserves.

“Mr. President, people normally say they do not want history to repeat itself; it is bad history that must never repeat itself. When the history is good, we should pray that it repeats itself. In this TBS venue, your predecessor, late President Umaru Yar’Adua, campaigned here about four years ago and won the presidential election, that is good history. Having been on this platform this time around, all that you need from me is to congratulate you. Let us congratulate ourselves for this victory.”

However, Jonathan, in another variant of the Ibadan declaration, said Lagos was too important to be left in the hands of politicians, noting that the country’s economic strength was dependent on some buoyancy of commercial activities in the state.

The president had reportedly said during the flag-off of his campaign in the South-West that the geo-political zone was too important to be left in the hands of rascals.

He promised to partner with Lagos State for its continuous growth and economic buoyancy. He explained that for the country to realise its 2020 vision, it could not afford to neglect the state.

Jonathan said, “We have taken this period to study what we are going to do and by your mandate in May 29, we will hit the ground running. Lagos is a very important state that no politician will play with it. You would have realised that on resumption of office as President, I have visited Lagos more than any other state. I brought some of my programme to Lagos because I know that for you to fix the economy of Nigeria; you must know what is happening in Lagos State and you must work with the people.

“Lagos is unique for three reasons: population, which is not the key thing; it is the most cosmopolitan state in Nigeria- in every one kilometre square you will see tribes from different parts of the country staying there. So, it is a state that the government must take serious. But more importantly, if our ambition to play big by the year 2020 must be realised, then of course we must stimulate commerce and industry and you cannot do that without Lagos. From bank deposits and loans, Lagos State controls more than 50 per cent of the economy of the country.

“So, you cannot play with such a segment of our population. That is why we have shown interest in Lagos and we will continue to do that because we want to change things and move the state and the country forward. One thing we must do is to stimulate industries in Lagos; we want all the factories to pick up again. We will work with all the relevant agencies to get that done.”

Jonathan also noted the South-West had produced the likes of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Ladoke Akintola, Chief MKO Abiola, among others, saying it was the spirit with which those great leaders had worked that his administration would adopt.

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Anti – Obasanjo protest rocks Abeokuta

by Nigerian Information Directory on February 16, 2011 · 0 comments

in Politics

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State on Tuesday embarked on a protest against former .

The PDP’s faction, believed to be loyal to Governor Gbenga Daniel, accused Obasanjo of injustice and high handedness.

The group also vowed to embark on a prolong fasting and prayer against what it described as an alleged injustice being perpetrated in the state.

Party supporters drawn from all the 20 local government areas in the state had converged at the faction’s secretariat as early as 8am and from there, proceeded to major streets in .

The development that let to heavy traffic across the metropolis, with commuters stranded at bus stops for several hours

The protesters moved round the major streets of Abeokuta with different placards with inscriptions such as “OBJ Going! Going! Gone,” “Judiciary, enough of kangaroo injunctions,” “Ogun PDP says no to OBJ,” and “OGD is our leader in Ogun”.

The group also criticised the non-acceptance of the list of the PDP’s primaries submitted by the faction to the Independent National Electoral Commission and denied it alleged plan to defect to another party just vowed to remain in the PDP.

The PDP’s State Chairman, Mr. Joju Fadairo, while speaking at the rally, described the crisis rocking the party as temporary, assuring the faithful that the party would rise above the present challenges.

He said he was optimistic about various court injunctions and expressed the hope that the position of the group would soon be validated by the courts.

He said, “Our coming here today is to tell them that we have not left the party, we are still in this party. I assure you we shall conquer all odds because we are the owner of the PDP. We are not going anywhere.”

The PDP governorship candidate of the faction, Mr. Gboyega Isiaka, who also spoke at the rally, expressed hope in the judiciary and insisted that he would not give up the struggle.

He said, “I want to assure you that the mandate you gave me on January 9, 2011 is still sure. We are still going to conquer. We will commit everything we have on this struggle but there shall be no violence. Justice is on our side. We have respected them enough, though justice may be delayed but cannot be denied.”

Meanwhile, a group, the Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Group, has blamed Obasanjo for the recent comment by President that the South-West should not be left in the hands of ‘rascals’

Though the President had said on Monday that he was quoted out of context, the group said the comment was the outcome of how Obasanjo presented his kinsmen to him.

In a statement by its President and General Secretary, Dayo Ogunlana and Razaq Oloko-Oba respectively, on Tuesday, COSEG said the “ echoed what Obasanjo whispered into his ears.”

The group added that it would be out of place for Jonathan to refer to Yoruba leaders and elders as ‘rascals’ in the presence of Obasanjo, “if he has not been dragging the reputation of our leaders in the mud in the presence of Jonathan.”

But the group expressed satisfaction in the way the South-West governors described as rascals were turning around the fortunes of their people, saying that “if a governor like Babatunde Fashola, who has been adjudged worldwide as a born performer is a ‘rascal’, then we need more ‘rascals’ like him in the country to turn it around.”

COSEG said an elderly person of Obasanjo’s status was expected to mentor the younger ones like Jonathan to mind their language when referring to a geo-political zone.

Source: Punch

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Why Nigeria’s unity is still fragile — Obasanjo

by Nigerian Information Directory on February 13, 2011 · 2 comments

in News, Politics

The former President of Nigeria, Chief , has raised the alarm that the unity of Nigeria remained fragile blaming the development on those he called “priests and barons of division.”

He said it was shameful that those promoting disunity and fanning embers of discord in the country had benefitted immensely from all privileges obtainable in Nigeria.

Obasanjo spoke in Minna, Niger State, on Saturday during the second term campaign inauguration of the Governor of the state, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, which was organised by the state .

President and his deputy, Namadi Sambo, were represented at the event by the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, in the event which attracted many dignitaries such as the Governors of Kwara, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa; and Zamfara states, Alhaji Mamud Shinkafi.

The inauguration, which was witnessed by hordes of party supporters at the Trade Fair Complex, had in attendance some elder statesmen such as the former Vice-President, Chief Alex Ekwueme, Ambassador Maitama Sule and Chief Ebenezer Babatope.

Former dictator, General , (retd.) who was supposed to be the chief host, however, sent his son, Mohammed, to represent him.

Obasanjo said instead of leveraging on their educational and privileged backgrounds to inform the less privileged on importance of peace and tranquility in the country, some politicians had continuously promoted divisive tendencies for their selfish interests.

He said, “I feel a little bit apprehensive because those of us who have enjoyed the greatest benefits in this country; the best that this country can give to us in terms of education, training, appointment and ; should be the ones to tell, educate and inform our less privileged brothers and sisters.

“But what are we doing? Some of us who have enjoyed all these privileges have now become priests and barons of division either on ethnic, religious, geographical or linguistic basis.

“What a shame! I believe that all of us, who got their feet in that special position of having education having benefited from all that this country can give to us in appointments, should do everything to enhance the unity, tranquility and the solidarity of this country.”

Obasanjo added that nobody should blame God if Nigeria failed as a country noting that nature had put Nigeria on the pathway of greatness.

He said he was better off in the Republic of Nigeria than he would have been in the Republic of Oduduwa insisting that unity and tolerance were the only fabric binding the country together.

Source: Punch

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PDP’ll take Lagos, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo from rascals

by Nigerian Information Directory on February 10, 2011 · 0 comments

in Featured Headline News, Politics

President has stressed the critical nature of the South-West to his administration, saying that the zone will not be left to “rascals” to rule. Specifically, the President noted that Lagos State, being the commercial and industrial hub of the country, must be governed by the PDP.

Jonathan spoke on Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo State during the commencement of his presidential campaign in the South-West.

The President said the party’s machinery would be legally deployed to ensure that the PDP governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Ade Dosumu, emerged victorious in April.

According to him, PDP leaders “will not sleep” until power was wrested from the Action Congress of Nigeria in Lagos State.

He said, “South-West is the most important zone in Nigeria. It is the most cosmopolitan zone where all Nigerians come. It is a mini Nigeria and it is very unique.

“Major commercial activities take place in Lagos and its adjoining states. We are happy that we have a strong support base here. All we can promise the people of the South-West is transparent and good governance.

“We (PDP) must take over all the states in the South-West. The zone is too important to be left in the hands of rascals. We shall take over Lagos, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo states.

“It is true that we have our challenges in the zone, but we are on top of them all. We shall resolve our differences in our own way.”

Three of the four states mentioned by the President are governed by governors elected on the platform of the ACN.

They are Mr. Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).

The fourth state, Ondo is governed by Dr. Segun Mimiko of the Labour Party.

Jonathan told the crowd at Mapo Hill that if elected in the April poll, his administration would improve the nation’s security, economy, power , employment, entertainment industry, transport and agriculture.

He recalled that his administration had injected about N500bn into the Bank of Industry to encourage job creation, adding that out of the sum, about N200bn had already been disbursed.

On transportation, the President said that his government had completed the refurbishment of the Lagos-Ibadan rail line which was started by the administration of ex-.

He read the Riot Act to those behind the recent bombings in some parts of the country, saying the era of impunity had gone forever.

Jonathan said, “There are security challenges all over the world and our country has had its fair share. We must arrest those behind bomb blasts in our country no matter how long it will take us.

“The era of impunity is over. Security personnel are already on their trail and we shall arrest them.”

The President had while inaugurating the presidential campaign office in Abuja on Tuesday, said the PDP would win the presidency in April.

The host governor of the rally, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, in his goodwill message, said the re-election bid of the President was a foregone conclusion.

Alao-Akala recalled that Mapo Hill had played host to prominent politicians, who came to solicit for votes and won. Jonathan’s case, according to him, will not be an exception.

He said, “Alhaji Shehu Shagari was here. Chief Obasanjo and the late Umaru Yar’Adua were also here to solicit the votes of our people and they won.

“You will win. In fact, you have won the election because your case cannot be an exception.”

Alao-Akala argued that the recent sackings of some PDP governors in the zone did not reflect the potential of the PDP, maintaining that the party remained the party to beat in the country.

The , Mr. Dimeji Bankole, who was among those that were handed PDP flags to contest the April elections, urged youths in the South-West not to waste their votes on other parties.

Also at the rally, Obasanjo said that the emergence of Jonathan as President would deepen democracy and strengthen the country’s unity.

He, however, said that nothing should be taken for granted in PDP’s bid to win the presidential election in April.

Obasanjo said, “Nothing should be taken for granted. We know we have work to do. There are areas in this country today that are crying for attention.

“The areas include security, economy, corruption and infrastructure. These areas cannot and must not be neglected. I take solace in the fact that Jonathan has gone through a period of tutelage.”

The former president also called on the party’s leadership to ensure that all members, who felt displeased by the outcome of PDP primaries, were reconciled and brought back into the party’s mainstream

The reconciliation, he added, must be from the ward to the national level.

“Democracy is about number. We need everybody; the good, the bad and the ugly. We have been behind the scene in the zone before, we are now in the mainstream and we must remain there with the rest of the country,” he added.

Highlights of the rally included the handing over of the PDP flag to some candidates in the zone.

While Alao-Akala got the flag to contest the governorship election, Adetunji Olurin and Dosunmu were given the flags to contest in Ogun and Lagos states respectively.

But the presentation of a flag to Bankole took members of the party, who thronged the venue, by surprise.

The name of the Speaker was missing on the list of successful candidates in the recently concluded primaries of the party, which was released by the on Sunday.

Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who is the South-West Coordinator of the Jonathan-Sambo Presidential Campaign , and his supporters were absent from the rally.

Also, the Senate Leader, Chief Teslim Folarin, and other members of the PDP in Oyo State, who are against the second term ambition of Alao-Akala, also boycotted the rally.

A former presidential aspirant of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, Chief Harry Akande, was formerly received into the party at the rally.

Daniel, who addressed supporter at his Asoludero Residence in Sagamu, said he was prevented from attending the presidential campaign rally.

Accusing some people of ‘disorganising things’ in Ogun State, the governor said, “I pray that all the people that can make us to be annoyed may God take them away.”

He added that he was finding it difficult to understand the kind of luck that had befallen the PDP in the South-West.

He said, “I was about going to Ibadan and you came to block the way that I should not go, and I asked why. I was told the people of the state are annoyed and aggrieved.

“We have been ruling Ogun State with honesty and truth and the people of the state appreciated and commended us. But some people came and they were disorganizing things, they claimed to be God.

“I don’t know the kind of luck that has befallen PDP in the South West. People who stole from the nation are today walking free on the streets.

“In Ogun State as God liveth; we have been troubled since the past five years, they took us to court, brought and they could not do anything.”

He lamented the rejection of the list submitted to INEC by the PDP faction led by him. The governor said, “We conducted our primaries, they brought people to monitor it from Abuja, INEC, SSS, police and all witnessed it. Everything was recorded only for us to hear after about seven days that they were removing and substituting.

“Those who did not come out; those who did not know about the party and did not participate were said to have won the primaries. I promise that none of our candidates will be substituted.”

Source: punchngr.com

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Daniel vows to fight Obasanjo to the finish

by Nigerian Information Directory on February 10, 2011 · 0 comments

in Politics

“We are in a marathon war, and in this particular fight, we will fight it to its logical conclusion.”

That was the pronouncement made by the Governor of Ogun State Gbenga Daniel yesterday as he addressed supporters at the inauguration of campaign committees held at Valley View auditorium in the government house, .

Two factions headed by Mr. Daniel and former Nigerian president, , held parallel primaries to select the People’s Democratic Party candidates for the forthcoming general elections in the state. Tunji Olurin had emerged as the PDP gubernatorial candidate for the Obasanjo faction while Gboyega Isiaka was elected in Mr. Daniel’s faction. Now both groups are embattled in a series of legal suits to determine who will ultimately get the top nominee spot.

“We have started this war since 2006,” the governor told his supporters, “and I want you to shine your eyes.”

The governor claimed he had done everything possible to appease the Obasanjo faction of the PDP, “yet the camp had remained difficult”.

“Therefore, at the stage the situation gets now, you cannot be in the river and complain of cold,” Mr. Daniel said.

He added that those pushing Tunji Olurin to become governor, knew that he (Olurin) could not win an even in his Ilaro hometown.

War song

“They even used opposition media to fight us, an indication that they are working together with [the] opposition party to destroy our party and later move out,” said the governor.

Continuing the allegations against Mr. Obasanjo’s faction, Mr. Daniel said that the political war against him started in 2006, with the stealing of his administration vouchers as a way to implicate him. The governor recalled that a number of his cabinet members were quizzed by the Economic Commision (), but eventually came out unscathed.

“Those who steal vouchers to nail me, where are they today?” he said. “We were harassed and intimidated, but God was on our side. I am not personally surprised with what we are witnessing today. You should not be shocked because of what we have been facing.”

Insisting that his camp would produce all the candidates to contest the elections, Mr. Daniel who also sang some Yoruba war songs, assured his supporters that “by May 29, we will successfully transit to the government of our choice.”
Source: 234next.com

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Bankole Loses Ticket, Daniel, Abiola’s daughter’s name not on INEC’s list

by Nigerian Information Directory on February 8, 2011 · 0 comments

in Featured Headline News, Politics

Bankole, Daniel, Abiola’s daughter’s name not on INEC’s list
…Daniel’s ex-aide is Olurin’s running mate mate
From MOSHOOD ADEBAYO,
Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Shock and disbelief trailed the release of candidates’ list for Ogun State yesterday, as the names of the , Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Governor Gbenga Daniel and Mrs. Lola Abiola-Edewor were not on the Peoples Democratic Party’s list released by  the  (INEC) in Abeokutal.

The former managing director of the Gateway Holdings, Mr. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, candidate of the Gbenga Daniel faction of the PDP was dropped for former military governor of old Oyo State, General Adetunji Olurin who was backed by ex- as the party’s standard bearer.

Olurin’s running mate according to the list released at about 5.24 p.m. by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Martins Okunfolami was the former chairman of Ijebu-East Local Government Area of the State, Mr. ‘Tunde Oladunjoye.

The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello was on the list as  senatorial candidate for Ogun Central as against the name Hon. Lola Abiola-Edewor who belongs to Daniel’s camp.
According to the (REC), Mr. Peter Alawode and not the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bankole is the PDP candidate for the Abeokuta South Federal Constituency in the April elections.

Mohammed Adetunji Odunowo’s name appeared as against the name of Governor Gbenga Daniel as the senatorial candidate of the PDP in Ogun East.
Some members of the state House of Assembly also had their names as candidates in the  Obasanjo camp.  They include, Akintan Job,  for Yewa North. Mr. Babatunde Fadun, Ogun West Senatorial District as against the Daniel faction’s favoured candidate, Mr. Waliu Taiwo.
The governorship candidate of the of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, according to the list, is Senator Ibikunle Amosun with the former commissioner for works in the state, Prince Segun Adesegun as his running mate.

Former deputy governor in the state, Alhaji Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka is the senatorial candidate of the (ACN) in Ogun East.  Mr. Olumide Osoba, the son of former governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba was among the ACN candidates for the House of Representatives election. He is to represent the Abeokuta North, Odeda and Obafemi Owode Federal Constituency.

A member of the Daniel camp, Mr. Oginni Olaposi Sunday, while reacting to the list, said the joy of the Obasanjo faction would not last.
Oginni who is also the National Coordinator of the Yoruba Youth Congress (YYC), said: “Although I am not a prophet, but I can tell you that the joy of Obasanjo’s camp will not last.  It is a temporary joy, which I am sure will not last at the end of the day. Definitely, this is not the last to be heard on the list of who will represent the state on the platform of the PDP.

Source: Sunnewsonline

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PDP: Obasanjo’s list to INEC forged

by nigerian newspapers today on February 3, 2011 · 0 comments

in Featured Headline News, Politics

•Says commission violates Electoral Act

•Insists ex-President’s era of impunity gone forever

ASIDE accusing the (INEC) of violating Section 31 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday declared that the list of candidates submitted to the electoral body by “some disgruntled elements” of the party in Ogun State was forged.

Leading the “disgrunted elements” is former President who allowed his library to be used for a parallel congress not approved by the national headquarters of the party and INEC.

The Obasanjo camp also submitted the list after the deadline set by INEC on Monday evening had lapsed.
The PDP said apart from the fact that INEC can only deal with parties during the submission, the list must be signed by the National Chairman, Haliru Mohammed and Secretary, Abubakar Baraje.

A top official of the party, who spoke yesterday, said the list submitted before the Monday deadline was signed by the two leaders “and even if there is a court order stopping the commission from going ahead with the list, INEC should have called us to say, ‘look, there is a court order. Come and take your list. When you are ready, bring another list’. This is what should have happened instead of collecting a list from an individual.

“INEC is contravening the PDP electoral guidelines as contained in Section 52 which says ‘All submission to INEC with respect to party candidates shall carry the full signature of the National Chairman and Secretary. Any submission to INEC not carrying the said signatures shall be null and void.”

He wondered whose signature the alleged substitution carried to make it a valid document, adding that if there is any submission without the signature and approval of the party, it may not stand the test of time.

“By rejecting the list of candidates from the National Secretariat, INEC is undermining the party. The Electoral Act mandates INEC to receive a list from the national secretariat of a political party and not from the state chapter of the party.”

The party source said that the action of the commission was ultra vires “because it assaulted the 2010 Electoral Act which is the law guiding electoral activities.”
Quoting Section 31 (1) of the Electoral Act, he said: “Every political party shall not later than 60 days before the date appointed for a general election under the provisions of this act, submit to the Commission in the prescribed forms, the list of the candidates the party proposes to sponsor at the elections, provided that the commission shall not reject or disqualify candidates for any reason whatsoever.

“With the powers conferred on the National Working Committee (NWC) by the National Executive Committee (NEC), we set up the Electoral Panel that conducted the congresses in Ogun State. So, where is INEC deriving its powers to reject the list of candidates from Ogun State, if not for mischief purposes?” he asked.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State secretary of the party, Akogun Pegba Otemolu, declared yesterday that the era of impunity and frontal assault on extant provisions of the 1999 Constitution by the former president was gone forever, saying the latest attempt to annul people’s mandate would not stand.
In an advertisement entitled “No cause for alarm over the authentic candidates of PDP in Ogun State,”

He said: “This unconstitutional act cannot stand because in line with the electoral law and guidelines issued by INEC, no individual or group of people can submit list of candidates for any elections to INEC. You cannot build something on nothing. People who did not take part in the validly held congress of the party cannot, through judicial ambush, benefit from its outcome. It is against morality, natural justice and the dictates of democracy.

“All the elections were duly conducted by accredited officials sent from the national headquarters of the party in Abuja. The Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja and that of Ogun State also sent in monitors to all the elections, alongside other observers. The media was also on hand to monitor the elections and report it to the outside world.

“Before the election proper, all the candidates were at the state secretariat of the PDP in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta to face the screening panel sent in from Abuja.

Interestingly, the likes of Senator -Bello, Senator Lekan Mustapha, Hon. Dave Salako, Hon. Tokunbo Oshin, who initially claimed that they belonged to another so-called faction of the party, were at the authentic party secretariat in Oke Mosan to join other party members to do the screening before the panels that came from Abuja. Of course, they had no choice since the national headquarters would not be part of any illegality and as such did not send any official to the illegal headquarters in Onikolobo.

“There was no doubt about where the authentic primary to choose the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP for Ogun State took place on Sunday January 9, 2011. Abdulmumuni Aminu, a retired Colonel, led PDP officers from the national secretariat, Abuja that included Tony Amadi, Ndubuisi Nwigwe, Alhaji Nasiru Haruna and Sam Bassey to conduct the authentic primaries held at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta. Officers of the INEC office, Abuja as well as their state counterpart were fully on ground to monitor the exercise.

“We are sure that the courts would do justice in this case and affirm the candidacy of all those who were validly elected in transparent primaries monitored by all relevant organs of our party, INEC, the security agencies and non-governmental organisations.”

Meanwhile, the governorship candidate, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, has declared that he would bounce back into reckoning for the election.
Urging INEC to stand by the rule of law, he accused Major-General Tunji Olurin (rtd); Iyabo Obasanjo and others of attempts to destroy the party in line with the dictates of their sponsors, ahead of the elections.

A statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Bolaji Adeniji, says that Olurin and others were being sponsored by the of Nigeria (ACN).
Isiaka maintained that the primaries, where he emerged as governorship candidate, followed due process and urged President Goodluck Jonathan, PDP and INEC to do justice to his ambition.

His words: “These detractors are out to destroy the PDP and then proceed to their chosen party (ACN). Majority of these people are already in the ACN and only have a few of their comrades in the PDP to play a spoiler role. For example, a former deputy governor of Ogun State (who had been campaigning and had his billboards everywhere in the senatorial district) from Ogun East was suddenly replaced few weeks ago by a serving PDP senator from this group whose godfather is still a serving cabinet minister under Jonathan.

“Can someone convince us that there is no political alliance/understanding among this minister/the candidate and the ACN? About four of the G15 legislators who are members of this same group are Assembly candidates in the ACN while others have been promised commissioners and special advisers; yet they claim to be members of our great party PDP.

“It is sufficiently clear that the Dayo Soremi group and their sponsors are agents of ACN left in the PDP to reduce its fortunes. Their sponsors are from the ACN and they have reserved positions for them, once the current problem they are creating destroys (as they wish, but God forbid) the PDP.”

Isiaka said at no time did the PDP national leadership dissolve the Elder Joju Fadairo-led executive committee under whose auspices the
party screened him, House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, Governor Gbenga Daniel, Olurin and Obasanjo-Bello, among other aspirants.
He added that it was based on the primaries supervised by INEC, party officials and security agencies that he and other successful candidates were issued with nomination forms.

He said: “The delegates that voted for Daniel, Isiaka, Dimeji Bankole, Edewor and others also voted for . We implore INEC to stand on the rule of law and provisions of the Electoral Act by recognising the primaries they monitored and was conducted by the national secretariat of the PDP. Importantly, we have it on good authority that INEC is yet to give Olurin nomination forms, so where is the justice in all this?
Meanwhile, a coalition of youth organisations called Yewa-Awori Youth Congress (YYC) yesterday gave a seven days ultimatum to Olurin to desist from creating confusion in the state polity or risk being commuted to the wrong side of history.

Addressing a press conference in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, leader of the group, Oginni Olaposi, accused Olurin of conniving with the camp opposed to the collective aspiration of Yewa-Awori people in Ogun West Senatorial District to produce the governorship since February 3, 1976 when the state was created.

He said: “General Olurin’s attempt to truncate the candidacy of Ogun State PDP gubernatorial primary at an Abuja Federal High Court is condemnable, regrettable and an exercise that will end in futility. We are, therefore, calling on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, as the leader of the party, to call General Olurin to order immediately.

By Ayodele Ayodele, Abuja & Kunle Olayeni, Abeokuta

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Obasanjo, David Mark Unable to Register

by Nigerian Information Directory on January 18, 2011 · 0 comments

in Featured Headline News, Politics

The nationwide registration of voters, which kicked off at the weekend, has continued to witness some hiccups despite the large turnout of people who are ready to get registered. Some of the first notable casualties of the exercise are former president, , and David Mark, the .

Mr. Obasanjo’s finger prints could not be captured by the Direct Data Capturing Machine (DDC) after two attempts, while Mr. Mark and his wife, Helen, could also not be registered after two attempts. However, the () has promised to correct the anomalies in the days ahead.

The Glitches

Mr. Obasanjo, who arrived at the Ita-Eko registration centre, in , alongside his wife for the registration, could not be registered for the over 30 minutes the registration officers tried to capture his finger prints. The mild drama occurred in the presence of the Ogun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Martins Okunfolami, and the administrative secretary, Mr. Fakorede.

Ironically, all those who came after Mr. Obasanjo got their fingers accepted by the machines. The former president tried the two centres located in front of his private residence, but none captured his fingerprints. Reacting jokingly to the development, Mr. Obasanjo said, “you know, if that is the case, I will scrape some of my skin. May be blood no dey in my fingers.”

He said that he would be travelling to Cuba, and would ensure that he returns to register before the expiration of the exercise. He added that on his return, “I will come and sit down here until I am registered.” Mr. Obasanjo said INEC should not be castigated over the hitches being experienced, expressing optimism that all will soon be well.

“Whenever you are starting new programmes like this, it’s likely to have hitches until everybody masters it. Today is the second day. I believe that by the middle of this week, both the people who are carrying out the registration, the technicians, the INEC at the highest level, will be able to make this work smoothly.

“So, I don’t believe that we should now start to castigate and to condemn. If by the middle of the week it’s not working as it should be, we will all see and then those who designed it would have to advise us how we go about it. But for now, let’s regard this as the hiccup of a new process,” the former president further said.

On the other hand, Mr. Mark, who was unable to register along with his wife in his ward at Oturkpo, Benue State, because the DDC machine was not working, was incensed over the poor start of the project. Mr. Mark and his wife arrived at the registration centre at 10am and waited in vain till 1 pm when he was advised to go home and return later.

He returned at about 4pm with his wife and made efforts to register, but the machine still malfunctioned. Visibly embarrassed, he said, “I have made spirited efforts to register to no avail. INEC must put its house in order otherwise this whole exercise would be in jeopardy. We cannot afford anything that would threaten the conduct of the forthcoming elections. INEC must sit up and save us this embarrassment.”

Wide spread

The Senate president said he had reports from the entire senatorial district which indicates that the INEC machines are not functioning and that the situation is raising anxiety amongst the populace. Some other Nigerians have also complained about the exercise. There have been reports of from Abia, Lagos, and Abuja of malfunctioning machines. In social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, many on Sunday complained of both the absence of registration materials and officials and other related issues. Others complained about the time it took to register one voter.

Lola Shoneyin, a poet and novelist, complained on her Facebook that it takes about 25 minutes to register a voter in her ward and that she spent four hours to get registered. In Abuja, especially the suburbs, both registration materials and officers were absent in most of the schools designated for the project. Many people, especially in Lugbe, Kuje, and Gwagwalada, returned to their homes without getting any registration points.

A promise to tackle challenges

However, amidst all the complaints, the commission has promised to immediately address them. In a statement by Kayode Idowu, the media aide to the INEC chairman, said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken concrete measures to eliminate the bottlenecks in the voter registration process which were noticed at the commencement of the exercise nationwide last Saturday.”

Chief among the difficulties is a rigorous finger-printing procedure that has resulted in prolonged attention on a registrant, and consequent queues. By Sunday afternoon, many who visited the polling units for the registration reported either a failure in their finger print being captured or queuing up for hours, and eventually leaving to be attended to another day.

In Ibadan, two fake corps members were arrested yesterday, validating the fear that politicians might want to manipulate the registration procedure. As at the time of filing this report, detail of the arrest was still sketchy, but the fake corps members were reportedly apprehended by vigilant security operatives while participating in the registration at Odo-Ona Elewe area of Oluyole local government of the state.

Ayodele Folami, state’s INEC spokesperson, said he is yet to be informed, but said that the officer in charge of the area will make appropriate report on the happening around there concerning the exercise. The exercise was gradually gathering momentum yesterday after a wobbly take off on Saturday. Many people retired to the centres to register their names after church programmes on Sunday.

Former Oyo State governor, Rasidi Ladoja, has cautioned against using the hiccups experienced at the beginning of the registration to jump to conclusion on the readiness of INEC for the 2011 elections. The Accord Party’s governorship aspirant in the state, who registered his name on Sunday, said the electorate need not be worried about the little crisis, adding that it is too early to castigate the commission on account of that.

Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, led over 5,000 indigenes of the state on a rally to sensitise people on the need to get registered. He personally distributed leaflets and educative materials to motorists, market women, traders and passers-by, advising the people that massive registration and strict insistence on one man, one vote are potent weapons to fight electoral fraud.

The rally, which meandered through the major streets of Akure, the state capital, was witnessed by an unprecedented number of people.

By Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Emma Ogala, Jide Jegede, Abimbola Ayobami, and Ini Ekott
Source: 234Next.com

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