Author: Our Reporter

By precious King

Ali Modu Sheriff one time chairman and factional leader of the PDP and two-term governor of Borno State, has said fear of the terrorist group, Boko Haram prevented him from entering Borno state for about four years,

Modu Sheriff who is now a chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress(APC) also said the evil antics of the terrorists group was responsible for the inability of the state to deliver two million votes to President Muhammadu Buhari in last Saturday’s presidential election.

He made the revelation at the State House Abuja, after observing Jumat prayers and a closed-door meeting with the President.

Recall that Buhari garnered a total of 836,496 votes to beat Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party who scored 71,788 votes in Borno.

Sheriff, while speaking to State House correspondents, on his impression of the election, said, “I don’t know why the PDP is grumbling where the registered voters are more than two million and we only gave the President 830,000.

“As a governor, the President got over a million votes in Borno; why didn’t they complain then? They are just crying foul for nothing. This election was the most transparent election that ever took place in the history of Nigeria and I stand to be corrected. They should just embrace peace. The president has said that he is going to carry everyone along; they should accept their defeat and re-plan for 2023 if we are all alive. But this election has been won and won transparently.”

He noted that Buhari’s victory robs off on all Nigerians. “President Muhammadu Buhari within the last four years has done more than what any other president has done in this country.

“He came into power when the oil price was less than $30 at a stage. I am not surprise about the victory because Nigerians are very smart people; we know what is good for our country; we know the right thing to do at any given point in time.

“If you look at the antecedents of all the people that contested elections with President Buhari, none has ten percent of his credibility. This is a man that is not interested in what every Nigerian is interested in, to grab wealth and enrich themselves. He is there for the Nigerian people; he believes Nigeria should be better than where we are. He had a very simple message at the campaigns: that we have started fighting corruption, building the economy and lives of Nigerians need to be improved.

“The message resonated with Nigerians because, for instance, I did not go to my village for four years before the 2015 elections. Boko Haram had occupied all our local government areas in Borno but today, you can drive to any part of Borno. So whatever the people of Borno did for Mr. President last Saturday, we are only saying thank you for what he has done. If the atmosphere was clearer, Borno would have produced two million votes.”

When asked that the opposition doesn’t share similar views of the election being transparent, Sheriff said: “Why didn’t they complain when they won all southeastern states? The South East came out to vote for their son who is the vice presidential candidate in that election, but you don’t blame them. Northern Nigeria, we have our father, brother, and son as a candidate and we also came out en masse to support him; there is no issue about it. If they don’t accept it they can go to court.”

By Richard Akintade, Osogbo

All Progressive Congress, APC House of Assembly Candidate for Boripe and Bolorunduro state constituency of Osun State, Hon Femi Popoola yesterday, reiterated his readiness to serve the people of his area saying he has the competence for the job.

Popoola made this known on Thursday while speaking with Newsmen at Otan-Ayegbaju in Boluwaduro local government area of Osun State.

Popoola said he would deliver quality representation, being a grassroots politician, who has the interest of his people at heart.

According to him, “I’m tested, trusted, competent, willing and ready to serve as the case maybe. I’m a thorough-bred politician with decade of experience.

“I will explore every opportunity available to ensure my people get what belongs to them in the area of qualitative health care delivery, qualitative and affordable education, youths and sports development, as well as women and youths empowerment”.

The aspirant added: “Our primary responsibility has always been to give adequate representation to our people and better interaction; even though we’re there to make laws that will bring about the enhancements of the socio-economic well-being of our people, as well as carry out our appropriation and oversight of the same funds appropriated for the executive and the system.

“All Progressives Congress (APC) is a party of the progressive with the interest of the people at heart at every point in time and if I’m given the mandate, I’ll deliver”.

Popoola added that, parents should warn their wards against thuggery adding that such sharp practices by politicians could undermine free and fair elections.

He however called on the electorates to troop out enmas and vote for him and other APC House of Assembly’s candidates in the state come Saturday March 9th, 2019.

The Argentine Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Maria De Carmen Squeff, has expressed the willingness of Argentine Government to deepen the existing cordial relationship with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in relevant areas such as aircraft acquisition, training as well as surveillance and radar technology.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola on Thursday, 28 February 2019.

The Argentine ambassador was on a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, at the Headquarters NAF, Abuja.

The Ambassador emphasized the strong desire of the Argentine Government to strengthen the relationship between the two countries beyond economic and political collaboration.

She noted that Argentina, beyond being renowned for meat production and excelling in the game of football, among others, has over the years, developed significant capability in aircraft manufacturing and radar technology which has helped the country to better secure its land and maritime borders whilst also contributing immensely to the successes recorded in the area of agriculture.

She explained that the NAF could explore the opportunities inherent in Argentina to strengthen Nigeria’s capability in surveillance and radar technology to further build on the successes so far recorded in the counter insurgency operations in the Northeast of the country.

In his response, the CAS thanked the Ambassador for offering the NAF such a great opportunity to improve on the relationship between the two countries while noting that the Service was always ready to explore all avenues to further professionalize and build needed capacity.

This, he further explained, was the reason why the NAF had invested greatly in the training of its personnel not only locally, but also abroad in countries like the United States of America, Russia, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and many others, to acquire the needed skills to perform their jobs more effectively.

Air Marshal Abubakar expressed the willingness of the Service to explore the opportunities presented by Argentina and would make arrangements to send a team of NAF officers to visit manufacturing/maintenance facilities, production plants and military training institutions, amongst other places of interest, to assess the opportunities available in Argentina.

He noted that the Government of Argentina could as well send a team of experts in relevant areas of competencies to engage with NAF specialists here in Nigeria.

Member representing Riyom/ Barkin Ladi, Plateau state, in the house of representative Istifanus Gyang has been declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the Plateau North senatorial election.

Gyang, who is of the Peoples Democratic Party scored 26,955 to defeat Rufus Bature, who polled 17,123

The result which has been delayed since Saturday, was finally announced in Jos North on Thursday by Professor Christopher Vande the Coalition and Returning officer for the Plateau north senatorial district

All Progressive Congress APC Campaign Council in Plateau state on Thursday said it deeply appreciates the public plea for peace and restraint by the highly revered royal father, His Majesty the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman, Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, issued in view of the tension arising over the delay in the announcement of results of the National Assembly elections conducted on the 23rd February 2019.

In a statement issued by Mr. Jonathan Ishaku, the media publicity and protocol Committee of the campaign council and made available to newsmen in Jos reads that “The Council wholly identifies with the clarion call by His Majesty and enjoins every peace-loving resident of the state to always toe the path of peace and orderly conduct and allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to carry out its duties.

As we pointed out in our last press statement, the delay had indeed provided merchants of mischief the opportunity to mobilize miscreants with the purpose of unleashing violence in the state. We are glad that INEC has now finally announced the results for Plateau North Senatorial zone and we also hope that they would also handle the Plateau South case in an expeditious manner.

While the delay lasted, there was no doubt it was being manipulated by invidious political forces who desperately want to truncate the atmosphere of peaceful, fair and free elections which was witnessed at the last polls. They wanted to cause chaos to scare away voters and blackmail the ruling party in the process. Only last night, a failed assassination attempt was made on a popular artist and APC chieftain, Mr. Joseph Chuwak Dalyop (popularly called DJ Tassa), while driving along with his wife on Domkat Bali Road, Jos. The bullet narrowly missed him but not his wife who is now lying critically ill in an undisclosed hospital with a shot to the head. The attempt was made to incite APC partisans to violence but owing to our preachment for peace we were able to calm frayed nerves.

We, however, urge the police and other security bodies to step up pro-active measures to avert future occurrences.
Lastly, we wish to extricate the APC in the ongoing imbroglio. The party is only a contestant in the elections along with 72 other political parties. The conduct of elections is the responsibility of INEC, the independent umpire whose duty it is to collate and announce the result of the ballot.

It is, therefore, disingenuous to bring the name of our party and the Governor of the state into the matter. If the party or the Governor had the electoral leverage being ascribed to them to determine the names of winners and losers, then why do they submit themselves to elections as the others?

We deprecate the frequent linkage of our party and the Executive Governor in the enpassé by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), especially the Chairman, Chief Damishi T. Sango. The tone of his press statement dated February 27, 2019 and subsequent action are unbefitting of a leader of a registered political party. We condemn this as a ploy to blackmail us ahead of the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections our party is once again set to sweep.

We think it is also an incitement to violence promoted by the very top echelon of the PDP which has a desperate agenda to win by all means, fair or foul. The security establishment should hold them culpable should there be a total breakdown of peace in the state. There is clearly a link between their reckless rhetoric and the failed assassination attempt on the APC chieftain. This is a new dimension in the annals of Plateau State politics.

By Golok Nanmwa, Jos

Plateau State Local Government Election Appeal Tribunal sitting in Jos the Plateau state capital has ordered for the hearing of a chairmanship petition of Ubandoma Joshua Laven of the People Democratic Party (PDP) on merit by the Plateau State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal

Chairman of the Appellate Tribunal, Justice Arum Ashom gave the order in a judgement in the appeal of Ubandoma Joshua Laven and Peoples Democratic Party against Kwarnim Nanloh of the All Progressive Congress and the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission.

Our correspondent recalled that upon the conduct of the 10/10/18 councillorship and local government chairmanship elections by Plateau state independent electoral commission PLASIEC and subsequent returned of Kwarnim Nanloh of APC as chairman of Langtang North, Ubandoma Joshua Laven, and PDP approached the tribunal seeking for redress.

However, through preliminary objections and motions on notices, counsel to the respondents challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal to hear the petition on grounds of it being incompetent, statute barred and filed out of time.

Deciding on the objections raised, the tribunal chaired by Jovita Binjim with Jacob Longden and Isaiah Randa as members, in its wisdom struct out the petition which prompted the petitioners to file an appeal against that decision.

The ground for the appeal was for the Appeal Tribunal to determined whether they were heard on merit, if they were giving rights to a fair hearing when the tribunal refused to use the two sets of results of the election presented before it and if the date for the declaration of the results were not wrongly calculated

Deciding on the four issues raised, the Appeal Tribunal with Justice Arum Ashom as chairman with Nankwat Shaseet and Martin Omohwo as members while resolving the four grounds for the appeal in favour of the appellants, said the appeal succeeds as there was a miscarriage of Justice by the lower tribunal.

It also set aside the ruling of the tribunal on 14/1/19 that dismissed the petition of the petitioners, the Chairman of the appeal Tribunal pointed out that arriving at that decision could not have arisen if the lower tribunal had looked at the witnessed statement of Kwarnim Nanloh which adduce to the fact that results were announced on 16/10/18 instead of 10/10/18 as alluded to.

However, subsequently, the Appeal Tribunal chairman, Justice Are Ashom ordered the petition to return to the trial tribunal to be heard base on merit.

Speaking to newsmen on the development Ubandoma Joshua Laven said it is a victory for the good people of Langtang North local government council as the judiciary is the last hope for the common man in the country.

According to him, this will strengthen democracy and the rule of law adding that the good people of Langtang North local government council unanimously voted him and were demoralized when PLASIEC refuse to declare him the winner of the election.

He pointed out that with the appeal tribunal ordering that his petition is returned to the trial tribunal to be heard base on merit, they will be light at the end of the tunnel. Laven said.

By Emeka Samuel, Uyo

The All Progressive Congress in Akwa Ibom has denied statement in the social media purporting that it’s governorship candidate Mr. Nsima Ekere has withdrawn from the March 9the governorship election in the state.

In a statement on Thursday in Uyo by Mr. Eseme Eyibo, spokesperson for the State APC Governorship Campaign Organization, the party described the reports as petty drivel by agents of the People’s Democratic Party.

It described the press statement purported to have been signed by Hon Eseme Eyiboh, the Spokesman of the APC Campaign Council as “nothing more than the usual badly cooked up mendacious stories, which unfortunately has become the hallmark of the Udom administration and his party the PDP in the state.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Obong Nsima Ekere has not withdrawn from the governorship race. He has no reason to do so. The propaganda is coming out of a fear-stricken side, which already reckons with the certainty of the defeat staring them in the face.

“Obong Nsima Ekere has continued to enjoy the overwhelming support and endorsement of the generality of the people of the state. Our people see Obong Ekere as the answer to the inept, focus-less and incompetent administration of Gov. Emmanuel. This is the fear that is driving them to such ridiculous and senseless propaganda.

“We urge all APC members and our teeming supporters to ignore such propaganda and focus on their resolve to elect Obong Nsima Ekere as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State. Our people must rise to reject the shenanigans between the PDP and INEC aimed at denying our people the right to vote and allow their votes to count.

“We appeal to all APC supporters to remain vigilant and ensure that they come out to vote for Obong Nsima Ekere and ensure that they resist the electoral malfeasance the PDP and their collaborators perpetrated during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.” It said.

…as Osogbo erupts in jubilation.

By Richard Akintade, Osogbo

Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola yesterday described President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory as the appreciation of good governance and quality leadership.

Describing Buhari’s victory as well-deserved, Oyetola told reporters that “the outcome of this election shows that President Buhari has done very well and his victory gives hope for our democracy.”

He spoke at the Government House in Osogbo while reviewing the outcome of the presidential election.

The governor, who congratulated the President and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) added: “This is a renewed hope for Nigerians. I feel great and very happy that President Buhari has been re-elected. This victory depicts that our President has done very well in all areas.

“This victory also shows that our party remains the people’s party. It shows that our government and our party remain the choice of Nigerians.

“The wide margin of victory shows that people appreciate President Buhari. It shows that he has championed the cause of the masses through his social investment programmes.

“Today is also significant in the history of this state as it marks three months of my inauguration. We are happy that President Buhari won being “the second state in the Southwest to deliver for the President.”

“We remain resolute to bring to our people the best they deserve. That is why we have been working round the clock to ensure that every household receives the dividends of democracy.

“‎The re-election of our president will help to consolidate on his good work – the diversification of the economy, fight against insurgency, anti-corruption crusade and economic rejuvenation,” Oyetola said.

On Tuesday, the Governor went on a roadshow across major streets of Osogbo to join the people in the state capital, who trooped out in large number to celebrate President Buhari’s victory.

The Osun State Governor said the state would continue to benefit massively from the Social Investment initiatives of the Federal Government.

He thanked his people for voting for President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Osogbo erupted in street celebration over the President’s victory. Thousands of broom-waving crowd converged on streets across the major roads of the capital to celebrate Buhari’s win.
Governor Oyetola, who joined the street party in the afternoon, moved in a motorcade from the Government House in Okefia through Alekunwodo to Odi-Olowo, Asubiaro, Oja-Oba, Station Road, Orisunbare, Old Garage, Ajegunle, among others, waved at the people from an open vehicle in acknowledgment of cheers.