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Tag: Muritala Yakubu Ajaka

  • Kogi poll: Group Exposes SDP, Ajaka’s alleged Lateness to file petition at EPT in Kogi

    Kogi poll: Group Exposes SDP, Ajaka’s alleged Lateness to file petition at EPT in Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    Lawyers and Activists from Kogi State have raised an alarm over what they described as a clandestine move by the Social Democratic Party and its Governorship candidate Alhaji Yakubu Ajaka’ to file their petition against the outcome of the November 11 election through the backdoor as the date expires.

    The spokesperson of the group, Barr. Yetunde Olubunmi Shaibu, who raised the alarm on Monday at a Press conference, said they had credible intelligence that the SDP candidate is yet to file his petition against the winner of the election, Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress, 22 days after the declaration of results.

    The lawyers, under the aegis of the United Front for Democracy, (UFD) raised the alarm following the closure of the window allowed for the filing of electoral petition with all allegations and petition relating to the petition front-loaded, in line with Section 134 of the Electoral Act.

    The Activists noted that the 21 days window elapsed at the midnight of December 3, 2023, saying, “Section 134 of the Electoral Act is very clear as to when an electoral petition can be filed with all allegations and evidence relating to the petition front-loaded.”

    “By virtue of Section 134 of the Electoral Act, the SDP has failed to file their petition within the period allowed by Law and should therefore be made not to waste the time of the Honourable Panel.”

    They, however, alleged that they had been credibly briefed that the SDP and its candidate were still preparing their petition with the intention of filing same within the week and having it backdated so as to make it look like it was filed within the legally stipulated duration.

    They, therefore, called on the Election Petition Tribunal for the Kogi State Governorship Poll to “switch on its lights to fish out staff members who have been contracted to mess up with the integrity of our highly respected judiciary. We are watching and the world is watching to ensure the right thing is done.”

    Barr. Shaibu stated, “As a Civil Society Organization, the United Front for Democracy is non-partisan. Our commitment is to protect democratic values and ensure that our judiciary is not slaughtered on the slab of political desperation and corruption.

    “Our organisation has credible intelligence that the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is yet to file his petition against the winner of the election, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, 22 days after the declaration of results. The results of the election were declared on Sunday, 12th November, 2023. The 21 days window elapsed at the midnight of December 3, 2023.

    “The wisdom of the Electoral Act is that anyone with credible evidence should be able to put such forward within the legally stipulated period. We are however disappointed that the SDP is about to lose the opportunity to test the law with a competent petition. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opted to avoid the embarrassment of searching in futility for evidence by deciding not to challenge the election at the tribunal.”

    “Inasmuch as we would want to leave the determination of the validity of a petition filed out of time to the Honourable Panel to determine, we owe the populace a social and legal responsibility to expose a clandestine move by the SDP and its candidate to file their petition through the backdoor and backdate same to circumvent the provisions of the Electoral Act.”

    They also condemned the attack on the residence of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Kogi State, saying, “It is a dangerous trend that must not be allowed to stand. Those who superintend over our elections must be allowed to do their job without harassment or intimidation.

    “Democracy must be protected by all as it remains the best form of Government to guarantee freedom and prosperity.”

  • Kogi Guber: Murtala Ajaka denies meeting with Gov. Bello, APC candidate Ododo on political issues

    Kogi Guber: Murtala Ajaka denies meeting with Gov. Bello, APC candidate Ododo on political issues

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    Sequel to the recent media report on secret political arrangements, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the November Kogi governorship election Alhaji, Murtala Ajaka, has denied ever meeting with his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Usman Ododo.

    In a press statement made available to Journalists in Lokoja, by the Director of Communications of the Muritala Ajaka Governorship Campaign Council, Faruk Adejoh-Audu, said “the purported meeting was a piece of fake news put together by the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello.”

    He pointed out that the brazen falsehood came on the heels of a disgraceful stage-managed decamping of fake executives of the SDP a couple of weeks ago.

    Adejoh-Audu added that since Ajaka left the APC a few months ago, he has not met with chieftains of the party, including Bello and Ododo.

    “For the avoidance of doubt the SDP Candidate, Muritala Ajaka who officially left the APC in May this year has never met with Mr Bello and his cousin Usman Ododo at anytime since his defection and has absolutely no reason to want to meet with governor Bello.” the statement added.

    “Ajaka and the SDP Horse are galloping to a resounding victory and we shall not be distracted by fake news invented and spread by a drowning outlaw desecrating the revered seat of power in our state.”

    “If Bello and Alhaji Ajaka would ever meet again its most likely to be at the handing over ceremony on January 27, 2004.”

    Recalled that “An obvious rogue blog known to have been contracted by the criminally depraved brigands that answer to the name of a State Government in Lokoja on Tuesday went to town with the fiction that there had been secret meetings between Ododo the Kogi governorship candidate of the APC and Mr Ajaka of SDP.”

    “The campaign council urged Governor Bello to brace up for the defeat that awaits his party and candidate in November.” he added.

  • Kogi Guber: CPDD Commences weekly” Kogi Decision 2023″ Radio talkshow to boost Muri Ajaka’s Campaign

    Kogi Guber: CPDD Commences weekly” Kogi Decision 2023″ Radio talkshow to boost Muri Ajaka’s Campaign

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The aspiration of the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic party SDP in the forthcoming election in kogi state, Alhaji Muritala Ajaka received a campaign boost from CPDD.

    The Centre for Peace, Democracy and development (CPDD) l, a nongovernmental organisation has begun a weekly radio programmes’ Kogi Decide” to Showcase the capacity of the SDP governorship candidate to govern the state before the electorates.

    The Kogi Decide, a 30 minutes talkshow tagged “kogi Decision” debut its first edition on Grace Fm 95.5 Lokoja on Tuesday, 29, 2023.

    Speaking to Journalists in Lokoja, the producer of the programme, and CEO of Center for Peace, Democracy and Development, Dan Alphaeus Adejo noted that the essence of the programme is to raise consciousness and to spike a conversation about the eligibility, capacity and competence of Muritala Yakubu Ajaka.

    Adejoh , explained that based on the antecedents and track records of SDP candidate, it has become imperative for the electorate across Kogi irrespective of ethnic, class and religious sentiments, to mobilise total Support for him , to launch the state into social and economic hub of the country.

    He said with the rising profile and acceptability of the SDP candidate, a concerted efforts by the people of the state is needed to translate the momentum into actual votes.
    He said both commentators and analysts on the progi have tacitly predicted that Muritala Ajaka , if all things being equal, the outcome of the election will swing to his favour.

    According to Adejoh, “With the election in Kogi drawing near, the political landscape has been marked by intense competition among various candidates. Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka , of the SDP has consistently stood out drawing an organic and infestious followership due to his experience and well-articulated vision and mission for the state.
    He said his popularity was heightened by both the panelists and contributors to the programme, who acknowledged Alhaji Muritala’s roles in providing relief to 2022 flood-ravaged victims, personal sacrifices and community development to be of significant contributions to his success at the poll.
    ” His track record is seen as a testament to his commitment to the welfare of the citizens, instilling trust in his ability to effectively address the state’s most pressing issues.

    ” Ajaka’s comprehensive vision for the state, which encompasses vital areas such as providing employment and generating revenues through the utilisation of the state’s vast mineral resources, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and economic development, have placed him far ahead of his competitors.

    “He has successfully cultivated broad-based public support across diverse ethnic groups, resonating with voters from various backgrounds. His ability to unite these communities under a common goal reflects his strong leadership qualities and positioned him as the candidate to secure victory at the polls.” He hinted.

    While stressing that the participants showed degree of excitement and expectations in assuring electorate to come out enmass to vote for Muritala Ajaka, urged the people to eschew actions that will ignite violence and breach of security before, during and after the election.

  • Murtala Ajaka celebrates Kogi at 32, Assures The People of Future hope

    Murtala Ajaka celebrates Kogi at 32, Assures The People of Future hope

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    Kogi State is 32 years old. Thanks be to God. The creation of this state on August 27 1991 was a fulfilment of the yearnings and aspiration of our founding fathers,whose desire was to reunite people balkanised into Benue, Kwara and Niger states as a result of states creation

    Before the separation, our people lived as one in the Northern Region as citizens of the Kabba Province ,united largely by our culture, traditions, history and our common desires and aspirations as minorities of the region.

    Thus, there was a strong and sustained clamor in the old Benue and Kwara States by our founding fathers to be reunited with their brothers and sisters of the defunct Kabba Province hence the creation of Kogi State on August 27, 1991.

    In these 32 two years , we have survived through several odds and challenges , and still wax strong as one people, integrated and united in very many ways.

    What has eluded the state over the years is infrastructural development and advancement in the key sectors of our economy commensurate with the age of our state and the abundant human and natural resources available in our land due to poor leadership.

    We have been unable to reach our optimum capacity due to lots of factors, but the most obvious is leadership. A focused leadership that can appropriate the several advantages available to our dear state and bring about rapid development that will end our status as one of the poorest states in Nigeria.

    As we celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the our state today, we must individually resolve that as a people, we shall resist the entrenched retrogressive tactics to keep us divided by self serving politicians along primordial cleavages and focus on the goal of elevating our state to the pinnacle of development and economic prosperity.

    On our part in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) we undertake to provide the leadership that will leverage on our humongous resources to liberate the masses of our people from the perpetual abject poverty we have witnessed, especially in recent times, through sound economic and social policies.

    We promise that the dream of self-determination and visible development, which our founding fathers believed will end and our basic challenges, will be realized.

    We call on all Kogites use the opportunity of the November 11 Election to rise and take their destinies in their hands by ensuring that a leadership that dehumanises us through intimidation, violence and repression rather than pursue the mandate of welfare for the citizens is never again allowed to reign in our state.

    Never again should our civil servants be forced to engage in slave labour without payment or have tokens (otherwise called percentage salary) thrown at them.

    Once more, I congratulate all Kogites on this 32nd anniversary of existence as a state. There are better years ahead.

  • Kogi Guber: Muri/Sam (SDP) Campaign Organisation Name Campaign Hierarchy In Kogi

    Kogi Guber: Muri/Sam (SDP) Campaign Organisation Name Campaign Hierarchy In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Murtala Ajaka Gubernatorial Campaign Organization of the Social Democratic Party(SDP) aka Muri/Sam Campaign has announced the composition of top hierarchy of its State Campaign Council.

    This is in furtherance of its plans towards the November 11, 2023 Governorship Elections in Kogi State as the Campaign Council is made up of top- rate technocrats, seasoned professionals and sassy politicians include:

    Those appointed are: Col. Suleiman Babanawa (Rtd): State chairman, Hon. Peter Moses Co- state Chairman, Sheik Ibrahim Jibrin, State Director general, Hon. Wuya A Mohammed State Secretary, Director, Security and intelligence, Brig-Gen Benjamin Ipinyomi while Hajiya Aisha Asabe Yusuf
    (ACP) was appointed Deputy director.

    Others are: Hon. Faruk Adejoh-Audu
    Director, Communications/Campaign spokesman, Pastor Dayo Thomas Deputy director spokesman and Hon. Ahmed Attah was appointed Director youth affairs respectively.

    Kogi Central:
    Zonal Officers are: Rt. Hon. Lawal Idris, Kogi central Zonal chairman,
    Hon Akomi Yusuf Ojapa, Zonal central director- general, Hon. Anokebe Zonal secretary.

    Kogi west:
    Kogi west zonal chairman has Chief Adeyemi, Zonal Director -general, Hon. Chief Fehnti Dada while Hon. Abayomi Bello has been appointed zonal secretary.

    Kogi East Zonal Officers are: Alhaji Hassan Yakubu Enape, Chairman
    Hon. Suleiman Atajachi, Director general while the post of zonal secretary went to Hon: Ranyi Daniya respectively.

    A press release by the Campaign SPOKESMAN, Faruk Adejoh-Audu and made available to Journalists in Lokoja said further announcements and details of other key functionaries of the campaign shall be released in due course .

  • Kogi Guber: GACPDD, Igala Renaissance in Lagos, Ogun , Drums Support for Muritala Ajaka


    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Green Alliance Center for People, Democracy and Development (GACDD) in Conjunction with Igala Renaissance, operating in Lagos and Ogun states have declared their support for the Candidate of SDP, Muritala Yakubu Ajaka in the November 11, governorship election in Kogi state.

    n a Press Statement made available to Journalists on Thursday in Lokoja, the Executive Director/ President of GACPDD , Mr. Dan Alphaeus Adejoh said the group were delighted to come together to galvanise maximum support for Muritala Ajaka.

    Adejoh said members of the groups are men of integrity and concerned citizens who cut across the three Senatorial Districts, with the primary aim of institutionalising good governance in Kogi state,

    GACPDD President explained that he has smooth working relationship with leaders of some groups which include: Unenwojo Solade President/ Director General Igala Renaissance Lagos .

    According to the President, the group decided to lend their support for candidate of SDP, Muritala Ajaka because of his consistent demonstration and unwavering dedication to Kogi State.

    He disclosed that after extensive probing on the qualities of all the candidates, Ajaka ‘s vision for a prosperous and inclusive future for the state aligns with the group’s core values, making him the ideal candidate to lead the state forward.

    According to Adejoh “His extensive experience in politics and his commitment to transparency and accountability made us confident in his ability to effectively address the challenges that lie ahead.

    “We are optimistic that under his leadership, our state will experience sustainable development, equitable growth, and enhanced public services.”

    ” Muritala Yakubu Ajaka’s track record of fostering cooperation and collaboration with various stakeholders showcases his ability to bridge the gaps and unite our diverse population” Adejoh stated.

  • 2023 Guber: 20 Support Groups Abandon LP, Swells Up SDP Standard Bearer’s Camp In Kogi

    2023 Guber: 20 Support Groups Abandon LP, Swells Up SDP Standard Bearer’s Camp In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    No fewer than 20 Support groups for Labour Party has withdrawn their support and pledged their loyalty to the standard bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Muritala Yakubu Ajaka in Kogi state

    This was contained in a communiqué issued on Saturday by comrade Benjamin Isah, the leader of the 20 groups and addressed to Dr. Bala Sunday OMA, the leader of the OBI-DIENT movement in the state which was made available to newsmen in Lokoja.

    In the communique, the group expressed their reasons for throwing their weight behind the SDP standard bearer, stressing that the development has the potential to impact the dynamics of the November 2023 election in Kogi State to no small measure.

    The leader of the decamped 20 support groups, comrade Benjamin Isah, expressed gratitude towards the LP Support Group Forum for their previous collaboration, but outlined their reasons for withdrawing support at this stage of the struggle.

    The groups, however, noted that their decision-making process to dump LP candidate for SDP standard was based on considerations of credibility, development, and the overall well-being of the state.

    According to the communique, the support groups were influenced to the decision because Murtala Yakubu Ajaka’s Track Record; Acceptability, impact of the candidate in the society and human capital development which stood him out among the candidates vying for the coveted position in the November election

    Explaining, the group leader stated that the members were dissatisfied with the party’s conduct in the past primary election, making the group to pass a vote of no confidence in the LP state executive.

    The communique stressed that the resultant loss of faith on the executive members of the party played a significant role in their decision to distance themselves from their former party’s candidate in the forth coming governorship election in the state.

    “The support groups recognized the achievements of Murtala Yakubu Ajaka and the believed that he would be better equipped to lead and foster growth in the state”,

    “Extensive door-to-door surveys conducted by the support groups revealed that Murtala Yakubu Ajaka enjoyed significant popularity among the constituents of the Idah Federal Constituency.” It added.

    According to the groups of 20 , the sound financial status of the SDP candidate is crucial in ensuring a successful campaign and eventual victory, while his widespread acceptance across the state further solidified their decision to endorse him as their governorship candidate.

    Meanwhile, the leader of the OBI-DIENT movement in the state, Dr. Bala Sunday OMA has commended the bold move of the groups of 20 to file behind, Hon. Muritala Ajaka in the November governorship race in the state .

    Dr Bala Sunday OMA therefore enjoined them to close ranks and be consistent in the struggle ahead in order to ensure a change in the shape of the dynamics of the Kogi state politics via November election to the betterment of all.