| Source | Date | Story Title | Summary of Reports | Subject/Category | Page No/Weblink | No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | APC convention: More aspirants join race | "Many prominent personalities have joined the race for various positions ahead of the national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled to hold on Saturday at the Eagle Square in Abuja. Findings by the Daily Trust revealed of the over 20 available positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, only three of the serving members did not purchase forms to seek reelection. And despite the endorsement that some of the NWC members had received either from the presidency, their zones or governors of their states, some party members had procured forms to challenge them at the convention. So far, 179 aspirants had picked the nomination forms to participate at the elective convention that will produce new party leaders at the national level. For the position of the national chairman, the aspirants are Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Chief Clement Ebri, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor. Chief Ibrahim Emokpaire who had purchased the form for the chairmanship had lately withdrawn from the race to support Oshiomhole. The race is already seen as a done deal for Oshiomhole who had received the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC governors, the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu among others. For the office of the deputy national chairman of the party for the Northern region, Alhaji Farouk Adamu Aliyu from Jigawa State is out to challenge Sen. Lawali Shuaibu who currently occupies the seat." | All Progressives Congress (APC), National convention | Page 13 | 12 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | Governorship aspirant decries internal crisis in Kwara PDP | "A governorship aspirant of the PDP in Kwara State, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Ajia, has cautioned the party against internal wrangling and acrimony. Alhaji Ajia said the opposition PDP could not secure victory over the APC with pervasive division among members. Ajia said this in Ilorin at a gathering to commemorate the end of Ramadan where he distributed food items and souvenirs to party faithful across the 16 local government areas of the state. He noted that there was no way the party could embark on a war as a fragmented house and expect to defeat the ruling party. He challenged party chairmen in local government areas to reconcile aggrieved members and work with unity of purpose and sense of direction." | 2019 general elections , Peoples , Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Kwara State. | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/gov-ship-aspirant-decries-internal-crisis-in-kwara-pdp-257136.html | 12 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | APC group bemoans thuggery in Kaduna | "A group, Kaduna Restoration Group (KRG), has bemoaned increasing cases of political thuggery in Kaduna State. The group, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Tijani Ramalan, said it was collating evidence in respect of some of the cases in order to take action against those involved. KRG observed that during the last local government elections in the state, there were reported cases of infraction and expressed happiness that some people had taken steps towards seeking redress in court. “We hope this purported joke and dress rehearsal against 2019 general elections would not be carried too far,” it warned. The group said the scale of political thuggery in the countdown to the local government elections was unprecedented in the history of the state, stressing that it was worrisome that top public officials had been associated with the activities of the thugs. “We call on all lovers of democracy to remain in their resolve to expel the tyrants who we inadvertently voted into office only to realise that all our expectations of them to be civil, democratic and run a people-oriented government was after all misplaced,” it stated" | Kaduna Local Government elections 2018. | Page 14 | 12 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | Dangiwa urged to run for presidency | "A group, Goodnews Nigeria, has appealed to northern political leaders to endorse Col. Dangiwa Umar (Rtd) to contest for the presidency in 2019. The group in a statement by its National Coordinator, Engr. Dauda Mbaya, said it was mounting pressure on Dangiwa Umar to run for the presidency and that he needed the support of more stakeholders. The group said northern leaders like Generals Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai and others should persuade the former Military Governor of Kaduna State to run for the presidency. The group hinged its support for Dangiwa Umar on his credibility as a detribalised Nigerian with sound morals who would take Nigeria to the Promised Land. “His strength of character, his urbaneness, his record of inclusivity, his contagiously genuine passion for pan-Nigerianism, his commitment to higher principles, his vast knowledge of the ways of the world, his intellectual curiosity, his unflappability in the face of stress and strain, and his broadmindedness stand him out,” the group added. According to the group, Dangiwa Umar sacrificed his military career to fight the injustice of June 12, 1993, and is one of the only few northern leaders that could be trusted by all religions and interest groups in the region and the country at large." | 2019 general elections | Page 15 | 12 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | APC ‘moves’ to Ekiti for Fayemi campaign | Notable leaders of the APC including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, national chairman of the party, Chief Odigie Oyegun, governors among others, yesterday, stormed Ado Ekiti where they campaigned for the candidate of the party. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. All Progressives Congress (APC) | Page 14 | 12 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | Osun gov’ship: Rep lends voice to zoning | "The agitation for the zoning of governorship slot to Osun West is increasing by the day in Osun State, with a frontline governorship aspirant of the APC, Gafar Amere, warning that failure to allow the zone to produce the next governor may spell doom for the party in the September 22, election. Hon. Amere, a Member of the House of Representatives (Iwo/Ayedire/Ola Oluwa), said the senatorial zone had waited enough to produce a governor, having ruled for only 22 months, while the central zone had ruled for 11 and half years and the eastern zone held sway for eight years. He said the agitation had become a movement that would be difficult or impossible to contain if the party made the mistake of presenting a candidate from outside Osun West." | Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC) | Page 13 | 12 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | Okorocha’s in-law urges S’East to vote Oshiomhole | "Ahead of Saturday’s national convention of the APC, the Chief of Staff to the Imo State Governor and governorship aspirant of the party, Chief Uche Nwosu, has enjoined delegates from the South East to support a former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, as national chairman. Chief Nwosu who spoke to newsmen in Owerri said Oshiomhole’s emergence as the national chairman of the APC would usher in a strong, focused and transparent leadership that would steer the party out of imminent crisis. Nwosu also advised South East APC stakeholders to avoid politics of bitterness and acrimony and file behind the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, as the leader of the party in the zone so as to forge a common front and speak with one voice at the convention. Nwosu said, “It is very obvious that our party is grappling with internal crisis and what we need now is a strong leadership that can resolve all issues in the interest of the party. " | All Progressives Congress (APC) National convention. | Page 15 | 12 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | …APC at a critical stage — Aspirant | "The APC and Nigeria are at a critical stage in their evolution, an aspirant for the position of national organising secretary of the party, Chidi Nwogu, said this yesterday in Abuja. Nwogu who addressed journalists on his ambition, underscored the need for the emergence of a new crop of party leaders with the required capacities and backgrounds to weld the party and the nation together for overall national development to confront the challenges of the moment. While saying that Nigeria could not afford to fail the black race, he emphasised the need to develop political parties to deepen democracy and economic development through mass participation of the populace in political activities. He said his background as a former Member of the House of Representatives, an employer of labour, a quantity surveyor and a responsible family man, had placed him on a solid pedestal to discharge the constitutional responsibilities of the office of national organising secretary. " | All Progressives Congress (APC) National convention. | Page 15 | 12 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | Ekiti: APC rally, a dramatic display of failure - PDP | "The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship mega rally held at the Olufemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday as a dramatic display of the failures embodied in the party. The opposition party argued that the speakers at the rally did not disclose any significant plan which the APC has for the people of the state, saying it is an indication it has nothing except deceit and lies to offer the people. The PDP in a statement on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said APC leaders only threw tantrums at the state governor, Ayo Fayose. ""This was evident as Dr Fayemi could not even itemise his last achievements in office, if any, upon which he wanted to be re-elected. ""The Ekiti rally therefore ended as a political comic relief for the PDP as many of the APC gladiators at the rally attested to the fact that Ekiti had been transformed from her poorly developed status in 2014 when Fayemi ruled." | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ekiti-apc-rally-a-dramatic-display-of-failure-257092.html | 12 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | Osinbajo, APC leaders to electorate: Allow change revolution in Ekiti | "Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and notable leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Tuesday charged Ekiti voters to allow change revolution in the state as they go to poll to elect their next governor on July 14. The APC leaders include a national leader of the party and former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and governors on the platform of party who stormed Ado Ekiti to campaign for Dr. Kayode Fayemi. The Vice President, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari urged the people to vote massively for Fayemi describing him as the best man for the job. Osinbajo advised Ekiti residents to join the league of progressive states of Osun, Ogun, Lagos, Oyo and Ondo States of the southwest region. “God has brought a blessed man, who is Dr Kayode Fayemi. He will do Ekiti a lot of good if elected governor. He will bring development to your doorsteps. “On July 14, don’t look back or sideway, just look forward to a good future ahead of you by voting for Fayemi. APC is a party of progress. Let us vote for APC in this election. “APC will help Ekiti to develop, because the PDP has outlived its usefulness”, Osinbajo said. Similarly, Oyegun, Tinubu as well as Chief Bisi Akande told the electorate to vote right on July 14, saying a vote for the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) means continuation of poverty." | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. All Progressives Congress (APC) | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/osinbajo-apc-leaders-to-electorate-allow-change-revolution-in-ekiti-257088.html | 12 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | Why SDP has no anointed presidential candidate, by Falae | "National Chairman, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae has said the party would conduct an open, free and fair presidential primary to select its candidate for the 2019 election. The erstwhile Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) also said the party has no preferred anointed candidate. He stressed that all SDP is after is to select the best material among its aspirants that would drive development, growth, unity and the greatness of the nation. In a brief interaction with The Guardian at the 80th birthday of pioneer Editor-in-Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Professor Victor Olufemi Adefela held in Lagos recently, the SDP national chairman appealed to Nigerians to vote the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) out of government in the next coming election and not to consider returning the erstwhile ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to power in 2019." | 2019 general elections, Social Democracy Party (SDP) | Page 15 | 12 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | Osun PDP guber aspirant debunks link with Buhari, Tinubu | "A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant for the September governorship election in Osun State, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, has refuted being linked to ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The aspirant also dismissed as unfounded rumour that he has link with President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Leader of APC, Ahmed Tinubu. Ogunbiyi dismissed the insinuation on the grounds that his political platform is not in consonance with the duo. In a statement signed by his Director of Campaign, Mr. Olalere Fagbola, the PDOP governorship aspirant described the claim that he was pro-Buhari and Tinubu as a scheme by his opponents who were afraid of the overwhelming support he was enjoying in the governorship race. He recalled that the first time his ambition was attacked he was labeled a political neophyte trying to reap where he did not sow. Ogunbiyi disclosed that the Osun State Chairman of the PDP, Sola Adagunodo, clarified the issue when he affirmed that he had been among those financing the party and part of the PDP’s reconciliation process in the past three years." | Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC) | Page 15 | 12 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | Why Buhari ignored nPDP, by Presidency | "President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision not to meet with the aggrieved members of the New Peoples Democratic Party, (nPDP) that left to join forces with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to dislodge the PDP in 2015 elections was to show respect to the APC, a top presidential source has said. The source yesterday also claimed that President Buhari wanted the due process to be followed as the Vice President and the party hierarchy were handling the matter and were expected to brief him at the end of the day. Meanwhile, the source said that talk with the aggrieved group will continue, adding that the decision of the President not to interfere for now did not mean that he had snubbed them or ruled out the possibility of meeting with them at the end. The members of the nPDP who appeared to have lost out in the sharing equation in the APC have recently given an ultimatum to the ruling party to address their grievances or they will quit the party" | All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, nPDP | Page 15 | 12 | |
| TheGuardian.ng | Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | ‘Odigie-Oyegun factionalised APC’ | "The 2015 governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Senator Julius Ali Ucha, in a telephone chat narrated how the outgoing national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, caused division within the party, stressing that parallel congresses were a product of Oyegun’s vengeance on the party for rejecting his sit-tight schemes. In Ebonyi for instance, Ucha said: “The ward Congresses that were conducted on 5th of May, 2018, all records, including the one from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), clearly show that there was no ward congress in Ohaukwu, Ebonyi, Izzi, Ohaozara local councils. But there was Ward congress only in five out of 14 wards of Abakaliki local council. There was ward congress in Ikwo, Ezza south, Ezza north, Ivo, Ishielu, Onicha, Afikpo north and Afikpo South local councils.” He disclosed that reports available to his group and INEC show that the congresses of 5th of May 2018, were monitored in 108 wards, stressing that out of the fifty-six wards in Ebonyi north, congresses were monitored only in five wards. “There are fifty-eight wards in Ebonyi central, congresses were monitored in all of them and in Ebonyi south, out of the fifty seven wards of the five local council areas, congress did not take place in eleven wards of Ohaozara.”" | All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis | https://guardian.ng/politics/odigie-oyegun-factionalised-apc/ | 12 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | Group rejects Benue APC congresses | A political pressure group of the APC in Benue State South Senatorial District, The Like Minds, yesterday, condemned and rejected the conduct of the congresses of the party in the zone. Chairman of the group, Dr. Matthias Oyigeya, said at a press conference in Makurdi, that the manner which the ward, local government and state congresses were conducted in the state, especially in Zone C Idoma speaking area, was worrisome. He said what took place during the exercise was a total deviation from the directive of the National Working Committee of the APC, stressing that the entire congresses were marred by impunity, lack of internal democracy and imposition of candidates. “The party members who were interested in contesting various party positions were denied the opportunity of exercising their franchise. For instance, Mr. Noah McDickson, Hon. Bernard Ochepa and Hon. Benson Audu paid for forms for the state chairmanship position while Engr. Okpe Onah paid for the vice chairmanship position for Zone C; they were all denied the forms,” he alleged | All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congresses, Benue State. | Page 16 view | 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | Marafa joins Zamfara gov’ship, pledges to tackle banditry | Chairman of the Senate Joint Committees on Petroleum Resources, Senator Kabir Garba Marafa (APC, Zamfara Central), has joined the Zamfara State governorship race ahead of the 2019 general elections. Marafa made his intention to vie for the governorship seat known when the newly elected executives of the APC in the state paid him a Sallah visit at his Yandoton-daji residence in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state. In a statement yesterday, the lawmaker said he would officially declare his intention to contest for the governorship seat at an occasion to be held in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, where all the stakeholders in the state would be in attendance. He told the party executives that following the numerous calls across the 14 local government areas of the state, he had decided to join the governorship race. He said if elected, he would fight corruption, injustice and provide the much needed leadership to stimulate growth and development in the state. Marafa also pledged to use all the resources at his disposal to combat the banditry facing the state. | 2019 general elections, Zamfara State. | Page 13 view | 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | Fayemi not planning to rig guber poll, says APC chair Awe | The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti state, Chief Jide Awe, has denied insinuation that the candidate of the party in the July 14 governorship election, Dr Kayode Fayemi is planning to rig the election. Awe said the performance of the candidate during his first tenure would earn him the governorship seat for the second term adding that the party had strong credentials of performances to win under a free and fair atmosphere. Awe said Fayemi performed well as a governor adding that the party was relying heavily on his strong antecedents to win the coming election. Speaking in Erinjiyan Ekiti on Monday during a reception held in his honour by the people of the town after spending three years in exile due to alleged murder charge preferred against him by Fayose’s government. | Ekiti State 2018 Governorship elections. All Progressives Congress (APC) | Page 16 view | 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | Deji of Akure urges youths not to sell their votes | The Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II has urged youths in the country not to sell their vote during elections but vote for the candidate of their choice. He disclosed this during a visit by the leaders of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) to his palace at the weekend. The National Chairman of the party, Mr Kolade Fasua, who declared his intention to run for the 2019 presidential election in Nigeria, said their cardinal programme is to eradicate poverty. “Suffering is too much in the country, even in Africa. We are suffering in the midst of plenty. We are nation builders and God sent, so the country has to move forward. We are going to modernize the rural area because our agenda is divine intervention.” he said | 2019 general elections | Page 12 view | 11 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper, TheGuardian.ng | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | We have resolved all issues about congresses, says APC | Ahead of the national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled to hold on Saturday, its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, has advised members still nursing grudges over the last congresses to bury their grievances.Abdullahi, who spoke with The Guardian in a telephone conversation yesterday, said the National Working Committee (NWC) had resolved all issues concerning the last congresses in the states. The party’s reaction is coming on the heels of the outcry by Mr. Foud Oki, who staged a parallel congress in Lagos on May 19, urging the NWC not to recognise any delegate from the state to the convention except the one led by him.Oki had threatened to go to court if the NWC or the convention committee acts otherwise. According to him: “It would be mischievous for any member of the party to continue to hammer on the aftermath crises of the congresses since the NWC has resolved those issues, swore in the state chairmen and now planning towards the coming convention.” | All Progressives Congress (APC) State Congresses. | Page 4 view | 11 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper, TheGuardian.ng | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | Sarumi-Aliyu declares for Oyo governorship election | Oyo State may get its first female governor come 2019 as Bolanle Sarumi Aliyu has formally declared her interest to run for the top seat in the state in next year’s general elections. Declaring at a service held for those who lost their lives in the struggle for democracy organised by the Bolanle Aminat Sarumi-Aliyu (BASA) Foundation, at the Sultan Bello Hall University of Ibadan, Oyo State on June 12, Sarumi-Aliyu revealed that she is the first female governorship aspirant in Oyo State and it was only fitting that she made the declaration on the newly declared day for celebrating the nation’s democracy. Speaking with The Guardian, she stated that she is “seeking to overturn the political landscape and give life to gender balance in Nigeria’s political space.” Sarumi-Aliyu said she is ready to set the pace that will invigorate the Nigerian woman with a change of mindset that women taking the back seat in politics has come to an end. According to her, “Women of great vision and capacity from all over the world and indeed Africa have realized and have begun to take their rightful place as leaders. In Rwanda, my sisters and mothers currently occupy about 64 per cent of the country’s parliament. I am therefore setting myself as a pace setter in the ‘pace setting state’, Oyo State.” | 2019 general elections, Oyo State. | Page 15 view | 11 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper, TheGuardian.ng | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | PPC to sue INEC for disqualifying its candidate | Providence People’s Congress (PPC) has threatened to sue the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for disqualifying its governorship candidate.The PPC National Chairman, Mr. Benson Adetona stated this yesterday when he addressed journalists in Ado-Ekiti. According to him, INEC expunged the name of its candidate, Pastor Stephen Obasola from the list of contestants in the election.He explained that the party, on May 14, submitted forms CF01 and CF02 to INEC in Abuja, in compliance with the commission’s guidelines.He expressed concern that the party would have to be punished unjustifiably, even when it submitted the candidate’s name earlier than the May 15 deadline stipulated by INEC. He said Obasola emerged through primaries supervised by INEC at the party’s secretariat at Okesa area in Ado-Ekiti. Adetona accused an unnamed official in the office of the INEC’s National Chairman, Prof Mahmod Yakubu, of playing pranks on the party.He accused him of rejecting the forms earlier listed, on flimsy excuses that forms EC4, EC5 and EC6 were not attached to them.He said it was obvious that INEC was not ready to correct the anomaly that the PPC stated in a petition it sent to it. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections, Providence People’s Congress (PPC) | Page 10 view | 11 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper, TheGuardian.ng | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | APC, PDP represent epidemic, suffering, Mega party candidate alleges | Candidate of the Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN), Adebisi Omoyeni, has asked the electorate to reject the PDP and APC, describing them as representing epidemic and suffering.He spoke yesterday at a rally in Ado-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti, his hometown. His wife, Ayoade, the party’s National Chairman, Dare Adekolu, the state Secretary, Adeleke Adekoya and other members of the executives also attended the rally.He also visited the palace of the monarch, the Ogoga, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, and expressed sadness that Ekiti people are going through a PDP-inflicted hardship.He said his experience as a former Group Managing Director of Wema Bank Plc, and former Ekiti State Deputy Governor had prepared him for the top job. He also visited the palace of the monarch, the Ogoga, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado.Omoyeni described the MPN as a better alternative to both the PDP and the APC, which he accused of contributing to the backwardness and underdevelopment in Ekiti.He promised to provide free education from primary to junior secondary level, adding that his administration will also reduce fees paid by state-owned tertiary institutions by half. | 2019 general elections | Page 10 view | 11 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper, TheGuardian.ng | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | APC has strong credentials to win poll, says party chairman | The Ekiti State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jide Awe, has declared that the party has strong credentials to win the upcoming governorship poll. He stated this yesterday at Erinjiyan-Ekiti during a reception held in his honour, after three years in self-exile.Awe debunked insinuations that the party’s candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, was planning to rig the poll, adding that he performed exceedingly well in Ekiti as governor from 2010 to 2014. While dismissing insinuation that Fayemi would use federal might to capture the state in a Gestapo style, he added that the party would rely on his antecedents to win the election. The state government had accused Awe and five others of killing one Mrs. Julianah Adewumi and Ayo Jeje during the June 21, 2014 governorship election in the state.But, the state High Court handling the matter had a couple of months ago, discharged and acquitted him, following the government’s withdrawal from the case. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. All Progressives Congress (APC) | Page 10 view | 11 | |
| TheGuardian.ng | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | Ugwuanyi cautions against sharp practices in local councils | Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has cautioned chairmen, councilors and clerks in the state’s 17 local council areas against sharp practices that may jeopardize the smooth running of the local government system.He gave the charge while declaring open a two-day Legislative Capacity Building Retreat for council chairmen, councilors and clerks in the state. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Gabriel Ajah, the governor told them to be honest and straight forward if they desire to make it in life.While commending the organisers of the programme, he said it would equip the participants in their various roles in the administration of their various councils and enhance relationships between chairmen, councilors and the clerks. Addressing the participants, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Edward Ubosi, urged the councilors to eschew confrontation with their chairmen, stressing that confrontation would not bring peace but anarchy.He encouraged the chairmen to be open and transparent in the discharge of their duties to avoid being hunted by anti-graft agencies after their tenure in office for one form of fraud or the other. | Enugus State legislative capacity building retreat. | view | 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | Buhari: I'm not ready to meet nPDP members | President Muhammadu Buhari said he is not ready to meet members of the Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) bloc within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The president made his position known at a meeting with APC governors in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja last week, Daily Trust learnt last night. Members of the nPDP, who defected from the People’s Democratic Party before the 2015 general elections, had recently protested, among other things, what they called their marginalisation in the ruling APC. Sources at last week’s meeting revealed that President Buhari insisted that the nPDP members’ grievances were for the party to settle and that he would not interfere. The president was however said to have told the governors that the fence-mending move initiated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo should continue. One of the sources at the meeting said while some of the governors urged Buhari to ignore the nPDP members, others canvassed that Osinbajo should continue to discuss with them. The president, the sources added, also asked the governors, as party leaders in their own right, to handle the issues and that if need be, the leadership of the party could wade in. | All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis | view | 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | Convention: Disquiet in S/East APC over ‘unity list’ | There is disquiet in the South East chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over an alleged ‘unity list’ ahead of the national convention of the party, insider sources confirmed the development to Daily Trust. The idea of a unity list, it was gathered, was informed by last week’s meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and APC governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The unity list, it was gathered, was akin to the one floated by the PDP during its convention, last year, which was essentially mooted and endorsed by the party’s stakeholders. Daily Trust reports that all those that appeared in PDP’s unity list last year ultimately won during the elections held at the Eagle Square in Abuja. One of the sources in APC, however, said pockets of power brokers had emerged to ensure who got what from the South East zone during Saturday’s national convention. Apart from the position of deputy women leader which had been zoned to Abia State, other important positions for the South East included a slot in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, including the national organising secretary, national auditor and national vice chairman (South East). To realise the ambition, a source said the South East zone convened a meeting at the Ladi Kwali Hall, in Abuja, recently, where a former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, announced a unanimous decision to return Senator Osita Izunaso, Chief George Moghalu and Chief Emma Eneukwu as national organising secretary, national auditor and national vice chairman, respectively. However, another source present at the Abuja meeting dismissed the said endorsement, adding that the meeting itself was stormy and poorly attended by APC chieftains from the South East. He said the option of endorsement had created dissention among the attendees. | All Progressives Congress (APC) National convention. | Page 13 view | 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | Ekiti poll: Accept defeat in good faith if you lose, Atiku tells APC | The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atiku was accompanied by the members of the PDP Governorship Campaign Council. The former vice president also expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness of the PDP for the election. “We are satisfied that the Peoples Democratic Party is prepared for this election. “We hope that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will accept the outcome of the election. “They should be democratic for the first time. “We have seen how democratic they are, but for the first time in 2015, we have the opposition party taking over from the ruling party, we expect them to do the same,’’ Atiku said. Fayose, in his remarks, said the PDP was ready for the election, vowing that the people of the state would defend their votes. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) | Page 14 view | 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | Gaidam right on successor comment — Jacob | Governor Ibrahim Gaidam was right for declaring that he does not have a preferred candidate that will succeed him as governor, a chieftain of the APC in Yobe State, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed Jacob, said yesterday. The governor had last week said he had submitted to God in prayers to choose the right person that would take over from him next year. In a statement yesterday, Jacob said that Gaidam had “saved himself from sleepless nights and unnecessary trauma” by praying to God to choose the right person for Yobe ahead of his exit as governor. Jacob said Gaidam also deserved commendation for creating a level playing field for various aspirants to test their popularity, saying history had shown that most governors who imposed successors on the people ended up having serious battles with them soon after leaving office. Daily Trust reports that there was “suspicious political peace” in Yobe less than five months to the deadline given by INEC for parties to field candidates, with some alleging that Gaidam had “suppressed” the ambitions of those who had interest in vying for the governorship position. Many names were being mentioned as likely gubernatorial candidates of the ruling APC in the state though none of them had openly started campaigning. | 2019 general elections, Yobe State. | Page 14 view | 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | …APC members reject Abaribe’s 4th term bid | APC members in Abia South Senatorial District have rejected the fourth term ambition of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of the PDP and endorsed Sir Marc Wabara. Marc Wabara is a younger brother of former Senate President Adolphus Wabara. Announcing the endorsement at Ohambele in Ukwa East Local Government Area, the vice chairman of the APC in the area, Chief Ogumka Adiele, said the endorsement was “to put a square peg in a square hole.” He said they were convinced Wabara would attract democracy dividends which had eluded the people over the years. Wabara on his part thanked the party leadership and proclaimed a quit notice to the PDP in Abia South. | 2019 General Elections, All Progressive Congress( APC), Abia State. | Page 16 view | 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | ‘Buhari has cleared route to power for youths’ | he National Coordinator of Movement for the Sustenance of Buhari’s Policies, Engr. Muftahu Aliyu Hassan, yesterday, said with the coming of the not too young to run act, President Muhammadu Buhari has finally cleared the coast for youths to grab political power. Hassan, an aspirant for Tarauni Federal Constituency of Kano State in the House of Representatives on the platform of the APC, said the development signified that it was time for the youths to swing into action by utilizing the opportunity given to them to bring about visible positive change. “The new law is a challenge thrown to Nigerian youths; it is a time to prove to the world how worthy the Nigerian youths are,” he said. | 2019 general elections | Page 16 view | 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | Rep aspirant to challenge Gbajabiamila’s 5th term ambition | An aspirant for Surulere I Federal Constituency from Lagos State on the platform of the APC, Aderemi Banjo, has kick-started mobilization to stop the re-election bid of the current Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, ahead of the 2019 elections. Banjo, who spoke at a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) sensitization programme organised by Lagos State students, at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, said time had come for the constituents to replace what he termed “Gbajabiamila’s poor performance in the first, second, third and fourth terms.” The aspirant, who also hinted that he had written to the party’s National Leader and former governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, among other leaders in the state of his intention, also expressed regret over how some voting populace placed premium on what he called, “politics of small buses and motorcycles rather than the performance of the elected officer and how constituency allowances were utilised.” | 2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC) | Page 16 view | 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 | No unity list in APC - Dabiri | A member of the Publicity Sub-Committee of the APC national convention committee, Abike Dabiri, says yesterday that 42 positions will be contested for at the Saturday’s convention holding in Abuja. Dabiri who fielded questions from journalists at the convention secretariat where the APC governors held a meeting, added that there no oppositions to 20 positions. “No unity list. There is room for affirmation and consensus but no unity list…Anywhere you can see any such list, it is fake.” | All Progressives Congress (APC), Nationla convention | Page 16 view | 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Thursday, June 14, 2018 | Buhari has no challenger in 2019 — S’South leader | The leader of President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) in the South South geopolitical zone, Hon. Tare Amatare, has said that the president will win the 2019 presidential election convincingly. Hon. Amatare in an interview with journalists in Warri, yesterday, stated that President Buhari would win resoundingly to the extent that the opposition would congratulate him. He challenged critics of the Buhari administration to mention any past administration or government that had fought corruption since 1960 as the Buhari government was doing. According to Amatare, his people of Ijaw ethnic group supported past presidents Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan and therefore Buhari could not be an exception. | 2019 general elections | Page 13 view | 10 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Thursday, June 14, 2018 | NLC kicks as Mimiko dumps PDP, returns to LP today | A former Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has officially resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is set to officially return to Labour Party today. But the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has kicked against the plan, saying Mimiko should remain in PDP. In a three paragraph letter addressed to the secretariat of the PDP, yesterday, and copies made available to newsmen in his Ondo home, Dr Mimiko said he took the decision based on some well thought out personal reasons. The letter read in part: “I hereby with utmost humility inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the PDP with effect from today, June 13, 2018 for some well thought out reasons. “It was an honour working with the many prominent Nigerians with whom I shared the PDP platform for the entire period I was in there as a member.” The former governor, who joined the PDP from Labour Party shortly before the 2015 presidential election, rose to become the chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum. He is said to have dumped the party following disagreement with some party leaders. Mimiko, who was the governor of Ondo State between February 2009 and 2017, is said to have concluded plan to return to Labour Party at his Ward 7 in Ondo West Local Government Area of the state. | Party defection. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). | Page 13 view | 10 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper, TheGuardian.ng | Thursday, June 14, 2018 | APC reads riot act to Okorocha over attack on party | The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has read the riot act to Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha for allegedly undermining the John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, noted that hardly a day passes without Okorocha verbally assaulting Odigie-Oyegun and other party leaders over the recently concluded congresses in the state. Its position was in response to an advertorial published in a national daily of June 11, 2018 titled: Let The Truth Speak For Itself, which was signed by one Ireagwu Obioma, in his capacity as Acting Secretary of the Imo APC. The party maintained that there were a number of false claims made against the party by Obioma, who was accused of doing Okorocha’s bidding. The party observed that the import of the allegations was that it was aware of a court order preventing it from conducting the congress following receipt of a copy of a court injunction, which directed it to maintain the status quo ante. | All Progressives Congress (APC) State Congresses, Imo State. | Page 8 view | 10 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, June 14, 2018 | BREAKING: Kogi East: Again, Court declares Alfa winner | A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday declared Air Vice Marshal Isaac Alfa (rtd) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the 2015 Kogi East Senatorial rerun elections. Justice Gabriel Kolawole in his judgment held that the primary election of the PDP on November 7, 2014 in Idah, Kogi State which eventually announced Ali Usman as winner lacked integrity and credibility. Justice Kolawole ordered the Clerk of the Senate to make arrangement for the immediate swearing in of Alfa and all the benefits and entitlements paid to him. The Judge noted that evidence corroborated by officials showed that Alfa was leading the primary with 129 votes, while Hajia Alfa was on 80 votes before the voting was disrupted by Police and thugs, and he polled 101 votes upon reconvening. He said Atai Aidoko Ali Usman failed to sway the court to accept why it was Seidu Odoma, not Malam Umar Sanusi claimed by the defendants, who signed the exhibits of electoral results such as Exhibit 6, 10A, D2, and D3A as the Returning Officer for the primary. Serving Senator Atai Aidoko Ali Usman was declared winner of the rerun of the election after the winner of the March, 2015 election, Abdulrahman Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was disqualified by the Election Tribunal. | Kogi East Senatorial rerun elections. | view | 10 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper, TheGuardian.ng | Thursday, June 14, 2018 | Labour Party chairman rejects Olusegun Mimiko rejoining party | The National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Dr. Mike Omotosho has accused former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of attempting to destabilise the party, vowing that his re-entry into the party would be resisted. He said in Abuja yesterday that Mimiko’s re-entry into the party is to launder his sagging political image. Mimiko had presented a three-paragraph resignation letter to the PDP yesterday where he said he is returning to his former party, LP. In the resignation letter, he accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), PDP and other opposition parties making development impossible in the country. The President Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba also stated that the party would not welcome him back. Addressing a press conference at the NLC secretariat in Abuja, Omotosho lamented that the erstwhile governor abandoned the party when they needed him most. They described his defection in 2015 as a betrayal of the platform that gave him succor in the darkest hour of “his political career” especially as manifested in his two-term victory on the ticket of Labour Party. The party alleged that it was common for Mimiko to use the platform to gain political relevance. | Party defection. Labour Party | view | 10 | |
| This Day Newspaper/ ThisDaylive Online | Thursday, June 14, 2018 | Youth Will Dominate Politics In 2019- Mike Chukwuma | An aspirant for the Anambra State House of Assembly, (Idemili North Constituency) on the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Mike Chukwuma has said that the 2019 general election will prove a deciding factor on the readiness of Nigerian youth to take over governance of the Country. | 2019 general elections | Page 19 view | 10 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, June 14, 2018 | Why Buhari will win 2019 presidency – Keyamo | He said, “he (Buhari) needs time to instil that culture different from what we have learnt government is all about. “Let’s be honest, most young people of our generation grew up to know only the PDP system, which is – and was – only about money,” adding that “the PDP culture must change.” Keyamo said unlike the PDP “whose oxygen is money”, Buhari did not need Federal funds to clinch his re-election, saying his supporters would be happy to sell their possessions for his re-election. He added that Buhari also need to consolidate on his anti-corruption war and deal a final blow on insecurity, describing insinuations that the President was sponsoring herdsmen as “satanic and idiotic.” When asked why he thought Buhari deserved re-election in light of the growing poverty and the weak economy, Keyamo said, “where does the National Bureau of Statistics get its figures from? I don’t believe those statistics!” He also spoke on the President’s reference to Nigerian youths as “lazy”; allegations that he abandoned the defendant in the Ozubulu church killings to join Buhari; and what he thought his former mentor and leading human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehimi (SAN), would have done with Buhari’s government | 2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC) | view | 10 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, June 13, 2018 | 2019: Don't allow politicians to use you for thuggery- Sultan urges youths | The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar has called on youths not to be used for thuggery by disgruntled politicians in their campaigns. He made the call during the closing of Ramadan Tafsir conducted by Sheikh Ahmad Helele at the Kofar Kware Juma'at Mosque on Tuesday. "I am calling on our teaming youths to shun thuggery now that we are approaching electioneering campaigns," he stated. The Sultan added, "Don't allow disgruntled politicians to use you as political thugs by providing you with drugs and all sort of weapons to attack your own brothers because of political differences while their own children are schooling abroad. " He however, advised Nigerians to get their voters' cards and vote for responsible people who would work for their betterment, in the next general elections. | 2019 general elections | view | 9 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, June 13, 2018 | We’ll change the narrative about Nigeria — Alliance party | Leaders of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), one of the newly registered political parties, yesterday, said they will change the narrative relating to democracy, good governance and service to the people. National Chairman of ANN, Dr. Jay Osi Samuels, during the formal commissioning of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, said their strength lay in the hands of multitude of Nigerians who felt disenchanted with the way politicians mismanaged the system for nearly two decades. Flanked by other national officials of the party, Samuels said another unique selling point of their party was that it was formed by professionals who were tired of recycled politicians. | 2019 general elections | Page 14 view | 9 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, June 13, 2018 | APC gov’ship aspirant to sue Taraba gov’t | A gubernatorial aspirant of under the APC in Taraba State, Alhaji Aliyu Umar, has threatened to sue the state government over the sealing of his campaign office. Alh. Umar, in a statement by his spokesman, Kabir Jalo, gave the Taraba State Government 24 hours to unseal and vacate the office or face legal action. Umar alleged that the chief security officer of the Government House in Jalingo led 30 mobile policemen and invaded the campaign office on Sunday. He said during the invasion, staff in the office were forced out and the doors sealed off. Daily Trust findings reveal that the campaign office was rented out to the APC by the family of late Danbaba Suntai. The building, it was gathered, was purchased by late Suntai before his death, but that the state government insisted that it was the owner of the property. Contacted, the Special Assistant on Media to Gov. Darius Ishaku, Mr. Bala Dan Abu, said he was not aware of the issue. “Many people asked me about the matter, but I told them that I don’t know anything about it,” he said. | 2019 general elections, Taraba State | Page 13 view | 9 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, June 13, 2018 | Ekiti gov’ship: Sen Olujimi wants auto senate ticket to support PDP candidate | The defeated Ekiti State governorship aspirant on the platform of the PDP, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has asked the national leadership of the party to give her automatic ticket for a second term in the senate as condition to work for Prof. Kolapo Olusola, the party’s candidate in the July 14 governorship election in the state. Senator Olujimi (Ekiti South) also requested the party to convene a reconciliatory meeting between her group and the PDP candidate who is also the deputy governor of the state. Olujimi had stepped down for a former Minister of Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, but Olusola defeated Adeyeye at the primary, prompting the latter to dump the PDP for APC. The lawmaker, in a letter dated May 30, 2018, and addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, also wants the party to allocate certain percentage of elective and appointive positions at the federal, state and local government levels to her as a condition for supporting Gov. Ayo Fayose’s preferred candidate. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) | Page 14 view | 9 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, June 13, 2018 | 7 govs, Tinubu, Akande endorse Oshiomhole | Seven governors of the ruling APC, the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the first Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande yesterday paid solidarity visit to the campaign office of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the leading national chairmanship aspirant. The governors who were led by Oshiomhole to inspect the campaign office included Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi; Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun; Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo; Umar Ganduje, Kano; Tanko Al-Makura, Nasarawa; Simon Lalong, Plateau; and Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. Bagudu who spoke at a separate interview with journalists said all the governors were happy with the national chairmanship aspiration of the former governor of Edo State. He said Oshiomhole’s experience as a former governor, trade union leader, and democratic activist were qualities that stood him out as an aspirant that could help in realising the ideals of the APC. Ganduje said his presence was an indication that Oshiomhole would get the votes of all delegates from Kano State, stating that “numerically, it seems he is winning the election before the election.” Akeredolu said there was clear indication that there wouldn’t be any contest for the position of APC national chairman | All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship race | Page 13 view | 9 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, June 13, 2018 | I don’t have Obasanjo’s backing to run for presidency - Donald Duke | A presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Donald Duke has said former President Olusegun Obasanjo has not given his blessings in his quest to become the next President of Nigeria. Donald Duke Duke, a former governor of Cross River, who recently declared his intention to run for the exalted office, told newsmen in Lagos that though he remained close to Obasanjo, his decision to run was personal. “I am not hypocritical. I am close to the former president but he is neither my sponsor nor backup. However, those who come up with these propaganda also go to get the ex-president’s endorsement. “I will not keep people aside because of what others think. I need everybody’s support but I am running as Duke and nobody’s stogie. “I will be putting myself up to run. How it pans out is not what I can say’’ he said. On the zoning in the PDP, Duke said that it would not deter him from running as it remained his constitutional rights. (NAN) | 2019 general elections , Peoples , Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Donald Duke. | view | 9 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper, TheGuardian.ng | Wednesday, June 13, 2018 | Ban on campaigns still in force, INEC tells Kwara politicians | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned politicians in Kwara State to stop erecting campaign billboards and posters, as the ban on political campaign was still in force.INEC Administrative Secretary in the state, Paul Atser, gave the warning in a statement yesterday in Ilorin. “The attention of INEC has been drawn to the emergence of campaign bill boards, posters and campaigns on the electronic media.“The commission wishes to reiterate that campaign either through bill boards, posters and on electronic media by aspirants and political parties now is ill-timed,” the statement reads.He added that political campaigns would not commence until 90 days to the general elections. “Campaign in any form at this point contravenes Section 99 (I) of the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended), which provides a 90-day gap before polling day for the commencement of campaigns by all political parties,” he added. | INEC, Kwara State. | Page 5 view | 9 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper, TheGuardian.ng | Wednesday, June 13, 2018 | I am not Obasanjo’s stooge, says Donald Duke | A presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr Donald Duke, on Tuesday, said that his ambition was not backed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Duke, a former governor of Cross River, who recently declared his intention to run for the exalted office, told newsmen in Lagos that though he remained close to Obasanjo, his decision to run was personal. “I am not hypocritical. I am close the former president but he is neither my sponsor nor backup. However, those who come up with these propaganda also go to get the ex-president’s endorsement. | 2019 general elections. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Donald Duke | Page 5 view | 9 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper, TheGuardian.ng | Wednesday, June 13, 2018 | Fayose invokes God’s judgment on politicians planning violence in Ekiti poll | Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has invoked God’s judgment on politicians planning violence before, during and after the July 14 governorship poll in the state.Fayose said the state deserves to have peace. “Anybody who attempts to manipulate this election will come under the judgment of God. “We hand Ekiti over to God and we pray that anybody, including myself and any other politician, who bring violence to this state would face the judgment of God,” he declared.Fayose spoke at the palace of the Ewi of Ado, Oba Rufus Aladesanmi Adejugbe.He also presented the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s governorship candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, and his 39-year old deputy, Kazeem Ayodeji Ogunsakin, to the monarch. The governor explained that he is supporting Ogunsakin from Ado Ekiti because they gave him the largest votes in 2014, and also representing the Muslim community in the state.He said: “Ordinarily, we wouldn’t have supported Ogunsakin, but for the fact that he performed admirably well as Chairman of Ado Local Government Area. “Also, he served well as Head of Due Process in my cabinet, and also a candidate who represents the interest of the hitherto neglected Muslim community in Ekiti.”He added that most importantly, his choice is to actualise the dream of the youths who have been clamouring for concrete and active representation in government. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) | Page 7 view | 9 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, June 13, 2018 | We’re in talks with Kwankwaso on new party — Sen Nyako | Senator Abdulaziz Nyako has said that he and others are in talks with Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso about a new political party. Nyako who represents Adamawa Central at the Senate said he was preparing with the teeming supporters of his father and former Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako, to leave the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) due to marginalization, according to a Premium Times report. A member of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) bloc in the APC, the senator told his supporters in Adamawa that there was no going back in their decision. “We have no option than to go; but we are still discussing the party to move to with our entire structure. I have spoken with Prof. Jerry Gana in SDP. I also spoke with Attahiru Bafarawa and fixed an appointment for him with Admiral Nyako. Bafarawa wants us to return to PDP,” he said. “On Thursday, I went to Abeokuta and sat (down) with (former president) Obasanjo about ADC. He directed me to see Col. Oyinlola who assured us that we will be absorbed with our structures if we join the party. I also spoke with Kwankwaso (former Kano governor) before the congresses,” he said. | 2019 general elections | Page 13 view | 9 | |
| This Day Newspaper/ ThisDaylive Online | Wednesday, June 13, 2018 | Ekiti Elections Will be Difficult to Rig, Says INEC | The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Prof. Abdulganiy Raji, gave the assurance in Ido Ekiti during a Town Hall meeting tagged : ‘Vote not Fight’ to sensitise the youths, said INEC had gone digital and that the voting would be monitored electronically. He told the people to be vigilant and insist on their votes being counted. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections, INEC. | view | 9 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 12, 2018 | PDP not in hurry to reconstitute BOT — Walid Jibrin | The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BOT), Senator Walid Jibrin, has said the party is not in a hurry to reconstitute its board. Sen. Jibrin said the process of reconstituting the board would commence as soon as the party met with the requirement in the amended constitution of the party. In a statement issued in Kaduna, Jibrin said the process of adopting the amendment which empowered every state and the FCT to legitimately have one person representing them and five members from each of the six zones in the BOT was about to be concluded. “I am working very hard with the state chairmen and our six national vice chairmen in order to bring forth very able, responsible, experienced and respected members into the BOT. “Once the exercise is concluded, the new BOT members and already existing members will now be inaugurated,” he stated. Sen. Jibrin explained that he did not want to rush calling for BOT meeting without successfully concluding the exercise that would ginger in new members of the BOT who shall be the conscience of the party. | 2019 general elections, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) | view | 8 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 12, 2018 | Despite ban by Saraki, more lawmakers join Buhari support group | More lawmakers from both chambers of the National Assembly are joining the Buhari Parliamentary Support Group (PSG) despite a ban by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Daily Trust learnt yesterday. The lawmakers are joining the group in the aftermath of last week’s joint executive session of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which they describe as self-serving. Those who initiated the PSG first at the senate said they floated the group to protect and defend the interest of President Muhammadu Buhari. The group emerged following the passage of a bill in February that sought to change elections sequence in the country in such a way that National Assembly elections would come first, to be followed by governorship and state assemblies, while presidential election would be the last. But senators such as Abdullahi Adamu, Ovie Omo-Agege and a host of others rejected the passage of the bill by the Senate and thereafter formed the PSG. Sen. Omo-Agege specifically said the elections sequence change was targeted at President Buhari. He, along with others, were investigated and he was subsequently slammed with a suspension for 90 legislative days on April 12. A court has since voided that. | Executive and Legislature faceoff, PSG | Page 13 view | 8 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 12, 2018 | I’ll defeat all contenders for APC chairmanship — Oshiomhole | Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, expressed confidence that he will defeat other aspirants, including a former governor of Edo State, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor who has also joined the race for the chairmanship position of the APC. Oshiomhole who spoke with journalists after he was screened by Governor Aminu Bello Masari-led APC Screening Committee, voiced his satisfaction with the process leading to the June 23 national convention. He said, “I am used to contestations and competition and I am a democrat. That was why I did not agree with those who said extend our tenure without election. I think democracy is problematic, but there is no better way to govern a people who are not children who should be spoon fed. “In this business, it is not just what you do, not how it is done and who is involved in the doing. It is about participation. I am excited and the people are no strangers. “At least, I know one and we have contested against each other before. He rigged me out, I pursued him and I won and retrieved the mandate from him. I went back to seek second term and I won. I defeated him even in his local government. I won 18 over 18, defeating him in his ward, his unit, his local government and senatorial district. | All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship race | Page 14 view | 8 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 12, 2018 | 2019: No candidate can defeat Buhari — Maidugu | Honourary Special Adviser on Infrastructure to Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Barrister Bashir Maidugu, has said President Muhammadu Buhari will defeat candidates of other political parties in the 2019 general elections. Barr. Maidugu, in a telephone chat with our reporter yesterday, argued that Buhari had performed very well and would win more votes in the 2019 elections than what he got in 2015 if given the ticket by the APC to run for a second term. “All those hullabaloo you are seeing is corruption fighting back. He (Buhari) will be re-elected with more votes than in 2015,” he said. | 2019 general elections | Page 13 view | 8 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 12, 2018 | 2019: Parties nomination forms fees illegal – Falana | His declaration was coming ahead of the Ekiti and Osun states governorship elections in July and September respectively later this year. He regretted that despite President Muhammadu Buhari expressing disappointment that he took a loan of N27m to obtain the nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the 2015 elections, President Buhari had not been able to change the practice despite a court outlawing it. He spoke in his keynote address on Monday in Lagos at a National Stakeholders Summit organised by the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and DFID, with the theme: “Engaging the 2019 Electoral Process for Improved Citizens’ Participation and Public Confidence.” Speaking at the event, the chairperson of TMG, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said the organisations would not relent in ensuring that the nation’s democracy remains safeguarded from sliding into the doldrums. “As a people, we cannot continue to live in denial pretending that all is well with our electoral process. It is important for all to appreciate the fact that there are still lots of work to do, especially in an era where innovation, advancement and improvement in every human endeavour have become a global phenomenon,” Akiyode-Afolabi said. Falana also called for the abolition of security votes for state governors, saying it enriches them in manipulating the electoral process at the detriment of citizen’s rights and national development. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections, Falana. | view | 8 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper, TheGuardian.ng | Tuesday, June 12, 2018 | PDP presidential ticket open to all, party insists | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared yesterday that its ticket for the 2019 presidential election remained open to all members aspiring for that position. The party, in a statement by its National Organizing Secretary Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), dismissed as untrue reports that it had already endorsed somebody for the position. Akobundu emphasized that the PDP has no room for impunity and imposition of candidates. He said that the transparent primaries conducted in Ekiti State last month that produced the PDP candidate for the July 14 gubernatorial election, was a testimony to the fact that the party was determined to pursue rule-driven processes. The party assured members, particularly presidential aspirants and their supporters, that the contest would be open and transparent and Nigerians would be happy at the outcome. | 2019 general elections, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP | Page 3 view | 8 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper, TheGuardian.ng | Tuesday, June 12, 2018 | INEC plans e-transmission of results in Ekiti governorship election | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it will begin e-transmission of results with the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State. The e-transmission, which entails transmitting the reports from polling units to Abuja as the votes are being counted, is part of the novelties being introduced into the electoral process. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ekiti State, Prof. Abudulganiyu Raji, represented by an Electoral Officer, Mr. Ajayi Olusola, urged the people to collect their Permanent Voter’s cards (PVCs). The REC said that the commission is fully prepared to monitor the activities of political parties before and during the election. Raji stated this yesterday when the Coalition on Non-governmental Organisation under the auspices of New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) and Youngsters Development Initiative, held their ‘Vote not Fight’ advocacy programme in Ido-Ekiti. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections, INEC. | Page 4 view | 8 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper, TheGuardian.ng | Tuesday, June 12, 2018 | Edo APC urges adherence to party’s list, pledges support for Oshiomhole | Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday cautioned local government party chairmen against altering its leadership list. APC state chairman, Anselm Ojezua, gave the advice when he inaugurated elected chairmen of the 18 local government areas. Ojezua also pledged the party’s support for the chairmanship aspiration of former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole. He enjoined the new leaders to always abide by the constitution of the party. “You would have noticed that from the beginning of this process, we have not deviated from the constitution. Arguably, Edo State is the only place where we don’t have issues,” he said. He stressed that the good leadership of the APC in the state was responsible for the existing peace in the ward, council and state levels. | All Progressivs Congress (APC) Chairmanship raise | view | 8 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 12, 2018 | Fayose’s ex-attorney general quits PDP for APC | The immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ekiti State, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi, has dumped the PDP for the APC. Mr. Ajayi said he dumped the PDP to join forces with the progressives in the APC to ensure that “Ekiti does not become a gestapo state where an individual obsessed with power dictates to the rest of the state.” Ajayi said the PDP was a “toy boy” whose victory at the primary was manipulated contrary to tenets of democracy. Announcing his decision yesterday at a news conference in Ado Ekiti, Ajayi expressed regret that Gov. Ayo Fayose allegedly refused to allow a genuine reconciliation in the PDP, and that the dissolution of the state executive council of the party by the governor on June 11, was targeted at him and a former Commissioner for Public Utilities, Mr. Deji Adesua | 2019 general elections, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ekiti State. | Page 13 view | 8 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 12, 2018 | Jonathan’s kinsmen rally for APC ahead of 2019 | The people of Bayelsa East Senatorial District where a former President, Goodluck Jonathan, hails from, have thrown their weight behind the APC ahead of the 2019 National Assembly elections. People from the three local government areas of Ogbia, Brass and Nembe which make up the senatorial district, made the declaration yesterday during the formal declaration of a two-time Commissioner for Finance in Bayelsa State and a chieftain of the APC, Dr. Silva Opuala Charles, to contest for the senatorial seat in 2019. Prominent traditional rulers who spoke during the declaration included HRH, Ralph Canon Sambo, the Ama Dabo 1 of Sambo Ama, Twon Brass, HRH, Otonye Efebo Shidi, the Amadabo of Shidiama, Chief Augstine Okpu, HRH, Consul Oluku, Chief Austin Aye- Martins Gboro, Mingi Yai Gboro 1 of Nembe, who in their separate remarks expressed optimism that the former commissioner would restore the lost glory of the senatorial district which they described as one of the livewires of the Nigerian economy. | 2019 general elections | Page 14 view | 8 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 11, 2018 | Outcry as Saraki, Dogara sit on late legislators seats | Anguish and public outcry have continued to trail the alleged indifference of the National Assembly leadership to give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the green light to fill the vacancies created by the demise of two senators and one member of the House of Representatives. Months after the death of Senator Malam Ali Wakili (APC, Bauchi), Senator Bukar Mustapha (APC, Katsina) and Rep Buba Jibril (APC, Kogi), their seats in the red and green chambers of the National Assembly have remained vacant amidst allegations of conspiracy, ineptitude and outride disrespect for the rule of law. Wakili died on March 17, Rep Buba Jibril (APC, Kogi) on March 30 and Mustapha on April 4. Valedictory sessions had been held for them, a formal bye-bye in political parlance but short of what the law says to warrant filling the vacuum with new legislators. The two chambers of the National Assembly are yet to transmit official communication to INEC to kick start the process of electing new lawmakers to represent the affected constituencies. “Our hands are tied as far as by-elections are concerned in the three constituencies until leaders of the National Assembly officially informed us of the deaths,” a top official of INEC said. | National Assembly | view | 7 | |
| ThisDaylive Online | Monday, June 11, 2018 | Youths Can’t Wait Till 2023, Presidential Candidate Replies Buhari | A youth vying for presidency in the 2019 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bishop Igomu has declared that Nigerian youths cannot afford to continue to wait till 2023 before they rescue the country from misrule it has suffered from past and present leaders. Igomu, who was reacting to President Mohammadu Buhari’s admonition that youths should hold on till after 2019, however lauded the passage of the Not-Too-Young-To-Rule bill into law describing it as heartwarming. Igomu, a Medical Doctor from Benue State, who has practiced in Nigeria and the United States America (USA) lamented the sufferings of Nigerians despite the abundant human and natural resources the nation is blessed with. Interacting with journalists in Jos, Plateau State, the aspirant said he was already consulting with relevant stakeholders across the country to garner support, urging the youths to get set for a positive spark to turn around the nation’s fortunes. | 2019 general elections | view | 7 | |
| ThisDaylive Online | Monday, June 11, 2018 | Fayemi Appoints Ailing Bamidele as Campaign Director General | The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) for the July 14 election in Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Sunday announced the name of the ailing Hon Opeyemi Bamidele as the Director General of his campaign Council. Fayemi, described the event leading to the shooting of Bamidele last week during a stampede at the APC secretariat in Ado Ekiti as very unfortunate, saying there was need to retain the party chieftain , having consented to serve in that capacity before the horrible twist at the rally. Bamidele and five others were shot by a policeman who mishandled his rifle during a mob action in the midst of the crowd. This was just as he inaugurated his Ekiti State campaign council that will work with that of the National, led by Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu that had earlier been inaugurated by the National Chairman of the Party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun for the success of the party in the July 14 poll. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. All Progressives Congress (APC) | view | 7 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 11, 2018 | Fayose alleges unclaimed PVC being sold to strangers | The Governor of Ekiti State Ayodele Fayose on Saturday claimed that over 200 thousand unclaimed Permanent Voters Cards are being sold to strangers outside the state with the intention to rig the July 14 governorship poll. In the same vein, the governor has directed the Head of Service, Gbenga Faseluka, to issue letters of promotion to 46,000 civil servants whose promotion had been put on hold in the last three years. Briefing journalists on Saturday in the newly constructed governor's office, Fayose also announced intention to engage about 2000 youths in the state civil service. The governor, who claimed he had information from reliable sources that PVS not yet collected were being sold to people outside Ekiti to use them during the forthcoming poll, urged electorate yet to collect their PVC to do so. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) | view | 7 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 11, 2018 | nPDP will not pull out of APC — Apugo | A member of the nPDP who became member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the APC, Prince Benjamin Apugo, has assured that their decision to suspend further discussions with the Presidency will not lead them into pulling out of the ruling party. Apugo who disclosed this to journalists in Umuahia, yesterday, maintained that there was no crack in the APC, saying members of the nPDP needed to coordinate themselves and meet President Muhammadu Buhari over the alleged marginalisation faced by its members. | All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, nPDP | Page 13 view | 7 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 11, 2018 | 2019: Don warns incumbents against arm-twisting opposition | head of the 2019 General Elections, the Senior Fellow, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, has cautioned politicians, especially incumbents, not to use desperation to retain power by arm-twisting or muzzling opposition parties. The erudite politicain gave the advice in Abuja at a “Roundtable on the Nigerian Party Competition during a Time of Transition and Terror” organised by the centre and delivered by Prof. Carl LeVan, of the School of International Service, American University Washington D.C. He said that rather than use violence to retain power, parties, especially the incumbents should embark on productive manifestos and issue-based campaigns to win in the elections. He said that a research by Prof. LeVan on Nigerian elections showed that Nigerians were more swayed by issues around why they should vote for politicians than other considerations. Ibrahim said a good example was in 2011 when former President Goodluck Jonathan won on the basis of a breath of fresh air and of a promise of a new style of politics. | 2019 general elections | view | 7 | |
| ThisDaylive Online | Monday, June 11, 2018 | Osun Governorship: I Wasn’t Asked to Step Down, Says Speaker | The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Dr. Najerm Salaam, has asserted that he has not abandoned his governorship aspiration as well as his advocacy for the zoning of governorship candidacy of his party to Osun West senatorial district. He stated that he and other party leaders elected would deliberate on how political development would be devoid of tension and party decimation. The Speaker met with critical stakeholders and leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in company of the state Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and the state party Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun, to discuss issues of interest including political development in the state. Salaam in a statement signed by his chief Press Secretary, Mr. Goke Butika, said it was not true that the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has ordered him to step down for any other person on his governorship ambition. | Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC) | view | 7 | |
| ThisDaylive Online | Monday, June 11, 2018 | Aggrieved C/River APC Members Drag Party, INEC to Court over Congresses | Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Cross River State, who are unhappy with the result of the party’s recently held Congresses, have dragged the party before the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking nullification of the ward, local government and state congresses. In the suit filed by Odey Oyama, a party caucus leader and 22 others, the plaintiffs are challenging the February 24, 2018 state congress with 98 delegates, which produced Godwin Etim John as state party chairman, replacing former chairman and now Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, and the subsequent wards, local governments and state congresses of May, 2018. In the originating summons filed by their counsel, Marx Ogar, the plaintiffs are contending that the February 24, 2018 state congress, which was ordered by the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Mr. Segun Oni was not valid under sections 85 (1) and (3) of the 2010 Electoral Act and Article 12.7 of the APC Constitution. | All Progressives Congress (APC) Cross River State. | Aggrieved C/River APC Members Drag Party, INEC to Court over Congresses | 7 | |
| This Day Newspaper/ ThisDaylive Online | Monday, June 11, 2018 | Court Order on INEC’s Account Won’t Affect Ekiti Governorship Election, Says Yakubu | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the freezing of its account by the court will not affect its readiness to conduct the July 14 governorship election. The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC’s chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi who responded to THISDAY’s enquiry on the issue yesterday via text message, said the commission had already taken steps to address the issue. There were fears that the preparations by the electoral body for the forth coming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States might be in serious jeopardy after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the freezing of its accounts over a N34bn contract. The Court also ordered the deduction of over N17 billion from the accounts of the electoral body in favour of one of its contractors, Beddings Holdings Ltd (BHL). However commenting on whether this will have a major impact on the INEC’s conduct of elections in Ekiti and Osun States, the Spokesman said it will not. “It will not affect the Ekiti governorship election,” he said. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections, INEC. | Page 67 view | 7 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 11, 2018 | Convention: Screening begins today as APC members jostle for 60 positions | The screening for prospective aspirants begins today as members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) get set to occupy 60 available positions at the June 23 national convention where the National Executive Committee (NEC) members will be elected. The convention is coming amidst heightened tension that power brokers in the APC, including the presidency, governors, members of the National Assembly and key stakeholders outside the corridors of power, would push for the emergence of their preferred candidates ahead of various primaries for the 2019 general elections. Intrigues within the party, especially in the last couple of weeks, were pointers to how the party would look like after the convention scheduled to hold in less than two weeks’ time. Credible sources said there was a lot of pressure on the Governor Abubakar Badaru-led convention committee even as there were suggestions that the National Secretary of the Convention Committee, Senator Benjamin Uwajimogu, resigned his appointment over pressures he could no longer surmount. The positions which have been divided into 10 each and zoned to the six geo-political zones, include that of the national chairman, deputy national chairman (North), deputy national chairman (South), national secretary, deputy national secretary and six national vice chairmen, one from each geo-political zone of the country (to be known as zonal chairmen) | All Progressives Congress (APC) National convention. | Page 13 view | 7 | |
| ThisDaylive Online | Monday, June 11, 2018 | Middle Belt, Southern Leaders Urge Buhari to Remove INEC Chairman | Middle Belt and Southern Nigerian leaders yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to relieve Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria (INEC), Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, of his post, sighting the likelihood of bias in favour of the president as their reason for the call. The leaders in a statement in Abuja also asked the president to among others, act on last week’s 12-point resolutions of the National Assembly on the state of the nation; call out the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; uphold the powers of the states to enact laws on open grazing of livestock; reign the killer herdsmen and take urgent steps to make the country more secure for the citizenry. In the statement signed by Dr. John Nwodo (South-east), Chief Ayo Adebanjo (South-west), Chief Edwin Clark (South-south) and Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (rtd) (Middle Belt), the leaders urged Buhari to re-enact the spirit of June 12 by ensuring the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections in 2019. Speaking on their behalf at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Air Commodore Nkanga Indongesit, said Buhari should as a matter of priority, institutionalise credible elections in the country. | 2019 general elections, INEC | view | 7 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 11, 2018 | Kwara factional APC: We are in court to stop impunity within the party | A faction of the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said "it has no option than to go to court to stop the reign of impunity within the party." In a statement issued in Ilorin on Saturday by its Publicity Secretary, Kayode Oyin-Zubair expressed dissatisfaction with the events that preceded the party's congress in May 2018 and the turn of events even after the congress. "We have waited patiently to see if those who took wrong steps, will be remorseful to retrace their steps. Unfortunately, they have continued to grandstand, while they are holding unto illegitimate mandate. "We are have therefore, filed a suit on Friday, 8th June 2018 before a Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, seeking to nullify the unconstitutional election that brought Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani and others into office among other reliefs. "We owe it a duty to our party members and the people of Kwara State to entrench internal democracy in APC as a ruling party and one that will seek the people's mandate in a near future. We have always held that, should we get it wrong in the process of choosing party flag bearers, the people will bear the brunt. | All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Kwara State. | view | 7 | |
| ThisDaylive Online | Monday, June 11, 2018 | Your Govt Was Reckless, PDP Tells Fayemi | The Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Mr. Gboyega Oguntuase, has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to explain how he spent statutory allocations and other funds that accrued to his government between 2010 and 2014. Oguntuase said documents from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the National Bureau of Statistics among others showed that Fayemi collected a total of N165 billion as allocations, excluding regular funds from Excess Crude Oil Account, grants, internally-generated revenues (IGR) among others, but Fayemi still took N25 billion bond and N35 billion commercial loans with nothing to show for the funds. Responding, Fayemi challenged Governor Ayodele Fayose to a public debate in the market square on who is the best manager of resources between his government and that of the PDP-led administration. He advised the PDP to take time and peruse the 800-page hand over note he handed over to him to be able to decipher how he spent Ekiti State money during his administration. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) | view | 7 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Friday, June 8, 2018 | 2019: ‘Buhari will get 2 million votes from Delta’ | President Muhammmadu Buhari will get two million votes from Delta State in the 2019 presidential election, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Olorogu Emerhor, has said. He said this in an interview with State House correspondents, yesterday, after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. Emerhor who explained that Buhari had done a lot for the South-south, said delivering him in 2019 had become very easy for multiple reasons. “The great objective we have is how to deliver the president in Delta State in 2019. That is our priority and the ground is ripe for us to take over that state and deliver two million votes for President Buhari in 2019,” Emerhor said. | 2019 General Elections, All Progressive Congress( APC), Delta State. | Page 13 view | 6 | |
| ThisDaylive Online | Friday, June 8, 2018 | PDP, APC Win Rescheduled Council Election in Kaduna | The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State has won the rescheduled chairmanship election in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The rescheduled elections in Kaura and Kajuru did not hold. Announcing the results of election which held on Wednesday, the state Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM) returning officer, Grace Doyaro, said Gwada got 17,967 votes to defeat, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Benjamin Jok, who scored 7,401 votes. Dayaro who said the PDP won all 10 councillorship seats in the local government, added that the election was free and fair, devoid of rancour. The result of the election in Chikun Local Government is generating controversy following the declaration of the APC as the winner of the chairmanship. The elections were rescheduled in four wards to make to produce winner for the chairmanship election held on May 12. Announcing the result, the returning officer, Sani Mohammed said the APC candidate Maikai Adamu polled 28,198 votes to defeat the Salasi Nuhu of the PDP who scored 24,462 votes. However, the PDP has kicked against the result, saying that elections did not hold in the four wards. | Kaduna Local Government elections 2018. | view | 6 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Friday, June 8, 2018 | Elections under threat as court freezes INEC’s accounts | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in a fix after a court ordered the freezing of its accounts over a N34bn contract, thereby threatening the upcoming elections in Ekiti and Osun states. | Independent National Electoral Commision, (INEC) | Page 1 view | 6 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Friday, June 8, 2018 | ADP marks 1 yr, flays govt policy response | Corruption and poor policy response to the yearnings and aspirations of the Nigerian masses, especially in the area of human capital development, have led to deplorable poverty, National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, has said. Engr. Sani said this yesterday in Abuja while addressing journalists at the ADP national headquarters on the one year anniversary of the party. Sani said corruption and poor policy response were the major causes of insecurity of various forms in the country, promising that his party would address the issues when voted into power. He said the party had developed an economic blueprint anchored on free trade and private sector participation as the core driver of the economy. The party pledged to implement a new policy on trade and investment that would open up opportunities for local and foreign investors | 2019 general elections | Page 14 view | 6 | |
| The Guardian.ng | Friday, June 8, 2018 | Imo PDP reads riot act to aspirants | Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has warned that it “will not hesitate to commensurately sanction any public office seeker, who employs campaign of calumny and hate speech, while scouting for support”. The state PDP chairman, Chief Charles Babatunde Ezekwem, read the riot act while addressing party stakeholders in Owerri. “The party expects all public office seekers to make their campaigns issue based. It must be devoid of calumny and hate. Any aspirant found culpable for these ills, will be commensurately disciplined in accordance with the provisions of the party’s constitution”, Ezekwem said.. It was the considered opinion of the Imo PDP boss that “for the party to make meaningful and sustainable progress in next year’s general polls, we must work as a family and do away with anything that will distort our plans and breed rancour and enmity among members, especially those seeking various elective positions.” | 2019 general elections, Imo State | view | 6 | |
| The Guardian.ng | Friday, June 8, 2018 | 2019: Diden eyes Senate | As the democratic trumpet sounds once again in preparation for the 2019 general election in Nigeria, more self proclaimed leaders continue to emerge from the outer space. This scenario is peculiar in a season as this. History has shown that a handful of these aspirants are either interested in the electoral race for the sake of grabbing political power for self aggrandizement rather than to be of service to the people. Hence a popular aphorism states that ‘’those born to lead are few while those born to follow are many”. Diden It was against this backdrop that some in Delta South Senatorial District have adopted an unassuming political jugger-naut, Michael Diden to represent them at the Senate from 2019. | 2019 general elections, Delta South Senatorial District, Delta State. | view | 6 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Friday, June 8, 2018 | Ex-agitators pledge support for Buhari | Leaders of various camps under Phase I of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, yesterday, expressed willingness to work towards the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 polls. The Chairman of the forum of Phase I leaders of ex-agitators, Pastor Reuben, spoke in Abuja after a meeting with the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator, Amnesty Programme, Prof. Charles Dokubo. At the meeting held with over 30 Phase I leaders of the Niger Delta ex-agitators in attendance, Dokubo solicited their support to ensure Buhari’s re-election in the forthcoming elections. | 2019 general elections | Page 14 view | 6 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Friday, June 8, 2018 | Osun can’t afford retrogression after Aregbesola – Oyetola | A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 22, gubernatorial election in Osun State, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, has warned that the state cannot afford to retrogress after the administration of Gov. Rauf Aregbesola. Speaking with journalists at his campaign office in Osogbo, the state capital, shortly after declaring intention to contest for the position of governor, Oyetola said the current administration in the state performed excellently and cautioned the people to be wary of those who wanted to draw the state back. Oyetola, who is the Chief of Staff to the governor, described the six-point Integral Action Plan of Gov. Aregbesola as the best template for good governance. The aspirant said he would fine-tune and adopt the six-point agenda | Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC) | Page 14 view | 6 | |
| ThisDaylive Online | Friday, June 8, 2018 | Lagos APC Pushes for Ratification of Banire’s Suspension by NWC | Hundred of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Thursday gathered at the state secretariat of the party to demand for the ratification of the suspension of the party’s National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire, which was carried out in July last year, saying he did not only engages in political rascality, but also a dissident. The party faithful in a letter to the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, lamented that the refusal of the national leadership to ratify the suspension of Banire has embolden him in his antiparty activities. According to the petition signed by the Legal Adviser of the party in Mushin, Lagos, Mr. Femi Martins, “such recalcitrant and political rascality (as displayed by Banire) undermines the democratic process, and parties at all levels must continue to strive to ensure decorum from its members, hence the protest of party faithful against Banire which resulted in his suspension, and was an exercise directed at saving the soul of the party and not a political vendetta.” They insisted that the suspension should be carried out immediately by the Oyegun’s National Working Committee (NWC) before it leaves office in order to lay a foundation for party discipline. | All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis, Lagos State. | view | 6 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Friday, June 8, 2018 | Buhari’s anti-graft war success selling point to Igbos - Apugo | A Board of Trustees (BoT) member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Abia State, Prince Benjamin Apugo, has said the Igbo will massively vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 so as not to disrupt the zoning formula. Apugo said the success recorded by the President Buhari-led administration in the fight against corruption and the amount so far recovered from looters had endeared him to the Igbo. He spoke yesterday in Ibeku, his country home, while interacting with journalists on the recent face off between the nPDP and the part | 2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC) | Page 14 view | 6 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Friday, June 8, 2018 | IRI charges CSOs on neutrality | The International Republican Institute (IRI) has charged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to ensure neutrality in dealing with political parties in Nigeria’s democratic process. IRI gave the charge in Bauchi yesterday at a workshop. Delivering a paper titled: “Developing Advocacy Strategy on Service Issues: Prospects and Challenges”, IRI Senior Programme Officer, Mr. Sunday Alao, said there was need for CSOs to work towards increasing political parties’ responsiveness and representation. Mr. Alao said this would be done by strengthening their oversight functions for increased accountability and citizen participation in democratic process. | 2019 general elections | Page 14 view | 6 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Friday, June 8, 2018 | Ekiti gov’ship: INEC to use 10,500 corps members | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is partnering with the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) for the training of staff that will be used for the July 14, 2018, governorship election in Ekiti State. The commission also said it would make use of 10,500 corps members for the poll, while assuring Nigerians that it would not allow anybody or political party to truncate the exercise. The National Commissioner in charge of Ekiti, Oyo and Osun states, Prince Adedeji Soyebi, said the training was to get them acquainted with modern and digitalised electoral process under the concept Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) implementers’ workshop. INEC also said it was compulsory for the members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Ekiti to serve as electoral officers in the election, describing the poll as a critical national assignment that was a statutory obligation of any corps member. | 2019 general elections, INEC | Page 14 view | 6 | |
| ThisDaylive Online | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | APGA Chairman: No Automatic Ticket for Umeh, Ubah, Bianca in 2019 | The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Oye, has called on those hoping to vie for elective positions in the 2019 general election on the platform of the party to get ready to contest for tickets. Oye, in an interview with journalists in Awka, said there would be no automatic ticket for any member of the party, including the former national chairman, Senator Victor Umeh, oil magnate, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah and the wife of the demised leader of the party, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu. Though Oye said he was not aware if the wife of the late Biafran warlord, Ojukwu, was ready for the contest, he however stated that she and every other member of the party who wished to vie for election on the platform of the party must be ready to contest for tickets in a fair primary election. | 2019 General Elections, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) | view | 5 | |
| TheGuardian Newpaper/ The Guardian.ng | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | Kaduna lawmakers escape mob attack over alleged stealing of election materials | Two All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in Kaduna State and an electoral officer narrowly escaped being lynched in the rescheduled council poll at Kujama, headquarters of Chikun Local Council.The elections were inconclusive in some council areas during the May 12 polls in the state, for which a re-run poll was scheduled for June 6 in Chikun, Kaura and Jaba councils. Representative of Igabi federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Abubakar Mohammed Mamadi, and representative of Chikun in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Mark Yari, were allegedly caught stealing election materials at the council secretariat in Kujama.They were consequently held hostage for hours before a combination of heavily armed soldiers and Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was deployed to rescue them.The SARS had to fire several tear gas canisters to clear the way, as they moved the lawmakers and the electoral officer away in a patrol van at a neck breaking speed, as the mob threw stones at the police. They were alleged to have arrived the council secretariat with a top government official, thugs and some policemen.They were beaten up and almost lynched by the angry mob who stormed the secretariat, while the thugs allegedly escaped to Kaduna with the voting machines.Three Peugeot saloon cars, including the one carrying the election materials were deflated. | Kaduna Local Government elections 2018. | Page 14 view | 5 | |
| TheGuardian Newpaper/ The Guardian.ng | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | PDP alleges plan to stop result collation midway in Ekiti governorship election | The Ekiti State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in collusion with the All Progressives Congress (APC) is planning to stop the collation of results of the July 14 governorship poll midway to allow for the tampering and manipulation of the entire process.The PDP state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said both the INEC and the APC dubbed the sinister move ‘Edo State Code.’ The party, therefore, warned INEC not to bow to pressures from the APC to subvert the will of the people of the state in the coming election.Meanwhile, the APC in Ekiti State has criticised Governor Ayodele Fayose and the governorship candidate of the PDP, Prof. Olusola Eleka, for visiting public schools across the state to canvass votes for the party’s candidate in the July 14 governorship election. In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the party said visiting public schools during school hours to disrupt academic exercise is “desperation taken too far and a condemnable and reckless politicking that has no merit in modern democratic governance.” | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) | Page 7 view | 5 | |
| TheGuardian Newpaper/ The Guardian.ng | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | Rivers, Enugu APC offices seek reconciliation with aggrieved parties | In a bid to douse tension, new Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, yesterday extended an olive branch to Senator Magnus Abe and other aggrieved members to end the feud in the party. But the Abe’s faction through the former Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms insisted that it was necessary for the party to obey the Justice Chiwendu Nwogu ruling, which nullified the result of the APC congresses.Flag-Amachree, who reached out to the aggrieved members in Port Harcourt, said it was baseless for the party stakeholders and their supporters to engage in political feud when they have the incumbent government to contend with. He pointed out that he intended to meet all the aggrieved members, as part of effort to achieve genuine reconciliation, stating that the APC would stand united and strong to win the 2019 elections in the state. | All Progressives Congress (APC) internal crisis | Page 7 view | 5 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | Taraba APC faction rejects newly sworn state chairman | The Unity Forum, a faction of the APC in Taraba State, has rejected Alhaji Abdulmumini Vaki who was sworn in as state chairman of the party in Abuja. The Publicity Secretary of the forum, Mr. Aaron Artimas, said in an interview with Daily Trust that the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, acted on his own by swearing in Alhaji Vaki when he fully knew that the person he swore in was not the popular choice of majority APC members in Taraba. Mr. Artimas explained that election was held during the state congress in Jalingo and Barrister Ibrahim El-Sudi was duly elected and endorsed by national officers sent to supervise the congress | All Progressives Congress (APC) State Congress, Taraba State. | Page 13 view | 5 | |
| This Day Newspaper/ ThisDaylive Online | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | Senator Oduah Dumps PDP, Says APGA Is Her Home | The senator representing Anambra North senatorial district, Stella Oduah, has defected to the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). Oduah, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), formally defected to APGA yesterday at a ceremony held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. Speaking while presenting herself to the APGA national leadership, the senator said she had always dreamed of being part of the APGA family, adding that she share common philosophy with the party. “I am here as a politician, a true Southeasterner and a very proud Igbo woman. Today is home-coming for me. This is where my heart has always been. Before, the enabling environment was not created for various reasons but now, it exists, so I am now where my heart belongs,” she said. | Stella Oduah, APGA. | Page 52 view | 5 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | Ekiti: Oni asks supporters to work for Fayemi’s victory | Chief Olusegun Oni who came second in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary in Ekiti State has asked his supporters to work for the success of the party’s candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in the July 14, gubernatorial election. Addressing his campaign council chairmen and other members of his team drawn from the 16 local government areas of the state in Ifaki Ekiti, his country home, on Tuesday, Oni asked everyone who believed in the APC project to forget whatever happened during and after the primary and work for the success of the party. He said, “If we are really loyal to Chief Segun Oni and believe in my principle, we must keep this party alive and work together as one by remaining committed and dedicated to its success in the July 14, election. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. All Progressives Congress (APC) | view | 5 | |
| TheGuardian Newpaper/ The Guardian.ng | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | Fasehun lauds resolutions on Buhari, IGP | Founder of Yoruba militia group, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun has commended the resolution of the joint session of the National Assembly to sanction President Muhammadu Buhari. In a statement yesterday, Fasehun said the legislators’ resolution was an overdue and commendable step to protect the country’s democracy, which would also check Nigeria’s gradual slide into totalitarianism. The OPC founder also flayed the Defence Minister, Col. Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd.) for proposing at the last Security Council meeting that states should scrap anti-grazing laws. In similar manner, Fasehun condemned the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai for introducing a policy aimed at converting chiefdoms to emirates. He stressed that both moves of El-Rufai and Ali were unconstitutional, anti-Federalism and the caliphate’s expansionist agenda. | Executive and Legislature faceoff, Odua People's Congress (OPC) | Page 15 view | 5 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | How we’ll fight ‘pay-as-you-vote syndrome’ — INEC | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will fight monetisation of votes, otherwise known as “pay-as-you-vote” syndrome in all elections. The Chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room Dialogue Session on the coming Ekiti State governorship election. Represented by Dr. Adedeji Shoyebi, a National Commissioner of INEC, Yakubu said one of the ways they would combat the syndrome would be to ban the presence of vehicles at the voting arena, adding that it had been observed that money to be distributed were usually kept inside these vehicles. He added that the commission would also make sure that the points of casting votes at the polling units were constructed in such a way that it would be impossible for others to see the voter’s choice. He said for the 2019 general elections, the use of smart card readers had come to stay. | 2019 general elections: INEC | Page 13 view | 5 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | Over 1,000 PDP members join APC in Osun | The APC in Iwo, headquarters of Iwo Federal Constituency in Osun State, has received over 1,000 members of the PDP. The PDP members were received by APC chieftains during an empowerment programme organised by Oluomo of Feesu, Iwo, Chief Diekola Ismail Adefowope, which was held at the Iwo City Hall. A former PDP stalwart who led other members of the party to APC, Mr. Ajao Muritala Olaleye, said their decision to dump the opposition PDP was as a result of impunity and lack of internal democracy. The event was attended by a huge crowd which included prominent politicians in the area, traditional rulers, religious leaders, political groups, artisans and student leaders. | Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC) | Page 14 view | 5 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | Senate confirms Mahmud, Okoye others as INEC Commissioners while rejects nominee of Zamfara. | Senator Kabir Marafa (APC, Zamfara), yesterday, defeated Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State in a battle over the nomination of Ahmad Bello Mahmud as Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to represent Zamfara State. Gov. Yari had been at loggerheads with Marafa over Mahmud to the extent that the governor petitioned the senate, saying the nominee was not from Zamfara State and therefore should not be confirmed. At yesterday’s plenary session, the report of the Senate Committee on INEC chaired by Sen. Suleiman Nazif (APC, Bauchi) on the screening of the nominees was considered. The committee recommended that Barrister Festus Okoye, National Commissioner (South East), Elder Monday Udo Tom, REC (Akwa Ibom) and Attahiru Garba Madami, a REC nominee from Niger State be confirmed. The panel, however, recommended that the nomination of Mahmud be rejected for the third time over petition written against him by Gov. Yari. But Marafa raised a point of order challenging the recommendation on the ground that the claim of the governor was faulty. He said Yari should also sack the Zamfara State Head of Service and his Chief of Staff who were also allegedly not from Zamfara State. “If he has honour, he should sack the two persons,” he said. He said Sen. Nazif compromised and that he had evidence against him. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, called Marafa to order, saying “you cannot say this.” He requested that Marafa should withdraw the statement and apologise to Nazif, threatening to refer the matter to the ethics committee. Responding, Marafa said he would only withdraw the statement, but that he would not apologise. Saraki responded by saying the comment Marafa made was a comment to all of them. “You have withdrawn the statement, to say you will not apologise is a strong statement,” Saraki said | INEC commisioners confirmation | Page 13 view | 5 | |
| ThisDaylive Online | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | N’Assembly Resolution: Buhari Should Resign, Says Secondus | The National Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP,) Prince Uche Secondus, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to quit the stage now that it’s evident that he cannot hold the government and the country together. Against the background of the Tuesday’s resolutions of the National Assembly threatening to invoke their constitutional powers on the president if a number of constitutional infringements are not quickly addressed and stemmed, Secondus said there is no further confirmation to the fact that the president is presiding over a collapsed administration. In a statement from his media office signed by Media Adviser, Îke Abonyi, the PDP national leader said the position of the parliament reflects clearly that of a cross section of Nigerians and should be respected. Secondus contended that even though the position of the legislators is delayed in coming given the damage already done to democracy and the country by the purposeless administration, the lawmakers still deserve some commendations for standing up for democracy and rule of law. | Executive and Legislature faceoff, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) | view | 5 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | ADP’ll make a difference in 2019 — Bwari | 2019 general elections, Action Democracy Party. (ADP) | 2019 general elections, Action Democracy Party. (ADP) | Page 14 view | 5 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | Only Lamido can rescue Nigeria — Group | The North Central chapter of Youth Movement for Good Governance (YMGG) has said only a former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, can take Nigeria to the Promised Land. The group made the statement yesterday through its Chairman, Justice Nafi’u Ya’u, when the Nasarawa State chapter of the group held a special meeting and breaking of fast in Jos. The group described President Muhammadu Buhari as a “dictator that has been witch-hunting political opponents or people he perceive as enemies,” adding that his continued stay in office beyond 2019 would put the country in a state of anarchy. The group said with Sule Lamido’s adequate experience in governance and his understanding of the complexity of Nigeria would come to bare when he emerged president next year under the platform of PDP. | 2019 general elections | Page 14 view | 5 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | Oyegun never told us not to inaugurate excos-Lagos APC chairman | "The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC)in Lagos ,Alhaji Tunde Balogun on Tuesday night denied any directive from the National Chairman of the party,Chief John Odigie-Oyegun stopping state party chairmen from inaugurating their executive members. Balogun told newsmen in Ikeja that news reports that Oyegun gave the directive at the inauguration of 33 state party chairmen in Abuja on Monday were misleading. He said Oyegun never questioned his position as the Chairman of the party in the state and that of chairmen of Rivers and Oyo,adding the report was a distortion of fact. “It is not true that Chief Oyegun asked us in Lagos not to swear in our executives .There was nothing like that. “And it was not true that he also directed the chairmen of Oyo and Rivers not to do so.He never said that at the inauguration. “The misleading reports in some newspapers and social media did not just reflect what happened at our inauguration yesterday. “My inauguration confirmed that I have no problem with Oyegun or any other person.We had a congress and I was validly elected. So there is no doubt about my position as the chairman. “In fact, we have since inaugurated our excos in Lagos and work is already in progress.So Oyegun could not have directed us not to swear in our exco,we have already done that, “he said." | All Progressives Congress (APC) State Congresses, Lagos State. | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/oyegun-never-told-us-not-to-inaugurate-excos-lagos-apc-chairman-255096.html | 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | INEC tasks election monitoring c’ttee | "Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has inaugurated the re-constituted Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) Committee. Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, while inaugurating the 16-member committee at INEC headquarters told the members to brace up for the important assignment of ensuring the success of the 2019 general elections. He said the work of the committee was vital because of the need to constantly track planning mechanisms and activities put in place for the smooth conduct of the next general elections." | 2019 general elections, INEC | Page 14 | 4 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | Lawmakers Collecting Signatures for Buhari’s Impeachment, House Member Alleges | "A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Muhammed Gudaji Kazaure (APC, Jigawa), Tuesday said some members of the House of Representatives, particularly those in the Peoples Democratic Party, were collecting signatures for the purpose of serving an impeachment notice on President Muhammadu Buhari. Kazaure, who heads the Justice and Fairness Group of the 8th Assembly – a group created to solely to guard against threats to the president, said his group was aware of the collection of signatures, but added that it would be an exercise in futility as members of his group would resist any threat to the President. “Nobody will impeach the president because that day will be a whole day,” Kazaure said. “We know no-one will be bold enough to come and show us that they will be able to impeach the president in the chamber because there’s no two-thirds in the House because our group is strong enough to stop anything called impeachment,” he said while speaking with journalists after the joint session of the National Assembly held behind closed-doors." | Executive and Legislature faceoff | Page 9 | 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | Abba-Aji declares interest for Borno gov’ship | "The Minority Whip in the 5th Senate, Senator Mohammed Abba-Aji, yesterday, declared his intention to vie for the governorship of Borno State on the platform of the ruling APC. He made the declaration at a news conference, saying honesty and commitment were his biggest assets when he clinched the ticket at the primary election. “I don’t have the money to call myself a moneybag,” Sen Abba-Aji admitted, maintaining that “we have gone past the time when people will come with bags of money to win elections; our people now need honesty and genuine commitment to their cause, and I have all these.” He said if he became governor, he would concentrate on building a post-insurgency Borno State, especially reconstructing necessary infrastructure including roads to facilitate the rapid resuscitation of the state’s economy. The governorship aspirant also maintained that the Federal Government’s expenditure in the state should now shift from war against insurgency to infrastructural reconstruction" | 2019 general elections | Page 13 | 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | 60 aspirants buy forms ahead of APC convention | "Over 60 aspirants have obtained nomination and expression of interest forms to run for various party leadership positions ahead of the June 23 national convention of the APC, Daily Trust has learnt. Sen. Benjamin Uwajumogu, who resigned as secretary of the convention committee, last week, stated this while formally handing over the position to the new secretary, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba. “Let me assure you that the 2018 national convention will be one of the best to be organised by the APC. As at today, more than 60 people have bought forms for the vacant positions. Yet, the sale of forms is still ongoing. However, we are keeping to the timetable released earlier. “Everything is still in order and my leaving the position will not affect the process. I know very well that with the experiences he has, Senator Ndoma-Egba, will bring more vibes to this convention scheduled for June 23,” he added" | All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairmanship Election 2018. | Page 13 | 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | Ekiti gov’ship: PDP asks INEC to withdraw 4,000 ‘fake’ observers | "The PDP has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw 4,000 independent observers it allegedly “registered secretly” ahead of the July 14 and September 22 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. The PDP in a statement, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, alleged that the observers registered by the commission were members of the APC. The party said it would resist any attempt to rig the two elections, adding that the 4,000 observers must be withdrawn with new ones constituted with the full participation of political parties participating in the elections and other stakeholders. " | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) | Page 13 | 4 | |
| This Day Newspaper | Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | Akeredolu, Fayose Bicker over Ekiti Election | "The face-off between the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and his counterpart in Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, over the July 14 governorship election in his (Fayose) state, got messier as the cold war degenerated yesterday into verbal attacks on each other. Akeredolu, while replying Fayose on the election, boasted that thousands of Fayose cannot stop him and other governors of All Progressives Congress (APC) from supporting Kayode Fayemi, who is the party’s standard bearer. Fayose had through his Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communication, Lere Olayinka, castigated Akeredolu, alleging that he brought no fewer than 150 policemen to Ado-Ekiti last Friday to perpetrate the gun attack in which about four persons, including an APC chieftain, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, were injured. The Ekiti State governor equally alleged that Akeredolu planned to use Ondo State two months’ allocation to fund the electioneering of the APC governorship candidate in Ekiti State. " | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. | Page 12 | 4 | |
| The Guardian.ng | Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | Intrigues as Tinubu suppresses internal dissent in Lagos APC | "Except the Fouad Oki-led faction that organised a parallel state congress decides to take legal redress in the court of law, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu side, whose executive was among those inaugurated by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Monday, has won the battle. Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of APC has once again proved his political strength over the opposition ‘within’ in terms of having the firm grip of Lagos politics like he did during the days of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) when he battled the leaders of Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, took over the party’s structure from them and transformed it into Action Congress (AC) in 2003, to sustain himself in power." | All Progressives Congress (APC), Internal crisis | https://guardian.ng/politics/intrigues-as-tinubu-suppresses-internal-dissent-in-lagos-apc/ | 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | APC fails on promises to Nigerians — Ben Obi | "A chieftain of the PDP, Senator Ben Obi, has said that the APC-led federal government has failed on its promises to Nigerians. Sen. Obi said this on Monday in Okada, Edo State, shortly after being inaugurated as member of the Igbinedion University Governing Council. He said he spoke as a patriot and not as a politician. “The government came with the mantra of fighting corruption, tackling insecurity and improving the economic situation of the country among others but it is a total failure,” he said. According to him, the promises had not been kept as the security situation in the country had gone from bad to worse, adding that herdsmen were killing people in their hundreds while nobody had been arrested and prosecuted. " | 2019 general elections | Page 14 | 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | Emokpaire picks APC chairmanship form | "An APC national chairmanship aspirant, Chief Ibrahim Emokpaire, has expressed optimism that the support that former governor Adams Oshiomhole received from the party’s governors will not threaten his chances at the June 23 national convention. Emokpaire, who spoke yesterday in Abuja shortly after picking the nomination and expression of interest forms at the secretariat of the national convention committee, also voiced hope that the contest would still be open to all. Asked whether he felt threatened by endorsement of Oshiomhole by Godwin Obaseki of his home state of Edo and the seeming dashed hope of an open race, said: “About open race, our party is a democratic party. And we believe in a democratic process. That is exactly what this convention will lead to.” " | All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship race | Page 14 | 4 | |
| The Guardian.ng | Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | Buhari okays Buni’s re-election as APC scribe | "Ahead of the June 23 National convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), there are indications that the presidency has endorsed the re-election of the National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). According to sources President Muhammadu Buhari threw his weight behind Buni after the breaking of the Ramadan fast meeting with some of the party’s governors at the presidential villa in Abuja. A source that was privy to the meeting confirmed that President Buhari gave the marching orders to the governors, mainly from the northeast geopolitical zone to ensure that Buni returns at the national convention of the party. " | All Progressives Congress (APC) National convention. | https://guardian.ng/politics/buhari-okays-bunis-re-election-as-apc-scribe/ | 4 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | Osun 2018: Aregbesola has not endorsed me – Oyetola | "The Chief of Staff to Osun State Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola has debunked the insinuation that the Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola endorsed him for the September 22nd governorship election in the state. He said this in at his campaign office in Osogbo, the state capital after declaring his ambition to contest for the post of governor to succeed Aregbesola. Oyetola said he only sought the consent of the Governor on his ambition and that he got Aregbesola's blessing but nothing like endorsement. ""If Governor Aregbesola endorsed me, I will not need to struggle or campaign as I'm doing now. I have toured every nooks and crannies of this state consulting the stakeholders. I don't discuss campaign issue with the Governor. So, he (Aregbesola) has been fair to all APC aspirants."" ""I can assure you that with my 30 years experience in the private sector and eight years in the governance of this state, I'm the most qualified among all the APC aspirants and I'm well position to continue from where Aregbesola stops."" Oyetola said Aregbesola's six-point agenda is the best template for governance and that he would fine-tune and adopt it for continuity." | Osun State 2018 Governorship elections, All Progressives Congress (APC) | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/osun-2018-aregbesola-has-not-endorsed-me--oyetola-255060.html | 4 | |
| TheGuardian Newpaper/ The Guardian.ng | Tuesday, June 5, 2018 | We are not afraid of federal might in Ekiti, says Eleka | Ekiti State Deputy Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming July 14 election, Professor Kolapo Olusola Eleka, in this interview with Ayodele Afolabi says no federal might can thwart the resolve of majority of the electorate in the state. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) | Page 14 view | 3 | |
| The Guardian.ng | Tuesday, June 5, 2018 | You can’t sell a failed ex-governor to Ekiti, PDP tells Akeredolu | The campaign organisation of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Kolapo Olusola, has cautioned Rotimi Akeredolu against selling a failed ex-governor to Ekiti State. The party urged Akeredolu, who is the Governor of Ondo State, to face the governance of his state. This followed his coming to Ado Ekiti last week to campaign for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi. A statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Lere Olayinka, described Akeredolu as “a failure advertising another failure.” | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) | view | 3 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 5, 2018 | Police read riot act ahead of Ekiti governorship | The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Mr. Bello Ahmed, yesterday, warned leaders of political parties and their supporters to abide by the rules governing the conduct of elections to prevent anarchy in the state. Mr. Ahmed gave the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting with chairmen of political parties as part of the measures to ensure sanity in the polity. Ahmed said the command would not fold its arms and allow people breach the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act in the name of election. He said the meeting was convened for stakeholders to brainstorm on how to ensure peaceful conduct of the July 14, governorship election and that the riot act had been read to them to serve as a guided principle. While assuring the political parties of fairness, Ahmed hinted that his men would be neutral during the July 14, election, saying they would not do anything that would make them look as if they were working for a certain political party. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. | Page 13 view | 3 | |
| TheGuardian Newpaper/ The Guardian.ng | Tuesday, June 5, 2018 | Adedoja resolves tussle with PDP leadership | One of the aggrieved chairmanship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the December 9, 2017 national convention of the party, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, has resolved his differences with the leadership of the party. Adedoja who had approached the courts to contest the emergence of Uche Secondus as the Chairman of the party in the convention, has also withdrawn the matter while giving assurances of his readiness to continue working for the platform especially as the 2019 general election is approaching. Several chieftains of the party from the Southwest, including Adedoja, had distanced themselves from the party immediately after Secondus emerged saying that an earlier agreement to zone the position to the region was breached. Adedoja declared at a press conference in Abuja saying, “due to the intervention of well meaning top party leaders and major stakeholders as well as in the spirit of the month of Ramadan which preached forgiveness,” he has requested his lawyer, Messrs. Rikey Taffa and Co. to file the discontinuance of the case. | Peoples Democratic Party | Page 15 href="https://guardian.ng/politics/adedoja-resolves-tussle-with-pdp-leadership/">view | 3 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 5, 2018 | Rigging no longer possible in Nigeria – INEC official | Rigging during elections by any political party or staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is no longer possible in Nigeria, a top official of the electoral umpire said this yesterday. He also chided those purportedly saying the independence of INEC had been usurped by the presidency, saying the argument could not stand because the electoral empire had in the last three years organized dozens of off- season elections with the opposition parties especially the PDP winning many of them. The source who dismissed the outcry by the opposition over alleged plans by the ruling APC to rig the 2019 elections in collaboration with INEC said communication technology had given the electorate the power to choose their leaders without undue interference. He also confirmed that the card reader which ensured credible elections since 2015 would be deployed to the nearly 30,000 polling units across the country in forthcoming elections; a development he said would shield the process from manipulation. The official also said there was no plan to create additional polling units ahead of 2019 despite the fact that many communities and settlements had outgrown the current number of polling units in the country. “No polling units will be created before the 2019 elections. If you create polling units, you have to populate them, then it will create confusion and you will have to replace the voters. “What the commission has resolved to do is to decongest the existing polling units by creating voting points within the same location where voters exceed 500 in a particular point. “Under the leadership of Prof. Attahiru Jega, the commission conducted an audit of all polling units. Before then, some polling units were located in shrines and different places. But with the audit, we now have 119,973 polling units across the country and there are no more obscure polling units,” the official said. | 2019 general elections, INEC | Page 13 view | 3 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 5, 2018 | Police read riot act ahead of Ekiti governorship | The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Mr. Bello Ahmed, yesterday, warned leaders of political parties and their supporters to abide by the rules governing the conduct of elections to prevent anarchy in the state. Mr. Ahmed gave the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting with chairmen of political parties as part of the measures to ensure sanity in the polity. Ahmed said the command would not fold its arms and allow people breach the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act in the name of election. He said the meeting was convened for stakeholders to brainstorm on how to ensure peaceful conduct of the July 14, governorship election and that the riot act had been read to them to serve as a guided principle. While assuring the political parties of fairness, Ahmed hinted that his men would be neutral during the July 14, election, saying they would not do anything that would make them look as if they were working for a certain political party. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. | Page 13 view | 3 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 5, 2018 | Buhari support group tasks journalists on neutrality | The Buhari Patriotic Movement (BPM) has advised journalists to avoid being used as tools in the hands of partisan politicians because such portends danger for democracy. The group, in a statement signed by its National Women Leader, Saada Baba Mohammed, noted that as the 2019 general elections drew nearer, politicians with sinister motives would be out to make use of unwary media platforms to further their agenda capable of endangering the country’s general wellbeing. “BPM calls on the media to be more cautious in treating information as they become more readily available from different partisan sources, and in all situations, they should provide a good context and background to stories to enable citizens make informed choices on them,” the statement said. | 2019 general elections | Page 14 view | 3 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 5, 2018 | Mama Taraba: APC’ll lead Nigeria ‘forever’ | The Minister of Women Affairs, Sen. Aisha Alhassan, says the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will not only win Gombe and Taraba states in 2019 but also lead Nigeria forever. Senator Alhassan, popularly known as ‘Mama Taraba’ said this yesterday at the APC national secretariat in Abuja shortly after the inauguration of 35 state chairmen of the party. She said the forthcoming national convention would be peaceful despite the current crisis in the APC. The minister had last year said she would resign from the federal cabinet once President Muhammadu Buhari announced that he would go for a second term, saying she would remain loyal to ex- Vice President Atiku Abubakar who had already moved back to the PDP. “Crisis is normal in a big party like APC, once we can do our national convention, then we face the opposition PDP and I assure you that APC will win more states like Taraba in 2019. “I will make sure that in my zone I follow up and by God’s grace, Gombe and Taraba will be taken over in 2019, and don’t even talk about Nigeria because it’s already APC and it will continue to be APC forever,” she added. She gave assurance that the new APC chairman in Taraba State would mend fences with those that contested against him and dismissed the notion about the existence of faction in her home state. The minister who said that she won the 2015 governorship election in Taraba voiced her willingness to run again in 2019. | 2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC) | Page 13 view | 3 | |
| TheGuardian Newpaper/ The Guardian.ng | Tuesday, June 5, 2018 | Saraki, Dogara, others return to trenches, reconsider defection | Some members of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) block of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have returned to the trenches with the prospect of dumping the APC. The development came barely 24 hours after the Nigeria Police invited Senate President Bukola Saraki for questioning over the April 5 robbery at four commercial banks in Offa, Kwara State. In a statement, yesterday, leader of the aggrieved group, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, said the members were rethinking their earlier stand on making peace with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. | All Progressives Congress (APC) Internal crisis, nPD | Page 1 view | 3 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 5, 2018 | Jos Tarok community endorses Sen Useni for gov | The Tarok Community in Jos, at the weekend, endorsed the Senator representing Plateau South, Jeremiah Useni, to vie for the governorship position in Plateau State under the PDP. The community also appealed to other aspirants of the PDP to shelve their ambitions for Useni in the interest of the state. The group made its position through one of its leaders in Jos, Sohnan Nden, after being hosted by Useni at his residence in Jos. Nden told Daily Trust that Useni had informed them that if elected, he would reposition the state, fight corruption and promised to ensure effective and just utilisation of public funds. | 2019 General Elections, All Progressive Congress( APC), Plateau State | Page 14 view | 3 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, June 5, 2018 | ‘Money bag politics a threat to 2019 elections’ | A presidential aspirant on the platform of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Barrister Ntah Ebaye Ekpa, has said money bag politics will remain a major threat to the conduct of free and fair elections in 2019. The presidential hopeful claimed that the ruling APC had failed on campaign promises and was likely to use huge sums of money in order to garner votes to retain power. Speaking with newsmen shortly after obtaining his expression of interest and nomination forms at the NCP secretariat in Abuja, Ebaye Ekpa said the use of money to induce the electorate was a threat to the survival of the nation’s democracy. ”The problems of Northern and Southern Nigeria are the same. Nigerians have certain levels of expectations they have not seen from their leaders. “I’m open to probe as an aspirant. We do not intend to compete with the APC in terms of resources during our campaigns, but we are convinced that money politics will not work this time,” he said. | 2019 general elections, National Conscience Party. (NCP) | Page 14 view | 3 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 4, 2018 | "Presidency, nPDP talks continue today" | "A reconciliatory meeting involving members of the aggrieved nPDP, the leadership of the APC and the presidency continues today. APC Deputy National Chairman, North, Sen. Lawali Shuaibu, said today’s meeting would look into the specific demands of the nPDP as contained in their April 27, letter in which they accused the Federal Government of short-changing them in terms of appointments into boards of agencies and parastatals. “The content of the letter, which is now public, is what the basis of their demands is…We will go into the specifics. That letter will be x-rayed point by point,” Shuaibu said. The dialogue is in continuation of two previous meetings held with nPDP members that had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to see President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve the impasse. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will lead the APC/presidency’s team that includes the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and the party’s Sen. Shuaibu. The five representatives of the former nPDP to the talks include Senators Barnabas Gemade, Danjuma Goje and Adamu Aliero from Benue, Gombe and Kebbi States respectively. The Chairman of the nPDP bloc in the APC, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, is also to serve as a member of the panel. " | All Progressives Congress (APC) Internal crisis, nPD | https://dailytrust.com.ng/presidency-npdp-talks-continue-today-254803.html | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 4, 2018 | Conduct of Lagos Congresses in 37 LCDAs Valid, Say APC Leaders | "The Chieftains of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Olawale Oshun and Prince Tajudeen Olusi yesterday faulted the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) for not approving the results of congresses conducted on the basis of 20 local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State. The chieftains claimed that the congresses were validly conducted in line with the decision of the Supreme Court that validated the creation of 37 LCDAs and Article 10 of the APC Constitution that recognised “Area Council” as part of the party organisation. They rejected the NWC decision in separate interviews with THISDAY yesterday, warning the APC National Secretariat against violating the decision of the apex court that declared the process that 37 LCDAs valid and constitutional. The NWC had on Friday faulted the results from Lagos on grounds that the report contained results from 37 LCDAs instead of the 20 LGAs contrary to the position of the APC National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), that Lagos congresses should be cancelled completely. Rather than cancelling the results of the congresses, the NWC referred it to the committee that has the Deputy National Chairman (North), Sen. Lawan Shuaibu, as chairman, and Vice Chairman, North West, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir; and National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, as members, for resolution." | All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congresses, Lagos State. | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/06/04/conduct-of-lagos-congresses-in-37-lcdas-valid-say-apc-leaders/ | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 4, 2018 | "Lagos APC to sue party’s NWC for overruling congress " | "Lagos APC to sue party’s NWC for overruling congress The Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC)on Sunday said it would sue the National Working Committee(NWC)for overruling its state congress. The Assistant Publicity Secretary of the party,Mr Abiodun Salami issued the threat in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)in Lagos. He was reacting the overruling of the main congress of APC at ACME on May 19 by the NWC over issues of legality. Another congress was convened the same day by a chieftain, Mr Fouad Oki on the grounds that the ACME congress lacked legal basis as it was conducted based on wards in 57 council areas instead of 20 approved by INEC. The National Publicity Secretary of the party ,Mallam Bolaji Abdullah had said that the party had begun work on Friday on the reports from the various appeal panels on the conduct state congresses. He said a meeting to resolve the issues had been held and that the Lagos APC faction loyal to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu which conducted its wards and local government congresses in 57 local council development areas had been overruled by the national leadership. He said the state structure was however not handed over to Oki who he said conducted his congress in accordance with the party laws. He added that a five-man panel had been set up to dissect the constitutionality of the two congresses and that the panel, headed by the party’s Deputy National Chairman, would begin sitting on Sunday." | All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward congresses, Lagos. | https://dailytrust.com.ng/lagos-apc-to-sue-party-s-nwc-for-overruling-congress-254833.html | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 4, 2018 | Ekiti APC shooting: Bamidele stable, moved to Lagos | "The victim of last Friday’s shooting at the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Ado Ekiti, Hon. Michael Bamidele, has been moved to Lagos for follow-up treatment to the surgeries he underwent for the gunshot wounds he sustained during the incident. His Special Assistant on Media, Ahmed Salami, who disclosed this to journalists, said his boss was in a stable condition and that people had unfettered access to him at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado Ekiti, before he left for Lagos for further treatment. Bamidele and another person were shot at the rally to welcome the gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to the state when a policeman mishandled his rifle and released some shots into the crowd. Bamidele who was hit in the stomach and legs was immediately taken to EKSUTH. He was subsequently flown to Lagos aboard an air ambulance chopper. " | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections, Bamidele's shooting | https://dailytrust.com.ng/ekiti-apc-shooting-bamidele-stable-moved-to-lagos-254799.html | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 4, 2018 | Buhari scared of 2019 - PDP | "The PDP has alleged that the declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari that the APC’s resources may not match the oppositions’ ahead of the 2019 polls is an admission that he does not have the goodwill which brought him to power in 2015. The PDP in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the fear by the APC leadership and President Buhari was occasioned by the inability of the government to fulfil its campaign promises. " | 2019 generel elections, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) | https://dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-scared-of-2019-pdp-254802.html | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 4, 2018 | "There’s a united voice against Okorocha – Oyegun " | "The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said there is a united voice against Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State. Chief Odigie-Oyegun spoke tacitly at the weekend in Abuja on the protracted crisis in Imo APC while reacting to an allegation from Gov. Okorocha that he was facing a witch-hunt from the party leadership for opposing the tenure elongation move for the outgoing National Working Committee (NWC) members. Okorocha had been having a running battle with the Odigie-Oyegun-led NWC after losing the control of the party’s structure in the state to his political rivals in the just concluded ward, local government and state congresses. The APC national chairman wondered why Okorocha would be targeted when he was the only person that opposed the move. While responding to the allegation, Odigie-Oyegun said Okorocha “wasn’t the strongest force behind the objection to tenure elongation. So why is his case different? I don’t think it is necessary to go into the details. “Well, the processes are still on and it is not good to answer you in detail. But the answer lies in one fact that he is not the only one who opposed the so-called tenure elongation, how come he is the only one being witch-hunted? “When you look at the totality of the events in that state, I think you can get a clearer picture of what is going on there. There is a united voice calling for a different way of doing things so to speak,” Oyegun said. " | 2019 General Elections, All Progressive Congress( APC), Imo State. | https://dailytrust.com.ng/there-s-a-united-voice-against-okorocha-oyegun-254804.html | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 4, 2018 | Driven by divine call, Ex-UN consultant declares for 2019 presidency | "The roll call of early presidential aspirants for the 2019 election swelled further yesterday as a farmer and former Consultant to the United Nation (UN) Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Dr. Imuetinyan Igbinnosa has formally announced his intention to vie for the office of the President in next year’s general election. The 55-year old indigene of Edo State is to contest on the platform of the Just Party for All Peoples (JPP), saying he was divinely called upon to reverse what he called the “history of colonization” that has hampered the country’s development. Speaking with in Lagos after making his intention known, Igbinnosa said UPP would form a government under God’s covenant to bring about abundant life to all Nigerians, saying Nigerian leaders have moved away from the divine path and embraced the “demons”. He said government of UPP would change the spirit of Nigeria’s development and put an end to the suffering of Nigerians, adding he would strive to promote the one Nigerian spirit" | 2019 general elections | https://dailytrust.com.ng/driven-by-divine-call-ex-un-consultant-declares-for-2019-presidency-254729.html | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 4, 2018 | PDP: Adedoja Reconciles With Secondus | "The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has reconciled with Prof. Taoheed Adedoja over the dispute arising from the chairmanship contest in December 2017. In a statement issued yesterday by Adedoja, the politician said he had requested his lawyer Rikey Tarfa (SAN), to discontinue the case he filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja. According to Adedoja, “Due to the intervention of well meaning top party leaders and major stakeholders, I have requested my lawyers, Messrs. Rikey Tarfa and Co. to file the discontinuance of the case, also in the spirit of the month of Ramadan, a month of forgiveness, I have laid the matter to rest Adedoja said by his discontinuation of the court case, he feels that the matter is now laid to rest. " | Peoples Democratic Party | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/06/04/pdp-adedoja-reconciles-with-secondus/ | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 4, 2018 | INEC: No Card Reader, No Election in 2019 | "The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said the 2019 election would only be conducted with the use of card reader, saying “no card reader, no election.” A top official of the commission who spoke with THISDAY in Abuja, said the card reader would help the commission in three ways, including gelling to confirm that the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) were issued by INEC; that the biometrics of the holder are correct, and that the identity of the holder is authenticated through the fingerprints. The senior official stated that the commission was set to upgrade the status of the card readers such that whatever was experienced in the past is not replicated. The official added that part of the challenges the commission had in 2015 was the violence unleashed on the card reader during the election, saying that in the Rivers State alone, the commission lost 1,321 card readers during that election. Speaking on the 30,000 polling units, the source said the commission had ruled out the possibility of creation of 30,000 new polling units before the 2019 election. The official, who spoke on condition of strict anonymity, said the commission had since ruled out the possibility of creating any new polling units before the 2019 election." | 2019 general elections | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/06/04/inec-no-card-reader-no-election-in-2019/ | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 4, 2018 | "Integrity Buhari’s biggest asset for 2019 - Bayelsa APC " | "Leaders of the APC in Bayelsa State have thrown their weight behind the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019. The APC leaders, comprising a former Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Nestor Binabo; the Chairman of APC in the state, Joseph Fafi; Sen. Felix Otiotio, some former members of the House of Representatives, Dr. Stella Dorgu and Indiamaowei Bolous; Maj. Andrew Oputa (retd.); and Mr. Preye Aganaba gave the assurance in an open letter sent to President Buhari. The letter which was made available to journalists in Yenagoa yesterday quoted the party leaders as saying that their support for the president was based on his “flawless character of integrity, commitment to prosperous Nigeria and his love for the masses.” The APC chieftains also believe that Buhari’s re-election will enable him to consolidate on his achievements for a prosperous Nigeria, saying it will show corrupt elements the exit door and raise a new breed of patriotic leaders." | 2019 general elections, All Progressives Congress(APC) Bayelsa State. | https://dailytrust.com.ng/integrity-buhari-s-biggest-asset-for-2019-bayelsa-apc-254801.html | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 4, 2018 | Fayose alleges plot by Fayemi to implicate him, PDP leaders with murder | "Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has raised alarm over alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to implicate him and some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with murder. Fayose alleged that a meeting was held in Fayemi's country home, Isan-Ekiti, where he said a certain thug popularly known as Agbara was assigned with the task of carrying out the sinister plot of killing people and dumping their corpses in houses belonging to PDP chieftains as well as Fajuyi Park. But Fayemi campaign organisation in its reaction to the allegation described it as false alarm. A statement signed by Wole Olujobi said, ""This is not the first time Fayose is raising false alarm like this. When Fayose raises this kind of alarm, you can be sure that death is lurking in the corner to take off his enemy by his own thugs and blame the murder on the opposition. ""This is exactly the same way his media men raised the alarm on August 12, 2006 that security report had indicated that the opposition was planning the murder of a prominent politician and blame the murder on him in order to destabilise his administration. " | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. | https://dailytrust.com.ng/fayose-alleges-plot-by-fayemi-to-implicate-him-pdp-leaders-with-murder-254736.html | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, June 4, 2018 | Our Victory in Oyo By-election Signposts APC’s Fate in 2019, Says PDP | "The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that its sweeping victory in the Oyo State Assembly by-election is a sign of its return to the Southwest geo-political zone. The party said the victory is also an indicator of the inescapable fate that would befall the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general election. A statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the victory has confirmed that Nigerians of the South-west extraction are natural democrats and that voters, at the grassroots, have seen through the propaganda, lies and deceit of the APC. “The electoral success, which came in spite of the several machinations of the APC, further settles the fact that Oyo State and indeed, the Southwest, remains PDP stronghold where our great party commands genuine followership and support of citizens at the grassroots. “With this victory, the PDP is poised to rally with the people to retake Oyo State as well as our original states of Ogun, Osun, Ondo and even spread to Lagos State, after our inevitable victory in the forthcoming Ekiti governorship election,” it said. The PDP urged all members in other parts of the country to leverage on the tremendous support by Nigerians across board to ensure such landslide victories at all levels of elections, come 2019." | 2019 general elections , Peoples , Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/06/04/our-victory-in-oyo-by-election-signposts-apcs-fate-in-2019-says-pdp/ | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Friday, June 1, 2018 | ‘Not Too Young To Run’ not meant to send elders away – Sen Nyako | Chairman of the Senate committee on Special Duties, Abdul-Aziz Murtala Nyako (APC, Adamawa), said yesterday that the Not Too Young To Run bill is not conceived to send elder politicians away. Speaking after President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the bill, he said it was conceived to enable young Nigerians participate in governance and learn from the older generation. Nyako, who sponsored the bill at the Senate, described the signing of the bill by the president as democracy at work. | Not too young to run bill | Page 14 view | 1 | |
| ThisDaylive Online | Friday, June 1, 2018 | 2019: Female Presidential Aspirant, Elishama Vows to Restructure Nigeria | Ahead of 2019 presidential election, a female aspirant, Elishama Rosemary Ideh, has said restructuring the country will be her priority if elected. The aspirant who declared her intention to contest against the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari and other presidential aspirants, said Nigeria at this time needs a different model of governance. To realise her ambition, the presidential aspirant said she would be seeking nomination as the presidential flag-bearer of the Alliance for a New Nigeria (ANN). While making a formal declaration yesterday in Abuja, Ideh, popularly said Nigeria at this time needs a different model of governance, “a leader who combines integrity with intelligence and a deep and vast understanding of the implications of the 21st global economy and Nigeria’s place in it.” According to the aspirant, who is also a philanthropist, she has strived to reach for workable solutions to problems and challenges peculiar to the time, adding that her administration will work to put a smile on the faces of the masses. | 2019 general elections, Alliance for a new Nigeria (ANN) | view | 1 | |
| ThisDaylive Online | Friday, June 1, 2018 | APGA: We Rejected Okorocha Because He’s Worse Than Prodigal Son | The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Oye, has said his party rejected Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha’s move to rejoin the party because his moves were not sincere. Oye who spoke to a select journalists yesterday in his country home, Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area, affirmed that as a Christian who is very familiar with the story of the prodigal son, who returned to his father after squandering his wealth, Okorocha’s case is worse, as he was still unrepentant. Okorocha, who won his governorship election on the platform of APGA in 2011, dumped the party, leaving with some of its members to the then newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC). Recently, news of Okorocha’s overture towards APGA surfaced, as he was said to have approached the party leaders with the hope of actualising his dream of crowning his son in-law as governor of the state. But Oye speaking with journalists denied that any money was collected from Okorocha to bring him back to the party. He said: “An Igbo proverb says a man who refused to join a ship can not say he was chased away from the ship. Okorocha chased himself away from the APGA ship, and I can tell you that he can never be a member of the party again." | Iall Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA), mo State | view | 1 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Friday, June 1, 2018 | APC chairmanship not reserved for Oshiomhole alone – Ajimobi | The chairman of the publicity sub-committee of the APC National Convention Committee (NCC) and Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, says the position of national chairman of the party is still open to contest despite the endorsement of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole by President Muhammadu Buhari. Ajimobi said this yesterday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the activities of Governor Mohammed Badaru -led convention committee ahead of June 23 national convention, where a new set of national officers would be elected. “Talking about the President endorsement of Adams Oshiomhole, I believe that, yes, the President has endorsed but it doesn’t preclude other people from declaring to contest. It is a democracy and everybody is open to declare". | All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship race | Page 13 view | 1 | |
| ThisDaylive Online | Friday, June 1, 2018 | Ekiti Election: CAN Warns Security Agencies, INEC against Rigging | Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ekiti chapter, has appealed to the police and other security agencies, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not to subvert the people’s will during the July 14 governorship election in the state. The body warned that the sanctity of the ballot must be respected for Ekiti to be politically stable, develop and progress in all ramifications. The religious body also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to devise ways to curtail killings in the North East and North Central Nigeria, describing how Christians were being mowed down by suspected insurgents and killer herdsmen as horrendous and unacceptable to the body. it said the matter became worse and more frightening with the way these assailants now deployed their arsenals against Christians, by killing worshipers in their places of worship | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections, Christians Association of Nigeria.(CAN) | view | 1 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Friday, June 1, 2018 | Ekiti: APC picks Egbeyemi as Fayemi’s running mate | The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has picked a former chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government in the State, Chief Adebisi Adegboyega Egbeyemi, a lawyer, as the deputy governorship candidate of the party in the July 14 governorship election. A statement, yesterday, signed by Wole Olujobi for JKF Campaign Office, said Egbeyemi’s choice came after speculations by the expectant public spread that a certain eminent indigene of the state had been picked to fly the ticket with Fayemi in the poll. Egbeyemi, an indigene of Ado-Ekiti, was born on May 8, 1944 to the family of the late Egbeyemi Alade and late Madam Tinubu Egbeyemi. His political experience spans many fields, and between 1991 and 1992, he was Commissioner of Education and between 2001 and 2002, Egbeyemi was a member of the Governing Council of the National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna. | Ekiti State 2018 Governoship elections. All Progressives Congress (APC), | Page 13 view | 1 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, June 1, 2018 | 2019 Election: Reps kick against use of electronic voting | The House of Representatives, on Thursday, rejected the use of electronic voting system in the forthcoming 2019 General Elections. The rejection was sequel to a bill, which seeks to amend the provisions of the Electoral Act, considered by the Committee of the Whole. The lawmakers, however, approved the use of smart card readers for accreditation before elections are conducted in any polling unit across the country. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bill for an Act to Amend the Provisions of the Electoral Act, No. 6, 2010 to further improve the Electoral Process and for Related Matters has 41 clauses. The lawmakers, in their submission, removed the amendment in the bill which seeks to introduce the use of electronic voting into the Electoral Act. They resolved that while an electronic instrument; the card reader, will be used only for accreditation, the voting will be strictly done manually. During the consideration, Rep Chinda Ogundu (Rivers-PDP) had sought to add a new amendment that the election in any polling unit should be suspended if the card reader malfunctioned until another functional card reader is brought. | 2019 general elections , | view | 1 | |
| Daily Trust Online | Friday, June 1, 2018 | Not Too Young To Run Act: Democratic victory for Nigerian youths-PDP | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the ‘Not Too Young to Run Bill’, signed into law on Thursday by President Muhammadu Buhari as victory for Nigeria youths. PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, on Thursday in Abuja, urged youths to immediately take the advantage of the new law. “The party also commended the sponsor of the bill, Hon. Tony Nwulu (PDP, Lagos) and other legislators who supported the processes to reality. “We also commend the resilience of the Nigerian youths in getting the initiative through, in line with the vision of the PDP to allow younger Nigerians to actively participate in elective positions in governance at all levels, he said. Ologbondiyan said that before the passage of the bill, the PDP had since launched its ‘Generation Next Movement. According to him, the movement has already put younger Nigerians at advantage positions to participate in elective positions ahead of the 2019 general elections | Not too young to run bill | view | 1 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper/ Daily Trust Online | Friday, June 1, 2018 | 48-yr-old Usman Alhaji picks Rescue party presidential forms | Forty-eight year-old Usman Ibrahim Alhaji, yesterday, declared his 2019 presidential ambition under the banner of the National Rescue Movement (NRM). The NRM has Senator Saidu Mohammed Dansadau as its national chairman. Alhaji, born in Makurdi, Benue State but an indigene of Kebbi State is a graduate of Library and Information Science, University of Maiduguri and a professional educationist. The aspirant, while making the declaration at an event in Abuja, said he belonged to a new generation of “youthful patriots with a burning desire to contribute his evident dynamism, creativity and newer perspectives among other qualities that align with today’s realities and rapidly progressive developments in human and socio-economic endeavours for national transformation”. | 2019 generalelections, National Rescue Movement (NRM) | Page 14 view | 1 | |