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Presidency: North still has four years to complete – Ango Abdullahi

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1 month ago

February 15, 2023

Prof. Ango Abdullahi has argued that the north still has four years to occupy Aso Rock. Abdullahi who is the Convener of the Northern Elders Forum also warned that any attempt to subvert the conduct of a free, fair, and credible election will be countered. Abdullahi gave the warning at the ongoing General Assembly and 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Northern Elders Forum, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday. He said the North had given its support and had “rubbed more backs” of leaders from other regions of the country without sentiments. He added that those warning the North against their aspirations to the Presidency had no right to do so, as it was also their right to contest the office, as many times as they wished to. The NEF convener also called for the acceptance of the presidency of whoever emerged at the end of the conduct of the election without sentiments, stating that elections should only be won based only on thumbprints. “The constitution is very clear that I can stand the election twenty times, and I can lose twenty times. But nothing should stop me from contesting elections if I want. Then when you look at it in terms of well, ‘do me I do you’, rub my back and I rub yours, the North has rubbed more backs than its back has been rubbed. Even if you are talking about the years in power from 1999 till date, Obasanjo did eight years; Jonathan six, that is 14; Umaru two, and now Buhari eight years. So, I am being owed even in the number of years, four years.“The issue should not have been we are not qualified to contest, we have no right to contest. Certainly, this is the reason we are saying now that the issue in the Nigerian political environment, must be based on democratic tenets only. There should be no issue of reserving anything for anybody. If you win an election, you win on the basis of this thumbprint. If you win, we will accept.“But for us to begin to see threats that if this happens, and we do not like it, we’ll do something negative, we are warning that the election will be contested hopefully free and fair, and credible. And anybody who wins the election must be accepted as the winner of the election, without sentiments. And if there is any attempt to subvert it, then we’ll be ready to also counter,” he said. On his part the Director-General of the Forum, Prof. Doknan Sheni, in his address said “the north will continue to accept any candidate that wins the elections fairly, on the terms of one man one vote. We do not intend to be intimidated by improper or uncivil utterances or threats of violence. Nor will we be coerced to supporting a candidate based on non-democratic principles”. Also in attendance at the event are the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, and a representative of the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the All-Progressives Congress, Senator Kashim Shettima.

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Abia APGA rejects Governorship Poll results as Labour Party leads

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6 hours ago

March 20, 2023

Editor 3

The results of the March 18 governorship poll in Abia state has been rejected by the All Progressives Grand Alliance. The Independent National Electoral Commission has so far announced results in 10 LGAs. In a statement signed on Monday by the APGA Chairman Abia State, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, the party said it would not accept an election “marred by irregularities.” It, however, urged supporters to remain calm as they await the conclusion of the process. The statement read partly, “The results so far announced did not in any way reflect the will of the good people of Abia voters as demonstrated at the various polling units.“We are highly disappointed that the votes cast for our candidate, Professor Greg Ibe, were suppressed and not credited to him.“Regrettably too, there were brazen irregularities, including snatching of ballot papers, over-voting, unprecedented manipulation and violence against the opposition.“Most of the results were collated without recourse to BVAS machines, hence, they cannot be relied upon.“We appeal to our members to remain calm and watch things unfold. We firmly believe that light will triumph over darkness, and Abia emancipated from the chains of undemocratic forces.“The election was marred with irregularities in all parts of the state, and APGA cannot accept a highly flawed election.” Only ten local government results have so far been collated, and they include; Ukwa East, Umunneochi, Ukwa West, Bende, Isialangwa North, Isialangwa South, Arochukwu, Ugwunnagbo, Isuikwuato and Ikwuano. So far, the results announced puts the Labour Party in the lead with a margin of 13,132.

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BREAKING: INEC Declares PDP’s Mutfwang winner of Plateau Gov Election

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6 hours ago

March 20, 2023

Editor 3

The Plateau State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Caleb Mutfwang, has been declared as the winner of Saturday’s governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission.The result declared by the INEC Presiding Officer, Musa Yusuf, after counting the votes scored by parties that participated in the election shows that Mutfwang had the highest votes beating the All Progressives Candidate, Nentawe Yilwatda.Recall that the PDP governorship candidate was reported to be taking an early lead as of 11 am when INEC resumed collations of results from the 17 local government areas of the state.Details later…

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Chimaroke Nnamani dumps PDP after losing Senate Re-Election to LP

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6 hours ago

March 20, 2023

Editor 3

Chimaroke Nnamani, the senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,He announced his exit from the PDP after he lost his senatorial bid to the Labour Party.Nnamani also expressed appreciation to his constituents for the unalloyed support over the years.The former Enugu State governor’s formal exit from the opposition party was contained in a statement he signed on Monday.The PUNCH reports how the senator was expelled by the PDP on February 10, 2023, alongside some other key party members for alleged anti-party activities. This is also as he lost his bid to return to the Senate to his rival Kelvin Chukwu of the Labour Party.Nnamani stated that he had consulted with his associates and constituents alike and had decided to quit the PDP on account of irreconcilable differences with the national leadership of the party.Speaking further, he noted that he had moved on and hoped that his modest contributions to the development of his constituency would be the building block on which his successors could build on.While reaffirming his acquaintance with the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, he promised to continue to partner him.The former governor also thanked Nigerians especially the Ebeano political family and urged them to remain steadfast in the years ahead.He further expressed optimism that the Tinubu administration would promote good governance, rule of law and human rights for the interest of all Nigerians.