*2023: Labour Party Will Field Northern Muslim As Obi’s Running Mate — Okupe*
Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, said on Sunday the Labour Party would field a Muslim from the Northern part of the country as running mate to its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
He stated this on his verified Twitter handle.
Okupe was picked as standing running mate to the former Anambra State governor last Friday in a bid to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for the submission of lists of presidential candidates and running mates by the 18 political parties in the country.
He wrote: “My first statement in the interview with the media was that I was standing in as the VP candidate and elsewhere I explained that it’s an open process till the substitution closes. Labour Party will eventually field a Muslim from the north. End of story.”
*Group Urges APC To pick Gov Zulum As Tinubu’s Running Mate*
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders Forum has urged the party’s leadership to consider the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, as running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The forum’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Aliyu Katsina, who addressed the members from the seven states in the North-West in Katsina, said Zulum would contribute significantly to APC’s victory in the 2023 general elections if picked as the party’s vice presidential candidate.
He stressed that the governor has won the hearts of Nigerians with his exemplary leadership in Borno State in the last three years.
Aliyu said: “Our request is open and is no more than taking Governor Zulum of Borno State as the vice-presidential candidate of APC.
“We understand that only Governor Zulum can galvanize the votes from the entire 19 northern states.
“To avoid losing the election, the only person in Nigeria today who can bring the desired success for the party is Governor Zulum. Anybody today that is picked as vice-presidential candidate for the APC, if not Zulum, may not give us the desired success.”
*Kaduna Govt Reacts As Gunmen Attack Two Churches*
The Kaduna State Government has condemned the killing of three persons following an attack by gunmen on two churches in the state on Sunday.
It was earlier reported bandits invaded two churches in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state and killed three persons and injured two other persons.
In a statement released by the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the state government expressed sadness over the attacks and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Aruwan disclosed that the attack happened at Ungwan Fada, Ungwan Turawa and Ungwan Makama in Rubu general area of the local government.
He stated that the bandits stormed the villages on motorcycles, beginning from Ungwan Fada, and moving into Ungwan Turawa, before Ungwan Makama and then Rubu.
Aruwan also revealed that the bandits attacked worshippers in the Maranatha Baptist Church and St. Moses Catholic Church in Rubu village.
The commssioner, however, added that security agents are currently patrolling the area, while investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The statement reads: “On a sad note, security agencies have reported to the Kaduna State Government that bandits attacked worshippers and locals at Ungwan Fada, Ungwan Turawa and Ungwan Makama in Rubu general area of Kajuru local government area.
“According to the report, the bandits stormed the villages on motorcycles, beginning from Ungwan Fada, and moving into Ungwan Turawa, before Ungwan Makama and then Rubu.
“In Rubu village, the bandits attacked worshippers in the Maranatha Baptist Church and St. Moses Catholic Church.
“Three locals have been confirmed killed in the attacks. They are identified as follows: Peter Madaki (ward head of Ungwan Fada), Elisha Ezekiel (resident of Ungwan Fada), Ali Zamani (youth leader of Rubu).
“Two persons were left injured in the attacks: one Aniro Mai, and a yet-unidentified woman. An unspecified number of locals were also kidnapped, according to the received reports.
“The bandits looted shops and carted away some valuables from the villages.
“Receiving the report, the Acting Governor Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, expressed deep sadness, and condemned the attack in the strongest terms. She sent her sincere condolences to the families of the deceased victims, as she prayed for the repose of their souls.
“The Acting Governor also commiserated with the attacked churches, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
*Ekiti 2022: President Buhari Congratulates Oyebanji, Adamu Over APC Victory, Says Osun Is Next*
President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State.
The President described it as a well-deserved victory and congratulated the candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, the party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu and other members for a successful outing.
Buhari’s reaction was contained in a statement on Sunday by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina.
It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the early hours of Sunday, declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Abiodun Oyebanji as the winner of the governorship election in Ekiti State.
Oyebanji who won 15 out of the 16 Local Government Areas of the state gathered 187,057 votes.
The Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Segun Oni came second with 82,211, while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bisi Kolawole gathered 67,457 votes.
The returning officer for the election, Professor Kayode Oyebode at 3:04 am on Sunday declared Oyebanji the winner of the governorship election.
Reacting, President Buhari in his statement said “the victory is well deserved considering Oyebanji’s contributions to the development of the State and the party, before his nomination as the standard bearer, urging him, however, to be magnanimous in victory in the interest of the people of the State.”
He also rejoiced with the APC chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, and the National Working Committee for the victory, the first under the tenure of the newly elected executives of the party.
“This is a good beginning for you and your team. The APC is getting stronger and more united. The victory of our party in Ekiti is an indication of the confidence of Nigerians in the ability of our great party to deliver quality governance to all,” said the President.
He charged all APC members across and outside the country to see this as a good omen for the 2023 general elections and work assiduously to ensure the party’s victory, continuing the trend with Osun State next month July.
President Buhari also felicitates the people of Ekiti State for the smooth conduct of the election, affirming that they are the real victors as they have been able to freely choose their leader for the next four years.
He lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission and the law enforcement agencies for the preparations put in place, urging them to keep the momentum for upcoming elections.
*Ekiti Election: INEC Asked To Prosecute Vote-Buyers Or Face Legal Action*
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prosecute vote-buyers arrested in the just concluded Ekiti State governorship election.
SERAP made this known in the letter dated 18 June 2022 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The project gave the INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, seven days to gather information about reports of vote-buying and other electoral offences by the three leading political parties in the election.
SERAP stated that if voting is as important as INEC always claims it is, now is the time to end the buying of democracy by wealthy politicians and their sponsors.
The letter reads: “Vote buying encourages poor governance and weakens citizens’ capacity to hold their ‘elected officials’ accountable for their actions.
“When political candidates or their sponsors decide to buy the support of the people rather than contest fairly for their votes, there are possibilities that such candidates and sponsors will show a disregard for democratic rules and a disposition to adopt illegal means becomes inevitable.”
“Vote buying is entirely an act of election malpractice connected with vested interest since an election can be said to be free and fair when it is devoid of vote buying, ballot snatching, and intimidation.
“Your commitment to these issues will demonstrate to the voters that INEC is ready, willing and able to combat vote buying and electoral bribery and reassure Nigerians that INEC will do everything within its mandates to ensure that the 2023 general elections are not tainted by corruption.
“Ending impunity for vote-buying, undue influence, ballot snatching, intimidation, and other electoral malpractices would contribute to free and fair elections and show that INEC would not tolerate these illegal practices during the 2023 general elections.
“There are reports of a brazen pattern of vote-buying and electoral bribery in several polling units during the just concluded Ekiti governorship election. There are reports of bargaining prices for votes and payments made in uncompleted buildings and bags of foodstuff being shared after votes have been cast.
“Acting swiftly to address the brazen impunity and reports of vote-buying and electoral bribery and other electoral offences during the Ekiti state governorship election would also send a strong message to politicians that INEC under your watch would not tolerate such practices during the 2023 general elections.
“SERAP is concerned that the failure of INEC to rein in vote buying, electoral bribery and intimidation is illustrated by the fact that the body has not seriously addressed similar incidents in previous elections.
“Vote buying and electoral bribery is a threat to fair and representative elections. Vote buying amounts to undue influence and improper electoral influence.
“By engaging in vote buying and electoral bribery in so blatant a fashion, the politicians involved and their sponsors have clearly influenced voters to vote for him, contrary to the Electoral Act, thus raising serious questions about the legitimacy and validity of the election.
“A corruption-free electoral process is essential for building public confidence in the electoral process, and the credibility and legitimacy of the 2023 elections.
“One of the people’s most sacred rights is the right to vote. INEC has a constitutional and statutory responsibility to ensure the effective exercise of the right of all eligible voters to participate in their own government in free and fair elections.
“Preventing and combating vote buying and electoral bribery would advance the people’s right to vote and to participate in their own government, as well as bolster the ability of INEC to discharge its constitutional and statutory mandates effectively and satisfactorily.
“Many years of allegations of vote-buying, undue influence, ballot snatching, intimidation, and other electoral malpractices, as well as entrenched impunity of perpetrators have undermined public confidence in the electoral process.
“Prosecuting allegations of vote-buying, undue influence, ballot snatching, intimidation, and other electoral malpractices during the Ekiti state governorship election would be entirely consistent with the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the country’s international human rights anti-corruption obligations.
“Prosecuting those that have been arrested and identifying and arresting those who sponsored, aided and abetted them and bringing them to justice would act as a deterrent against vote buying and electoral bribery and other electoral malpractices and offences in the February 2023 general elections.”
“Agents of the three dominant political parties in the state, namely All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), were reportedly involved in buying votes across the state. According to reports, agents of the three parties in Ward 007, PU 001, Ado LGA offered voters as high as N10,000 in exchange for their votes.
“There are also several reports of ballot box snatching including in polling units with codes 13/05/06/005 and 007 in Ilawe Ward IV, near St. Patrick’s School. In several voting units, party agents for the APC, PDP and SDP reportedly clustered around the voting cubicle and saw how voters marked their ballot papers.
“Vote buying and electoral bribery, intimidation of voters, ballot snatching and other electoral malpractices and offences undermine the ability of INEC to discharge its responsibilities under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and paragraph 15(a) of the third schedule of the Constitution, and the Electoral Act 2022.”
“The Nigerian Constitution provides in Section 14(1)(c) that, ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.’
“Section 145(2) of the Electoral Act provides that, ‘a prosecution under this Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission or any legal practitioner appointed by it.’ Under section 2(b), the commission ‘shall have power to promote knowledge of sound democratic election processes.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. I we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”
*2023: PDP Sets Up Committee To Screen Deputy Governorship Candidates*
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has constituted a Deputy Governorship Candidate Screening Committee.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, made this known in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
Ologunagba stated that the screening committee will screen/verify nominated deputy governorship candidates of the party in all the 28 states where governorship elections are scheduled to be held.
The PDP spokesman said the mandate for constituting the committee by the National Working Committee was pursuant to the provision of Part V, Paragraph 11 of the Electoral Guidelines of the party.
He disclosed that the screening exercise will hold at the party’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at 10:00 am.
According to the PDP spokesman, the screening is mandatory for all nominated Deputy Gubernatorial Candidates of the party.
Ologunagba said the committee will be headed by Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, while Dr Akilu Indabawa is the Secretary of the committee and Sunday Omobo will serve as the Administrative Secretary.
Other members of the committee are Fidelis Tapgun, Rt. Hon. Binta Bello, Suleiman Usman (SAN), Dr. Istifanus Zabadi, Hajia Kulu Haruna, Ayotunde George-Ologun, and Debby Nicol.
Recall that the PDP had constituted a Vice Presidential Candidate Screening Committee that screened Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, after his nomination as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the standard-bearer of the party.
*Ekpoudom kicks As APC Submits Akpabio’s Name, Others To INEC*
Former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Prince Udom Ekpoudom, has expressed dismay over the submission of the names of the three All Progressives Congress, APC, candidates to fly the party’s flag in the senatorial seats in Akwa Ibom State to Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The candidates include Senator Godswill Akpabio, Dr. Emaeyak Ukpong and Martins Udo-Inyang for Akwa Ibom North West, North East and South senatorial districts respectively.
But the name of the former police boss was missing from the list, having been substituted with that of Akpabio, the immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Mike Igini, had declared the primaries that threw up Akpabio as null and void and not known to the commission.
Former deputy speaker, Dr. Uwem Udoma, Director General of DIG Udom Senatorial Campaign Organisation, advised the supporters to remain calm despite the political twist.
According to him, “INEC had publicly acknowledged that it never monitored primary that allegedly produced Senator Akpabio after he lost the APC presidential primaries. In view of the fact that the senatorial primary for Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district lawfully held on May 27, 2022, where Ekpoudom emerged the winner and was at no time cancelled, nullified or declared inconclusive to warrant a rescheduled election.”
Udoma expressed hope that the national umpire would do the right thing, as “Ekpoudom’s name shall lawfully be on the ballot for 2023 general election.”
But the media and publicity directorate of Akpabio Senatorial Campaign Organisation was quick to call on the retired police officer to accept the verdict, if he has the interest of the party at heart and join hands to ensure the victory of the party at the forthcoming polls.
The statement expressed shock at what it described as the “consistent defiance of DIG Udom Ekpoudom (retd) to court order and decision of the leadership of APC in the face of the hollow claim.”
It explained that the Stephen Ntukekpo-led state executive was the one recognised by the party and that all authorisation pertaining to congress should have emanated from him and his executive, “otherwise, the outcome would be deemed to be illegal, illegitimate and mere bogus claim.”
*Ekiti Guber Election: Obaseki Gives Igbinedion Fresh Appointment*
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has called on all members of the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unite so as to resolve all internal wranglings within the party to ensure success in the 2023 general elections.
The governor disclosed this while meeting with over 135 PDP members drawn from the National Executive Committee, State Executive Committee, and Zonal Committee of the party, at the party Secretariat in Benin City.
According to the governor, the meeting became necessary following the defeat of the PDP in the just concluded Ekiti State Governorship election held over the weekend, in which the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election.
Obaseki said in order not to repeat the Ekiti episode in the presidential election come 2023, the party in the state needs to be united.
He stated that the Edo PDP needs to settle differences among members and bring everyone together to ensure PDP wins the general election.
“I am proposing this afternoon, that we all commit ourselves to resolving all the issues in all the chapters across the State. I have consulted and for the time being decided that Chief Lucky Igbinedion, a former Governor of the State to chair the peace committee of the party in the state.
“He will select three notable leaders of the party in the three Senatorial Districts of the State to work with him in the next 30 to 60 days to try to resolve all the issues in the party,” he said.
The governor noted that the PDP is setting the pace as it has picked the Vice Presidential running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar while the ruling party finds it difficult to decide on its Vice Presidential candidate.
Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the meeting include, Tom Ikimi; Mike Oghiadomhe; Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu; Edo State PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, and others.
Peter Mba announces Ossai as running mate, meets Enugu Journalists.
Enugu Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governoship Candidate for the 2023 general elections Barr. Peter Mba has announced Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai as his runnings mate.
Mbah disclosed on Sunday at the Base Event Centre Enugu, where he held his first meeting with Enugu Journalists.
The PDP guber candidate during introduction noted that Ossai forgot to introduce himself as his running mate.
It was the first formal announcement of the PDP guber running mate in Enugu.
