Politics

Kogi Guber: Bello threatens to sack LG Chairmen who failed to deliver APC candidate

Published

6 months ago

November 22, 2023

Advocate News Nigeria

FHC Abuja grants EFCC warrant to arrest Yahaha Bello, Kogi court gives counter order

Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yayaha Bello has queried eight out of the nine Local Government Chairmen in the Eastern Senatorial District of the state following their failure to deliver a single local government to the All Progressives Congress during the just concluded Governorship election.

The chairmen include those of Omala, Ofu, Dekina, Ankpa, Olamaboro, Ibaji, Igalame/Odolu and Idah local government areas.

Our investigations reveal that the query was a fallout of the stakeholders’ meeting with members of the party which was held last week after the poll where the governor who spoke extempore expressed “disappointment with the Chairmen for not living up to expectations” despite being mobilised to deliver their local government areas for the party.

As a result, he asked them to explain why the party performed badly in their respective council areas which are the aforementioned LGAs in spite of being mobilised to provide transportation and other logistics for the people before and during the election.

A source at the event informed that the visibly angry Governor also expressed his deep disappointment in the Chairmen for allegedly collecting unspecified sums of money from the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaib Abubarkar Audu under the guise of “mobilisation votes” from him, even after the huge amount of monies given to them at the Government House before the election day.

Worse still, Bello noted that they still failed to deliver the necessary votes as APC only managed to win in the Bassa LGA.

“The implications of this is that the mobilisation fund ended up in private pockets and was not used for the purpose it was meant for,” the miffed Governor was quoted to have said.

He was equally said to have told the members present at the meeting that a questionnaire would be sent to them, which they should mandatorily submit by midday of Tuesday.

The tenure of the chairmen expires on December 12, 2023, however, it was further gathered that they may be sent packing before the day, even as there are talks that they may be forced to refund the mobilisation funds they collected before the election.

It will be recalled that some officials of Igalamela local government were apprehended by solders in the early hours of November 11 while moving millions of naira packed in different bags and large ammunition to polling units within the council allegedly for vote buying.

Nothing has been heard about the crime either from the military or the police after the election.

The Advocate could not ascertain by press time whether the arrested persons were made to face the law or released after the election as the APC government in the state was said to have mounted pressure on the security agencies incharge of the case not to escalate it.

Politics

Presidency: I may support Peter Obi in 2027 — Atiku

Published

17 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar met with Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections in Abuja, earlier in the week.

The meeting sparked speculations about a merger of some opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In an interview with BBC Hausa Service monitored by FRED EZEH of The Sun, Atiku Abubakar explained the reasons for the meeting.

You had a meeting with Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general elections. What was the reason for the meeting?

It’s just a normal friendly meeting that we often had, particularly we in the opposition parties. Such meetings are healthy for Nigeria’s democracy and for the country’s interest.

People are saying the meeting was to form a merger or alliance between your party, PDP, and Labour Party. Is that possible?

Yes, it’s very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible and nothing can stop it if we so wish to achieve that.

But the choice of presidential candidate might frustrate the effort?

That’s not true. That challenge will not arise. I can tell you that the choice of who will fly the flag of the party won’t arise.

Why do you think so?

I don’t think so, I know so. Believe me, the challenge will not arise. Or are you expecting it to arise? Just believe me that it won’t arise.

What if it’s required that both you and Peter Obi drop your ambition and support someone else? Will you and others support that?

I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections that if PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it. As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party.

So if Peter Obi, being from the South-East, is the choice, will you support him?

If the party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him.

How is the merger talk going?

We are still discussing the issue, and in the right time we would make our position known.

When will you conclude the discussion?

I can’t disclose that for now because it’s not yet the right time to do that.

After the 2023 elections you were expected to be quiet and observe, but you are still playing the opposition?

Yes, we can’t keep quiet and watch things go wrong. People are suffering and we are committed to making Nigeria a better place.

It means you are not tired of politics of Nigeria?

Not at all. I am still in active politics in Nigeria, at least, as long as God permits.

People are expecting you to give space to younger ones considering your age.

My age doesn’t stop the young ones from testing their fate. Everybody, irrespective of age, is allowed to aspire to be anybody in the society, politically or otherwise.

So, there’s the possibility of you contesting 2027 elections?

But that would depend on the decision of my party. I can’t make any categorical statement on that. It’s the duty of the party to decide on the way to go in the next election.

But your interest is still there?

Until that time comes. Let’s just wait and see how it will turn out.

People are interpreting your recent meetings with various people as watering the ground for the next election.

It must not be interpreted like that. I must not be eyeing elections to have meetings with political friends and associates. Currently, we are practising democracy in this country which we fought for with our blood.

Many people lost their lives in the struggle. As a result, we would continue to ensure that democracy is strengthened in the country. We can’t watch from the sidelines as things are getting bad.

Politics

Kogi: Nullify Ododo’s election, declare me winner, Ajaka tells tribunal

Published

4 days ago

May 14, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

Kogi: Nullify Ododo’s election, declare me winner, Ajaka tells tribunal

Murtala Ajaka, SDP governorship candidate and Gov Usman Ododo of APC

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate in the Kogi state governorship election Murtala Ajaka, have asked the Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu 3-man panel of Justices to nullify the victory of Governor Usman Ododo and declared him winner.

Ajaka also asked the tribunal to set aside the respondents submissions and uphold theirs.

Ajaka’s lawyer, Pius Akubo, (SAN) made the prayers Monday while giving submissions via their final written address at the Kogi State, Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.

In the petition, INEC, Ododo and APC are listed as 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.

Akubo, the petitioners’ lawyer told the tribunal that their final written address was dated and filed May 6, 2024 arguing that their petition was not filed out of time.

At Monday’s proceedings, the tribunal reserved judgment in the petition filed by Ajaka and his party, the SDP, where it asked the tribunal to set aside the respondents submissions and uphold theirs.

While making submissions, the Independent National Electoral Commission, through its lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), told the court that their final written address was dated and filed on May 2, praying the tribunal sitting to dismiss Ajaka’s petition.

On its part, the All Progressives Congress and Gov. Ododo, asked the Tribunal to dismiss Ajaka’s petition for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

While adopting their final written addresses and presenting their arguments against the petitioners, counsel to the respondents, Agabi, Joseph Daudu (SAN), and Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), prayed the panel of Justices to uphold Ododo’s victory.

Politics

Hon. David Ina Ogu: The Frontrunner for PDP State Chairman – A Beacon of Progress and Unity for Kogi State

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

As the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State prepares for its State, Local Government, and Ward conventions to elect new party executives, the spotlight shines brightly on one candidate whose name resonates with promise and potential – Hon. David Ina Ogu.

Hailing from the vibrant community of Afah in Analo ward of Ibaji LGA, Hon. Ogu’s candidacy for the position of State Chairman signifies a new chapter in the party’s quest for progress, unity, and effective leadership.

Hon. David Ina Ogu’s journey in public service, marked by his tenure as the former Liason Officer 1 and Chairman of Ibaji LGA, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the betterment of his constituents and the advancement of the PDP.

Throughout his tenure, he spearheaded numerous people-oriented projects, including the completion of the monumental Ibaji LGA Secretariat in Onyedega.

He squarely defended the oil producing status of the Ibaji community in both the National print and electronic media while making clarifications between oil prospecting and oil producing enterprises . His efforts along with the struggles of other well meaning committed Patriots from Ibaji communities has placed Kogi State among the comity of oil producing states with the accruable benefits .

His visionary leadership and dedication to infrastructural development have left an indelible mark on the community, earning him widespread admiration and respect.

What sets Hon. David Ina Ogu apart is not only his track record of accomplishments but also his steadfast loyalty to the PDP since its inception in 1999. As a faithful party member, he has remained at the forefront of advancing the party’s principles and championing its ideals.

His unwavering support and dedication have garnered him widespread recognition as a stalwart of the PDP, trusted by both party members and stakeholders alike. He nearly lost his life in a ghastly motor accident on his way to Lokoja for the PDP State convention in November 1999. Late Dr. Steven Makoji Achema died in that unfortunate accident.

Hon. David Ina Ogu has been actively engaged in mobilisation activities for the progress of PDP in Kogi State .

He was the Secretary of the forum of former PDP House of Assembly members that gingered the party into action through the Awards and recognition ceremonies in May 2018 in preparation for the 2019 elections in Kogi State.

He is the Chairman of the Kogi PDP RENAISSANCE Group that took the initiative to mobilise leaders and critical stakeholders for the Retreat in IBRO HOTELS in August 2021. The Retreat discussed the theme Kogi PDP,Yesterday,

Today and Tomorrow with Prof. Jerry Gana as Guest Speaker and HE. Bukola Saraki GCON as Chairman at the events. The Retreat was a wake up tonic for the party to prepare for the 2023 electioneering engagements.

As the PDP gears up for its conventions, the choice of leadership is of paramount importance. In Hon. David Ina Ogu, the party finds a candidate who embodies the essence of progress, unity, and effective 2 / 2
governance.

His candidacy represents a beacon of hope for a party seeking to reaffirm its commitment to the people of Kogi State and usher in a new era of inclusive leadership.

The role of the State Chairman is pivotal in steering the party towards success.

• By Concerned Citizens for the progress of PDP in Kogi State.
@ 2024