Politics

ENUGU: ENSIEC Chairman, Dr. Ajogwu resigns

Published

2 months ago

March 9, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

ENUGU: ENSIEC Chairman, Dr. Ajogwu resigns

Dr. Michael Ajogwu SAN

The chairman of Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), Dr. Michael Ajogwu, SAN has resigned from his position.

In a letter addressed to the governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, Dr. Ajogwu who turned 82 on February 26th, said he’s resigning to spend more time with his family he said, has stood by him throughout his career.

Ajogwu, in the letter, thanked Mbah and his predecessor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the opportunity given to him to serve, while thanking the staff of the commission for their support and love throughout his time as the chairman.

The resignation letter reads:

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. It is on a note of fulfilment that I submit my resignation from the position of Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC).

I have had the distinct honour and privilege of serving in this capacity in my second term of office, working towards the fair and transparent conduct of elections within Enugu State since March 2017. However, as I recently celebrated my 82nd birthday on February 26, 2024, believe it is the opportune time for me to step down and focus on other aspects of my life.

The decision to resign is not made lightly, but I believe that at this stage in my life, it is essential to prioritise spending more time with my family. The love and support they have provided throughout my career have been invaluable, and I wish to dedicate more time to them. I will also be spending time in mentoring activities and community developments.

I am grateful for the support and cooperation I have received during my tenure as Chairman of ENSIEC starting from your predecessor-in- office to Your Excellency’s administration. I am proud of our accomplishments in ensuring free and fair elections for the people of Enugu State. I have full confidence in the competence and dedication of the ENSIEC team, and I am confident that they will continue to uphold the principles of democracy in the conduct electoral affairs within the state.

It has been an honour to serve the people of Enugu State in this capacity, and I remain committed to the progress and development of our great state.

Thank you for your understanding, and I am open to any necessary transition arrangements to ensure a smooth handover.
Yours sincerely,

Dr. Michael Ajogwu SAN, FCArb
Chairman
Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission

Politics

Only God knows who’ll be alive to contest 2027 election — Obi

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

Only God knows who’ll be alive to contest 2027 election — Obi

The National leader of the Labour Party (LP) Mr Peter Obi on Wednesday said his concern at the moment is how to see Nigeria achieve her potential as an independent nation.

Obi who had embarked on a tour of some parts of the country and carried out some social and education projects, explained that his mission has nothing to do with politics or the 2027 presidential election.

At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the former Anambra State governor stated “Only God can tell who can run for election in future; my interest now is the poor and how to see Nigeria work.”

He regretted that 70 per cent of the wealth of the country is in the hands of about one per cent of the population, noting that if about 200,000 rich Nigerians could deploy their resources for the basic needs of the poor, the situation would not be as deplorable.

He equally called on governments at all levels to ensure that resource deployment is aimed at improving the living standards of the poor and pulling them out of poverty.

The former LP presidential candidate stated that his humanitarian tour of some parts of the country has exposed him to the level of poverty in Nigeria and the abandonment of the people.

Obi who announced the completion of the construction of 10 boreholes in some states of the North for a short-term water supply to the people, said if 200,000 rich Nigerians could do the same in the area of their choice, it would go a long way to solving the water needs of the people.

He stated that the potential he found among Almajiris in the Quranic schools in the North was an indication that with adequate encouragement and support, they could be catalysts to national development.

“I am carrying out a campaign to make the rich in our midst do more in providing water to our rural poor and helping to pull the out-of-school children off the streets for proper development.

“This is the time to cut waste; our larger population can’t be suffering a conspicuous lack of basic needs like water and we live lavish lifestyles in their midst.

“Our crisis of insecurity and other challenges derives from poverty, and it’s our responsibility to pull people out of poverty through good education,” Obi stated.

He also reacted to the allegation that he did not build any new school when he was governor of Anambra State, explaining that he met education is shambles, as schools were closed and the state occupied 26 positions in the country.

But according to him, by the time he left as governor, Anambra was number one in the country.

“I improved the quality, physical and mental well-being of the people; schools had the basic things they needed and the people shone like stars, and that was my manifesto.

“Building new schools when the old ones are moribund is just like building coastal lines when internal roads are impassable,” he pointed out.

He expressed confidence that the crisis in the Labour Party would be resolved amicably, adding, “What is happening in the Labour Party is child’s play compared to what is going on in APC and PDP.” (New Telegraph)

Politics

Ex-Imo gov, Emeka Ihedioha resigns from PDP

Published

4 days ago

April 23, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

Emeka Ihedioha

A former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

In his resignation letter addressed to the PDP chairman in Mbutu Ward, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of the state, Ihedioha cited a misalignment between his personal beliefs and the current trajectory of the main opposition party.

The former governor expressed his dedication to the advancement of democracy and good governance in the country despite his decision to step away from PDP.

According to Ihedioha, having been a member of the party since its inception in 1998, he has contributed immensely to the growth and evolution of the party.

The former governor, however, lamented recent developments within the PDP, stating that it has deviated from its core principles.

He voiced concerns over the party’s inability to enact internal reforms, uphold its own regulations, and effectively oppose the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

“Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs. Despite my attempt to offer counsel, the party is, sadly, no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.’

“It is in the light of the foregoing, that I am compelled to offer my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party effective immediately.

“While the decision was difficult to take, I, however, believe that it is the right one. Despite this resignation, I will always be available to offer my services towards the deepening of democracy and good governance in Nigeria”, the letter added.

News

Protest breaks out in Ondo over APC Gov Primary

Published

6 days ago

April 21, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

Protest breaks out in Ondo over APC Gov Primary

• Protesters demand cancellation of APC ward primaries in Ondo State on Sunday, April 21, 2024

Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akure, the Ondo State capital, took to the streets on Sunday to protest what they termed irregularities and biased conduct of the ward primaries across the state on Saturday.

The ward primaries meant to produce the governorship candidate of the party for the November 16, 2024 governorship election in the state has been marred with non-availability of election materials.

The protesters called for the cancellation of the ward primaries.

The protesters stormed the APC state secretariat in Akure to display their displeasure to the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the ward primaries across the 203 wards of the state.

Most of them are supporters of one of the aspirants, Olushola Oke, and they carried different placards calling on the national secretariat to remove the chairman of the primary election committee and Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo.

They described the process as a daylight robbery and urged the national secretariat of the APC not to allow the state to be embroiled in crisis.

One of the protesters claimed no ward primaries were held, insisting that the guidelines given by the national secretariat of the party were not followed as the committee did not distribute materials to any wards.

The party members warned of likely consequences if an unpopular candidate is imposed on them as it could affect the chances of the party in the governorship election.

Ododo had on Saturday announced that polls would be conducted in all 13 wards of Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state by noon on Sunday.

“Having received reports of the primary election from the 203 wards in the 18 local governments of Ondo State, the primary election committee has decided that election will be conducted in all the 13 Wards of Okitipupa local government with total validated registered members of 9,515, because of validated reports that the exercise did not hold in the local government due to late arrival of materials and personnel as a result of logistics challenges.

“Election in Okitipupa local government shall be conducted 12 noon on Sunday 21st April 2024. The final collation of the results will be done thereafter,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, two aspirants and agents of two other contestants raised concerns about the conduct of the primary.

They alleged that based on the conduct of the exercise, plans were made to favour certain aspirants.

Olugbenga Edema, who is one of the 16 aspirants in the race for the APC ticket, decried delays in the distribution of materials and called on the party to investigate the process.

Rotimi Williams, the agent of Oke, took a similar position.

Shola Ajisafe, the agent of Adewale Akinterinwa, backed the narrative by Edema and Willams.

“My people have been calling me. No material has been distributed to them,” Ajisafe who is from Ondo North said, accusing Governor Ododo of working in favour of a candidate. (Channelstv)