Again fresh reports have emerged that the logo of the Labour Party is missing on the ballot papers sent to Ondo State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Lagos reporters reports that the development is the second to be reported in barely 24 hours to the Saturday polls.
This platform earlier reported that the Lagos State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) had slammed INEC for allegedly omitting the party’s logo on ballot papers for the Senatorial and House of Representatives elections billed for Saturday.
The state LP Chairperson, Dayo Ekong, made this known on Thursday during a news conference in Ikeja, calling on INEC to reschedule the election until the party’s candidates were included on the ballots.
ODUDUWA NEWS reports that INEC, in Lagos State, on Wednesday took delivery of sensitive materials for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections scheduled for Saturday.
However, Dayo described the error as malicious, stating it is unacceptable because it was a wicked way of disenfranchising Lagos electorates.
This was noticed barely 24 hours to the presidential election scheduled to hold Saturday.
She noted that the error was not a mistake but rather a deliberate, malicious, and intentional act by the electoral umpire.
She said: “This malicious error was found out this morning in Lagos, by me and my team of executive members during the routine inspection of election materials.
“It was at inspection that it was discovered that the Labour Party was not listed for the election for Senate in and House of Representatives in Lagos State. This is unacceptable and a wicked way of disenfranchising Lagos electorates.
“It is unimaginable that for the elections slated for Saturday, Feb. 25, Lagos electorate will only vote for the Labour Party Presidential Candidate as INEC made no provision for the election of Party’s Senate and House of Representatives Candidates.
“We cannot accept this as we do not believe that INEC made a mistake but rather, a deliberate, malicious and intentional act by INEC at disenfranchising our supporters from exercising their civic rights which is unacceptable.”
The massive operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to deter vote trading and other financial malfeasance ahead of tomorrow’s presidential and national assembly elections may have begun paying dividends with the interception in Lagos of the sum of N32, 400,000 (Thirty-two Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) allegedly suspected to be used for vote buying in Lagos. The recovery was made by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Commission.
The suspect involved has been taken into custody for further questioning.
The Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa has implored all personnel of the Commission deployed for election monitoring duties to show courage and not give room for unscrupulous persons to undermine the integrity of the elections through financial inducement.
Tactical team of operatives are currently on ground in all the states of the federation and the FCT. Telephone hotlines have already been circulated through social media for members of the public to share information regarding financial malpractices with agents of the Commission. Details of the number are available on EFCC social media platforms.
Members of the public are encouraged to report anyone trying to buy or sell votes by making use of the EFCC financial crimes.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, has reiterated his commitment to pursuing policies and programmes that would accelerate economic development and progress of the people.
The Governor said his administration will continue to work in tandem with the aspirations and yearnings of the people for the overall development of the state.
The Governor, in a special message commemorating the six years anniversary of his administration, stated that bold steps have been taken in the journey of redeeming the state and restoring its lost glory.
“Six years have flown by with astonishing speed. Our mission to redeem the state has been marched with courage and determination. We have made remarkable progress in our resolve to make life better for the people and make our state an enviable destination.
“Our commitment to industrialization and massive investment has yielded enduring fruits. In our first term, we facilitated industries both at the industrial park and the Ondo-Linyi industrial hub in Ore. We kept our promise of putting a stop to the carnage at the cross section of Lagos- Benin expressway in Ore by constructing the first-of-its-kind flyover, christened “The Redemption Bridge.”
“Our infrastructural drive has been phenomenal. In the last six years, over 294.11km of roads have been completed while a little above 100km are ongoing across the state. Our determination to leave the state better than we met it and bridge infrastructural gap has yielded impressive results.
“Despite the giant stride recorded on road construction in our first term, we didn’t rest on our oars as we are still dotting the landscape and initiating new road projects. For instance, we have commenced work on Igoba township road. Similarly, work is about to start on Ajagba – Iju Osun – Akotogbo road. The Agadagba – Pereama road is completed and awaiting commissioning, same as Igbobini – Igbotu township road. We have also concluded arrangements to commence work on the Agerige road.
“In pursuance of our commitment to the REDEEMED agenda of our administration and our desire to leave a good legacy, we commenced the construction of a betting Governor’s Lodge in our second term. Today, the Lodge is near completion and it is our hope that the laudable project will be commissioned in few months’ time.
“In the last six years, we have made bold footprints in the infrastructural sector. Another landmark testimony of our commitment to infrastructural development is the 250 – bed hospital we are building in each of the Ondo and Akure complexes of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital.
“We are also set to build an ultramodern and befitting Judiciary Complex in Akure, the State capital. The new complex will house twenty different Court buildings from Court one to Court 20. That is aside the Chief Judge’s Court. The ground – breaking will be performed soon at the existing Court Complex.
“Also, in our resolve to accelerate development and provide a new lease of fiscal autonomy, we have tremendously improved on our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the paltry N700 Million inherited in 2017 to an average of N2 Billion. This we achieved without burden on our people.
“When we assumed office in 2017, the workers were owed seven months salary arrears and their morale was low as the situation could be better imagined. We promised to give priority to their welfare, and today, we have offset six out of the inherited seven months arrears. As regards workers’ salary, we have paid up till date. Just yesterday, I approved the payment of the February 2023 salary.
“We understand that no meaningful development can take place in the State without adequate security. That is why we have continued to strengthen the Amotekun corps and other security agencies in the State. It is our resolve to give our best to protect the lives and property of the people of the State.”
The Governor, while thanking God Almighty for His grace so far, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the people for the mandate given to him and the opportunity to provide leadership in the state.
He assured that the remaining two years of his administration will be devoted to more impactful projects aimed at improving the lives of the people.
Honourable Shina Peller, a member of the House of Representatives and the 2023 Accord Senatorial candidate for the Oyo North Senatorial District, has encouraged voters to forgo vote buying in the upcoming election.
He made the statement today at his major campaign finale held at Adabo Market, Palace Square, Iseyin, Oyo State.
Peller, who represents the Oyo State Federal Constituency of Iseyin/ltesiwaju/Kajola/lwajowa, hailed Accord as a blessing in disguise for him and other party members.
He also affirmed his confidence in Accord as a party through which a new, effective system will be attained come February 25.
Peller, a candidate for the Oyo North Senatorial District on the Accord party platform, stated that he is running on a platform to lead the liberation mission for the Oke-Ogun people.
He was quoted as saying: “People are tired of the present system; they want a breath of fresh air, and I strongly believe that Accord is the party that will lead us to a new, functional system starting from Oyo State.
“My message to the electorates, 2023 has provided us a chance to rewrite the story of our great nation when people can go to the polls and vote for their choices of candidates.
“I have always advised our people not to focus on one candidate, the president is just one person out of a system and our country is suffering from a system failure.
“People should vote their conscience, competence, character, capacity and not just money and popularity and they should try as much as possible to support young candidates because we have more young people in the world today.
“Due to the existence of technology, an average young people in Nigeria today is exposed to direct competition with their peers anywhere in the world, so we should user in a pro-youth government, a government that can create an enable environment for youth to strive in Nigeria, this is opportunity for us to do that, people should run away from vote buying.
“The Oke Ogun-born federal lawmaker explained that if he wanted the APC senatorial tickect by all means, he would have approached the court to challenge the purported Oyo North APC senatorial primaries which he described as kangaroo.
“He stated further that he refused to approach the court because he wants to serve as a leading example to young ones who may experience same but cannot afford to go to court.
“Honourable Peller added that he refused to approach the court because he wants to serve as a leading example to the young ones who may be in his shoes but cannot afford to go to court. I’m now under Accord and the logo of our party is your thumb. Please vote for me,” he said.
The All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state has claimed to have uncovered alleged plans by Governor Seyi Makinde and the People’s Democratic Party to use the state-owned security outfit known as Amotekun Corps for the purpose of forcefully securing victory for the candidates of the PDP this Saturday when Nigerians are expected to go to poll.
Amotekun Corps, which is the uniformed local security outfit established to combat kidnapping and other related criminal activities the South West in 2020, are under the control of state governors as chief security officers of their respective states with absolutely power to deploy its personnel for duty and assignment.
In a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC regretted that “some anti-democratic forces could still be nursing plans to compromise the smooth conduct of election in the country when all hands ought to be on deck for the collective goal of strengthening the nation’s democracy.
“We have uncovered plots by the Oyo state government and the ruling PDP to use members of the state-owned local security outfit popularly known as Amotekun Corps to alter all arrangement for the proper conduct of presidential and national assembly elections coming up this Saturday with a view to facilitating victory for their candidates.
“Parts of the evil plans are deployment of men in Amotekun uniform to frustrate genuine voters particularly in certain areas across all geopolitical zones including Ibadan- the state capital. Those behind the plot have also perfected plans to involve hoodlums to be drawn from the Park Management System under the leadership of Mukaila Lamidi ‘Auxiliary’ in the execution of their plans.
“The regular Amotekun guards and many motor park miscreants are to adorn the local security outfit uniform brand which is expected to present them as officials legalized to move round on the day of election and thus use the opportunity to carry out some illegal activities capable of disrupting the conduct of the poll. For instance, the fake uniformed men would storm some communities in rural Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun, Oyo, Ogbomoso and Ibadan less city in the guise of searching for suspected kidnappers on the eve of the election and thereby create tension among local residents who might decide to stay indoor on Saturday.
“While we would not disclose the details of the plots being packaged by the identified disgruntled elements, we wish to remind the general public that Amotekun Corps are not among the security agents allowed to either election or provide security anywhere close to polling booths or collation centres on the day of the election. Therefore, we call on the appropriate authorities to ensure that no member of the Amotekun or PMS (in uniform) is granted access to anywhere close to INEC officials and voters conduct their legitimate business on the day of the election.
“The position of the nation’s Constitution as advanced by the Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General as well as that of the Inspector General of Police has been made clear on the issue of Amotekun and the fact remains that only the officers and men of the security agencies owned and controlled by the federal government are authorized to carry out functions at designated polling booths, collation centres and other INEC facilities during elections. Also, the idea of Amotekun Corps serving as security guards to PDP leaders and Chieftains shall not be allowed on the day of the election.” Sadare stated.
The gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress APC, Senator Teslim Folarin has alleged that the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde is parading an ex-convict as the Chairman of Park Management System.
He said this during the recently held debate at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
He berated what he called ‘criminal elements’ allegedly paraded as the Chairman of an agency of the government, saying Mukaila Lamidi “Auxiliary” who should have been behind the bars are now gallivanting around State.
In his response, Makinde chided the APC gubernatorial candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin and asked him what he knows about the death of the then Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW, Eleweomo.
Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has said that the Oyo State Government generates more than Sixty Million Naira from the Park Management System monthly.
Makinde said this during the ongoing gubernatorial debate at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
Makinde affirmed that when he came on board the National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW never remitted a kobo to the purse of the State government before he raised the revenue.
Five days to the 2023 presidential election, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Monday granted the prayer of the Labour Party seeking an order to bar the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from using the Chairman of the Lagos Parks and Garages, Musliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo from distributing election materials in the state.
Lagos Reporters reports that MC Oluomo is a staunch supporter of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential flag-bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Labour Party had objected to the plan by INEC to use MC Oluomo, describing the transport union leader as openly partisan. According to them, any association of INEC with any platform under the control of MC Oluomo is a big risk.
With Monday’s judgment, the prayer of the Labour Party has been granted.
A former member of the House of Representatives who is also a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s Presidential Campaign Committee (PCC), Hon. Olasupo Abiodun has assured the people of Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State that the Presidential flag-bearer of PDP has assured of his readiness to resuscitate the abandoned Ikere Gorge Dam project, situated in Iseyin local government.
Olasupo who told journalists in Iseyin on Monday at a rally to drum up support for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Governor Seyi Makinde and other PDP candidates during the oncoming general elections that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) failed to deliver on any of their promises to the people of Oke-Ogun from 2015 to 2023.
“I can categorically tell you that we have the confidence of the leadership of PDP and Alhaji Atiku that the abandoned Ikere Gorge Dam will be resuscitated alongside other major social infrastructural facilities in Oke-Ogun.
“The APC Government has promised to complete and put the dam into use for generation of electricity and portable water but as we have all seen, they failed us, apart from this, there is no federal presence in our region, this will change if we vote for Atiku and return Makinde for second term in office.”
The Ikere Gorge Dam is a major earth-fill dam in Iseyin local government area of Oyo State with reservoir capacity of 690 million m³.
The dam was initiated by the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo and started in 1983 by the administration of Shehu Shagari and was targeted at generating over five megawatts and supply portable water to residents of Oyo, Kwara, Ogun and some parts of Lagos State.
The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN has called on president Muhammadu Buhari to act as statesman and ensure that the money redesign policy is halt to prevent pocket of violence recently recorded in the country.
Akeredolu was quoted as saying, “the crises engendered by the policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria to redesign some currency notes, threaten to disrupt, not only the forthcoming general elections. The events of the past days, culminating in the intervention of the apex court in the land, and the increasing gale of violence sweeping through the country, portend serious danger to the current democratic governance. Consequently, this period invites all patriots to speak out with a view to proffering practicable solutions and not project cheap partisan interests.
*I seize this opportunity to appeal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to play the role of a Statesman at this crucial moment. It is apparent that the crises, which the current policy on currency swap has created, continue to spiral menacingly.
“There is incontrovertible evidence bordering on miscalculation, error of judgement and/or disinformation on the part of the policy makers, especially the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, on the failed implementation of the policy, the effect of which compels the whole country to groan, immeasurably, at present.
“There is hardly anyone who contends with either the statutory functions of the Central Bank of Nigeria or the occupier of the office of its Governor, one of which is the monetary policy. It is also not debatable that the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is empowered, under our law, to exercise certain executive power. It can, however, not be the original intendment of the drafters of the relevant statutes that the implementation of any policy should occasion widespread hardship and pervasive agony in the land.
“The safety of the people is the supreme law. Any measure, purportedly designed to ameliorate their conditions, must not reduce the entire populace to a beggarly existence. There is pervasive discontent in the land. A policy, presented as currency swap, must not be construed by both the reasonable members and people of average intelligence in the society to convey the deplorable impression of contrived subterfuge manifest in the official confiscation of legitimate deposits of the people in banks, as a counter measure against electoral malfeasance, terrorism and banditry.
“Desirable as the policy appears to be, its implementation excites curiosity as regards the real motive of its drivers, especially at this time when the conduct of general elections is almost here. The mere knowledge that the N1000 and N500 notes represented 82% of the currency in circulation and that the N200 note, whose validity has been extended, by fiat, for another 60 days, represented 7%, expose the mendacious slant in the advice given to Mr President. This counsel clearly misrepresented, deliberately, the facts as they existed before the commencement of the implementation of the policy.
“The implementation of this policy has been woeful despite claims to the contrary. The suffering of the masses, occasioned by the non-availability of new notes to replace the old ones, equally decreed out of existence by presidential fiat in contravention of the CBN Act, 2007, could have been averted if the strategy of a gradual and systematic withdrawal of the old currency notes had been adopted. I make bold to assert that the unfolding events across the country show that the policy has failed significantly. It is, therefore, expected that the President will halt this needless drift into the abyss of chaos, more so, when the ruling of highest court still subsists.
“I call on the President to allow both the old and new notes co-exist until such a time when normalcy returns to the country. It will be a fitting parting gift for the people of this country, especially the downtrodden, who feel the negative impact of the poorly implemented policy. While the reasons adduced for the policy appear legitimate, there can be no justification for the confiscation of the lawful earnings of Nigerians. The negative impact which the mediocre and, I dare say, mischievous implementation of the policy by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria is having on the poor people and small business owners defeats all the good programmes of the Federal Government designed to elevate as many people as possible out of the morass of poverty.
“There is no shame in rescinding a decision adjudged not only unpopular and counter-productive, but which also bears the insidious seeds of potential conflagration in the land, one of the ostensible reasons for this ill-conceived policy”.
