The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) vows to challenge Ikorodu by-election result

 Gov. Babatunde Raji Fashola

The Action Congress of Nigeria has vowed to head to the tribunal to challenge what it described as the ‘Pyrrhic victory’ of the Peoples Democratic Party in Thursday’s by-election in Ikorodu State Constituency II in Lagos State.

The ACN accused the PDP of rigging the election with the apparent backing of the Presidency

The PDP candidate, Mr. Olugbenga Oshin, won the by-election by securing 3, 438 votes to beat his closest rival, Mr. Alade Olusola of the ACN, who scored 3, 022 votes.

The position became vacant following the death of Mr. Rotimi Sotomiwa of the ACN. The legislator died on November 2, 2010 as a result of a lung-related ailment.

The result, however, elicited reactions as the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the PDP, Mr. Setonji Koshedo, said it showed that his party was set to control the state in 2011.

But the ACN in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the development had sent a wrong signal as to whether the 2011 general elections would be free and fair, despite repeated assurances by President Goodluck Jonathan.

It accused the PDP of using intimidation and violence to ensure that the by-election was not free and fair.

“Violence was reported in Ijede, Ginti, Igbogbo and Ewuelepe. There was no voter register in Surulere Estate and Offin in Igbogbo, known strongholds of ACN. Shooting and snatching of ballot boxes were reported at Ginti and Ewuelepe.

“There was over-militarisation of the constituency with the invasion of mobile policemen, Immigration and Custom officers.

“There was also the massive influx of unregistered voters from neighbouring Ogun State, with the connivance of heavily-compromised INEC officials. Overall, there was a massive disenfranchisement of registered voters in all strongholds of the ACN during the by-election,” the party said.

However, Koshedo, who spoke at a press conference in Lagos on Friday, said the outcome of the by-election was an indication that the PDP could win free and fair elections in Lagos State.

Koshedo said his party’s victory in Ikorodu known to be an ACN stronghold was a ‘sign of better things to come’ for the party.

He said, “The result of the election has shown that in a free and fair election, PDP will always win. The point is that ACN has never won the state honestly.

“We have always believed in the PDP that past elections have been fraudulent. In most of the elections we have had since the beginning of democracy in Nigeria about 12 years, if Lagos State had been having free and fair elections, PDP would have been on top.

“But the result of this election has shown that if free and fair elections are held in Lagos State, PDP will always be on top; which means that the ruling party in Lagos has not always been winning elections naturally.”

Consequently, he called on all members of the party to unite together to ensure that the party consolidates on its recent electoral victories in Ibeju Lekki federal constituency and Ikorodu state constituency.

Source:http://www.punchng.com
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Adewale Adeoye appointed as the SSA by the Ekiti State Governor

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi

Mr. Adewale Adeoye, a journalist by profession has been appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to  the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Public Affairs. The SSA was formally the Deputy Editor (Sunday) of The Nation Newspapers. He graduated from the department of Philosophy, University of Nigeria in 1988 and holds Masters Degree in Industrial and Labour Relations, University of Lagos in the year 2000.


Source: EAGLE FOCUS

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ENUGU PDP CRISIS:This is my story, by Nwodo

The face off   between Governor Sullivan Chime and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo has gradually degenerated into a major political crisis in Enugu State.   The dispute which began as a minor intra-party squabble has polarised the ruling PDP into three major camps with Governor Chime leading one group and Dr. Nwodo leading the second. The third group which is the Ebeano Political Family founded by former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani is singing a different tune.
Even as the party crisis continues to escalate, Chime still enjoys the loyalty and support of the elected public officers from the state, notably members of the National Assembly except Senator Nnamani and Hon. KGB Oguakwa, who are strongly opposed to him.
On the side of Nwodo are PDP elders and faithful including former military governors, former governorship aspirants, political office holders as well as those who dumped other political parties and joined the PDP soon after Nwodo’s emergence.  This class of politicians are also desirous to have a share of the various political offices at both state and federal levels.
They complain aloud about their alleged marginalisation by Chime’s government, hence they capitalized on the new opportunity which Nwodo’s leadership of the PDP has offered to have a foothold on the party in order to snatch tickets from the governor and his supporters.

Read more:http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/enugu-pdp-crisisthis-is-my-story-by-nwodo/ Read more...

Opposition parties, ACN bicker over calls for Fashola’s resignation

Governor Babatunde Fashola

The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria has disagreed with 26 opposition parties in the state calling for the resignation of Governor Babatunde Fashola over an alleged loan taken by the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority for road and transportation related projects in the state.

The opposition parties under the aegis of Coalition of Lagos State Coalition Parties said its call was based on the fact that while it is true that the roads in the metropolis was bad, it was unnecessary for the state government through LAMAT to resort to borrowing to address roads and transportation challenges.

In a statement issued by the Convener of COLASOPP, Dr. Adegbola Dominic, the opposition parties said, “Can’t Fashola see that the problems of transportation in Lagos State are not shortage of buses? This fact has been appreciated as far back as three decades ago when Alhaji Lateef Jakande as governor of the state began the process of establishing the Metro line.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010293211929 Read more...

Controversy in Niger over PPP projects

Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu
A verbal war has emerged between the Niger State government and the Action Congress of Nigeria following the latter‘s allegations that the government had turned all the public private partnership projects into a conduit to siphon money from the state‘s treasury.

Our correspondent learnt that the party raised the alarm following failures of many of the PPP projects which were said to have collapsed after government had doled out huge sums of money to contractors handling them.

The ACN had in a statement made available to our correspondent in Minna expressed concern that the Peoples Democratic Party-led administration in the state had wasted huge resources on such projects without expected results.

The party in the statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Adamu Aliyu, said the government had against the spirits of PPP initiative paid hefty sums to contractors who later abandoned such projects.

Aliyu was specifically disturbed that against the PPP principles, the government had paid N500m to a contractor for construction of a five-star hotel which was later abandoned at its feasibility study stage.

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‘It Will Not Be In The Interest Of Yewa People If I Step Down’

ABDULWASIU Kolawole Lawal, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in next year’s elections in Ogun State insists that he would not step down for any of his Yewa/Awori kinsman not properly chosen by the people.

Why do you want to rule Ogun State?
I was worked with ExxonMobil in Lagos for almost 20years and retired this year. I want to govern Ogun State because of the passion I have for my people. That is why I don’t want to leave what is happening in the state to those politicians, because of the passion I have to improve on the quality of life of my people.
That is why I decided to join the race.

Read more: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26867:it-will-not-be-in-the-interest-of-yewa-people-if-i-step-down&catid=73:policy-a-politics&Itemid=607 Read more...

Niger PDP may dump IBB for Jonathan

Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
The 2011 presidential aspiration of former head of state, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), suffered a setback on Tuesday, following indications that the Peoples Democratic Party in Niger State may dump him for President Goodluck Jonathan.

Niger State PDP Chairman, Dr. Adulraham Enegi, gave the hint while receiving a delegation of Jonathan/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation at the party’s secretariat in Minna.

Babangida hails from Niger State and the loss of support in his home base is likely to wreck his bid.

Enegi, while addressing the delegates led by the Director-General of Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Organisation, Ambassador Dalhatu Tafida, urged them to take note of Jonathan’s achievements since he became the President.

He said delegates from the state chapter would be fair in casting their votes at the forthcoming PDP primaries.

Read more: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010205423857 Read more...

Ekiti 2011: Back to the drawing board

L-R: Fayemi, Oni
The Court of Appeal’s affirmation of the Action Congress of Nigeria’s governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as the governor has changed political permutations for the aspirants and political parties, FEMI MAKINDE writes. The historic victory of Dr. Kayode Fayemi in the legal marathon battle to reclaim his mandate from the ousted governor, Mr. Segun Oni, and chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, who denied him his legitimate right for about 42 months, brought a big relief to the people of the state. Although a large number of people went wild in jubilation when Fayemi was declared governor, the victory has thrown camps of some politicians into agony and disarray as the nation prepares for the 2011 general elections.

Read more: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010192381082
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Oyo: Ladoja, Folarin, Balogun threaten to leave PDP

Senator Rashidi Ladoja
IBADAN—AS the leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State remains unresolved, some notable members of the party may have concluded to join hands with opposition to vote out the party.
Already, a former Governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, the Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, Senator Lekan Balogun, Elder Wole Oyelese and Alhaji Yekini Adeojo have written a letter to the National Secretariat of the party warning them that if the crisis is not quickly resolved, they would have to leave the party.
While speaking with Vanguard yesterday, Ladoja said if the party leadership failed to resolve the crisis on time, they would not fold their arms and wait in the party.
He also added that the party would fail woefully if it failed to field authentic people in the state.

Read more: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/10/oyo-ladoja-folarin-balogun-threaten-to-leave-pdp/ Read more...

“A new dawn is here” says Fayemi

Governor Fayemi and his wife, Bisi after his swearing in as Ekiti state governor.

Governor Kayode Fayemi, his wife, Bisi and Ekiti State chief Judge, Justice Silas Oyewole during the swearing in ceremony of Governor Fayemi in Ado Ekiti Saturday.

Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka and her husband during her oath of office administeredn by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Silas Oyewole , Saturday. Photo: Dare Fasube.
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, formally assumed the mantle of leadership of Ekiti State, yesterday pledging a new dawn in which education will be free at primary and secondary school levels.

Read More: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/10/%E2%80%9Ca-new-dawn-is-here%E2%80%9D-fayemi/ Read more...

‘We use money meant for infrastructure to service security in Abia’

Chief Theodore OrjiThe Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji, spoke with journalists in Abuja on a wide range of issues. OLUSOLA FABIYI was there.
The issue of kidnapping is such that has given the state a bad name. What went wrong?

Well, there was no kidnapping before. All we had had been armed robberies during the days of my predecessor and it was tackled. However, as soon as the amnesty for militants took roots in the Niger Delta, some of them, I mean the militants, who refused to repent, came to this state and started kidnapping people. You know that this state shares boundary with Rivers State. So, it is easy for them to cross to this place and that was what happened.

The question on the lips of many is what was the state doing to have allowed the situation degenerate to this level?

Read more: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010170141653 Read more...

Kwara 2011 and the Abuja connection

L-R: Yekeen Alabi and Sola Saraki
The political climate in Kwara State is changing as aspirants in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party unite against the interest of Olusola Saraki, the godfather of Kwara politics, writes EMMANUEL ADDEH



Those who hold the view that happenings in the morning can foretell how the rest of the day will be apparently did not have the present situation in Kwara State in mind.

Up until last month when the strongman of Kwara politics, Dr Olusola Saraki, publicly endorsed his daughter, Gbemisola, to take over the mantle of leadership from the incumbent governor who also is his son, Dr Bukola Saraki, the political atmosphere in the state was at best drab and boring.

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Confusion among aspirants as Oyo PDP crisis deepens

The crisis rocking the Oyo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party is far from being over, especially as the 2011 elections draw nearer.

Indication to this emerged on Tuesday as our correspondent learnt that the party’s National Working Committee, ahead of the state ward congresses, may have opted for an implementation committee to organise the congresses.

It was learnt that nomination forms have already been given to the chairman of the committee, Alhaji Yunus Akintunde, to carry out the exercise in accordance with the party’s guidelines.

Akintunde emerged as the committee’s boss based on the recommendation of the party by its National Peace and Reconciliation Committee headed by Senator Ike Nwachukwu.

The development came at a time when the party led by Chief Dejo Afolabi announced that it has postponed the congresses earlier scheduled for Tuesday (yesterday) till Saturday.

The faction had on Monday told journalists that the submission of nominations forms for aspirants by midnight on Monday.

Currently, the two sides are laying claim to what they called the authentic forms for aspirants.

But Akintunde had in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, called on all the 33 coordinators of the PDP across all the councils in the state to come forward for further briefing on Thursday on the guidelines to follow in electing delegates at ward levels as directed by the PDP NWC.

He asked all intending delegates to come forward to obtain their forms at Old-Ife road PDP secretariat of their faction.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009224343467 Read more...

Sweden's center-right alliance gov't wins general election: exit poll

 

 Sweden's centre-right alliance government won the general election with 49.1 percent of vote, but failed to gain a majority in the parliament while the Swedish Democratic Party gaining 4.6 percent, passing the threshold of the parliament, according to a TV poll right after the close of the balloting station in Sweden on Sunday.

The poll also shows that the opposition Red-Green block won 45. 1 percent of the votes with Social Democratic Party winning 30 percent and remaining the largest party in Sweden. The Green Party won 9 percent while the Left Party won 6.1 percent.

The Moderate Party, the largest party in the alliance, won 29.1 percent of the votes, remaining the second largest party in Sweden while the Center Party won 7.1 percent, Liberal Party won 7.2 percent and Christian Democratic Party won 5.7 percent.

The historic election shows a high turnout. 2.2 million people voted beforehand, 400 thousand more than that in 2006 election. A total of 7.1 million people took part in the vote.

The alliance is composed of the Moderate Party led by Prime Minister Reinfeldt, Center Party, the Liberal and Christian Democratic party.

The Red-Green block is composed of Social Democratic Party led by the first woman leader Mona Sahlin, the Green Party and the Left Party.


Source: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ Read more...