Author: Adisa-Jaji Azeez

The Election petition Tribunal for the Governorship Election in Osun State has declared Ademola Adeleke, Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the 2018 Governorship Election in the state. In the ruling in Abuja on Friday, the tribunal voided the cancellation of the elections in seven polling units in the state, therefore holding that Gboyega Oyetola, candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was not validly returned. Reading the ruling on behalf of a three-member panel of judges, Justice Peter Obi held that the returning officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had no powers to cancel…

Barely two months ago, Prof. Pius Adesanmi had written a befitting tribute to the late Hajia Maimuna Jimada, who was the Head Public Affairs at the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). Jimada reportedly died on 21 January, 2019 at a London Hospital after battling with chest related issue. I came across the beautifully written tribute on a WhatsApp group I belong to. After reading the tribute, I commented that “as much as some of us will want to put our writing ability to test, people like Professor Pius Adesanmi will always make it look like we can’t write anything meaningful due…

The plenary session of the Senate on Wednesday nearly turned to a battle field during deliberations on allegations that there was use of “extreme military force” during the 2019 Election. The Senator representing kogi West in the National Assembly Dino Melaye had raised a motion alleging the militarization of the Elections, as well as the “inconsistent application of Electoral laws by the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”. Seven other lawmakers — senators Mao Ohabunwa (Abia North), Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East), Ahmed Ogembe (Kogi Central), Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi Central), Matthew Uroghide (Edo South), Clifford Ordia (Edo Central) Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South)…

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and his party are currently filing a petition challenging the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari as winner of the 2019 Presidential Election held on February 23, 2019. The filing process, which is ongoing at the Court of Appeal, is being done by a team of lawyers led by Chris Uche. Atiku is challenging the outcome of the February 23 poll, which he claims was rigged to favour President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). A court had recently approved the PDP’s application to be allowed access to materials…

The minority leader of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly representing Akwanga North of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Peter Mbucho, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Right Honourable Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, Speaker of the House, made this known while reading Mbucho’s letter announcing his defection during proceedings on Monday. Abdullahi congratulated the Minority Leader for taking the decision to join the ‘next level’ train. “I have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) on March 8th, 2019, and I have delivered my constituency to APC during the governorship and state house of assembly Elections.” Said Mbucho

The Methodist Church of Nigeria has said that it is set to take over the General Hospital at Afon in the Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State. It has said that it would reclaim the hospital which the state government took over from the church about forty years ago. This was disclosed by Rt. Reverend Simeon Onaleke last Sunday during his enthronement as the seventh bishop of Kwara Diocese at the Cathedral of Blessings, Taiwo Road, Ilorin. The theme of the event was ‘Arise, let us rebuild,’ Onaleke whilst speaking on the theme, decried the deplorable state of the…

Tension as Residents of Bauchi State are jittery over the killing of Colonel Mohammed Barrack, the Garrison Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade of Nigerian Army in Shadawanka Barracks. He was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Bauchi on Sunday. The incident happened along Bauchi – jos road when the deceased was riding a power bike from kaduna, was confirmed by the spokesperson Major Yahaya Nasir kabara of the 33 Artillery Brigade. However, unclear if the incident was a robbery or an assassination but noted that “investigations are ongoing at the Brigade.” Said Kabara. It was confirmed that preparations are ongoing to…

A Kwara based non-governmental organisation, Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD), has extended her congratulatory message to the All Progressive Congress, the Governor elect, and the newly elected members of the State and National Assemblies. In a statement signed by the coordinator, Dr AbdulLateef Alagbonsi, he said “We hope and urge that good governance, transparency and accountability, prompt payment of salaries, and human and infrastructural development be the hallmarks of the new government.” “We would also like to remind you all, that like many other concerned Kwarans, we would be monitoring the Federal and State Budget to ensure that monies…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson Kola Ologbondiyan, has alleged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of ignoring court orders directing the commission to release the presidential election materials to the PDP presidential candidate Alh. Atiku Abubakar. Ologbodiyan said this in a press statement issued on Saturday. Atiku and his party had approached the court to challenge the outcome of the February 23 presidential election, alleging electoral malpractices. Atiku secured his first victory when the court ordered the commission to release copies of the electoral materials to Atiku. However, the party’s spokesperson said INEC has refused to obey the order…

The Federal Republic of Nigeria Vice President, has denies the allegation that the Trader Moni scheme was not for vote buying, but to empower over 30 million Micro-, Small- and Medium- Enterprises (MSMEs) with interest-free, collateral-free loans. This was said through his spokesperson Laolu Akande, in response to Odilim Enweagbara, an economist and entrepreneur, who insisted the scheme was to curry support for the 2019 general election. Enweagbara had stressed that the scheme investigated and disbursements audited to expose perceived plundering of the public tilt by the ruling party under the guise of empowerment. Enweagbara said: “That fraud called Trader…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said “He will not interfere in the emergence of new leadership of the ninth National Assembly.” This was conveyed to the public by the Senior special Assistant to the president on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, when he addressed the press in Abuja. The Lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District Ovie Omo-Agege, had earlier in the month that Buhari would determine the next Senate President, whom he added would have to be loyal to the President. “Anybody who is going to be Senate President in the 9th SENATE, must be somebody who is loyal…

Kwara Social media Oloyinbo and their wahala, they are at it again. They have started preparing hot water of travails to boil the incoming governor of ‘ inefficiency’. So they put it . They can’t afford to have a failed and inept governor. My people, are ever ready, to vent their spleens and frustrations on anything, whether worthwhile or not. That seems to be the case now, after the distastesful and dismal outing of the outgoing adminstration. I don’t blame them. Once bitten, twice shy. However, it’s too early. Particularly, to start dissipating energy on nothingness. Because if you…

The Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Peter Obi, says the presidential election was “anything but transparent, free and fair”. He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of manipulating the elections in their favour by deliberately scorn the rules given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the use of Smart Card Readers. He disclosed this on Monday in Onitsha, Anambra State , where restated the commitment of his party to take up the matter in court. He said: “There is nothing to reconcile because we are not quarrelling with them. We are quarrelling with the…

The Otoge, Otope (O2) Liberation Movement, a socio-political organization in Ilorin, Kwara State has on Saturday, 2nd of March paid an appreciation visit to some personalities for supporting the struggle of Ó tó gé mantra in the State and making sure that President Muhammadu Buhari emerged as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for second term. When members of the movement visited Dr. Soliu Ajia, the Chairman of Kwara Rescue Movement, the Chairman appreciated the movement and the entirety of Kwarans for being united and supporting the will of God after the primary of the party that brought…

The Convener of Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju has reunited with his family and friends. In his statement on Saturday in Abuja, he described his detention as “Vitamin C that has re-energised and refreshed” him. He vowed to remain committed to holding government accountable and speaking the truth to power all the time. Adeyanju arrived Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport at 1:30pm thanked those who stood by him throughout the time he was in prison in Kano. He was received by a large crowd of supporters who thronged the airport bearing banners and placards to welcome him after 78 days in prison.…

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has disclosed the total number of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) collected ahead of the 2019 General Election. Mahmood made the disclosure on Thursday edition of the commission’s daily media briefing on its preparedness for the rescheduled elections. “At yesterday’s briefing, we promised to make public details of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection nationwide,” he said. “The commission has operated under the policy that no citizen can vote without the PVC issued by the commission and read by the smart card reader. Having announced the total number of registered voters and their…

Historically, Nigeria’s elections have always been tense. In few days, Nigerians will go to the polls to elect the country’s next president and members of National Assembly. And as the campaign gathers momentum, there are concerns the upcoming process will see new violence. Although I am neither a prophet of doom nor pro electoral violence to have predicted this but it must be stated we can’t rule it out, considering the scores of political violence that have been witnessed in recent times. On January 8, violence erupted during the inauguration of the campaign of the All Progressives Congress at the…

The Federal Government through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammad has assured the Electorates and their teeming supporters that the political thuggery and other rigging machineries of the president of the Senate, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki will be checkmate. He disclosed this on Saturday in Ilorin at the Commissioning of the New All Progressive Congress (APC) Secretariat and campaign Vehicle. Lai said Kwara was witnessing a revolution and mass movement against the Saraki hegemony which had impoverished the state for over 40 years. In his statement: in all the elections to be held in the state, the…

The Re-election support group of the President Muhammadu Buhari in the South East, the Zikist-Buharist-Movement, ZBM, has commented that the plan for Restructuring the Country by the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s is not clear. The group in their statement: Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s endorsement of the PDP candidate based on his pledge to restructure the country was done out of not reading in-between the lines of Abubakar’s plan. The group stated this in Enugu, yesterday while Addressing the Media to make appreciations to all Igbo who turned out to receive President Buhari when he visited…

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Major General Suleiman Kazaure, had warned corps members deployed as ad hoc staff in the 2019 elections to desist from engaging in electoral malpractice or risk being prosecuted. Kazaure said this on Saturday in Enugu, while assuring corps members of safety in the forthcoming elections. In his statement: “Don’t create any loophole in the polling unit and expose yourself to danger, as you must be transparent, and not be partisan to avoid an instant reaction. You must remain neutral, avoid taking anything from politicians and render your service without compromising…