One of the leading People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chairmanship aspirant in Kaduna state, Mr Edward Masha, has expressed dismay with Governor Uba Sani’s preparation of conducting a credible, free and fair council’s election in the state on October 19, 2024.
He also opined that with the Supreme Court judgment giving local government autonomy, there should be a national body that would be saddled with the responsibility of conducting credible, free and fair council elections in the local government areas.
Speaking during a media parley with Journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday, the party chieftain, said, “I am not satisfied with the issue of local government autonomy because as of today, there is nothing that is happening to justify the ruling of the Supreme Court on the local government autonomy.
“I am not also satisfied with Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission conducting a credible council elections in the state. If there is council autonomy, we should allow a national body to conduct local government election in the states.”
He lamented that the preparation of conducting council in Kaduna state is not going the right direction, saying that the necessary guidelines have not been released to all the political parties for them to go to the field and canvass for votes of their respective candidates.
Masha also laments, “It is most unfortunate with what SIECOM in Kaduna state is doing. The new law passed by the State House of Assembly on the council election is yet to be signed by the governor. The state governor must things clear towards ensuring a credible, free and fair local government elections in the state.”
“With a credible, free and fair council election in Kaduna state, the state chairmanship aspirant assured of PDP’s victory in most of the local government areas in the state.
He observed that in the 2023 general elections in the state, PDP won all the three Senatorial seats, 10 out of the 16 House of representatives seats in the state, saying that the party is well grounded and accepted, assuring that it has what it takes to turn around the misfortunes that have befallen the citizens.
He also assured of his ability to bring back all members of the party and even those that are not members of the party to a resounding victory in all elections in the state if given the chance to lead the affairs of the party.
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has officially recognized Monday Okpebholo as the legitimate governor of Edo State.
In a series of three judgments, the tribunal rejected petitions submitted by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Action Alliance, and Accord Party.
The tribunal determined that the PDP did not present any witnesses to substantiate its claims of overvoting.
Specifically, the PDP failed to bring forth polling unit agents from the locations where they alleged electoral discrepancies occurred.
Furthermore, the tribunal noted that among the 19 witnesses presented by the petitioners, 14 were ward and local government agents, while the primary witness, who claimed to be a director of strategy for the PDP, had no involvement in the election’s execution.
Additionally, the tribunal remarked that the BVAS evidence submitted by the petitioners was inadequately presented.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State has condemned the ban on political rallies and convoys imposed by the state government.
State Chairman of SDP, Mr Ahmed Attah, issued the condemnation in a statement signed by the SDP Press Secretary, Isaiah Ijele, on Tuesday in Lokoja.
The party described the ban as an attack on democratic principles and a blatant attempt to silence opposition voices.
Attah urged Gov. Ahmed Ododo to learn from the past and avoid repeating old, harmful practices that have hindered the state’s progress.
“The party views this action as an attempt to suppress the freedom of association and movement enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Attah insisted that the state is not at war and urged the government to focus on development instead of engaging in political manoeuver.
He warned that Kogi must not return to the dark days of repression, particularly against the opposition. (NAN)
The Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo, has said the only unity and emergence of a strong candidate could secure victory for the coalition of opposition leaders in 2027.
Onovo, an activist and Head of Policy Positions, Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
He was reacting to the recent announcement of an opposition coalition to challenge the All progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.
Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo,
“The coalition of opposition leaders needs a candidate that is vigorous; a strong candidate to brighten its chances in 2027. The coalition needs somebody with a clear agenda and a clear vision.
“The opposition needs a candidate with a strong background of integrity. Nobody is perfect, but you need a strong background of integrity.
“The opposition needs somebody who is morally and mentally competent, and physically fit. The opposition does not need the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any old person if it wants to win.
“The opposition doesn’t need any old person now. It is time to use the energy of the young.
“They must present a strong candidate, who is strong morally, mentally, and physically, with a clear patriotic agenda to move the country forward, ” Onovo said.
He added that the coalition had a lot that could work to its advantage in 2027 and urged members to work with unity of purpose to achieve convincing victory.
Also speaking on chances of the ruling party in 2027, the politician said APC could remain in power if the challenges arising from subsidy removal and other economic issues were addressed by the present administration.
He also said President Bola Tinubu still had the opportunity to address the security challenges in the country to win in 2027 ,and remain in power ,if interested
Onovo, who noted that he was not part of the organisers of the mega coalition, said that he had always been part of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) since 2019 elections.
He called on all Nigerians to unite for the development of the country, ensuring leadership that would fulfill the country’s aspirations.
NAN recalls that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had recently announced the formation of a coalition, aimed at unseating Tinubu in 2027.
Atiku made the declaration during a press conference in Abuja, attended by several opposition politicians, including former APC members.
Among those present at the even were the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, represented by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai. (NAN)
