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Edo Poll: Stakeholders Write Screening Committee, Reject Waiver Of Ighodalo’s Waiver
With less than 24 hours to the screening of the People’s Democratic Party Governorship aspirants for the September 21 election in Edo State, stakeholders of the party have rejected the purported waiver of Asuen ighodalo,
by Governor Godwin Obaseki, saying he has not spent up to two years and so is not qualified to contest.
According to them, the action of the Governor directly contravene the constitution of the PDP as amended in Section 9, Paragraph 3, of Page 68.
The stakeholders under the aegis of Concerned Edo PDP Patriots bared their minds in their petition to the Chairman of Edo State Governorship election 2024 Screening Committee and Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang.
The petition which was signed by Musa Aliyu (Owan East), Suleiman Braimoh (Etsako West), Victor Ikponwonsa (Egor)
Osadolor Ogie (Oredo), Ebosele Odion (Esan Central) and obtained by journalists on Sunday night was copied to PDP Acting National Chairman; members of its National Working Committee (NWC); Zonal Vice Chairman (South); Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum; Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT); Edo State Working Committee.
According to the them, Asuen Ighodalo, Obaseki’s political godson, has not spent up to two years as a member of the PDP and so is not eligible to stand for election.
The petition reads, “We, the undersigned, wish to bring to your attention a matter of critical importance regarding the purported waiver planned for the aspirant of the incumbent Governor, Asuen ighodalo, in the upcoming Edo State Gubernatorial election of 2024.
“It has come to our notice that the planned waiver directly contravene the party’s constitution as amended in Section 9, Paragraph 3, of Page 68, which unequivocally states that there shall be a minimum of two years membership span for a member to be eligible to stand for election into any public office.
“It is evident that the anointed candidate of the governor (Asuen Ighodalo) does not meet this requirement as stipulated in the party’s constitution. We believe that adhering to the provisions of the party’s constitution is paramount to upholding the principles of fairness and equality within our political processes.
“Granting a waiver that overlooks this vital membership requirement not only undermines the integrity of the democratic process but also goes against the fundamental tenets of our party’s constitution.
“With this in mind, we respectfully urge the screening committee to consider this petition and to refrain from making any erroneous decisions that could potentially jeopardize the party’s chances of retaining the state.
“It is crucial that the screening committee upholds the rule of law as outlined in the party’s constitution, thereby ensuring that the Edo people are presented with a viable and befitting leadership capable of addressing the social, economic, and infrastructural challenges that they currently face.
“We trust that the screening committee will give due consideration to this petition and take the necessary steps to uphold the values and principles that our party stands for. Thank you for your attention to this matter
A Zamfara-based group, Zamfara Concerned Citizens, has called on Governor Dauda Lawal to cease blaming his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, for the state’s challenges and focus on delivering on his 2023 campaign promises.
The group also urged Matawalle, now Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, to contest the 2027 governorship election, citing his efforts in tackling insecurity nationwide.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the group’s publicity secretary, Aliyah Dan-Musa, accused Governor Lawal of failing to address critical issues such as hunger, poverty, and healthcare in Zamfara.
“Dauda has failed the mandate entrusted to him by the good people of Zamfara,” Dan-Musa said.
“Instead of fulfilling his promises, he is looking for someone to blame, and Dr Bello Matawalle is his target.”
The group claimed that Lawal’s administration has run out of ideas and is resorting to scapegoating Matawalle to deflect from its shortcomings.
They further criticised the governor for allegedly squandering state resources on international trips with family and associates, rather than tackling the state’s pressing needs.
Zamfara Concerned Citizens called on residents to reject Lawal in the 2027 governorship election, accusing him of betraying the trust of the electorate.
“The governor has not done anything to address this ugly situation,” Dan-Musa stated, pointing to ongoing economic and social challenges in the state.
The group praised Matawalle’s tenure as governor from 2019 to 2023 and his current role as Minister of State for Defence, where they claim he has made significant strides in reducing insecurity across Nigeria.
“We have seen what he has done in Nigeria by reducing insecurity, and we are happy with what he is doing,” Dan-Musa said.
They urged Matawalle to run for governor in 2027, expressing confidence that his leadership would restore stability and attract investment to Zamfara.
“Zamfara will be much better and safer where civil servants will be smiling again and no more half salary,” the statement read.
The Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj.-Gen. Folusho Oyinlola, has decried the influx of large number of cattle into Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
Oyinlola, who doubles as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, said this on Tuesday during an engagement with stakeholders in Barkin Ladi.
He noted that the influx of the cattle was constituting a major security threat to the locality and the state in general.
According to him, the isolated attacks, farm destruction, and other illegal activities are as a result of the unhealthy development.
“I must express the concerns of security agencies about recent developments in parts of Barkin Ladi.
“There is a growing unease about the influx of large number of cattle into farming communities.
“While the movement of livestock in Barkin Ladi and indeed Pateau in general is not unusual, the scale and timings of this new influx raise legitimate security concerns.
“Unfortunately, this development has already resulted in adverse outcomes, including farm destructions, isolated attacks, and attacks on livestock.
“The impact of this action on food security, economic stability, and social harmony cannot be over emphasised,” he said.
The commander, who also expressed deep concerns over the recent killings in the locality, called on the stakeholders to unite and fashion out ways to end the violence.
He, however, promised to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime, who would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Oyinlola explained that the stakeholders’ engagement was aimed at ensuring a successful and peaceful farming season in the locality.
“The faming season is already ongoing, and for many families, this is a period for securing their livelihood.
“Therefore, any disruption of farming activities now will have dire consequences for the rest of the year and beyond.
“To this end, this engagement is convened to hear from you, all stakeholders, to listen to your concerns,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the meeting had in attendance heads of security agencies, government officials, traditional and religious leaders, among others.(NAN)
The Catholic Church’s cardinals issued an urgent appeal for peace on Tuesday, one day before they retreat into the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope.
In a joint statement, they called on all warring parties worldwide to “achieve a lasting ceasefire as soon as possible.”
The statement, released by the Vatican, said the cardinals note “with regret” that there has been no “progress in promoting peace processes in Ukraine, the Middle East and many other parts of the world.”
On the contrary, they said, attacks have intensified, especially against the civilian population.
The cardinals called for ceasefires “without preconditions and without further delay” in order to negotiate “the peace long desired by the affected populations and the whole world.”
They also appealed to believers, asking them to intensify their prayers for a just and lasting peace.
The statement was delivered during the General Congregation of the College of Cardinals, the last meeting of the cardinals before the start of the conclave.
Starting on Wednesday, eligible cardinals under the age of 80 are to vote to elect a successor to pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.