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Kogi LG election to hold Oct. 19 – KOSIEC

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The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has announced Oct. 19 for the local government election to occupy chairmanship and councillorship seats in the state.

Announcing the date at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja on Tuesday, the Chairman, KOSIEC, Mamman Nda-Eri, also released the timetable for the electoral process.

Nda-Eri said the announcement was made in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“KOSIEC is established under Section 197 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“It is also empowered by the Kogi State Government, via the Local Government Elections Law 2004, and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

“I, hereby, formally present the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2024 Local Government (LG) election in Kogi State.

“The LG election has been scheduled for 19th of October 2024 by the grace of God,” Nda-Eri said.

According to him, the collection of forms by political parties will be from Aug. 5 to 12, while the conduct of primaries including dispute resolutions is scheduled from Aug. 13 to 23.

He added that Aug. 26 will be the last day for the submission of forms, while verification of documents will be held between Sept. 4 and 12.

“Campaigns by political parties will commence on Sept. 13 and end on Oct. 17, while the election will be held on Oct. 19.

“We, diligently, prepared this comprehensive timetable and schedule of activities to ensure a transparent, fair, and credible electoral process.

“We assure you that these activities have been designed with utmost consideration for inclusivity, transparency, and adherence to electoral laws.

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“As such, we present the detailed timetable and schedule of activities to you all as critical stakeholders for your review and approval.

“We appreciate your continued support and collaboration to the successful organisation and completion of the 2024 local government election in Kogi State by the grace of God,” he said.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), leaders of various political parties and other stakeholders at the meeting commended the commission for the presentation.

The stakeholders unanimously hailed the Supreme Court judgment granting full autonomy to the local government as the third tier of government, adding it would engender grassroots development.

Amb. Idris Muraina, Chairperson, Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), and Miliki Idris, Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), called for full compliance with the guidelines as stated.

They urged the citizens to take ownership and monitor the process from beginning to end to ensure a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

Mr Bala Bodinga, Deputy Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kogi Command, promised the corps’ readiness to provide security support at all stages of the electoral process.

According to him, NSCDC Commandant, Kogi State Command, CC Paul Igwebuike, is committed to making good the promise. (NAN

Politics

Lagos Assembly crisis: Speaker Meranda’s security aides withdrawn

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All security aides attached to Speaker Mojisola Meranda of the Lagos State House of Assembly have been withdrawn.

ELANZANEWS can report that as of Thursday morning, security details attached to the speaker including police officers have been withdrawn.

ELANZANEWS cannot immediately verify who authorised the withdrawal but a source close to the Speaker confirmed that Meranda was now vulnerable.

All the Speaker’s security aides have been withdrawn. All the security aides attached to the House of Assembly have also been withdrawn,” the source said, lamenting that the “the speaker is now vulnerable.”

ELANZANEWS reports that the development comes amid information that Meranda may resign from the position as Speaker.

The move follows intervention of the heavyweights of the All Progressives Congress including Chief Bisi Akande and Aremo Olusegun Osoba, who are former governors of Osun and Ogun states respectively.

The meditating panel led by the duo met last Sunday with key stakeholders at the House including members of the Governance Advisory Council at the Governor’s Lodge in Marina.

The panel, according to GAC members at the meeting, are recommending the resignation of Mudashiru Obasa and that Meranda should also step down for a new lawmaker from Lagos West to take the mantle of the House leadership.

Another source in the Obasa camp also said all aides attached to Obasa have now been restored.

“They have been restored all Obasa’s security aides as of this morning,” the source said.

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PDP re-elects Odefa South-East Zonal Chairman

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The embattled National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-East Zone, Chief Ali Odefa, was on Wednesday re-elected for another four years.

Odefa was re-elected at the party’s South-East Zonal Delegates Congress held at Okpara Square, Enugu.

Also re-elected were Zonal Secretary, James Ugwu, Treasurer, Ochebu Regina, Financial Secretary, Mmadubike Okoro, while Igwe Augustina emerged Publicity Secretary.

Others included Nwankwo Obinna, Legal Adviser and Arodogu Ifeyinwa, Woman Leader, among others.

Announcing the result, the Chairman, Electoral Committee, Mr Funkekeme Solomon, returned them unopposed and described the exercise as peaceful and orderly.

Earlier, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State extolled the delegates for their resilience and comportment during the exercise.

While calling for unity among the party faithful, the governor disclosed that “South-East has always been PDP and carries its banner with immense pride.

“The rebirth we crave for our party can only be attained if we remained united,” the governor said.

The Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, called on the members not to fail the party, saying that he wanted to continue to see the colour of PDP in the country.

Speaking on behalf of the elected members, Odefa thanked the delegates for their confidence in them, promising that they would not let the party down.

“We have four years to right the wrong and I am appealing to others who felt aggrieved to come together to build PDP.

“I am also appealing to other stakeholders to support in funding the party,” Odefa said.

The election was attended by Enugu State Deputy Gov. Mr Ifeanyi Ossai, former Governor of Ebonyi, Sam Egwu, PDP National Secretary, Ude Okoye, members of the National and State Assemblies, Councils Chairmen, party chieftains and delegates from the five South-East states.

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Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, on Wednesday, affirmed the expulsion of Odefa from the party.

The PDP Executive Committee at Odefa’s Ward of Oguduokwor, Oshiri Community in Onicha Local Government Area of the state, on Oct. 4, 2024, suspended him for alleged anti-party activities.

Delivering the judgment in a suit instituted by the ward executive committee of the party, Justice Hilary Oshomah, upheld the expulsion and granted all the reliefs sought. (NAN)

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Tinubu passes vote of confidence on APC leadership

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President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence in the ability of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to build the nation, and significantly contribute to Africa’s growth.

Tinubu said this on Tuesday while addressing the APC Caucus meeting at the State House in Abuja.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the Renewed Hope Manifesto of the APC.

“We can steer the future of this country and make a difference. I like what is happening around the world.

” It is teaching a lesson that we, particularly Nigeria is a great African country that can build and help Africa to grow,” he said.

He underscored the importance of achieving food sovereignty and not just food security to better reposition the country as the nation with the capacity to reposition the continent.

“I am a very happy man, the sunny side of this country is on the horizon. Things are getting better, the days of gloom are gone.

”We are looking at the brighter and the sunny side of our country and our people.

He reassured the party members of his resolve to deliver in spite of the misleading, baseless, and pessimistic assertions made by his critics.

Tinubu noted the challenges confronting Nigerians regarding some of the policies introduced by his administration.

He said the fuel subsidy would have wrecked the country and denied citizens the opportunities of benefiting from the well-intended government interventions.

“Our determination to deliver is unshaking in spite of the cacophony of misguided unfounded and gloomy claims on the stage of the nation made by our detractors.

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” They will continue to do it but we are extremely focused,” he said.

Tinubu appealed to the APC Caucus members to further bear with his administration

” Our strategic repositioning requires us to build on our success and project a forward looking agenda that resonate with the hopes and aspiration of Nigerians.

“I am here promising that we are doing that, I have a commitment to our manifesto progressive ideas and the believe.”

Tinubu commended the APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje for the successes recorded in various elections.

“I thank the chairman of our party, Thank you Mr Chairman ,you have earned accolades from various elections

“You are our pride, we have a hardworking individual that have led the party so well and the members of working committee.” President Tinubu added.

Also, Sen. Abdulaziz Yari (APC- Zamfara West) testified during the APC Caucus meeting that the security situation had significantly improved in Zamfara. (NAN)

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