The National President and Coordinator of the Igala Youths Consultative Assembly, Engr. Benjamin Akoji Daniel, has sent a congratulatory message to the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and the Governor-Elect, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for their overwhelming victory in the just-concluded Off-Season Election in Kogi State.
Engr. Akoji made this known in a press conference held on Thursday at the Igala Unity Square in Anyigba alongside heads of other socio-cultural groups.
Akoji also commended Prince Ishaq Shaibu Okolo, Executive Chairman of Dekina; Alfa Nasiru Muhammed, Kogi East Zonal Chairman of the All Progressives Congress; and other well-meaning Igala sons and daughters who stood and believed in the “Kogi Agenda” rather than any form of ethnic agenda. He thanked them for making the Igala kingdom proud by not engaging in any form of bigotry, noting that Igala people are known for their uprightness and peaceful cohabitation with other ethnic groups in the state.
The group charged the Governor-Elect to build on the solid foundation laid by the outgoing Governor Bello, and ensure he carries all ethnic groups along in the discharge of his duties when he assumes office as Governor on 27th January 2024.
Other speakers at the meeting praised the National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting an election in the State that is adjudged free, fair, transparent, and credible.
The Secretary of the group, Alhaji Suleiman Makolo, advised the incoming Governor to see all Kogites as one and build on the unity championed by the Governor from 2016 to date. He further admonished the Governor-Elect to embark on more infrastructural projects in Kogi East to complete what Governor Bello started in 2016, which led to the construction of several projects such as the Anyigba-Umomi-Idah Road, Ankpa Township Roads, Olamaboro Roads, erosion control projects in Ogugu, Anyigba, and other parts of the State. Also, Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital Anyigba and the appointment of prominent Igala sons and daughters into positions of trust, like Prince Shaibu Abubakar Audu as Minister of Steel Development, were highlighted.
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)
