Politics
2023: Confusion Hits Labour Party As Peter Obi Set To Be Disqualified To Run
2023: Confusion Hits Labour Party As Peter Obi Set To Be Disqualified To Run
The factional chairman and governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Ifagbemi Awamaridi, has said attempts by some persons in the party to usurp his positions as the “bonafide chairman and governorship candidate of the party” can lead to the nullification of the presidential candidacy of Peter Obi.
Awamaridi, who spoke in a telephone interview on Friday, said he was neither removed nor replaced through any constitutional procedure.
He added that there was a subsisting case in court on the matter.
The Lagos State chapter of the LP has been enmeshed in leadership crisis with regards to the positions of the chairman and the governorship candidate.
Awamaridi also stated that his name remained listed as the governorship candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Awamaridi said, “There is a governorship candidate of the party, which has been published by INEC, and that candidate has not withdrawn, and that candidate has not died.
“For someone to say that he is organising a second primary election, that person is a political comedian. They (some members of the national leadership) have been compromised by money because whatever they are doing does not have any cerebral basis.”
Speaking on the state chairmanship position of the party, he said, “I am still the state chairman of the LP. You can go and refer to the constitution of the Labour Party. There is a procedure for removing an officer from the party.
“You can be removed by the National Executive Council if you are a national officer, but if you are a state officer, you can be removed by the congress.
You cannot be appointed to a position except by the NEC at the national level or the State Executive Council or the congress of that state.
More so, you don’t just remove an officer; there must be a reason. If it is on disciplinary issues, that person must have gone through a disciplinary process.
“The document with which they said they appointed Kayode Salako was disclosed through a press statement on July 23, 2022, and it was fraudulently backdated to the 18th of May 2022.
“That document can never hold water. In the first place, he (Salako) is not a member of the LP; he is a member of the All Progressives Congress.
“Furthermore, it means that Peter Obi is not the presidential candidate of the LP. It means that as of the 18th of May, Kayode Salako was the Chairman of LP.
“I, as the Chairman of the LP, Lagos State, led the delegates from Lagos that elected Peter Obi to be the presidential candidate on May 30, 2022 (at the special convention).
“So, you are now saying that the delegates that went to the convention from Lagos State are illegal and that delegates that went to that primary election were defective, and that the convention is tantamount to be invalidated.
“Parties are now going for the Certified True Copies of that document in Abuja because they want to use it against Peter Obi. The moment you can prove that the primary was defective, you invalidate the congress and then you nullify the candidate of the party.
“That is what the originators of the Labour Party want to achieve, having been compromised with financial gratification or other things.
In response to Awamaridi, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Abayomi Arabambi, claimed that they had not been served any notice on the matter.
Arabambi said Awamaridi had ceased to be a member of the party because he had not attended the stipulated number of meetings and did not pay his dues, according to the party’s constitution. He also debunked the alleged threat on the candidacy of Peter Obi.
Arabambi explained that his (Awamaridi) name would be replaced as governorship candidate with Gbadebo-Rhodes Vivour on October 4 by INEC.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary told said, “INEC has pronounced October 4 as the last day that they are going to publish names of the person they substituted.
“The fact that the name is still there does not confer legality on him. It is just according to INEC’s timetable.
“It is obvious that he doesn’t know what he is talking about. If people come and vote for a presidential candidate and you have three months tenure as a caretaker, once your three months expires, many of your actions will be engaged by the new people.
“The national leadership is not at liberty to extend your tenure due to pressure from anybody. It is not in his purview to say that the people that came to the convention, once he is no longer in the executive of the party, the process would be a nullity.”
2023: Confusion Hits Labour Party As Peter Obi Set To Be Disqualified To Run
Senator Lawan condoles APC Northeast Youth Forum chairman over the demise of his father
By: Yahaya Wakili
President of the Ninth Senate, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan PhD, GCON, Sardaunan Bade, Yobe North Senatorial District, has paid a condolence visit to the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Northeast Youth Forum, Haruna Adamu Sardaunan, over the passing of his beloved father, Mallam Adamu Isa Bulama, at Potiskum.
During the visit, President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan, prayed for the repose of his soul.
Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, PhD, GCON, urged his son, Haruna, to draw strength from his father’s memory and continue along the path of dedicated services to our people.
Mallam Adamu Isa Bulama, until his demise, was the chairman of the Yobe State Hunters Association.
Senator Lawan extended his deepest condolences to Haruna and his family and prayed that Allah (SWT) grants them the fortitude to bear this great loss.
“May the soul of Mallam Adamu Isa Bulama rest in Aljannatul Firdaus Amin, Sardaunan prays.
Senator Lawan condoles APC Northeast Youth Forum chairman over the demise of his father
Edo Election: ActionAid Nigeria Calls for Prosecution of those involved in Electoral Fraud
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria has called for the prosecution of those that were involved in electoral fraud in the just concluded gubernatorial election in Edo State
A statement on Thursday by the NGO Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, said:
“it is important that those responsible for undermining the will of the people are held accountable. The government must be unequivocally reminded that its foremost duty is to serve the interests of the citizens, not to facilitate or condone actions that silence their voices.”
Mamedu said: “For over 15 years, ActionAid Nigeria has been consistent in her work around electoral processes in Nigeria including observing elections in the 36 states and FCT, although not physically present to observe the just concluded Edo State governorship election, we stand firmly in solidarity with our fellow Civil Society organisations and partners who have reported significant irregularities throughout the electoral process. This election has been marred by serious allegations of manipulation and rigging, as thoroughly documented by multiple civil society groups within the state. Disturbing accounts of disruptions at collation centers, including intimidation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and attempts to manipulate results contrary to established electoral provisions, have raised profound concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
“We recognise that INEC has acknowledged reports of result tampering and has pledged to investigate any proven violations but their track record in conducting free, fair, and transparent elections has been severely undermined by persistent accusations of inefficiency, manipulation, and undue political influence. While the investigation is a step in the right direction, it is important that these investigations translate into swift and effective action.
“Also, beyond the investigation, it is important that those responsible for undermining the will of the people are held accountable.”
He added that: “The time has also come to critically reassess INEC’s role in our electoral system. When an institution entrusted with safeguarding democracy continuously falters, we must explore alternatives. Nigerians deserve an electoral body that is genuinely independent, transparent, and accountable. There is a need to reform INEC as a commission in order to make it more efficient, effective and accountable in carrying out its mandate as an electoral umpire.”
Mamedu said: “A comprehensive electoral reform in Nigeria is urgently needed. First, there must be a complete overhaul of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create a more transparent, accountable, and independent body, free from political influence and led by individuals of proven integrity.”
He called for more roles for civil society organisations and international observers in Nigeria’s electoral process, stating that: “Civil society organisations and international observers should play a more significant role in observing elections, ensuring that their recommendations are taken seriously, with mechanisms in place for swift action against misconduct.”
He added that: “The adoption of more robust electoral technologies, such as biometric voting systems and real-time result transmission, is crucial to minimizing fraud.
“Security personnel must also be deployed impartially to prevent violence and intimidation, ensuring that party agents, the media, and observers have full access to maintain electoral integrity. It is essential to incorporate technologies like the BVAs and IREV into the Electoral Act.
“The judiciary must uphold its role as the guardian of democracy, prioritising electoral cases with swift, evidence-based verdicts. Any officials found complicit in electoral fraud must be held accountable, necessitating comprehensive reforms in the judicial sector to ensure just outcomes.”
Edo Election: ActionAid Nigeria Calls for Prosecution of those involved in Electoral Fraud
Ize-Iyamu congratulates Edo deputy governor-elect Dennis Idahosa
By: Michael Mike
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has extended his warm congratulations to Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa on his election as the Deputy Governor of Edo State. In a congratulatory message, Ize-Iyamu praised Idahosa’s victory as a reflection of his dedication to public service, noting that the people of Ugboko in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Idahosa’s maternal hometown, are particularly proud of his achievement.
Ize-Iyamu highlighted that Idahosa’s success represents not only his hard work but also his deep connection with the aspirations of the people of Edo State. He expressed confidence in Idahosa’s ability, alongside Governor-elect Sen. Monday Okpebholo, to drive significant progress in the state, given his wealth of experience and passion for development.
He further prayed for wisdom, strength, and courage for the newly elected leaders as they take on the challenges ahead, emphasizing the hope that Edo State would experience peace, unity, and prosperity under their leadership. Ize-Iyamu also expressed optimism about the positive impact the duo would have on the advancement of Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
Ize-Iyamu wished Idahosa success in his tenure as Deputy Governor and looked forward to the transformative leadership he would bring to Edo State.
Ize-Iyamu congratulates Edo deputy governor-elect Dennis Idahosa
NBMA Debunks Allegations of Negligence, Compromise Against It
Nigerian lawyers Ask to Collaborate with Chinese Colleagues in Law Relating to Investment and Dispute Resolution
House of Reps Assures on Passage of Human Rights Defenders Bill
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
News8 months agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News8 months agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS9 months agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns9 months agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions9 months agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Opinions3 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
National News9 months agoFraud and Mismanagement Rock INGO’s IDP Cash Assistance Effort in Bama
