March 31, 2019
Press Statement
PDP to Malami: Avoid Unconstitutional Acts in Rivers Election
The PDP accuses the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami SAN, of involving in plots to scuttle the collation of the results of Rivers State governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The PDP cautions Malami to restrain himself from being used to commit unconstitutional acts in the collation of results already scheduled to begin in the state on Tuesday.
The party alerts Nigerians that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has been boastfully claiming that the AGF was working on a script whereupon he will write to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to direct him to stop the collation of results.
Our party urges the AGF to note that there is no provision of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended) or any part of the Electoral Act 2010 (as Amended) that, in anyway, empowers the AGF to interfere or stop the process of election, until declaration of result is made.
It is imperative for the AGF to note that Rotimi Amaechi, in his desperation, will want to rope him in and use him to cause a constitutional crisis that has the capacity to derail our democracy.
The constitution and laws of our nation are clear on the powers and statutory functions of the Attorney General and that he has no powers to interfere in the conduct of elections or direct the stoppage of an electoral process.
The AGF should therefore distance himself from the ignoble scheme by Rotimi Amaechi to cause trouble in Rivers state by attempting to scuttle the collation of results in the Rivers governorship election, which has been clearly won by the PDP and Governor Nyesom Wike.
The PDP also charges INEC to save the nation a serious crisis by asserting its independence in concluding the collation process as well as respecting the will of the people, as expressed at the polls on March 9, by declaring Governor Nyesom Wike as rightful winner of the election without further delay.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
Sunday 31 March 2019
Saturday 30 March 2019
All EPL Results For Today
All EPL Results Saturday 30th March
FULHAM 0 - 2 MANCHESTER CITY
BRIGHTON &HA 0 - SOUTHAMPTON
CRYSTAL PALACE 2 - 0 HUDDERSFIELD
LEICESTER CITY 2 - 0 AFC BOURNEMOUTH
MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - 1 WATFORD
WEST HAM 0 - 2 EVERTON
FULHAM 0 - 2 MANCHESTER CITY
BRIGHTON &HA 0 - SOUTHAMPTON
CRYSTAL PALACE 2 - 0 HUDDERSFIELD
LEICESTER CITY 2 - 0 AFC BOURNEMOUTH
MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - 1 WATFORD
WEST HAM 0 - 2 EVERTON
Tuesday 26 March 2019
Our Members in the National Assembly Can Seek Any Office - PDP
March 26, 2019
Press Statement
PDP Senators, Members Can Seek Any National Assembly Office
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says its elected senators and members of the House of Representatives are constitutionally eligible and can seek election into any presiding office of both chambers of the National Assembly
The PDP notes that the position of the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives as well as the Deputy Senate President and the Deputy Speaker are not the exclusive preserves of any political party, but a constitutional right of every elected lawmaker in both chambers.
It is therefore laughable and amounts to empty grandstanding and self-delusion for President Muhammadu Buhari and the factional National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, to posture as if the presiding offices and Committee Chairmanship in the National Assembly are exclusive rights of the APC.
President Buhari and Oshiomhole should wake up to the fact that the National Assembly belongs to no political party but to all Nigerians, who exercise their control through their elected representatives.
For emphasis, Section 50 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is clear in providing that “There shall be:- (a) a President and a Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves; and (b) a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves”.
Section 92 (1) makes the same provision for the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of State House of Assembly.
The PDP, therefore, does not only have a constitutional say in the process of the emergence of the leadership of the 9th National Assembly, but will, as a matter of constitutional right, field candidates into presiding offices of both chambers, if need be.
The PDP wishes to remind President Buhari and Oshiomhole that the APC had in the past benefited from the provisions of section 50, with the defection of then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal from the PDP to the APC, in October 2014, without relinquishing the speakership of the House to the PDP; a development that was applauded by President Buhari, as then opposition leader as well as the APC, through its then National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed.
In fact, the former Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, echoed the Constitutional provision that “the constitution requires only that the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be elected by members of that House from among themselves".
Moreover, in June 2015, Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange and Hon. Peter Azi, both of APC, were elected Speakers of Benue and Plateau State Houses of Assembly respectively, though their party, the APC, was minority in both Houses.
The PDP notes that the party offices in the legislature are the Majority and Minority Leaders and Deputy Leaders as well as Majority and Minority Whips and Deputy Whips, and our party will take decisions on this in due course.
The PDP therefore cautions President Buhari, Oshiomhole and the APC to respect the independence of the legislature, end their imposition plot and sowing of seeds of discord among the lawmaker, as such is directly against our overall national interest.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
Press Statement
PDP Senators, Members Can Seek Any National Assembly Office
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says its elected senators and members of the House of Representatives are constitutionally eligible and can seek election into any presiding office of both chambers of the National Assembly
The PDP notes that the position of the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives as well as the Deputy Senate President and the Deputy Speaker are not the exclusive preserves of any political party, but a constitutional right of every elected lawmaker in both chambers.
It is therefore laughable and amounts to empty grandstanding and self-delusion for President Muhammadu Buhari and the factional National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, to posture as if the presiding offices and Committee Chairmanship in the National Assembly are exclusive rights of the APC.
President Buhari and Oshiomhole should wake up to the fact that the National Assembly belongs to no political party but to all Nigerians, who exercise their control through their elected representatives.
For emphasis, Section 50 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is clear in providing that “There shall be:- (a) a President and a Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves; and (b) a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves”.
Section 92 (1) makes the same provision for the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of State House of Assembly.
The PDP, therefore, does not only have a constitutional say in the process of the emergence of the leadership of the 9th National Assembly, but will, as a matter of constitutional right, field candidates into presiding offices of both chambers, if need be.
The PDP wishes to remind President Buhari and Oshiomhole that the APC had in the past benefited from the provisions of section 50, with the defection of then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal from the PDP to the APC, in October 2014, without relinquishing the speakership of the House to the PDP; a development that was applauded by President Buhari, as then opposition leader as well as the APC, through its then National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed.
In fact, the former Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, echoed the Constitutional provision that “the constitution requires only that the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be elected by members of that House from among themselves".
Moreover, in June 2015, Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange and Hon. Peter Azi, both of APC, were elected Speakers of Benue and Plateau State Houses of Assembly respectively, though their party, the APC, was minority in both Houses.
The PDP notes that the party offices in the legislature are the Majority and Minority Leaders and Deputy Leaders as well as Majority and Minority Whips and Deputy Whips, and our party will take decisions on this in due course.
The PDP therefore cautions President Buhari, Oshiomhole and the APC to respect the independence of the legislature, end their imposition plot and sowing of seeds of discord among the lawmaker, as such is directly against our overall national interest.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
BAUCHI: Defeated Governor Congratulates Bala Mohammed
BAUCHI: Defeated Governor Concedes, Congratulates Sen Bala
Gov Abubakar has congratulated Sen Bala Mohammed on his emergence as Governor-elect in the 2019 gubernatorial election.
Thi is contained in a statement signed by press secretary to the governor, Abubakar Al-Sadique and made available to newsmen.
"I wish to sincerely congratulate my brother, Sen Bala on this victory at the polls.
"I'm glad that in spite of the tensed campaigns we had in Bauchi state, we have been been able to sail through without bloodshed.
"Let me therefore invite the Governor-elect to join me in working out the process of a peaceful transition.
"I sincerely thank the entire people of Bauchi state for their support to my administration and urge them to extend the same to the incoming administration.
"I also urge governor-elect to caution his supporters to be law abiding in the celebrations since the period of campaigns is now over.
Abubakar Al-Sadique, Press Secretary to His Excellency, Gov M. A. ABUBAKAR 25-03-2019
Gov Abubakar has congratulated Sen Bala Mohammed on his emergence as Governor-elect in the 2019 gubernatorial election.
Thi is contained in a statement signed by press secretary to the governor, Abubakar Al-Sadique and made available to newsmen.
"I wish to sincerely congratulate my brother, Sen Bala on this victory at the polls.
"I'm glad that in spite of the tensed campaigns we had in Bauchi state, we have been been able to sail through without bloodshed.
"Let me therefore invite the Governor-elect to join me in working out the process of a peaceful transition.
"I sincerely thank the entire people of Bauchi state for their support to my administration and urge them to extend the same to the incoming administration.
"I also urge governor-elect to caution his supporters to be law abiding in the celebrations since the period of campaigns is now over.
Abubakar Al-Sadique, Press Secretary to His Excellency, Gov M. A. ABUBAKAR 25-03-2019
Monday 25 March 2019
INEC Server: APC Is Jittery Over the Truth - PDP
March 25, 2019
Press Statement
INEC Server Allegation: You Are Jittery PDP Tells Buhari, APC
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop their unnecessary fabrications, smear campaign and prepare to face its legal team at the Presidential election tribunal.
The party says President Buhari is overweighed by the burden of illegitimacy, following overwhelming evidence before the tribunal that he stole the Presidential mandate, hence this lame attempt at blackmailing the tribunal by engaging in clear acts of subjudice.
The PDP states that the facts and issues touching on the INEC server are already within the public domain and Nigerians are already at home with them.
By resorting to shadow-boxing outside the tribunal, President Buhari and the APC have shown that they have no defence to present to the court against PDP’s submission that they stole our mandate.
It is even more appalling that Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a member of Buhari’s legal team, who should know better, would engage in this act of subjudice designed to distort facts already known to Nigerians, that our Presidential Candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, clearly won the February 23 Presidential election.
Since it has become clear that President Buhari has no defence to present to the court, we counsel him to save the nation further stress by surrendering our mandate, which was freely given by majority of Nigerians to Atiku Abubakar.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
Press Statement
INEC Server Allegation: You Are Jittery PDP Tells Buhari, APC
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop their unnecessary fabrications, smear campaign and prepare to face its legal team at the Presidential election tribunal.
The party says President Buhari is overweighed by the burden of illegitimacy, following overwhelming evidence before the tribunal that he stole the Presidential mandate, hence this lame attempt at blackmailing the tribunal by engaging in clear acts of subjudice.
The PDP states that the facts and issues touching on the INEC server are already within the public domain and Nigerians are already at home with them.
By resorting to shadow-boxing outside the tribunal, President Buhari and the APC have shown that they have no defence to present to the court against PDP’s submission that they stole our mandate.
It is even more appalling that Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a member of Buhari’s legal team, who should know better, would engage in this act of subjudice designed to distort facts already known to Nigerians, that our Presidential Candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, clearly won the February 23 Presidential election.
Since it has become clear that President Buhari has no defence to present to the court, we counsel him to save the nation further stress by surrendering our mandate, which was freely given by majority of Nigerians to Atiku Abubakar.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
Saturday 23 March 2019
PDP Condemns Atracks on Agents, Members in Kano
March 23, 2019
Press Statement
Supplementary Election: PDP Condemns Attack on Agents, Members in Kano
…Fears death of members
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in totality the violent attacks and killing of PDP agents and members by thugs unleashed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Kano Supplementary election.
The PDP alerts that APC thugs, aided by compromised security agents, have been on rampage, invading polling units where they are attacking PDP members and supporters with dangerous weapons, chasing them away from the polling units and preventing them from voting.
In Gama ward, evidence abounds of how APC thugs attacked and unleashed terror on PDP members during which four of our members where feared killed and many more injured. APC thugs violated the secrecy of the ballot process, beat up and chased away supporters of the PDP after which they engaged in massive ballot stuffing for the APC.
In other areas in Kano, aliens imported by the APC attempted to participate in the election and attacked journalists and observers who attempted to raise issues on the infraction.
In the face of this unrelenting aggression by the APC, the PDP directs its formation in the state to immediately activate our legitimate defence mechanism to protect our members and supporters in Kano state.
The PDP calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the international community and all lovers of democracy in Nigeria to rise in condemnation of the APC’s resort to violence in Kano, knowing the volatile nature of the state.
Furthermore, the PDP has taken stock of all the aggressions in Kano and will use all legitinate means to ensure that all those who perpetuated violence against our members are lawfully tracked down and brought to book.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Press Statement
Supplementary Election: PDP Condemns Attack on Agents, Members in Kano
…Fears death of members
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in totality the violent attacks and killing of PDP agents and members by thugs unleashed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Kano Supplementary election.
The PDP alerts that APC thugs, aided by compromised security agents, have been on rampage, invading polling units where they are attacking PDP members and supporters with dangerous weapons, chasing them away from the polling units and preventing them from voting.
In Gama ward, evidence abounds of how APC thugs attacked and unleashed terror on PDP members during which four of our members where feared killed and many more injured. APC thugs violated the secrecy of the ballot process, beat up and chased away supporters of the PDP after which they engaged in massive ballot stuffing for the APC.
In other areas in Kano, aliens imported by the APC attempted to participate in the election and attacked journalists and observers who attempted to raise issues on the infraction.
In the face of this unrelenting aggression by the APC, the PDP directs its formation in the state to immediately activate our legitimate defence mechanism to protect our members and supporters in Kano state.
The PDP calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the international community and all lovers of democracy in Nigeria to rise in condemnation of the APC’s resort to violence in Kano, knowing the volatile nature of the state.
Furthermore, the PDP has taken stock of all the aggressions in Kano and will use all legitinate means to ensure that all those who perpetuated violence against our members are lawfully tracked down and brought to book.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Friday 22 March 2019
TRIBUNAL SACKS OYETOLA DECLARES ADELEKE THE WINNER OF OSUN GUBER
BREAKING NEWS: Osun Election Tribunal Removes Oyetola, Declares Senator Adeleke Winner
2019 Elections
The election tribunal judgment on Osun 2018 governorship election has ruled in favour of Senator Ademola Adeleke.
The three-member bench of the tribunal led by Justice Ibrahim Sirajo delivered its judgment at the Federal High Court, Apo, Abuja on Friday, March 22.
The petition was filed by the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Adeleke, challenging the victory of Governor Gboyega Oyetola in the guber polls held in September 2018.
Senator Adeleke and the PDP had put forward a total of 20 prayers including prayer asking to be declared winner of the election and be issued certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice Peter Obiora in delivered the lead judgment on behalf the tribunal.
“In the final analysis, having held that the cancellation was illegal based on non compliance, it is our decision that the petitioners won the election of the Osun State Gubernatorial Election,’’ Obiora said.
Before the final judgment, the tribunal had in it first preliminary ruling, dismissed all grounds raised in the preliminary objection of the 2nd respondent, Governor Oyetola, it also dismissed all grounds in the preliminary objection filed by the 3rd respondent, APC.
The second preliminary ruling of was, however against Adeleke and the PDP.
The tribunal dismissed their application asking the it to strike out the facts and figures contained in tables used in the replies of Oyetola and APC.
During hearing, the petitioners - PDP and Adeleke called 80 witnesses; INEC called none, while Oyetola presented 11 witnesses, and APC 2.
The tribunal was moved to Abuja in November 2018, after it was initially inaugurated in Osogbo, the Osun state capital.
Meanwhile, Osun state governor, Gboyega Oyetola is yet to appoint any commissioner since he assumed office in November 2018.
The state governor is said to have taken the position due to financial difficulties the state is currently experiencing.
2019 Elections
The election tribunal judgment on Osun 2018 governorship election has ruled in favour of Senator Ademola Adeleke.
The three-member bench of the tribunal led by Justice Ibrahim Sirajo delivered its judgment at the Federal High Court, Apo, Abuja on Friday, March 22.
The petition was filed by the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Adeleke, challenging the victory of Governor Gboyega Oyetola in the guber polls held in September 2018.
Senator Adeleke and the PDP had put forward a total of 20 prayers including prayer asking to be declared winner of the election and be issued certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice Peter Obiora in delivered the lead judgment on behalf the tribunal.
“In the final analysis, having held that the cancellation was illegal based on non compliance, it is our decision that the petitioners won the election of the Osun State Gubernatorial Election,’’ Obiora said.
Before the final judgment, the tribunal had in it first preliminary ruling, dismissed all grounds raised in the preliminary objection of the 2nd respondent, Governor Oyetola, it also dismissed all grounds in the preliminary objection filed by the 3rd respondent, APC.
The second preliminary ruling of was, however against Adeleke and the PDP.
The tribunal dismissed their application asking the it to strike out the facts and figures contained in tables used in the replies of Oyetola and APC.
During hearing, the petitioners - PDP and Adeleke called 80 witnesses; INEC called none, while Oyetola presented 11 witnesses, and APC 2.
The tribunal was moved to Abuja in November 2018, after it was initially inaugurated in Osogbo, the Osun state capital.
Meanwhile, Osun state governor, Gboyega Oyetola is yet to appoint any commissioner since he assumed office in November 2018.
The state governor is said to have taken the position due to financial difficulties the state is currently experiencing.
INEC, APC Want Us Out Of the Supplementary Polls - PDP cries out.
March 22, 2019
Press Conference
Nobody Can Rig Us Out In Supplementary Elections - PDP
Gentlemen of the press, we have invited you today to alert Nigerians on the unsavory developments being orchestrated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to assist the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the electoral processes in Bauchi, Sokoto and Adamawa states, ahead of the March 23, Supplementary elections.
In Bauchi, Nigerians are all aware that INEC is yet to complete the collation of results to determine the margin of lead in the governorship election, yet it is proceeding to conduct a supplementary election.
This anomaly being created by INEC is directly geared to cause confusion and muddle-up the Bauchi electoral process and pave the way for allocation of fictitious votes to the APC.
The PDP has reports of how the INEC leadership connived with the APC to delay the collation of results from Tafawa Balewa Local government, then stampede the courts to halt the process in an attempt to ambush the March 23 Supplementary election.
This informs why INEC hurriedly and shamelessly jettisoned its statutory independence and implemented the unconstitutional ex-parte order to halt the collation of results in Bauchi and Adamawa states, even before the order was enrolled and served on it.
The PDP cautions INEC to note that it already has the figures of votes delivered at the polling units. We also have figure of voters with PVCs in the areas where INEC plans to conduct supplementary elections. Therefore any attempt by INEC and the APC to pad the results to favor the APC will be firmly resisted.
The PDP is in a comfortable lead in Bauchi and nothing can change this reality, irrespective of supplementary election, in which we are also set to win.
In Adamawa, we have also been informed of how the APC and INEC are conniving to cause confusion and alter the figures of already collated results of the governorship election won by the PDP. The situation has become so pathetic that the Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) is yet to officially state the commission’s position on whether the supplementary election will hold or not.
The PDP reminds INEC that it has the figures of the already collated results in Adamawa and warns that any attempt to tamper with such will be faced with dire consequences.
In Sokoto State, the PDP alerts Nigerians of the invasion of the state by heavily armed thugs imported by the APC from neighboring states of Kano and Zamfara to unleash violence, cause confusion and help the APC to rig the supplementary governorship election, under official protection of compromised security agencies.
However, the PDP wants INEC, the APC, their thugs and the compromised security personnel to note that the people of Sokoto state are determined to assert themselves in this election and anybody attempting to subvert their will would be doing so at his or her own risk.
In Rivers state, our party holds that the shifting of the collation of results by INEC to April 2-5, 2019, without providing any reason, is a calculated attempt to create room for their partners, the APC, to engage in judicial manipulations or abracadabra to scuttle the election already won by the PDP.
The PDP cautions that such shenanigan by INEC is highly provocative, especially as the people of Rivers state are already aware of all the results delivered from the polling units, which puts the PDP in clear lead. Any alteration will spell doom for our democracy given the place Rivers State occupies in our national economy.
Furthermore, the PDP charges the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure strict adherence to the use of card readers in all the Supplementary elections. Reports abound of how INEC jettisoned the card readers in previous elections, particularly in certain states earmarked for rigging for the APC, thereby leading to all manners of electoral manipulations. This must not be allowed in the supplementary polls.
Finally, the PDP states that it is in good stead in Bauchi, Kano, Sokoto, Benue, Adamawa and Plateau states and as such, will use all legitimate means to ensure that nobody rigs out our candidates in the supplementary elections.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Press Conference
Nobody Can Rig Us Out In Supplementary Elections - PDP
Gentlemen of the press, we have invited you today to alert Nigerians on the unsavory developments being orchestrated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to assist the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the electoral processes in Bauchi, Sokoto and Adamawa states, ahead of the March 23, Supplementary elections.
In Bauchi, Nigerians are all aware that INEC is yet to complete the collation of results to determine the margin of lead in the governorship election, yet it is proceeding to conduct a supplementary election.
This anomaly being created by INEC is directly geared to cause confusion and muddle-up the Bauchi electoral process and pave the way for allocation of fictitious votes to the APC.
The PDP has reports of how the INEC leadership connived with the APC to delay the collation of results from Tafawa Balewa Local government, then stampede the courts to halt the process in an attempt to ambush the March 23 Supplementary election.
This informs why INEC hurriedly and shamelessly jettisoned its statutory independence and implemented the unconstitutional ex-parte order to halt the collation of results in Bauchi and Adamawa states, even before the order was enrolled and served on it.
The PDP cautions INEC to note that it already has the figures of votes delivered at the polling units. We also have figure of voters with PVCs in the areas where INEC plans to conduct supplementary elections. Therefore any attempt by INEC and the APC to pad the results to favor the APC will be firmly resisted.
The PDP is in a comfortable lead in Bauchi and nothing can change this reality, irrespective of supplementary election, in which we are also set to win.
In Adamawa, we have also been informed of how the APC and INEC are conniving to cause confusion and alter the figures of already collated results of the governorship election won by the PDP. The situation has become so pathetic that the Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) is yet to officially state the commission’s position on whether the supplementary election will hold or not.
The PDP reminds INEC that it has the figures of the already collated results in Adamawa and warns that any attempt to tamper with such will be faced with dire consequences.
In Sokoto State, the PDP alerts Nigerians of the invasion of the state by heavily armed thugs imported by the APC from neighboring states of Kano and Zamfara to unleash violence, cause confusion and help the APC to rig the supplementary governorship election, under official protection of compromised security agencies.
However, the PDP wants INEC, the APC, their thugs and the compromised security personnel to note that the people of Sokoto state are determined to assert themselves in this election and anybody attempting to subvert their will would be doing so at his or her own risk.
In Rivers state, our party holds that the shifting of the collation of results by INEC to April 2-5, 2019, without providing any reason, is a calculated attempt to create room for their partners, the APC, to engage in judicial manipulations or abracadabra to scuttle the election already won by the PDP.
The PDP cautions that such shenanigan by INEC is highly provocative, especially as the people of Rivers state are already aware of all the results delivered from the polling units, which puts the PDP in clear lead. Any alteration will spell doom for our democracy given the place Rivers State occupies in our national economy.
Furthermore, the PDP charges the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure strict adherence to the use of card readers in all the Supplementary elections. Reports abound of how INEC jettisoned the card readers in previous elections, particularly in certain states earmarked for rigging for the APC, thereby leading to all manners of electoral manipulations. This must not be allowed in the supplementary polls.
Finally, the PDP states that it is in good stead in Bauchi, Kano, Sokoto, Benue, Adamawa and Plateau states and as such, will use all legitimate means to ensure that nobody rigs out our candidates in the supplementary elections.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Wednesday 20 March 2019
PDP Drags Justice Inyang to Judicial Council Election Petition
March 20, 2019
Press Statement
PDP Drags Justice Inyang To NJC Over Halting of Bauchi Guber Result Collation
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has petitioned the National judicial Council over the violation of the Constitution and Electoral Act by Justice Ekwo Inyang of the Federal High Court by sitting on a matter that ought to have been handled by an election petition tribunal, as created by the provisions of our laws.
The party noted that in granting an exparte order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from concluding the governorship election in Bauchi State, Justice Inyang violated Section 87(11) of the Electoral Act, which states that no court has the power or jurisdiction to stop any election pending the determination of a suit.
In an affidavit sworn to by the PDP's National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, in Abuja, the party notes that issues of collation of results and declaration of winner, is a post-election event and, therefore, falls under the Electoral Act and Constitutional provisions for the election petition tribunal.
The affidavit states, “Despite this clear provision of the law, Justice Ekwo decided to hear the application of Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar and his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), within twenty four hours on 19th March, 2019 and issued an order on INEC not to continue with the election until the case before him is finally decided.
“That the collation of results is a post-election event and under section 87(11) of the Electoral Act, no court has the power or jurisdiction to stop any election pending the determination of a suit.
“That an election includes voting, collation of results and the declaration of results.
“That as a result of the order on the Independent National Electoral Commission, the conclusion of the Bauchi State Governorship election which was to take place on 19th March 2019 was stalled.
“That the order of Justice Ekwo was made contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended dealing without fair hearing and also section 87(11) of the Electoral Act.
“That the Chief Justice of Nigeria has constituted the various Election Petition Tribunals in Nigeria to handle such cases and the assumption of jurisdiction by Justice Inyang Ekwo is an affront to the constitution and electoral wishes of the people of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area and Bauchi State”
The PDP insists that not only did Justice Inyang violate the clear provisions of the Electoral Act, the motion granted is also an affront to the electoral wishes of the people of Bauchi State who have clearly chosen their next governor in voting for the PDP’s candidate, Sen. Bala Mohammed.
The PDP urges the NJC to save our democracy by taking an urgent step against the violations by Justice Inyang.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Press Statement
PDP Drags Justice Inyang To NJC Over Halting of Bauchi Guber Result Collation
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has petitioned the National judicial Council over the violation of the Constitution and Electoral Act by Justice Ekwo Inyang of the Federal High Court by sitting on a matter that ought to have been handled by an election petition tribunal, as created by the provisions of our laws.
The party noted that in granting an exparte order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from concluding the governorship election in Bauchi State, Justice Inyang violated Section 87(11) of the Electoral Act, which states that no court has the power or jurisdiction to stop any election pending the determination of a suit.
In an affidavit sworn to by the PDP's National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, in Abuja, the party notes that issues of collation of results and declaration of winner, is a post-election event and, therefore, falls under the Electoral Act and Constitutional provisions for the election petition tribunal.
The affidavit states, “Despite this clear provision of the law, Justice Ekwo decided to hear the application of Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar and his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), within twenty four hours on 19th March, 2019 and issued an order on INEC not to continue with the election until the case before him is finally decided.
“That the collation of results is a post-election event and under section 87(11) of the Electoral Act, no court has the power or jurisdiction to stop any election pending the determination of a suit.
“That an election includes voting, collation of results and the declaration of results.
“That as a result of the order on the Independent National Electoral Commission, the conclusion of the Bauchi State Governorship election which was to take place on 19th March 2019 was stalled.
“That the order of Justice Ekwo was made contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended dealing without fair hearing and also section 87(11) of the Electoral Act.
“That the Chief Justice of Nigeria has constituted the various Election Petition Tribunals in Nigeria to handle such cases and the assumption of jurisdiction by Justice Inyang Ekwo is an affront to the constitution and electoral wishes of the people of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area and Bauchi State”
The PDP insists that not only did Justice Inyang violate the clear provisions of the Electoral Act, the motion granted is also an affront to the electoral wishes of the people of Bauchi State who have clearly chosen their next governor in voting for the PDP’s candidate, Sen. Bala Mohammed.
The PDP urges the NJC to save our democracy by taking an urgent step against the violations by Justice Inyang.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Tuesday 19 March 2019
PDP Kicks Against Court Order on Bauchi Poll
March 19, 2019
Press Statement
PDP Rejects Exparte Order Stopping Final Collation of Bauchi Guber Results
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vehemently rejects the arm-twisting of the judiciary and the court by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to unconstitutionally halt the conclusion of collation of already declared results in the Bauchi State Governorship election, which has been won by the PDP.
The party alerts that such development, which is akin to the infamous order that derailed the 1993 democratic process, is part of the plot by the APC and certain compromised elements in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to escalate crisis and derail our electoral process.
The power to collate, suspend collation and or to reverse such decision based on obvious circumstances as the case in Bauchi is clearly within the domain of INEC. Until Collation is completed and results declared no one can question the constitutional powers of the electoral body: INEC, in that regard.
The PDP cautions that if this desperate underhand measure by the APC to halt electoral processes is not checked, our hard earned democracy will fail us and our nation thrown into anarchy.
Our party should not be constrained into a situation in which we will have no option than to allow our members to seek similar exparte orders to halt statutory processes including the swearing-in of APC candidates at various levels, particularly President Muhammadu Buhari.
It is clear that collation of result is part of the electoral process and that INEC cannot act on a purported exparte order to jettison its independence and halt the collation of results, which is a key component of its statutory electoral duty.
Section 87 (10) of the Electoral Act is unambiguous in its prescription that “nothing in this section shall empower the courts to stop the holding of primaries or general election or the processes thereof under this Act pending the determination of a suit”.
Our party therefore charges INEC to be properly guided by the law in this regard.
The PDP urges the institution of Judiciary not to allow the APC to entangle the court in its shenanigans to destroy our hard-earned democracy.
Nigerians in Bauchi state have elected the PDP and nothing can change this reality.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Press Statement
PDP Rejects Exparte Order Stopping Final Collation of Bauchi Guber Results
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vehemently rejects the arm-twisting of the judiciary and the court by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to unconstitutionally halt the conclusion of collation of already declared results in the Bauchi State Governorship election, which has been won by the PDP.
The party alerts that such development, which is akin to the infamous order that derailed the 1993 democratic process, is part of the plot by the APC and certain compromised elements in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to escalate crisis and derail our electoral process.
The power to collate, suspend collation and or to reverse such decision based on obvious circumstances as the case in Bauchi is clearly within the domain of INEC. Until Collation is completed and results declared no one can question the constitutional powers of the electoral body: INEC, in that regard.
The PDP cautions that if this desperate underhand measure by the APC to halt electoral processes is not checked, our hard earned democracy will fail us and our nation thrown into anarchy.
Our party should not be constrained into a situation in which we will have no option than to allow our members to seek similar exparte orders to halt statutory processes including the swearing-in of APC candidates at various levels, particularly President Muhammadu Buhari.
It is clear that collation of result is part of the electoral process and that INEC cannot act on a purported exparte order to jettison its independence and halt the collation of results, which is a key component of its statutory electoral duty.
Section 87 (10) of the Electoral Act is unambiguous in its prescription that “nothing in this section shall empower the courts to stop the holding of primaries or general election or the processes thereof under this Act pending the determination of a suit”.
Our party therefore charges INEC to be properly guided by the law in this regard.
The PDP urges the institution of Judiciary not to allow the APC to entangle the court in its shenanigans to destroy our hard-earned democracy.
Nigerians in Bauchi state have elected the PDP and nothing can change this reality.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Nigerians Will Not Vote In Vain - PDP
March 19, 2019
Press Statement
Nigerians Will Not Vote In Vain – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assured Nigerians that the votes they freely gave to its candidates in the 2019 general elections will never be in vain.
The party says it will surely recover the Presidential mandate given to the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and ensure that none of the states where it is in the lead ahead of the March 23 supplementary election will be hijacked by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, stated the position of the party during a solidarity visit by the leadership of the party on Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Tuesday, ahead of Saturday's Supplementary election.
Prince Secondus stated that Nigerians are extremely hurting over the rigging of the Presidential and other elections by the APC, as well as the schemes to forcefully take over states already won by the PDP, leading to the supplementary elections.
“Elections are about the will of the people. When you force yourself on the people; that is not democracy. Today, Nigerians are unhappy with the way elections were rigged without allowing the will of the people to prevail”, Secondus said.
In his response, Gov. Tambuwal said that the PDP and the people of Sokoto state are upbeat and fully mobilized to ensure that their will is not subverted.
“We are upbeat as Sokoto state has never been this mobilised. People are praying and fasting by themselves and they are ready once again to ensure that their will is not subverted.
“What happened in the last elections was unimaginable as security agents took over the state. Ballot papers were found with APC members on the streets. The staff of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission stormed the residences of our members, harassing and intimidating them.
Even on the day of election, they were going round the polling units and picking up our members. There were open rigging in about six of the local government areas.
They brought their federal might to bear but the will of the people prevailed against them and we won, yet they declared the election inconclusive.
“So, in Sokoto, they have the will of the people to contend with and given the prayers that our people are offering everyday and their decision to checkmate the rigging of APC, victory is sure to be for us and the PDP” he said.
The PDP therefore urges all its members and supporters to remain steadfast and march out on March 23 to consolidate on the victory already won by the party in the states where supplementary elections have been scheduled.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Press Statement
Nigerians Will Not Vote In Vain – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assured Nigerians that the votes they freely gave to its candidates in the 2019 general elections will never be in vain.
The party says it will surely recover the Presidential mandate given to the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and ensure that none of the states where it is in the lead ahead of the March 23 supplementary election will be hijacked by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, stated the position of the party during a solidarity visit by the leadership of the party on Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Tuesday, ahead of Saturday's Supplementary election.
Prince Secondus stated that Nigerians are extremely hurting over the rigging of the Presidential and other elections by the APC, as well as the schemes to forcefully take over states already won by the PDP, leading to the supplementary elections.
“Elections are about the will of the people. When you force yourself on the people; that is not democracy. Today, Nigerians are unhappy with the way elections were rigged without allowing the will of the people to prevail”, Secondus said.
In his response, Gov. Tambuwal said that the PDP and the people of Sokoto state are upbeat and fully mobilized to ensure that their will is not subverted.
“We are upbeat as Sokoto state has never been this mobilised. People are praying and fasting by themselves and they are ready once again to ensure that their will is not subverted.
“What happened in the last elections was unimaginable as security agents took over the state. Ballot papers were found with APC members on the streets. The staff of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission stormed the residences of our members, harassing and intimidating them.
Even on the day of election, they were going round the polling units and picking up our members. There were open rigging in about six of the local government areas.
They brought their federal might to bear but the will of the people prevailed against them and we won, yet they declared the election inconclusive.
“So, in Sokoto, they have the will of the people to contend with and given the prayers that our people are offering everyday and their decision to checkmate the rigging of APC, victory is sure to be for us and the PDP” he said.
The PDP therefore urges all its members and supporters to remain steadfast and march out on March 23 to consolidate on the victory already won by the party in the states where supplementary elections have been scheduled.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Saturday 16 March 2019
INEC Is Denying Atiku Access to Election Materials - PDP Cries Out
March 16, 2019
Press Statement
Election Petition: PDP Accuses INEC Chair of Refusing Atiku Access To Inspect Election Materials
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) informs Nigerians that the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has refused to obey the March 6, 2019 ruling of the Appeal Court, directing it to allow our party and the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, access to inspect the documents and materials used in the rigged February 23, 2019 Presidential election.
This is a deliberate and wicked ploy by INEC, acting in cahoots with the All Progressives Congress (APC), to frustrate the people-backed resolve by Atiku Abubakar and the PDP to timeously file and mention our petition at the Presidential election Tribunal, and by so doing, ambush the case.
It is imperative to inform Nigerians that upon obtaining the lawful order of the Court, directing INEC to forthwith, avail Atiku Abubakar and the PDP copies of all the documents and other materials used for the Presidential election, our legal team wrote to the INEC Chairman on the 11th and 12th of March 2019 respectively, causing the Order to be served on INEC and requesting access to the said documents and materials.
Despite being served with the Order and several follow-ups, the leadership of INEC has refused to grant the PDP and Atiku Abubakar access to the materials and documents, notwithstanding the urgency of the matter.
This action by the leadership of INEC has further exposed that it has been heavily compromised by the Buhari Presidency to rig the February 23, 2019 Presidential election and to frustrate the quest by Nigerians to reclaim the mandate from President Muhammadu Buhari and save the nation from the crisis of an illegitimate government.
The leadership of INEC and the APC are seeking to frustrate our court option, seeing that the documents and materials will expressly show that Atiku Abubakar clearly won the election by the votes directly delivered at the polling units across the country as well as expose how the commission and the Buhari Presidency manipulated the results for President Buhari.
The PDP cautions the INEC to note that Nigerians are now aware of its manipulative tendencies and that any further delay in granting access to the materials might attract public odium.
INEC should therefore end its unpatriotic partisan shenanigans with the APC and immediately obey the Court of Appeal and grant the PDP and Atiku Abubakar access to the documents and materials and free itself from unholy entanglement with the APC against Nigerians.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Press Statement
Election Petition: PDP Accuses INEC Chair of Refusing Atiku Access To Inspect Election Materials
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) informs Nigerians that the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has refused to obey the March 6, 2019 ruling of the Appeal Court, directing it to allow our party and the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, access to inspect the documents and materials used in the rigged February 23, 2019 Presidential election.
This is a deliberate and wicked ploy by INEC, acting in cahoots with the All Progressives Congress (APC), to frustrate the people-backed resolve by Atiku Abubakar and the PDP to timeously file and mention our petition at the Presidential election Tribunal, and by so doing, ambush the case.
It is imperative to inform Nigerians that upon obtaining the lawful order of the Court, directing INEC to forthwith, avail Atiku Abubakar and the PDP copies of all the documents and other materials used for the Presidential election, our legal team wrote to the INEC Chairman on the 11th and 12th of March 2019 respectively, causing the Order to be served on INEC and requesting access to the said documents and materials.
Despite being served with the Order and several follow-ups, the leadership of INEC has refused to grant the PDP and Atiku Abubakar access to the materials and documents, notwithstanding the urgency of the matter.
This action by the leadership of INEC has further exposed that it has been heavily compromised by the Buhari Presidency to rig the February 23, 2019 Presidential election and to frustrate the quest by Nigerians to reclaim the mandate from President Muhammadu Buhari and save the nation from the crisis of an illegitimate government.
The leadership of INEC and the APC are seeking to frustrate our court option, seeing that the documents and materials will expressly show that Atiku Abubakar clearly won the election by the votes directly delivered at the polling units across the country as well as expose how the commission and the Buhari Presidency manipulated the results for President Buhari.
The PDP cautions the INEC to note that Nigerians are now aware of its manipulative tendencies and that any further delay in granting access to the materials might attract public odium.
INEC should therefore end its unpatriotic partisan shenanigans with the APC and immediately obey the Court of Appeal and grant the PDP and Atiku Abubakar access to the documents and materials and free itself from unholy entanglement with the APC against Nigerians.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Friday 15 March 2019
Breaking: UCL Quarter Finalists Pairing Unmasked!
- Manchester United vs Barcelona
- Ajax vs Juventus
- Liverpool vs Porto
- Spurs vs Man City
If United go through they will face the winner of the Liverpool vs Porto pair.
- Ajax vs Juventus
- Liverpool vs Porto
- Spurs vs Man City
If United go through they will face the winner of the Liverpool vs Porto pair.
Wednesday 13 March 2019
English Premier League Dominates UCL Quarters
EPL SUPER!
Ajax (NED)
Juventus (ITA)
Manchester City (ENG)
Man United (ENG)
Porto (POR)
Tottenham (ENG)
Barcelona (ESP)
Liverpool (ENG)
Ajax (NED)
Juventus (ITA)
Manchester City (ENG)
Man United (ENG)
Porto (POR)
Tottenham (ENG)
Barcelona (ESP)
Liverpool (ENG)
INCONCLUSIVE POLL: Buhari, INEC Chairman Meet At Midnight - Frank
Press statement
Timi Frank exposes another midnight meeting between Bubari, INEC boss, others
...Tells PDP govs, leaders not to celebrate yet
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank has revealed another midnight meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chief of Army Staff, and the acting Inspector General of Police among others.
Frank in a statement in Abuja, claimed that the meeting was called at the instance of the presidency on how to perfect victory for the ruling party in the six states already declared inconclusive by the INEC.
The President had earlier on Tuesday met behind closed door with some Northern govermors, which the purpose was not made known to the public.
Exposing the meeting through a press statement Wednesday in Abuja, the political activist said it is the third time that the INEC chairman and others were secretly meeting the president in the midnight.
Frank raised an alarm that the way APC allegedly stole the mandate freely given to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the Presidential election, "the electoral empire is out to repeat the same plot in the rescheduled rerun governorship elections in six states."
According to him, the latest meeting took place at the Glass House of the Presidential Villa, which started at about 1:30am and lasted for about an hour.
Frank claimed that the INEC boss arrived the Presidential Villa in the same Armoured BMW 7 series vehicle with the Chief of Army Staff, Buratai and later joined by other APC leaders.
"Our Eagle eye in the presidential Villa has exposed another secret meeting against Nigeria by the people we trusted with power. The latest meeting is meant to finalise strategies on how to rig the six states declared inconclusive for the ruling APC. These are states already won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by later declared inconclusive.
"I challenge the INEC chairman to deny and swear with the Holy Qur'an that he has not been meeting with the President. History will always remember the 2019 general elections and the role played by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, will never be forgotten in a hurry," Frank stated.
The Bayelsa-born activist, however, called on all the serving and elected governors, National Assembly leaders and other stakeholders of the PDP not to celebrate any victory yet untill the six states of Rivers, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kano, Adamawa and Plateau are declared for the party.
"The game plan is to adopt Osun template for the rerun elections. PDP leaders must speak out loudly against militarisation of these elections, the evil plot of the latest meeting should not be allowed to materialise because the APC government will do everything possible to rig these rerun elections," Frank said.
While calling on international community to continue to keep an eye on the electoral process in the country, Frank said the statements released by the EU and UK to condem the militarisation of last Saturday's governorship election have vindicated his earlier position.
"I also called on the Sultan of Sokoto, the Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar-ed Peace Committee - who have been keeping quiet in the face of injustice -and other leaders of thoughts to call the Buhari-led APC’s government to order.
Signed:
Comrade Timi Frank
Ex-APC deputy spokesman
Abuja.
Timi Frank exposes another midnight meeting between Bubari, INEC boss, others
...Tells PDP govs, leaders not to celebrate yet
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank has revealed another midnight meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chief of Army Staff, and the acting Inspector General of Police among others.
Frank in a statement in Abuja, claimed that the meeting was called at the instance of the presidency on how to perfect victory for the ruling party in the six states already declared inconclusive by the INEC.
The President had earlier on Tuesday met behind closed door with some Northern govermors, which the purpose was not made known to the public.
Exposing the meeting through a press statement Wednesday in Abuja, the political activist said it is the third time that the INEC chairman and others were secretly meeting the president in the midnight.
Frank raised an alarm that the way APC allegedly stole the mandate freely given to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the Presidential election, "the electoral empire is out to repeat the same plot in the rescheduled rerun governorship elections in six states."
According to him, the latest meeting took place at the Glass House of the Presidential Villa, which started at about 1:30am and lasted for about an hour.
Frank claimed that the INEC boss arrived the Presidential Villa in the same Armoured BMW 7 series vehicle with the Chief of Army Staff, Buratai and later joined by other APC leaders.
"Our Eagle eye in the presidential Villa has exposed another secret meeting against Nigeria by the people we trusted with power. The latest meeting is meant to finalise strategies on how to rig the six states declared inconclusive for the ruling APC. These are states already won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by later declared inconclusive.
"I challenge the INEC chairman to deny and swear with the Holy Qur'an that he has not been meeting with the President. History will always remember the 2019 general elections and the role played by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, will never be forgotten in a hurry," Frank stated.
The Bayelsa-born activist, however, called on all the serving and elected governors, National Assembly leaders and other stakeholders of the PDP not to celebrate any victory yet untill the six states of Rivers, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kano, Adamawa and Plateau are declared for the party.
"The game plan is to adopt Osun template for the rerun elections. PDP leaders must speak out loudly against militarisation of these elections, the evil plot of the latest meeting should not be allowed to materialise because the APC government will do everything possible to rig these rerun elections," Frank said.
While calling on international community to continue to keep an eye on the electoral process in the country, Frank said the statements released by the EU and UK to condem the militarisation of last Saturday's governorship election have vindicated his earlier position.
"I also called on the Sultan of Sokoto, the Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar-ed Peace Committee - who have been keeping quiet in the face of injustice -and other leaders of thoughts to call the Buhari-led APC’s government to order.
Signed:
Comrade Timi Frank
Ex-APC deputy spokesman
Abuja.
President Lacks Power To Deploy Troops For Election - SAN
CAN THE PRESIDENT DEPLOY THE MILITARY DURING ELECTIONS?
Mike Ozekhome, SAN
My earlier view on this issue of deployment of soldiers was that the president can lawfully deploy the military to aid our weak Police to maintain security in a volatile region, whether before, during, or after elections. This was however not a clarion call for the military to usurp the policing powers of the Police under Sections 214 and 215 of the 1999 Constitution. Their role, I had argued, about 4 years ago, was merely complimentary, not usurpatory, to help nip in the bud, violent cases of insurrection, insurgency, restore law and order, defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity and secure Nigeria’s borders from violation, whether by land, air or sea. These tasks, I had argued, cannot ordinarily be performed by our ill-equipped Police. This was also not a licence for the military to appear on the streets to hunt down unarmed protesters, I had theorized.
My argument then was that the military be allowed to patrol the streets with Police during elections, and even help to escort election materials, especially in volatile areas, because they cannot, with a snap of the finger, be invited from the barracks, when serious civil unrest of the usually desperate politicians that outweighs Police powers finally breaks out during an election. Even then, I had argued that this does not empower the military to be present or found near or around polling booths or polling units (as we saw, most unfortunately, during the last presidential elections). That is not their function, I argued. Such close monitoring of elections and voting are the exclusive preserve of members of the Nigeria Police Force and Civil Defence, not military, I had preached. Any military presence at such voting precincts will rather scare away voters, rather than give them a feeling of security and safety. These were my views, some four years ago. I had viewed the military, especially the Army, as a national institution that was incapable of taking sides with any political party, or being used against the people.
CHANGING TIMES
Alas, so much water has since passed under the bridge, with the partisanship clearly displayed by the military in the last election, that I am now forced to reconsider my earlier views and resile from them. I hereby do so. The actions of the present military have not been above board. The massacre of the Shites in their hundreds, repression and suppression of unarmed IPOB members, proclamation of “Operation Python Dance I”, “Operation Python Dance II”, “Operation Crocodile Smile II”, “Operation Tsera Teku”, “Operation Awatse”, “Operation Mesa”, “Operation Sharon Daji/Harbin Kunama II”, “Operation Safe Haven”, “Operation Ruwan Wuta II’, etc, have combined to reshape my thinking and change my mind. Many of these “operations” have been used to decimate the cherished fundamental rights of innocent and unarmed citizens, rather than checkmate the ills and evils they were primarily designed for.
Soldiers have been caught on video in Obior, Eleme, Opobo, Nkoro, Ogba/Egbema, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs of Rivers State doing the unthinkable. Others were caught pants down in Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Imo, Abia, Kaduna, Taraba, Zamfara, Sokoto, Benue, and Plateau states, doing highly unprofessional things during the election. They were cocking guns, shooting sporadically, harassing, intimidating, beating, rough-handling and actually aiding thugs of a preferred political party to snatch and cart away ballot boxes and ballot papers. In many instances, they were seen, on viral videos, preventing voters of some political parties from accessing the voting and collation centres, while simultaneously allowing those of a preferred political party to access the same centres. This is simply not acceptable. It is barbaric, to say the least.
Never before in the history of Nigeria have we beholden the Army so glaringly partisan, so politically and physically involved in the electoral process, even more than the Police could ever have dreamt of or contemplated. How can any sane person, with these unprecedented and ugly scenarios still hold on to his earlier view (as my previous view), which had canvassed that an apolitical military (especially the Army), be deployed to the streets before, during and after elections, for purposes of protecting the very citizens they are now oppressing, repressing and subjugating? I cannot, in order to court consistency and objectivity, be a chained slave to such anarchy, impunity, audacity and derailment from basic principles of military duties and professionalism by the military. I therefore now hereby abandon my earlier stance on issues of deployment of the military. I hereby publicly apologise if my earlier view had unwittingly helped to shape government’s skewed perception, belief and action in the wanton deployment of the Army during the last elections, to terrorise an already prostrate and beleaguered citizenry.
PRESIDENT BUHARI’S SHOOT-AT-SIGHT ORDER
It is also crystal clear to me that President Muhammadu Buhari’s order that the military should shoot any ballot snatcher was clearly wrong, illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional. No doubt, ballot box snatching is an electoral offence. That is why Section 129 (4) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), provides that “any person who snatches or destroys any election material shall be liable on conviction to 24 months imprisonment”. For any violator of this Section, 24 months awaits him in the cold embrace of the prisons. Section 130 goes further to criminalize all acts of threats, force, violence, restraint, injury, damage, loss, harm, abduction, duress, inducement on the part of any person, or the prevention of any person from voting, or preventing candidates from free use of the media, designated vehicles, mobilization of support and campaign at elections. A person who commits any of the above acts is liable to imprisonment for 3 years, or to a fine of #1 million, upon conviction.
This law is too clear to admit of any ambiguity. It does not impose the death sentence since such pronouncement as the president made could easily be misused. It was indeed misused during the last elections, which many observers (especially the local ones who were not compromised or intimidated), have adjudged to be the worst and most violent elections ever held in Nigeria, having recorded unprecedented numerous deaths.
In warning politicians, Buhari had declared before the presidential elections, “so I am going to warn anybody who thinks he has enough influence in his locality to lead a body of thugs to snatch boxes or to disturb the voting system he will do so at the expense of his own life”. I had condemned this statement then for being unpresidential, inflammatory and incidinary. The way and manner some trigger-happy soldiers were caught on video killing innocent voters and invading people’s private homes, especially in places like Lagos, Rivers and Bayelsa states have since validated my earlier fears that soldiers should not have been given such orders to shoot-at-sight, any alleged ballot snatchers. Surely Ms. Ibisiki Amachree, an adhoc INEC electoral officer who was killed by an alleged stray bullet couldn’t have been a ballot box snatcher. The cold-blooded murder had forced INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmud Yakubu, during his briefing after the presidential election, to declare: “This is not the right time to assess institutions and security agencies. We will review the situations after elections and see how to improve on our security architecture”.
Had Mr President withdrawn his order, Nigerians would have been saved the needless deaths we witnessed. Indeed, INEC had attempted vainly to douse the conflagatory impact of PMB’s speech before the elections, but it came to naught,
too little and too late.
INEC, through its chairman, Prof. Yakubu had stringently disagreed with Buhari. He had said: “The position of the Commission is that all violations of the Electoral Act should be punished accordingly to the provisions of the Electoral Act, which states that persons who snatch election materials are liable to a prison term of two years or maximum fine of #500,000”.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE PRESIDENT’S POWERS?
Deployment of the military in some insurgent-prone areas to fight insurgency or war is certainly not the equivalent of the president’s powers of deployment of the military in aid of civil authorities. That is specifically covered by Section 217 (2) (C) and the concurrence of the Senate is constitutionally required. The section provides as follows:
“(c) suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly”;
In the United States of America, the war powers resolution requires the president to notify congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action. Article 1, Section 8, Clause II of the U.S Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war. The president, on the other hand, derives his power to direct the military after a congressional declaration of war from Article II, Section 2, which names the president as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces. (To be concluded next week)
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK.
"Illegality will never solve the problem of political lawlessness. Problem Political Never". (Emanuel Celler).
Mike Ozekhome, SAN
My earlier view on this issue of deployment of soldiers was that the president can lawfully deploy the military to aid our weak Police to maintain security in a volatile region, whether before, during, or after elections. This was however not a clarion call for the military to usurp the policing powers of the Police under Sections 214 and 215 of the 1999 Constitution. Their role, I had argued, about 4 years ago, was merely complimentary, not usurpatory, to help nip in the bud, violent cases of insurrection, insurgency, restore law and order, defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity and secure Nigeria’s borders from violation, whether by land, air or sea. These tasks, I had argued, cannot ordinarily be performed by our ill-equipped Police. This was also not a licence for the military to appear on the streets to hunt down unarmed protesters, I had theorized.
My argument then was that the military be allowed to patrol the streets with Police during elections, and even help to escort election materials, especially in volatile areas, because they cannot, with a snap of the finger, be invited from the barracks, when serious civil unrest of the usually desperate politicians that outweighs Police powers finally breaks out during an election. Even then, I had argued that this does not empower the military to be present or found near or around polling booths or polling units (as we saw, most unfortunately, during the last presidential elections). That is not their function, I argued. Such close monitoring of elections and voting are the exclusive preserve of members of the Nigeria Police Force and Civil Defence, not military, I had preached. Any military presence at such voting precincts will rather scare away voters, rather than give them a feeling of security and safety. These were my views, some four years ago. I had viewed the military, especially the Army, as a national institution that was incapable of taking sides with any political party, or being used against the people.
CHANGING TIMES
Alas, so much water has since passed under the bridge, with the partisanship clearly displayed by the military in the last election, that I am now forced to reconsider my earlier views and resile from them. I hereby do so. The actions of the present military have not been above board. The massacre of the Shites in their hundreds, repression and suppression of unarmed IPOB members, proclamation of “Operation Python Dance I”, “Operation Python Dance II”, “Operation Crocodile Smile II”, “Operation Tsera Teku”, “Operation Awatse”, “Operation Mesa”, “Operation Sharon Daji/Harbin Kunama II”, “Operation Safe Haven”, “Operation Ruwan Wuta II’, etc, have combined to reshape my thinking and change my mind. Many of these “operations” have been used to decimate the cherished fundamental rights of innocent and unarmed citizens, rather than checkmate the ills and evils they were primarily designed for.
Soldiers have been caught on video in Obior, Eleme, Opobo, Nkoro, Ogba/Egbema, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs of Rivers State doing the unthinkable. Others were caught pants down in Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Imo, Abia, Kaduna, Taraba, Zamfara, Sokoto, Benue, and Plateau states, doing highly unprofessional things during the election. They were cocking guns, shooting sporadically, harassing, intimidating, beating, rough-handling and actually aiding thugs of a preferred political party to snatch and cart away ballot boxes and ballot papers. In many instances, they were seen, on viral videos, preventing voters of some political parties from accessing the voting and collation centres, while simultaneously allowing those of a preferred political party to access the same centres. This is simply not acceptable. It is barbaric, to say the least.
Never before in the history of Nigeria have we beholden the Army so glaringly partisan, so politically and physically involved in the electoral process, even more than the Police could ever have dreamt of or contemplated. How can any sane person, with these unprecedented and ugly scenarios still hold on to his earlier view (as my previous view), which had canvassed that an apolitical military (especially the Army), be deployed to the streets before, during and after elections, for purposes of protecting the very citizens they are now oppressing, repressing and subjugating? I cannot, in order to court consistency and objectivity, be a chained slave to such anarchy, impunity, audacity and derailment from basic principles of military duties and professionalism by the military. I therefore now hereby abandon my earlier stance on issues of deployment of the military. I hereby publicly apologise if my earlier view had unwittingly helped to shape government’s skewed perception, belief and action in the wanton deployment of the Army during the last elections, to terrorise an already prostrate and beleaguered citizenry.
PRESIDENT BUHARI’S SHOOT-AT-SIGHT ORDER
It is also crystal clear to me that President Muhammadu Buhari’s order that the military should shoot any ballot snatcher was clearly wrong, illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional. No doubt, ballot box snatching is an electoral offence. That is why Section 129 (4) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), provides that “any person who snatches or destroys any election material shall be liable on conviction to 24 months imprisonment”. For any violator of this Section, 24 months awaits him in the cold embrace of the prisons. Section 130 goes further to criminalize all acts of threats, force, violence, restraint, injury, damage, loss, harm, abduction, duress, inducement on the part of any person, or the prevention of any person from voting, or preventing candidates from free use of the media, designated vehicles, mobilization of support and campaign at elections. A person who commits any of the above acts is liable to imprisonment for 3 years, or to a fine of #1 million, upon conviction.
This law is too clear to admit of any ambiguity. It does not impose the death sentence since such pronouncement as the president made could easily be misused. It was indeed misused during the last elections, which many observers (especially the local ones who were not compromised or intimidated), have adjudged to be the worst and most violent elections ever held in Nigeria, having recorded unprecedented numerous deaths.
In warning politicians, Buhari had declared before the presidential elections, “so I am going to warn anybody who thinks he has enough influence in his locality to lead a body of thugs to snatch boxes or to disturb the voting system he will do so at the expense of his own life”. I had condemned this statement then for being unpresidential, inflammatory and incidinary. The way and manner some trigger-happy soldiers were caught on video killing innocent voters and invading people’s private homes, especially in places like Lagos, Rivers and Bayelsa states have since validated my earlier fears that soldiers should not have been given such orders to shoot-at-sight, any alleged ballot snatchers. Surely Ms. Ibisiki Amachree, an adhoc INEC electoral officer who was killed by an alleged stray bullet couldn’t have been a ballot box snatcher. The cold-blooded murder had forced INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmud Yakubu, during his briefing after the presidential election, to declare: “This is not the right time to assess institutions and security agencies. We will review the situations after elections and see how to improve on our security architecture”.
Had Mr President withdrawn his order, Nigerians would have been saved the needless deaths we witnessed. Indeed, INEC had attempted vainly to douse the conflagatory impact of PMB’s speech before the elections, but it came to naught,
too little and too late.
INEC, through its chairman, Prof. Yakubu had stringently disagreed with Buhari. He had said: “The position of the Commission is that all violations of the Electoral Act should be punished accordingly to the provisions of the Electoral Act, which states that persons who snatch election materials are liable to a prison term of two years or maximum fine of #500,000”.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE PRESIDENT’S POWERS?
Deployment of the military in some insurgent-prone areas to fight insurgency or war is certainly not the equivalent of the president’s powers of deployment of the military in aid of civil authorities. That is specifically covered by Section 217 (2) (C) and the concurrence of the Senate is constitutionally required. The section provides as follows:
“(c) suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly”;
In the United States of America, the war powers resolution requires the president to notify congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action. Article 1, Section 8, Clause II of the U.S Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war. The president, on the other hand, derives his power to direct the military after a congressional declaration of war from Article II, Section 2, which names the president as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces. (To be concluded next week)
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK.
"Illegality will never solve the problem of political lawlessness. Problem Political Never". (Emanuel Celler).
Tuesday 12 March 2019
How INEC Helped El-Rufai At the Poll - PDP Candidate
BEING THE TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY, PDP, RT. HON. ISA MOHAMMED ASHIRU.
11th March 2019
Let me begin this press briefing by expressing my appreciation to the people of Kaduna State especially those who cast their votes for our great Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)and for showing support to us during the governorship and Houses of Assembly Elections which took place last Saturday the March 9th 2019.
However, I wish to state without any fear of contradiction that reports obtained by our party from across the State indicate that the elections were marred by a lot of irregularities.
It is on the basis of these established irregularities that our party in a petition to the State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, REJECTED the results and called for its outright CANCELLATION.
Our dear members of the Media, it is important for you to note that available reports have shown that Smart Card Readers were not used during the elections in a lot of polling units in Giwa, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi, Zaria, Lere, Kubau and Ikara Local Government Areas.
It is our firm belief that the non-usage of the Card Readers which is a violation of the electoral guidelines have rendered the results from these areas invalid and should have been cancelled.
Another issue of concern to our party was the clear militarization of the electoral process in various part of the State,as military personnel were used to intimidate voters particularly in the areas where our party has an overwhelming strength and support. Of a particular example is the use of military in Birnin Gwari and Kauru local government areas. Soldiers were also used to alter the result of our House of Assembly Candidate in Makera Constituency of Kaduna South local government area.
I am sure a lot of People in Kaduna State will consider unbelievable the disparity between the numbers of votes obtained in the Presidential elections and the Governorship elections. How could the people of Kaduna State be convinced the APC could get more votes during the governorship elections than it got in the last Presidential elections?
Based on this and other irregularities, I hereby stand by the position of my party to challenge the concocted results at the election tribunal to get back our stolen mandate.
On this note, I therefore call on our supporters and citizens of Kaduna State to remain calm and be law abiding.
God bless Kaduna State.
11th March 2019
Let me begin this press briefing by expressing my appreciation to the people of Kaduna State especially those who cast their votes for our great Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)and for showing support to us during the governorship and Houses of Assembly Elections which took place last Saturday the March 9th 2019.
However, I wish to state without any fear of contradiction that reports obtained by our party from across the State indicate that the elections were marred by a lot of irregularities.
It is on the basis of these established irregularities that our party in a petition to the State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, REJECTED the results and called for its outright CANCELLATION.
Our dear members of the Media, it is important for you to note that available reports have shown that Smart Card Readers were not used during the elections in a lot of polling units in Giwa, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi, Zaria, Lere, Kubau and Ikara Local Government Areas.
It is our firm belief that the non-usage of the Card Readers which is a violation of the electoral guidelines have rendered the results from these areas invalid and should have been cancelled.
Another issue of concern to our party was the clear militarization of the electoral process in various part of the State,as military personnel were used to intimidate voters particularly in the areas where our party has an overwhelming strength and support. Of a particular example is the use of military in Birnin Gwari and Kauru local government areas. Soldiers were also used to alter the result of our House of Assembly Candidate in Makera Constituency of Kaduna South local government area.
I am sure a lot of People in Kaduna State will consider unbelievable the disparity between the numbers of votes obtained in the Presidential elections and the Governorship elections. How could the people of Kaduna State be convinced the APC could get more votes during the governorship elections than it got in the last Presidential elections?
Based on this and other irregularities, I hereby stand by the position of my party to challenge the concocted results at the election tribunal to get back our stolen mandate.
On this note, I therefore call on our supporters and citizens of Kaduna State to remain calm and be law abiding.
God bless Kaduna State.
Monday 11 March 2019
Inconclusive Poll: INEC Is Being Teleguided By APC - PDP
March 11, 2019
Press Conference
Inconclusive Polls: PDP Accuses INEC Chairman Of Playing APC Script
…Warns INEC Against Result Alterations
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accuses the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, of overtly playing the script of the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) by declaring governorship elections in states where the PDP is in clear lead as inconclusive.
Party insists that INEC, under Prof. Yakubu, has become overtly partisan, surrendered its independence to the APC and carries on as a compromised umpire with obnoxious impunity, thereby sending signals of being heavily bribed by the APC to alter results for its candidates.
The PDP has full intelligence of how INEC is acting on instructions from the Buhari Presidency and the APC in orchestrating unwholesome situations and declaring already concluded governorship elections in Sokoto, Adamawa, Bauchi, Plateau as well as other states as inconclusive, immediately it becomes obvious that the PDP was set to win.
This also informs the foisting of unexplainable stoppage and delays in the announcement of already collated results in other states where the PDP is clearly leading the race, from the results so far declared at the polling units.
Our party has also been informed of how INEC is now seeking ways to use the situation to aid the APC to alter the results and announce APC candidates as winners in the elections clearly led by the PDP just as it did in the 2018 Osun State governorship election.
In some of the states like Rivers, the PDP has information of plots by APC to leverage on the declaration by INEC to unleash more violence in the state and push for isolated election where they can bring in more security forces to concentrate on forcefully taking over the state.
Already, in Rivers State, INEC is under heavy pressure from the Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organization and Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, to post out and replace the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) as well as the Administrative Secretary.
This will be totally unacceptable, completely provocative and shall be firmly resisted by the people even if the totality of our nation’s security is deployed to Rivers State.
This is more so as results of all the state assembly elections in Rivers state have been declared and winners had emerged.
The PDP cautions Prof. Yakubu and his INEC to perish the thoughts of altering any figures for the APC and to immediately announce our winning results in these states and others where our candidates clearly won, going by the results already declared at the poling units, wards and local government collation. Anything short of this will attract the legitimate wrath of the people.
This is because Nigerians are already aware that elections have been concluded in these states; results have been collated and declared at the polling units, ward and local government collation centers and all returning officers and political parties conclusively have the figures.
Prof. Yakubu must have noted how his name is becoming synonymous to electoral manipulations, among Nigerians, and the fact that our citizens and international community hold him responsible for the rigging of the Presidential and other elections for the APC.
Today, majority of Nigerians and the global democratic institutions are questioning the state of our democracy and electoral processes, which have been under siege under the supervision of President Buhari and Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
In the light of these INEC’s manipulative tendencies, PDP therefore charges our leaders, teeming members and lovers of democracy in the affected states to immediately commence a march to INEC offices and use all legitimate means to protect our mandate as freely given by the people at the polling units across the nation.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
Press Conference
Inconclusive Polls: PDP Accuses INEC Chairman Of Playing APC Script
…Warns INEC Against Result Alterations
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accuses the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, of overtly playing the script of the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) by declaring governorship elections in states where the PDP is in clear lead as inconclusive.
Party insists that INEC, under Prof. Yakubu, has become overtly partisan, surrendered its independence to the APC and carries on as a compromised umpire with obnoxious impunity, thereby sending signals of being heavily bribed by the APC to alter results for its candidates.
The PDP has full intelligence of how INEC is acting on instructions from the Buhari Presidency and the APC in orchestrating unwholesome situations and declaring already concluded governorship elections in Sokoto, Adamawa, Bauchi, Plateau as well as other states as inconclusive, immediately it becomes obvious that the PDP was set to win.
This also informs the foisting of unexplainable stoppage and delays in the announcement of already collated results in other states where the PDP is clearly leading the race, from the results so far declared at the polling units.
Our party has also been informed of how INEC is now seeking ways to use the situation to aid the APC to alter the results and announce APC candidates as winners in the elections clearly led by the PDP just as it did in the 2018 Osun State governorship election.
In some of the states like Rivers, the PDP has information of plots by APC to leverage on the declaration by INEC to unleash more violence in the state and push for isolated election where they can bring in more security forces to concentrate on forcefully taking over the state.
Already, in Rivers State, INEC is under heavy pressure from the Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organization and Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, to post out and replace the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) as well as the Administrative Secretary.
This will be totally unacceptable, completely provocative and shall be firmly resisted by the people even if the totality of our nation’s security is deployed to Rivers State.
This is more so as results of all the state assembly elections in Rivers state have been declared and winners had emerged.
The PDP cautions Prof. Yakubu and his INEC to perish the thoughts of altering any figures for the APC and to immediately announce our winning results in these states and others where our candidates clearly won, going by the results already declared at the poling units, wards and local government collation. Anything short of this will attract the legitimate wrath of the people.
This is because Nigerians are already aware that elections have been concluded in these states; results have been collated and declared at the polling units, ward and local government collation centers and all returning officers and political parties conclusively have the figures.
Prof. Yakubu must have noted how his name is becoming synonymous to electoral manipulations, among Nigerians, and the fact that our citizens and international community hold him responsible for the rigging of the Presidential and other elections for the APC.
Today, majority of Nigerians and the global democratic institutions are questioning the state of our democracy and electoral processes, which have been under siege under the supervision of President Buhari and Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
In the light of these INEC’s manipulative tendencies, PDP therefore charges our leaders, teeming members and lovers of democracy in the affected states to immediately commence a march to INEC offices and use all legitimate means to protect our mandate as freely given by the people at the polling units across the nation.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
Saturday 9 March 2019
PDP Decries Killings, Violence, Militarisation of Poll by APC
March 9, 2019
Press Statement
March 9: PDP Decries Killings, Violence, Militarization of Polls By APC
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns the heavy militarization, violence and killing of innocent Nigerians by the desperate All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 9, 2019 Governorship and state assembly elections.
The world watched with utter horror as soldiers under the command of the Buhari Presidency, hound, arrest, shoot, terrorize opposition figures and provide cover for APC thugs to unleash violence, kill opposition members, cart away electoral materials and disrupt polls in PDP strongholds, all in the bid to forcefully foist the APC on Nigerians.
This resort to bloodletting, violence and official high handedness by the APC in our electoral process has further confirmed that this administration has no regard for the lives of Nigerians and lawful processes, but only interested in seizing power by all means.
The PDP notes that never in the history of our nation had a general election recorded such bloodletting, violence and manipulations as triggered in the 2019 elections by the Buhari Presidency and the APC.
In Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Kogi, Benue, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, among others, soldiers brazenly aided APC thugs to unbridle violence, hijack electoral processes and write fictitious results for APC candidates.
In Rivers state, soldiers invaded INEC office in Bori, beat up and chased away PDP agents and assisted the APC in ballot stuffing and writing of results. The scenario was the same in Akwa-Ibom where security agents provided cover for APC thugs in their bid to hijack the electoral process.
In Imo state, APC thugs, accompanied by security agents disrupted polls in PDP strongholds and reportedly killed a PDP agents in Umudo/Umuwala area of Owerri.
In Ebonyi state, APC thugs aided by security agents, burnt down INEC facility in the state, seeing that their party do not have any foothold in the state.
In Ajaokuta, Kabba/Bunu, Olamaboro, Ijumu and several other local governments of Kogi state, APC thugs, assisted by soldiers invaded polling units and carted away ballot materials, a development which sparked off restiveness in some areas and resulted in mass destruction of property in the area.
In many other states, the APC, in connivance with INEC orchestrated the deliberate diversion of electoral materials meant for certain areas to unknown destinations, resulting in the frustration of electoral processes in the affected area.
We know that the APC plot to derail our hard- earned democracy and impose a fascist regime on our nation, but we are resolute in standing with Nigerians and all lovers of democracy to ensure that nobody, no matter how vicious, is allowed to vanquish our democracy.
In all, our party stands with Nigerians in their resilience at this defining moment in our political history. The PDP commends the courage of Nigerians in standing firm in defence of democracy, despite the machinations of the APC.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Press Statement
March 9: PDP Decries Killings, Violence, Militarization of Polls By APC
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns the heavy militarization, violence and killing of innocent Nigerians by the desperate All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 9, 2019 Governorship and state assembly elections.
The world watched with utter horror as soldiers under the command of the Buhari Presidency, hound, arrest, shoot, terrorize opposition figures and provide cover for APC thugs to unleash violence, kill opposition members, cart away electoral materials and disrupt polls in PDP strongholds, all in the bid to forcefully foist the APC on Nigerians.
This resort to bloodletting, violence and official high handedness by the APC in our electoral process has further confirmed that this administration has no regard for the lives of Nigerians and lawful processes, but only interested in seizing power by all means.
The PDP notes that never in the history of our nation had a general election recorded such bloodletting, violence and manipulations as triggered in the 2019 elections by the Buhari Presidency and the APC.
In Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Kogi, Benue, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, among others, soldiers brazenly aided APC thugs to unbridle violence, hijack electoral processes and write fictitious results for APC candidates.
In Rivers state, soldiers invaded INEC office in Bori, beat up and chased away PDP agents and assisted the APC in ballot stuffing and writing of results. The scenario was the same in Akwa-Ibom where security agents provided cover for APC thugs in their bid to hijack the electoral process.
In Imo state, APC thugs, accompanied by security agents disrupted polls in PDP strongholds and reportedly killed a PDP agents in Umudo/Umuwala area of Owerri.
In Ebonyi state, APC thugs aided by security agents, burnt down INEC facility in the state, seeing that their party do not have any foothold in the state.
In Ajaokuta, Kabba/Bunu, Olamaboro, Ijumu and several other local governments of Kogi state, APC thugs, assisted by soldiers invaded polling units and carted away ballot materials, a development which sparked off restiveness in some areas and resulted in mass destruction of property in the area.
In many other states, the APC, in connivance with INEC orchestrated the deliberate diversion of electoral materials meant for certain areas to unknown destinations, resulting in the frustration of electoral processes in the affected area.
We know that the APC plot to derail our hard- earned democracy and impose a fascist regime on our nation, but we are resolute in standing with Nigerians and all lovers of democracy to ensure that nobody, no matter how vicious, is allowed to vanquish our democracy.
In all, our party stands with Nigerians in their resilience at this defining moment in our political history. The PDP commends the courage of Nigerians in standing firm in defence of democracy, despite the machinations of the APC.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
All EPL Results for Today
EPL RESULTS Saturday, March 9
FT: Crystal Palace 1 vs Brighton & Hove Albion 2
FT: Cardiff City 2 vs West Ham United 0
FT: Huddersfield Town 0 vs AFC Bournemouth 2
FT: Leicester City 3 vs Fulham 1
FT: Newcastle United 3 vs Everton 2
FT: Southampton 2 vs Tottenham Hotspur 1
18:30 Manchester City vs Watford
FT: Crystal Palace 1 vs Brighton & Hove Albion 2
FT: Cardiff City 2 vs West Ham United 0
FT: Huddersfield Town 0 vs AFC Bournemouth 2
FT: Leicester City 3 vs Fulham 1
FT: Newcastle United 3 vs Everton 2
FT: Southampton 2 vs Tottenham Hotspur 1
18:30 Manchester City vs Watford
Ayokunle For Peaceful Election
AYOKUNLE APPEALS TO MAINTAIN PEACE DURING AND AFTER ELECTIONS
The President of the Nigerian Baptist convention and Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev Dr Supo Ayokunle has appealed to Nigerians to maintain peace during and after the gubernatorial and state Houses elections.
President Ayokunle who gave the advice in Ibadan said as Nigerians decide who will govern them in various states for another four years in different political positions there is the need to eschew violence.
“I am aware of the actions and efforts each political party and individuals have made to make the electorates vote for them during the campaign periods.
In all of these, I appeal to the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure they conduct free and fair elections , as that’s the expectation of Nigerians and the international observers watching.
Nigerians want peace and unity and we must all work towards the Unity of the country.
I appeal to the security agencies to ensure violence free elections . The live of Nigerians must be protected and the Election Materials and properties must be safeguarded. In this elections there shall be no blood shed. All candidates must know that election is not a do or die affair. The life of our corps member that will participate in the election process must be protected, also the electorates from any violence.
Furthermore, political parties and their agents in various polling units should follow due process in the discharge of their duties without violence or instigating one against another.
However, the electorate who are in possession of their Permanent Voters card should participate in the elections without fear. Your Vote is your power and must be guided well. Think about the greater good of Nigeria and not allow primordial sentiment to becloud us from seeing the four wonderful years ahead. Electorate should ensure they vote the candidate of their choice without any intimidation and inducement. Do not sell your vote.
I enjoined you all to be vigilant during the voting exercise and promptly report any suspicious undertaking at voting centres. Electorates are admonished to stay away from any violent act, mob action, lawlessness etc.
Nigeria is a great country with good people, I pray as we go to the poll to decide who governs us for another four years, God in his infinite mercy will make us vote aright. Nigeria shall be great again. The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain.
God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed.
Eben Durodola
PRO, Nigerian Baptist Convention
The President of the Nigerian Baptist convention and Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev Dr Supo Ayokunle has appealed to Nigerians to maintain peace during and after the gubernatorial and state Houses elections.
President Ayokunle who gave the advice in Ibadan said as Nigerians decide who will govern them in various states for another four years in different political positions there is the need to eschew violence.
“I am aware of the actions and efforts each political party and individuals have made to make the electorates vote for them during the campaign periods.
In all of these, I appeal to the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure they conduct free and fair elections , as that’s the expectation of Nigerians and the international observers watching.
Nigerians want peace and unity and we must all work towards the Unity of the country.
I appeal to the security agencies to ensure violence free elections . The live of Nigerians must be protected and the Election Materials and properties must be safeguarded. In this elections there shall be no blood shed. All candidates must know that election is not a do or die affair. The life of our corps member that will participate in the election process must be protected, also the electorates from any violence.
Furthermore, political parties and their agents in various polling units should follow due process in the discharge of their duties without violence or instigating one against another.
However, the electorate who are in possession of their Permanent Voters card should participate in the elections without fear. Your Vote is your power and must be guided well. Think about the greater good of Nigeria and not allow primordial sentiment to becloud us from seeing the four wonderful years ahead. Electorate should ensure they vote the candidate of their choice without any intimidation and inducement. Do not sell your vote.
I enjoined you all to be vigilant during the voting exercise and promptly report any suspicious undertaking at voting centres. Electorates are admonished to stay away from any violent act, mob action, lawlessness etc.
Nigeria is a great country with good people, I pray as we go to the poll to decide who governs us for another four years, God in his infinite mercy will make us vote aright. Nigeria shall be great again. The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain.
God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed.
Eben Durodola
PRO, Nigerian Baptist Convention
Friday 8 March 2019
Stop Gloating, Atiku Will Reclaim His Mandate - PDP tells Buhari
March 8, 2019
Press Statement
PDP To Buhari: Stop Gloating, Atiku 'll Soon Reclaim His Mandate
…Says Renewed Attack On PDP is Diversionary
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charges President Muhammadu Buhari to stop gloating and showboating on Nigerians with the stolen 2019 Presidential mandate, as the people's candidate, Atiku Abubakar would soon retrieve it from him at the tribunal.
The party further describes President Buhari’s renewed attack and blame game on PDP administrations as a lame attempt to divert public attention from the overwhelming evidence that he rigged the elections, as well as from the plots by his Presidency to obstruct the clear winner, Atiku Abubakar, from going to the tribunal to reclaim the mandate freely given to him by Nigerians.
It indeed speaks volumes that President Buhari, in his claimed integrity and anti-corruption stance, is grandstanding over the violent rigging of the elections and his attempt to foist himself into a second term in office on the pedestal of stolen votes.
President Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) should know that the PDP and Nigerians are focused and will not be distracted by any sort of blackmail in the pursuit of the mandate and we are confident that our justices will never allow an illegitimate government to sit over the affairs of our dear nation.
Moreover, if anybody has a question to answer on the administration of the nation’s resources, it is President Buhari, who has not been able to offer any explanation on the looting of over N14 trillion from revenue generating agencies in a space of three years under his direct supervision.
We ask; was it the PDP that siphoned over N9 trillion, through underhand contracts, as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo, in the same sector President Buhari directly supervises as Minister of Petroleum Resources?
Was it the PDP that stole the over N1.1 trillion worth of crude illegally lifted and diverted with 18 unregistered companies in 2017; the over N1.4 trillion in fraudulent oil subsidy regime and many more scams, including funds meant for the welfare of victims of insurgency in the North East under the Buhari administration?
Whereas the PDP administrations created wealth and applied our national resources on massive infrastructural development in all critical sectors; paid off our huge foreign and domestic debts and grew our economy to be one of fastest growing in the world, President Buhari, within a space of three years ran our economy into recession and cannot point to any development project his administration initiated and completed despite the huge opportunities at his disposal.
President Buhari must note that Nigerians are no longer interested in his incompetence and blame game and this is the very reason they voted massively against him on February 23. He should therefore end his diversionary tactics and get ready to meet the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in court.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Press Statement
PDP To Buhari: Stop Gloating, Atiku 'll Soon Reclaim His Mandate
…Says Renewed Attack On PDP is Diversionary
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charges President Muhammadu Buhari to stop gloating and showboating on Nigerians with the stolen 2019 Presidential mandate, as the people's candidate, Atiku Abubakar would soon retrieve it from him at the tribunal.
The party further describes President Buhari’s renewed attack and blame game on PDP administrations as a lame attempt to divert public attention from the overwhelming evidence that he rigged the elections, as well as from the plots by his Presidency to obstruct the clear winner, Atiku Abubakar, from going to the tribunal to reclaim the mandate freely given to him by Nigerians.
It indeed speaks volumes that President Buhari, in his claimed integrity and anti-corruption stance, is grandstanding over the violent rigging of the elections and his attempt to foist himself into a second term in office on the pedestal of stolen votes.
President Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) should know that the PDP and Nigerians are focused and will not be distracted by any sort of blackmail in the pursuit of the mandate and we are confident that our justices will never allow an illegitimate government to sit over the affairs of our dear nation.
Moreover, if anybody has a question to answer on the administration of the nation’s resources, it is President Buhari, who has not been able to offer any explanation on the looting of over N14 trillion from revenue generating agencies in a space of three years under his direct supervision.
We ask; was it the PDP that siphoned over N9 trillion, through underhand contracts, as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo, in the same sector President Buhari directly supervises as Minister of Petroleum Resources?
Was it the PDP that stole the over N1.1 trillion worth of crude illegally lifted and diverted with 18 unregistered companies in 2017; the over N1.4 trillion in fraudulent oil subsidy regime and many more scams, including funds meant for the welfare of victims of insurgency in the North East under the Buhari administration?
Whereas the PDP administrations created wealth and applied our national resources on massive infrastructural development in all critical sectors; paid off our huge foreign and domestic debts and grew our economy to be one of fastest growing in the world, President Buhari, within a space of three years ran our economy into recession and cannot point to any development project his administration initiated and completed despite the huge opportunities at his disposal.
President Buhari must note that Nigerians are no longer interested in his incompetence and blame game and this is the very reason they voted massively against him on February 23. He should therefore end his diversionary tactics and get ready to meet the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in court.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Thursday 7 March 2019
Stop Pitching Military Against Nigerians - PDP tells Buratai
March 7, 2019
Press Statement
PDP To Buratai: Stop Pitching Military Against Nigerians
…Says Soldiers For Election Is Triggering Crime Against Humanity
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cautions the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, over the deployment of soldiers for elections, saying such is already triggering an uncontrolled crime against humanity in our nation.
This usurpation of the responsibility of the police and involvement of soldiers in the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections, led to the gruesome killing of over 30 innocent Nigerians in the Niger Delta as well as arbitrary arrest and detention of opposition figures, resulting in escalated insecurity in the region.
The deployment of soldiers for the 2019 general elections, despite the extant ruling of the Supreme Court against such, is part of the grand plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use the military to suppress opposition, instill fear in the citizenry and forcefully rig the elections.
Gen. Buratai’s outburst on Wednesday, that the Army will be 'tough’ in its unconstitutional involvement in the conduct of elections, particularly in the Niger Delta, the South East and the North Central, appears to be a license to trigger-happy security agents to re-enact or even scale up their February 23 aggression against PDP figures in the March 9 governorship and State Assembly elections.
The PDP invites Nigerians to note that following Gen. Buratai’s statement on Wednesday, soldiers last night commenced a targeted manhandling and mass arrest of PDP leaders in Delta, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa states.
In Rivers state, PDP leaders are being tracked down, arrested and taken to unknown destinations. The State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Tam Gogo Jaja, who was picked up by soldiers attached to the Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organization and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is still being held in an unknown facility.
Furthermore, compromised security agents have been hounding, arresting and detaining PDP figures in the North Central states of Kogi, Benue, Kwara and Plateau states ahead of the March 9 elections.
The PDP laments that the APC is pitching the military against Nigerians not minding the collateral damage that usually occurs whenever soldiers clash with civilians.
This is particularly given the fact that Nigerians in all PDP strongholds, spread across our country, are resolute in their resistance of any force that seeks to subvert their will at the March 9 elections.
Nigerians should call on Gen. Buratai to redirect his officers and men from participating in the March 9 election so as to avert any breakdown of law and order in any part of our country before, during and after the March 9 elections.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Press Statement
PDP To Buratai: Stop Pitching Military Against Nigerians
…Says Soldiers For Election Is Triggering Crime Against Humanity
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cautions the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, over the deployment of soldiers for elections, saying such is already triggering an uncontrolled crime against humanity in our nation.
This usurpation of the responsibility of the police and involvement of soldiers in the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections, led to the gruesome killing of over 30 innocent Nigerians in the Niger Delta as well as arbitrary arrest and detention of opposition figures, resulting in escalated insecurity in the region.
The deployment of soldiers for the 2019 general elections, despite the extant ruling of the Supreme Court against such, is part of the grand plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use the military to suppress opposition, instill fear in the citizenry and forcefully rig the elections.
Gen. Buratai’s outburst on Wednesday, that the Army will be 'tough’ in its unconstitutional involvement in the conduct of elections, particularly in the Niger Delta, the South East and the North Central, appears to be a license to trigger-happy security agents to re-enact or even scale up their February 23 aggression against PDP figures in the March 9 governorship and State Assembly elections.
The PDP invites Nigerians to note that following Gen. Buratai’s statement on Wednesday, soldiers last night commenced a targeted manhandling and mass arrest of PDP leaders in Delta, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa states.
In Rivers state, PDP leaders are being tracked down, arrested and taken to unknown destinations. The State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Tam Gogo Jaja, who was picked up by soldiers attached to the Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organization and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is still being held in an unknown facility.
Furthermore, compromised security agents have been hounding, arresting and detaining PDP figures in the North Central states of Kogi, Benue, Kwara and Plateau states ahead of the March 9 elections.
The PDP laments that the APC is pitching the military against Nigerians not minding the collateral damage that usually occurs whenever soldiers clash with civilians.
This is particularly given the fact that Nigerians in all PDP strongholds, spread across our country, are resolute in their resistance of any force that seeks to subvert their will at the March 9 elections.
Nigerians should call on Gen. Buratai to redirect his officers and men from participating in the March 9 election so as to avert any breakdown of law and order in any part of our country before, during and after the March 9 elections.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Wednesday 6 March 2019
Guber Poll: Steet Clear of Niger Delta Region - PDP Warns Buhari, APC
March 6, 2019
Press Statement
March 9: Steer Clear of Niger Delta, PDP Cautions Buhari, APC
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cautions President Muhammadu Buhari and his prowling All Progressives Congress (APC) to steer clear of all PDP strongholds, particularly the Niger Delta region, ahead of the March 9, Governorship and State Assembly elections, in order to avert a widespread crisis in our country.
The party also counsels Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and APC factional National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, to perish APC’s thoughts of using thugs to muscle the Akwa-Ibom governorship and state assembly elections, as the people have been fully rallied for a firm resistance on Saturday.
PDP’s position is predicated on the on-going heavy shipment of security forces and armed thugs into PDP strongholds, particularly, the Niger Delta region, with the view to suppress voters and manipulate the March 9 electoral process for the APC.
Since the robbery of the PDP's Presidential mandate, which Nigerians are determined to reclaim at the tribunal, the APC has been jittery over the escalated public support for the PDP not only to retain our states but also to ensure a sweeping victory for PDP in APC states across the country.
As a result, the APC is desperate to unleash violence in oil rich Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Abia, as well as Benue, Taraba, Gombe, Sokoto, Enugu, Ebonyi, Kwara, but these states and all other strongholds of the PDP, spanning across our nation, remain impregnable.
The PDP warns that Nigerians are still livid over the rigging of the February 23 Presidential election, which was clearly won by Atiku Abubakar. As such, any further attempt to test their collective will on March 9 is capable of sparking off a huge civil restiveness across our nation.
We invite Nigerians to note how Osinbajo, on Tuesday, at a town hall meeting in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state, boasted that he and Oshiomhole will ensure that the APC will never be defeated and how thugs, loaded in over 50 buses, who confessed to have been contracted by Oshiomhole, were later intercepted on their way from Edo state to Akwa-Ibom to cause mayhem during Saturday’s election.
The PDP has full information on various secret locations in Akwa-Ibom state, including hotels and other camps, where the APC has quartered thugs ahead of Saturday’s election. We note that the police have refused to evacuate these thugs; but let it be known that the people of Akwa Ibom State will never allow them to operate.
The PDP therefore cautions the APC as well as its compromised INEC and security officials to bear in mind that Akwa-Ibom and all Niger Delta states are incontrovertible PDP strongholds; that the APC do not have any genuine followership in these states and that anybody attempting or supporting any forceful take over of any PDP stronghold should be aware that he or she is doing so at his or her own peril.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Press Statement
March 9: Steer Clear of Niger Delta, PDP Cautions Buhari, APC
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cautions President Muhammadu Buhari and his prowling All Progressives Congress (APC) to steer clear of all PDP strongholds, particularly the Niger Delta region, ahead of the March 9, Governorship and State Assembly elections, in order to avert a widespread crisis in our country.
The party also counsels Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and APC factional National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, to perish APC’s thoughts of using thugs to muscle the Akwa-Ibom governorship and state assembly elections, as the people have been fully rallied for a firm resistance on Saturday.
PDP’s position is predicated on the on-going heavy shipment of security forces and armed thugs into PDP strongholds, particularly, the Niger Delta region, with the view to suppress voters and manipulate the March 9 electoral process for the APC.
Since the robbery of the PDP's Presidential mandate, which Nigerians are determined to reclaim at the tribunal, the APC has been jittery over the escalated public support for the PDP not only to retain our states but also to ensure a sweeping victory for PDP in APC states across the country.
As a result, the APC is desperate to unleash violence in oil rich Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Abia, as well as Benue, Taraba, Gombe, Sokoto, Enugu, Ebonyi, Kwara, but these states and all other strongholds of the PDP, spanning across our nation, remain impregnable.
The PDP warns that Nigerians are still livid over the rigging of the February 23 Presidential election, which was clearly won by Atiku Abubakar. As such, any further attempt to test their collective will on March 9 is capable of sparking off a huge civil restiveness across our nation.
We invite Nigerians to note how Osinbajo, on Tuesday, at a town hall meeting in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state, boasted that he and Oshiomhole will ensure that the APC will never be defeated and how thugs, loaded in over 50 buses, who confessed to have been contracted by Oshiomhole, were later intercepted on their way from Edo state to Akwa-Ibom to cause mayhem during Saturday’s election.
The PDP has full information on various secret locations in Akwa-Ibom state, including hotels and other camps, where the APC has quartered thugs ahead of Saturday’s election. We note that the police have refused to evacuate these thugs; but let it be known that the people of Akwa Ibom State will never allow them to operate.
The PDP therefore cautions the APC as well as its compromised INEC and security officials to bear in mind that Akwa-Ibom and all Niger Delta states are incontrovertible PDP strongholds; that the APC do not have any genuine followership in these states and that anybody attempting or supporting any forceful take over of any PDP stronghold should be aware that he or she is doing so at his or her own peril.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Tuesday 5 March 2019
Faith Is Based on Bible Facts, Not Theories - Devotional
Health Food Devotional
Faith Is Based on Bible Facts, Not Theories
March 5, 2019
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
(1 Peter 2:24)
Faith is built on fact, not theory. A fact is a conclusion deduced from evidence. (My definition of a theory is a supposition established on ignorance of the subject under discussion!) Faith is based on the facts of God's Word, but theory about God's Word is based on suppositions.
It is a Bible fact that by Jesus' stripes, we were healed (1 Peter 2:24). It is a Bible fact that surely He has borne our sicknesses and carried our pains (Is. 53:4). It is a Bible fact that Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses (Matt. 8:17). These are Bible facts, not theories.
Start believing these facts - even while you still have the symptoms. Although your body may be telling you that you are not healed, continue to believe the facts of God's Word. I know it works. It has worked for me.
Confession
I believe the facts of God's Word. I believe that by Jesus' stripes, I am healed. I am not going to be healed, because I am healed now.
Source: Health Food Devotions by Kenneth E. Hagin.
Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications
Faith Is Based on Bible Facts, Not Theories
March 5, 2019
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
(1 Peter 2:24)
Faith is built on fact, not theory. A fact is a conclusion deduced from evidence. (My definition of a theory is a supposition established on ignorance of the subject under discussion!) Faith is based on the facts of God's Word, but theory about God's Word is based on suppositions.
It is a Bible fact that by Jesus' stripes, we were healed (1 Peter 2:24). It is a Bible fact that surely He has borne our sicknesses and carried our pains (Is. 53:4). It is a Bible fact that Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses (Matt. 8:17). These are Bible facts, not theories.
Start believing these facts - even while you still have the symptoms. Although your body may be telling you that you are not healed, continue to believe the facts of God's Word. I know it works. It has worked for me.
Confession
I believe the facts of God's Word. I believe that by Jesus' stripes, I am healed. I am not going to be healed, because I am healed now.
Source: Health Food Devotions by Kenneth E. Hagin.
Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications
Saturday 2 March 2019
All EPL Results for Saturday & Sunday
Tottenham 1 – 1 Arsenal
Bournemouth 0 - 1 Manchester City
Brighton HA 1 – 0 Huddersfield
Manchester United 3 – 2 Southampton
Wolves 2 -0 Cardiff
West Ham 2 – New Castle
SUNDAY
WATFORD 2 - 1 LEICESTER CITY
FULHAM 1 - 2 CHELSEA
EVERTON 0 - 0 LIVERPOOL
Bournemouth 0 - 1 Manchester City
Brighton HA 1 – 0 Huddersfield
Manchester United 3 – 2 Southampton
Wolves 2 -0 Cardiff
West Ham 2 – New Castle
SUNDAY
WATFORD 2 - 1 LEICESTER CITY
FULHAM 1 - 2 CHELSEA
EVERTON 0 - 0 LIVERPOOL
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