News

Controversy Hits Labour Party’s Endorsement Of Makinde In Oyo

Published

1 year ago

March 5, 2023

Editor

…I remain Oyo LP gov candidate – Akinwale

Controversy has trailed the purported endorsement of Governor Seyi Makinde by the Labour Party for reelection in Oyo State.

Reports have it that the Chairman of the Labour Party in the state, Mr. Sadiq Atayese, endorsed Makinde during a news conference at the party office, Molete, Ibadan on Sunday.

He said Makinde was endorsed due to the similarity of ideology, competence, compassion for the masses and numerous achievements of the governor in many sectors.

He said, “The last presidential election was keenly contested by the three major parties in the country and the result of the election as announced by INEC shows that Labour Party is a force to reckon with.

“The result of the presidential election in Oyo State is similar to that. While the result of the election in its entirety is still a subject of contention, the takehome of the election is that a third force party that emerged barely a year ago has grown to become a strong force because of the quality of its candidate.

“Having considered this, in the upcoming election in our dear state, we have decided to support a candidate with the character, competence, and capacity to lead and who is also concerned about the wellbeing of the citizens as it is obvious that no party can win the governorship election alone.

“However, the main priority should be that the citizens win through the emergence of a candidate that best serves their interest.”

“Based on this, we have decided to work with the party whose candidate aligns with ours in terms of security, agricultural development, and financial well-being. And it is obvious that the current administration of Seyi Makinde has done this.

“And we hereby call on all citizens of Oyo State to vote for him. This decision was taken with serious consideration for the party’s future in the state.”

He added that the party structure in the state remained intact as its Assembly candidates across the state were still in the race.

When contacted, the governorship candidate of the LP in the state, Tawfiq Akinwale, said he remained the candidate of party.

“I remain the candidate of the Labour Party for March 11, 2023 (elections) and my party has never changed that status quo. I do not know anything about the purported adoption. Is he an orphan? By the grace of Almighty God, I am a winner already!” Akinwale said in response to a text message sent by our correspondent.

Also, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Akin Akinwale, in a reaction on Twitter said it was the “hungry faction” of the LP that endorsed Makinde.

“After all my uncle did for your party in Oyo State. Anyways, it is the hungry faction of Oyo LP that endorsed Seyi Makinde,” he tweeted.

PUNCH

News

Edo Guber: INEC Commences CVR Exercise, Seeks Stakeholders Partnership

Published

1 hour ago

May 16, 2024

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Edo State to enable unregistered voters to register for the forthcoming election in the state.

The commission further added that the registration exercise would last for 10 days commencing from May 27 to June 5, 2024.

The National Electoral Commissioner in charge of Edo State, Professor Rhoda Gumus, disclosed this on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the commissioner’s head office in Benin.

The National Commissioner whose speech was read by Dr. Anugum Onuoha, Edo State Residential Electoral Commissioner, said the exercise became imperative to “allow persons who turned 18 years… as well those who have not registered before or wish to transfer their registration to their new location to participate in the forthcoming election.”

“This will enable prospective registrants, enough time to register before the governorship election.
Also not that the CVR is only open to new registrants and those who seek to transfer their registration. Persons who are registered as voters should not attempt to register again as multiple registration is Illegal. Lost or damaged voters cards will be replaced during the exercise.”

“In addition to the registration, uncollected Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) will be made available for collection. Also the list of uncollected PVCs will be published in the state office soon and simultaneously uploaded to the commission website.”

According to him, out of the 2,501,08 persons that registered for the 2023 election in the state, only 2,128,288 collected their PVCs while 373,030 PVCs remained uncollected.

He, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders “to join us in mobilising prospective registrants to come out in mass for the exercise.”

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. Onuoha, Edo REC, said the engagement with, and support from partners and stakeholders was one of the critical factors for success of the electoral process.

According to him, because of time constraints, “online pre-registration option in Edo will not be possible”, adding that each centre will be managed by two officials of the commission and members of the National Youth Service Corps(NYSC).

He added: “In the next few days, the commission will commence the training of officials for the exercise.”

News

JUST IN: Convicted Kidnap Kingpin Evans Re-arraigned, Opts For Plea Bargain

Published

4 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Editor

Convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, and his co-defendant Joseph Emeka, charged with murder and attempted kidnap have opted for plea bargain.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state lead counsel, Mr Yusuf Sule, informed the court about the plea bargain option on Thursday when the case was called for re-arraignment.

The case was called for re-arraignment before Justice Adenike Cokers of an Ikeja High Court.

NAN reports that Evans and his co-defendant were to be re-arraigned on an amended five-count charge bordering on murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy to commit felony, wit: kidnapping and attempt to murder.

Sule informed the court that the case was for re-arraignment but he was aware the defendants have applied for plea.

The prosecutor, however, said the plea bargain terms were being considered by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN).

Details shortly…

News

JUST IN: Collapsed Roof Injures OAU Students During Lecture

Published

4 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Editor

A torrential rainfall of early Thursday morning, accompanied with a whirlwind has injured students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The rain which started when the students were having a lecture, SER to be precise, in the Amphitheatre of the Oduduwa Hall, affected the ceiling of the Amphitheatre as it fell off and injured a few of the students.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire led other principal officers to the Medical and Health Centre of the University, and ensured that the injured students were given adequate medical attention.

A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the Vice-Chancellor also followed two other students, whose cases demanded more medical attention to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), where the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Professor John Okeniyi, physically supervised the proceedings.

The Vice-Chancellor has, therefore, appealed for calm and urged students and staff to go about their academic and administrative activities without any form of untoward action.

Meanwhile, the management of the University, has sealed off the amphitheatre, the venue of the unfortunate incident, until further notice.