Politics

KWARA 2023: APC Says Saraki’s PDP Grand Plan For Violence Busted

Published

2 months ago

February 7, 2023

A grand plan of the Bukola Saraki-led People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State to allegedly impersonate the All Progressives Congress (APC) by mobilising thugs and urchins to wear a parody of the ruling party’s campaign caps, vests and other identifiers for destructive and criminal purposes has been busted, a statement by the Kwara State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress has said.

Fidel Info reports that the plan, according to an intel received by the party, is to make it possible for the opposition PDP to play the victim card.

Kwara PDP is losing numerous stakeholders and members to the APC fold as the election continues to draw nearer, coupled with the collapse of their election rigging plan which has been exposed by the outcome of the Osun electionsTribunal, the party added.

The statement added: “A source narrated that the Kwara PDP has been organising urchins and thugs to destroy people’s properties, maim and cause tension in the state, while giving them clothes, caps branded with APC, AA and Maa Se Lo logo and other things to execute the evil tasks.

“This is just to create confusion and the impression that APC is behind the attacks. This plot has just been uncovered. This is how they think they can now win the election since they have lost popularity and acceptability with the ordinary masses, elites, and other stakeholders. If they succeed in this, it will be possible for them to play the victim card so as to curry the sympathy of the people.

“He noted that Saraki dynasty is not new in the game, going down memory lane of how they had allegedly used a similar strategy to paint late Governor Mohammed Alabi Lawal in bad light in the buildup to the 2003 election.

“The dynasty was believed to have sponsored thugs and cultists to wear clothes branded with ‘UP LAWAL’ just to deceive the people and create the impression that the late governor was behind the attacks. They somehow succeeded with the evil plot. That’s the same plan they want to adopt now.”

According to a report by the CPJ narrating the event of 2002 in Kwara, “On Friday, November 15, an explosion destroyed the offices of the independent weekly National Pilot in Ilorin, the capital of Nigeria’s north central Kwara State. Five people were seriously injured in the blast — which local sources suspected was a politically motivated bomb attack—including the paper’s deputy editor-in-chief, Mudasiru Adewuyi.

“The explosion occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Friday, while the paper’s staff were preparing its latest edition for release on Monday. The blast caused the roof of the building to collapse, injuring five workers and destroying a substantial amount of equipment. The injured workers were taken to a local hospital.”

Governor Lawal had described the incident as a “self-inflicted attack” aimed at discrediting his administration.

During the reign of the Saraki dynasty, thugs were reportedly empowered amid disclosures that they were even on the payroll of the then Kwara State Government, politicians, and they were granted every access and freedom which was one of the causes of Offa robbery in which 33 people were killed. The Offa robbery suspect were discovered to have hidden their operation vehicles in Government House after the robbery.

Their menace at that time was so worrying. They clashed almost every time, putting the state in unrest and jeopardy.

“The case of the PDP thug called Ojulari is an eye opener. He was caught with guns, ammunitions and charms. He confessed to being a member of the PDP in Kwara State, according to the Police statement. The PDP has so many of them like that whose job is to cause unrest in the society. The administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has tamed their activities because he frowns at thuggery and refuses to grant them official cover. He is known for this policy. However, with the election, the case is rearing its ugly head again as the PDP elements are desperate to win either by hook or crook. Ojulari actually wanted to assassinate at the APC rally where he was found with two guns. What’s a PDP thug with weapons doing at an APC rally?” the APC statement said.

“We commend the security agencies for the good work so far. We urge them not to relax. This election is a referendum on the past and the present, and no one should be allowed to deploy violence of any kind to intimidate the people. This is the plan of PDP led by Senator Bukola Saraki who has recently asked his boys to spread propaganda and mischief against the current administration.”

Politics

Binani Applauds Decision To Declare Adamawa Gubernatorial Election Inconclusive

Published

5 hours ago

March 25, 2023

H B. Ray

The All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Adamawa State, Aishatu Ahmed Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, has applauded the Independent National Election Commission for its decision to declare the gubernatorial election in the state as inconclusive.

Fidel Info reports that The 18th of March election was declared inconclusive on the 20th of March by the state collation officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Muhammadu Mele of the University of Maiduguri, due to the irregularities in the votes margin.

The incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and the candidate of the the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 421,524, while Binani polled 390,275.

He said, “Elections were not held in 47 wards, affecting 69 polling units. So, this gives us a margin of 31,249. The total number of PVCs collected in places where elections were not held amounted to 37,016.”

Binani alleged that violence and irregularities were recorded in 16 of the 21 local government areas (LGAs) in the state, hence the decision to declare the elections inconclusive was just.

“My position is that the INEC REC did very well by declaring the result inconclusive and my reasons are simple,” she said on Friday during a monitored programme on Channels Television .

“Whoever saw or monitored the election of Adamawa State knows that the election was marred with violence, rigging, over-voting and all manner of irregularities.”

“The figures that were deposed were really, as far as I’m concerned, concocted figures.”

According to her, several of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices were bypassed, allowing for over-voting and intimidation of electoral staff in a number of locations.

“[For instance] if the BVAS accredited only 10 people, you’ll find out that over 30 people must have voted. That is part of irregularities,” she added.

According to her, the only way for the Resident Electoral Commission (REC) to “come out clean” was to declare that result inconclusive.

Citing the Electoral Act, she argued that INEC has the powers to review the results within seven days to determine whether any declaration was made under duress or where it failed to comply with the electoral laws and regulations.

“I’m never afraid, but all I’m asking is that let INEC please conduct a review on this said local governments so that it will bring out the real figures for all the candidates,” the APC candidate said when asked if she was worried about winning the rerun.

“That is all I am asking, and as soon as that is done, we would be home and dry, and then we would be confident to go back to the field.”

On the possibility of becoming the first elected female governor, Ahmed said she feels great and happy.

“I’m not doing this for Binani; I’m not doing this for myself. I’m doing it for every girl child in this country. It’s for all the women in Nigeria,” she added.

Politics

BREAKING: Adeleke Reinstated As Osun State Governor

Published

1 day ago

March 24, 2023

H B. Ray

Ademola Adeleke has been reinstated as governor of Osun state once again by the court of appeal in Abuja.

Fidel Info reports that A three-member panel of justices ruled in Adeleke’s appeal on Friday, concluding that the electoral tribunal erred in finding that Gboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress had proven their claim of excessive voting.

Adeleke is the legitimately elected governor of the state, according to the jury that rendered its decision on Friday.

The Osun governorship election tribunal, in January, held that Oyetola was able to prove that there was over-voting in some of the polling units.

Consequently, the majority judgment of the tribunal ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Adeleke and issue a fresh one to Oyetola as the duly elected governor of Osun.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Adeleke appealed the judgment.

Politics

Gov-Elect Alex Otti Promises Total Restructuring Of Abia

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2023

H B. Ray

Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor-elect, has revealed that Abians should expect general restructuring of the state once he assumes office.

Fidel Info reports that while Speaking on Arise Television’s The Morning Show, Otti said in the next few days he would appoint a team that would help him, adding that he would create a bigger and more robust economy in Abia.

Otti said, “In the next few days, I will appoint a team that will be sworn in on the 29 of May. I will appoint the right people who will help me.”

“We will look at a lot of things, but we will take it step by step, including revenue.”

“As of yesterday, I have already started engaging banks. Things they will expect is a general restructuring of Abia.”

He added, “There is no problem in taking loans, but the problem is what you do with the loans. Payment of salaries is my priority.”

“We will create a bigger economy, a robust economy, we will do everything possible to ensure our economy grows.”

NEC Returning Officer in the state, Prof Nnenna Nnannaya-Oti, declared Otti the winner of the Abia State Gubernatorial election on Wednesday evening after the resumption of the final collation of governorship election results in Umuahia.