Politics
Bye-elections: Police restrict movements in 36 LGAs of 11 states
The Nigeria Police Force has issued warnings to members of the public restricting movements in 36 local government areas where bye-elections will be held today 5th of December, 2020 by the Independent National Electoral Commission in 11 states across the country.
The affected states are Bayelsa, Borno, Bauchi, Cross River, Enugu, Imo, Katsina, Kogi, Lagos, Plateau and Zamfara.
This is coming amid conflicting court verdicts over party candidates for the election and conflict in some states.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos State, Muyiwa Adejobi, released a statement titled ‘Lagos East Senatorial and Kosofe Constituency II bye-elections: Police declare restriction order, sue for peaceful conduct’.
He also announced on Twitter the restriction of movements from 6am to 6pm in Somolu, Kosofe, Epe, Ikorodu and Ibeju-Lekki LGAs in the state.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, added that the restriction was in place to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
The statement said the command had deployed a reasonable number of police personnel and other security agents to cover and provide security at the 1,928 polling units in the areas.
The commissioner of police reiterated that there would not be both vehicular and pedestrian movements in and out of the affected local government areas during the elections except those on election duties, essential services and accredited domestic and foreign election observers.
The police boss, however, warned the electorate and political gladiators to play the game according to the rules and provisions of the Electoral Acts, 2010.
He also warned that no police aides or security agents would be allowed to escort their principals or any Very Important Personalities to the polling units.
According to a statement on the website of INEC, about 151 candidates will take part in the elections to fill vacancies in the 11 states occasioned mostly by deaths and resignation to contest higher offices.
A breakdown of the candidates in the bye-elections indicates that while Bayelsa Central Senatorial District has 11 candidates, Bayelsa West Senatorial District has 13.
Others are Nganzai and Bayo constituencies in Borno State ( 14); Dass State Constituency in Bauchi (10); Cross River North Senatorial District (9); Obudu Constituency in Cross River (6); and Isu-Uzo State Constituency in Enugu (9).
There are also Imo North Senatorial District (14); Bakori State Constituency in Katsina State (13); Ibaji State Constituency in Kogi State (8); Lagos East Senatorial District (12); Kosofe II Constituency in Lagos State (8); Plateau South Senatorial District (10) and Bakura State Constituency in Zamfara State (14).
While the election is taking place, reports show that there is crisis in Cross River North Senatorial District in the race to replace Senator Rose Okoh, who died early this year.
This is because two courts of equal jurisdictions had Wednesday in Abuja and Calabar issued conflicting orders.
But in the final list released by INEC, the name of Dr. Stephen Odey is recognised as the authentic candidate.
For the Imo North Senatorial election, though the name of Ifeanyi Ararume is released by INEC in the final list, a Court of Appeal has ruled directing the name of Frank Ibezim should replace that of Ararume.
However, a federal high court in Abuja disqualified Ibezim as candidate of the APC in the bye-election for making false declaration in the documents he submitted to INEC.
The court directed INEC to expunge Ibezim’s name from the list of candidates for the bye-election.
Politics
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reconciliation Committee, led by Olagunsoye Oyinlola, is set to brief the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on its findings and recommendations ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday.
The committee met at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday to finalise its report for presentation to the Amb. Umar Damagum-led NWC, which will then present it to the NEC for ratification.
Following a meeting with the PDP National Assembly Caucus, Oyinlola emphasised the need for unity within the party, noting that any successful political party must be united. He described the discussions as productive and critical for addressing the party’s declining political fortunes.
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Oyinlola also addressed the upcoming Ondo Governorship election, stating that the committee has considered the election while touring the South-West region and is developing strategies to support the party’s efforts.
When asked about internal disputes, Oyinlola confirmed that the committee is focused on reconciling party members who have disagreements. Regarding rumours of possible suspensions, he dismissed them as speculation, pending discussions with the NWC.
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
Politics
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Speaking at a recent event to commission infrastructure projects in Ado-Ekiti, Fayose made his support for Oyebanji clear, emphasising that his loyalty to the governor transcends party lines.
“I don’t care what people say about me,” Fayose declared in response to criticism from his party. “Whoever is not pleased should take their party away.”
His comments come amid growing tensions within the PDP, where some members have threatened Fayose with expulsion for his actions.
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- Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
Fayose praised Governor Oyebanji’s performance, citing his developmental strides and the unity among Ekiti leaders as key reasons for his endorsement.
“All former governors of Ekiti are standing behind Oyebanji for a second term,” Fayose noted, underscoring the broad support Oyebanji has garnered due to his achievements in office.
Governor Oyebanji, during the event, highlighted his administration’s efforts to improve the lives of Ekiti residents.
He pointed out that under his leadership, over 40 towns have been connected to the national power grid, boosting local economies through significant infrastructure projects.
Fayose’s endorsement comes ahead of the 2026 governorship election and is seen as a significant boost to Oyebanji’s chances of securing a second term.
Despite Fayose’s strong ties to the PDP, his support for the sitting governor indicates a potential rift within the party as the state prepares for the upcoming election.
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Politics
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
Tensions are reaching a boiling point within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State as key party leaders lock horns over political appointments following the recent election.
The power struggle between former APC governorship candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s camp and former Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s faction has escalated into a full-blown conflict, with both sides accusing each other of greed and overreach in the allocation of “juicy” positions within the state government.
Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s loyalists have made it clear that they will not tolerate what they perceive as an attempt by Oshiomhole’s camp to monopolize appointments in Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
A source from Ize-Iyamu’s camp told News Direct:
“We will not allow one greedy man to singlehandedly nominate appointees into all the juicy positions or take the lion’s share in nominating political appointees beyond his senatorial district.
“He plans to boss the governor into a tight corner to take command over his government.”
The rift was fuelled by accusations that Oshiomhole’s influence over the incoming governor is growing disproportionately, and there are concerns that the former governor, through his loyalists, is attempting to seize control of key positions in Edo State’s administration.
On their part, Ize-Iyamu’s supporters believe the positions should be distributed equitably across all senatorial districts.
A source from Oshiomhole’s faction dismissed the position, saying:
“Those that didn’t contribute significant votes in the election should take the back seat.
It is not a monkey work, bamboo chop thing; but, if the governor insists he wants to play to their music, we will not hesitate to dance naked and tell the tribunal how we rigged the election that brought him because he knows he didn’t win at the poll.”
The current political tussle appears to be centred on distributing 12 commissioner slots and other high-ranking appointments.
Ize-Iyamu’s camp has argued that it is unfair for one individual, particularly someone from a different senatorial district, to control so many key positions. A senior member from Ize-Iyamu’s faction said:
“We insist 12 commissioners and other juicy appointments are too much for one man who is merely a senatorial leader. We must resist this masked intruder vehemently.
“His puppet can concede his two Ovias to support the Edo North slot, but certainly not in my Edo South or Okpebholo’s Central. We are not fools.”
Meanwhile, political watchers in the state say the deepening feud between these two factions could have serious implications for the stability of the APC in Edo State.
There are also fears that the dispute over appointments could weaken the party’s unity, especially with the looming possibility of litigation at the election tribunal.
While the Oshiomhole camp has implied that it could reveal damaging information regarding the election process, Ize-Iyamu’s camp remains defiant, stating that they can defend their victory without relying on Oshiomhole’s influence.
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
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