Politics
We need to stop off-season elections, not best for Nigeria – Jonathan
We need to stop off-season elections, not best for Nigeria – Jonathan
FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan called on the National Assembly to stop off-season elections in Nigeria.
Jonathan stated this in an interview with newsmen after casting his vote in the ongoing governorship election in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, on Saturday.
He said, “First, let me congratulate the three states that have elections today. Bayelsa State, Imo State, and Kogi State, in which I wish all the states successful elections and peaceful conduct of elections.
“But, because this is an offseason election and I get worried about the issue of offseason elections, I will use this unique opportunity to plead with the National Assembly that we need to block this office in elections. It’s very odd. It’s not global best practice.”
“A country can elect its people at different times, like America and some countries, but not everybody at the same time. But anytime they go to an election, they elect everybody.
The former president noted that if the trend of off-season elections is based on the interpretation of our laws by the judiciary, it may come to a time when the presidential election in Nigeria may be off-season.
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He said, “If we continue with this trend of off-season elections based on the interpretation of our laws by the judicial officer, in that case, we’ll come to a time when the presidential election in Nigeria may be off-season. Probably that is the time that all of you media people and others will be worried.
“Look at the American system; everybody knows when the American elections will be held, and that’s become standard practice,” he added.
On why the presidential election in Nigeria may be off-season one day, Jonathan said it almost happened in 2007, “when I ran as a running mate to the late President Yar’Adua.”
He said, “You know that in that election, three of the seven justices that presided over the case stated in their judgment that the election be annulled. Four of them sustained the elections, and that is why we stayed. If one has crossed over by now, the presidential election in Nigeria would have been an off-season election, and it is not the best for a country.
“Now we have seven states that are off-season. We need to stop there, and where possible, these seven states can be migrated back and fall in line with the other states, and the National Assembly can do that. That is my message for the National Assembly, my message for Nigerians.”
The former Nigerian leader, however, congratulated Nigerians, wishing for the success of the off-season elections.
“On the other hand, I wish the election success. I’ve been monitoring what is happening in Bayelsa State. I’ve asked people across the local governments, and for now, there are no major things to be worried about apart from the Basambari part of the Nimbe local government, which has been in conflict for quite some time before the election.
“Apart from that, I think the elections are going well, but we cannot conclude until the end of the voting period. So once again, I thank you and wish you well.”
We need to stop off-season elections, not best for Nigeria – Jonathan
(vanguard)
Politics
BREAKING: Agboola wins Ondo PDP primary
BREAKING: Agboola wins Ondo PDP primary
A former deputy governor in Ondo state, Hon Ajayi Agboola has won the ongoing People’s Democratic Party governorship primary election in the state.
He polled 264 votes of the 621 votes cast during the contest.
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The former Scretary General of the Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, Chief Sola Ebiseni may come second in the contest.
Agboola was the former deputy governor to the late governor Rotimi Akeredolu before they parted ways following irreconcilable differences.
Attempt to impeach Ajayi during the crisis between him and the late Akeredolu failed
BREAKING: Agboola wins Ondo PDP primary
Politics
BREAKING: APC NWC in peace talks with Aiyedatiwa, other Ondo gov aspirants
BREAKING: APC NWC in peace talks with Aiyedatiwa, other Ondo gov aspirants
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) is currently holding a closed-door peace meeting with Governor Lucky Ayiedatiwa and fifteen other aspirants in the April 20 Ondo state governorship primary election.
All the aspirants but Hon. Wale Akinterinwa and Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke are in attendance.
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Those in attendance are Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Olusoji Adewale Ehinlanwo, a former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Olugbenga Omogbemi Edema, and business magnate, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunsho.
Others are Engr. (Mrs.) Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, Hon. Akinfolarin Mayo Samuel, legal luminary, Chief Olusola Alexander Oke, SAN, Ohunyeye Olamide Felix, and Barr. Morayo Lebi.
Also in attendance are Garvey Oladiran Iyanjan, Prof. Francis Adebayo Faduyile, and Engr. (Mrs) Judith Folakemi Omogoroye, President Unilag Alumni (Worldwide), Engr. Ifeoluwa Olusola Oyedele and Hon. Omo’Oba Okunjimi Odimayo John.
BREAKING: APC NWC in peace talks with Aiyedatiwa, other Ondo gov aspirants
Politics
I broke the chains of godfatherism in Oyo politics – Makinde
I broke the chains of godfatherism in Oyo politics – Makinde
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says he has dismantle the shackles of godfatherism that once characterised the State politics.
Makinde said Oyo State was once known for ‘who is your father’ politics, stating that such style of political arrangement has ended with him.
Makinde spoke on Wednesday at Students’ Legislative Summit organised by the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly and chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, in conjunction with the Students’ Representative Council, University of Ibadan.
Makinde disclosed that his father was not wealthy or influential and the Oyo State people still gave him the opportunity to lead.
The governor underscores the need to get youths into leadership position, imploring Nigerian youths to become more actively involved in governance by increasing their participation.
Makinde said that the issue of leadership is imperative in preparing the youth for the future and governance.
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“For us here, we have seen the common situation where ‘who is your father’ was the order of the day but we have been able to break that in Oyo State. My father was a ‘nobody’ and the Oyo State people still gave me the opportunity to lead.
“We may not be able to prepare the future for the youth, but we can prepare the youth for the future. Please, don’t see this event as just an opportunity to look at the issue of leadership in this country. And, in me, Seyi Makinde, the youth have an ally and we will prepare the leaders of the next generation amongst the youth.
“I am here this afternoon to encourage the youth. If you look at the history of Nigeria, we had our independence in 1960 and six years after, in 1966, the person that became the Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, was 31 years and some months old. After him, during the Second Republic, former President Obasanjo retired as a General at the age of 39.
“You should dream big; people have ruled this country at very tender ages. So, for you, don’t think that at 29 or 30, you are too young to rule and I am glad, because this is almost like catching them early.
“You have the students here and in about three years, some of you will be out there to move on. If I were you, I wouldn’t start looking for work; I would start doing my own thing at a very early age of 24 or 25. With the kind of energy you still have, you can pull down the kingdom of Satan.”
I broke the chains of godfatherism in Oyo politics – Makinde
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