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3rd Force, coalition partners shortlist presidential candidates •Agbakoba, Balewa, Col. Umar, Duke, Utomi, Ezekwesili in contention

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Obasanjo: A living legend - Gov. Abiodun

 

Legal icon and human rights advocate, Dr Olisa Agbakoba SAN, is under intense pressure to join the race for the office of the president in 2019 on the platform of the newly formed Grand National Political Coalition initiated by the Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM), otherwise known as Third Force.

We reliably gathered that this became evident following the meeting of the steering committee of the rainbow coalition in Lagos on Wednesday, March 28th, 2019 where the leadership profile of about five high-ranking presidential aspirants were X-rayed by the leadership of the grand coalition in a bid to shortlist the most suitable and popular among them for the movement.

Some of the aspirants being considered by the movement are those who are said to have been wooing and making overtures to NIM, an emergent political convergence considered to be the beautiful bride of the Nigerian political configuration for the 2019 elections because of its growing membership strength, which hit five million plus during the 2018 Grand National Political Summit held last week in Abuja.

An inside source at the Wednesday meeting attended by the national and zonal arrowheads of the coalition being touted as the “ANC” of Nigeria, informed News Express that the meeting which dragged into late hours of Wednesday, could not reach a consensus on the candidate to choose, due to NIM’s stringent measures as well as focus on giving the country a fresh breed political leadership.

The shortlisting, said our source, has been adjourned till another two weeks when the committee will meet in Abuja to take a final decision on the matter as well as on the issue of which coalition party to adopt, endorse or use for elections in both Ekiti and Osun states later this year.

News Express was however reliably informed that different interests within NIM and its newly formed coalition, comprising 35 political parties, labour and civil society movements, have been pressurising Agbakoba to take up the challenge of running as their candidate in the 2019 general elections. The legal icon and former president of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was said to have asked for some time to consult his bar constituency as well the human rights community and so yet to make up his mind as at the time the Wednesday screening ended.

A top official of NIM who spoke on the condition of anonymity told News Express: “Agbakoba is certainly highly respected across board in Nigeria and also among majority of the new breed political forces in the country, especially among the youth, tagged ‘Youth with PVC’. He belongs, in ideas and perspectives, to the Nigerian youth and to the emerging political order of the fresh breed political leaders.

“He is not part of the entrenched corrupt political system of Nigeria, in actual fact, he has always fought it and he fully understands NIM’s agenda of giving the country a new breed leadership.

“If Agbakoba agrees to run, then he may have to square up with the likes Alhaji Dr Abduljahlil Tafawa Balewa, former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, Col Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, Prof Pat Utomi, Dr Obby Ezekwesili, among others being touted by the fresh breed across the country.”

When News Express contacted NIM’s Deputy Director-General, Mallam Naseer Kura, on phone this morning to comment on the development, he said the movement was yet to agree on a particular presidential candidate or coalition party to be adopted for the prosecution of the fresh breed agenda for “electoral revolution” in the 2019

“It’s true we are yet to reach a consensus on this matter (presidential candidate) at the last steering committee meeting on Wednesday, but that will be done before the governorship primary in Ekiti. Though we are still shortlisting materials for the 2019 elections, the names already with us are currently being screened. We are more concerned about the individuals, what they can offer the country and their detachment from the corrupt old brigade. We want to make sure that any candidate we endorse will go down well with the majority of Nigerians,” said Kura.

On the likely endorsement of Agbakoba, Kura said: “I have said that the screening is not over yet. And no party, whether Labour Party, Accord, Alliance for New Nigeria, Advance Democratic Party, KOWA or Social Democratic Party among others has been endorsed as our coalition party for 2019

“I am aware that some forces within our movement, mostly the youth and women are routing for Agbakoba, but all I can say is that any of the aspirants, be it Balewa, Col Umar, Duke, Utomi and so on, who meets the criteria and standard of NIM by April 2018, will be adopted as our preferred candidate to run for the presidency in 2019 on our endorsed coalition party, which will be moulded in the spirit of African National Congress, ANC of South Africa.”

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*Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate*

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*Go out and vote, it’s your right - Ogun APC charges electorate*

*Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate*

 

As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.

*Go out and vote, it’s your right - Ogun APC charges electorate*

Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.

Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.

“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”

Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”

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Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

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Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

 

 

Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration
In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.

“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.

He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.

He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.

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Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

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Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

 

ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.

 

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.

“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.

The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.

“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”

The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.

“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.

“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.

“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”

The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.

“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”

Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.

On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.

He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.

Source: Daily Independent

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