Politics
Ekiti Guber Poll: We are united to win Ekiti For APC, says Tinubu
Ekiti Guber Poll: We are united to win Ekiti For APC, says Tinubu
….canvasses support for Oyebanji
…As APC governors, leaders storm Ekiti for Oyebanji
By Olorunfemi Adejuyigbe
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said the party is united to ensure victory for its governorship candidate, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, during Saturday’s election in the state.
Asiwaju Tinubu said all quarrels and squabbles in the APC family had been resolved and the party is approaching Saturday’s governorship poll and next year’s general elections as a united house that is ready to crush the opposition.
Speaking in Ado- Ekiti, Tuesday at the APC mega rally held ahead of the June 18 governorship election, Asiwaju Tinubu, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, said the Ekiti poll is an opportunity to make a statement that the Yoruba is ready for the Presidency next year.
The entry of Asiwaju Tinubu into the arena at 1.40 pm enlivened the crowd who greeted the presidential candidate with deafening ovation and applause to the admiration of the guests.
The APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who led other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to the rally, presented the governorship flag to Oyebanji who was joined by his running mate, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye and the wife of the candidate, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji.
The rally which was witnessed by a mammoth crowd was attended by all APC Governors: Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) who were all introduced by the host Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
Asiwaju Tinubu, who had arrived the state on Monday, had prior to the rally, presented Oyebanji to the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, HRM Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, during a courtesy visit to the palace. in company with Dr Fayemi, Oyebanji and other APC leaders.
He told the crowd pf supporters that President Buhari asked him to bring the message of newfound love, stability, oneness and unity in the party to its members and electorate in Ekiti to achieve total victory on Saturday and general elections in 2023.
Going down the memory lane, Asiwaju Tinubu recalled the developments that led to the formation of the APC in 2013 with the merger of legacy parties which successfully dislodged the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which he described as “Poverty Development Party” from power at the 2015 general elections.
The presidential flag bearer said Nigerians further trusted the party by re-electing it to continue in power in the 2019 general elections commending Buhari for supporting the clamour for return of power to the South in 2023 with him (Tinubu) as the symbol for the unity of the country.
The former Lagos State Governor threw his weight behind the election of Oyebanji noting that internal rancour within the party has now become a thing of the past and it is now united to achieve victory on Saturday to signpost its readiness to retain power at the centre in 2023.
Asiwaju Tinubu urged Ekiti Kete to re-elect APC to show their readiness to support the party that has entrusted its presidential ticket to a Yoruba candidate next year urging them to forget the grievances of the past and support the party in elections ahead.
He said: “President Buhari is a man of integrity, honour is better than riches. He has said we (APC) are going back to South for the next President of Nigeria and he has kept that promise for us and it is now left for us to work for the progress and unity of Nigeria.
“There is no house where we don’t have quarrels, democracy is full of twists and turns, hills and valleys. We will have quarrels but we will not burn down the house. I am a builder, a successful builder for that matter.
“Those of us that said we are fighting, you are lying. We have settled our quarrel. This is the first step in the elections ahead. The President has said I should be involved in this (Ekiti) election and we are going to succeed.
“I have not failed in any elections before; four years ago, myself, (Governor) Bagudu and others were here and you listened the us and we succeeded in that election.”
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman, Senator Adamu said the Ekiti rally was the first outing of the party since the conclusion of the national convention which produced Asiwaju Tinubu as the presidential flag bearer.
The former Nasarawa State Governor who was impressed by the huge crowd that thronged the rally assuring that Oyebanji would succeed Dr Fayemi as the next Ekiti Governor.
The National Chairman urged voters in Ekiti to vote Oyebanji whom he described as humble and service inclined candidate to prove a point that Ekiti is an APC state.
He said: “This Saturday will be historic and we thank Ekiti people for coming out en masse to welcome us. I have come to this state three times, I have not seen a crowd like this.
“We saw the vote returned during the election of Governor Fayemi but next Saturday, we want to see the double of that. Come out on Saturday and show all that Ekiti is an APC state.”
The former Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, urged those who are still aggrieved with APC to forgive the party ahead of the Saturday election.
Giving a word of admonition to the party faithful and the electorate in the state, Chief Akande who spoke in Yoruba said to err is human and to forgive is divine urging the aggrieved to forgive the party, it’s candidate and whoever that might have offended them.
The Chairman of the National Campaign Council for Ekiti governorship election and Kebbi Governor Bagudu urged voters in Ekiti to retain APC in power for good governance to continue in the state
Governor Bagudu said he and other fellow governors had visited the state within the last four years to commission key projects and witnessed the launch of the Rice Pyramid in Ekiti noting that the state must remain in the APC fold for such laudable policies and projects to continue.
The rally was a big carnival that attracted APC members from all the 16 local government areas who wore colourful attires with Oyebanji’s portraits as a mark of solidarity.
Ace Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal and other artistes entertained the crowd during the rally.
*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”.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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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