Category: General News

The INEC said on Wednesday that over 460,000 persons would be barred from voting in the Sept. 22 Osun governorship election if they failed to claim their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Mr Segun Agbaje, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Osun, disclosed this in Osogbo during a sensitisation forum for media executives and reporters on the Osun governorship poll.

Agbaje, represented by Mr Steven Ojewande, Head, Voters Education Department, INEC, Osun, also revealed that 1,213,026 had collected their PVCs and would participate in the election.

The resident electoral commissioner said that there were a total of 1,676,212 registered voters in the state.

He said that all the PVCs that needed to be collected were already in INEC offices across the 30 local government areas of the state.

Agbaje solicited media support and assistance in informing, sensitising and educating the people on the need to collect their PVCs at the INEC offices in their council areas.

The REC said that the commission was 80 per cent ready for the governorship election.

He assured the public that the election would be free, fair and credible and urged the participating political parties to caution their candidates against heating up the polity.

Agbaje said INEC had carried out comprehensive voter education throughout the state, trained security agents and upgraded smart card readers for effectiveness.

The REC said the commission had equally met with election stakeholders in the state, including political parties.

He said that soft copies of the register of voters had been distributed to the Chairmen of the 48 political parties fielding candidates for the election.

Agbaje said that the final list of the candidates and their deputies had also been published while the supervisory, presiding, and other poll officers had been trained.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the commission recognised the media as a critical stakeholder in the electioneering process.

Yakubu said the media was taken as a critical partner and therefore called for balanced and objective coverage of the governorship poll.

He advised the media to be careful in reporting conflicts, adding that the INEC office in the state was open for clarifications and questions on the exercise. (NAN)

The Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Wednesday said that it generated over N1 billion as revenue between January and June 2018.

The agency’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Kalu Emetu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the revenue generated in the period was N178 million over what was realised in 2017.

NAN reports that N1. 05bn revenue was generated between January and June 2017, while N 1.23bn revenue was realised in the same period in 2018.

However, residents of the FCT have condemned the VIO over the manner it often carried out arrest and impounded vehicles thereby relating the revenue generated by the agency to the money retrieved from impounded vehicle owners.

Mr Dauda Ibrahim, an Abuja based taxi driver, alleged that the VIO officials often laid siege at various points in the city in an attempt to arrest vehicles thereby causing accident.

He added that some of the officers were in the habit of extorting money from motorists, adding that such conduct negated the ethics of VIO and must be stopped forthwith.

Another driver, Mr Ebuka Eke, said that the money collected by VIO officers after impounding vehicles for road traffic infractions was too much, noting that the agency needed to look into a transparent operation method.

Reacting, Emetu said that the allegations were erroneous and unfounded.

“The increase in revenue generation is as a result of creative leadership and greater awareness on the part of the public who understand that registration and renewal of vehicle particulars are part of their obligations as citizens.

“Impounding or seizure of vehicles does not make up to 10 per cent of the agency’s revenue,” he said.

Emetu said that the agency’s Trade Licence Department was responsible for generation of substantial revenue for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

He said that rather the management had blamed VIO Area Commanders for not doing enough in impounding erring vehicles, especially those supposed to be tagged “OFF THE Road’’. (NAN)

A female presidential aspirant, Dr Elishama Ideh, has urged women to participate actively in the 2019 general elections by contesting for elective offices.

Ideh, who is an aspirant on the platform of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Epe, Lagos State, on Wednesday.

Ideh said that women had been shortchanged over the years from occupying some key positions in governance.

She said that women should contest for elective offices of their choice, to exhibit their potential.

“Public officers should give women the opportunity to actively participate in governance.

“We must be given equal opportunities to participate and play our roles as public officers.

“It is against this backdrop that I am seeking to join the race for the number one office in the nation,’’ she said.

According to her, women have been deliberately denied the opportunity to display their administrative skills as public officers.

Ideh further affirmed that women who had been privileged to serve in elective positions have proven to be more active than their male counterparts.

“At this critical time when the country is going through tough times, women are the only people with capacity to redirect the economy back on track.’’

She promised to alleviate poverty, ease public suffering, enhance national security and stem corrupt practices.

Ideh also said that she would create employment opportunities, increase investment planning and stabilise the economy, if given the opportunity to serve as president. (NAN)

By Hafsah Tilde
Barrister Chile Igbawua, Chief Commissioner of Nigeria’s Ombudsman, the Public Complaint Commission (PCC), says the organisation will launch an e-platform by October ending for electronic lodging of complaints.

He said that PCC’s services are free and has the legal weight of the constitution, adding that its decisions are enforceable. ( accessing some of its services.

He added that with this platform, complainants would be able to check the progress of their complaints.

“We realised that e-platform is the in thing. Many Nigerians are on line. As our roadmap, we are introducing this platform to increase the number of people that can enjoy the services of PCC in their comfort zones,” he said.

The Commissioner pointed out that the e-platform would bring the organisation’s services closer to the people.

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Igbawua said that PCC was also strengthening its Town Hall meetings in the grassroot areas to exhibit the practical aspects of the organisation’s activities and services in the states across the federation.

“Since I assumed duty, whenever we go out to our state offices across the federation, we organised Town Halls. We used thing platform to show what we can offer and results have been achieved. People at the grassroots are now aware of the workings of the commission.”

He also disclosed that PCC received 33,631 complaints from January to June 2018 and resolved 4,334 with 29,297 pending.

He said that PCC’s services are free and has the legal weight of the constitution, adding that its decisions are enforceable. (NAN)

Abuja, Sept. 5,2018(Flowerbudnews) High Chief Peter Ameh, of People’s Progressive Party (PPA) newly elected Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council(IPAC) has called on political parties and politicians to ensure patriotism above other interests,especially in the build up to 2019 general elections.

Ameh made the call on Wednesday after his declaration as winner above Dr. Chekwas Okorie of United People’s Party(UPP) and Barister Michael Ndu of Alliance for United Nigeria(AUN).

according to him, political parties should sustain spirit of sportsmanship and high level of patriotism displayed before during and after the election.

“Everyone is a winner at the end of this election because high level of maturity and commitment to credible election.

“That is the way election into any office should always go in the country. It is a call to serve the nation and not self,I urge us to sustain this sense of maturity,” he said.

During the election, 82 delegates registered to vote nine out of 20 contestants into office.

Ameh got 51 votes, Okorie-28 and Ndu-1,in the chairmanship election while Geff Ojinika of C4C emerged Deputy national chairman, having defeated Mr. Garshon Benson of DPP.

Similarly, Georgina Dakpakpa of YDP emerged national secretary,defeating Gani Galadima of ACPN.

Also, Alhaji Abubakar of UPN lost to Eunice Atuejie of NIP who emerged new Deputy Secretary of IPAC.

speaking with newsmen, Mr. Ademo LA Babatunde ,National Chairman, Nigerian Community Movement Party(NCMP) also a delegate said conduct of the election restored hope for the nation’s politics.

“If every political party that participated in this election can ensure transparency and maturity displayed here today, Nigerian elections will produce only credible candidate for political offices.

“I also commended the media for staying vigillant and active which gave no room for any form of sharp practice.

“It is a dawn of new era in Nigerian politics, which shows that 2019 elections and subsequent ones will give electorate the true power to determine their leaders, ” he said.

PDP Primaries: Prove capacity, transparency, not zone, says Dankwambo’s spokesperson

Zoning

By Esbee Oguns

Abuja, Sept.7,2018(Flowerbudnews) Dr.Ayoade Adewopo, Director, Media and Strategic Communication, Dankwambo Pressidential Campaign Organisation urges Presidential aspirants of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to consider individual competence, accountability and transparency in canvasing for party ticket.

Adewopo,spokesperson , Ibrahim Dankwambo’s presidential campaign train, made the call in a statement signed on Friday,made available to Flowerbudnews.

According to the aspirant’s spokesperson, proven leadership qualities of eventual candidate will raise the party’s hope of victory in 2019 Presidential election.

Flowerbudnews reports that some members were routing for zoning of candidate to a particular geo-political zone in the North, saying it will help the primary election to be wieldy.

“I strongly believe that every Nigerian with credible fit and proven credentials deserves the right to contest the highest office in the country.

“If such condition as zoning should be considered to forge a formidable front in 2019 Presidential election, the Northeast deserves priority in the region.

“That would have been because the zone has only been opportuned to produce only one out of nine northern president’s of the country,leaving indellible mark.

“It is on record that late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, a selfless and dedicated Prime Minister, served the nation with all he had, including his dear life 52 years ago.

“The best way our party, PDP, can put up favourable fight in the race for presidency and profit from the increased political awareness of the electorate across is by fielding candidate with national and internationally acceptability.

“We must ensure that the winner has evidence of good stewardship and unblemished record of accountability,” he said.

However, Adewopo said history would again be made in good leadership if Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo,sitting governor of Gombe State, Northeastern state,saying Providence prepared him for the post.

“Dr. Dankwambo’s exceptional brilliance, coupled with transparency as a chartered accountant with proven career in private and public offices for the past 33 years in his 56 years of existence.

“It is worth mentioning that he occupied that position Accountant-General of his state and later the federation unblemished for six years each.

His contribution to emergence of Treasury Single Account (TSA) and Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System(IPPIS) policies of government remain immeasurable .

“Those policies are being celebrated and lauded by patriotic Nigerians including former President Goodluck Jonathan(GCFR) and the sitting President Muhammadu Buhari(GCFR).

“Dankwambo remains irredeemable proponent of justice and fairness in all aspect of human endeavour.

“He believes that militancy, insurgency and every other vices in the world blossom due to lack of justice to aggrieved parties,” he said.

Adewopo called on party delegates to use those measures in choosing a candidate so that the country would be proud of their sense of jugement.

Flowerbudnews reports that Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan, Publicity Secretary of the party had cleared the air on micro-zoning of presidency in party, saying every interested party should join the race. 

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DISMISSAL FROM SERVICE OF THREE (3) OF THE POLICE PERSONNEL AND INTERDICTION OF THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE INVOLVED IN THE UNAUTHORIZED, ILLEGAL AND UNPROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE SEARCH OF ELDER STATESMAN, CHIEF EDWIN CLARK’S RESIDENCE IN ASOKORO, ABUJA ON THE 4^th OF SEPTEMBER, 2018.

The Inspector General of Police has approved the dismissal from the service of the Nigeria Police Force, three (3) Inspectors namely: (i) AP/No. 18858 Inspr Godwin Musa (ii)  AP/No. 225812 Inspr Sada Abubakar and (iii)     AP/No. 225828 Inspr Yabo Paul, and the immediate interdiction of AP. No 158460 ASP David Dominic who were involved in the unauthorized, illegal and unprofessional misconduct in the search of the residence of Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Clark in Asokoro, Abuja on 4^th September, 2018.

Ap. No. 158460 ASP David Dominic was queried and being investigated for Discreditable Conduct, Negligence of Duty and an Act unbecoming of a Police officer which constitute Serious Misconduct and if not checked can be inimical to the image of the Nigeria Police Force and violation of fundamental human rights of the Elder Statesman as provided for in the 1999 Nigeria Constitution as amended. The gravity of the offences against the officer is serious in nature and dismissal from service is imminent.Consequently, the Inspector General of Police approved that AP. No 158460 ASP David Dominic, be on interdiction from Service pending the determination of his case by the Police Service Commission.     

The IGP also approved and upheld the dismissal from service of (i) AP/No. 18858 Inspr Godwin Musa (ii)  AP/No. 225812 Inspr Sada Abubakar and                     (iii) AP/No. 225828 Inspr Yabo Paul, after the trio were tried under Oath in Orderly Room Trial for Discreditable Conduct, Illegal duty, Disobedience to Lawful Order and other misconduct contrary to the Rule of Law.

The suspect (Informant) Ismail Yakubu from Waru Village, Apo District, Abuja, has been charged to Upper Area Court Mpape, Abuja for giving false information and telling falsehood that misled Police action.