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Kogi People Anxious to Re-elect Me Gov – Bello

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Kogi- tate Governor-Yahaya Bello
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By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has said that the people of the state were eager to vote him for a second term in office on November 16, 2019 because of his achievements in the last four years.

The governor who said he was fully prepared to win the forthcoming governorship election in the state, added however, that he was not going to take anything for granted.

Bello spoke to State House correspondents at the weekend after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari along side the All Progressives Congress(APC) National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

The Governor who is seeking reelection at the 16th November, 2019 governorship election in the state said he was prepared for the coming election even before the Presidential and National Assembly elections in February 2019 adding however, that he was not taking anything for granted.

His achievements, he said, were there for all to see and the people of his state were now anxiously waiting for November 16, 2019 to vote for him.

He said that his achievements included up-to date salaries payment, inspite of settling backlogs when he assumed office.

Nightlife in the state, he said, was back because of improved security situation .

The governor also said he was committed to free, fair and credible election.

“As regards level of preparedness, I am not just preparing now, I have been ready for this election even before the last general election that produced Mr. President, the National Assembly and the state houses of assembly.

‘So, we are well prepared for the election. As for victory, I think by the grace of God it is assured.

“Like the chairman has said, we are not going to take anything for granted. Whether the candidate of the opposition party is strong or not, we will approach the election with seriousness and ensure that it is conducted freely and fairly and we will become victorious by the grace of God. On November 17, we will be announced the winner.”

He denied PDP’s allegations that he planned to scuttle PDP primaries.

“If you monitor all the activities of the PDP in Kogi state, right from the Ward congresses to the local government congresses, to the state congresses, it has always been marred or characterized with violence, guns, maiming of each other and all kinds of attacks.

So the outcome of the last primaries they conducted shouldn’t take anyone by surprise.

“We have a larger number of delegates in Kogi state. We started our exercise early enough and finished early enough in peace. I am not a member of PDP, I wouldn’t go in there and conduct it for them.

“So it is their character, it is their stock in trade and that is what they are known for and so should rather look inward rather than pointing accusing fingers outside.

“You see, when you have a cancer and you don’t treat it but rather you are treating malaria, you will never get rid of cancer. So that is the problem the PDP has, they have cancer and should treat the cancer and shouldn’t look outside.

Asked what message he was taking to Kogi electorates for the next four years, he said “The citizens of Kogi State have actually seen my performance against the performance of previous PDP Governors. In less than three and half years, they have seen all my wonderful performances.

“In fact starting with even the issue of salaries, it’s just that all along, I have chosen not to speak about the issue of salary because it is a problem I inherited.

“And in any case governance is a continuum, you inherit both assets and liabilities. When you inherit assets, you make use of it, when you inherit liabilities or trouble you try to solve it, you don’t complain about it.

“So I refused to make comment about the issue of salaries.

As a matter of fact, the issues of salaries arrears I have already accepted by my immediate predecessor he inherited from Ibro’s administration.

“These past two PDP Governors couldn’t solve it, I have come to solve it. That already is a kudos to this administration that the people of Kogi State should vote for us.”

Bello also boasted that every local government in the state have various projects completed by his administration.

“Every local government in Kogi are dotted with various infrastructural development. The people of Kogi State have spoken before in the last general election, they will speak again.”

On security, he said “Lastly, if you look at Kogi State in the past, if you are a traveler you will hold your breath. The inhabitants as early as 6:30 they will only manage to pray their morning prayer and in the evening they will manage to pray their evening prayer and go to bed, but today, even along the streets of Kogi you will see people jogging, exercise, night life is back as a result of improved security situation in the state today.

“Kogi State is the second safest state in Nigeria today, I didn’t say it. We have various bodies that rate the performance of various government and administration, Nigeria Bureau of statistics and the rest of them, they said it.

“So if you look at it, we have performed so wonderfully that the people of Kogi state are eager that 16th November should come and let them speak with their votes and I know they will speak very well and re-elect me, the APC and we shall become victorious.” he said

Asked if he was going to carry along the labour leaders he proscribed, Bello said “Well, it is not a battle we are going into, we are going into a contest, one I know is going to be free and fair and I am going to win that election by the grace of God. The APC under the leadership of the national chairman, we are going to campaign vigorously well and we shall become victorious.

“The people who have decided to become rebellious to bring down the institution of higher learning at certain point in time have today seen the benefits of telling them to please give peace a chance.

“They have given peace a chance and you can see the last strike, Kogi State didn’t go on strike, we have very stable educational system in Kogi State. As per all the labour leaders in Kogi State, we are moving on harmoniously, you can confirm from the various chapters.

“If not because they are not politicians, labour leaders would have taken the fore front to campaign for my re-election.” he said.

POLITICS

S/West PDP National Ex-Officios Lauds NEC for Selecting Ibadan as Convention Venue

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

National Ex-officio members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the South West have commended the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and other organs of the party for approving Ibadan, Oyo State, as host city for the November national convention.

In a statement signed by Hon.

Clement Faboyede,
on behalf of the National Ex-Officios of the South West, they said the decision to allow Ibadan to host the convention is both strategic and symbolic.

“This momentous decision is both strategic and symbolic. It reaffirms the South West’s pivotal role in the political architecture of our great party and reflects the unwavering confidence our national leadership has in the region’s capacity to deliver with distinction.

“Ibadan—rich in political heritage and democratic values—stands as a befitting venue for such a critical gathering.

“We extend special appreciation to our leader and Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde (GSM), whose visionary and unrelenting commitment to the advancement of the PDP at all levels remains exemplary.

“His dedication to peace, unity, and internal stability within the party has earned him nationwide respect. Under his leadership, Oyo State has experienced transformational development, emerging as a benchmark among its peers.

“Your Excellency, you are a true torchbearer of purposeful governance, and your leadership continues to inspire confidence across the country.

“As National Ex-Officios from the South West, we unequivocally assure the national leadership and stakeholders of our readiness and total dedication to delivering a seamless, peaceful, and impactful National Convention—one that will further reinforce the PDP’s image as Nigeria’s most organized and people-oriented political platform.

“We also reaffirm our unwavering loyalty to the core values of the PDP and pledge our continued commitment to the unity, progress, and electoral success of the party at all levels.

“United by a common vision, we stand fully prepared to welcome leaders and delegates from across Nigeria to Ibadan—a city renowned for its hospitality, orderliness, and political depth.

“Indeed, the South West remains a cornerstone of the PDP’s strength. We remain steadfast in our efforts to deepen internal democracy, foster party cohesion, and mobilize effectively toward future electoral triumphs.

“Once again, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, Amb. Iliya Damagum, the Acting National Chairman; the entire NWC; our esteemed BoT members; PDP Governors; and the NEC for this rare privilege and resounding vote of confidence in the South West.”

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POLITICS

INEC Warns against Underage, Multiple Registration as Exercise Begins Aug 18

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Ahead of Aug.18 commencement date for Continuous Voters registration (CVR), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has warned against multiple registrations and underage registration in Kebbi.

The INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kebbi, Alhaji Abubakar Sarkin-Pawa-Dambo, gave the warning while briefing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.

“The INEC will not condone multiple registrations, registration by proxy, under-aged registration and all other illegal forms of getting registered as the commission begins CVR on Aug.

18.

“INEC in her efforts to serve Nigerians better will commence the continuous registration of eligible voters for online pre- registration on the said date.

“In-person registration will commence on Aug.25. Nigerians who have turned 18 are now eligible to obtain their cards either via the online registration or present themselves to our Local Government Area offices of their residence for the exercise,” he said.

Sarkin-Pawa-Dambo added that eligible voters, who had lost their voter cards, misplaced their cards or whose cards were mutilated or changed addresses or residences could also present themselves for the physical registration.

“Those whose voter cards are defaced and those who wish to correct their names or date of birth can also present themselves at any of our Local Government offices of their residence for the registration.

“The registration will be conducted at all INEC Area offices of Kebbi State from 9 a.m to 3p.m daily except on weekends and public holidays,” he said.

Sarkin-Pawa-Dambo also revealed that the INEC registered 2,032, 41 eligible voters before the 2023 general elections.

“Out of the registered number, 1,096,449 are male representing 54 per cent and female registration stands at 935,592 and represents 46 per cent.

“The total number of Registration Areas (RA) stands at 225 and the total number of Polling Units stands at 3,743.

“The state has three senatorial zones and nine federal constituencies as at 2023.

“1,847,752 have collected their Permanent Voter Cards representing 97 per cent.

“Though, a negligible number of these voter cards are lying down in our offices, we encourage the owners to present themselves for the collection of their cards at a date to be announced later,” the commissioner said.

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POLITICS

Ozekhome Kicks Against Creation of Additional States

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Constitutional and human rights lawyer, Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has kicked against the agitation for the creation of additional states.The legal luminary maintained that most of the states that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria, today are not viable and as such saw no reason why more states should be created in the country.

Ozekhome, in an interview, blamed the conditions of the states on the “skewed federal template” being operated in form of a unitary system of government and called for a complete overhaul of the 1999 Constitution.
According to him, the present Constitution is not only cumbersome with the center vested with too much powers and responsibilities but was a product of the military class which has ruled Nigeria for quite some times.
He spoke at a “Walk for Wellness” campaign embarked upon by the Mike Ozekhome Chambers (MOC) in Abuja.”Some of us are now saying rather than create more states we should collapse the present structure into about six geopolitical zones, which should serve as regional government.”A parliamentary system of government operating on regional bases will be more beneficial to the people because it will catalyze development and competitiveness among the regions. Right now, no state is competing, all of them just go to Abuja at the end of the month to take from the federation account to share”, he said.The senior lawyer lamented that Nigeria has become a sharing country which is not baking anything because they don’t care or even know how to bake anything.According to him, while Nasarawa has the highest mineral deposits of over 36 items, followed by Plateau with 28 items with Sokoto and Kaduna States in that order, the entire country still rely on crude oil “which is fast losing its value across the world.”I will suggest that if we are to retain the state structure, we should retain the states as a federating units, thus having two tiers of government” he said, leaving local government to the states.Adding: “the only state I will have said should be created right now should be in the South East, to bring them to equity with other geopolitical zones in the country.”

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