Katsina speaker Abubakar Kusada wins Reps bye election

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared Alhaji Abubakar Kusada of the All Progressives Congress(APC) as winner of the bye-election into the House of Representatives .

The election was conducted in the Kankiya/Kusada/Ingawa Federal constituency in Katsina state on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Kusada was the speaker of Katsina state House of Assembly before his  election today.

Prof Adedayo Hamza, the returning officer who announced the result on Saturday in Kankiya said Kusada scored 48,518 votes to emerge winner.

Alhaji Abdussamad Yusuf of PDP came second with 20,193 votes, while Nasiru Kankiya of the Peoples Redemption Party scored 1,810 votes as second runner-up.

Abdullahi Umar of the Yes Electorate Solidarity (YES) got 221 votes.

According to Hamza, the total number of registered voters in the constituency is 193,904, while the number of accredited voters was 74,242.

The number of valid votes cast was 70,742 and rejected votes 2,331.The total number of votes cast was 73,073.

Mr Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner, advised political parties to intensify voter education and management of polling units.

He commended the political parties, security agencies, mediamen and other stakeholders for the peaceful conduct of the bye election .NAN

FG to raise funds from capital market to fund universities

Striking university lecturers and other stakeholders in education sector were told a bitter truth yesterday: Federal government does not have the financial ability to plug funding shortfall in Nigerian universities.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who made the revelation at the convocation of the University of Ibadan which coincided with the institution’s 70th anniversary, said the federal government will therefore raise funds from the capital market to fund universities.

Buhari, who was represented by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, acknowledged that university education was really being under-funded, and that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has a point for their ongoing strike, however, pleaded that the institutions should leverage on alumni and partnership with the private sector to provide the needed succour.

The university admitted a total of 371 graduates into the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at the ceremony.

Osinbajo revealed that some of the options that the federal government was working on “are the details of education funding for the public universities, which will involve raising funds from the capital market to give a push to the infrastructure in our universities. The ongoing talks with the ASUU as you know are follow-up of the chequered history of negotiations concluded with the government in 2013.”

He added: “There is no question that ASUU has a point. However, we must seek to resolve amicably and with minimum disruption to the academic calendar. The issue really is that there is no doubt whatsoever that education is under-funded and we must fund it even with the best. But even with the best effort at attending to funding education from the budget, it is completely impossible to do so.

“None of the universities, especially in the free world, is fully or even substantially funded by the government. The task of fund-raising is precisely what the universities are established to do; to solve problems and to create solutions that uplift the society. We can creatively address the issue looking at other solutions around the world. One of the solutions that we must explore is alumni network. There is perhaps no university in Nigeria that has the kind of alumni network today that the University of Ibadan has.”

While lauding the outstanding achievements of the University in the past 70 years with the production of many academics in various fields of study with their pioneering work in research and development, Osinbajo added that “every generation is, whether it knows it or not, equipped to deal with the challenges of its times and to hand over a legacy to enable the next generation to navigate its own journey with greater ease. University is of course a place where the direction and instruction must come.

Earlier, the Chancellor of the University, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, also commended the premier university for having blazed the trail in research and teaching in virtually all branches of knowledge in the last 70 years. He said UI’s achievements are globally recognised.

While congratulating the graduands, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, reminded them that the university and society have high expectations from them, while disclosing that: “A total of 371 candidates spread over 12 faculties and five Institutes and Centres were admitted into the Doctor of Philosophy Degrees of the university with the Faculty of Arts leading the pack with 64 graduands”, he disclosed.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony include a former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; the Chancellor Nde Waklek Mutka, Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu was represented by the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Isiaq Oloyede; the Vice Chancellor, Professor Idowu Olayinka, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Minister of Health Professor Isaac Adewole, the Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Saliu Adetunji (Aje Ogunguniso 1), and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Dr. Samson Ayokunle.

The 2018 distinguished honourary awardees in various fields for the University included: Chief Bode Akindele (industrialist, the Parakoyi of Ibadanland,), Professor Bolanle Awe (Historian and former Education Commissioner in the old Oyo State), Professor Olufunmilayo Olapade (Physician), Professor Grace Alele Williams (ex- VC, UNIBEN), Professor Akin Mabogunje, (Geographer), and Professor Omoniyi Adewoye (ex-UI VC).

‘Declare emergency in manufacturing sector’

The Federal Government has been called upon to declare a state of emergency in the manufacturing sector of the nation’s economy as a matter of urgency.

Delivering a 25th anniversary and 2nd distinguished lecture of Ilesa Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Managing Director of the Kresta Laurel Limited, Engr. Dideolu Falobi, said it was imperative for the FG to act fast and save the nation from impending economic doom.

Falobi said the call for state of emergency to be declared in the industrial sector is necessary because there are factual evidences to show that more than half of the 500,000 graduates being produced annually by the nation’s various tertiary institutions are unemployed.

He said it is uncomplimentary that manufacturing sector contributes only 15.62 percent of the nation’s GDP in spite of its almost 200 million population in which he noted that “54.32 percent of this population is between the ages of 15 and 64  unlike Singapore with similar GDP but a mere 6 million.”

Putting the the literacy level in Nigeria at 59.6 percent, the engineer lamented that there are a huge population of unskilled workers to be engaged by the manufacturing sector and also another huge population of skilled workers that are unemployed.

Apart from declaring a state of emergency in the manufacturing sector, he said a number of industrial bills must be sponsored at the National Assembly to move Nigeria out of the woods in certain sectors needing urgent intervention.

According to the guest lecturer, there are many benefits of industrialization for the engineers and others, which he said include employment generation directly through construction of industries, indirect employment through auxiliary services during construction activities, increased utilization of lands, increased tax revenue for the government among others.

He said: “The topic of this lecture is one that I consider most timely and very relevant in the light of our national challenges today. The country is reeling from all sorts of maladies, the most dangerous and saddening of it all being the descent of our youths into the abyss of moral decadence characterized by drug abuse, Tramadol popping, codeine sipping, 419, Yahoo-Yahoo, Yahoo Plus, area-boyish and all other crimes. It is scary fro me to watch the future generations of our beloved nation in self-destruct mode.

“Let me categorize the youths affected into two. The first group are those who, for whatever reasons, were not educated or dropped out of school at an early age. Unfortunately, they also refused to learn any trade or craft. Most of them are now in their late teens, early to late twenties, I am sure that should we take a peep outside the gate of this hall, we will find them waiting for us to come out to collect handouts which as soon as they get it will vamoose in a hail of smoke of Indian Hemp and so on.

“This category is neither employed nor employable. Some of them who learned one trade or craft have forgotten about it and their routine is to scavenge social functions from Thursday to Saturday (their peak period) looking for dole outs from celebrants and politicians who also use them as canons folder during political battles.

“The second category consists of some of the 500,000 Nigerian youths that graduate from our several tertiary institutions and are left idle because of unemployment. This group has made the advanced fee fraud in all its variants their career. Propped up by all shots of drugs  and bolstered by iniquitous herbalists (most of them, fake) that abound, these young boys and girls are almost lost. These two categories of Nigerians need industrialization. Today’s lecture is timely and relevant for them and their suffering parents.”

Buhari congratulates Super Eagles for 2019 AFCON qualification

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The team’s  1-1 draw against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday had secured the team the ticket.

In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President joined millions of football-loving Nigerians in commending the team for their spirited and disciplined performance against a very formidable opponent which earned them qualification with the final match against Seychelles a mere formality.

READ ALSO : Updated: Nigeria qualify for AFCON 2019

Having keenly followed the senior national football team’s progress in the qualifying stages, President Buhari was enthused by their confidence, sense of patriotism and professionalism, and recommended these attributes to other Nigerians.

He equally commended the coaching crew, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Supporters Club, especially Nigerians residing in South Africa who turned out in great numbers to cheer the players, for a job well-done, and assured them of the unflinching support of the Federal Government going forward.

The President wished the young Nigerian football ambassadors more successes as they prepare for the AFCON tournament in Cameroon.

NASS bye-election peaceful in Kwara

…Lai Mohammed, REC, others hail poll conduct

The National Assembly bye-election took place in Kwara state under a

peaceful atmosphere as votes conducted themselves in an orderly

mannner.

Security personnel were stationed at various polling units and

strategic locations to monitor the conduct of the poll.

The seat of the Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Isin/Irepodun Federal Constituency of Kwara state became vacant late September this year following the death

of Princess Funke Adedoyin who represented the constituency.

There was massive turn out of voters in most polling units in communities in Oke-Ero Local Government Area.

Voters who came to polling centres with temporary voter’s cards could not however vote as card readers did not authenticate their cards.

Speaking with reporters after casting his vote at Oro ward II, Onikoyi polling unit, Oro town, minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, hailed the conduct of the election, saying that he was impressed with massive turn out.

The minister, who expressed the APC to win the election, said that people of the area were mobilized before the poll.

Also speaking at Ajase Ipo ward 1, in front of Olupo palace, the PDP stalwart and commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, who said that the election witnessed impressive turn out of voters,  however said that people complained of malfunctioning of card readers in some

areas.

Traditional ruler of Odo-Owa in Ekiti local government area of the

state, Oba Joshua Akinyemi Adimula, condemned use of only card reader

machine, saying that alternative of manual accreditation ought to be

allowed.

He said insistence on the card reader alone denied many people of the

right to vote. Chairman of the local government, Joseph Oni, who voted in his Idofin-Igbana community expressed satisfaction with turn out of voters

and the conduct of the election.

Oni, who said that there was no vote buying or any other malpractice

in the exercise, explained that replacement of the machines were made

by INEC officials where card readers were not functioning properly.

There was however a clash among party supporters in Ekan-meje community but security agents quickly came in to douse tension.

Also speaking, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kwara

State, Alhaji Attahiru Madami, commended voters in the ongoing

by-election into the Irepodun/Isin/Oke Ero federal constituency of

federal House of Representatives for their peaceful conduct.

Madami, who spoke with reportes at Osi 07 Unit 0001, S.D.A school,

Osi in Ekiti local government area of the state noted that “The electoral process as been so peaceful, perfect and encouraging. In fact, I am highly impressed and it is my hope that Nigerians will emulate Kwara State in future elections.

“Card readers are functioning well and security agents are in full charge. It is my advice that politicians are to accept the outcome of the polls humbly and with the spirit of sportsmanship.”

Alsi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kwara State, Senator Simeon Ajibola, has disclosed that the outcome of the ongoing by-election in Ekiti/Irepodun/Eke Ero/Isin federal

constituency would determine its credibility.

Ajibola, a former senator representing Kwara South senatorial district in Abuja stated this while speaking journalists in Ìsapá town, Ekiti Local government area of the state.

He noted that “there was massive turnout of voters, INEC officials

arrived with the voting materials and security agencies have really

performed excellently well” even as he expressed optimism that APC will the poll.

Fayose To Explain ‘$5.3M He Got From Obanikoro’

Fayose spoke yesterday after 72 hours in detention. He admitted knowing a former Minister of State Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, who ferried N1.299billion slush funds to him in a chartered jet.

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose is telling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives all he knows about the N4.685 billion allegedly withdrawn from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Fayose spoke yesterday after 72 hours in detention. He admitted knowing a former Minister of State (Defence) Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, who ferried N1.299billion slush funds to him in a chartered jet.

He also said he has links with Abiodun Agbele, who allegedly bought six choice properties for him in Lagos and Abuja.

But the ex-governor added  drama to his grilling when he wrote the EFCC to demand an additional mattress in his cell.

He said sleeping on two mattresses will be more comfortable for him. The EFCC was looking into his request as at the time of filing this report.

The governor, who had vowed not to speak, made a U-Turn, The Nation learnt.

Agbele and Obanikoro are central to the disbursement and receipt of N1.299billion and $5.377million to him.

“The $5, 377,000 was handed over in cash by Obanikoro to Fayose while the N1.299billion was received by Agbele on Fayose’s behalf in the presence of the ex-minister’s Aide-de-Camp who also accompanied them to the bank,” a source close to the investigation said, adding:

“From the $5million, Fayose gave his Personal Assistant Agbele about $1million which he exchanged to Naira and paid for properties on behalf of the governor.

“These assets include four in Lagos (N1.1billion) and two in Abuja worth about N500million to N700million.

“The properties, worth N1.8billion, were purchased with the said proceeds of crime.”

Fayose has been asking the EFCC to take him to court.

The source said: “Fayose will still undergo another round of grilling on Friday (today). We cannot just arraign him in court without obtaining a statement from him.

“By Friday, he has to explain the following:

Did Obanikoro hand over cash to him and Agbele?
What was the N1.299b meant for?
Did Agbele buy properties for him? How did his associate acquire the six properties for him?

“So far, Fayose remains in custody till he is able to respond to issues isolated for him.”

Fayose wrote a letter to the EFCC demanding an additional mattress to sleep on.

He said one mattress was too flat to accommodate his frame in the cell.

”He has demanded for a second mattress from the anti-graft agency and I think they are looking into his request.

“They want to find out from him the type of mattress needed to make him comfortable in custody,” the source said.

Fayose’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said efforts had begun to secure his release from EFCC custody.

Ozekhome told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that “Fayose’s lawyers are already taking steps to enforce his fundamental human rights by getting him released.

”Yes, his lawyers will go to court to enforce his fundamental human rights.

”The EFCC has no right to keep him for over 24 hours.

“If they have done that by obtaining a Magistrate Court’s Order that will be in the form of “holding charge” which has been declared unconstitutional and illegal by the Supreme Court. Holding charge is illegal. It is unconstitutional.’’

Ozekhome said that the section of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) permitting a magistrate to detain a suspect for 14 days was illegal.

According to him, any action outside the provisions of Section 35 of the Constitution, which specifically provides for 24 hours, is illegal and unconstitutional.

The EFCC, also yesterday disowned a tape in which its Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu is said to have claimed that nothing would happen should Fayose die in detention.

The Head of Media Wilson Uwujaren said the purported audio tape was fake.

The statement said: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission wishes to alert the general public about an audio recording of a conversation currently circulating in the social media in which the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu, purportedly made comments to the effect that nothing will happen peradventure Ayo Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State, dies in custody.

“Interestingly, the audio tape did not disclose the place where the conversation occurred and the person that Magu was supposedly talking to.

“Purveyors of this fake news especially a former spokesperson of a leading political party, are warned to desist.”

Akpabio To Saraki: Senate Leadership Must Change

Akpabio, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and resigned as the minority leader, said the Senate president should follow suit after Saraki’s defection to the PDP from APC.

The calm that reigned in the Senate since its return from recess last week was shattered yesterday.

Senator Godswill Akpabio called for the reconstitution and restructuring of the upper chamber — in line with the numerical strength of parties. “The majority must always preside over the minority,” he said.

He threatened to stop contributing in plenary unless his desired change is carried out.

Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North West) spoke at a news conference after yesterday’s plenary during which he was temporarily barred from making contributions by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Akpabio, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and resigned as the minority leader, said the Senate president should follow suit after Saraki’s defection to the PDP from APC.

He added that while the minority should have its say, the majority should have its way for peace to prevail.

The Senate, he insisted, must be properly constituted and senators must sit according to political parties.

“You cannot have 10 senators presiding over the affairs of 80 senators and expect peace to reign,” Akpabio said.

He went on: “On the other side, having me move from the PDP to the APC, I think it is a jolly good movement and I am excited that I have a much greater opportunity to relate directly with the government and not my voice to be heard from a partisan point of view.

“Being part of the ruling party now, whatever advice or contributions I will make will not be looked at with suspicion. They will now know that I am saying it from a patriotic point of view and for the fact that I want things to work better.

“I moved in national interest. I saw a kind of slight towards disorder, where many of my colleagues saw defection as a weapon against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I don’t believe that we should bring a government into being without supporting that government to succeed. If the administration slides and Nigeria slides into anarchy, it is our children that will suffer. I moved to stabilise the polity.

“I moved from PDP to APC, to make sure that this government works before election. It should not be all about election; it should be first about Nigeria. Let others also move in national interest.

“I did not just move like that, I was a (Minority) Leader in the Senate. I resigned my position in order to show that, yes, I meant business. Let others who also have positions in the Senate who wish to also cross carpet from one political party to another also resign their positions and take a cue from what Godswill Akpabio did.

“There is the need for us to restructure the Senate. Behind where I sat today, my very good friend, distinguished Senator Shittu; it was after the little noise in the Senate that he told me that he was now in the PDP and I said ‘why are you sitting here?’

“Don’t you think there is the need for us to restructure the Senate? PDP will sit on a side, APGA will sit where they are supposed to, and the ruling party, which still forms the majority, will still sit where they are supposed to sit.

”The leadership should be restructured in a way that the majority can have their way and the minority will have their say. That is the practice all over modern democracies.

“You cannot have a political party with 10 members, another with 80 members, and the 10 members will now produce the leadership.

“Does it happen anywhere in the world? Nigeria is not different. We are running a democracy. That is what I meant when I said I would speak when the Senate is well restructured and reconstituted.”

During plenary, there was commotion for over 30 minutes.

Court Faults IG For Ignoring Senate’s Invitation

Justice John Tsoho yesterday said Idris’ excuse was not tenable, and that the two suits he filed in relation to the invitation amounted to an abuse of court processes.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has faulted the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, for refusing to honour the Senate’s invitation on the trial of Senator Dino Melaye.
Justice John Tsoho yesterday said Idris’ excuse was not tenable, and that the two suits he filed in relation to the invitation amounted to an abuse of court processes.
The IG filed the suits earlier in the year to challenge the Senate’s insistence that he must honour its invitation in person, and its subsequent declaration that he was not fit to occupy public office.
The Senate had, by an April 25 letter, invited the IG following alleged inhuman treatment of Melaye, and the killings in Benue, Plateau, Kwara states, and others.
Idris, who was expected to appear before the Senate the following day, sent the deputy inspector general of Police (Operations) and commissioner of Police, Kogi State, to represent him.
The Senate refused to grant the men audience, and insisted Idris must appear in person.
The lawmakers rescheduled the meeting for May 2 and again directed that the IG honours its invitation in person.
But the IG filed the first suit on April 30, through his lawyer, Alex Izinyon (SAN), contending, among others, that he was not required under any known law to honour every invitation in person.
He argued that by the Constitution and Police Act, he can delegate responsibilities, and direct subordinates to represent him, and his choice of the DIG (Operations) and Kogi State Police commissioner was because they were conversant with the issues.
Justice Tsoho upheld the argument by the defendants – the Senate and its president – to the effect that the IG’s suits were intended to hinder the Senate from performing its responsibilities.
His judgment was on one of both suits. He declined to determine the second suit on the grounds that having rendered his opinion on one, he would prefer another judge hears and determine the second.
He returned the file to the chief judge for reassignment.
The judge said although the IG could be excused for not honouring the first invitation because he accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari on an official trip, there was no justification for not honouring the second invitation.
Justice Tsoho noted that the IG, having had knowledge of the Senate’s invitation, his excuse that he could not attend the second invitation because he was on an official trip to Birnin Gwari with the general officer commanding, was “not tenable”.
The judge said: “I do not see any harm that would have been caused if the plaintiff honoured the defendants’ invitation. I uphold the defendants’ argument that the plaintiff’s suit is intended to prevent the exercise of the Senate’s legitimate and constitutional responsibility, and that it constitutes an abuse of court process.”

Looters List: EFCC Opposes Bid To Jail Lai Mohammed

“The minister of information is not a party to the criminal proceedings against the applicant. There was nothing that connects the Ministry of Information to the motion, which was taken out to annoy the prosecution. The motion is lacking in substance; it is an abuse of the court’s process and should be dismissed.”
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss an application by a former Finance Minister (State) Mrs. Nenadi Usman seeking to summon Minister of Information Lai Mohammed for publishing her name as an alleged looter.
Mrs. Usman, who is on trial for alleged money laundering before Justice Rilwan Aikawa, initiated contempt proceedings before the same judge against Mohammed after he released her name as one of the treasury looters.
But, EFCC lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo said the application was “parasitic” and a ploy to delay the former minister’s trial.
He argued that Mrs. Usman ought to have filed a separate civil suit for libel against Mohammed rather initiating contempt proceedings before the judge she is undergoing trial.
In a motion on notice filed through her lawyer Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), Mrs. Usman argued that the inclusion of her name on the looters’ list while her case was pending in court was contemptuous.
According to her, the Minister of Information was aware of the charge against her, yet he caused to be published a list of looters in several media platforms on April 1, where her name featured prominently as having looted N1.5 billion.
Orbih urged the court to grant his client leave for Mohammed to appear to show cause as to why he should not be committed to prison for contempt.
The SAN said Mohammed’s publication of Usman’s name as a looter undermined the court’s authority, adding that should the court fail to punish Mohammed, its integrity would be questioned by the public.
But, Oyedepo argued that the newspaper publications cited by Orbih did not expressly declare Usman as a looter.
He said the reports used the expression “alleged looter”, which he said was in conformity with the charge against Usman.
“There is nowhere in Exhibit A (newspaper report), where the defendant is described as a looter of public treasury. What was published is an allegation which is yet to be proven,” he said.
Oyedepo also disagreed with Orbih that the contempt issue must be determined before trial can proceed, adding that Usman’s application “is naked”.
Orbih had argued that contempt proceedings were criminal in nature and must be dispensed with as a matter of priority before the substantive trial can continue.
But, Oyedepo said anyone who claims that his or her reputation was maligned should seek remedy in court.
He said: “The minister of information is not a party to the criminal proceedings against the applicant.
“There was nothing that connects the Ministry of Information to the motion, which was taken out to annoy the prosecution.
“The motion is lacking in substance; it is an abuse of court’s process and should be dismissed.”
The EFCC re-arraigned Usman and former Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode for alleged N4.6 billion fraud, to which they pleaded not guilty.
The former ministers were charged along with former Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and ex-Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State Mr. Yusuf Danjuma and a company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.
The four were also accused of indirectly retaining N300 million, N400 million and N800 million, all proceeds of corruption, according to EFCC. The prosecution said they allegedly committed the offence between January 8 and March 25, 2015, ahead of the general election.
Justice Aikawa adjourned till October 16 and 19 for ruling.

Lagos APC Primary Fine, Oshiomhole Tells Buhari

“I told the President that the primaries held as planned and everything is being done to ensure there is no violence because democracy doesn’t flourish with violence."
All Progresives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole has dismissed fears that yesterday’s governorship primary in Lagos State was controversial.
He said the party leadership was in control of the shadow election.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, the former Edo State Governor said: “I told the President that the primaries held as planned and everything is being done to ensure there is no violence because democracy doesn’t flourish with violence.
“Nigerians must begin to learn how to differ in opinion and in choice without fighting; this is something people have to acquire over time.
“For me, I’m excited that if we can do it in Lagos, it can be done anywhere.
“Everything that is being done is done under the control, supervision and direction of the NWC.’’
In Lagos, the Clement Ebri Election Committee said the exercise did not receive its blessing because the conditions prescribed were not followed.
Party Chairman Tunde Balogun rejected the Committee’s verdict, saying the election was free and fair.
Leaders of the party, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, commissioners, aspirant Babajide Sanwo-Olu and party members who turned out in large numbers, participated in the election.
But Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who was in his hometown Epe for the primary, remained indoors.
Reporteers who accompanied him to Epe were asked to leave for Lagos shortly before 11a.m.
Ebri said at about 4.30 pm when he addressed the media was just ready for the primary.
He said he had contacted the APC national secretariat for further directives.
“We are ready to give the state the most credible election. It is not our fault that this exercise took this long. In some states, primary has been moved to Thursday.
“We were waiting for the (Lagos State) party chairman to provide certain information that will enable us post people to the wards. We have two aspirants and we needed to be fair to both parties. The information we demanded for came in about an hour ago. And we had to struggle this period to balance the equation,” Ebri said, adding:
“We have five persons from the local organising committee and four for each ward. They will all go out to ensure the primary is conducted. We all understand the terrain in the state, especially as it concerns the traffic situation. So, the materials are available now and ready for deployment.
“The national secretariat advised us to use ballot papers and we came into Lagos with thousands of them. But during the stakeholders meeting, it became obvious that the state chapter of the party wasn’t ready for such primary. They claimed that there was no time to educate the members and others. And based on the submission made at the stakeholders meeting, some changes were made.
“And we were advised to conduct the open ballot in a manner that would be objective to all parties. And that is one of the adjustments we made to accommodate views of the stakeholders.
“We had a session with representatives of both aspirants here at about 8 am. And we asked that they should bring names of their representatives that would be used for the exercise. But the names didn’t arrive early from both parties.”
Ebri went on: “Because of the political tension in the state, we decided to be very careful, very methodical and very meticulous in doing it. As party men, peace is very important to us than victory; we want victory that will be celebrated by both parties; we want victory that will be credible; a victory that will be in line with the guidelines and extant rules and laws in this country. We are ready to go to the field and execute this in clinical fashion.
“Lagos is a flagship of APC and must continue to remain so for years to come and so in conducting anything that has to do with Lagos, we have to do it with a lot of circumspection and objectivity and it should be a showpiece for the rest of the country.
Displaying the result sheets, the Panel Chairman said it was “in impeccable condition and not one single sheet is missing and it is not possible for this committee to do any other thing than it has been instructed to do”.
“We have guidelines and we will stick to those guidelines to be sure that we are fair to both parties.”
Balogun insisted that the primary was devoid of violence and, therefore, credible.
He said the agents of the two parties were present at the wards where the election took place and that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and election observers witnessed the exercise.
“The election took place simultaneously in all the 245 wards. Some of our members were visible in the local governments. For example our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was at Ikeja, his own ward.
“He took part in the election and we saw the results. The results have been signed by the agents of the two aspirants. Those results were credible because the INEC too were there and they all signed. We were all witnesses to the conduct of the election. There were no violence, no chaos; it was free, fair and transparent.”
Asked whether any member of the NWC panel members was there, he said: ‘’What I know is that I did not go round the wards. The venue I went to, I saw some observers apart from the agents and INEC. They were publicly conducted, constitutionally done and I think we will leave the rest for the people and the press . That is why we have to wait for the committee charged with the responsibility to announce the results. We are not to announce the results.
Some women from Shomolu/Bariga who protested at the Ikeja hotel where the panel members addressed the media, complained that they were not allowed to vote in their wards because they are known supporters of Governor Ambode.

National Assembly Set To Rework Electoral Act Bill​

If the Bill is passed by the two chambers, it will be the fourth time the National Assembly has considered and passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.