I Will Defeat Akeredolu, Jegede, Ajayi Boasts

Candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Deputy Governor of Ondo, Hon Agboola Ajayi, has boasted he would defeat Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Eyitayo Jegede on Saturday.

Ajayi, who spoke at Owo, in Owo Local Government Area at the round off of his campaign tour, said he is confident of defeating other candidates in the election.

The Ondo Deputy Governor assured adequate security would be provided to protect residents from harassment.

Ajayi warned his supporters not to take arms against anybody but to out and vote.

Former Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, said it was sad that five persons died in the last few weeks due to political violence.

Mimiko stated that electorates were no longer attending political rallies due to violence.

His words:

“They should ask Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu why his party members are using guns to pursue members of rival political parties.

“Our party believes that government projects are for the benefit of the people. They should know that there is life after office.”

Gov Akeredolu Rejects Deputy’s Handshake After Signing Peace Accord

Ondo state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu refused to shake his Deputy, Agboola Ajayi, after signing a peace accord ahead of the 2020 Ondo State governorship election.

Ondo Decides 2020_ Gov Akeredolu rejects deputy’s handshake after signing peace accord

Just a few days to the election and their was mild drama again during the signing of a peace accord to ensure a violence-free election.

The three major contestants, Rotimi Akeredolu of APC, Eyitayo Jegede of PDP, and Agboola Ajayi of ZLP promised to abide by the terms of the accord.

They vow to eschew utterances and conducts that would encourage violence before, during, and after the elections.

At the end of the event as Akeredolu declined a request by the Master of Ceremonies for him to either shake hands, touch elbows, or embrace his ZLP opponent; the state deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi.

He would simply wave at his Deputy, but later go on to exchange pleasantries with PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede.

The Chairman, NPC, and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who spoke via zoom, urged all stakeholders to commit to the spirit of the accord.

He said,

“The governorship election in Ondo State is only a few days away and we want peace during and after the election.

We want to see Nigeria as a place, where people come out peacefully and vote during the election without deprivation, and Ondo State deserves this.”

Other members of the peace committee include Bishop Mathew Kukah and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.

Don’t Allow APC Rig Ondo Poll, Secondus Urges Supporters

Uche Secondus, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the supporters to come out en masse to protect their votes during the forthcoming election in Ondo state.

He made this call during the opening rally of the party for the Ondo State Governorship election at the M.K.O Abiola Democracy Park in Akure.

Also Read: Jegede, PDP Kick-Off Governorship Campaign In Ondo

While boasting of the support the party enjoys in the state, he declared that the PDP would win the forthcoming governorship election.

Addressing the supporters, Secondus said, “Do not vote for APC, do not allow APC to rig the election. If APC rigs this election, they will face the wrath. The only thing Akeredolu is relying upon is to rig the election because he has not performed.

“Make sure you vote out the government that has turned Ondo State to a family business, let Buhari know that the only thing left for him is to conduct free and fair elections in Edo and Ondo States.”

Oyo PDP Counters APC’s Stand Over Dissolution Of LG, LCDA Chairmen

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State has reacted to statement by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) that Governor Seyi Makinde was wrong to have sacked council chairmen in the state.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Akeem Olatunji, the party said APC was yet to recover from the electoral shock it suffered after the 2019 elections.

The statement read: “The attention of Oyo State PDP has been drawn to a reckless and unguarded press release credited to Oyo State APC in which they kicked against measures to prevent premeditated violence by members of the proscribed NURTW and looting spree in the local councils across the state.

“It is pertinent to note that Oyo State APC leadership is yet to grapple with the fact that its eight-year ignoble reign of suffering, impunity, desecration of traditional institution and unimaginable looting of the state’s resources have come to an end. Hence, their attempt to stifle efforts of Engr Seyi Makinde PDP-led administration to reconstruct and reposition Oyo State to reclaim her lost glory. “

He explained that the dissolution of the local governments and LCDA was long overdue, “as the former Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, knew very well that they were illegal contraptions, created to empower his SENACO faction to the detriment of other tendencies in APC, while all laid down rules, procedures and processes in creating LCDA and organising credible elections were violated…”

Claiming that the recent pockets of violence witnessed in the state, which necessitated the proscription of NURTW could be traced to APC in Oyo state to create artificial unrest to discredit the new government, he said the immediate past administration forgot that the poor populace they once governed was at the receiving end of their crude means of playing opposition.

Adebayo Alao-Akala Rejoins APC

A big blow of opposition parties move in Oyo state as a former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, has returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC),

The former governor also dumped his governorship ambition and collapsed structure with the ruling APC.

The Deputy governor candidate of the ADP, Olaiya also confirmed this in a tweet on Friday.

A message from Akala camp also reads:

PRESS STATEMENT

For Immediate Release.

After careful Consideration of the results of the last Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives elections and in furtherance of the Development, Progress and Peace of Oyo state.
Far reaching decisions have to be taken and actualized.
The ADP after holding series of high level consultations across Oyo state after the last General elections has come to the conclusion that the sanctity, integrity and progress of Oyo cannot and must not be compromised.

We have felt the pulse of the people whose support has brought us this far, it is important that we dance when they play the tunes.

We have given deep thoughts to the furture of this state and have realized that not much can be realized in Isolation.

Hence the need to team up with the party that puts the interest of the masses on top of its priority list.

Looking at the results of the last elections, we have realized the need to restrategise and ensure that Oyo state is not left out in the cold.

To this effect, the Oyo state A.D.P and the Akala Campaign Organisation hereby call on all our Members, teeming supporters and well wishers across the state to come on board in this move towards Positioning our state for better National Interest.

SIGNED:

Chief Wale Ohu
Director General,
Akala Campaign Organisation.

One Million Dead Persons Will Vote In This Election – PDP

Uche Secondus, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says more than one million persons on the national voter register are dead.

Secondus said this on Tuesday during an emergency meeting of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Abuja.

He said the PDP has evidence that “over 1,050,051 dead voters will vote in this election.”

According to him, “the voter register contains the data of dead voters. Permanent voters cards for dead voters were printed and distributed nationwide. The idea of ghost voters is consistent with the nature of this virtual President.”

Secondus also alleged INEC is plotting to manipulate outcome of Saturday’s presidential election.

He said there is a “coordinated approach” to register foreigners as voters, mainly from Niger and Cameroon.

“That is why INEC has established so many polling Units along the border with Cameroon and Niger,” he said.

He said following the successful campaign of the PDP, he can guarantee that “Nigerians have resolved to return PDP to power, in 2019.”

“Overwhelmed by this reality, the ruling party, APC), decided to sabotage the electoral body who had earlier played into their hands by allowing the cabals and other APC hawks to hijack the activities of the commission as contractors and consultants,” he added

This is, however, not the first time the PDP is alleging foul play in the electoral process.

Festus Okoye, INEC director of voter education and publicity, had not responded to a text message sent for reaction to the allegations as of when this report was filed.

Shooting Order: Buhari Needs To See A Doctor – Dino Melaye

                    

Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi west at the national assembly, says President Muhammadu Buhari needs to revisit London, suggesting a need for a medical checkup.

He said the president spoke with the anointing of Idi Amin, late Ugandan dictator on Monday.

On Monday President Muhammadu Buhari said he has given the military and the police the order to be ruthless, stating that those who snatch ballot boxes will pay with their lives.

“I really gave the military and police order to be ruthless,” Buhari had said.

“Anybody who thinks he has enough influence in his locality to lead a body of thugs to snatch ballot boxes or disturbs the voting system, will do so at the expense of his own life.”

But speaking on Channels TV on Tuesday, Melaye said he was disappointed in the president’s utterances about ballot snatching.

“I want to start by saying I am utterly disappointed in my president, I am completely in shock that in a democratic setting, the president will speak with the anointing of Idi Amin Dada of Uganda,” Melaye said.

“The president will use the word ruthless, the president will order killings of Nigerians without going through legal procedures, that is totally unacceptable.

“The statement just reminds me of the part of the Bible that says out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.”

Melaye said he expected that the president should have apologised and withdrawn the statement, and apologise to Nigerians.

“That statement is very unpresidential, and I expected that by now, the president should have apologised to Nigerians and withdraw that statement, but instead, there has been a lot of efforts, boxing the wind by chieftains of the APC trying to defend what is undefendable,” Melaye said.

Melaye said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not in support of ballot box snatching, but in a sane clime, the laws should be adhered to strictly.

The lawmaker took it a step further to say the president needs to visit London again, suggesting the number one citizen of the nation is in need of medical attention.

“That statement from Mr President actually, for me, is a serious confirmation that the president has to visit London again because it is not expected for any rational thinking, intellectually mobile leader to make such statement.

When told to temper his words, Melaye insisted that he has not been “insolent at all,” but simply advising the president.

Festus Keyamo, Buhari’s campaign spokesman, said the robbery and firearms act prescribes death for anyone involved in armed robbery, adding that snatching ballot box is armed robbery.

What Buhari Hope To Achieve With Election Postponement – Atiku

Presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of plotting to disenfranchise Nigerians.

Atiku said this moments after the 2019 elections were formally shifted from 16 February to 23rd of the same month by the INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu.

But Atiku, who is President Buhari’s main challenger, urged Nigerians to exercise patience and not be provoked before the new dates announced for the exercise.

“This postponement is obviously a case of the hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob. By instigating this postponement, the Buhari administration hopes to disenfranchise the Nigerian electorate in order to ensure that turn out is low on the rescheduled date.

Nigerians must frustrate their plans by coming out in even greater numbers on Saturday, 23 February and Saturday, 9 March respectively,” the former vice president said in a obtained by Zebra News.

The INEC boss announced at about 2:40 a.m. Saturday that the election had been postponed, few hours to commencement of the polls.

Yakubu said the announcement came hours after a string of strategic meetings was held by top INEC officials to review preparedness for the exercise. It was concluded that a rash of logistics challenges that arose on Friday informed the postponement.

Read Atiku’s full statement below:

As you know, the Independent National Electoral Commission has announced a postponement of the elections until 23 February and 9 March respectively.

The Buhari administration has had more than enough time and money to prepare for these elections and the Nigerian people were poised and ready to perform their civic responsibility by voting in the elections earlier scheduled for Saturday, 16 February, 2019.

This postponement is obviously a case of the hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob. By instigating this postponement, the Buhari administration hopes to disenfranchise the Nigerian electorate in order to ensure that turn out is low on the rescheduled date.

Nigerians must frustrate their plans by coming out in even greater numbers on Saturday, 23 February and Saturday, 9 March respectively.

Knowing that the Nigerian people are determined to reject them, they are desperate and will do anything in their power to avoid their rejection by the Nigerian people.

Their plan is to provoke the public, hoping for a negative reaction, and then use that as an excuse for further anti-democratic acts.

As such, I call on all Nigerians to be patient. We have tolerated the maladministration of this government for four years. We can extend our tolerance a few more days and give them our verdict via our votes.

Maintain the peace and be law abiding. Do not react to this provocation with anger, violence or any action that might be exploited by those who do not want this election to hold. Remain calm. We will overcome this. You can postpone an election, but you cannot postpone destiny.

Please come out to vote on Saturday, 23 February and Saturday, 9 March respectively. Frustrate those who do not want this election to hold by coming out in very large numbers. That is the best antidote to their plans.

May God bless you and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Amaechi Hails Obasanjo In New Audio, Describe Ex-President As True Nigerian

Former Governor Of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and Ex-Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo

Rotimi Amaechi, director general of President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, has described former president Olusegun Obasanjo as a patriot.

The former Rivers governor said Obasanjo is the only Nigerian that loves the country.

Amaechi, who is the minister of transportation, made the remark in an audio clip released by Reno Omokri, former media aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

“I don’t think Nigeria can change, a lot of Nigerians are cowards. You know why Nigeria can’t change, it’s that the elites… and a lot of you are either elites or potential elites,” Amaechi said in the clip.

“You are not Nigerians. The only Nigerian I have seen on earth is Obasanjo. Hate him, like him, he is not a Yoruba man, he is not an Hausa man, He can be a criminal, He can be stealing money but he loves Nigeria.”

In previous audios, Amaechi was heard saying the only way Nigeria can change is for everybody to be killed, and he also described Lagos state as a glorified village.

Listen to the new audio below;

Rotimi Ajanaku Joins ZLP, To Contest Reps’ Seat Against Fijabi

Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku, has said that the need to save his political career made him dump the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for a new party, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) to realise his political ambition.

Ajanaku made this known at a press conference to officially declare for ZLP and contest for House of Representatives election for Ibadan North West/South West federal constituency seat in next year’s election.

According to Ajanaku who had secured the ticket of the ZLP to represent the constituency, it is in the bid to show his followers the right direction.

He revealed that he clearly defeated the current representative, Honourable Saheed Fijabi in the primaries, alleging that “over 21 votes were added in favour of the lawmaker by Mr Demola Seriki-led Electoral committee that supervised the primaries held on October 4, 2018.”

Ajanaku who had lost the primaries to Fijabi in 2011, said the appeal panel was compelled to succumb to the intense pressure from the clique to disregard his appeal, adding that “In spite of my petition backed up with ample video evidence of the ‘robbery’, the powers-that-be influenced the appeal panel judgement.”

He added that “I decided to wait patiently for the panel’s verdict before calling for this press conference, I refrained from whatever may truncate the appeal process of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Now that the panel had taken a position, it is incumbent on me to inform the general public about what transpired, and my next line of actions.

“In view of persistent pressure from my supporters and electorates who are already tired of the member representing the federal constituency, I, Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku, has decided to run for the House of Representatives on the platform of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), since there is no provision for an independent candidacy.

“Although, it is a painful decision that needs to be taken, judging by my investment in the Progressives since the days of the Alliance for Democracy, (AD). However, I must save my political career from extinction. As an accomplished entrepreneur, my livelihood is not attached to politics, but I must consider the plight of my loyalists who have at different times put their lives on the line for my political pursuit. They should not labour in vain. I am strongly convinced of the victory by the grace of the almighty God.”

APC State Will Win Oyo State Guber Election ..Bola Tinubu

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain Bola Tinubu has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was plotting to operate “container economy” if elected in 2019.

Speaking on Saturday in Ibadan at the inaugural Abiola Ajimobi Roundtable organised as part of the activities marking the 69th birthday of the Oyo State Governor, Tinubu said the outcome of the vice-presidential debate has shown that the ‘developmental economy’ of APC cannot be compared with the ‘container economy’ of PDP.

The former Governor of Lagos State argued that the developmental economy would take Nigeria to a secured next level of economic prosperity.

He, however, stated that the container economy would return the country to perpetual slavery and poverty.

The former governor also assured that he would support the APC governorship candidate for the 2019 poll in the state, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.

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He said: “I saw the debate, to crown my remarks. You could see the difference between a developmental economy and a container economy.

“Is Oyo State going APC? .Yes Oyo State is APC. It is progressive politics. I said in one place before, our Moses has crossed the Red Sea, no going back to Egypt. Success all the way.”

He stated that he did not feel bad if opposition parties in the State associated him with the process that threw Adelabu up as governorship candidate.

“If we do indirect primary again, I will still vote for your (Governor Ajimobi) choice of successor, because reforms, re-engineering, reinvigoration of the institutions can only continue beyond us. If the foundation is bad, the house will crumble,” he said.

Ogun State ADC Guber Candidate GNI Envoy Attacked ,Supporters Wounded

WE CONDEMN ATTACK ON GNI CAMPAIGN CONVOY

The Gboyega Nasir Isiaka Campaign Organization is using this medium to alert the good people of Ogun state and indeed all Nigerians about the unwarranted and orchestrated attack on the campaign convoy of the gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka today at Ibese where two of our supporters were shot and in critical condition while many other sustained critical injuries.

We are shocked to note that this dastardly act is coming on the heels of a meeting just yesterday between the Police Inspector General and the political parties; on the need for everyone to maintain peace and shun violence - before, during and after the elections.

It must be noted that Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka is a peace loving man who has conducted the art of politics in a most decorous, decent and refined manner since 2009. Our principal always preaches politics of ideas and capacity. He detests violence and do or die disposition.

We are therefore amazed at the turn of events where suspected agents of state will arm themselves with guns and other sophisticated weapons to attack a peaceful man going about his issue-based campaigns .

The attack this afternoon, at Ibese in Yewa North lg area of the state is a sad commentary on the state of worsening security and state of politics in Ogun State. It all started with the destruction of our billboards and adverts materials.

Now it has progressed to dangerous physical attacks. We do not know who is afraid of the growing popularity and acceptability of GNI. We urge our opposition to work hard and test themselves at the polls, rather than resort to attacks and antisocial actions.

We hereby call on the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, the State Director of DSS and other security agencies to look into the root of this matter and apprehend the perpetrators; as a deterant to other.

More importantly, we request more security cover for our Principal, his family and supporters.

We urge our supporters to remain calm and avoid reprisal attacks on the known agent of the masterminds of this evil deed.

Signed:

Bolaji Adeniji

Director of Media & Publicity

Gboyega Nasir Isiaka Campaign Organization.

Fayose Arrives Ibadan For PDP Rally, After Lagos Accident

Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, is on his way to Ibadan for the Peoples Democratic Party presidential campaign, scheduled to hold in Ibadan, on Thursday, just hours, after he was involved in an accident on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State.

His media aide, Lere Olayinka, broke the news of the accident on his social media.

Olayinka had stated: “He is in stable condition as I write while he is receiving medical attention.”

According to report, former Chief Press Secretary to Fayose, Idowu Adelusi, who confirmed the accident, said: “It is true that he was involved in an accident, but a minor accident”.

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Adelusi disclosed that the governor’s car rammed into a stationary commercial vehicle on the bridge. He said, “Nobody sustained injuries. The governor’s car only had minor damage.

“He is already on his way to Ibadan for the Peoples Democratic Party presidential campaign rally for the South West billed for tomorrow (Thursday),” Adelusi said.

Responding to question of other vehicles in the governor’s entourage, Adelusi said: “Even when he was in office as governor, you know ‘oga’ rarely used convoy. It was only the vehicle that he was in that was involved”.

Two Powerful Presidential Aides Are Holding My Husband And Nigeria Hostage...Aisha Buhari

Wife of the President, Dr. Aisha Buhari Monday lamented that two powerful personalities have constituted themselves as clogs in the wheels of speedy development of the administration.

Mrs. who spoke at a conference organized by Project 4+4 in Abuja, however did not mention the names of the powerful persons. The event was also attended by the wife of the Vice President Dolapo Osinbajo.

The First Lady explained that the government has achieved a lot but could have achieved more or even achieved all it has in one year but for two people in government who will never allow things to move fast.

The President wife said that she was disappointed in men who rather than fight these two men will go to them in the night begging for favour. Mrs. Buhari urged Nigerian women to rise up and fight.

According to her, ” I have realized that Sen Babafemi Ojodu, Special Adviser political to the President, and Dr. Hajo Sani, my aide Sajo and wife of the Vice-President Mrs Osinbajo are not comfortable with my saying this and want me to confine myself to my prepared speech but we must say the truth, she said with emotions.

The President’s wife insisted that the powerful duo are retrogressive elements preventing the government from moving forward.

Buhari Support Groups Switch Allegiance To Atiku

Ahead of the upcoming 2019 general elections, some support groups of the president, Muhammadu Buhari, have declared support for candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

At an elaborate event at Ajuji hotel, Gudu district of Abuja on Monday evening, the groups said their decision to dump Mr Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) was due to “marginalization and deliberate impoverishment”.

The press conference was addressed on behalf of the groups by Yusuf Ardo, the national coordinator of the Grassroots Mobilisers for Buhari (GMB).

Mr Ardo said the Grassroots Mobilisers for Buhari is a political pressure group that was registered in 2015 with the relevant government agency, with national, zonal, states, local government areas, wards and polling units leadership.

He claimed his group has over “5 million registered members” across Nigeria that mobilised Nigerians from all works of life through organisation of Town Hall meetings, community by community to sensitise people at the grassroots for the actualisation of Mr Buhari’s presidential aspiration in 2015.

“We toured the country and campaigned for the emergence of the current APC led federal government.

“This forum coordinated all support groups for APC and championed Grassroots Mobilizations of Nigerians.”

He attributed their decision to support Mr Abubakar to the “failure” of Mr Buhari.

“Sequel to the foregoing, we are sad, that the government we put in place has failed and continues to fail our people; we cannot continue to reinforce failures.”

Mr Ardo criticized the president for not having youth in his cabinet.

“How can we have a federal cabinet without a single youth?” he asked.

“A government that does not take the youths into account is a dying government; the future belongs to us, the young people.

“Today, our country is faced with legions of challenges, our economy that was the fastest-growing in Africa has gone comatose under the present government that has shown unprepared and completely clueless.

“Unemployment has risen to an alarming level, instead of creating three million jobs per year as promised during 2015 campaigns; millions of jobs are being lost quarterly, with many companies folding up,” he said.

He said he believed Nigeria’s economy under Mr Abubakar will be revived and returned to the path of progress that it was before the “misfortune” of President Buhari.

“We strongly believe that Atiku will ensure diversification of the economy through Agriculture, adequate supply of power, massive industrialization, thereby creating employment for our teaming youths.”

“Our predicament and future of the youth in Nigeria is highly threatened, that is why we have resolved one hundred percent (100%) to support His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, GCON, come 2019 for our large interest in this country.”

“We need Atiku’s helping hands to liberate our people from the present situation we have sadly found ourselves.”

Reacting to the development, Festus Keyamo, campaign spokesperson of the Buhari Campaign Organization said people were free to make their choices, adding that they also receive hundreds of decampees, daily.

“Every day we receive hundreds of people who dump the PDP and are willing to work for us.”

He however said he doubted if the groups are genuine supporters of President Buhari.

“I doubt if they are genuine Buhari supporters because the name does not ring a bell.”

He said many mercenaries were looking for their daily bread so he would not be surprised to see such development.

Omisore Gives Conditions To Support PDP Ahead Of Osun Re-run

Senator Iyiola Omisore, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the Osun election, has said he would be willing to support any political party that would implement his agenda of good governance, payment of workers’ salaries and pensioners allowances.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday declared the election inconclusive, rescheduling the rerun election for Thursday, September 27th.

Speaking during the visit of Senate President Bukola Saraki to his home in Ile-Ife, on Monday, Omisore added that he was always after a people-centered government.

Omisore said, “I have given my programmes to both the APC and the PDP. My programme is like this; payment of salaries and pensions. Good governance is what is important to me.

“Anyone among the two that will do that will get my support. I am passionate about Osun State and my interest is the welfare of the people of this state. I have told those sent to me. At the appropriate time, we will tell you where we are going.”

Meanwhile, Saraki, who is also a PDP presidential aspirant, told journalists after his meeting with Omisore that he (Omisore) had agreed in principle to support the PDP in the rerun of the election on Thursday.

He said, “We had a fruitful discussion with Senator Omisore. He used to be with us. And we believe he is helping us now. I am optimistic of a good outing for PDP. After meeting with him, I am more optimistic now that with his support, the PDP will win. We are confident of a good outing. I am more confident now.”

“I was hard on INEC because it declared Osun poll inconclusive after doing a good job. The issue of vote-buying was at the front burner, but that was reduced to the bearers minimum as against what we witnessed during Ekiti poll.

“At the end of the day, the poll was again declared inclusive. That like takes away all commendations that should have gone the way of INEC.”

Saraki, however, expressed optimism that the Peoples Democratic Party will win the election and Senator Ademola Adeleke declared winner of the election.

Ex-Governor Mimiko Joins 2019 Presidential Race

The immediate past governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko, on Thursday declared his intention to run for president on the platform of the Labour Party in 2019.

“I have found it compelling to declare my intention to run for president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Mimiko said at an event held at the National Secretariat of the Abdulkadir Abdulsalam faction of the party in Abuja.

In his declaration speech titled “Because We Care,” Mimiko said he was running ”because, like many Nigerians, I am sick and tired of seeing our country become the butt of jokes everywhere you travel to around the world. I am running because I know we can do better, and we will do better.

“I know this because anywhere Nigerians find themselves, no matter the situation, we always rise above adversity. We don’t just survive, we thrive.

“It is high time we replicated in our country, that indomitable spirit of Nigerians, that spirit of accomplishment, which has made stars of individual Nigerians all over the world. The only way to do this is by electing capable hands. It is by electing a great president that can drive this national vehicle to greatness.

“It is indeed only in the context of a restructured system that the hope for a strong, stable and functional Nigeria lies.”

Among those at the declaration were: Peter Ojonugba Ameh who doubles as the Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council and Chairman Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Chairman of National Conscience Party, Tanko Yunusa and the Chairman Alliance of Social Democrats, Dr Emeka Okengwu.

2019: Femi Otedola To Contest Against Ambode In Lagos Governorship Race

Fresh reports indicate that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Forte Oil, Femi Otedola, is set to run for the governorship seat of Lagos state under the Peoples Democratic Party platform.

According to an exclusive report by Dele Momodu, the billionaire oil magnate may pick the PDP ticket anytime from now. Lagos 2019 promises to be interesting. PDP offers Femi Otedola governorship ticket. He's accepted and personally confirmed to The Boss newspaper' Momodu tweeted.

Otedola, who has not initially shown any interest to run for the governorship office, at least for now because he would’nt want to challenge his friend and brother, Ambode for the seat, may have changed his mind following the crisis rocking the emergence of Ambode as APC candidate.

The incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has recently come under fire by a group loyal to APC national leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, saying he must be dethroned for a former commissioner in the state, Babajide Sanwoolu.

2019: Charly Boy Disowns Fela Durotoye As Consensus Candidate Of PACT

Following the controversy surrounding the emergence of Fela Durotoye as the consensus presidential candidate of Presidential Aspirants Coming Together (PACT), a civil society organisation, the Charly Boy led OurMumuDonDo Movement, has called for the suspension of discussions for the time being.

Charly Boy, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference, where he said the movement disapproved of any process on the emergence of a consensus candidate that is devoid of the people's participation. He appealed to the leadership of the coalition to postpone further discussions on presenting a united front for a presidential candidate, until the conclusion of presidential primaries of all political parties.

In his words: “ we wish to advise the leaders of the PACT initiative very strongly that further discussions on presenting a united front for a young presidential candidate should be postponed until the completion of presidential primaries in all concerned political parties. It is therefore important to inform the Nigerian people within and outside the country, that after due consultations with highly respected Nigerians, opinion moulders and social influencers across different divides of our society, we are convinced that without the participation of the Nigerian people in the process of electing a flag-bearer for a united front and their endorsement thereof, the process is incomplete and void.”

The group expressed disappointment that the options given to the aspirants by the group did not go down well with the leadership of PACT, therefore making them not to arrive at a decision that represented the true yearnings of all Nigerians.

"Three options were reeled off to the aspirants by the group. Option A was for the aspirants to unanimously agree on who would be projected as the flag-bearer of their united front and that this would be done before their respective party primaries to save cost and time," he explained.

"Option B was for the aspirants to wait until they had all gone through the party primaries in their respective political parties and then gather to elect their consensus flag-bearer for a united front." He pointed out that there are bound to be stumbling blocks in great endeavours, adding that such would not deter them.

Last week, Fela Durotoye emerged as the consensus candidate of PACT. However, a presidential aspirant, Kingsley Moghalu, rejected the outcome of the election noting that the process was not transparent enough. He later pulled out of the coalition, stating that his presidential ambition was still intact.

Defection:Akpabio Is A Coward And Traitor..Femi Fani Kayode

Over the weekend, former Akwa Ibom state governor, Godswill Akpabio, visited President Buhari in the UK. Rumors of his purported defection from PDP to APC were rife.

In this lengthy post, former Aviation minister and chieftain of PDP, Femi Fani-Kayode, berated Akpabio for his planned defection. He called the former governor a traitor and a coward. Read his post below.

"You remain the father of the nation, our father and political father to all. Just like i told Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Osinbanjo yesterday in Nigeria. Those who think that they have politically grown to insult you will all regret it before month end sir. I am here (London) to register my undiluted love and unalloyed support to you. 

I was involved in all their meetings and I know what their plans are. The long recess of NASS is going to be your advantage and not theirs like they thought and planned"- Senator Godswill Akpabio to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Those that do not have the courage of their convictions and that do not have the guts to stand against tyranny when under fire are not worthy of being called men: they are little better than beasts.

The fact that the former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Senator Godswill Akpabio, is a coward and a traitor is no longer in dispute. The fact that his brazen treachery knows no bounds is what can best be described as "settled law".

A leader must be ready to sacrifice his liberty and life in defence of truth, justice and righteousness and he must be prepared to defend his nation, faith, people and loved ones no matter the price he may have to pay.

Sadly such noble virtues and high standards are lost on men like Akpabio. To them such matters and sentiments are like Greek or Latin: they can neither understand their meaning or grasp their import.

They fail to appreciate the fact that fear is not a virtue but a vice. They refuse to acknowledge the fact that to blink the eye, bat the eyelid, surrender, compromise, buckle, capitulate and bend the knee to the tyrant and his minions in a futile and last minute attempt to preserve your life and liberty is utterly shameful.

Akpabio's desire to decamp to the APC due to his trepidation and fear of the EFCC and Buhari's regime is pitiful. If he has done nothing wrong then why the fear and why the trepidation? Where is his faith in God?

And if he has done something wrong, given the fact that he has opposed them virulently for the last three years, does he honestly believe that the Buhari regime will not punish him by using it against him if they manage to get back to power next year, no matter how much he helps them today?

If he believes that then he is not half as intelligent as I once thought. Buhari is not a man of honor, he is not a worthy ally, he does not keep to his pronlmises and he does not have friends. The only friend he has is his insatiable lust for power which he feeds on a daily basis.

Aside from that the following questions come to mind. Does Akpabio honestly see any good in Buhari and his goverrnment? Is that what he thinks that Nigerians deserve to suffer for the next few years and if so what is their crime?

Has he forgotten the gratuitous insults that Buhari dishes out so lavishly on the Nigerian people whenever he travels abroad and speaks to foreign leaders and the foreign press?

Has he forgotten about all those that the Buhari government have killed and all those that have died and suffered in the struggle against them? Does the shedding of innocent blood by a desperate government mean nothing to him?

Has he forgotten the tears of the tormented and persecuted and the cries of the widows, orphans and the bereaved whose loved ones have been butchered by jihadists, religious fanatics, cow-lovers and ethnic supremacists that Buhari has protected and encouraged over the last three years?

Has he forgotten the anguish of those whose loved ones have been locked up indefinately and those who have been demonised and subjected to the most barbaric and insidious media witchunts in the history of our nation?

Has he forgotten the practice of double standards in the application of our laws? Has he forgotten how the rogues in Buhari's cabinet and government and the governors in his party are above the law and get away with blue murder?

Has he forgotten about the slaughter of northern Christians, IPOB youths and Shiite Muslims? Has he forgotten about the genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Fulani terrorists and herdsmen? Has he forgotten about the attack against the Church and the attempt to undermine and ridicule Christendom?

Has he forgotten about the censorship of the media and how newspapers houses and radio and television stations are warned against airing or publishing anti-government material?

Has he forgotten about Buhari's insidious secret romance with Boko Haram and how he has strengthened them in the last two years by freeing their commanders and paying them huge and unprecedented ransoms?

Has he forgotten the appauling way that members of our Armed Forces are being treated by the government and how they are massacred on the front lines and given secret mass burials in secret graves with no honor or thanks?

Has he forgotten about the brutal assault on the judiciary and judges and the undermining of the rule of law? Has he forgotten about the relentless attacks on the legislature and the humiliation of his colleagues at the National Assembly?

Has he forgotten about the horrors and wickedness that members and leaders of the opposition PDP were subjected to over the last 3 years? Has he forgotten about what the Govermment did to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Sheik El Zak Zaky and Col. Ibrahim Dasuki?

Has he forgotten the vitriolic terms and words that they used to describe President Goodluck Jonathan, President Olusegun Obasanjo and every single PDP leader and government that held power between 1999 and 2015?

Has he forgotten that Buhari considers himself to be the third and final Mahdi of the north and that he has nothing but contempt and disdain for those that come from the Middle Belt and the south and those that do not share his religious faith?

Has he forgotten the insults the Buhari government heaped on southerners, Middle Belters, Afenifere, Ohaeneze, the Niger Delta Elders, the Middle Belt Forum and every single elderstatesman and leader that has called for the restructuring of our country.

Has he forgotten about the division, strife, disgrace, penury, corruption, poverty and despair that they have subjected the Nigerian people to over the last three years.

Has he forgotten what Christians have been subjected to by these demons from hell? Has he forgotten their hatred for the Church? Has he forgotten the division, strife, turmoil, bloodshed, torment and havoc that they have inflicted on our nation?

Has Akpabio forgotten about all these things or is that he is so tormented by the fear of his own shadow, the EFCC and Buhari's ghost that he has capitulated like a fatherless peasant that lacks nobility, class, dignity, self-respect, good-breeding and honor?

On a general note one is constrained to ask: why are most Nigerian leaders plagued with such a cowardly disposition and servile spirit? Why do they compromise so often and why do they tremble before power?

If Akpabio had issues with PDP that is fair enough. We all have issues with the party in varying degrees.

Yet if he felt constrained to leave why can't he join any of the other numerous opposition parties? Why does he have to sell his soul to the devil and enter a Faustian pact with Buhari and the APC.

Why should he join the birds of prey to feed on the blood, flesh and guts of the Nigerian people? The truth is that he has betrayed his people and joined forces with those that seek to enslave them simply in an attempt to secure freedom and goodwill for himself.

Is that what leaders are meant to do? Are they meant to give in to their most morbid and irrational fears and collaborate with those that seek to destroy their nation, their people and their future?

Akpabio reminds me of the old African chiefs and traditional rulers that sold their own people into slavery to the white slave dealers in return for tiny crumbs and protection.

He reminds me of the black slaves that fought on the side of the southern secessionist forces in the American civil war who attempted to preserve the institution of slavery.

He reminds me of the inglorious Scottish clans that turned their backs on Scotland's heroic Bonny Prince Charlie and instead betrayed their people and fought on the side of the English oppressors to oppose Scottish emancipation and liberation.

He reminds me of everything that is unpleasant, servile, weak, ugly, uncouth, cowardly and dishonorable.

The fact of the mattee is that Akpabio deserves to be pitied. He is more worthy of pathos than wrath because, like Judas Iscariot and those that betrayed and crucified Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, he "knows not what he does".

Shakespeare wrote that "a coward dies a thousand times before his death, but the valiant taste of death but once.”Soyinka wrote that "the man died in him who remained silent before tyranny".

Akpabio has died a thousand deaths and the man has died in him. Courage, risk and sacrifice are the fuel and engine room of the struggle for liberation. I would rather live as a free man for one day than live a thousand years as a coward and a slave.

May God guide my friend and brother Godswill Akpabio and may He open his eyes and cause him to appreciate the folly of his own actions and the very grave consequences of the monumental mistake he is about to make.

May He remind him that the forces of darkness have nothing to offer but death, sorrow, shame and destruction.

May He remind him that no matter how dark the night, joy comes in the morning for those who have faith, who trust in the Lord and who stand firm till the end. May He remind him that those that joined Adolf Hitler, even in his last days, ended up dying with him.