2019 General Elections Archives

INEC Okays 119,973 Polling Units For 2019 Elections

Nigeria’s next general elections will be held in 119,973 polling units while results will be collated in 8,809 wards, the country’s electoral body chief has said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the presidential election would hold on February 16, 2019, while governorship and state assembly Elections would be conducted on March 2, 2019.

President Muhammadu Buhari, 75, is standing for reelection and his All Progressives’ Congress may opt to return him unopposed.

His closest challengers are expected to be from the ranks of the leading opposition party People’s Democratic Party. Already, Nigeria’s former vice president Atiku Abubakar has said he will run against Buhari.

A former governor of oil-rich Cross River State Donald Duke has also expressed his interest in the presidency.

Parties such as African Democratic Congress and Social Democratic Party have emerged in recent months and may field younger candidates.

With an estimate registered 80 million voters by February 2019 when the elections will start, INEC boss Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the commission has its work cut out for it.

“Elections are no longer seen as an event, but processes which begin much earlier than the election day,” Yakubu said at a meeting with the organised private sector in Lagos recently. “Numerous activities must begin well in advance leading to election day and beyond. Proper planning means that preparation for the next general election begins from the conclusion of the current election.”

“Realising this fact, the Commission began to prepare for the 2019 general elections with a review, formulation and validation of the Strategic Plan (SP), Strategic Programme of Action (SPA) and the Election Project Plan (EPP) covering the post-2015 five-year electoral cycle 2017-2021.”

He said this was done with the full participation of all stakeholders such as political parties, civil society organisations, the media and security agencies.

Tinubu Pledges To Work For Buhari’s Second Term

A national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said President Muhammadu Buhari deserved a second term and that he would work for his victory in the 2019 presidential election.

While highlighting some of Buhari’s achievements, Tinubu claimed that Nigerians are no longer paying for darkness, giving an indication that electricity supply has become stable under the present administration.

He also lauded Buhari for the school feeding programme, a component of the government’s Social Investment Programme.

2019 Polls: Don’t Vote Based On Sentiments, Nigerians Urged

By David Adejuwon

Nigerians have been urged to properly analyse character of whoever they will vote for in future elections, and avoid ‘collective hypnotism’ when choosing leaders.

The advice was given by a panel of discussants at a programme organised by the Justice Development and Peace Makers’ Centre, Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, to commemorate the 19th anniversary of Nigeria’s return to democratic rule with the theme: “Evaluating Nigeria’s Democratic Dispensation in the past 19 years; The achievements and the challenges.”

This, according to them, will enable the electorates to elect leaders with good antecedents, rather than offering leadership opportunity to people with the history of being anti people.

The panel which has former chairman of Egbedore local government area of Osun, Mr Bamidele Salaam, a broadcaster, Mr. Femi Olanipekun and Mrs Aderonke Ayilara, also averred that Nigerian youths have needed wherewithal to lead the country, and urged them to be more involved in the political processes and vie for positions.

Responding to some of the questions asked by the audience that includes; corps members, members of the Civil Society Groups, religious bodies and secondary school students, Salaam, admitted that democracy may not have led to good governance for the country

He however added that with better leadership recruitment process, Nigeria will eventually produce good leaders that will steer her ship aright.

“Democracy is to be blamed for the lack of vibrancy in today’s civil society movement in the country. Look at media too. The vibrancy of the military era is no longer there. But I am optimistic that with a better leadership recruitment process, Nigerians will give good leaders opportunity to serve”, Salaam said.

In his welcome remarks, the Deputy Coordinator of Justice Development and Peace Makers’ Centre, Rev. Fr. Anthony Adebayo, who stood in for the Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Peter Akinkunmi, encouraged Nigerians not to lose hope, but to continue to intercede for the country.

Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator, Democracy and Good Governance for the Centre, Mr Festus Ojewumi, listed Osun as the fifth state with the largest unclaimed Permanent Voter’s Cards.

He urged electorates that are yet to collect their PVC to do so immediately, and ensure they vote during elections, adding that by so doing, they would be contributing to the development of the nation’s democracy.

2019: The Shape of Things To Come, By Zainab Suleiman Okino

Unlike in 2015, no crystal ball gazer can say with precision how the next one year will be and what the next few months will unravel in Nigeria’s political space. By this time four years ago, things were already shaping up: The rebellion leading to the dumping of PDP by five governors, their friends in the Senate – including the current Senate president, Bukola Saraki and the then speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal (now governor of Sokoto State), and the historic merger of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and renegades of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had taken place.

General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) was waiting in the wings to be crowned the flagbearer of the toast of the moment, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and to subsequently become president of the country. Prophets, Ulamas, pastors and a Catholic bishop (normally not associated with such loose talk), seers, babalawos etc. staked it all and predicted where the pendulum would swing. All these characters are now quiet; afraid that they could lose credibility in an event of wrong predictions or assertions.

Such is the murky waters of today’s political activities, being perpetually in a state of flux, uncertainty and frustration, making even the actors/players in the game appear not to understand the script they are playing. Issues of defection, frame-ups, betrayals, mutual distrust, name calling and antagonism, in addition to the old thorny issues of violence, kidnapping, banditry and killings have become heightened and are heating up the polity; they could also be the deciding factors in the days to come.

Here are the issues: How do you manage the rivalry between Governor Nasir El-Rufai and the three senators from Kaduna State? They say a general does not fight on all fronts and hope to win. But El-Rufai is ‘fighting’ with virtually every interest group — teachers, his former co-travellers in the race to unseat the PDP, the APC Akida group, and of course the PDP, besides his cold relationship with the hawks at the Presidency. The first taste of El-Rufai’s pudding came in the local government elections held in the state on May 12.

Despite jumping the gun, ahead of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the use of technology in the form of the electronic voting machine, considered an electoral aberration, El-Rufai’s Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KASIEC) could not announce the results until five days after, while some have remained outstanding till date. How he will get properly organised for the main election in 2019 remains to be seen.

In the past few months, politicians have switched parties, without consultations with their constituencies as usual. Apart from those who jumped ship at the twilight of PDP’s fall at the eleventh hour, including on the eve of the elections in 2015, APC received new entrants such as Orji Uzor Kalu, Musliu Obanikoro, and Senator Hope Uzodima, and a host of others either standing trial or facing corruption allegations, early in the day. By far the most ridiculous of such defections is of those who, at one time or the other, represented the face of the opposition.

The biggest fish in this category is Ali Modu Sheriff, who was once the factional chairman of PDP, and his ally, Cairo Ojuoboh. After the Ekiti PDP primary election and the bitterness that followed the adoption of the deputy governor, Prof. Kolapo Olushola by Governor Ayo Fayose, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, then spokesperson of the Makarfi faction of the PDP, suddenly found sanctuary in the very party he claimed was sponsoring Sheriff against Makarfi, and a soulmate in his former arch enemy, both now in the APC.

…there are already known war zones starting with the Ekiti State governorship election next month, to be followed soon by that of Osun State. Both will serve as litmus tests for the two leading parties. For Ekiti, the contest is…a battle between Governor Fayose of the PDP and the federal might represented by Dr Fayemi.

A first timer to the country reading this piece will be confounded by the confusion in being in one party today, opposing a person and then joining hands with the same person the very next day. In this clime, politicians are traders who do not stand for principles, and as such they fall for anything that can put them in the position of relevance. Melaye’s supposed defection is neither here nor there until the coast is clear.

Yet, while the politicians scheme, plan and strategise, the electorates who voted them into positions of authority are not factored into their consideration. This set of politicians may well face disappointment and shock in the next few months, for treating the electorates with contempt. I hope voters would take their destinies in their hands and do the needful to the social climbers-cum-politicians at the next round of elections.

Yet, another issue to contend with in the coming days is the make or mar APC convention. Already, the president has shown where his bias is in his open support for ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole. Fortunately, what was touted to be a titanic battle between the two Edo sons — Oshiomhole and Odigie Oyegun — has turned out to be an anti-climax following the withdrawal of Oyegun, thereby reducing the tension that was building up. Perhaps a possible implosion can be avoided.

Again, there are already known war zones starting with the Ekiti State governorship election next month, to be followed soon by that of Osun State. Both will serve as litmus tests for the two leading parties. For Ekiti, the contest is between Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Prof. Kolapo Olushola, but in actual fact, it is a battle between Governor Fayose of the PDP and the federal might represented by Dr Fayemi.

Again, interesting moments from Ekiti State await us in the coming month. Other big battles in 2019 will be recorded in States like Imo, Kaduna, Bauchi, Kogi, Kwara, Benue and Oyo, where the ruling party has so far failed to manage the post-election victory and outcome of state congresses. By far, the biggest battle will be fought in Rivers State between the APC and PDP, as represented by APC strongman and minister of transport, Rotimi Amaechi and Governor Nyesom Wike. The erstwhile friends turned foes and their fanatical supporters will have another opportunity not only to slug it out but also to determine the supremacy of one over the other. I fear for Rivers people, the grass between the two elephants.

The latest trouble is still brewing — Saraki versus Police, and by extension the Senate versus the Presidency. The Police say Saraki has a case to answer over a bank robbery incident in Offa, Kwara State that led to the death of 33 people, including a pregnant woman.

The nPDP has remained a factor. They are already gaining notoriety as a pre-election standby tool – a force for good or bad, a beautiful bride, who springs up at every election period; often gets a suitor, and is open to quick divorce. Their current gamble is becoming too risky even to members of the group. As President Buhari continues to snub them, they just scored another hat-trick with the suspension of talks with Vice President Osinbajo. Too embarrassed to go back to PDP, they are seeking for a change of name in order to make their accommodation look good.

The latest trouble is still brewing — Saraki versus Police, and by extension the Senate versus the Presidency. The Police say Saraki has a case to answer over a bank robbery incident in Offa, Kwara State that led to the death of 33 people, including a pregnant woman. The way this weighty allegation is handled, Saraki’s culpability or not, the Presidency’s meddling or not, and the role of the judiciary in dispensing justice, will all combine to either implode or improve the ruling party’s chances in the next election.

Despite the gloom and political turmoil in the offing, I still believe in the Nigerian spirit of resilience and capacity to brace odds. I also hope the drumbeats of war will be curtailed such that compromises will replace hostilities, good reasoning will replace power mongering, selfishness will replace patriotism and self-servicing politicians will be replaced with those who have the interest of the people and nation at heart. Whatever happens, Nigerians of good conscience should strive to take their country back through legitimate means at the polls.

[email protected], www.zainabokino.blogspot.com

INEC Strategises For 2019 General Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has re-constituted its Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) Committee to ensure good planning and success of 2019 elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, while inaugurating the committee, said their work was vital because of the need to constantly track planning mechanisms and activities put in place for the smooth conduct of the next general polls.

He said that good planning was key for a good election , while proper monitoring of the plans put in place “will limit the areas of difficulty” during elections.

Yakubu said that the Commission performed well in the Ibarapa East State Constituency bye-election held in Oyo State on June 2 due to proper planning and tracking.

“Oyo bye-election was good. The processes were great and things went on smoothly.”

Yakubu said that for the 2019 general elections to be successful, the Commission also needed to constantly track all levels of its preparations to ensure that everything goes according to plan.

Yakubu implored the committee not to forget the two governorship elections holding in Ekiti State on July 14 and in Osun State on September 22.

He also reminded the committee members that the Commission still has about five bye-elections to conduct in five states, including Katsina, Taraba, Bauchi and Cross River.

He warned against complacency, saying he would be prepared to wield the big stick against any “sleeping member” of the committee.

“I will personally be tracking your activities”, the INEC boss stated.

“The Committee’s Terms of Reference include establishing an operational framework for EMSC Secretariat at both headquarters and state offices to be fully functional for implementation, monitoring and support mechanisms for the 2019 general elections.

“Developing an operational framework for EMSC Secretariat platform including, securing fully operational platform resources, dashboard analytics, mobile apps support as well as data collection, reporting and communication tool.

“Developing operational manuals, facilitators’ guides and other relevant training materials for the effective functioning of the EMSC.

“Organising and conducting various levels of training at headquarters and in state offices for the effective implementation of the EMSC Work Plan.

“As well as implementing the EMSC Work Plan as approved by the Commission and carry out any other activities related to 2019 General Elections as may be assigned by the Commission from time to time,” he said.

The 16-member Committee includes: Special Adviser to the Chairman, Prof Mohammad Kuna as Chairman; Chief Technical Adviser to the Chairman, Prof. Bolade Eyinla; Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi; Director, Planning and Monitoring, Mr Okechukwu Ndeche and Director, Electoral Operations, Mr Abdulrazak Yusuf.

Others include Director of ICT, Mr Chidi Nwafor; Director, Voter Registry, Engineer Iro Gambo; Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Oluwole Osase-Uzzi; Director, Estate, Works and Transport, Ruth Endeley; Deputy Director (Election Management) and Mr Chima Duruaku.

2019: INEC Will Never Yield To Pressure, Says Mahmood Yakubu

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, says the commission is completely independent in the discharge of its duties.

Professor Yakubu stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Roadmap 2019, a special political programme anchored by Ladi Akerelodu-Ale on Mondays.

He noted that INEC has not been pressurised from any quarter since he assumed office and the electoral body would resist such stoutly.

“Since I assumed duty on the 9th of November 2015, I have been under no pressure from any quarter at all and this commission will never yield to any pressure from any quarter,” the INEC Chairman said.

“I have been under no pressure to do what is wrong and I will never do what is wrong. So, I think there is a sufficiency of guise in the law; the independence is what we make of that independence,” he added.

With about nine months to the general elections, the INEC boss assured that the commission is working hard to ensure the polls are conducted without prejudice.

He, however, pointed out that the independence of the electoral body comes from the integrity of the election managers, saying it is not necessarily drawn from statutory provisions.

On the process of selecting an INEC chairman, Professor Yakubu noted that it is better to say the President nominates rather than appoints a candidate.

He stressed further that the constitutional provision for appointing an INEC chairman requires that the President must first consult with the National Council of States.

The Council of State is made up of the President, all the governors, serving presiding officers of the National Assembly, former Chief Justices of the Federation, as well as former presidents and Heads of State among others.

Professor Yakubu explained, “There is a process of consultation, then it (the name) is submitted to the National Assembly and the NASS screens the candidate and then submit their recommendations to the President who swears the commission in.”

He added that the process of removing an INEC chairman is also clearly defined by the law.

According to the INEC boss, it requires a two-thirds majority of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to remove an INEC chairman.

He added that the other ways include by means of voluntary resignation or in the case of ill-health.

2019: Traditional Rulers To Endorse Ambode For Second Term

First class monarchs from Ijebu Traditional Rulers in Lagos state will on Tuesday 27th March, 2018 endorse the second term bid of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

A press release jointly signed by trio of Oba Asunmo Ganiyu Aderibigbe, the Alayandelu of Odo Ayandelu; Oba Olumuyiwa Ogunbekun, the Onileki of Lekki; Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo, the Obateru Of Egbin, said the endorsement is imperative judging from unprecedented performance of the governor.

The event which also to formally launch the Lagos State Ijebu Traditional Group will hold at Lagos State Jubilee Chalet in Epe.

The statement read: “The approach of Governor Ambode to governance is in consonant with progressives tenet as all his programmes are people-oriented”

Governor Ambode whose landmark achievements are visible to all Lagosians in a spate of 3 years is expected to grace the occasion as special guest of honour.

According to the statement, the attendance for the event is strictly by invitation and all invitees are expected to comply with the event dressing code which is Royal Blue on White.

PDP Reconciliation Committee Warns APC, INEC Ahead 2019

The National Reconciliation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon Henry Seriake Dickson, has submitted its report to the National Working Committee led by the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus at the National Secretariat, Wadata House, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

While making the presentation, Governor Dickson thanked the party for the thoughtful and proactive steps taken in setting up the Reconciliation Committee and warned opposition APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, against any attempt to rig the 2019 elections.

He also expressed gratitude to the party for the support the committee received in actualising its mandate.

Governor Dickson equally congratulated the Chairman and the NWC for the mammoth support of the party as witnessed in the just-held rally in Jigawa State; a sign post that Nigerians across the country have accepted the party on the one hand, and issued a quit notice to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2019, on the other.

The Bayelsa Governor stated that the committee started work even before the convention ended and proactively moved round the country; engaged party leaders and members who harboured grievances and complaints in respect of the 2018 National Convention.

He appreciated the leaders of the party across the country for the warm reception, high regard and team spirit they accorded the committee throughout the assignment.

He added that the committee having interacted with a cross section of party leaders, women and youths summarized key issues raised across the country.

The issues include:

1. The committee is of the view that the PDP should lead a broad-based coalition to wrest power from the APC in order to salvage Nigeria form further ruin. It recommended that the party should build alliances and establish inter- personal contacts with everyone, including those that have either left or abandoned the party. This desire for the broad-based coalition should be open to everyone who intends to salvage the country from the present mismanagement of the ruling party.

2. The NWC should as soon as possible constitute all statutory standing committees of the party including a strategy committee for the task ahead. The composition of the leadership and membership of these committees must include women, youth and leaders of our party especially those who feel aggrieved and excluded from party activities.

3. In the course of our engagements across the country, we realized that the South West Geo-political Zone deserves some special attention and thus we recommend close personal interaction between the NWC and the zone.

4. We equally received several complaints that border on the involvement of women. Thus we suggest that the party should deliberately crave the support and involvement of women. As the most women-friendly party in the country, the NWC should deliberately cultivate them and assure them that our doors shall remain open for them at all levels of the party.

5. The most crucial part of our recommendations which the entire country hasreiterated is the party’s respect for the rule of law and internal democracy. Even though, we are adjudged the most Democratic Party in the country today, we must re-examine ourselves and create a level playing field for all aspirants at all times.

Concluding, the Governor once more thanked the party for the honour and privilege to serve and pledged that he and members of the committee are readily available to serve the party in whatever capacity whenever called upon. His words: “I and other members of the committee have pledged to work for the party and the nation until the nation is salvaged.”

In his reply,the National Chairman thanked the committee for the good work done. He stated that the report would serve as a guiding template for the going forward of the party. He added that henceforth, the committee has being designated as a standing committee to guide the party in the build-up to the 2019 elections.

“This is a new PDP, rebranded and repositioned to regain lost power” adding that ‘PDP is open to everyone with particular emphasis on women and youths. We want the party to be open to women and youths to aspire to the highest office in the land so we can jointly rescue our nation”, he said.

Prince Secondus stressed on the fact that even during the years of the Nigerian Civil War, the country was never as divided and disunited as it presently is under the watch of the APC government.

Hear him: “APC government is a threat to the unity of this country and only PDP has the capacity to restore the unity of the country once again”.

While positing that the party’s stands with the National Assembly to make laws for the land and the good of the people and not for any cabal in Aso Rock, the party chairman said, ‘The APC government is broken and we are ready with open doors for all the other parties to join hands and rescue this country from ruin’.

In his conclusion, the chairman said, “We hope to form a government of national unity in 2019 where all Nigerians will have a sense of belonging irrespective of religion, tribe or gender. Let me sound a note of warning, APC and INEC cannot rig the 2019 elections. The election is for Nigerians to decide who would lead them and Nigerians shall resist any attempt to rig the 2019 election at all cost”.

Court Restrains National Assembly From Re-ordering Election Timetable

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the National Assembly to stop taking any further actions on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018, which seeks to provide the order in which the Independent Electoral Commission must conduct the 2019 general elections.

The restraining order issued by Justice Ahmed Mohammed is to last till March 17, which is the next hearing date.

Delivering ruling on an oral application by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), lawyer to the plaintiff, Accord Party, Justice Mohammed held that the restraining order was made to preserve the substance of the main suit.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday informed the National Assembly that he had withheld his assent to bill which was earlier passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.

There have been threats by some legislators that the National Assembly would evoke its powers under section 58(5) of the Constitution to override the President’s withholding of assent by two-third majority votes of both chambers.

The oral application by Olanipekun for a “preservative order” was opposed by the counsel representing the National Assembly, Chinelo Ogbozor, during the Wednesday’s proceedings.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, the 2nd defendant to the suit, was not represented by a counsel.

But INEC, the 3rd respondent, was represented by its lawyer, Mr. Taminu Inuwa, who said he had no objection to the application.

Ruling, he judge held that the National Assembly was not likely to suffer any prejudice if it was restrained from going ahead with the amendment processes before the next hearing date.

He added that on the other hand, if no restraining order was issued and the National Assembly went ahead to exercise its powers under section 58(5) of the Constitution by overriding President’s withholding of assent, the essence of the whole suit would have been defeated.

The judge therefore ordered all parties to maintain “status quo ” Tuesday.

He fixed ‎Tuesday for the hearing of the motion for the interlocutory injunction, the same order which was granted during the Wednesday’s proceedings but would likely last till the final determination of the suit if the application succeeds.

The Accord Party, is by its suit challenging the constitutionality of the ‎ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act.

I’m Not Bothered About Second Term In Office – El-Rufai

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has said that he’s not bothered about second term in office, stressing that posterity will judge him on his ongoing efforts to transform the state.

Speaking in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, El-Rufai also described the emergence and attainment of power of the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2015 as a ”miracle” .

He said the emergence of the APC and its clinching on to power in less than four years of its formation was a miracle and that the party would repeat the same feat in any election.

The governor spoke while delivering the maiden public lecture of the Al –Hikmah University Ilorin,titled,”Governing Justly:Perspectives From Near&Far With Lessons From Nigeria”

The governor said at 58, hes not looking for any job, saying that cancelling what he’s doing in Kaduna today will be politically costly for any administration that comes after his to do, because of their nature.

He added that he’s not bothered about agitation for a second term in office,hence he’s taking well grounded decisions that would stand the test of time.

El-Rufai also boasted that there was no threat to the success of the party ahead of the 2019 general elections in the state and beyond because according to him the party has no formidable opposition that could stop it.

The governor said, many people that voted for the APC in 2015 voted for the party ‘‘because they were tired of the PDP .Many people voted not really for APC but against PDP ‘’, he said.

The governor labelled those agitating within the party as ‘‘rascals, trouble makers and noise makers’’ who only wanted the party to continue in the PDP ways of sharing money.

‘‘The APC has no opposition, the opposition we have is no opposition because the opposition is within the APC, there are many unhappy people, we also have many rascals, trouble makers and noise makers.

‘‘They are simply disgruntled because they are used to the PDP ways of doing things, every month give me money, Paris club is here where is my money..They will remain in opposition until you have a way to alienate them’’, he said.

The governor blamed the elites for the challenges confronting Nigerians because of what he described as craze for ‘‘elites’ entitlements and selfish interest. The Nigerian elite is corrupt, selfish, self centred and largely divided, like I said there is need for consensus of the Nigerian elite’’, the governor said.

He said Nigerians should hold the elites responsible for the underdevelopment and lack of progress in many states of the federation and urged ‘‘citizens to put pressure’’ on state and local government to deliver on good governance rather than looking up to the centre for everything.

Governor Rufai also tasked the youths to be involved in the ongoing political process in order to ultimately take over political power from the current leadership if they are serious about it.

He said this became imperative because no election can be won on twitter, Facebook or any social media‎ adding that the elders currently in power will not handover power to the youths for the sake of it,”they have to work for it”he stressed.

On the recent religious crises that broke out in the state ,the governor said 15 persons have lost their lives to the crisis while 45 were injured . He traced the genesis of the crises to the case of a Christian girl who was dating a Muslim guy and wanted to convert to Islam because he wanted to marry him, a development which he said sparked of the crisis.

2019: David Ayeni Canvasses Support For Tayo Adebiyi To Win Ekiti North

The Director General of Tayo Adebiyi Campaign Organization, David Ayeni {Erebe Presenter} has urged members of the All Progressives Congress APC in Ekiti North Senatorial District to support Adebiyi’s candidature in the 2019 General Elections.

According to Ayeni, Adebiyi has the capability to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

In a statement he personally signed, the Itaji-Ekiti born politician is capable of extending his numerous contributions to the development of humanity when he is elected.

Read the full statement below:

Adebiyi is an exceptional leader of Ekiti North APC

What every concerned person especially the youths are clamouring for is a person who is willing and ready to impact directly on the lives of people.

It will be a self delusion and a repeated deception to think we will bring anyone from the whims to go and represent us in Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1. What do i mean by this? Anyone who has not been interacting and impacting directly in the lives of his people before electioneering period comes from the whims.

In Oye/Ikole Federal constituency, we seek a man who feels the pain of his people and is not only willing to help for electoral purposes but that man who has been helping and is still helping them. Not a person who is periodical in his sympathy for his people. We seek that man who has shouldered that responsibility of putting smiles on the faces of his people without some long strings attached.

That man who through his non-governmental organisation “pat royal foundation” dug and installed a functioning borehole at Itaji-Ekiti, empowered our farmers with hoe, cutlasses and fertilizers. He touched the lives of our market women with cash donations, aprons, buckets, packers and other relieve materials for their chosen professions.

Our people from Ikole Ekiti will not forget his free medical intervention where qualified Doctors and nurses were taken to their door steps to attend to their health challenges with absolutely free drugs available to them when hospitals in Ekiti State were paralysed through industrial action.

Over 2000 kids enjoyed his program “pat Kiddies party” last December where children of the poor where made to enjoy free father Christmas show with mouth watering gifts and scholarship.

In the spirit of comradeship, stability and without any form of reservations i present our brother our friend our son and benefactor PRINCE TAYO ADEBIYI , from Itaji Ekiti in Oye local government to us that he may represent us in the green chamber to do much more for us.

TA…… ACTION!!!

Signed: David Ayeni erebe presenter. DG, Tayo Adebiyi Campaign Organisation