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Anambra Guber: US-based Opinion Poll Predicts Andy Uba As Winner

Mr Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been tipped to win the 2021 Anambra Governorship election billed to take place on Saturday.

According to Hallmark International Consulting Company, a research and political risk consultancy firm, based in the United States, Mr Uba may win the election narrowly.

“Senator Andy Uba, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress may win in a hotly contested election with a margin of error of between three to four per cent probability ratings in Anambra State governorship election”.

A statement from the foundation’s vice president for Africa and Middle East, Hayes Rodney, said the interest of the foundation in the Anambra governorship election was nonpartisan.

HICC said the research and opinion poll was commissioned by a US-based ‘Power to the People Foundation’ – a non-governmental organisation with an interest in the sustainability of democracy in Africa and around the world.

Although HICC said it only polled six major candidates including Godwin Maduka of Accord, Charles Soludo of All Progressive Grand Alliance, Valentine Ozigbo of PDP, Obiora Okonkwo of Zenith Labour Party, and Senator Andy Uba of APC, the poll, it said, “further narrowed the governorship race to a contest between Soludo of APGA and Senator Andy Uba of APC.”

The election comes amid deployment of over 30,000 armed security forces to contain alleged threat by IPOB to stop the election by declaring stay-at-home from November 5 if the Federal Government failed to release it’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Meanwhile, the Andy Uba Campaign Organisation has condemned what it called campaign of calumny against its candidate by APGA.

The campaign organisation in a statement signed by the Media Director, Mr Afam Ogene, said, “Using a poorly scripted propaganda material, they claimed that a certain nondescript character, allegedly, ‘confessed’ that Distinguished Senator Andy Uba contracted him to cause mayhem in the state.

“The General Public is advised to ignore this concocted tale which could only have emanated from the jaundiced imagination of crude propagandists.

“Senator Uba, despite having devoted the greater part of his adult life to the service of Ndi Anambra and Nigeria, is a widely acclaimed perfect gentleman who not only detests violence, but has also never being associated with anything of the sort.

“A cursory look at the concocted tale shows that the story has no source and can’t be referenced to anyone. The parrot news attached at the end of the said article does not also exist, either in print or the internet.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Uba and his APC have been insistent on having the Anambra governorship election hold this Saturday, November 6, 2021.

“In deed, ndi Anambra and Nigerians at large are aware of those who appear not to be ready for the gubernatorial duel, and are therefore conjuring all manner of excuses, including playing games with security issues, so as to force a stalemate.

“With the Independent National Electoral Commission and other political parties, including the APC and security agencies ready for the polls, we advise Governor Obiano, Prof Soludo and APGA to get up and get ready for November 6, 2021 – and quit playing silly games.”

Just In: Ayu Emerges PDP National Chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party has elected former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu, as its National Chairman.

Ayu emerged early Sunday morning after an orderly election that started on Saturday and spilled over to the following day.

In his appreciation remarks soon after the declaration of the result, Ayu declared that the PDP was “back to take back power from the All Progressives Congress.”

Other members of the National Working Committee, NWC, were declared elected by the Governor of Adamawa State and Chairman of the Convention Organising Committee, Ahmadu Fintiri.

PDP Presidential Hopefuls Stole The Show At National Convention

3,600 delegates voted for new members of the NWC of the PDP at the convention.

Mr Ayu said the PDP will rescue Nigeria from the ‘terrible mess’ it has been in the past six years.

“I want to sincerely appreciate the PDP family. Today is simply a thank you address. When we started this party 23 – 24 years ago, we never in any way imagined that the journey will get us to this stage – a stage where we ruled for 16 years, we went into rough times but for anybody who will bother to see, PDP is back,” he said.

He added that the party “Is back to rescue Nigeria from the terrible mess we have been in the last six years. I want to appreciate all of you who have taken time as delegates, as observers, as supporters, as members of the media, as members of the security services, who have made this event such a wonderful event.”

‘Stop Act Of Terror Against Judges’, CUPP Tells Buhari After Invasion Of Odili’s Home

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has condemns what it called unjustified and Illegal invasion of the private residence of a renowned Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Mary Odili, by alleged operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) together with Officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.

The EFCC has however denied that its operatives carried out the raid.

CUPP called on President Muhammadu Buhari to put an end to frequent invasions of judges residences, describing it as “a brazen act of terror and intimidation.”

In a strongly worded statement sent to THE WHISTLER on Saturday morning signed by Chairman Media Committee of CUPP, Chukwudi Ezeobika Esq., it said the sustained attacks on the Nigerian Judiciary by the Mohamadu Buhari led APC Government pose a grave danger to the independence of the Judicial arm of the Nigerian Government.

“It remains inconceivable how agencies of the Nigerian government could engage in actions that violate rights, constitutionally provided for and guaranteed by the Constitution, especially those of Judicial Officers and in particular, the rights of the Justices of the Supreme Court, without regards to extant Laws.

“Having set this ugly and negative precedent with the unlawful ousting of a former Supreme Court Justice and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen in 2019, the Mohamadu Buhari led APC Government has once more shown to Nigerians and the International Community that it has no regards and or respect for the Rule of Law and the Judiciary.”

The group noted that it viewed the forced invasion and continued harassment and Intimidation of Judicial Officers
as an act of terror and call for an immediate investigation of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and all officers involved in what it described as a reckless and irresponsible conduct with a view to bringing them to Justice.

“As long as we profess to be be in a democracy, it is incumbent on all elected and appointed Officials to act within the confines of the Law,” the statement said.

It demanded an immediate withdrawal of security operatives from the private residence of Justice Mary Odili and an unreserved apology from the Nigerian government in this regards and further call on all Nigerians to stand up and defend democracy which this administration is bent on derailing.

The Abuja residence of Justice Odili was on Friday evening invaded by security officials.

The officers according to eye witnesses were dressed mostly in mufti and arrived the house following tip-off that some “strange activities were taking place inside the house”.

Within minutes, they had seized the entire perimeter of the house; using one of their vehicles with covered number plate to block the front gate of the house.

About eight of them then forced their way into the building but were unable to get to the inner room of Justice Odili.

The raid lasted over an hour; enough time to call the attention of many who rushed to the home of the justice of the Supreme Court to find out what was going on.

Confirming the incident, lawyer to Justice Odili, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome described the invasion as “unfortunate and embarrassing.

He faulted the search warrant the security operatives allegedly came with on two grounds.

First was that the document had no name on it and secondly that it had a wrong address.

According to Ozekhome, while the warrant had on it, No 9, IMO Street, Odili’s house is on No 7 IMO River, Maitama.

Ozekhome however did not rule out the theory that the invasion could have been politically motivated.

River State Governor, Nysom Wike, who was in Abuja for PDP National Convention quickly rushed to the scene almost as soon as he got wind of what had happened but declined to speak to journalists on ground.

Others who rushed to the home of Justice Odili were former Minister of Transport, Abiye Sekibo , Founder/Chairman Emeritus, DAAR Communication, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, former Deputy Speaker, River State , Austin Opara, a number of former federal lawmakers including Senator Aniete Okon, senator Mao Ohuabunwa, and Senator Lee Maeba.

Others were former Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Kenneth Kobani and Honorable Igo Aguma who narrated the gestapo manner the security operatives forced themselves into the compound; afraid that Nigeria had fallen back to those heinous days when independent judges were hounded down, harassed and intimidated.

Justice Mary Odili is wife to frontline Nigerian politician and former Governor of River State, Peter Odili and the
invasion on her home comes few hours to the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Abuja.

Femi Adesina speaks on cabal in Buhari govt

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari says he is unaware of any cabal in the presidency.

Adesina in a recent with Vanguard declared that President Buhari is “fully” in charge of his government.

“Well, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had been asked that question. I align with it. I don’t know of any cabal,” Adesina said.

When told by the interviewer that there are some influential Nigerians who influence things within the government, Adesina replied: “It happens with every administration. It happens in America. It happens in Canada. It happens all over the world. There will always be people. They call them kitchen cabinet in some other places. It will always happen in any part of the world. And President himself answered this question. It was at the UN General Assembly a couple of years back. He was talking to the media. And somebody asked that question. And he said, he doesn’t know of any cabal, that he was the one who went around the country to campaign. Nobody did that for him. And so, he’s the one that has a mandate and is exercising that mandate.”

Saraki Welcomes Media Mogul Dele Momodu Back To PDP

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has welcomed media mogul, Chief Dele Momodu back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Saraki in a post on his official Facebook page on Friday said Momodu has been on sabbatical from partisan politics but now that he has returned, he hopes to work with him to rebuild the PDP and meet the aspiration of Nigerians.

Naija News recalls Chief Momodu, a former Presidential candidate has officially joined the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement on Friday made available to our newsroom, the veteran publisher stated that he joined the PDP to contribute his quota to the growth and development of the nation.

Momodu noted that he joined the PDP in order to help the party win the 2023 presidential election and sweep away the bad policies and practices of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its government.

The statement reads: “I have consulted widely. And it is clear to me that given the dangerous and disastrous drift that our nation has experienced in the past six years, the only party from which amends can be made to rectify our situation is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“This accords with my vehement opposition to the policies and practices of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its leadership, which has denuded our country of everything we hold dear – national unity, cohesion, security, economic prosperity, educational advancement, social infrastructure, and above all, our cherished moral values.

“For these reasons, I am happy to declare that I am now a full-fledged participating member of the great and patriotic Peoples Democratic Party.”

Momodu also accused the ruling APC of destroying some of the biggest and landmark achievements recorded under the PDP administrations.

Reacting to the development, Saraki wrote: “After his sabbatical in partisan politics, I welcome Chief Dele Momodu to our great party, the PDP! It is my hope that by working with you, we will help to rebuild the PDP to meet the aspirations of all Nigerians!”

Meanwhile, a suit filed by the suspended National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Uche Secondus against the party’s scheduled national convention has been struck out on Friday.

Secondus in challenging his removal from office, had approached the Appeal Court, Port Harcourt judicial division, demanding it to restrain the PDP from holding its 2021 National Convention which had been scheduled for October 30 and 31.

He also wanted the court to grant him the powers to preside over the convention whenever it will hold.

But the appellate court dismissed the suit in its ruling on Friday, clearing the coast for the conduct of the PDP National Convention billed to take place at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.

BREAKING: Former Presidential Candidate Dele Momodu Joins PDP

A former Presidential candidate and media mogul, Dele Momodu, has officially joined the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement on Friday made available to Naija News, the publisher of Ovation magazine stated that he joined the PDP to contribute his quota to the growth and development of the nation.

“For these reasons, I am happy to declare that I am now a full-fledged participating member of the great and patriotic Peoples Democratic Party.”

Momodu also accused the ruling APC of destroying some of the biggest and landmark achievements recorded under the PDP administrations.

“It is deeply saddening and regrettable that some of the biggest and landmark achievements recorded under the PDP administration have been diluted, wasted, or diminished by the present APC government,” he added.

Recall that Momodu was the candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2011 presidential election where he contested and lost.

According to the election result released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he polled 26,376 votes to rank 11th on the election table.

Source: Naija news

Tension In PDP As Secondus Rejects Out-Of-Court Settlement

There’s palpable tension at the headquarters of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, on Friday morning following news that a night-long negotiation for the party’s erstwhile National Chairman, Uche Secondus to settle with the party out of court has broken down irretrieveably.

Findings by THE WHISTLER showed that while some top governors of the party were busy wooing former Ondo State governor, Segun Mimiko, to decamp to the party on Thursday, the party detailed some highly placed members to negotiate with Mr Secondus.

A source at the party’s office told THE WHISTLER that negotiation had begun before the court sat yesterday afternoon.

The judge may be mindful of this when he deferred the ruling to Friday (today), to allow for negotiation, a behind-the-scene development that worked for the parties.

But rising from the closed-door meeting early this morning, the negotiators alerted the party that Mr Secondus had demanded for a return to status quo.

This means, he should return as the party’s Chairman to conduct the National Convention on another date. This did not sit well with the party’s team who said arrangement for the convention had been concluded and delegates were already in Abuja.

As the parties could not find a common ground even though sources said PDP conceded many grounds to Mr Secondus including having a say on who succeeds River State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike and other elected positions in 2023, Mr Secondus stuck to his guns.

The development has cast dark clouds at the PDP headquarters as uncertainty sets in.

Staff could be seen in clusters discussing the likely scenario with one saying it could happen just like the botched convention of 2016 when Ali Modu Sheriff held the party to ransom.

A member of the NWC confided in THE WHISTLER that it was a dangerous situation to be in as no one knows what could happen.
However, “We still believe Mr Secondus being a party man may have a change of heart before the court sits,” he said.

He added that, “If he doesn’t, then we would take in good stride whatever happens but we hope the court verdict would be in our favour.”

One of the aspirants for one of the positions who refused to be quoted said it “is difficult to decide which way. We are hoping for the best. Our team of lawyers are doing the right thing and we believe in them.

“Besides, an out-of-court settlement can still happen. We are not giving up. Even if it goes against us, we still have enough time to address the situation.

“And trust me, Secondus would be alone in the party,” he said.

Just In: Glass shattered as Plateau Lawmakers fight over Mace

Lawmakers in the Plateau State House of Assembly nearly exchanged punches on Thursday morning during the Impeachment of the speaker, Hon. Abok Ayuba Nuhu.

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that 16 out of the 24 lawmakers voted in favour of the impeachment.

The plot of Abok’s removal began about a week ago as the speaker and the state governor, Simon Lalong have been at loggerheads. Their quarrel began after an attack in Yelwan Zagam, the community of Jos North, where people were killed.

Reliable source reveal that the speaker started criticising the governor openly. However, on Thursday morning, house of assembly members converged at the chamber of the house to begin the process.

Once the matter was tabled, rancour immediately broke out as the lawmakers began to exchange words. Some lawmakers under the PDP, loyal to the speaker grabbed the mace to prevent the impeachment process.

A struggle ensued as APC lawmakers(Majority) also grabbed the legislative instrument and returned it to its position.The impeachment went on as planned.

The entire house of assembly complex was surrounded by Security Operatives.

BREAKING: Plateau Speaker Ayuba Impeached

Plateau State Speaker, Hon. Abok Ayuba, has been impeached this morning, Thursday October 28th, 2021.

His impeachment came following a vote of no confidence passed by the members of the Assembly.

The lawmakers immediately elected Hon Yakubu Sanda to take over from him.

Details later…

Tinubu Throws Weight Behind Osun Governor, Gboyega Oyetola As Fight With Aregbesola Deepens

As the feud between Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State and his predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Interior festers, there are reports that their political godfather, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has thrown his weight behind the governor, raising anxiety in the state’s political cycle.

The fight between Oyetola and Aregbesola over the control of the APC structure in the state has divided members of the party into two camps. Aregbesola’s camp is known as The Osun Progressive (TOP) while the mainstream faction belongs to Oyetola tagged IleriOluwa, the governor’s campaign slogan.

The chairman of the party in the state, Prince Adegboyega Famodun and many prominent party leaders, state and federal legislators, and political office holders are with Oyetola. Majority of those that served in Aregbesola’s government have remained loyal to him and belong to the TOP camp.

The recently concluded ward, local government and state congresses of the party further exposed the depth of the crisis. The minister’s camp has gone to court to challenge the congresses.

Until recently, most people believe that Aregbesola was the determiner of most decisions taken by Tinubu over the years. Tinubu was Aregbesola’s godfather and boss.

Aregbesola served under Tinubu as commissioner for Works in Lagos for eight years and had huge influence in Lagos politics even when he was governor in Osun.

However, Aregbesola’s influence in Lagos politics eventually dwindled when he became minister of Interior after his tenure in Osun.

Oyetola, who served as Chief of Staff under Aregbesola for eight years, is Tinubu’s relative. Some leading politicians in Osun who spoke on condition of anonymity said Tinubu was not happy that Aregbesola did not work for Oyetola’s victory in the 2018 governorship election in Osun and was equally unhappy with Aregbesola’s political moves in Abuja.

APC members in the IleriOluwa and TOP acknowledged that Tinubu is supporting Oyetola in the crisis between the governor and Aregbesola. Those that spoke with our correspondent pleaded anonymity.

One of the leaders of TOP said; “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is supporting Oyetola against Aregbesola. It is expected. It’s normal for him to support his brother. They want to cut Aregbesola’s wings because of Oyetola. We don’t know Aregbesola’s offence.

“Asiwaju Bola Tinubu should play the role of a leader rather than supporting his brother against the minister.”

But a member of the IleriOluwa group said Aregbesola’s issue with Tinubu was not because of Oyetola.

He said “Oyetola was not the reason for the demobilisation of Aregbesola’s structure in Lagos politics. It’s because of his political moves in Abuja to contest for the presidency. It’s not as if Tinubu is supporting Oyetola against Aregbesola.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Ismail Omipidan, declined comment on the issue.

Political observers in the state posit that APC might find it very difficult to win the forthcoming governorship election in the state unless the crisis is resolved and both camps work together.

When contacted, the media aide to Tinubu, Mr. Tunde Rahman, said Asiwaju was committed to amicably resolving the issue between Oyetola and Aregbesola.

He said the matter of 2022 governorship election or the second term of Governor Oyetola is not yet on the table.

“Whatever it is that you say is happening between Governor Oyetola and his predecessor, minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, will be resolved amicably. That’s the resolve of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and what he is totally committed to at present.

“The matter of 2022 or second term of Governor Oyetola will take care of itself when the time comes. Of course, if you ask me, does Governor Oyetola deserve a second term? I would say of course; absolutely.

“I think Governor Oyetola has demonstrated that he is qualified for a second term by his performance thus far, by the competence and character that he has brought unto the job,” he said.

SOURCE: DAILY TRUST