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Ondo APC Primaries, Indirect Or Direct

Published

4 years ago

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Men who are in earnest are not afraid of consequences. This means that when a person is truly convinced of his intentions and knows with all honesty that he is the right man for a job, he is not afraid of honest results and resolutions. This should be the policy and position of every candidate vying for the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial ticket at the party’s primaries.

Four years ago, indirect primaries were used to select the sitting governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN and it divided the party in ways many can still not fathom.

With another election around the corner and the party yet to recover from that bad decision, the fear is again imminent that the party would choose the indirect primaries to select a candidate.

The last chairman of the party in Ondo, Isaacs Kekemeke had insisted that the best way forward was for every member of the party to have a say in determining who the flag bearer of the party is.

On Thursday, July 9, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published on its website that the APC had adopted indirect mode for the governorship primary, 11 of the 12 governorship aspirants reacted and preached against it. They said in a joint statement, “Having interfaced with party members as aspirants, we can confidently inform you that the overwhelming majority of our party members prefer direct primary for the nomination of the party’s candidate for the 2020 governorship election.

“It is our position that adopting indirect primary election in Ondo State, given the prevailing mood and circumstances is hazardous and result in litigation which will not help our party.

“We most humbly insist that direct primary be adopted as was peacefully utilised in Edo, Osun, Lagos, Oyo and Ogun States.”

Even though the 2010 Electoral Act allows for either direct or indirect primaries, the truth remains that it is a fallible process of choosing a candidate, and many times this flaw becomes apparent in governance.

A truly worthy candidate should and cannot be afraid of the results of a direct primary as the choice of indirect primaries makes it easier to manipulate party leaders and delegates.

Indirect primaries in Ondo again is a recipe for disaster and may even be the final nail on the APC Ondo’s coffin.

Already, party members in several quarters are of the position that if direct primary is not used for a popular candidate to emerge in Ondo APC, many would decamp to other parties and cause a fatal blow to the reputation of the chosen candidate and the party itself.

Indirect primary is a relic, a mark of anti-democratic leanings that many are trying to get rid of. If a candidate is truly popular and worthy of a party’s gubernatorial ticket, why should such a candidate be afraid of direct primaries? If anything, it should be a confirmation of the emerging candidate’s esteem.

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Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Spends Second Night In EFCC’s Cell Over N1.3 Trillion Alleged Fraud

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15 hours ago

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November 7, 2024

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Immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has spent second night in the custody of the anti-graft commission.

 

Okowa is currently being investigated and detained over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

 

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

According to sources within the commission, Okowa was invited to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he’s subsequently detained by officials.

 

One of the sources stated, “Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested. The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

“He is also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas. He reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project. The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

Investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State. He is currently being held at the EFCC facility in Port Harcourt.

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Lagos Government Shuts Down Redeemed Church, Celestial Church, Clubs, Event Centres Over Noise Pollution

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1 day ago

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November 6, 2024

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The Lagos State government has shut down a branch of Pastor E. A. Adeboye’s Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Celestial church, nightclubs and event centres over noise pollution.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who made this known on Wednesday, said the churches, clubs and event centres were sealed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in the Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota areas of the state.

The sealed establishments include: Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Lounge & Lodging, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.

The commissioner in a post on X said, “In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) took action yesterday, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state.

“This enforcement drive, focusing on areas like Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota, is part of LASEPA’s continuous efforts to uphold environmental standards and safeguard public health.

“The affected establishments include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.”

 

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Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja: Tinubu directs flags be flown at half-mast

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1 day ago

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November 6, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days across the country to mourn the passing of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The late Army chief, who was appointed by Tinubu on 19 June 2023, was said to have passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in a statement on Wednesday by his office Director of Information & Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, said the president expressed regret over Lagbaja’s death.

Akume said, “President Bola Tinubu has expressed regret following the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, after a brief illness at the age of 56.

“The President has directed that national flags be flown at half mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army chief.

“He profoundly appreciates the services of the departed to the nation and wishes the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Meanwhile, the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle, have commiserated with the president, the military, and Lagbaja’s family over his death.

In a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, the ministers described Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to his family, the Army, and the nation at large.

“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence, as our working relationship with him was commendable; he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.

“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed significantly to internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.

“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military, and the nation, as he served the nation with commitment and dedication,” the statement added.

 

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