2019: Senator sued for alleged membership of secret society, murder

The Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum, a civil society group, has instituted a suit at the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State seeking the disqualification of Senator Peter Nwaoboshi from next month’s National Assembly election over alleged membership of a secret society.

Nwaoboshi is the incumbent senator representing Delta North Senatorial district, and chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta. He is seeking re-election on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The civil society group is alleging that Nwaoboshi is a member of secret society First Trigger Boys (FTB) that allegedly murdered one Zakarie Saswed on July 20, 2013 at Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.

The group, in suit number FHC/ASB/C5/11/2019, further alleged that the secret society was responsible for the murder of motorcycle operators (popularly known as ‘Okada riders’) within Ibusa community between June and July, 2013.

The PDP, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and the state Commissioner of Police were joined as second, third, fourth and fifth defendants, respectively.

The plaintiff is seeking the interpretation of Section 66(1) and (g) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, whether Nwaoboshi is qualified to contest election because of his alleged link to the secret society.

Among the reliefs sought by the plaintiff is an order to nullify any certificate of return issued by INEC to Nwaoboshi, and a fresh one to be issued to the candidate who came second by majority of lawful votes cast in the PDP Delta North senatorial district primary of October 2, 2018.

In the alternative, the group prayed the court for an order for Nwaoboshi to vacate the seat if he wins the 2019 election to pave way for his replacement by the candidate who came second in the PDP primary for the senatorial district.

Presiding judge, Justice O.E. Abang, who adjourned the matter to February 5, 2019 for mention, granted leave to the plaintiff to serve concurrent writ of originating summons on the second and third defendants (PDP and INEC) in Abuja.

The court, however, struck out the application for accelerated hearing on ground that parties in the case must be represented in court to agree whether the case should be given speedy hearing.

Appeal court orders police to reopen Peace Corps office

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Monday said the Inspector-General of Police should respect court orders directing the force to reopen the Peace Corps of Nigeria’s office in Abuja, sealed by the police about two years ago.

Justice Stephen Adah said it was in the best interest of Nigerians that the police, as a law enforcement agency, obeyed court orders.

He said this while reacting to an allegation made by counsel for the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dr Joshua Musa, that the police had not obeyed two orders of the Federal High Court directing them to reopen the corps’ headquarters.

He lamented that the police had continued to violate the orders despite two letters written to them by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

The appellate court adjourned the matter till May 28 for hearing of the appeal by the police and counter-appeal by the corps.

While the police in one of the motions are praying the Court of Appeal for a stay of execution on the judgement of Justice Gabriel Kolawole that the corps’ headquarters should be reopened, the corps in its motion is urging the appellate court not to grant audience to the police until they had complied with the earlier orders directing them to reopen the office.

The Federal High Court had in two different judgements delivered by Justices Kolawole and John Tsoho in 2018 ordered the police to leave the office on the grounds that sealing it was unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional.

While Justice Tsoho declined to give further audience to the police in respect of the case until his order is obeyed, Justice Kolawole in his judgement imposed a fine of N12.5m on the police for acting in bad faith in the matter.

Court sentences two former INEC officials to 90 years in prison

The Federal High Court in Lagos State has sentenced two former officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to a total of 90 years imprisonment.

Christian Nwosu, an ex-Administrative Secretary with INEC in Kwara State and Tijani Bashir were found guilty of nine counts bordering on money laundering to the tune of N264.8 million from former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke towards the build up to 2015 general elections.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said Nwosu and Bashir collected N30m from the Diezani funds.

The presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, gave the order on Friday after both men were found guilty of offences bordering on money laundering.

BREAKING: INEC blames none transmission of results electronically on failure to sign electoral act amendment bill

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has blamed its inability to transmit results electronically to the failure to amend the Electoral Act to accommodate it.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, said this on Sunday while addressing journalists in Abuja.

Mr. Okoye said the commission would, therefore, collate and transmit results of the elections manually.

He, however, debunked claims that INEC accorded the North undue advantage in the distribution of permanent voters cards (PVCs) by handing them to religious and community leaders for distribution to prospective voters.

Mr. Okoye said the commission would jail anyone found to have been induced in the course of the election.

According to him, INEC was ready to settle every entitlement of those involved in the election and would, therefore, come hard on anyone who would try to undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

“We are ready for electronic transmission any day the law is amended. For now, we are collating and transmitting manually in accordance with the law,” Mr. Okoye said. (Remove bold and underlining after reading)

“Anybody with information that PVCs were handed over to religious leaders or any other person for distribution by INEC in any state should come up with evidence. We will not sweep such infraction under the carpet.

“The commission is prepared to deliver a free, fair and credible election and we will come hard on ad-hoc staff that collects financial inducements from any source in other to compromise the election,” he said.

The National Assembly had passed an Electoral Act Amendment Bill which empowered INEC to adopt electronic transmission of results but President Muhammadu Buhari had withheld assent four times.

The issue, among others, had pitched the leadership of the national legislature and civil society groups against the executive arm of the government.

In the letter obtained to the National Assembly, Mr. Buhari had said that signing the bill into law could “create uncertainty and confusion” during the forthcoming elections.

“Pursuant to section 58 (4) of constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I hereby convey to the House of Representatives, my decision on 6th December 201 to decline Presidential Accent to the Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 2018 recently passed by the National Assembly,” he wrote.

“I am declining assent to the Bill principally because I am concerned that passing a new electoral bill this far into the electoral process for the 2019 general election which commenced under the 2015 Electoral Act, could create some uncertainty about the applicable legislation to govern the process.

“Any real or apparent change to the rules this close to the election may provide an opportunity for disruption and confusion in respect of which law governs the electoral process.”

Buhari appealed to the lawmakers to revise some clauses in the bill, expressing optimism that it would take effect after the elections.

“This leads me to believe that it is in the best interest of the country and our democracy for the national assembly to specifically state in the Bill, that the Electoral Act will come into effect and be applicable to elections commencing after the 2019 General Election,” he had said.

Delta ADC Candidates talk tough ahead polls…..we haven’t seen development in our district despite our resources – Agbajoh

African Democratic Congress, ADC Candidates for Delta South Senatorial
Seat, Chief Olivia Agbajoh, House of Representatives Candidates as
well as House of Assembly candidates of the party in the district,
have declared their resolve to wrestle power from the ruling Peoples
Democratic Party in Delta State, saying the past 20 years of democracy
in the state has left Deltans frustrated.

The candidates spoke in Warri, Tuesday January 29 at the end of a mega
rally cum presentation of flag to them by the State Chairman of ADC
/Delta State Gubernatorial Candidate of the party, Prince Joe Chukwu.

Delta South Senatorial Candidate of ADC, Chief Olivia Agbajoh, while
addressing supporters of the party, stressed that her three months
stint at the House of Representatives, which was truncated by military
coup some years ago, resulted in what is today now known as Nigerian
Navy Ship, NNS, Delta.

While declaring that people of Delta South haven’t experienced
development, despite being the major resource base of the country,
Chief Agbajoh promised to attract federal projects such as
revitalization of Warri, Burutu and Koko Ports as well as other major
infrastructures to the district, if given the mandate come February
16.

ADC Candidate for Warri Federal Constituency Seat, Oritseweyinmi Julia
Etsola, the party’s candidates for Warri South Constituency 1,
Armstrong Yomere, Warri South Constituency 2, Chief Vincent Okudolor
and others from Warri South-West, Burutu, Warri North and
Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency, expressed optimism that they will
emerge victorious at the forthcoming polls, vowing to match the
opposition PVC for PVC in their resolve to provide governance of youth
empowerment and all-round development.

EXCLUSIVE Delta South 2019: My campaign is more women and youth based-Omatseye

Mr. Temisan Omatseye is the senatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) for Delta South district. Though a lawyer by training, he specialized in maritime law with focus on logistics and shipping. This saw him rise to become director general of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in 2009. He has remained a major adviser to government on issues relating to maritime logistics and shipping.


In 2015, Omatseye contested for same position under the platform of the All Progressives' Congress (APC), but was allegedly denied the ticket after winning the party’s primaries. In the build up to the 2019 elections, he was disqualified, alongside others in the APC.  He is now a member of the ADP, where he got the senatorial ticket to contest in the February polls.

In this exclusive encounter with Isoko Mirror, he states his plans and how he intends to achieve them, once elected.


Excerpts:


You have not always been a member of the ADP?

I was a member of the APC. Four years ago, I contested the senatorial seat for which I won the primaries at the time.  Unfortunately, the then chairman, John Oyegun, after approval of me to go to the INEC and to run for elections thereafter decided to remove my name and replace it with Yemi Emiko. But I remained in the party. 

Again, I decided to contest; was cleared by the panel of Mr. Nnamani and while we were waiting for the primaries to be conducted, we saw in the newspapers that Oshiomole had disqualified five of us and only cleared Uduaghan. Oshiomole made an announcement that only Uduaghan was cleared, which was not the true position because NWC cleared all of us to run for the election. There was nothing, no preferred candidate issue. When that happened, I wasn't going to go through the process I went through four years ago. Few days thereafter, we did the primaries for ADP and I was nominated as the ADP candidate for Delta South.


What are your plans for your senatorial district, what do you want to do for your people?

My campaign is more women and youths based. I have made several visits and I have been going severally to Isoko nation. You see lots of youths roaming the streets, mostly in the afternoons and then, at night. It is quite a challenge. I am almost certain that many of them had the opportunity to attend the polytechnic at Ozoro, some of them are educated but they have nothing to keep them busy. There is no employment.

I don't think employment is something to depend on government to create for you. I believe the people of Isoko nation are very entrepreneurial and it is for you to develop opportunities for them. I am one of those that don't believe it is what you study in the university that you need to earn a living. If you look at lots of our youths there, they are educated, but don't have any practical skills. And one of the things I'm going emphasize on is how to get these guys to be technically skilled, be it in carpentry, being a good cook, or whatever and get them to be certified, the certification that is accepted internationally.

I had a guy who was a good, excellent mechanic but he was not literate. Because I had confidence in him, I could give him my car and he will know what the issues are. But because he was not certified, he couldn't take his level of knowledge to the next level. There are youths who have that natural skill, so we are going to look at how we can get them certified so they can get gainful employment.

We are not going to restrict the issue of employment to just Nigeria, we are going to see how we can develop the human capacity of these people so that they can seek employment around the world and begin to send income back to this country.

On the other aspect, we need to see how we can use the available resources within Isoko nation. One of my manifesto agenda is that basically, I want a zero flare in the whole of Delta South senatorial district in the four years I am going to be there. I will do whatever it takes to ensure there is a zero flare policy. And see how we can take the gas which is flared in these areas and use it as a source of power to the Isoko people, even if its 10% or 15% of that gas which is being flared that is monetized. If for instance, you take 100 standard cubit feet of gas; my expectation is that 15 of that should be kept for the community. Once we know we can get that source of gas, all we need to do is to convince the IOCs or the NDDC or the ministry of Niger Delta to build a mini-mega plant, after we have done an enumeration of the whole of Isoko people to know the power consumption there. By then, we know that the problem we may have is to put a generator plant, but we may not have the feed stock to run it. Some may insist that these flared gas being captured be used as a feed stock to run the power plants so that we can give 100% to the Isoko nation. Once that comes, hairdressers will pick up, people are going to go to school, there will be cold drinks, industries will find their ways there because they have realised that there is power. Then those who come in with their cassava can begin to process and even move it to the next level. Because an investor, when he sees the source of power, all he focuses on is the raw material. What he does is develop a cooperative to send the women out to grow more cassava so he can begin to process his source of employment.

Also, I'm going to make the IOCs take more responsibilities in their corporate social responsibility (CSR), to the business community of Isoko nation. Then, we will also look very carefully at the issues of floods which comes up every year. What are the causes of the flooding, how can we build protection? There must be set areas where the water comes up. Why does it come up so high, are we able to protect it and begin to change the flow of the river so that we don't have these places that are under water for certain months of the year?

I am going to work in collaboration with the state government. There is need to complete the Ughelli-Ozoro Road and also, the Ozoro to Kwale section. The road has been dug up, I don't see why that road should last more than 24 months. To go to Ozoro, I have to go through Oleh. My thinking, quite simply, is that those roads need to be rehabilitated and brought back so things can come back to life in Isoko nation.

There is a lot of work to be done. It's not a work for me alone 


How would you manage to accomplish monetizing gas flaring, giving that this present government has said so much about it but nothing has been done?

"I'm a business man, first of all. We already have the technology in place, all we need is just the sourcing of the gas flare. I will bring my private sector skills to the business. What we found out is a lot of our civil servants are not businessmen. They are just civil servants, don't know how to use what they have to generate money, which is where I come in. I'm going to use a lot of the senatorial influences to put pressure on the executive arm for what needs to be done, most especially, to support the people of my senatorial district.


How do you intend to give adequate and equal representation to the people of Delta South, considering its peculiar nature of three ethnic groups?

I am not that ingrained into this ethnic whatever, because I don't see the issues of ethnicity. As a matter of fact, one of the things I want to drive is to change our education forms, to change the issues of religion and ethnicity because those are the things that are creating the division that we have within Nigeria. There are people, Hausa, Yoruba, who have been living in Warri and are more Warri people than some Warri (indigenes). Then, because you say you are an Igbo man, you pay your tax here, but when you want to vote, you go somewhere else, just like some of our people. We must create a situation where we have a sense of belonging. 

Development does not have any form of ethnic colouration, just like poverty has no form of ethnic colouration. What I am marketing is the issue of, well, I am an Itsekiri man, I am an Isoko man or I am an Ijaw man. I am saying, no, we have suffered enough. Let us breathe away from this change we have been held bound for these years. Let us find a way, let us create an avenue so that our children can have hope and expectation that one day, they can achieve the senatorial seat. Not that one person can sit there for 16 years or someone that has been governor decides that it is time for him to retire or go to enjoy whatever he has earned.

We are driving this campaign base on the fact that we need to take our destinies in our hands. Forget about who you are or what ethnicity you are. The same message I am sending the Ijaws, the Itsekiris and the Isokos, is exactly what I am saying. And the youths are buying it because they are tired of these our politicians using ethnicity to create a divide. We need to get past that level and come together as one because we need to speak with one voice. Tell them we want this, we want to put 2.5 megawatts plant in Isoko, let Isoko people begin to enjoy. Next time, we go to Ijaw and then, Itsekiri. Then, we link all together. Once people see what is happening, the unity of the people, the industries and businesses will come to Delta South. We won't have any reason to fight each other.


How grounded is the ADP at the grassroots?

Sincerely speaking, if there had been an independent party, I will just run as Temi Omatseye. But the constitution isn't about that yet. I believe my campaign is based on individuality, personality. What I am asking of the people of Delta South is, there are three main contestants, there is J. E. Manager, there's Emmanuel Uduaghan and there is Temisan Omatseye. James Manager has been there for 16 years, you have seen his antecedents and he has not done much for the people. We have Emmanuel Uduaghan, you can go back and check, but we don't know Temisan Omatseye. The only thing we know is what he did in NIMASA for 18 months. But he has come out to say he wants to free us, lets try something new, the only thing that is constant in life is change.


What's your advice to the people?

When you are voting for the senate, vote for me, not because of anything, but vote for me. For the presidential, I tell our people go on your social media, read your newspapers, what's happening on the internet about the presidential candidates and I advice them 'vote your conscience'.

INEC has come out with the statistics that 37 million of the registered voters are between 18 and 35. If youths can wake up and go out there to vote, they will vote them out. I encourage them because they think that their votes will not count. You are not bound to vote for PDP or APC. Vote for someone else and you will be shocked that 15 or 20 million people are thinking exactly like you. That's what I encourage them to do. Lets shock them.

There are young men who are coming up as leaders now. I am believing that things will make a difference. 

We are not going to be driven by the party. We are going to be driven by what we need to give to our constituents. My policy is very simple. The first thing is God, the second is the nation Nigeria to keep being united, then the third one is my constituents. My party gave me a ticket but my constituents voted me in.

I am counting on the good people of Isoko nation to come en masse and vote for me. 

Ibori makes appearance at Delta PDP campaign finale, says “this is the turn of Anioma”

Erstwhile Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori on Friday make public appearance at the packed full PDP campaign rally held at Owa-Oyibu, Ika North-East local government area of Delta State, home of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Ibori used the occasion to reiterate his commitment to Okowa reelection bid, urging other senatorial district to tally a while for the next four years and support Governor Okowa to complete two terms.

Curiously, Ibori was no-show on Thursday at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), presidential campaign rally held at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba the state capital.

Ibori, who remains a very influential political figure in Delta State and among the first founding fathers of the PDP, was nowhere near the mega rally when the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar campaign train berthed at the state.

It was not clear why he stayed away from the PDP presidential campaign on Thursday but appeared at the grand finale of the party’s governorship campaign the next day.

Speaking at the well-attended rally which is the last by the PDP campaign council after a tour of 25 local government councils, Chief James Ibori specifically appealed to Delta Central senatorial district to allow Okowa to complete two terms.

Chief Great Ogboru, the All Progressive Congress, APC governorship candidate who is challenging Okowa for the plum job is an Urhobo, from Delta Central senatorial district.

Ibori said, “we will continue to say it, this is the turn of Anioma, we will support him (Governor Okowa) to complete two terms; all our brothers and sisters in Delta Central should, please, give peace a chance, they should tarry a while for the next four years and support Governor Okowa to complete two terms.

“Mr Governor (Governor Okowa), the Urhobos are solidly behind your second term, you have done very well,” Chief Ibori added.

Others who spoke at the rally restated their commitment to the re-election of Governor Okowa in line with zoning principles started by the PDP administration.

Governor Okowa at the event, expressed gratitude to Deltans for coming out in their large numbers at the campaign rallies, observing that the rotational principle has cemented the bond of unity in the state.

The governor who largely laced his speech in Ika language, stated, “I am happy with the crowd that I am seeing here today; God bless Ika nation, God bless Deltans for this show of solidarity; in our state, no one is talking about any other political party, it is all about the PDP.

“I thank our leaders for the support, in every part of Delta State, we have no fear because, we have agreed on turn-by-turn, zoning has made us to be more patient, happier, more united and living in peace,” the governor said,

Continuing, he said, “we have agreed as a people that we have done very well in the area of road construction, we have empowered our youths, assisted our women and now, I am more experienced, we have more money and the next four years will be better, we shall triple what we have done; cast your votes for all the candidates of the PDP and protect your votes because, it is democratic to do so.”

Also speaking, Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro thanked Deltans for resolving to zone political offices, assuring that Governor Okowa will do better in the next four years.

Others who spoke at the rally include former Minister of Information who is the Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Director-General of the Campaign Council, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, Prince Sam Obi, and the Chairman of the party in the state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso. 

They all observed that Governor Okowa has done very well to earn second term in office and based on the rotation principles of the PDP, Deltans will massively vote for the candidates of the party.

Before the grand finale of the campaign which was also, attended by traditional rulers, Agbor, Ika South local government area of Delta State had played host to the campaign team where Governor Okowa thanked the people for their support which has led to the execution of projects in the area, assuring them that the next four years will be better.

BREAKING! Akpabio in fresh trouble as NASS receives petition against him over mass killing in Essien Udim

The House of Representatives has acknowledged the receipt of a petition against Senator Godswill Akpabio for his alleged sponsorship of political assassination in parts of Akwa Ibom State (Download the full petition in PDF below)

Igbere Tv reports that a petition had been forwarded to the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petition titled “A Call For Urgent Intervention To ensure the safe and Immediate Return of Over three years internally Displaced persons as well as ending the Political Sponsored Carnage in Midim Community in Essien Udim L.G.A, Akwa Ibom State.

The petition which is signed by one Victor Udom on behalf of Midim Community accuses Senator Akpabio of Sponsoring the Cultists who were responsible for the killings in the area and other parts of the State.

According to the petitions “One of the Cult Kingpins, Emmanuel Ben who is now standing trial for serial Capital offences in a State High Court in Ikot Ekpene Judicial Council during investigation admitted sending a Thank you message to the distinguished Senator Akpabio for using his position to turn the matter in their favour when the matter was being investigated in Abuja…”

The petitioner also says Senator Akpabio is shielding the accused persons from the law, as well as often helping suspects Hon. Nse Ntuen, Chrystanthus George and Emmanuel Ben to shun police invitation
It accuses Akpabio of complicacy in the profligacy of Cult groups around the community which are responsible for several deaths in Midim Community including the young and the old.

It says efforts to stop cultism on the area often attracts strong resistance from the sponsors and political heavyweights who feel threatened by the move to disband the Akwa Marine Cult gang.

It says Akpabio and his cohorts allegedly employ the instrumentality of their positions to form a strong cartel in conspiracy to ensure that arrest, investigation and prosecution of culpable gang members are frustrated.

According to the report, “they try to manipulate security agents and the judiciary in their evil plot to let loose any of their men found in the police net or court”

It challenges Senator Akpabio, Nse Ntuen and Chrysanthus George to issue categorical statements concerning this gang who openly claim to be working for them and who are still hiding under their influence to commit havoc.

It says with Akpabio’s Continuous claim that 2019 election will be a do or die affair for APC, if these men working for him are not checked, he will make do this threats. The petitioner says he has fleed with his immediate family from Akwa Ibom State, and have still remained in exile for safety, just as others have non to neighboring States and Abuja.

It prays the Committee to see to their return in order not to disenfranchise them in the forthcoming election, and guarantee their safety in view of the antecedents of Akpabio and his collaborators, given their political and financial influence.

Drama as party insists Rev. King on death row is presidential candidate

Ahead of the February 16 election, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Action Council (NAC) said Rev. Dr. King Ezeuko Chukwuemeka is the authentic presidential candidate of the party. Rev. King, as he is popularly called, is the general overseer of Christian Praying Ministry, Lagos who was sentenced to death by Lagos High Court on January 11, 2007 for the murder of one Ann Uzoh.

Three years ago, a sevenman panel of Justices of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Walter Onnoghen, in a unanimous judgement affirmed the death sentence that was earlier handed to Ezeugo by the Lagos State High Court. He has been on the death roll since then.

 Though his presidential posters had flooded most cities since last year, a few people thought it was a joke. But the party’s NEC, in a statement yesterday signed by the national secretary of NAC, Mr. Yemi Ayanlade, said: “This is indeed a trying time for our great party where monetary quest has erased the moral values and virtue. We have seen it and we disassociate ourselves from money for hand, back for ground.

“This is a party which has elected a presidential candidate, however the said presidential candidate decided to sell the said ticket to a third party for the sum of N5 million.

 This is contained in a document dated 21st day of November, 2018 where our chairman and presidential candidate signed to relinquish her presidential aspiration to Rev. Dr. King Ezeuko Emeka (Rev. Dr. King) to be substituted for her as the presidential candidate of our noble party. 

“We are a party of truth and we have strong foundation upon which we have built our party. When power is in the hands of the right people, justice is certain. But those who decide to sell their birth right for monetary gain must be denied that fate and they must not be supported.” NAC added: “To this end, we are resolved to clean our party and make it whole again by supporting the person to whom the party’s presidential position has been sold to and we have concluded to do what is right.

“What are we supposed to do, to deny the third party whom we have been misrepresented to as party? The answer is no. We must stand and defend our party totally. “We, as a party, have decided in the interest of equity and good conscience to recognise Rev. Dr. King Ezeuko Emeka (Rev. Dr. King) as the presidential candidate of our party. Henceforth, the party recognizes and accepts Rev. Dr. King Ezeuko Emeka (Rev. Dr. King) as our presidential candidate.” 

When contacted, the director general of the Rev. King’s presidential campaign, Alhaji Ibrahim Ali, told New Telegraph that though INEC had recognised Dr. Hajiya Rabia Cengiz, the party’s NEC has filed an application for her substitution with Rev. King. He said they are confident that the jailed pastor will be released soon and granted pardon to contest the presidential election.

“We have filed for substitution of Hajiya Rabia Cengiz to be replaced with Rev. King, whom we believe will soon be released and granted pardon to contest the presidential election. Rev. King is popular and we are hopeful that he has a divine mandate to rescue Nigeria. “We have also filed a case in the court against her for refusing to step down for Rev. King in line with the agreement she earlier reached with us (Rev. King) and the party,” Ali said. On whether the time for substitution of candidates has not elapsed, the DG explained that until the case in court is disposed of, the time would remain valid. Attempts to get the presidential candidate, Hajiya Rabia Cengiz, to react to the development were however not successful.

We will reactivate all the sea ports in Delta - Atiku ... Says Okowa has given boost to PDP through project delivery

PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has promised to revive all the sea ports in Delta State and complete the second Niger Bridge when he emerges as President.
Alhaji Abubakar gave the promise on the 31^st of February 2019 during the Presidential Campaign rally of the party in Asaba. Thousands of Deltans took over all available space at the Stephen Keshi Stadium and spilled through miles on Nnebisi road, Asaba in solidarity with the PDP.
Excited with the huge turnout of people, Alhaji Abubakar commended Governor Okowa for improving on the fortunes of the PDP assuring, "I will reactivate all the sea ports in Delta State and you know that my wife is from Onitsha, so, we won't have any option than to complete the second Niger Bridge."

"I promise you that our elections, all the infrastructure projects that have been abandoned by the Federal Government will be completed; the All Progressive Congress (APC) has failed to deliver; for you to continue reaping the benefits of good governance, continue to vote for PDP; we are all members of the PDP family, no space for APC."
He continued, "your Governor, Senator Okowa is one of the best Governors this country has produced, we are grateful to Deltans for being loyal to the PDP since 1999; the roads that you have in the state came through the PDP, most of the development in the state were done by the PDP, so, why will Deltans not vote for PDP?"
Governor Okowa at the rally, stated that Deltans are peace-loving and his administration has built bridges of unity among the people which Alhaji Abubakar will replicate once he emerges as President by uniting all Nigerians and making them to live in peace.

The governor listed the achievements of his administration in the health sector, job creation, health, road construction and summed it up by calling on all Nigerians to vote for the PDP candidates in the forthcoming elections as such would attract development to the country.
"The most important thing to us as a people is that we are seeing the future, a future which the PDP will bring peace to our entire country; we are prepared for the elections and from the crowd we have today, you (Alhaji Abubakar) will be encouraged to know that Deltans will vote PDP in large numbers, and we will defend our votes," the governor said.
Director-General of the Campaign Organisation, Senator Bukola Saraki, who danced to the admiration of the people, congratulated Governor Okowa for his developmental efforts, especially, for constructing the Stephen Keshi Stadium, noting that the governor "understands the act of governance."

Saraki who is the President of the Senate said it was important for Nigerians to vote for Alhaji Abubakar because, such will boost the confidence of investors, boost the economy and create job opportunities for the people.

"Investors do not go to countries where there is no rule of law, countries where security of lives and property is not guaranteed; don't waste your votes for the APC, don't be afraid, we will monitor the votes so that they cannot rig, a vote for Alhaji Abubakar is a vote to boost our economy, provide jobs for our people; vote for the PDP," Senator Saraki said while the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus warned that any attempt to rig the elections would be resisted and spell doom for the country.

"We are aware that there are patriotic Nigerians in INEC, if the election is rigged, there will be war because, everybody is ready for the elections; the security agencies should obey the constitution and be neutral or else, there will be crisis," Prince Secondus said, adding, "Nigerians should come out and vote and defend their votes because, the votes must count so that we can vote out someone who has brought disgrace to the nation."
He continued, "we need digital President and Atiku is that digital President; Alhaji Abubakar can interact and engage the youths, he will be in charge and the government would not be in the hands of cabals."
Others who spoke at the rally include, Chief Benjamin Elue, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, and Senator Stella Omu. 

Delta Guber: HOSTCOM calls for Okowa's re-election ...urges collection of PVCs... ...commences election sensitization, mobilization in oil comms

By Elo Ogwara and Ossai Rita

A group photograph of some people at the programme

The Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSTCOM), Delta state chapter, has called on the people of oil bearing communities in the state to vote for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, in March 2 governorship polls.

The state chairman, Evang. Gabriel Isibeluo, made the call in Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South West council area, Tuesday, where it flagged off town hall meeting organised to sensitize and mobilise oil communities in readiness for this year's elections.

Isibeluo also charged all to get their permanent voters' cards (PVCs) in order to be able to cast their votes.

He emphasized that the time of using arms and ammunitions to get what is due them, is gone.

He said: Why are we sensitizing the people, why are we mobilizing for the elections? Lets talk to ourselves, lets get our PVCs to vote. We must vote in those we (HOSTCOM) can talk to. My brothers, my sisters, youths, this is the critical moment. 

"Since Okowa came into power, he has shown that he knows the importance of HOSTCOM. He has done so many things for us. He does not take long to respond to our matters. This is what the leadership of HOSTCOM saw and thought, how do we pay him back? Lets vote for him."

Addressing the youths and women, the HOSTCOM chairman said the era of "bodyguard and ose", is in the past, adding, "you have work to do. Nobody  will declare fallacious results in Delta state. Our votes will count". 

The national secretary of HOSTCOM, Dr. Kelly Egedegbe, remarked on the achievements of governor, stating that "the hard work of Gov. Okowa is spread everywhere".

On her part, HOSTCOM state woman leader, Barr. (Mrs.) Omude Ochonogor-Ochibe, stressed on the economic challenges, surge in food prices, among other things, which the nation faced in recent times.

Stating that the forthcoming elections will "determine our future", she tasked the women to tell their neighbours, including members of other parties, to vote for the People's Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Okowa, in March poll. 


... Okowa paying about 400 youths - DESOPADEC commissioner 

Meanwhile, the commissioner representing Ijaw ethnic nation in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Favour Zuokumor, has disclosed that at least 400 Ijaw sons and daughters are under the governor's payroll.

R-L Comm. Rep Ijaw in DESOPADEC, Chief Zuokumor, Delta state chairman HOSTCOM, Evan. Isibeluo, National Sec., Dr. Egedegbe, Woman leader, Delta HOSTCOM, Barr. (Mrs) Ochonogor Ochibe

Zuokumor who attended the HOSTCOM town hall meeting in Ogbe-Ijoh, also commended them for organising the programme.

Describing it as "historic", he pointed out that Sen. Okowa's performance for over three years is very glaring, stating, "it is historical among Ijaw people that the governor is paying no less than 400 persons, both youths and children, across Ijaw communities."

Present at the event are the HOSTCOM ethnic nation chairmen, Comrade Kingsley Ikiere (Ijaw), Mr. Morrister Idibra (Isoko), the Itsekiri and Ndokwa counterparts.

Others include the national assistant woman leader, Ihwiwhu Diana, the Ijaw ethnic woman leader, Mrs. Loveth Egware and the youth leader, Comrade Prince Okrikpa.