Politics
Ekiti Central Senatorial District Primary : APC youths petition Buhari over alleged irregularities
THE All Progressives Congress (APC) youth members in Ado Ekiti, have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, over the outcome of the district’s primary election which they described as mockery of democracy, calling for its cancellation for not adhering to guidelines.
In the petition, a copy of which was sent to the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and its national chairman, Adams Oshiomole, the youths complained that the primary fell short of their expectations, declaring that neither the guidelines nor the party’s constitution were observed.
Also, the petition signed by its coordinator, Olu Adedayo, maintained that the process of the primary election which produced Hon.Opeyemi Bamidele and others was devoid of all democratic ethics and values and against the direct primary which was ordered by the party
While congratulating President Buhari on his emergence as the party’s flag bearer in the 2019 elections, the 80,000 members of the Ekiti Central All Progress Congress, APC, noted that the emergence of Buhari was a sign to the whole world of his posture to a fair and equitable process which should permeate through the total political manufacturing procedure of the party
The petition further reads, “it is in the line of holding political process within the concept of credibility, integrity, equity, fairness, and justice that we are constrained to alert you about the brazenly crude process which accompanied the purported Friday 5 October APC Ekiti Central Senatorial primary election held in Ado – Ekiti.
“Your Excellency, the so-called primary election which produced Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele and others was nothing but a mockery of democracy and a charade of the equitable process of electing who should represent the people and the interest of the party
“The process was devoid of all democratic ethics and values and against the direct primary which was ordered by the party. Sir, the fact is the APC Ekiti Central Primary election was NOT conducted within the rules of Direct Primary or Option A 4 where electorates will queue behind the aspirants of their choice.
” Also, because of the premeditated choice of the particular aspirant, 2014 party membership register was used instead of the current 2017 and 2018 Register which would have taken care of some new joiners who defected from other parties recently to APC
“Also, on the day of the election, election materials were not made available in all the centers and voters were shocked to learn of the result of an election which was not conducted while they were waiting for the arrival of the officials and materials with which the voting process will done.
“At this point, people dispersed to the streets to express their unreserved dissatisfaction about the situation. It is on record that on the same day protest ensued in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state capital, as aggrieved party members matched in peaceful demonstration to the APC party secretariat to express their rejection of the result of an election that never held.
“What we had in Ekiti Central senatorial Primary election was a brazen daylight disfranchisement of all eligible voters who joined the party from 2015 as none of them had their names in the 2014 party membership register which was used and in places that voting took place, the members of the party were told in no certain terms that their votes were useless as the results had been predetermined hence why the ward Exco only brought photocopies of the result sheet as the originals were at party secretariat .
“The result is that the emerged candidate is a product of an unholy, filthy and unjust political process whereby the multitude of voters was denied their right thereby forcing on them an unpopular candidate who was not voted for and who has no moral latitude to represent the APC in the next election.
” We are using this platform to appeal to your Excellency as the leader of the party who is not only a symbol and paragon of integrity but who emerged through a free and fair primary election to order for the cancellation of the Ado Ekiti APC Central Senatorial Primary which produced Mr Opeyemi Bamidele and for a new primary which should be supervised by a neutral Committee set up by the National Secretariat of the party .
“We absolutely believe in the unity of and robust integration of our party. But this unity of purpose should not be sacrificed or wasted on the altar of the imposition of an unpopular candidate who emerged through a black-market process.
” We therefore in the spirit of fairness, equity and democratic process call for the cancellation of the purported primary held in Ekiti APC Central Senatorial District it lacked credibility, the majority of would-be voters were disenfranchised, the use of 2014 membership register which prevented all those who joined the party from 2014 from participating in the election
“Your Excellency, this we humbly pray for and we hope our supplication shall be upheld in the light of justice for all”, the petition continued.
By Idowu Ayodele
Politics
Oyo Rep, Oseni Pays APC Secretariat Staff Salaries, Donates N10m to Boost Party Operations
House of Representatives member and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has fulfilled his pledge to support the welfare of the All Progressives Congress (APC) staff in Oyo State.
In a gesture highlighting his commitment, the lawmaker personally funded the salaries of staff at the APC’s Oke Ado Secretariat in Ibadan, reinforcing his dedication to the smooth operation of the party’s activities in the state.
Representing the Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Oseni recently visited the secretariat, where he expressed gratitude to party leaders and members for their contributions.
As a further commitment to the smooth operation of the party’s activities, the lawmaker generously donated ten million naira (N10,000,000) as an allowance to enhance the secretariat’s functions.
In a statement released Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker extended appreciation to the secretariat staff, whom he described as the backbone of the party’s daily functions.
He lauded their dedication, noting their essential role in advancing the party’s goals.
“Leadership is about service, and service begins with supporting those who make the party function from within,” Oseni remarked.
“I am proud to honour this commitment to our staff, as they play a crucial role in making our political structures work effectively. This is my way of showing appreciation for their unwavering dedication”, he added.
Politics
Oseni Salutes Senator Folarin’s Decades of Service at 61
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, has paid tribute to former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, on his 61st birthday, celebrating his decades of dedicated service and contributions to Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, Oseni, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), lauded Folarin’s unwavering commitment to leadership and the well-being of the people.
Highlighting the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial nominee in the 2023 elections for three terms in the Senate, the lawmaker noted that Folarin’s legacy of service continues to be a guiding light for emerging leaders and a source of inspiration for countless individuals across the state.
“Senator Folarin has built an admirable legacy through years of selfless public service, consistently advocating for progress and unity,” remarked Oseni.
Reflecting on Folarin’s role as the Ikolaba Olubadan of Ibadanland, the lawmaker commended his leadership approach, which has bridged divides, fostered coalitions, and promoted initiatives aimed at stabilising democracy.
“Senator Folarin’s career is an example of visionary leadership,” he added, “and his commitment to public service will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
As Senator Folarin marks this milestone, Oseni extended warm wishes for his continued health and success, expressing hope that his exemplary life of service will keep inspiring positive change across the nation.
Politics
Ugandan Court Hands Ex-LRA Commander 40-Year Sentence
In a historic ruling, a Ugandan court on Friday sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison.
This landmark decision, marking the first time a member of the notorious LRA has faced trial for war crimes in a Ugandan court, follows the group’s brutal two-decade insurgency against the Ugandan government.
Kwoyelo, who was convicted in August on 44 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, faced charges including murder, rape, torture, pillaging, abduction, and the destruction of settlements for internally displaced people.
Michael Elubu, lead judge of the case at the International Crimes Division (ICD) of Uganda’s High Court, delivered the sentence in the northern city of Gulu, underscoring a rare moment of accountability in the decades-long history of the LRA’s violence.
Judge Elubu stated that Kwoyelo retains the right to appeal both his conviction and sentence within 14 days.
Kwoyelo, who was abducted by the LRA at the age of 12 and later rose to a low-level command position within the organization, denied all charges brought against him.
The Lord’s Resistance Army, founded by Joseph Kony in the 1980s, sought to establish a regime based on the Ten Commandments. Under Kony’s leadership, the group unleashed widespread terror across Uganda and neighboring regions, resulting in over 100,000 deaths and the abduction of 60,000 children.
The violence eventually spread to Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Central African Republic.
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