Connect with us

Politics

Udom’s re election, a pyrrhic victory, says Akpabio

Published

on

The All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart and Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district , Godswill Akpabio, has described Governor Udom Emmanuel’s victory in Saturday’s governorship polls as a ‘purchased victory which must be reclaimed’.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and re -elected governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel , was on Sunday , declared the winner with a total 519 , 712 votes to defeat his APC candidate , Nsima Ekere who came behind with 171 , 978 votes .

But speaking with journalists on the outcome of the elections in Uyo , Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday,  Akapbio said it was too early for Governor Emmanuel to celebrate his victory, adding that the APC would exploit appropriate legal means to retrieve it .

He claimed that the results collated from the fields were different from the ones declared by the returning officers of the various local government areas of the state, adding that APC won the elections at the polling units but lost at the INEC offices.

“I was shocked when I saw the figures being brandished on the television .

“I wondered if they were the same results we got on the field that they were announcing on the television channels . This shows that Nigeria is in trouble .

“ I want to state categorically that those claiming victory , or those regarded as victors in the last election in Akwa Ibom State on the 9 th of March should regard it as purchased victory . It was money at work . The people’s hopes were dashed.

“So , I want to tell Udom Emmanuel and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it is too early to celebrate now . We will use appropriate legal means to reclaim that mandate”, Akpabio reiterated.

Akpabio alleged that his local government, which reportedly gave the APC governorship candidate 74 , 000 votes at the local government collation centres, was reduced to only 60 , 000 in INEC office.

He accused INEC of employing PDP members as collation officers, stressing that 99 % of the collation officers , especially , those sent to his local government area , were card – carrying PDP members.

“My prayer is that this is not what would befall Nigeria ; otherwise , democracy is in peril”.

Reacting , Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner , Mr . Mike Igini , described the election as “ free , fair and credible”.

He said , “ When we returned to Akwa Ibom one year , six months and 10 days ago , we promised that we were going to deliver integrity – driven electoral process and that all old things must past away

Comments

Politics

Oyo Rep, Oseni Pays APC Secretariat Staff Salaries, Donates N10m to Boost Party Operations

Published

on

By

File photo of Hon. Aderemi Oseni

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.

 

Continue Reading

Politics

Oseni Salutes Senator Folarin’s Decades of Service at 61

Published

on

By

 

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.

 

Continue Reading

Politics

Ugandan Court Hands Ex-LRA Commander 40-Year Sentence

Published

on

By

 

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.

(FILES) Thomas Kwoyelo a commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebellion blamed for brutal civilian murders during a 20-year war in the north of the country is brought into a courthouse in the northern Ugandan town of Gulu on July 25, 2011. – A Ugandan court on October 25, 2024 sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison after a landmark war crimes trial over his role in the group’s two-decade reign of terror. The sentence against Kwoyelo, who was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity in August, was announced by Michael Elubu, the lead judge in the case at the court in the northern city of Gulu. (Photo by MICHELE SIBOLINI / AFP)

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.

(FILES) Suspected LRA (Lords Resistance Army) member Thomas Kwoyelo is pictured during a pre-trial session at the High Court in Kampala on Februay 1, 2017. – A Ugandan court on October 25, 2024 sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison after a landmark war crimes trial over his role in the group’s two-decade reign of terror. The sentence against Kwoyelo, who was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity in August, was announced by Michael Elubu, the lead judge in the case at the court in the northern city of Gulu. (Photo by GAEL GRILHOT / AFP)

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.

Continue Reading

Trending