Politics

Why I’m In Anambra Governorship Race – Okonkwo Of ZLP

Published

2 years ago

August 25, 2021

NewTimes

Why I'm In Anambra Governorship Race - Okonkwo Of ZLP

The governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) Dr. Obiora Okonkwo (Dikeora) has explained why the people of Anambra State should vote for him in the November 6 election.

In a message he sent to the people of Anambra , he highlighted the various ways he would transform the state when he becomes the helmsman.

Okonkwo said that he and his Deputy Governorship candidate Dame (Barr) Jessie Balonwu will conduct local government election within 12 months of taking the reins of governance in order to bring development to the people.

He said that under him, Anambra would witness giant infrastructural strides and human capacity development.

Below is the message that Dr.Okonkwo and Dame Balonwu sent to the people of Anambra State: “Our Dear Ndi Oma Anambra! Our heartfelt greetings to the good people of Anambra State and we pray this message meets you and your loved ones well.

“We are coming to you at this time with a message of our solemn commitment to the good of our dear state.

“As you are already aware, I, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo (Dikeora) and Dame (Barr) Jessie Balonwu are on the ballot as the Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the forthcoming (November 6 election) special election in Anambra State.

“Our decision to fly the flag of ZLP, – the last on the ballot according to the alphabetical order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) uses to arrange its ballot papers – stems from our deepest desire to change the unfortunate trajectory of our dear state, particularly the very sad and precipitous decline we have all witnessed these past 7 years.

“We are in the governorship contest to reverse this unfortunate trend and to place her on a pedestal as a model for transformative, people-centered development not just in Nigeria but Africa at large. We are supremely confident this can be done with visionary leadership that taps into the indomitable entrepreneurial spirit and hard work of our people which saw us emerge from the
ruins of the civil war in record time to become the envy of the rest of the country.

“We are as worried as you are that our dear state has not actually progressed in terms of infrastructural and human capacity development despite being governed by democratically elected individuals since 1999.

“We are certainly as concerned as you are that our dear Anambra state has been left behind on key development indices despite the huge sums of money that flow into the state from the federation account along with internally generated revenue by way of the various taxes and rates that you, hardworking Anambrarians pay.

“We are aware that you are equally worried that our employment indices are looking downwards as evidenced by the high percentage of our youths roaming the streets for jobs that do not exist, but certainly can be created if we have a government that can foster the right synergy with the private sector to boost employment.

“Further, since the return to civil rule in 1999, our rural communities have become even more impoverished because of the refusal of successive administrations in the state to return power to the people through the conduct of local government elections, a
constitutional requirement of state governments in Nigeria. As a result, our people have been denied the right to participate in their own governance.

“Basic development projects and programs which elected local government authorities should bring to their people have failed to materialize because of the decision of the APGA government in the state to undermine local councils by refusing to release to them their statutory allocations from the federation account.

“At the base of political governance, independent local councils are foundational to grassroots development in Nigeria and it is in recognition of this that we pledge to conduct free and fair local government elections in Anambra state within our first 12 months in office as governor and deputy governor. This is a most solemn commitment from us never to deny you the right to elect your leaders at the local government level.

“Much has been made of the ongoing construction of an airport at Umuleri. While the current APGA government deserves commendation for initiating the project, anyone with a rudimentary understanding of the aviation industry knows that it takes much
more than constructing the longest runway in the world to get an airport operational.

“It means we still have a very long way to go before the aviation authorities can authorize the commercial use of the airport for flight operations. I have recently become involved in the aviation sector through my founding of United Nigeria Airlines and as such, I know what next needs to be done to actually deliver a functional airport for Ndi Oma Anambra, along with the immense value chain it can create for our people.

“However, we are also mindful of your feeling that Anambra’s development aspiration goes way beyond an airport. It is in recognition of that, we have articulated a comprehensive, multifaceted development agenda anchored on wealth creation and poverty eradication under our 10 core pillars including Rapid Rural Development, Economic Growths with Jobs, Revitalization of Education -Human Capital Development, Youth Manpower Development and Employment, Planned Urbanization and Urban Renewal, Peace and Security, Improved Access to basic (preventive and curative) health services, Diaspora Engagement, Rebuilding our Ethical Infrastructure and, social welfare and poverty eradication.

“Education and youth empowerment shall be two of our core priorities. With respect to education, we commit to embrace both formal and informal education, make our schools the models for other states to follow, enhance enrollment especially for vulnerable children and champion vocational education where young people can acquire technical and vocational skills to earn a good living.

“Further, we shall set up special schools for specially gifted children with elaborate programme to enhance their talents. We have developed a blueprint that will empower Anambra youths through an apprenticeship scheme that guarantees them start-up funds. This is one area that we are deeply passionate about because of its potential to turn many of our youths into entrepreneurs and employers of labour within the shortest possible time.

“Ndi oma Anambra, we are deeply committed to this cause of changing the current development trajectory of our state. However, we cannot do it without you. First, we need you to propel us to Agu Awka and afterwards to hold us accountable every step of the way.

“Democracy thrives on an alert and active citizenry. Unfortunately, in Anambra as in the rest of Nigeria, our people have become so dehumanized by politicians that they now ask very little of their leaders. So much that today, paying salaries which our parents’ generation took for granted is now celebrated as achievement. Only if you know the enormous amount of money that enters the state
government account every month and how much of it is either stolen or wasted.

“Let usreiterate that we are not in this race for ourselves but to help chart a new course for our dear state and its people. Ours is a call to service and we solemnly pledge to you to run a listening government that consults and puts you first all the time. Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) is the platform. Family is the symbol. Obiora Okonkwo and Jessie Balonwu shall be good shepherd. The future beckons!

Join the ZLP Movement- Maka Ilu Olu Oma!
High Chief Obiora Okonkwo Ph.D.
Governorship Candidate
Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)”

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Politics

BREAKING: Tinubu, Shettima Know Fate On Disqualification From Presidency On Friday

Published

2 weeks ago

May 22, 2023

NewTimes

Tinubu and Shettima

Whether the Supreme Court will nullify the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate in the February 25 election, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over alleged double nomination or not will be decided on Friday May 26, 2023.

The apex court on Monday, adjourned to the above date to deliver its judgment in the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shortly after taking submissions from the counsel representing parties in the suit.

Specifically, the PDP is seeking the disqualification of the President-elect, Tinubu and the Vice-President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, over alleged double nomination; an act which they say violates the electoral laws.

The appellant anchored its appeal on the claims that the appellate court erred in law when it dismissed its appeal and affirmed the judgment of a trial court which held that the suit was incompetent and lacking in merit.

PDP is claiming that the APC breached the law when it nominated Shettima as the senatorial candidate for Borno Central and as vice-presidential candidate.

At Monday’s proceedings, while APC’s lawyer, Mr Babatunde Ogala (SAN), asked the court to strike out the case on the grounds that it has become statute barred, because the 180 days stipulated by law to hear the suit has elapsed, PDP’s lawyer, Mr Joe Agi (SAN), disagreed.

It is Agi’s position that the issue of 180 days does not apply in respect of double nomination, adding that since the act is purely an illegality, the court has the right to entertain the appeal.

“They have done that before, they did it in the case of Nwosu and APC and they will do it again,” Agim added.

The appellant accordingly urged the apex court to grant the appeal, set aside the concurrent decision of the two lower courts and nullify the election of Tinubu and the vice-president-elect for alleged double nomination.

The PDP had by their appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CV/108/2023, urged the appellate court to reverse the January 13 judgment by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja which dismissed its suit on the grounds that the PDP lacked locus standi to have instituted the suit.

The three-member panel of justices of the Court of Appeal, in the lead judgment held that the PDP failed to establish its locus standi in the case.

Justice James Abundaga, who delivered the judgment of the appellate court, had agreed with the respondents that the PDP is a busy body, which dabbled in issues that are internal affairs of the APC.

“The appellant, having failed to disclose its locus standi, this appeal fails and it is hereby dismissed,” he said and proceeded to affirm the judgment of the Federal High Court.

Justice Abundaga awarded N5 million cost against the appellant’s lawyer, J. O. Olotu.

The PDP had, in the suit filed on July 28, 2022, challenged the validity of the Tinubu/Shettima ticket for the 2023 presidential election, arguing that Shettima’s nomination as the running mate was in breach of the provisions of Sections 29(1), 33, 35 and 84{1)}(2)} of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended).

Politics

BREAKING: Court Disqualifies Alex Otti As Governor-elect, Others In Abia, Kano

Published

2 weeks ago

May 19, 2023

NewTimes

Alex Otti

The Abia State Governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti and all the candidates of the Labour Party in Abia and Kano States have been disqualified.

The disqualification came from a Federal High Court sitting in Kano, presided over by Justice M N Yunusa.

The court ruled that their emergence was not in compliance with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act.

A copy of the judgement delivered by the court was made available to newsmen on Friday.

The Court in Suit No FHC/KN/CS/107/2023 filed by Mr Ibrahim Haruna Ibrahim against the Labour Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ruled that the failure of the Labour Party to submit its membership register to the INEC within 30 days before their primaries renders the process invalid.

“The party that has not complied with the provisions of the electoral act cannot be said to have a candidate in an election and cannot be declared winner of an election; this being so, the votes credited to the 1st defendant are a wasted vote,” the judge ruled.

Politics

BREAKING: Adeleke, Oyetola Know Fates As Supreme Court Rules On Osun Governorship Poll Tomorrow

Published

4 weeks ago

May 8, 2023

NewTimes

Oyetola and Adeleke

By tomorrow Tuesday, Ademola Adeleke will know if he remains the Osun State helmsman as the Supreme Court will rule on the governorship poll dispute.

The ruling is on an appeal filed by former Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola against Governor Adeleke’s victory in the July 2022 governorship election in the state.

Oyetola is asking the apex court to set aside the ruling of the appellate court which nullified the judgement of the election tribunal.

The election tribunal had declared Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election.

Oyetola was declared the winner by the election tribunal after he went to court to challenge the victory of Adeleke, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Delivering judgment on January 27, two out of the three-member panel held that the former governor was able to prove that there was over-voting in some of the polling units.

Adeleke had rejected the judgment, describing it as “a miscarriage of justice” and “an unfair interpretation against the will of majority of voters”.

In the 31 grounds of appeal, Adeleke begged the court for “an order setting aside the whole decision of the tribunal”.

He also sought “an order striking out the petition for want of competence and jurisdiction or in the alternative, an order dismissing the petition on the merit”.

Adeleke submitted that the tribunal exhibited bias when it said: “The second respondent cannot ‘go lo lo lo lo’ and ‘buga won’ as the duly elected governor of Osun state.”

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices on Friday, held that the appeal the governor lodged to challenge his sacking by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgement of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500,000 cost against APC and its candidate, Oyetola.

However, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court announced on Monday that judgment will be delivered on the matter at 2 pm on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

This comes after the panel took arguments from the legal representatives of Adeleke and Oyetola.