Residents of Kuje town in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and the Council Chairman, Ishaku Shaban Tete have made it clear that they would not allow the siting of Ebola disease emergency centre in the town. This came just as the federal ministry of Health, in conjunction with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has already began putting up structures inside Kuje General Hospital for the centre. The threat by the residents of the town and the Council chairman is also coming against the background of an allegation that the government has voted N20 Million to bribe relevant stakeholders of the Council to ease the siting of the centre. Ishaku Shaban was believed to have vowed that nothing would make him to compromise the health and welfare of the people in his area. “I will resist and fight anybody or institution that is trying to bring Ebola centre to Kuje even if it will cost me my position as chairman,” Shaban Tete was quoted as saying. The youth leader in the Area Council, Abdullahi Mohammed also vowed to mobilize the youth and concerned members of the community to resist the siting of Ebola centre in Kuje. “We are ready to lay down our lives for the welfare and health of the people of Kuje, instead of allowing such thing happen with our eyes wide opened.” Our correspondent reports that the Executive Secretary of the FCTA, Dr. Ademola O. Onakamayo was in Kuje general hospital on Sunday to brief the medical staff, mostly Nurses, on the project. It was also learnt that a special training has been arranged for Tuesday for the Nurses of the hospital on how to handle Ebola cases and patients. The executive Secretary, who drove himself in his private car to the hospital on Sunday, disguised himself by wearing face-cap and in jeens trouser. He would not speak to newsmen, even as he accused the medical staff of leaking information about the move to site Ebola centre in Kuje General Hospital to the press. It was gathered that a building Engineer has already been given contract to design the Ebola centre in the general hospital by converting the male ward of the hospital. Our correspondent noted that the male ward in which the Ebola centre is being constructed is very close to the hospital Mosque, the labour room and the laboratory. The general hospital is surrounded by private residences and is busy with people all round the clock. [myad]
President Goodluck Jonathan has asked Nigerians to be at full alert on Ebola Disease Virus as the government battles to control its spread. The President said when he commissioned the National Trauma Centre in Abuja today: “we must remain at high alert.” The President who called on Nigerians not to panic over the diseases, asked them to take the highest possible care in hygiene and contact by adhering to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of health. “We have put measures and facilities in place, for detection and management and are working in concert with the international community to stem its spread.” President Jonathan who was represented at the commissioning by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, said that he is determined to providing world class healthcare services to Nigerians through adequate funding as well as provision of modern facilities and well trained personnel. He said that conducive environment for healthcare workers, as well as institution of people oriented policies would also be provided. “Providing modern healthcare infrastructure such as this Trauma Centre and others is a cardinal objective of our Transformation Agenda, as prioritized under the National Strategic Health Development Plan,” the President said, adding that Trauma Centre functions optimally when its component units work together. He charged all healthcare workers, particularly those that would be assigned to the Centre to work in unity. He said that as health personnel, they are integral part of the team for the delivering comprehensive care that would be needed by distressed patients. The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu said that the Centre is one of the many projects contained in the Federal Government’s strategic plan, aimed at providing efficient, cost effective and timely healthcare services to Nigerians. He said that the Centre would handle all forms of trauma, including injuries from falls, fires, accidents, natural or man-made disasters, including terrorist activities. Speaking earlier, Chairman of the National Hospital Board, Dr. Tony Okam said that the Centre is the first of its kind in the country, saying that it is a hospital within a hospital, with state of the art healthcare facilities. [myad]
The closer we get to the 2015 general elections, the better INEC gets at conducting elections, the more intense the antagonistic machinations of rival politicians and rival political parties will get. The more intense these rivalries get, the more sense of foreboding among ordinary citizens will also increase.
Let us quickly take critical looks at the Ekiti and Osun elections, the similarities and differences, and how the experience from both will impact the upcoming Adamawa elections, and shape the outcome of the 2015 general elections.
Let me however start by very clearly declaring my political status; I am an activist for social justice, a revolutionary fighting for the radical social and politico-economic transformation of society in a manner that places political power in the hands of ordinary people, as a means of ensuring a more equitable distribution of wealth and access to opportunities among citizens. I am a class activist, one who while understanding the primacy of the class struggle, nevertheless recognizes that this class struggle presents in a myriad of ways, and unfolds simultaneously on multiple terrains of struggle. I am therefore not a member or sympathizer of the PDP [Power Deceiving People], or the APC [Association of Popular Conmen(and women)]; nor am I a member or sympathizer of any of the elite political platforms masquerading as political parties, including that quintessential stock market misnamed the Labour Party.
And although I am not a member of any of the registered political parties, I am not an advocate of political sidon-look, and I am not politically passive or neutral. I am convinced that the present crop of Nigeria’s ruling political elite is incapable of being patriotic and nationalistic; hence they are incapable of making a success of the nation building project. They are neither patriotic nor nationalistic simply because they do not believe in this nation; they still speak 54 years after independence in the language of ethnicity, religion, and region or zone. Even at the ongoing National Conference, convened in 2014, in the 21st century, 100 years after the amalgamation, the political discourse of the representatives of the political elites across the board has remained stuck in the ethno-religious and regional quagmire. So they continue to speak for mythical geo-political zones, and phantom regions; while in reality they are actually promoting their rival individual interests, thus prioritizing their greed over our needs.
This situation is made worse by their mental and psychological association of home, and thus safety and security with Europe and the Americas, and not Nigeria. This is why they aspire for dual citizenship, for residency status in Europe and North America; it is why they marry their wives here, impregnate them here, but then send them abroad to have their babies who then acquire the citizenship of those countries as a result of the manipulation of the circumstance of their birth. This psychosis is rooted in and a carry over from the mentality of the African peasant in the period before contact with Europe. The farm was always different from and separated from the village. The farm was where we extracted surplus value; the village was where we invested the proceeds of that extraction. The Nigerian ruling class has retained this pre-historic mentality; Nigeria is their farm, where they extract surplus value through treasury looting; whereas Europe and North America is their longed for home and village where they invest the proceeds of their loot. It is why even after looting our collective treasury dry, they always prefer to invest or store the loot abroad.
Anyway back to the present, to the Osun and Ekiti elections. One of the clearest indication of the fact that what we have are not political parties as vehicles for transforming society, but political contraptions as vehicles for grabbing power in order to have priority access to treasury looting, is manifested in the fact that there are almost as many models of governance or the lack of it as there are governors regardless of their political party affiliations. So for instance although Ekiti, Edo, Osun, Ogun, Lagos, Rivers, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kano, or Kwara are all for example APC governed states, nevertheless each is a different model from the others. The Ekiti Model is quite distinct from the Osun model. And whereas the incumbent in Ekiti against all sensible expectations lost the elections, and lost for that matter to someone who had hitherto failed the test of governance in that same office; the incumbent in Osun in Osun won re-election. What was responsible for such parallel outcomes?
In Ekiti a lot has been said about the role played by the deployment of the principle and practice of stomach infrastyructure on the one hand, and the massive deployment of security forces on the other hand. Well Ekiti is one of the most literate community in Nigeria, and one of the states with the highest number of highly educated citizenry; so there is quite a lot of problem with the theory of stomach infrastructure as the sole or main reason for the Ekiti outcome.
The Ekiti outcome needs to be explained more deeply. It is true that the intimidating nature of the unprecedented deployment of security forces played a significant role in determining the turn out rate for the Ekiti election at just about 50%. It can be argued that whereas the PDP candidate’s supporters came out to vote, emboldened by their perception that the security deployment was in their favour; a majority of the APC candidate’s supporters stayed at home, deterred by the perception that the unprecedented scale of security deployment was against them. In the event, the incumbent lost, and the challenger won by default. Dual invigorating [to the PDP] and paralyzing [for the APC] role of this perception can even be gauged in the attitudes of two candidates. The incumbent on election day appeared subdued; the challenger appeared triumphant. Contrast this with the attitude and dispositions of the incumbent and challenger in Osun, or in the Edo election before the Ekiti election. In Osun the incumbent was manifestly triumphant during all the stages of the electoral process.
Furthermore, in Osun rather than being paralysed by the massive deployment of security forces perceived to be hostile, the incumbent was galvanized by it, and directly and practically led in organizing and mobilizing his support base, thus building this base into a concrete mass movement. This was sorely absent in Ekiti. In Osun therefore the turn out was far higher, and the incumbent’s support base more cohesive and more galvanized and mobilized.
Before we turn to the implications and inherent ironies of these two elections for the 2015 general elections, let us quickly take a look at theory of stomach infrastructure with respect to the Ekiti and Osun models. In both Ekiti and Osun, a lot of physical and basic social infrastructure initiatives were undertaken, in Osun however these directly materially also benefitted ordinary citizens, such as technicians, tailors, small scale farmers, welders, etc who all played some part in supplying materials, supplying goods and services, and in construction exercises which were taking place. Additionally, the incumbent directly related with the citizens, spoke to them in their tongues even as he spoke fluent English, so much so that if it was possible to raise the issue of aloofness and distance from the people in Ekiti, it was near impossible to raise similar issues in Osun.
So now what are the implications and embedded ironies of the Ekiti and Osun Elections? Let us begin with the massive deployment of security forces. Would the same level and scale of deployment of security forces be possible or feasible in the 2015 general elections across the entire country? If this would be possible, what would it amount to? More than 300,000 soldiers, secret police, and mobile police [at the rate of between 10,000 and 20,000 deployed in Ekiti and Osun states respectively] deployed for electoral duty across the country simultaneously? What would be the implication of this for wider security? For instance while nearly 20,000 armed security personnel were deployed for electoral duty in Osun, Gwozo in Borno state was left defenseless, bereft of any security presence, and therefore became prey to Boko Haram’s destructive siege over the weekend of the Osun elections.
Beyond security, the wider implication is the role and place of popular mobilization into concrete popular movements as demonstrated in Osun, in the 2015 general elections. What manner will these take given the acrimonious and antagonistic jostling for power by the major parties?
What is also becoming increasingly obvious is that regardless of who emerges the victor, the outcome of the 2015 general elections will lead to massive groundswell of a wave of rising expectations, and that the victor in that election will sooner than later be confronted by a major crisis of rising expectations. If the PDP wins the general election, the APC may be poised to become the major beneficiary of the eventual crisis of rising unfulfilled expectations; however, if the APC emerges victorious in 2015, and is later confronted by a crisis of rising unfulfilled and or unrealizable expectations; then a popular, mass political movement, outside of the establishment set up could emerge as the vehicle for articulating popular aspirations, and for realising popular power.
The historical task confronting us, who are, or who desire to become very actively political, but who are skeptical and reject organizing under any of the banners of the existing party of looters, is to begin right now, immediately, the task of creating and putting together the foundations and basic structures for such a Popular Mass Political Movement of the ordinary citizens.
It is only if we begin and undertake this arduous task now, and ceaselessly and relentlessly pursue it, that we can be in a position to take the winds out of the sails of the parties of the ruling elites when the gathering storm breaks out into a deluge of crisis.
My experience in the anti-military and pro-democracy struggles of the end of the last century; my experience in organizing, mobilizing and being part of the leadership of the January Uprising of 2012; as well as my experience in engaging with the 2014 National Conference; combine to convince me that the Nigerian elite is incapable of transforming our nation; that we are the only forces who undertake this historical task; and that only by building a Popular Mass Political Movement for power can we successfully challenge the ruling class and be in apposition to take popular power. [myad]
The commencement of work on the N40 billion outer Southern expressway, also known as OSEXR, is set to bring the beauty of the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja into serious focus. Indeed, the lush and green beauty of the city is being given a flip. The 65 kilometer road which passes through the Presidential Aso Villa and connects to the AYA junction in Asokoro, is apparently a delight to people who appreciate the beauty and the layouts, especially motorists and commuters that are the end users of the facility. The vital role the road stand to play in their lives cannot be over emphasized. The road project, undertaken by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will help to ease the constant traffic jams along the AYA, Nyanya and Karu. This stretch of road has served, time immemorial, as an entry and Exit rout to the city through the Abuja Keffi Road. And for a very long time now, this road has become notorious for unending, tortuous traffic gridlock with several motor accidents as a result of recklessness by motorist and other road users. The OSEXR was recently commission by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan. The ground breaking ceremony, which was performed at the AYA junction, attracted many people, including the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed. Senator Bala said at the occasion that the construction of the road was designed to take FCT to a higher level as far as transportation and provision of infrastructural facilities are concerned. When completed, the road will reduce the journey between the city and areas like Nyanya and Keffi by about half and also reduce road accidents. Above all, the completion of the road will also create conducive condition to attract many local and foreign investors, as well as traders. And, Abuja is likely to also play host to tourists. [myad
The victorious governor of Osun state in the Saturday governorship election in the state, Rauf Aregbesola has noted that despite his victory, democracy is still gravely endangered in Nigeria even as President Goodluck Jonathan denied insinuation in opposition quarters that the security and other arrangements made for the election were designs to achieve a favourable outcome for his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In his post-election victory broadcast on Sunday in a broadcast to the people of the state, shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced him as the winner of the governorship election, titled: “Democratic Victory Over Tyranysaid: Governor Aregbesola: “it is so sad and unfortunate that what should be a normal, routine process was maliciously allowed to snowball into a needless virtual war by the Federal Government and the PDP. We witnessed gross abuse of power and, of due process before, during, and even after the actual voting process.
“After an unnecessarily tense, tortuous and even traumatic process, the Independent National Electoral Commission this morning declared me as the winner of the Osun state.”
Here is the full text of the broadcast text:
To the good people of Osun State goes our unflinching gratitude. We salute your steadfastness, courage, loyalty, commitment and fierce determination to defend your sovereign rights and the integrity of our nascent democracy. You have demonstrated in this election that in a democracy, power truly belongs to the people. I am humbled and honoured by your trust and abiding faith in me and my party. I pledge that your confidence in us shall never be betrayed or taken for granted.
Ordinarily, this should be a moment of joy and celebration consequent upon the hard earned triumph of the people’s will. However, this election shows that democracy is still gravely endangered in Nigeria. We witnessed gross abuse of power and, of due process before, during, and even after the actual voting process. It is so sad and unfortunate that what should be a normal, routine process was maliciously allowed to snowball in to a needless virtual war by the Federal Government and the PDP.
Osun state was unduly militarized in an unprecedented manner through criminal intimidation and psychological assault on our people. This election witnessed an abuse of our security agencies and amounted to a corruption of their professional ethics and integrity.
The security agencies were unprofessionally utilized in Osun state to harass, intimidate and oppress the people whose taxes are used to pay their salaries and provide their arms. Hundreds of leaders, supporters, sympathizers and agents of our party were arrested and detained. Also, hundreds of other innocent citizens including women and the aged were harassed, brutalized and traumatized. In spite of this condemnable repression and abuse of human rights, the unflagging spirit of our people triumphed.
Our victory is due to the steadfastness and resolute determination of our people to assert and defend their rights. The PDP obviously did all it could in a most desperate manner to steal the people’s mandate. A critical analysis of the elections shows a trend of general low voter turnout largely because of the atmosphere of deliberate tyranny and fear caused by the excessive militarization of the state. Despite our victory, it is pertinent to condemn and also point out the fact that the number of accredited voters in most local governments was less than half of registered voters. Against this trend, it is curious that the bulk of the PDP candidate’s votes came from only four Local Governments- namely Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North and Ife South. This suggests an inexplicable large turnout in his stronghold which is a curious departure from the general trend of voting across the state.
The outcome of this election, once again, shows the unswerving determination of our people to ensure that democracy triumphs in Nigeria. We have sent a strong signal to all and sundry that no might is powerful enough to thwart the will of the people. This should always strengthen our resolve to ensure that as from now on, every vote must not only be counted but must count in this country. Nobody or party must ever exercise power unreasonably at any level except in accordance with the will of the people to whom sovereignty belongs.
Let me assure the good people of Osun state that I appreciate that this victory is a reward for our hard work and commitment to the welfare of our people. I promise that we shall not rest on our oars but shall be spurred to work even harder with all well-meaning people of the State of Osun and the generality of Nigerians to continue to enjoy your trust and support. You can be assured that we will leave no stone unturned in our continued effort to transform Osun into a land of progress, prosperity and peace for all with renewed fervour. I realize that this victory and the challenges we went through is a call to greater service and sustained commitment to our people. I pledge a rededication of myself to the service of our people and the strengthening of democratic values in Osun and Nigeria generally. Our country remains in political bondage and we must set her free.”
In a message to congratulate Governor Aregbesola President Jonathan described the Saturday governorship election as election free, fair and peaceful, adding that it reaffirmed his administration’s determination to positively reform Nigeria’s electoral processes. “The outcome of the election has also given the lie to the false, unfair and uncharitable allegations that measures put in place by the federal government for the Ekiti and Osun State elections were partisan and designed to achieve a favourable outcome for his party.” He hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission and national security agencies for ensuring that the elections were free, fair, credible and peaceful in keeping with the avowed commitment of his Administration. President Jonathan also applauded the people of Osun State who came out en masse in all the local government areas of the state to peacefully and freely exercise their democratic right. Giving further assurance that he would take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and the sanctity of the Nigerian votes at all elections, the President assured governor Aregbesola that he would continue to work with him and other state governors to further improve the living conditions of Nigerians in Osun and other states of the country. He wished Aregbesola continued good health and a successful second term in office. In his congratulatory message to the governor-elect, former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar described the electoral victory of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as a measure of the his popularity and acceptability and that of the opposition party. The former Vice President expressed appreciation to the voters in Osun State for not letting him down as their in-law. “The victory of Governor Aregbesola and the APC in the governorship election in Osun State is very symbolic. It shows clearly that my in-law and the incumbent governor is very popular among his people of Osun State. “It also shows significantly that the people of Osun State are at home with the APC and the mass oriented policies associated with our great party.” Atiku said that in as much as the election has been won and lost, what is important is that the people of Osun State have made an investment into the future for another four years. “Our great party, the APC is very appreciative of the decision that the people have made and I am very confident that Governor Aregbesola will initiate more people-friendly policies that will make the APC come out stronger in future elections in the state and beyond.” The Rivers State chapter of APC also sent its congratulatory messages, saying that with the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and with the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in its attempted coup against the popular Nasarawa Governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, the days of PDP at the centre have become obviously numbered. “In view of the failure of all the plots to rig the Osun election; intimidation and arrest of key APC Chieftains by the PDP-induced security agents and with the failure of the attempt to corrupt INEC officials, PDP should hide its ugly face in shame. We heartily congratulate Governor Aregbesola on this epochal victory. “With all of PDP’s rigging strategies now exposed, President Goodluck Jonathan should do himself some good by resisting the temptation to lure him into the 2015 presidential election. “This is necessary if he is to avoid open disgrace by becoming the first President in Nigeria to contest an election and lose such an election. Besides, Mr. President is fully aware that he is not qualified to contest the 2015 election after spending six years as President. Already, Nigerians have vowed to disgrace PDP for the hardship the party has brought upon them apart from not securing their lives.” APC said that the Osun election was, in a way, a victory for River State, adding that it was also a victory for Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who directed that the mistake of Ekiti State should not be allowed to play out in Osun. “In this regard, Dr Davies Ikanya the Rivers State APC Chairman who relocated his office to Osogbo for over a week to represent the Rivers State Government and to ensure the execution of the election according to the wishes of Governor Amaechi described the election as victory over fascism and nepotism represented by PDP.” [myad]
Arik Air passengers, Saturday, refused to board an aircraft, W3 762, PCS/WT ETKT 7255453747522-2, from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital, because of what they said was the history of the aircraft’s malfunctioning. It was gathered that the aircraft, which was schedule to take off on Friday, could not do so as it developed a fault which needed to be corrected overnight. It was learnt that the same aircraft was positioned to fly the same set of passengers on Saturday but still could not start. One of the passengers, Barrister Wilson Julius who vowed to drag the airline to court, narrated the ordeals of the passengers to our reporter: “We learnt that the aircraft developed a fault yesterday (Friday) and this morning (Saturday), we arrived for the flight. After boarding the aircraft, we sat in it for about forty minutes with its doors closed and ready to fly, but the aircraft could not start. We didn’t know. We were seated in the Aircraft until when some of us started panting inside as a result of the absence of air. “The plane did not start. They were struggling to repair it while we were inside. “Finally, we were evacuated and asked to sit inside the departure hall, to wait another flight. At about 10 am, an announcement was made, postponing the take off by one hour. “After all the delay, at about 11.45 am, we were asked to board. But to our surprise, we were taken to the same aircraft that was faulty. We protested, as life has no duplicate.” Another passenger, who is a social crusader, Walter Duru expressed concern over the development even as he accused the Airline of gross irresponsibility and impunity. He called on relevant authorities to call the airline to order, in order to safeguard the lives of Nigerian air travelers. The situation became critically in the afternoos yesterday as the aggrieved passengers grounded the entire operations of Arik air, refusing its aircrafts from taking off. At that point, the Pilot of the Aircraft and a technical staff addressed the angry passengers, telling them that the fault had been fixed. A staff of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, who gave his name simply as Mohammed, promised to get an NCAA Engineer to inspect and certify the aircraft to ascertain its fitness to fly. But the passengers waited for about three hours without seeing any one as the NCAA Staff disappeared and never returned. At another point, the Arik Air duty Manager, one Mr. Ogaji, also addressed the passengers by asking them to wait till 4.50 pm so that they would board the next aircraft that was heading to Port Harcourt. It would be recalled that Arik Air and other Airline operators have, on uncountable occasions, been accused of compromising the safety of Passengers with aircrafts that are not Air-worthy to fly passengers to different destinations.. Efforts to reach the Management of Arik Air for official comments proved abortive. [myad]
The Northern Elders Council has acknowledged that Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo is currently the Northern political leader. This has foreclosed the controversy that had raged for a long time now over who leads the North at the level of politics. Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, who led members of the Council to Aguda House, the official residence of the Vice President to wish him happy 60th birth day anniversary, commended him for the leadership qualities he has been displaying. Yakasai also commended Namadi Sambo for his loyalty and support to President Goodluck Jonathan, even as he assured him that members of the Council would continue to support the administration towards national progress. He wished the Vice President a happy birthday on his 60th anniversary. Namadi Sambo expressed appreciation to the Northern Elders for their contributions towards nation building. Namadi Sambo thanked them for their support to President Jonathan led administration on its people oriented Transformation Agenda. He also lauded their untiring efforts at fostering unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, asking them not to relent. Those in Yakasai’s entourage include the Council’s deputy chairman, Senator Saidu Umar Kumo; elder statesman, Ambassador Hassan Adamu; the Council secretary, Chief John Mankilik; Public Relations Officer, Ambassador Yusuf Mamman and Hajiya Aisha Aliyu Gusau. [myad]
Osum electorate have given another four year, second term to the incumbent governor and candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded governorship election in the state, Rauf Aregbesola, with 394,684 to defeat his closest rival, Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The final result of the election, conducted on Saturday, August 9, showed that Aregbesola won in over two third of the 30 Local Government Areas of the State while the PDP candidate, Omisore, polled 292,747 even as the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Fatai Akinbade got 8,898 votes to come third.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer for Osun State governorship election is the Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Bantale Omole.
Aregbesola, won in Local Government Areas including Irepodun, Irewole, Obokun, Iwo, Olorunda, Oriade, Ola Oluwa, Atakumosa, Osogbo, Atakumosa West, Ayedade, Ilesha South, Ilesha North, Ayedire, Boripe, Egbedore, Ejigbo, Ede North, Ifedayo, Ifelodun and Ede North.
The PDP candidate, Omisore won in Odo-Otin, Ife South, Ife North, Ife Central and Isokan.
The election took off on a peaceful note with election materials arriving most polling units on time. However, there were accusations and counter-accusations by the major parties- APC and PDP.
The full results:
Ifedayo APC 4,225 PDP 3982 Boluwaduro APC 4,891 PDP 5,035 Ilesha East APC 16,106 PDP 5,913 Odo Otin APC 11,950 PDP 12,902 Ilesha West APC 15,427 PDP 5,449 Orolu APC 8,558 PDP 6,786 Oriade APC 12,523 PDP 10,214 Atakumosa APC 6,928 PDP 5,142 Ede South APC 11,738 PDP 7,462 Ila Oragun APC 10,825 PDP 7,916 Boripe APC 12,723 PDP 9,344 Irepodun APC 13,314 PDP 7,386 Ife Central APC 9,680 PDP 24,555 Ife East APC 13,821 PDP 20,831 Ola Oluwa APC 7,927 PDP 4,963 Isokan APC 9,758 PDP 10,028 Ife North APC 8,603 PDP 9,841 Ede North APC 15,403 PDP 10,427 Ifelodun APC 17,447 PDP 12,442 Ayedaade APC 12,801 PDP 11,255 Obokun APC 11,696 PDP 8,618 Irewole APC 18,328 PDP 10,330 Egbedore APC 10,215 PDP 7024 Aiyedire APC 7,724 PDP 7,813 Iwo APC 20,827 PDP 15,493 Osogbo APC 39,983 PDP 11,513 Olorunda APC 26,551 PDP 8,483 Atakumota East APC 9,287 PDP 6,294 (Election did not hold in Alarere polling unit) Ife South APC 7,325 PDP 12,811 Ejigbo APC 17,700 PDP 12,495
Meanwhile, election did not hold in Alarere polling unit in Atakumosa East LGA while 11 polling units recorded over voting and forged signatures in Ejigbo. [myad]
At least, two persons have been feared dead with 20 others hospitalized in various hospitals in Plateau State after consuming excessive quantity of salt and bitter kola to prevent Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) attack. This followed a viral message on social media and phone calls as well as text messages in the wee hours of Friday from people asking loved ones to add salt to water for bath before 4.30am on that day to prevent Ebola attack. The message was beleived to have emanated from the Igala Kingdom, the Attah of Igala in Kogi state. Before the ministers of Health and information could come up with counter statement that there was no truth in such prescription and warned people to disregard it, Nigerians across the country have already performed the “ritual bath.”
The two persons were said to have died in Shendam after they were rushed to the hospital by their family members. They were said to have suddenly collapsed in the morning after consuming too much of salt over night. They later died of high blood pressure in the hospitals.
According to medical personnel in the hospitals where the other patients are currently taking treatment in Jos, some developed ulcer, while others stool profusely, having consumed the table salt in excess. [myad]
Results of the Osun state governorship election, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today in the state have shown that the incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola of All Progressives Congress (APC) is in the early lead. The few results declared publicly by INEC after the counting of votes, showed that Aregbesola is leading in Ward 02 in 014 polling unit of Oniso compound In Ede North with 59 votes cast out of 112 accredited voters, while his closest rival, Senator Omisore got 37 votes with 7 votes voided. Others were APGA with 07, ADC 01, PDN 01, ACPN 02 and NNPP 02 votes. Aregbesola also won in Ward 09 in 009 polling unit in Ojularede open space of Ede North with 33 votes as against Omisore’s 26 votes out of 65 accredited voters. In Ojisun polling unit 007, out of 159 accredited voters, Aregbesola got 85 votes while Omisore got 63 votes and seven votes were voided. In Ilesa west ward 6, Araromi unit 4, Aregbesola got 138 votes while Omisore got 63 votes. In Ibodi, it is 300 votes for Aregbesola’s APC and just three for Omisore’s PDP while APC also got 95 votes in Lemodi as against PDP’s 25. In Ijoka in Ilesha, APC got 150 votes while PDP got 30 and in Orita Kajola in Ilesa, APC got 265 vote and PDP got 65. others are:
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The closer we get to the 2015 general elections, the better INEC gets at conducting elections, the more intense the antagonistic machinations of rival politicians and rival political parties will get. The more intense these rivalries get, the more sense of foreboding among ordinary citizens will also increase.
Southern Express Way, A Re-Enforcement Of Beauty Of Abuja, By Ibrahim Biu
The commencement of work on the N40 billion outer Southern expressway, also known as OSEXR, is set to bring the beauty of the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja into serious focus. Indeed, the lush and green beauty of the city is being given a flip.
The 65 kilometer road which passes through the Presidential Aso Villa and connects to the AYA junction in Asokoro, is apparently a delight to people who appreciate the beauty and the layouts, especially motorists and commuters that are the end users of the facility. The vital role the road stand to play in their lives cannot be over emphasized.
The road project, undertaken by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will help to ease the constant traffic jams along the AYA, Nyanya and Karu.
This stretch of road has served, time immemorial, as an entry and Exit rout to the city through the Abuja Keffi Road. And for a very long time now, this road has become notorious for unending, tortuous traffic gridlock with several motor accidents as a result of recklessness by motorist and other road users.
The OSEXR was recently commission by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The ground breaking ceremony, which was performed at the AYA junction, attracted many people, including the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed.
Senator Bala said at the occasion that the construction of the road was designed to take FCT to a higher level as far as transportation and provision of infrastructural facilities are concerned.
When completed, the road will reduce the journey between the city and areas like Nyanya and Keffi by about half and also reduce road accidents. Above all, the completion of the road will also create conducive condition to attract many local and foreign investors, as well as traders. And, Abuja is likely to also play host to tourists. [myad