Gaidam Promises Free Education In Yobe If

Governor of Yobe State Mr. Ibrahim Gaidam yesterday promised to declare free education from primary to tertiary level, if the monthly statutory allocation of state increased. Gaidam made the pledge in Damaturu during a meeting with Yobe political leaders, who came to felicitate with him over his victory in the just-concluded polls. He said the measure was part of efforts of his administration to ensure that Yobe indigenes acquired education, to enable them to realise their potentials and dreams.

The governor said the policy would also enable indigenes of the state to acquire the relevant knowledge, skills and training needed to contribute in moving the country forward. He said the people of the state would enjoy more dividends of democracy in his second term as he promised to invest more in infrastructural and youth development. Gaidam also said no society would achieve meaningful development without engaging its youth in socioeconomic activities.

The governor pledged to build an international airport in Yobe, with a view to attracting local and international investors as well as tourists into the state. “I want to assure the people of Yobe that before the end of this year, we are going to start the project of building an international airport in Yobe.”

The governor decried inadequate funding from the Federation Account, saying that it had been a major factor militating against the development of the state. He, however, expressed confidence that the APC-led Federal Government would accord priority to addressing the plight of the people, to enhance physical and manpower development in the state. Mr. Gaidam said his administration inherited poor infrastructure in the state from the precious leadership. “When we came on board in 2007, we inherited poor infrastructure from the previous government and there was no evidence to show how the state’s resources was spent.”

The governor thanked the people of the state for giving him another opportunity to serve the state, assuring that “the people of Yobe will not regret re-electing me again.” Earlier, Ajiyarima Bularafa, the Special Adviser on Political Matters to the governor, said it would be difficult to get a dedicated leader like the governor. He appealed to the people of the state to support the governor with prayers, to enable him to provide more dividends of democracy.

Ambode, others to receive certificates of return April 16

The Governor-elect of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode will receive his certificate of return on Thursday, April 16, 2015.

This was disclosed on Tuesday, April 14, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state.

Others who will receive certificates of return are Deputy Governor-elect, Oluranti Adebule and winners of the National Assembly and House of Assembly elections held on March 28 and April 11 respectively.

The certificates will be presented at 11am on Thursday at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Hall in the Ikeja area of the state.

Ambode was declared winner of the election on April 12 after scoring more votes than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Jimi Agbaje.

‘I’ve been vindicated,’ Minister says in response to Fayose’s Supreme Court victory

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Musiliu Obanikoro has responded to the Supreme Court’s affirmation of Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose’s victory at the June 2014 elections.

Obanikoro said that the verdict of the apex court had proven him innocent of election rigging allegations levelled against him.

“The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ruled to validate Governor Fayose's election. Finally, I have been vindicated,”Obanikoro tweeted on Tuesday, April 14, 2015.

“Governor Fayose won all the House of Assembly Seats in Ekiti State without Obanikoro's help. #EkitiGate was and will remain a sham,” he added.

The minister was accused of rigging the Ekiti elections along with Fayose and Senator Iyiola Omisore after an audio tape supposedly featuring them was leaked by an insider.

The Supreme Court upheld Fayose’s election in a unanimous ruling reached on April 14.

INEC to hold fresh polls in Taraba on April 25

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to hold fresh governorship elections in Taraba state on April 25.

This was disclosed on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, by the INEC Head of Public Affairs, Fabian Yame, in Jalingo the state capital.

Earlier elections held in the state on April 11 were declared inconclusive after the number of cancelled votes amounted to more than the difference in votes between the two major candidates; Aisha Alhassan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

127,125 votes were cancelled while Ishaku polled 317,198 and Alhassan came second with 262,386 votes.

Fresh elections will be held in the Donga Local Government and in some polling units in Bali, Karim Lamido, Takum, Ussa, Wukari, Yorro and Zing.

Rivers Elections was daylight robbery,’ Governor replies Obanikoro

Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that he will not congratulate the state’s Governor-elect, Nyesom Wike on his victory in the recently held elections.

Amaechi stated this in response to a call for him to congratulate Wike made by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Musiliu Obanikoro.

Amaechi also termed the April 11 governorship elections in the state as ‘daylight robbery’.

“Because of the larger interest of Rivers state, I and most Rivers people will not accept that daylight robbery they called elections,” the governor said via Twitter on April 14, 2015.

“The election was a sham, a disgrace, an affront on democracy. Please read the reports of EU and other INEC accredited election observers before you open your mouth to spew rubbish. If your values are so debased and rotten that you saw nothing wrong with the elections in Rivers State, mine is not. Never will,” he added.

Obanikoro had said that he congratulated Lagos State Governor-elect, Akinwunmi Ambode despite having misgivings about the conduct of the polls.

He went further to urge Amaechi to accept the results of the elections conducted in Rivers despite his objections.

Opposition should wait till 2018,’ Governor responds to court judgment upholding his victory

Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose has responded to the court judgment affirming his victory at the June 2014 governorship elections.

The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, that Fayose had been validly elected while dismissing the petition of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fayose, in a statement urged the opposition to sheathe their swords and accept the judgment.

Read the full statement below:

"I want to sincerely appreciate Ekiti people for their resilience and love for me. I am formally dedicating this victory to God and to them. Having voted for me ten months ago, and confirming the victory by the subsequent elections in the last few weeks, they have shown that they are unequivocal about their choice and their determination to protect and defend that mandate."

"I cannot but appreciate the Apex Court for protecting democracy and also for living to the expectation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who had assured that under his leadership, the judiciary would not subscribe to any plot to change the outcome of elections through the instrumentality of the Court."

"I think the necessary lessons must have been learnt and it is obvious that Nigeria is evolving democratically. To my opponents, I plead with you to sheath your sword and join me in the development of Ekiti State. If truly our struggle is about service to our dear State, it is time to come together and channel all our resources towards the development of the State."

"I am irrevocably committed to the protection of all, including the opposition in the State. Nobody is infallible, and I am not a perfect being. The only one that is perfect is God, but He, in His infinite mercies has made me the Governor of Ekiti State today. I have a term and tenure; there will be another opportunity for Ekiti people to decide who governs them."

"Rather than trouble the peace of the State, our friends in the opposition parties should accept the will of God concerning our dear State and wait till 2018. I thank all stakeholders and I am assuring them that I will leave Ekiti State better than I met it. My special appreciation also goes to the security agencies for being alive to their responsibilities."

"May the Almighty God continue to bless Ekiti State."

Fayose won 203,090 votes to defeat APC candidate and incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi.

Rivers Guber Election: Emulate Jonathan, PDP tells APC

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers on Wednesday urged All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to congratulate Chief Nyesom Wike, the governor-elect on his victory in the gubernatorial election. Mr Emma Okah, the Chairman, PDP’s Publicity Committee stated this while briefing journalists in Port Harcourt. Okah condemned in totality the spurious allegations of rigging being peddled by the APC intended to smear PDP’s victory in the state.

‘’We urge the losers to be courageous and honourable, and if truly they are democrats, to emulate our beloved President Goodluck Jonathan in showing the spirit of sportsmanship. ‘’Rather than fan the embers of disunity and peddling falsehood, they should congratulate the winners.’’ Okah, who congratulated Rivers people on their support for PDP in the face of intimidation by the ruling party in the state, said the victory marked a new dawn in the state.

He explained that PDP’s victory was a reward for hard work and resilience, adding that the party was a household name in the state. He congratulated the governor-elect and his deputy, saying that the victory was a ‘’call duty’’ to repair and restore Rivers back to its lost glory. He further commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its impartiality in the conduct of the election, saying that it had laid foundation for future credible elections.

He also observed that the security agencies performed their duty well by protecting and securing voters without much challenges. Okah also thanked the media, on behalf of the PDP, for its objectivity and neutrality in the coverage and reportage of the elections.

News, Entertainment, Tv, Music, Video, Politics, Sports, News