Connect with us

Politics

God told me not to contest election in 2027 – Ortom

Published

on

The immediate past governor of Benue, Samuel Ortom, has said that God told him not to contest any election in 2027.

Ortom made the disclosure on Tuesday in Makurdi when People’s Democracy Party, PDP, G-14 members paid him a courtesy visit.

G-14 members are elders of the PDP in the 14 Tiv speaking local government areas in Benue.

The former governor said he had no option but to respect God’s wish.

He admitted that he failed to consult God before joining the 2023 election, hence his defeat.

Ortom stated that the PDP was determined to take over the Benue Government House in 2027.

According to him, he lost his senatorial bid in 2023 over his failure to consult God.

“I’m not contesting the 2027 election. I knew why I lost the election in 2023. I didn’t consult God. My people purchased the forms for me, and I accepted them without consulting God.

“God has revealed everything to me. He has asked me to wait for him,” he said.

Ortom further disclosed that while serving the state as governor, he made far-reaching sacrifices, including abandoning his family and friends at some point for state matters.

The former governor promised to continue to support the party, adding that no one’s ambition should be above the interest of the party.

According to him, after he left office, he wanted to go on sabbatical, but the elders objected.

Loading

Continue Reading

Headline

Edo PDP Inaugurates Caretaker Committee, Confident Of Reclaiming ‘Stolen Mandate’

Published

on

The Edo State’s chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated the Caretaker Committee Members set up by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to run the party’s affairs pending the election of new executives.

The Committee is chaired by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, with Hon. Henry Duke Tenebe as Secretary.

Other members of the caretaker committee are Hon. Harrison Omagbon, Hon. Fidel Igenegbale, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, Tony Anenih Jnr, Arch. Bishop Anthony Okosun, Hon. Segun Saiki, Adezat Kuburat Ibrahim and Augustine Edosomwan.

The Committee set up in pursuant of Section 29(2)(b) of PDP’s Constitution (2017 as amended), is charged with the responsibility of running the affairs of the Party in Edo State, as stipulated in Section 21(2) (a-b) of the Party’s Constitution for a period not exceeding 90 days (3 months) or till a new Executive Committee is elected.

Speaking at the inauguration at the PDP Secretariat in Benin City, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, expressed confidence that the party will reclaim its mandate stolen by the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the September 21 governorship poll.

Addressing party leaders, local government chairmen, party chieftain, and other party stakeholders, the governor charged for unity and cohesion as the party explores the judicial process to reclaim its mandate.

He said, “We want a cohesive party as we fight for our stolen mandate and I am sure we will get it back. Our mandate was stolen in broad daylight; everybody saw how they stole the mandate of the people.

“We have evidence to show how our mandate was stolen and by the grace of God, we will recover it. It will be difficult for them to go away with this stolen mandate. We have a process in government, they stole our mandate, yes but we have laws, and there is a way things are done. We are inaugurating a new government in Edo State and the Edo State Government is not involved.

“People behave as if there is no law, forgetting that we are guided by constitution and law; there are procedures to handle things. They are doing an inauguration and the governor is not even invited. It is like they are starting a brand new government and a brand new State.”

Obaseki continued, “Illegality parades the land and we have to be patient for a while as our democracy must work. We know how they stole our mandate; we have evidence of how they stole it but let’s see how they get out of this.

“Our people came out to cast their votes for our party, we are challenging that result and we know victory will be ours. Let’s play our parts as politicians. We know these people are great liars and good at deception. We have to be out there talking and never allow their lies to take over.

“The tribunal hearing will start by December and we want the people to be alert. The people are asking questions; it shows they are interested. The greatest thing we need now is harmony in the party and we need to talk to our people more now. The party must be in touch with the local government chairmen on a weekly basis. The party must be in touch with the House of Assembly members; let the people know what is going on.

“In this holiday period, they will want to spend as much money as possible to confuse the people. They are going to struggle to change their perception. We have almost N27 billion to pay for projects and obligations, but they have started blowing it, and they have gone to borrow money for the inauguration which is going to cost them N2 to N5 billion. That is the money they will first take from the treasury.”

The governor assured the people that he will not be far away from the party as he will never leave the party but remain in the party to give advice.

He added, “This our stolen mandate, we will get it back, for the sake of Nigeria because if we allow the APC to go with our stolen mandate, it will mark the end of democracy in Nigeria. This fight is not for our candidate but for the people of Nigeria and our nation’s democracy.”

On his part, the party’s candidate in the September 21 guber poll, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, charged the party to be ready for a tough battle and the journey to reclaim the stolen mandate.

He thanked the governor for his focus, determination and for leading the people right, charging the people to be focused on the project of reclaiming their stolen mandate.

Ighodalo noted, “We expect them to reply to our petition next week. We also have five days to reply to their petition. This will take us to about the 19th of November 2024. We will then start what is called the pre-hearing before the major hearing which may start by the end of November.

“Our lawyers are working and are ready to reply to their petition. Times are hard and we are in difficult times; we should stand firm and be strong as we navigate the journey to reclaim our stolen mandate.”

Loading

Continue Reading

Politics

Aiyedatiwa, Ajayi, others sign peace accord

Published

on

Candidates of political parties seeking to be elected Ondo Governor in next Saturday’s governorship polls have signed the peace accord.

Among candidates that signed the peace accord were Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Agboola Ajayi, Olugbena Edema, Dr. Abbas Mimiko, amongst others.

They signed the peace accord in Akure and supervised by the National Peace Committee headed by General Abdulsalam Abubakar.

Abubakar urged all politicians who signed the accord to fully commit themselves and their parties to the letter and spirit of the accord.

The former Head of State urged them to shun violence and intimidation as well as demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship.

He called on all stakeholders to work assiduously in their capacities to ensure that peace reigned supreme during the election and that Ondo state off-cycle election sets a precedent for other off-cycle elections to emulate.


According to him: “While I commend INEC, for the work done so far, | call on them to continuously live up to their responsibilities in ensuring that eligible voters exercise their franchise peacefully and that the remaining electoral processes are credible free, and fair.

“It is the sincere hope of the National Peace Committee that the Ondo state elections will be free, fair, credible, and peaceful.”

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbedokun, said a total 43,157 security personnel would be deployed for the Ondo election.


Egbedokun said the Nigeria Police would deploy a total of 34,657 personnel to the polling units, wards/LGA collation centers as well as other strategic locations.

He said 8,500 personnel would be deployed from the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The IGP stated that threat analysis of flash/vulnerable points in Ondo State was being constantly reviewed to enable the Force deploy both human and material assets effectively.

According to him, “The Police will timeously provide enough Armoured Personnel Carrier (APCs), Trucks, Patrol Vehicles, Buses for covert operations, Ambulances, Helicopters, Drones, K9 and anti-riot equipment to complement the strength of Ondo State Command.”

National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mamoud Yakubu, said the electoral body has taken measures to address election day challenges, especially the perennial challenge of logistics.

Prof. Yakubu said there would be remarkable improvement in election day logistics.


He said, “Voters in Ondo State should also expect to see similar improvement in result management.

” I will not be tired of appealing to political parties and candidates to note that your signatures on the Peace Accord document alone will not guarantee a peaceful election.

‘ The Peace Accord is not an automated, self-activating document. Your commitment to its implementation is critical. Therefore, as you sign the Peace Accord, you should commit yourselves to its implementation and pass the message to your supporters at all levels for compliance.”


Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa pleaded with all stakeholders to play by the game and stay true to the peace accord they have signed.

“We will all abide by the tenets of the peace accord. Election will come and Ondo State will remain and be peaceful. After the election it should be peaceful and that can only be if we abide by the outcome of the election.”

Loading

Continue Reading

Headline

2027: Nigerians Looking To PDP For Direction – Makinde

Published

on

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, says the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will do everything within its power to fix the party and Nigeria.

Makinde made this statement on Thursday in Abuja at the inauguration of the Board of Governors and the unveiling of the Roadmap for Peoples Democratic Institute, PDI.

Recall that PDI is the research arm of PDP established in 2000 to promote a new democratic culture in Nigeria and Africa through the provision of value-added education, training, capacity building, research, and documentation programmes.


Makinde said they will fix the PDP, which would in turn fix Nigeria.

“We will fix PDP and then PDP will fix Nigeria, which will be the basis of real hope for the people of Nigeria.

“As we approach 2027, it is clear that the PDP has to provide real hope for Nigeria. By revitalising the PDI that real hope is being provided for our people.


“Our country needs direction. Nigerians are looking up to the PDP to provide an ideological foundation.”

According to him, with the inauguration of the board, PDP was moving a step closer to defining the ideology it stood for.

He urged politicians and leaders who were given the opportunity to serve to always ask themselves what they want to be remembered for.


The Oyo governor reiterated his commitment to strengthening the country’s democracy and PDP.

Loading

Continue Reading

Recent Posts




JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

Trending