Kogi

 By Uzair Adam Imam 

The embattled immediate past of Governor of Kagi State, Yahya Bello, has said that he did not appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja today because he feared that he could be arrested. 

However, Bello said he is ready to answer to the 19-count charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preferred against him. 

The Daily Reality learned that, although Bello was absent for his arraignment, he briefed a team of lawyers who addressed the court on his behalf on Tuesday. 

Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, who is a member of his legal team, told the court that his client would have made himself available for proceedings, but was afraid that he would be arrested. 

“The defendant wants to come to court but he is afraid that there is an order of arrest hanging on his head,” Adedipe, SAN, submitted. 

He also urged the court to set aside the exparte order of arrest it earlier issued against the former governor. 

Adedipe, SAN, contended that as at the time the order of arrest was made, the charge had not been served on his client as required by the law. 

He noted that it was only at the resumed proceedings on Tuesday that the court okayed substituted service of the charge on the defendant, through his lawyer. 

“As at the time the warrant was issued, the order for substituted service had not been made. That order was just made this morning. 

“A warrant of arrest should not be hanging on his neck when we leave this court,” counsel to the defendant added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Gunmen attacked the secretary of the Kogi State governorship election tribunal on Monday, stealing sensitive petition documents related to the recent election. 

Police confirmed the incident, stating the attackers took petitions filed by five political parties. 

The stolen documents included petitions from the Action Alliance, Action People’s Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, and two record books. 

The attack occurred near the Central Bank of Nigeria office around 1:20 p.m.

The police have launched a thorough investigation and urged the public to refrain from speculative statements that could prejudice the probe. 

Both the Social Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress have traded accusations over the attack, raising concerns about the security of election-related materials and potential intimidation.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Usman Ododo, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has clinched the coveted Kogi State governorship seat following the conclusion of the election held on November 11, 2023. 

Ododo secured an impressive 446,237 votes, outshining his nearest contender, Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who amassed 259,052 votes.

Dino Melaye, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 46,362 votes, trailing behind in the race. 

This declaration comes amidst the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to conduct fresh polls in select polling units within the Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area on November 18, 2023.

Professor Johnson Urama, the returning officer for the Kogi State governorship election, officially announced Ododo’s triumph on a Sunday evening, stating, “Ahmed Ododo of APC, having been certified by the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.” 

As the governor-elect, Ododo is now positioned to assume the mantle of leadership in Kogi State, with citizens eagerly anticipating the realization of his outlined plans and vision for the state’s future.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

After months of rigorous campaigns and preparations, Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States are set to elect new governors today.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reported that 5,169,692 voters collected their permanent voter cards out of the 5,409,438 registered voters across the three states. 

In Bayelsa State, out of the 1,056,862 registered voters, 1,017,613 collected their PVCs, leaving 39,249 PVCs uncollected. Imo State witnessed 2,318,919 collected out of 2,419,922 registered, with 101,003 PVCs still uncollected.

Meanwhile, Kogi State reported 1,833,160 collected PVCs out of 1,932,654 registered, leaving 99,494 uncollected. 

Incumbent governors Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and Hope Uzodimma (Imo) seek re-election, while 18 candidates vie for the Kogi State governorship. 

In Imo State, the APC’s Hope Uzodimma faces stiff competition from 17 candidates, with Samuel Anyanwu (PDP) and Athan Achonu (Labour Party) emerging as top contenders.

In Bayelsa, Governor Douye Diri (PDP) contends with 15 other candidates, notably Timipre Sylva (APC). 

Kogi State sees a race between APC’s Usman Ododo, PDP’s Dino Melaye, SDP’s Muri Ajaka, and ADC’s Leke Abejide, among others. 

Despite confidence from incumbent governors, opposition candidates in Imo and Bayelsa assert that the current leadership has performed poorly. 

Unfortunately, all three states have witnessed instances of violence resulting in casualties. The police and security agencies assure voters of their safety during the election, emphasizing a commitment to maintaining order and safeguarding the democratic process.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

In a significant development for Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, unveiled ambitious plans during the inauguration of the party’s national campaign council for the upcoming Kogi State governorship election. 

During his address, Ganduje announced the party’s commitment to extending its reach to the grassroots level, stating, “It is pertinent to also note that we have initiated and concluded plans to structure our party into a truly grassroots progressive party by opening full-fledged and functional offices in all the 8,813 wards in Nigeria.”  

This move aims to provide party members across the nation with symbolic representation in their neighbourhoods, fostering active interaction between members and leadership at various government tiers. 

Furthermore, Ganduje emphasised the APC’s vision to institutionalise progressive ideology within Nigeria’s political landscape. 

This ideology centres on leveraging political action and social reform based on advancements in science, technology, economic development, and social organisation to enhance the lives of Nigerians. 

To realise this vision, the APC is in the concluding stages of establishing a “National Institute of Progressive Study.”  

This institution is poised to become a centre for promoting progressive ideas and policies that can positively impact the nation’s development. 

The inauguration ceremony held on Saturday drew substantial attendance, with six governors from Kogi, Ogun, Lagos, Niger, Benue, and Kwara States present, along with former governors, senators, and numerous party stalwarts from across the country.