Politics
Kogi central senate 2023: APC Aspirant pledges to offer quality Representation
An aspirant for the Kogi Central Senatorial Districts, of Kogi State , on the platform of the All Progressive Congress,(APC), Ramatu Shehu Atta, has said she joined the race in order to give quality representation to the people of the district and further promote women participation in politics.
Atta said the district has not experienced the desired level of prosperity expected by the people leading to widespread impoverishment and moral decadence.
She added that successive lawmakers that have represented the district at the upper chamber have failed them.
She made this known on friday in Abuja while speaking on the state of the nation and her quest to represent her people.
The aspirant said her experiences in both private and public sector has made her eminently qualified to be the true voice of the people.
According to her, “My ambition is coming at a time when I think I am ready for it, because I have always believed that to go into politics you need to have had enough experience whether in government service or private sector to prepare you to give society all the experiences you have gathered over the years. So it is coming at a time, that I think I am ready for it.
”In my own little way as far back as 2008 or there about, I have always tried to give here and there, even when I didn’t have enough. I started very little and with time it has kept growing and it is not even bad as when I started to give. When you go home, you see that hunger and poverty on the faces of people.
“You see children roaming the street when we were growing up it wasn’t this bad.
“In the past, it was a shameful thing to find an Ebira woman begging on the street but now it is a common sight. In my street where I live, there was a time when I came out and I see women hanging, begging on the street. Begging for money. Some will tell you they need as little as 100 naira to go back to where they are coming from and others will tell you that their children have not eaten.
Atta also disclosed that her sojourn in the NGO field brought her first hand with the plight of the people she intends to serve if given the opportunity.
“In the course of doing my NGO work we conducted the NEED assessment and discovered that the level of poverty in Ebira land is so bad because I traversed the whole of the five local governments, from Ogori to Ajaokuta back to Okene and Okehi and everywhere the story is the same.
“People are suffering, parents can no longer send their children to school. In fact, you find some families living in very bad state. In a particular village I visited, I saw most of the people experiencing eye defects apparently related to water diseases.
Speaking further on the involvement of women in politics in her home state and Senatorial constituency, she said despite the contributions of women to the emergence of the male folk they have not been adequately rewarded in the scheme of things, hence the need for women to rise up, which is a fundamental part of her motivation.
“The situation of women inclusion in Kogi state, particularly in Kogi central is bad. As far as my memory permit me, the first and only time, we had someone there, was Anna Ojegba and since then I have not heard of any woman that is actually involved in politics and ironically women are more when it comes to voting. So why can’t women actively participate.
“If they can come out to give support to the men and my understanding is that a woman will always understand the problems of a woman better than a man.
“So in a situation when a man will start making policies on issues that concerns women, I don’t know how that is going to work. It will only take somebody who wears the shoe to know where it pinches. So I think it is fair to give more infomercial opinions on women issues”. She said.
Senate minority Leader and key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus, Senator Abba Moro, has reiterated the party’s commitment to restructuring and regaining its electoral strength.
Speaking after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Assembly caucus meeting on Wednesday, Moro addressed concerns about the party’s recent setbacks and ongoing efforts to prepare for future electoral challenges.
Moro emphasized that the PDP remains resilient despite recent losses, including gubernatorial elections, and is strategizing to strengthen the party.
“We discussed the affairs of the party, particularly as we approach a critical meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC)to take vital decisions on the state of the PDP,” Moro said.
“We are intensifying efforts to ensure the party grows stronger and prepares for subsequent elections without distractions.”
Addressing allegations of vote buying in recent elections, Moro expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Everyone is worried about Nigeria’s democracy,” he said. “INEC has faced criticism, but every failure is a lesson. We must ensure that mandates stolen from the people, like in Edo State, are restored. Failure should become a mechanism for future success.”
Responding to criticisms of PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, Moro dismissed claims that his leadership has been detrimental to the party.
“The PDP is not just about one individual,” he stated. “Damagun is the acting chairman, but PDP is about all its members. We are working round the clock to return the PDP to its winning ways.”
He also downplayed the influence of PDP members like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has been associated with the APC.
Moro likened such political dynamics to bipartisan endorsements seen in the United States, emphasizing that PDP remains focused on rebuilding.
“Anyone working against the PDP today will have to contend with the resilience of PDP members,” he warned.
Highlighting the party’s long-standing reputation, Moro described the PDP as a resilient brand that has always bounced back from challenges.
“PDP is a brand,” he declared. “Despite temporary setbacks, we will bounce back. Once our electoral laws are strengthened, future election results will not be the same.”
When asked who should be blamed for the party’s challenges, Moro refrained from finger-pointing, stating:
“The most important thing is that something is not right. We are working to fix it, and we will get it right.”
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the PDP Senate caucus to revitalize the party and ensure better outcomes in upcoming elections.
***Describes Process as “Victimless Crime” in Scathing Critique
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has issued a critical assessment of the recent Ondo State Governorship Election, labeling it an “Ondo Auction.”
Adebayo argued that the election was less about genuine democracy and more about transactional politics, with “willing buyers” and “willing sellers” dominating the process.
Taking to his X account, Adebayo suggested that the Ondo election could serve as a case study for the Central Bank’s foreign exchange practices, given the efficient “marketplace” nature of the vote.
He lamented what he saw as a lack of authentic voter engagement, claiming that ballots appeared to be traded as commodities rather than cast with genuine intent.
Adebayo extended his criticism to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and major media outlets, whom he accused of watching passively as the alleged auction unfolded.
Offering sarcastic congratulations to those who “purchased” the victory, he sympathized with voters, whom he felt had unknowingly relinquished their democratic power in a flawed process.
Quoting a biblical phrase, “Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do,” Adebayo expressed sadness over the state of democracy in Ondo and called for divine intervention to steer Nigeria towards a more transparent electoral future.
In his post, Adebayo remarked: “The Ondo State Governorship Election of yesterday is what criminologists would term as victim-less crimes: a spectacle of willing buyers @OfficialAPCNg meeting willing sellers in a perfect market that should be an example for @cenbank in the foreign exchange markets. Ondo Auction is smoother than the Dutch Auction. Four years sold so freely and openly that no one should lie that they were coerced or intimidated or browbeaten. And @PoliceNG and @inecnigeria @AIT_Online @ARISEtv @KAFTAN_TV @channelstv @NTANewsNow all witnessed it live.
“No one should pretend that they need someone to interview over this. It is in order to congratulate the buyers on their purchased ‘victory’ while shedding some tears for the sellers with the Calvary elegy that ‘Father Forgive Them For They Knoweth Not What They Do.’ God Bless Nigeria and may God Guide Ondo State.”
Adebayo’s post has since sparked conversation across the country, with calls for reform and a stronger commitment to electoral integrity in Nigeria.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the reinstatement of Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus as the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Ondo State governorship election, replacing Olusola Ebiseni just hours before the vote.
The decision followed a Court of Appeal ruling which overturned an earlier Federal High Court judgment that had named Ebiseni as the party’s candidate.
In an official statement shared on its X handle, INEC confirmed receiving the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the appellate court’s judgment.
INEC’s statement explained that the Federal High Court in Abuja had initially directed the Commission on September 27, 2024, to recognize Ebiseni as LP’s candidate, but the Court of Appeal nullified this decision, citing jurisdictional issues.
In compliance with the appellate court’s ruling, INEC restored Festus’s candidacy, adding his name to their website as the official Labour Party nominee for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election.
This unexpected development introduces a last-minute shift for the Labour Party, which has been actively preparing for a competitive election.
-
Crime1 year agoPolice nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News10 months agoFCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment1 year agoTinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi1 year agoINEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi1 year agoEchocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News1 year agoIPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro8 months ago‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News10 months agoKingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu