Connect with us

Metro

Diri, in clear popularity, acceptability lead, says Public opinion poll

Published

on

A public opinion poll conducted for candidates billed to participate in the the governorship election in Bayelsa state almost about three months to the election proper, the incumbent governor, Senator Douye Diri has taken a clear lead in popularity and acceptability.

The survey Independently conducted by a renowned Non Governmental Organization (NGO), Push Africa Foundation (PAF), clearly indicated that the governor is ahead of others in the race in terms of popularity.

A physical and online poll conducted by the organization on the likely voting pattern in the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial election saw Diri emerging first with 45 percent of the total votes cast.

Immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and currently governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva, came second with 20 percent of the votes while Engr. Udengs Eradiri of the Labour Party (LP) was on the third ladder with 10 percent.

The findings of the survey poll obtained in Abuja by our reporter revealed that the physical poll was carried out in six communities across each of the 8 Local Government Areas of the state.

A careful study of the poll results showed that a total of 74,000 registered voters voted in the online poll while 11,800 registered voters did so physically across the eight Local Government Areas.

Also revealed was that the survey was conducted for a period of one month simultaneously in the eight Local Government Areas with 65 percent male participation and female having 35 percent while 55 percent represented youths.

Factors considered by participants in choosing Diri during the opinion poll survey, according to findings, were his level of political tolerance and maturity, his peaceful disposition, accommodating spirit, the ongoing construction of the three Senatorial roads and the attention being paid to workers welfare, among others.

According to the organizer of the poll, Push Africa Foundation, the independent survey started on June 28 and ended on July 29, 2023.

Executive Director of the Push Africa Foundation (PAF), Ms Doris Egberamen, while confirming the findings of her organization said that the second round of the poll would hold in September to identify any new development and at the time will involve more communities and registered voters.

The Director hinted that the second round of the poll is necessary because 25 percent of the respondents were undecided in the current exercise.

She disclosed that Push Africa Foundation which successfully organized the last Bayelsa gubernatorial election debate in 2019 alongside its media partners is also planning to organize the 2023 governorship debate.

The organizer thanked the participants for being frank, objective and prompt in their assessment of the governorship candidates and expressed optimism that the results of the opinion poll would impact positively on the people to enable them make well informed choice during the governorship election.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Metro

ENSG Cracks Down on School Bullying, Orders Arrest of Culprits

Published

on

By

Peter Mba

The Enugu State Government (ENSG) has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of students involved in the bullying and physical assault of a fellow student at the Federal Government College, Enugu.
This is coming after a disturbing video of the incident surfaced on social media, sparking widespread condemnation.

In a statement, Commissioner for Education Prof. Ndubueze Mbah expressed deep concern, labeling the incident as “emotionally distressing” and underscoring the government’s zero-tolerance policy for bullying and abuse in schools.
He confirmed that the state government is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure that all those involved, including any school authorities who failed in their duties, face appropriate consequences.

“The safety and welfare of our students are paramount,” Prof. Mbah stated, pointing to the state’s significant investment in education under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration as evidence of its commitment to providing a safe learning environment.
He warned that acts of harassment, intimidation, and violence will be met with strict repercussions.

Meanwhile, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at FGC Enugu sought to clarify the situation, dispelling rumors of cult involvement.
PTA Chairman Dr. Chinedu Mba explained that the disturbance began when a student was found with Indian hemp.
He emphasized that parents should counsel their children on avoiding harmful behaviors and reassured the public of the PTA’s commitment to student safety.

Continue Reading

Metro

Group Calls for Suspension, Investigation, Prosecution of FERMA MD Over Alleged Corruption

Published

on

By

A group, Coalition for National Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (CNRR), has issued a formal plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the immediate suspension, investigation, and potential prosecution of the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

Their call is coming amid series of damning allegations surrounding corruption, incompetence, and misuse of office.
The group who converged on Thursday morning at the Headquarters of the FERMA at the Wuse 11 in the Federal Capital Territory carried banners and placards with inscriptions calling for the investigation and possible sack of the Managing Director of the Agency, Engr Emeka Agbasi.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the President and Commader in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Three Arms Zone, and read by the National converner of the coalition Alhaji Ali Abacha, they outlined numerous accusations against the FERMA boss.
They accused him of gross mismanagement and criminal activity, which threaten to undermine the government’s anti-corruption drive. Key allegations include the sale of contracts for financial gain, abuse of Direct Labor Agencies for unauthorized projects, and financial irregularities involving the illegal virement and swapping of payments without due process.

According to the letter, the FERMA MD is also accused of laundering money through fronts operating via Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and Zenith Bank, living lavishly in Abuja hotel suites such as Pinnatech Suites Ltd., and sidelining experienced contractors in favor of cronies.
Furthermore, the MD is being accused of ignoring directives from the Ministry of Works, acting independently and awarding contracts unrelated to federal road maintenance.

Abacha stressed the importance of suspending and investigating the official to maintain public trust and uphold the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He called on anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to take immediate action.

The statement warned that allowing such actions to continue unaddressed would reflect poorly on President Tinubu’s administration, which has made fighting corruption a key priority. CNRR urged the government to act swiftly to prevent further damage to its image and credibility.

As of now, there has been no official response from the Presidency or FERMA regarding these allegations. The Nigerian public and stakeholders in the construction sector are closely watching for developments in what could become a significant test of the government’s resolve in combating corruption.

Continue Reading

Metro

Protests Erupt in Abuja Demanding Investigation into Guaranty Trust Bank

Published

on

By

A significant protest was held today at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, organized by the Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance in Nigeria, calling for an urgent investigation into serious allegations against Guaranty Trust Bank Limited (GTB). The bank, under the leadership of Segun Agbaje, is facing accusations of corruption, money laundering, unsolicited account openings, and more.

The Chief Convener of the coalition, Comrade Tijani Usman addressed the crowd, highlighting the pervasive issue of corruption that has plagued Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape since 1960. He emphasized the critical role of the banking sector in economic development and criticized the lack of action from regulatory and law enforcement agencies regarding GTB’s alleged infractions.

“The allegations against GTB are serious and cannot be ignored,” Usman stated. He urged the Nigeria Police Force to prioritize these claims and conduct a thorough investigation to hold accountable those responsible for any wrongdoing.

Participants in the protest voiced their concerns about recent operational failures at GTB, particularly a prolonged outage of the bank’s payment systems, which resulted in substantial losses for customers. The coalition called for the bank’s management to focus on resolving these critical issues instead of engaging in activities that undermine trust.

The protesters also appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to take a proactive stance in investigating the allegations and ensuring accountability within the banking sector.

As the coalition continues its peaceful demonstrations, they remain steadfast in their commitment to advocating for justice for affected customers and investors. This protest reflects a growing demand for greater transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s banking system, as civil society seeks to foster an environment where corruption is actively challenged and addressed.

The response from authorities to this protest may significantly impact the future governance of financial institutions in Nigeria, highlighting the necessity for reform and vigilance in the fight against corruption.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 National Update