Kogi Governorship Result: PDP Kicks Against Yahaya Bello

The People's Democratic Party, PDP has rejected the declaration of Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress, APC as the governor-elect of Kogi State.

The PDP described the declaration as a waste of time, scarce national resources and ridiculous shadow-chasing.

According to a statement issued by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh on Sunday, “the action of INEC in trying to transfer the votes earlier garnered by the dead APC candidate, Prince Audu Abubakar to another individual is completely impractical and alien to the nation’s Constitution and the Electoral Act.

“The declaration by INEC that one Yahaya Bello polled the highest number of votes is an embarrassing travesty of the nation’s democracy and electoral process. Not only that this individual is not in anyway a valid candidate in the election, he also did not score the overall votes declared against his name by INEC and cannot be declared winner under any circumstance within the provisions of our laws.

“The provisions of the constitution and the electoral act are clear to the effect that with the unfortunate death of Prince Abubakar Audu before the conclusion of the election, and the fact that the laws do not permit the replacement of candidates once the balloting has commenced, the APC crashed out of the race, leaving the PDP candidate, Governor Idris Wada as the clear winner, having garnered 204,877 votes to top all other contestants since, Prince Ababakar, the hitherto leading contestant died with his votes.

“It is therefore unfortunate that INEC disregarded the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, which left it with no other legitimate option than to declare Governor Idris Wada the governor-elect. Instead, it went ahead to preside over a charade, for which it is now attempting to illicitly handover the vote cast for a dead man to another person, who did not participate in the overall election.

“We all, including INEC and the APC know that nothing other than declaring Governor Idris Wada winner of the election fulfills the requirements of the law under the circumstance. APC cannot have two candidates in one election and the bitter in-fighting within their fold shows the absurdity of INEC’s decision in that regard. Indeed, we remain shocked that INEC could elect to create such embarrassing and inciting setting just to show its ‘friendship’ with the ruling government.

“Our advise to the APC, Yahaya Bello and their co-travellers in illegality is that theirs is a mere pipe dream as Governor Wada remains validly elected within the dictates of our laws under the circumstance.

“Finally, we charge all our members and supporters to remain calm and resist all provocations from the APC, which is now seeking the opportunity to trigger violence in the face of their misfortune, especially as the law will soon take the center stage, right the wrong created by INEC and declare Governor Wada winner.”

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Ex-PDP Chairman Cries Out Against Attempt On His Life

Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, said on Saturday that an attempt was made on his life along the road to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

A statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Oliver Okpala, said that the incident occurred while Tukur was on his way to catch a flight to Owerri  to receive an honorary doctorate degree from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

According to the statement ;
“As his convoy of four jeeps was driving to the airport, a tinted Hilux (SUV) emerged and attempted to break into the convoy heading towards Tukur’s jeep when his security escort prevented the attempts.

“Because of the resistance, the Hilux forcefully ran into the convoy hitting and damaging three of the jeeps including that of Tukur. The occupants of the Hilux demanded that the door of the car should be opened and the occupant pulled out.

“The Hilux occupants fought to dispossess the security of their guns and this met some resistance.

“In the process the occupants of the Hilux, whoever they are, manhandled the policemen, but Tukur and his driver cleverly escaped from the scene.

“Before he alighted to board the aircraft, the same people again tried to reach him, possibly to execute their motive but the airport security now joined his security details to subdue them, before Tukur was quickly rushed to the departure hall.

“The Police have been notified of this ugly incident and development.”

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See the final results for Kogi Governorship elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has declared the final result of the Kogi State governorship election with Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress, APC emerging governor-elect.

See the full result here.

Supplementary Election:

Ibaji: PDP 220 APC 369
Adavi: PDP 12 APC 878
Ankpa PDP 629 APC 562
Ajaokuta: PDP 12 APC 538
Omala: PDP 323 APC 317
Igalamela/Odolu PDP 434 APC 92
Ofu: PDP 484 APC 105
Dekina: PDP 1999 APC 2178
Kabba/Bunu: PDP 131 APC 201
Ijumu: PDP 102 APC 86
Lokoja: PDP 145 APC 301
Kogi/Koto: PDP 281 APC 406
Yagba West: PDP 73 APC 86
Okene: PDP 02 APC 208
Okehi: PDP 0 APC 108
Idah: PDP 70 APC 62
Bassa: PDP 114 APC 221
Olamaboro PDP 332 APC 167

Total: PDP 5363 APC 6885

Grand Total: PDP 204,877
APC 247,752

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Military Begins Final Assault On Sambisa Forest

Supported by the Airforce, Nigerian troops “have advanced deep” into Sambisa forest in the decisive assault to rid the Northeast of Boko Haram insurgents.

Acting Director of Army/Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, said in a statement that the troops have been “clearing most of the camps therein, rescuing persons held captive, arresting some terrorists and destroying most of their weapons and equipment."

The statement further said that
“advancing troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air Force were able to clear and destroy Boko Haram terrorists’ camps at Shuari, Adembe, Yerimari Kura, Yerimari Gana, Gonin Kurmi, Kore, Mainya Kore, and Lopere.

“Additionally, the Multi-barrel Rocket Launcher Regiment has destroyed the terrorists’ camps at Dure, Dure Kore, Jokwa, as well as several other camps.

“The troops recovered foodstuff, motorcycles, flags, Improvised Explosive Making Devices (IED) materials and military uniforms. Among other discoveries were the terrorists’ tunnels, weapons and equipment.

“The soldiers also recovered 2,000 cows rustled from various persons over time and rescued women and children held captives by the Boko Haram. While the animals have been moved to Kanwuri, the rescued persons have been evacuated and are being given all the necessary support and assistance.

“During the encounter with the terrorists at Yerimari Gana a number of Boko Haram terrorists were killed and some suspected terrorists were arrested who are being interrogated. However, a soldier sustained gunshot wound and fracture on the leg.

“Similarly, while advancing to destroy Nefari terrorists camp, troops discovered and cleared 3 IEDs laid along the route. The camp was successfully cleared and troops have continued their advance while a blocking force has been deployed to prevent infiltration and possible escape by the terrorists.

“Unfortunately during another encounter with the terrorists along the axis of advance, three soldiers made the supreme sacrifice, while an officer and two soldiers were wounded in action.

“It is instructive to note that the troops’ morale is very high and being conscious of their set objective, they are unrelenting in their determination to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.”

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FCTA alerts Abuja Residents of Planned Terrorist Attacks

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA has alerted Abuja residents of plans by Boko Haram to attack certain targets in the city.

In a memo issued last week, the administration warned ;
“Intelligence reaching this office revealed that insurgents are planning to attack the Federal Capital Territory. Their main targets are worship centres and markets with the use of young girls as members of groups to carry out their planned attacks.

“It is in view of the foregoing, I am directed to inform you to communicate the content of this letter to all mosques, churches and markets across the FCT for extra-vigilance, particularly unknown persons dressing as aid workers loitering around the worship areas and markets.”

Residents with useful information about suspicious persons or movements are to contact the police on 09063872207, 09053872208 and 09053872209.

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DSS Discovers New Boko Haram Cells In Abuja

The Department of State Services, DSS on Saturday revealed plans by Boko Haram, to unleash terror attacks on the Federal Capital Territory during the yuletide season.

According to DSS spokesman, Tony Opuiyo, , Boko Haram has “continued to establish and operate sleeper cells whose (sole) mandates are to conduct surveillance and carry out subsequent attacks in the FCT.

“For instance, on October 29th the duo of Muhammed Hassan Idris (a Nigerien) and Baba Abdul Maina were arrested at Panteka area of Apo, Abuja. This was followed by the arrest of Sanni Mohammed (aka Kakase) and Ahmed Umaru (aka Mallam; Mallam Hamdi Garne; Ahmed Daubi) in Lafia, Nasarawa State. Sanni, who hails from Potiskum, Yobe State, fled the area following his involvement in coordinated suicide attacks in Yobe, Plateau, Kano and Kaduna states.

“In a related development, on 19th November 2015, Mohammed Shiwar Abubakar and Musa Ta’ada were arrested at Shoprite Junction, Apo, Abuja. Abubakar hails from Borno State and operates as a taxi driver in Abuja. He is of an unknown address but claims that he sleeps in his Volkswagen Golf car at the Honda line, Apo mechanic village, Abuja. The Gwoza-born Ta’ada also operates under the cover of a suya seller at Apo Primary School along Kabusa Road, Abuja.

“Still, on 23rd November, 2015, one Ahmed Hassan was arrested while carrying out surveillance on a high-profile hotel in the city. He hails from Katagum, Bauchi State. Suspect admitted using the cover of a beggar to sustain surveillance on his targets. Bulama Ali had previously been arrested in Karu, Nasarawa State, on 22nd November.

“Similarly, on December 1, Hassan Abubakar and Mohammed Gwale Mohammed were arrested at Madalla, in Suleja LGA of Niger State following intelligence that they were planning to commence attacks in the FCT after a successful surveillance of the city. Before his arrest, Abubakar was working with other sect members in different parts of the country notably Borno, Yobe, Taraba and Adamawa States. Abubakar was arrested in the house of Mohammed Gwale who claims to be a Federal Civil Servant from Niger State. He (Gwale) has made useful statements which are helping with further investigation.

“So far, preliminary investigations reveal that the suspects and others still at large may have adopted their respective trades as plausible covers to infiltrate the city and its environs in their bid to conduct successful surveillance and map out soft targets for the sect’s attacks. The DSS’ operations are, therefore, aimed at preempting any attacks by the terrorist elements against the backdrop of the upcoming festive period and beyond.

“It is in this regard that the Service wishes to advise residents and all law abiding Nigerians to remain vigilant especially at this yuletide season and promptly report to security agencies any suspicious movements and persons in the FCT and even other parts of the country. The Service also assures the general public that it will continue to carry out its responsibility of ensuring peace and security in Abuja and beyond.”

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Quotes from Dokpesi's family on the N2.1b he received from Dasuki

According to a statement issued by Raymond Dokpesi Jnr, on Saturday, the N2.1billion was for a proposal by Daar Investment and Holding Company Ltd to “promote and project the achievements and highlight the challenges of his (Jonathan’s) government whilst demystifying false information gleefully circulated by the propaganda machinery of the then opposition party.”

“We must. . . emphasise that the proposal had absolutely nothing to do with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), nor the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).”

The proposal was “thoroughly studied, approved and paid for by the presidency through the office of the National Security Adviser.”

Buhari’s government has embarked on a “wide scale propaganda, misinformation and brazen falsehood just to achieve its objective of decimating its perceived political opponents and supporters of the previous administration.”

". . . Dokpesi has never applied nor bided for a contract for the purchase of arms, nor has he ever been registered with the Ministry of Defence for the similar objective of engaging in the supply of arms for the government.”

If you have other quotes on this subject matter that Abujacitynews has not captured, share with us.

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