Okun Daughters Forum Congratulates Senator Dino Melaye, Hon. T. J Yusuf and Elder Leke Abejide on their election victory

By Gideon Ayodele

The innitiator and founder of Okun Daughters Forum, Yeye Aaremo Okuwakemi Seyi-Ayodele on behalf of the organisation have congratulated Senator Dino Melaye, Hon. Tajudeen Ayo Yusuf and Elder Leke Abejide on their victories at the just concluded National Assembly elections to represent their constituencies.

According to her, the plartform, though non-political, yet find it fit to congratulate the 3 federal legislators for coming out victoriously in their election and wish to identify with whoever God has given the privilege to represent the good people of Okun nation.

Yeye Aaremo stated that the group in her vision amongst others is to act and  offer good representation and Voice for Okun Women in Politics, Academics, Business and other areas of human endeavours within and outside Kogi State so as to ensure Gender Equality and a force to reckon with in the society.

HON. KEHINDE OLORUNTOBA: HIS POLITICAL, TECHNOCRATIC AND HUMANITARIAN IMPACTS!!

By Henry Folaranmi

In democratic governance, two sets of people are key players - the Political Players and the technocratic players, then humanity attraction which also goes with political factor plays effective role. This man called Hon. Kehinde Oloruntoba embodies these factors in quantum.

#Hon. Toba as Politician:
The first ever political assignment given to Hon. Toba was the bye election that brought in Alhaji Haruna Isa as a Member House of representatives for Lokoja/Koto. He was posted to Giriyan to ensure victory for our Party. A strange environment with strong political consciousness. Being politically sound, he constituted a think thank to appraise the political history of Giriyan, went all out, visiting Chiefs and leaders of the community adjoining Giriyan.

After the election, in the whole Kogi LGA, Hon. Toba pulled the highest votes differential that ensured victory for Alhaji Isa. I was moved by his dexterity and dynamics. I asked him: but Sir, "they said you are not a politician", he replied,  Henry, "I just like to do whatever assignments they gave me well and produce results".

Moving from Giriyan, I know if given optimum supports Hon. Toba would become a reckoning force in GYB government from Kogi West. His political leadership is exemplary.

Coming home to play his local politics, let it be on record that he has never been involved in his local politics until his emergence as Commissioner under this Government. He has spent all his life outside his aboriginal community.

This last elections were the first he was involved in his locality and there were strong forces, mountain of Gilberta that were impossible to defeat in that community. They are the PDP State Vice Chairman and Treasurer, they both share the same unit with Hon. Toba. These men have never lost that polling Unit to anyone. But it fell to Hon. Toba.

Hon. Toba swing into action, met with all the who is who in that ward and his community, including those of the opposition. He met with Chiefs, leaders of the various communities, youths and women groups.

Hon. Toba has endeared himself to the people. All he needs is additional push and an encouraging support to cover grounds. He has started from his polling unit, with strong support he'd have Kogi west in his grip.

Let me say this here that Hon. Toba is a compact and articulate machine that does his job excellently well. Give him an assignment and go to sleep he will surpass your expectations.

#Hon. Toba as a Humanist:
Hon. Toba's fist is never clenched neither is his pocket zipped.

After recession of the rain, because of the impassible nature of the road during raining season leading into his community, Hon. Toba swing into action. With little resources at his disposal -
He dug two boreholes in two communities,
Graded over 35  Kilometers road in Kiri Land
Gave over 5 motorbikes
Donated bus to his wards
Donated generators
He single-handedly paid Tuition for over 456 students, running into millions
Gave School uniforms and countless writing materials to schools in Kiri land
He gave free healthcare services and medical assistance to his people.
Enrolled over 300 women on conditional cash transfer.

As I post this here, there are over 10 people daily who send accounts for financial assistance. In a severe cases, he'd go borrow for you.

This kind of man needs more support. he can't do it alone.

#Hon. Toba as a Technocrat:
Hon. Toba started as a banker and rose within short stint to be a manager in one of the branches of UBA in Lokoja. While in that bank, he became the best UBA Banker in Nigeria raking  in more profits from Lokoja than banks in Lagos, Abuja, and other bigger business hubs State across Nigeria. He was celebrated and given an award.

Hon. Toba's wand for value additions is almost incomparable and unmatched. He became Special Adviser on Project Monitoring to GYB, under him Assembly complex took a new form and became a habitable house for proper legislative activities, Revenue House was conceived, SDG was conceived, Lokoja Street lights came to light  and some other major and minor projects were given superb facelift.

#Commissioner for Budget and planning:
For the first time, everyone around the globe could assess Kogi State budget online.

He made sure budgets were presented in record time to Kogi State House of Assembly, passed, signed and it's implementation monitored.

He made sure Government was prudent and its thin resources carefully employed.

#Commissioner for Agriculture:
It was in this ministry Hon. Toba became a pride, bride and cynosure of this present administration.

We all know the State of the Ministry of Agriculture before he came onboard to redefine modus oprandi of the ministry. He quickly set out to work and he was able to :

He attracted Achor borrower's program, for both dry and wet seasons farming to the State. Over 5 thousands farmers benefitted.

He personally supervised the distribution of chemicals and farm inputs to farmers directly, thus making sure intended farmers are the beneficiaries of the program instead of siblings and family members of the Government top guns as we used to have in the first.

He attracted a sugar factory to Kogi State in Ike, Kabba-Bunu and Bass LGAs, Land preparation is ongoing. This will not only boost the fortune of the State in area of revenue, it will create employment and reduce crime.

NNPC is building a biofuel plant in Kogi State. His hardwork and proactiveness ensured smooth approval of the project.

Kogi State has a Greenhouse courtesy of Hon. Toba's initiatives.

Kogi State has 95% completion of Kogi Rice mill in Ejiba

Kogi State has over 40 tractors, procured to boost agricultural activities in the State under him.

He attracted APPEAL - a World Bank project that will inject billions into rice, Cashew and Cassava farming in the State. This will encourage more people to embrace farming and create thousands of jobs. Crime will reduce and money will be put in people's pocket

The past 10 years, Kogi State has never employed Vet Doctors into the State. Under him, 25 Vet Doctors were employed into the State Civil Service.

Hon. Toba is a bundle of ideas and results oriented fellow. Give him an inch  assignment and you'd expect a mile result. With continuous needed support  and will, Hon. Toba will do amazingly well.

ADC Condemns Violence In Kogi East, Congratulates Elder Leke Abejide (ELA) over ‘hard fought’ election.

The State African Democratic Congress(ADC) congratulates the winner of Yagba House of Representative Seat, Elder Leke Abejide and all party supporters for the hard-fought victory after a dignified campaign in Yagba, Kogi West Senatorial district.

Elder Leke Abejide had been declared the winner of Yagba House of Representative election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) earlier after he outpolled the PDP and APC Candidates in the race to succeed Hon. Sunday Karimi.

We praised INEC and security agencies for making adequate preparations, displaying impartiality and creating the right atmosphere for the relatively peaceful conduct of the polls. A new and positive era of development has come to Yagba land under the able representation of Elder Leke Abejide.

On the contrary, the party also condemned the violence and election fraud in Kogi East Area of the State in the Just concluded elections.
We believed the violence was orchestrated by political opponents in the Senatorial District.
ADC is very strong and ardent promoter of the politics of decorum and peaceful transition.

As a political party who is progressive and masses-oriented, we hail the decision of INEC to declared the Kogi East Senatorial election inconclusive as no election held at Ayingba, Dekina and Bassa due to violence perpetrated by State Government sponsored thugs in all our strongholds.

We urge our members to continue to be peaceful and law abiding as we approach a new era of hope for the people of Kogi State.

Kogi Reps candidate Iselaiye congratulates winner after losing poll.

Elder Leke Abejide winner of the election 

Oluwafemi Daniel Iselaiye, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the just concluded House of Representatives election in Yagba Federal Constituency has congratulated the winner of the election, Elder Leke Abejide on his victory. He also expressed heartfelt appreciation to all those who worked with him during his campaign.

Abejide, candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday.

Indeed, Iselaiye, in a statement on Sunday said he was filled with a sense of gratitude to the entire people of Yagba for their love and support before and during the election. He enthused that his sojourn in politics has been rewarding adding that whereas he did not win the election but what was not lost is the message of the ideals of a better society and a new way of doing things, espoused through his body language.

He however said he remains committed to the collective aspirations of Yagba people.

“To the many volunteers who came forward to assist with my campaign, I say a big thank you! We couldn`t have come this far without you. Many of you spent hundreds of hours contributing to the campaign and I sincerely thank each of you.

“I look forward to continue working with you as a team to advance issues of importance to our constituency.

Sen. Smart Adeyemi, a victim of pilitical schemer.

....Edward Onoja Traded Off Smart Adeyemi To Insure 2023 Guber Hope

It is no longer news that Senator Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defeated Senator Smart Adeyemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last Saturday Kogi West senatorial election.

Aside Kogi West, APC won in every other senatorial district in Kogi state and this has raised a lot of suspicions among top chieftains of the ruling party in the state.

While many rightly believe the result of Kogi West election was the true reflection of the wishes of voters, discerning politicians are asking questions as to why the wishes of voters did not reflect in Kogi East and Kogi Central

Edward Onoja, the schemer-in-chief of the APC in Kogi state ensured that all coercive apparatus of government were deployed to Kogi Central and Kogi East to forcefully secure victory for APC but tactically refused to deploy same to Kogi West. Chieftains of the party are well aware of this.

In the East and Central, APC went all out to buy votes, intimidate voters, snatch ballot materials with active collaboration of security agencies. Why did the planners abandon Smart Adeyemi to his fate? Smart Adeyemi became a political orphan on Saturday.

One would wonder why Onoja did this knowing fully well that his action will favour his fierce enemy, Dino Melaye. The answer is not far fetched. Onoja understands the thinking of Governor Yahaya Bello on Kogi governorship seat. Governor Yahaya Bello from Kogi Central believes Kogi state can only move forward by giving a sense of belonging to all tribes across the three senatorial district. Governor Yahaya Bello holds a strong belif that if all senatorial districts is allowed to occupy the number one seat in state, the festering wounds and mutual ethnic distrust that has brought the state to its kneels can be corrected. Edward Onoja is not comfortable with this belief. He sees this as a threat to his ambition to succeed Governor Yahaya Bello in 2023.

Edward Onoja has heard Governor Yahaya Bello reiterating this belief on several occasions and he is bent on truncating the plan. He has always insisted that the senatorial district that pulls more votes for APC in elections will produce next governor after Bello.

To ensure his plans work out, Edward Onoja launched a deliberate attack on Kogi Westerners to make them hate Governor Yahaya Bello. He started by creating enmity between the Senator Dino Melaye and the governor. He went further by ensuring that appointees from Kogi West are not well empowered. Barr. Justina Abanida, Chief Clarence Olafemi and some others from Kogi West were snookered out of the government. He tactically reduced the influence of former Speaker Umar Imam, Asiru Idris, Taofiq Isah, Ayo Emmanuel Arewa and a host of others in the government. He did all these in deliberate plot to weaken the party’s chances of pulling winning votes from Kogi West so he can convince Governor Yahaya Bello to hand over to him instead of his plan to shift power to the West.

During the last campaigns, Edward starved Kogi West of funds. Smart Adeyemi and Ibrahim Adoga had to improvised on several occasions. Close observers noticed that Edward Onoja pumped more resources to Kogi East while leaving Smart Adeyemi to struggle with his campaigns.

Whatever Smart Adeyemi got in Kogi West came from the goodwill he enjoys in the area. He was a victim of a political schemer who traded him off for his planned governorship bid in 2023.

Smart Adeyemi suffered a painful defeat on Saturday but he will rise again. He is a seed that can be buried but will sprout out at the touch of water.

– Abidemi Olalekan, Lokoja

Appreciations To Yagba Electorates.

I want to thank the good people of Yagba Federal Constituency for coming out  massively  to cast their votes, beyond casting their votes alone they all stood by, even in the face of several intimidations and harassment they all see that their votes counted for Elder Leke Abejide. These has really shown a another level of unity and oneness.

Special thanks to the Liberation Team 2019, for putting efforts so that our people see the lime light and followed suite. I am deeply moved by the expression of all party chairmen, communities during the campaign and thereafter.

I'm immensely grateful to all our friends, families, and loyal supporters who so generously contributed their time and effort to our campaign during this very long election season.

I want to also appreciate all the women and students, whom from the start they have been singing the songs of God through Elder Leke Abejide, all the party women Leaders who coordinated other women to vote. Thank you so much for  standing through.

I sincerely indebted to Elder Leke Abejide Media Team for the job well-done.

Let me remind us that this is a good dispensation of development that will make Yagba great.

Thank you all for sowing the seed of true Democracy.

*Signed: Mrs Esther Abejide*

NEWSNigeria Decides: Faleke wins Ikeja federal constituency

James Faleke, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, has been declared the winner of the Ikeja Federal constituency tussle.

Mr Faleke won with 25,195 votes while his major opponent, Mutiu Olakule Okunola from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got 21, 373.

The PDP candidate, who had earlier tried to disrupt the collation exercise collapsed and was quickly resuscitated.

Kogi West: INEC Under Pressure to Alter Election Results

There are speculations that in the just-concluded Presidential and National Assembly election in Kogi West, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, are under intense pressure by APC Yahaya Bello led State Government to doctor results of the election held yesterday Saturday in favour of Senator Dino Melaye and other Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Sources say the plan was to delay the collation exercise till late into the night so that people who were already jubilating would have slept by the time the results are announced.

It is however uncertain that the people will sleep. This is because as at the moment collation of results at the Senatorial headquarter in Kabba has been stopped and security agencies flooded the town.

A change in the authentic results as earlier collated, recorded and announced at all the polling units across the state may spark widespread protests.

Election Update: Leke Abejide In Early Lead In Yagba Federal Constituency.

Following exit polls across the three Local government in Yagba, Elder Leke Abejide is projected to be in early lead by as much 80 percent of the total votes.

From Mopa/Muro axis to Yagba East zone down to Yagba West area of Yagba, ADC is projected to be in comfortable lead.

Most samples taken showed that the gap between the Elder Leke and his main challengers PDP and APC is very wide.
The reports are however still preliminary as many results are still coming up.

Stay tuned

KOGI WEST 2019 " Adankolo Community endorsed Omoluabu Bode Adeyemi...

As Candidate assures community of government presence.

There was wide jubilation at the traditional community of Adankolo of Lokoja LGA as the leading Kogi West senatorial contestant and candidate of African Democratic Congress, Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi paid a special visit to the people. Omoluabi who was received by the youths, women and elders of the community was led by the ADC Deputy Chairman of Lokoja LGA. The visit, according to the Deputy Chairman was a follow-up to the visit earlier undertaken before the postponement of the election as was witnessed.

In his speech, Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi lamented the total absence of government  and state of infrastructure in Adankolo, he said that it is unfortunate that the successive lawmakers of Kogi west have abandoned adankolo people despite the huge resources and constituency allocwances available to them. He however assured the people of his determination to reposition and empower the people of the area towards a better life. Omoluabi enjoined the people to use their huge voting strenght to deliver ADC in the forth coming election.

While reacting to the visit, a community leader in Adankolo Alh Adawari Danjuma thanked Omoluabi for considering them important and worthy of the visit and promised that they will mobilize their people to vote Omoluabi, being the only candidate that have visited them. He pointed out their challenges to Omoluabi and passionately appealed to him to remember their plights when elected.

Another commynity member and youth leader of the community, Abdul Yunusa assured Omoluabi of the total vote of the youths in the coming election because he is a youth like them.

JUST IN: Plot To Unlawfully Arrest and Detained S.O Adeleye Failed.

The Kogi State African Democratic Congress(ADC) and the teeming supporters of S.O Adeleye has uncovered a plot by anti-Democratic agents in Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency to use “compromised “security agencies to arrest and detain the ADC Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu House of Representative Candidate, Hon. S.O Adeleye Ahead of tomorrow’s general election.

The fresh plot to detain the leading ADC candidate is part of renewed design to keep him out of circulation, ahead tomorrow election, so as to heavily demoralized him, his supporters and equally ensure his plans and arrangement ahead of the elections hit brick wall.

We therefore call on our supporters and constituents to note that there is a threat to S.O Adeleye’s life by group of people who are already jittery of defeat at the polls tomorrow.

S.O Adeleye will ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in tomorrow’s election and therefore urge all our teeming supporters to come out enmass to vote massively for ADC without any fear or intimidation by anyone.

S.O Adeleye wish to therefore assure his teeming supporters of his safety and his continuing commitment to the progress and greatness of Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu federal constituency.

Please stay tuned.

NYCN KABBA BUNU CHAPTER ENDORSES OMOLUWABI BODE ADEYEMI FOR KOGI WEST SENATORIAL SEAT*

*NYCN KABBA BUNU CHAPTER ENDORSES OMOLUWABI BODE ADEYEMI FOR KOGI WEST SENATORIAL SEAT*

The umbrella body of all youth organizations in Nigeria and established by act of parliament, National Youths council of Nigeria, Kabba/Bunu Chapter under the auspious leadership & aegis  of Comrade Olowosegun Raymond Ayomide passes vote of confidence on the candidature of Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi, the leading Senatorial contestant and Candidate of African Democratic Congress ( ADC) for kogi West senatorial seat.

Briefing newsmen in kabba,the leader of the council stated that the endorsement is coming after due consultation with our elders and fellow youths who has expressed their confidence in the personality of  Bode Adeyemi as a leader per excellence whose track records of community development is  still speaking for him and this can be extrapolated as follows:


✓Bode Adeyemi attended all the council programmes, infact he cancelled two(2) of his appointment that can be of a great benefits to him just to attend the annual youths day program, this is a clear indication that he loves and Cares for the youths.

✓Bode Adeyemi after the programme supported the council with some cash.

✓Bode Adeyemi is the youngest among all the Aspirants Jostling for kogi West senatorial seat and he is resourceful.
It could be recalled that the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had signed #Not Too Young To Run Bill# to give the youths the opportunity to be fully engaged in any Elective position.
This is a golden privilege for us to Elect a young and vibrant comrade like Bode Adeyemi to represent Our interest in the Red Chamber for Qualitative Representation.


✓Bode Adeyemi is the only Aspirant from Kabba bunu.

✓Bode Adeyemi has maintain a good cordial relationship with the council and the youths of Kabba bunu.


✓Bode Adeyemi  has been a source of inspiration to the council and the youths at large.

✓Bode Adeyemi has been supportive in all facets

✓Bode Adeyemi has shown himself worthy of support.


✓Bode Adeyemi is a pragmatic comrade to the core.

✓Bode Adeyemi always promised to support the youths programme.

✓Bode Adeyemi is a youth wrestling can run to whenever we needs his help.

✓Bode Adeyemi can reason alongside with the youths.

✓Bode Adeyemi is very energetic and strong.

✓Bode Adeyemi has served the NAOS National as the first president and he served tirelessly and wholeheatedly and using the parameter he will understand where the shoe pinches the youths.

In lieu of the above we the National Youths council of Nigeria Kabba bunu chapter unanimously endorse Bode Adeyemi for Kogi West senatorial seat.



Furthermore,the leader of the council emphasized on the need for the youths from kabba Bunu to unite and rally round Bode Adeyemi as he remains a candidate to beat in the forthcoming general election.
 He assure them that Bode Adeyemi will not disappoint them all as he has been tested and trusted in the time past.
In his closing remark,he implore kabba Bunu sons and daughters to come together to support and vote for Bode Adeyemi for Kogi West senatorial seat in this week Saturday Election.

For clarification Bode Adeyemi is contesting for kogi West senatorial seat under the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC),the symbol of let the handshake continue.

The leader of the council said he anticipate and urge all kabba Bunu sons & daughters to exercise their franchise devoid of violence and come out in masses to vote.


Signed: Comrade Olowosegun Raymond Ayomide
President NYCN Kabba bunu chapter.

Where is our salary, we are now dying everyday – Kogi workers ask Gov. Bello

Workers in Kogi state have called on the state governor, Yahaya Bello to pay their outstanding salaries, saying they are dying of hunger due to non-payment of salaries by his administration.

Kogi state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Onuh Edoka, who spoke in Lokoja on behalf of thousands of workers at the 40th anniversary of NLC, told the governor that his policies are mostly anti workers.

He stated that the union is aware of the premature retirement and termination of workers’ appointment by the Bello administration.

According to him “Your excellency, workers sitting here today said I should ask you where is our salary. As your obedient servant, we are dying. As people who have contributed their quota in Kogi state and has left the service, as pensioners we are dying.

“To this end, we wish to compassionately appeal to you. We are aware that allocation came to Kogi state last month and by the statement of the commissioner for finance, what came as allocation to the state was put at N4.3billion and what came to local governments was put at N3.8billion. To this end, up till this moment, no salaries has been paid in Kogi state.

“We are already aware that as at yesterday, FAAC meeting has already been held and over N638billion have been shared and I know Kogi State government will have a share in it. Let our own not drop into river Niger again.”

The state NLC chairman used the event to speak on the alleged premature retirement of some workers, proscription of labour unions and the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by medical doctors in Kogi state.

“You will agree with me well that appointment in this government has been done upside down, junior workers are placed before their senior and the senior working under their junior.

“I will make it more clearer that this government for the first time in the history of the state introduced what they called percentage salaries to workers and pensioners.

If civil service have been kept in this form before the coming of this administration, the civil service would have been in disarray.

“Medical doctors in Kogi state have been on strike for over one month. Our mothers, children are dying at home. For this obvious fact, we appeal to the state government to call our doctors on a round table and bring this matter to a conclusive end.

“Why the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have not joined any issues of strike is because we have come to the realization that strike may not be the solution to our problems any more. It is all about the person who is the chief executive and his state of mind on the development and welfare of workers.

The proscription of unions in Kogi state is completely detrimental to the progress of democracy, unacceptable to Nigeria Labour Congress and completely illegal and we shall not stand by it any more.

“We should have it at the back of our mind that this voices that we are forcing to be silent today, time shall come when you will no longer be in government and you will require us.

“We will speak for the voiceless and the same voice will still speak again. We shall resist it with the last drop of our blood to see that we will not be tamed in any form or turn beggars in our own state” Comrade Edoka added.

Responding, the Kogi state governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello said the ongoing fight against corruption across the country would achieve greater success if the organised labour strengthens itself and work with government to fish out corrupt officials.

Bello urged the organised labour to, apart from its traditional role of fighting for the welfare of Nigerian workers, always play the role of whistle blowers to assist government in bringing to book corrupt officials in and outside the system.

The governor, who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy Elder Simon Achuba, congratulated the organised Labour for attaining the age of 40 and for its struggle over the years, enjoining the leadership of the union to always stand for what is good for the workers and the country.

He used the occasion to assure Kogi workers that very soon salaries will be paid as at when due, while urging them to continue to support the present administration of the state

He added that the difficulties experienced by governors across the country regarding timely payment of salaries would soon be over, urging civil servants to continue to pray and work with government to achieve the feat.

On his part, the former Head of Service of the state, Dr Moses Atakpa advised the organised labour to always engage the government in dialogue, saying dialogue is the best way to resolving crisis.

Source: Dailypost

JUST IN..Election Postponement: APC Candidates Allegedly Caught Thumb-printing Ballot Papers In Kogi.

A reliable source alleged all APC candidates in Kogi State have been handed ballot papers for thumb-printing ahead of Saturday general election

In a well orchestrated conspiracy between the the State Government and INEC, Election materials were handed over to all APC candidates in the State for thumb-printing. 

The house of representatives flagbearer of APC and his supporters in Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu were in early hours of Saturday at a location in G. R. A Kabba seen thumb-printing ballot papers after postponement of the Election by INEC. 

Some of the ballot were also alleged to have been thumb printed in Hon. Sunday Faleke(Aide to the Governor) residence in Okoro gbedde.

The source said it has call on the attention of INEC and Nigerian Police as such plans will not help our democracy. We are aware of all the plans of the APC to rig the forth coming elections and such plans will be met with stiff resistance. 

The source called on well meaning constituents to be vigilant in order to avoid being shortchanged during the coming polls on Saturday. 

PRESS RELEASE BY SENATOR DINO MELAYE ON THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTION BY INEC

The news of the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections came to Nigerians and indeed the International Community as a rude shock. This is given the fact that INEC issued the timetable and schedule of activities for the elections over one year ago, on 9th of January 2018. INEC had received adequate monies, for the conduct of the election. A total sum of  N143.51 billion was budgeted and released to INEC for the 2019 election.

Mahmood Yakubu was confirmed as the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission on October 21, 2015. He had over three years to prepare for the 2019 election. He had announced the time table for the conduct of the 2019 election over a year ago on the 9th of January, 2018. Why then should the election be cancelled just a few hours to its conduct, by INEC?

The reasons adduced by the INEC Chairman as necessitating the late cancellation or postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, are ludicrous. The fact that within a period of 16 months, INEC registered over 14 million Nigerians as new voters, collecting their names, addresses, photographs and their entire ten fingerprints, prepared, printed and delivered their permanent voter’s cards for collection ought not to have been and are not credible excuses for the National embarrassment, foisted on Nigeria and indeed Nigerians, by INEC’s postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections. INEC Chairman, had over three years to prepare for this election and had all the financial support it needed.
The fact that there are 40 different court orders against the Commission on whether to add or drop candidates should not also have constituted an excuse for the cancellation of the election. INEC and sometimes, its chairman, were made parties to these cases. INEC has a legal department who either handles these cases or gives it out to private law firms to handle on their behalf. The candidates and parties whose matters were or are still in court are already known to INEC over two months ago after the conduct of the various party primaries. INEC should have reasonably known that such cases could go either way and ought to have made contingent preparations for any outcome of such pending court cases.
In this era of technological advancement when through sophisticated machines, the weather forecast for even up to a year can be gotten, it should not be heard, that INEC did not make adequate provisions bearing in mind, the weather condition of each state of the Federation. Transportation of sensitive material to each state of the Federation ought to have been done earlier bearing in mind the weather conditions peculiar to each region of the federation. There are branches of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in each state of the Federation. These materials could have been transported either by air or land, weeks before the said election, and kept in safe custody of the Central bank.
INEC’s failure to conduct the election is akin to the failure of a man whose wife is pregnant, to prepare ahead of delivery, and who incidentally leaves his wife stranded in the hospital for lack of preparation. I condemn this postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, by INEC, strongly.
INEC Chairman’s justifications for the postponement of the election is trifling. So many questions are begging for an answer with the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections. INEC is not complaining of the inadequacy of budgetary provisions but other variables which ordinarily should have been reasonably foreseen and adequately provided for. The issue of the destruction of card reader machines and permanent voters cards are issues that INEC should have adequately provided for since they are reasonably foreseeable. Why did INEC fail to make contingent arrangements for additional card readers? Why did INEC fail to move the logistics or sensitive materials to all the locations they were needed before the postponed election? Why did INEC fail to make contingent arrangements in respect of pending court cases to which INEC itself was a party? Why did INEC wait till few hours to the election before announcing ignominiously, its cancellation?

Nigerians believe that INEC is merely acting the scripts of the ruling APC. Otherwise, how else can this colossal national embarrassment be explained?
I, therefore, call on INEC, to redeem its shaky image, not just in the eyes of Nigerians, but that of the International Community, by ensuring that it does not yield to the ungodly pressures from the ruling APC, as was witnessed in Ekiti and Osun State. INEC should make the entire process as transparent as possible. INEC should not be seen to favour any political party against the others. INEC has started on a wrong note in its conduct of 2019 election. Nigerians must open their eyes to fake ballot papers on election day. Party agents must examine all ballot papers before giving them out to electorates. The time to redeem the already shattered image of INEC is now. After all, they say, “once beaten, twice shy”!

SIGNED:

SEN DINO MELAYE
KOgi West Senatorial District.

JUST IN: Gov. Yahaya Bello’s Chief of Staff caught with Ballot Papers hijacked from INEC Agents

HIGH CHIEF AIYENALE'S ARREST: Demonstration of police partisanship-ADC

HIGH CHIEF AIYENALE'S ARREST:  Demonstration of police partisanship, threat to peaceful election and sign of his popularity... ADC

As party demand his immediate release

The leadership of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kogi state has described the illegal detention of her House of Assembly Candidate in Kabba/Bunu as a clear demonstration of partisanship, major threat to  peaceful election and indication of his victory ahead of the election. The statement which is the reaction of the party to the unruly, unconstitutional and a paid job to keep Chief Aiyenale out of circulation in view of his unassailable and rising popularity.

"This is to alert the whole world that the Nigerian Police have began a clampdown operation on opposition politicians as allegedly sponsored by agents of the state, the illegal detention of Hon Chief Aiyenale after honourably submitting himself upon invitation to say the least is despeccable. The party is aware that the trumped up charges leveled against him by agents of government are ordinarily civil matter that is bailable, we therefore demand for his immediate and unconditional release"  the statement reads

It will be recalled that High Chief Aiyenale had alerted the public of an intention for him to be invited and detained.   Unfortunatety Chief Aiyenale's prediction of the plans of his detention has become a reality. .

Kogi East Elders Council: Aligns With PDP, Says Voting APC, is Voting Gov. Bello

The Kogi East Elders Council, under the Chairmanship of Senator (Dr) Ahmadu Ali and General Secretary, Mr Alphonsus K. Alhassan, has warned the people of the Eastern Senatorial District that any vote for the All Progressives Congress in the Zone is a vote for Gov. Yahaya Bello, which would not bring any good thing to Igala/Bassa nations.

The Elders arising from their recent meeting, in a statement said it has resolved to align with Peoples Democratic Party on certain terms and conditions that would be submitted to the leadership of the main opposition party.

The Elders Council also explained in their statement that future elections would follow similar pattern of support for PDP as long as " the future well being of Igala/Bassa people shall neither be short changed nor mortgaged.
The statement by the Kogi East Elders Council also made further submission that is hinged on the fact " that henceforth, Kogi East as a zone, will no longer be neutral and suffer shame in the hands of political merchants of fortunes ".
The Kogi East Elders in the statement said with the benefit of hindsight, the council irrevocably resolved that it has taken cognisance of the pernicious plight of people of Kogi State and Nigeria and felt that the zone should stand on the political pedestal with clear cut alignment, stressing that it does not matter if the zone wins or loses;  " We will be identified with and respected for. That path is now".
The Elders Council said " it is worried by the unpleasant happenings in Kogi State in the last four years which are precursors to more inglorious experiences, thus Kogi East has decided to take its political destiny in its own hands".

Miss Tourism Kogi Preaches Violence Free Election in Kogi.

Queen Damilola Arowolo, current Miss Kogi Tourism on Monday stormed Lokoja  to preach peace ahead of the Saturday February 16th general election in Kogi State.

Queen Dammy made this known during “A Violence Free Election Solidarity March” organised by her office, to sensitise and create awareness on the “Violence Free Election Campaign” 

The event was attended and supported by former and current Kogi Queens, C.E.O Sunjay Global Entertainment, Mr. Tony Eseyin, government officials, students and well wishers.

Queen Dammy called on the electorates to vote wisely and peacefully in order to keep lives and properties safe.

She said the program was aimed at creating awareness on the need for a peaceful election in the state.

She said a peaceful election was essential for the growth and development of democracy among others.

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MASSIVE TURNOUT OF CROWD AS ADC HOLDS ITS RALLY AT IJUMU OKĒ AND IJUMUÃARIN

By *_SAMUEL OJ TEMIBI_*

The towns in Ijumu Oke and Ijumu Ãarin which comprise of Ogale/Aduge, Ayere/Arima, Ogidi, Iyara, Iffe/Ikoyi, Egbeda Egga, Ekinrin Adde and Iyamoye were shutdown with crowd yesterday as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) held its final rally in Ijumu local government area of kogi State.

The candidate of the party for Ijumu State House of Assembly, Otunba Shuaib Ipinmisho and the party flagbearer for Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu federal constituency, Hon Sunday Omotayo Adeleye alongside with Hon Bode Adeyemi who is the candidate gunning for Kogi West senatorial district stormed Ogale/Aduge ward where a mammoth crowd troop out to welcome the candidates to the community.

While thanking the people of the ward for their show of love, Hon S. O Adeleye and Hon Bode Adeyemi promised to fully construct and asphalt overlay the roads that ply through Ogale/Idi Oro to Aduge if voted into offices on the 16th February 2019. Ipinmisho enjoined the people of Ogale/Idi Oro to come out and vote massively for ADC candidates stressing that the candidates will not promise what they are not capable of doing. While the campaign train moved to Aduke community, the candidates visited the TIV community where an issue pertaining the non provision of portable drinking water by the past and present representatives was raised by the Tiv representative, Hon S.O Adeleye promised to provide the community with a good water system noting that he will not provide the water because he needed their votes but because the development of the community is of outmost priority to him. He explained of his plans to hugely invest in the community by selling of fish feeds, rearing of fish and  employing the residents of the community to his farm so that they too can generate income and carter for their family. Ipinmisho vowed to take good care of their cattles and protect them from diseases by giving them a protective injection when elected.

The campaign tour was temporarily suspended at Aduge town when its met with the victims of abductors where four members of the same family in the community were reportedly abducted on their way coming from a burial ceremony along Ayere/Aduge roads. The candidates of the party sympathized with the victims and promise them of taking a drastic and proactive measure at curbing insecurity across the constituency.

The campaign train moved to Ayere/Arima ward where a vivacious welcome home reception was given to the House of representatives hopeful, after series of songs and eulogies from the people of Ayere to the party flagbearers, the candidates then proceeded to the palace where the Alayere of Ayere Land gave them his blessings and further thanked the party and its candidates for grading their roads.

Otunba Shuaib Ipinmisho reiterated his commitment to serving the people of Ijumu if given the mantle of leadership.

The ancient city of Ogidi was totally shutdown when the candidates stormed the historic community of Ogidi Ella Land, Otunba Shuaib Ipinmisho being the son of the soil was given a tumultuous cheering and a rousing "thank you son" for bringing 'fame and dignity to our community' The campaign train as well moved to the Ologidi of Ogidi Land where Otunba Shuaib Ipinmisho promised to influence the upgrading of Ologidi of Ogidi stool to first class if elected because according to him, the Oba deserved the position of first class considering his unequalled inputs to the enhancement of the popular Ogidi cultural festival and his mode of rulership. While leaving the palace, the Ologidi of Ogidi showered the three candidate with blessing praying that their ways will please God.

The campaign train moved directly from Ogidi to Iyamoye where the people came out in their massive numbers to welcome the candidates of the newly entrenched party that is poised at attracting the dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of kogites. The people of Iyamoye thanked Hon Sunday Adeleye for grading their roads and for making the development of their community his priority.

Despite storming Ekinrin Adde, Egbeda Egga, Iffe/Ikoyi and Iyara Wards at late hours, it was surprising to note that the people of the wards still came out en masse to welcome the candidate of the African Democratic Congress for Ijumu State Constituency as well as the candidates of the Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu federal House Of Representatives and the Kogi West senatorial candidate.

The good of people of Iyamoye/Igbopin Ward, Ekinrin Adde Ward, Egbeda_Aiyeteju ward, Iffe/Ikoyi ward and Iyara Ward reassured the candidates of their continued support and their resolved to vote for the most credible alternatives.

Obaro backtracks, I did not endorse APC Candidates, Kabba people are enlightened enough to vote

...As Obaro in council pray for ADC Candidates

The paramount ruler of Kabba and Chairman Okun Area traditional council, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi has described the news of endorsement of Candidates of APC as widely reported as fake and lies from the pit of hell.
Oba Owoniyi stated this while receiving the Senatorial Candidate of ADC, Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi, House of Representatives Candidate SO Adeleye and House of Assembly Candidate, High(Chief) Fred Aiyenale at his palace in Kabba. Oba Dele Owoniyi who received the ADC Candidates alongside Obadofin of Oweland, Oba Michael Yusuf, Oba of Odolu, Oba of Gbeleko, Oba of Katu, Oba of Kabba and all red cap chiefs of Kabba said that at no point in time was anyone endorsed by the traditional rulers, he further stressed that the role of traditional rulers is clear and they cannot meddle into political issue for whatsoever reasons.

"Kabba and indeed Okun People are enlightened enough and well educated to chose the best representatives for themselves, we cannot force anyone to vote against his/her wish, we will only beg that politicians should eschew violence and go about their campaigns peacefully" Oba Owoniyi says

Earlier the ADC Party Chairman, Hon Ayo Kajotoni(Bush Doctor) had introduced the candidates to the real Okemete Owe as were present, he reminded them that ADC is the only party that has offered her ticket to a Kabba/Bunu person since 1983 that one of their sons represented the senatorial zone, he therefore argued that it is only justiceable for a Kabba/Bunu son to take the Senate seat. He said ADC is mindful of even distribution of political offices and federal character as also recorgnized by our laws as the reason behind ceeding the Senate seat to Kabba/Bunu and House of Representatives seat to Ijumu respectively.

The Obadofin of Oweland, Oba Michael Yusuf thereafter requested that Obaro chose one of the chiefs to pray for the success of the candidates in the name of Oweland. Chief Kayode Himikaiye thereafter prayed for the Candidates

We’ll construct TAKI, IHALE Roads, S.O Adeleye Promises Bunu Residents

Residents of Bunu land and its environs were elated to hear that the long abandoned TAKI, IHALE roads in the Local Government area will receive priority attention from the All African Congress(ADC) next political dispensation.

The pledge was made on Friday by Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu ADC House of Representative candidate, Hon. S.O Adeleye alongside the party Senatorial And Kabba/Bunu House of Assembly Candidates, Omoluabi Olabode Adeyemi and Alfred Jimoh Aiyenale respectively during the party’s rally held across all towns and settlements in Kiri-Bunu Land.

Adeleye assured the people of of his commitment to drive economic projects to the area, promised to prioritize physical infrastructure such as access roads that have been abandoned by previous representatives and government officials for over a decade.

Adeleye who shed tears at the rally, laments over poor living condition of the people despite their voting strength, he urged the people to use their voting power to vote ADC, a new wine in a new bottle that will construct all the road which will in turn have direct impact on the residents.

“It’s time to abandon those who after making fake promises to get your votes will only return after four years to deceive you again when Election is close” he said. 

The Senatorial Candidate, Omoluabi Olabode Adeyemi while addressing residents of Kiri exposed the humongous amount of Constituency allowances being diverted by previous representatives into private use at the detriment of the people for over 10years. He urge residents to demand justice by voting against them this coming election. 

The House of Assembly Candidate, Fred Aiyenale assured the royal fathers of getting their due promotion to 2nd and 3rd class division with full royal benefits within one year in office.

The ADC campaign hits all Kiri land, Offere, Iluke and ILA Bunu....

The turnout was massive till late in the midnight as people stay awake to show solidarity and support for the candidates.

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I sued INEC over supressed state constituencies in the interest of Kogi West... Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi

As candidate says INEC committed daylight robbery, political rape and undemocratic assault on the people.

The Senatorial Candidate of African Democratic Congress in Kogi West, Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi (OBA) has said he instituted legal case against INEC over the supressed state constituency seats of Kabba/Bunu 1&2, Ijumu 1&2, Yagba West 1&2 Yagba South East, Kogi/Koto 1&2 all in the interest of Kogi West. He made the statement during one of his meet the constituents engagements ahead of the 2019 general election.

Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi who instituted the suite seeking the restoration of the state constituecy seats that were in existence prior to 1999 return to democracy but deliberately and illegally supressed by INEC says he will fight to the end. Omoluabi contend that he never knew he was going to contest in 2019 when he took that bold step even when our elected representatives couldn't carry out such assignment.

"I am a true son of Okunaland who is passionate about the growth of my people, it is this urge and passion that fuelled the reason why I filed the case in court. I will do so much more when you elect me by February 16th, by the grace of God" Omoluabi says. He argued that he will get the matter to its logical conclusion and our supressed constituencies will be restored. Omoluabi further stated that INEC committed daylight robbery, political rape and undemocratic assault on the people of Kogi West even while the leaders and stakeholders appered not perturbed.

The ADC Senatorial Candidate said the matter has been in and out of various courts and currently receiving the needed judicial attention. He therefore called on the people to vote him in order to be able to boldly and intelligently speak for and with the people.

"Apart from the legal action, I have also made committed contributions towards the growth of Kogi West" Omoluabi says.

Speaking on the same issue, a former National President of the National Association of Okun Students (NAOS) Comrade Alamoh Kehinde describes Omoluabi's selflessness and patriotism as contagious and unprecedented.
Comrade Alamoh says Omoluabi's emergence by Feb 16 will mark a departure from rudderless representation to purposeful and humbly dutiful servanthood in representation.