KWARA STATE GEARS UP FOR A MASSIVE BATTLE COME 2019 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION.

Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq

Hon. Razak Atunwa

Prince Ayorinde Adedoyin 

Wow wow wow. While the election in Lagos is seen as a big battle between the APC's own Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu and PDP's own Jimi 'JK' Agbaje. Oyo's battle would be between APC's former CBN deputy Governor and PDP's own Seyi Makinde, the battle in Kwara is three pronged and it promises to be epic by all accounts as the 3 aspirants representing the 3 most visible political parties in the state are heavy, heavyweights by all accounts. Not only are they very visible, the trio are also moneybags by any account you'll want to judge it by.

On the side of the APC, you have the one and only Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, a billionaire businessman oil magnate now turned politician. He at the last election gave the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki a major scare at the Kwara Central Senatorial election. And there's no love lost between the 2. When Saraki jumped ship to the APC back then, Abdulrasaq immediately moved out of APC & moved over to the PDP. Just as soon as Saraki again jumped ship to the PDP from the APC, Abdulrasaq immediately dusted himself again and moved out of the PDP back to the APC with about 120000 supporters.  The 50 plus year old moneybag, with major investments in oil and gas and others, is the founder of First Fuels and is not a neophyte at all in the political terrain of Kwara State. He would love to have one over Saraki at all cost, as he believed that he won against him the last time.

To become the flag bearer of the APC in Kwara State, the very intelligent businessman, sports enthusiast cum politician dusted all other contenders by polling 29098 votes against Alhaji Yammah Abdullahi who came 2nd and polled 22116 votes. AA as he is referred to by a lot of people has the resources and wherewithal in abundance (a moneybag per excellence) to prosecute his ambition to a favourable conclusion. His younger sister is the popular Senator Khairat Abdulrazaq Gwadabe. What he has going for him apart from age, he his just 58, is that he has a proven wealth of experience in the private sector in creating wealth. His business forays has him having investments as far as Cote D'ivoire. He is the founder and sponsor of Abuja FC. From our findings, there's an unprecedented groundswell of ever rising support for him to win the election. In fact the elite and others prefer him far above every other aspirant for the job.

Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, is one of the well to do kids of the first ever lawyer from Northern Nigeria. His dad Alhaji A.G.F Abdulrazaq a renowned jurist was also a prominent Minister in the 1st Republic.

In the race to the Ahmadu Bello Way Governor's office also is another very formidable personality by name Hon. Razak Atunwa. A super intelligent lawyer and Lawmaker, who since he returned to Nigeria and Kwara State has been very much involved in Governance as it concerns politics in Kwara State. His bio for a 48 year old is quite staggering and impressive.

He knows his beloved Kwara State inside and out as he has been part of the Governance in the state for quite a bit, which is a major plus for him. He was a commissioner over many different portfolios-finance, land and housing, information, works & transportation, in Kwara State from 2005 till 2011, that's all of 7 years, before he was elected into the State House of Assembly KWHA where he went on to become the speaker of the house from 2011 till 2015, for 5 years after which when he ran for the House of Representative and won to represent Asa/Ilorin West at the House (so that's at least 15 years experience in Governance). It is from the lower House now that he contested the Governorship Primary of the PDP which he won to represent the Party now at the next election.

He is a very strong ally of Dr. Bukola Saraki under who he was the Commissioner. He had got his law degree both LLB and LLM in London and was called to the bar also on London too. In fact according to the gist he was brought back from London by the late Dr Olusola Saraki, where at a point he was said to have been cab driver to help fund his education. There's the little controversy though about where he is from in Ilorin, for no one has ever been able to pinpoint his supposed family house in Ilorin. His strong connect with the Saraki political family may either be positive or negative for him in the long run.

The last but not the least personality by no means is none other than the 'Prince of Agbamu' himself, "Prince Ayorinde Adedoyin". Prince Ayorinde has thought to tread a totally different path to achieve his aim. He would be riding on the back of the Accord Party towards the goal. But to talk about this quintessential good dude and Philanthropist per excellence, we would first talk about his father, the super wealthy industrialist, Sir Samuel Adedoyin of the Doyin Groups Fame. The old man's story is the stuff dreams are made of. The old man now in his 80s rose from grass, the very last rung by the dint of hard work and providence to grace. He owns a vast conglomerate that includes industries and vast property portfolio and other investments. Ayorinde Adedoyin is his 1st son and the highly connected young man by every standard, is not a pushover at all too by any means.

By the grace of God, the man in his early 50s whose late elder sister was a former Health Minister and a Lawmaker, that's Hon. Funke Adedoyin till she recently passed on, has really done extremely well for himself too in business. Not one to sit on his oars, believing that wealth has already been made and then all he needs to do, is to run his father's vast business and that's it. But as soon as he finished school he immediately branched out and began to chart his own path immediately, by setting up his own firms which are variously into maritime, oil and gas, logistics, aviation, real estate and hospitality, all under the umbrella of a holding company Peacegate Group. Peace Gate group is a successful multifaceted company by all standards. He has going for him, very excellent private sector experience.

His passion for Kwara State is enveloping. The Prince of Agbamu believes so much that not even a quarter of the endowment of his beloved Kwara have been exploited. And like he preaches at every turn, that his ambition is not a do or die one, just that he wants to serve his beloved state to the best of his abilities. He has come in as a new star, not on the old beaten track of the APC or PDP, but as a real alternative from the Accord Party!!!

So from the looks of things, this would be a 3-pronged battle ROYALE, a major slamdunk 2019 event!!!!! Who would carry the day eventually! !! 

BABAJIDE OLUSOLA SANWO-OLU OFFICIALLY DECLARES HIS INTENTION. HERE IS THE FULL EXCERPT OF HIS FORMAL DECLARATION SPEECH!!!

A CLARION CALL TO TAKE LAGOS STATE TO A GREATER LEVEL

Speech delivered by the All Progressives Congress Governorship Aspirant, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu at the formal declaration of his intention to contest for the Governor of Lagos State at the City Hall, Lagos Island on Sunday September 16, 2018.

All protocols observed.

With great enthusiasm and encouragement of family, friends, associates and well-wishers, I want to express my sincere thanks to everyone for creating the time to participate in this historic event of my declaration to contest the 2019 governorship election in Lagos State on the platform of our party, the All Progressives Congress.

Since 1922, when the first election was decreed in Lagos, our history has been shaped by the values of democratization and the primacy of the people in deciding who rules them. The process has thrown up great men like Herbert Macaulay, Sir Kitoye Ajasa, Dr. John Randle, Sapara Williams, Henry Carr, Candido da Rocha, Dr. Adeniyi Jones and Dr. Caulcrick among others. May the souls of these great Lagosians continue to rest in peace.
There is no way to review the history of Lagos in the last 50 years without placing on record the contributions of Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson, the first ever governor of Lagos State, Pa Lateef Jakande, the first civilian Governor and many other helmsmen who led the development of our people.

Modern Lagos State since the inception of the current civilian republic has been blessed with innovators and visionaries. Permit me to recognize, specially, the man who laid the foundation for the modernization of Lagos State; the celebrated tactician and renowned certified accountant who has applied his knowledge to democracy and development, our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The press, as ‘‘The Fourth Estate of The Realm’’, has planted in our consciousness the courage displayed by our leader in reforming and modernizing the revenue collection operations of Lagos State, converting government operations from analogue to digital and establishing a transparent, measurable and predictable system for running Lagos as a modern smart government.



The preparation of the visionary programme, ‘‘The Lagos State Economic Empowerment & Development Strategy’’ (LEEDS), listing out the path to development of modern Lagos on four pillars across 25 years of expansion continues to provide the development blueprint for our people. This vision, put together by eminent economists and passionate patriots, prepared our State ahead of its growing challenges. It remains to this day the most concrete manifestation of Asiwaju’s leadership and love for the great people of our State. I feel privileged to be part of the process that made it happen. I assure you all that it shall continue to be the roadmap when I become the next civilian governor of our dear State.

This foundation has survived the test of time because Asiwaju was able to recruit excellent and brilliant successors. But without the ratification of these men by Lagosians who voted massively for them during the general elections, his wish could not have become the popular choices of the people.

I wish to commend the former Governor of Lagos State,Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, for his contributions to this glorious path.
I am inspired by the courage and achievements of all the leaders who have charted the path of development for our great LAGOS. I have decided, like the great American President John F. Kennedy, not to continue to wait for what my State shall do for me, but to challenge myself on what to do for my State.

When I look back at my experience in public sector, I realise that God has prepared me for this moment. I served Lagos State Government for the first time as a Special Adviser to the then deputy Governor,Otunba Femi Pedro.

I believe that my contributions to the governing process made possible my appointment as the Acting Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning &Budget and later Commissioner for Commerce & Industry in the final months of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu administration. Following the inauguration of the Fashola administration, I was appointed the Honourable Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions.

My public sector career has crowned the glorious achievement of my journey through the private sector where I had worked in senior managerial positions in financial institutions such as Lead Merchant Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Atlantic Bank (now FCMB) and participated in major economic projects such as the privatization and commercialization of Federal Government-owned companies and parastatals.

The All Progressives Congress has been established as a grassroots party of the workers, artisans, middle class professionals and all those who desire the progressive development of Nigeria. The manifesto of our party promises welfarist programmes and building the capacity of our economy so that we can provide jobs for the youths and make our country stable and secure.

These are the values that I believe in.
These are the values I am ready to defend.
These are the values I am determined to propagate.
These are the values that drive my present desire.

If elected, I shall immediately embark on the full restoration of the glory of Lagos and make you the people the cornerstone of government revamp the environment that has become a cause of serious anxiety to Lagosians and relieve Lagos of the persistent gridlocks that have made our lives brutish and nasty.

Our government’s focal point shall be to provide the greatest good for the greatest number of the people of Lagos State.

I have invited you here today to join me in the journey to take Lagos State to a new dimension by transforming the manifesto of our party to the programme of action. I am sending a clarion call to our party members, men and women, youth and the elderly, that there is a lot of work to be done to achieve the Lagos of our dreams.

I present myself as a capable, competent and tested hand to make Lagos greater.

I declare that, I,  Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu shall be a true party man in the real definition of the word by running an inclusive  government according to the ideology of the APC and the long-term benefits of the great citizens of Lagos State. Loyalty is the currency of politics. I shall be loyal to the people of Lagos State, the organs and the leadership of the party.

I call on party members and citizens to join me to elevate our State in all facets of human endeavour through improvements, enlightenment and development.

I urge you all to come out with your membership cards and slips to vote for me at the direct primaries ordered by the party so that we can continue the journey towards peace, order and development for the good people of our dear Lagos State.

History is not made in a day, but it is made on the day that you start to make the labours of the past and the hope for the future the touchstone of our endeavours. That day is today.

I pray that God Almighty shall crown all our efforts with resounding success.

Thank you and God bless.
Long Live the All progressives Congress
Long Live Lagos State
Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria

BABAJIDE OLUSOLA SANWO-OLU
GUBERNATORIAL ASPIRANT
ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS
LAGOS STATE

BUT SERIOUSLY SERIOUS, WHAT IF THE DANCING SENATOR WINS? WOULD THE HEAVENS FALL???

Senator Ademola Adeleke 

The question above is massive and it needs a response and a concise one for that matter. And we think it is good and worth it if we ask the question all over again but this time around, putting the name of the distinguished dancing Senator there now. So we ask again--what if Senator Ademola Adeleke wins the upcoming Osun State Gubernatorial/Governorship election come September 22, 2018, a date that is fast approaching and would soon hit us!!!

Would the heavens fall????? Would Zeus leave Mount Olympus in disagreement? Would Thor in anger denounce his power and reject his hammer?

This upcoming election after that of Ekiti State, where the incumbent, Fayose's candidate and the PDP were beaten and with the outcome still somewhat marred by alleged misconducts, still yet to be examined for merits or dismerits by the courts; this Osun State upcoming election is one that is being keenly anticipated and watched by all and sundry.

The outgoing 2 terms Governor of the state, Ogbeni (Mr.) Rauf Aregbesola, a very close confidante of the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and top chieftain of the APC himself is very concerned about this election, as he would want at all cost for his lieutenant, better still his former Chief of Staff-Gboyega Oyetola, the person who has occupied the very exact, same position the now super minister, Honourable Minister for Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola held prior to him becoming the successful Governor of Lagos State, where he went on to serve 2 exemplary terms.

So maybe, Gboyega Oyetola having served successfully as the Chief of Staff already, is seen to have learnt very well and having the requisite experience, both in Lagos and Osun State so to speak, so the next step for him is to become the Governor of Osun State, if he wins the upcoming election! But all of this easy permutations being conjured up by many, about him sliding on to victory so easily are only feasible in an ideal situation, where all things are supposedly equal!!! Are all things ideal or equal?

2 major contenders, in the persons of Senator Ademola Adeleke of PDP and Senator Iyiola Omisore of SDP, a former Deputy Governor of the state, both of who are seemingly well grounded too, are well arrayed against the easy emergence of Gboyega Oyetola of the APC as the next Governor of the beloved State of Osun.

But the candidate we are focusing on today is none other than, "Mr. Dancer extraordinaire himself", the world's best hot stepper in the person of Senator Ademola Adeleke, who seem to have more of the chance for an upset than all others. One of the reasons for that thought majorly, is because he once did what was thought impossible, when against all odds, he won an election against the candidate of the sitting Governor then to win the Senatorial seat he presently occupies.

Let us even quickly digress a bit, there's the very hilarious viral video of a twerking man, whose face though hidden but has a back that looked somewhat like that of our distinguished Senator (a striking resemblance at that). If it can be proven that the video was that of the Senator who was on the floor, shockingly and hilariously twerking madly away shaking his massive behind, then unfortunately, that person is not fit to be a Local Government Chairman, not to talk of him being a Governor. But alas, people have come out to say it was not the Senator!!!

So back to more serious matters, Is it possible for Adeleke to win the upcoming election in Osun State? Our answer to that is that, nothing is impossible again and to ignore him, just because he has been tagged as somewhat "unserious", "highly comedic", doesn't take away from the fact that he could win, especially if care is not taken!!!!

There is the growing alliance in and outside the APC, open and subtle against the national leader of the party in the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu. Though, Gboyega Oyetola, whether he be or he is not a family member of Asiwaju, the fact is that he is eminently qualified in all ramifications, but even at that????? Just out of spite, the votes that normally should accrue to him on merit, has become somewhat divided!!! So the campaign slogan of the opposition now is, "to reduce Asiwaju's influence on all ramifications at all cost!

With the APC somewhat depleted due to unnecessary in-fighting, it has allowed an in-road someway for the likes of Adeleke and Omisore, to slide in and the truth is they are no neophytes neither are they pushovers. To ignore Adeleke and Omisore would be at anyone's peril!!!!

To show that the opposition would do anything to win against the ruling party in the state, you could see how the PDP has done all that's possible to close ranks after that initial disagreements. So they have now adopted a common enemy as against in-fighting, which was really messing up their chances before. So the catch phrase now is, even if it is quiet, "all out war against our common enemy", the APC & her candidate and the sponsors.

With a more united front, the battle can be fought well and better, with the very good possibility or chance to win. The way it is right now, the only place that is too too sure for the APC in the coming elections in the SouthWest is probably, Lagos!!! If in the other states, they don't pick the right candidates and the in-fighting continues unabatedly, then things might be very dicey for them.

PDP is very desperate as it were now to make a major point and the best place to start is none other than Osun State after their unbelievable loss in a Ekiti, just a few months to the Presidential election come 2019 and their chosen candidate for Osun in the upcoming election is Senator Ademola Adeleke. Would he win???? Hmmmmmmm!!!! We don't know, but let's wait and see. The money chest Senator Adeleke would be taking into this battle by all indications, would be staggering and unprecedented. Not only does he have his brother's (Deji Adeleke) unflinching support, that's Davido's dad who is a multimillionaire, many say billionaire, he has also boasted openly about having the might of Dangote and Otedola and others not named behind him!!!! Even his nephew, Davido himself is giving full and unflinching support and may be able to shift awesomely the support and votes of the youths, who just for the fun of it might just decide to vote for Adeleke.

If he does win, come September 22, 2018!!!! Then we can expect the most awesome dance steps ever imagined by any in the world!!! Are we game for that??? Can the jester perform an extraordinary masterstroke ??? If he does win, it could signal also an unprecedented build up towards 2019, while also triggering the likes of Senator Dino Melaye, Governor Ayo Fayose, Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, Chief Olabode George, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and others to go into a frenzy of celebrations like never ever imagined before.

Let's just wait and see!!!! 

On Ambode's Stunted Re-election...By Olaleye Olawale

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Akinwunmi Ambode 

I'm not an Akinwunmi Ambode person, and that is public knowledge. But it will be utterly unfair for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to force him to a primary, when the practice has always been that governors of the party are given the right of first refusal across the nation. The choice of direct primary is clearly designed to humiliate him, because even governors, who failed to win their second term election didn't have to struggle for their tickets in the party.


I can't comprehend the logic behind it except that it is a grossly dishonest choice, informed by sheer political greed. The same Tinubu who allegedly asked some prospective aspirants to a particular senatorial seat in the state to back off, because the present occupant deserves the right of first refusal? And a few weeks to the primary, a Lagos governor does not know his fate? Haba!

Now, the leader will hide under the facade of following party's decision to teach the governor some lessons, because, like it or not, it is who they allow to vote that would vote and the outcome is inevitably guided. Watch out for the guidelines soon. You will be stunned!

Pray Ambode does not make it at the primary otherwise, we will be here to analyse the consequences, going forward. Recall I said recently that the process is the only thing that has changed as far as direct primary is concerned, albeit in name. The result will always be at the behest of the leader. The message is one: 'Baba so pe' and the followers will go in one straight line. Just another "ziggy" in the offing!

Perhaps, Ambode too would have learnt a lesson or two, both in human relations and political strategy. He set the tone for the corner he is boxed today from the word go. His vindictive disposition and needless disregard for the political class except Tinubu might have come to haunt him.

Anyway, welcome to Lagos, Nigeria's most cosmopolitan city, where the educated have been hypnotised into political zombies by one man.

Olaleye Olawale writes for ThisDay Newspaper.

DANCING MAESTRO SENATOR ADEMOLA NURUDEEN ADELEKE EMERGES AS THE PDP GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANT FOR OSUN STATE.

Senator ADEMOLA NURUDEEN ADELEKE 

It would be an unprecedented jolly good time in the state of OSUN, if by a stroke of luck Senator ADEMOLA NURUDEEN ADELEKE otherwise known as the "dancing Senator" should emerge as the next Executive Governor of OSUN state come September 22, 2018.

We can bet that the victory concert that would take place in Osogbo or many other parts of OSUN state should he win, would be of unprecedented proportions, with him being a member of the famous Adeleke family, with Davido as a nephew and B-Red & Shina Rambo as sons. It would also be a major boost for the PDP in the SW and some kind of  pointer towards 2019.

The hilarious entertainer par excellence and federal lawmaker emerged as the PDP's Gubernatorial candidate yesterday after the keenly contested Primary of his party in Osogbo, Osun State where he won by just a margin of 7 votes. He was declared the winner by the chairman of the Osun State PDP Governorship primary, his excellency, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.

Senator Ademola N. Adeleke, the current Senator representing the Osun West Senatorial district, a seat he won after the by-election to fill the vacant seat that was formerly occupied by his late elder brother Senator Isiaka Adetunji ADELEKE, won by polling 1569 votes, while his nearest rival Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, the former MD of Mutual Benefit Assurance polled 1562, while the nearest to the 2, Alh Fatai Akinbade, a former SSG in OSUN state polled just 56 votes and Barrister Nathaniel Oke, SAN was only able to get 3 of the delegate's votes.

Eleven aspirants had indicated their wish to contest the Primary before, only for 7 to later withdraw paving way for only the 4.

The PDP in Osun State unlike their rival the APC, adopted the delegates system of voting to chose their preferred candidate, from where Senator Adeleke has now emerged. In all, 3448 delegates were accredited out of which 3246 delegates in all voted, while 56 votes were voided.

The 56 year old indigene of Ede, a graduate of Criminology from Jacksonville State University, Alabama, USA is the younger brother of the late former Governor of Osun state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke aka Serubawon. His other brother is billionaire businessman and dad of award winning pop musician Davido, in the person of Deji Adeleke. Senator Ademola Adeleke's known sons are the popular B-Red & Shina Rambo.

With the emergence of Senator Adeleke, it's now a straight 3 way battle between 3 juggernauts representing the 3 most popular parties in the state, namely APC, PDP & SDP. APC's Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola from Iragbiji vs. PDP's Senator Ademola Adeleke from Ede vs. SDP's Senator Iyiola Omisore from Ife.

The next few weeks in the State of OSUN would be very interesting as these 3 unique fellows go all out to outwit each other in their quest to become the next Executive Governor of the State of OSUN come September 22, 2018. 

THE HAPPIEST SENATOR IN NIGERIA-SENATOR DR ADEMOLA NURUDEEN ADELEKE DECLARES FOR GOVERNORSHIP IN OSUN

Senator Ademola Adeleke, Davido, Dr. Deji Adeleke & the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke 

The younger brother to the former Governor, the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke of the State of Osun has declared his intention to run for the Governorship election in the State, come September 22, 2018. The dancing doctor, who is the jolliest and happiest law maker in Nigeria made his intention known just yesterday. Just by declaring his intention to run alone, the man who would have given the late Michael Jackson and even Usher and Chris Brown a run for their money has caused jitters to the spine of the APC, which is the ruling party in the state.

Dismiss the jolly good fella at your own peril! He showed his mettle just about a year ago when he defeated very soundly the candidate of the Governor then, even with all the might of the ruling party against him to coast to a resounding victory. It was a show of the might of the people against the might of government and at that occasion, the government's might was exposed to be inconsequential and of no effect whatsoever.

Senator Demola Adeleke of the then APC, had stepped in to run for the senatorial position that had become vacant by virtue of the mysterious and untimely demise of his elder brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke aka Serubawon (cause them to fear), a former Governor, who was a Senator then and a powerbroker in the politics of Ede and Osun state. When his intention and candidacy was rejected by vested interest, he was forced to look elsewhere to prosecute his ambition, so he joined the opposition party who had recognised his strength and embraced him with much aplomb and welcomed him very gladly and the result is what he is today, a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Now barely a year after engineering that embarrassing defeat of the incumbent government's machinery and now fully backed up by an opposition that seem to have now woken up from lethargy and slumber and are desperate for victory, especially hell bent on returning back to power, Senator (dr) Demola NURUDEEN Adeleke, the brother of Mr. Deji Adeleke, the billionaire dad of the award winning superstar Davido and father to Davido's cousin B Red, is ready to dazzle all comers again in his bid to become, the next executive Governor of Osun State come 2019.

The campaign towards the election, if he becomes the preferred candidate of the PDP would be fun galore. In fact, it would be epic on and at all levels. You must expect the best of music and dance and fun and if care is not taken, that could just sway the votes and carry him or cart him home to victory, that's why we had said at the very beginning, that to ignore him is at your own peril! Just imagine how his nephew, that's Davido and friends providing awesome music at the campaign grounds and Senator Adeleke entering to rousing welcomes with the display of badass dance steps and then with many of his colleagues and PDP Governors in attendance as a show of solidarity! And then there's the war chest that would be provided by Dr. Deji Adeleke who is worth in excess of $700 plus millions in the background. This would be one fun campaign by all standards and we are eagerly awaiting it to happen. That Senator Iyiola Omisore's has left the PDP alone, would have given Adeleke a major boost that he could clinch the party's ticket, to run and contest against the might of the APC & outgoing Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

In a letter to the PDP leadership declaring his intention, Senator Ademola Adeleke said the decision to contest the governorship election is borne out of a conviction that he has “all it takes to unite leaders and members of our party as well as galvanise the electorate towards ensuring a resounding victory for the PDP in the forthcoming poll.”

The letter reads: “In accordance with the directive of the leadership of our great party, I wish to respectfully express my intent to vie for the ticket of the party as its candidate in the Osun State governorship election holding on the 22nd September 2018.

“I am a member of the party in Sagba Abogunde Ward 2 of the Ede North local government in the Osun West senatorial district.

“As a loyal man from the strongest political base of the PDP in Osun State, I am willing, able and prepared to offer myself for this great service if given the opportunity to fly our flag as the governorship candidate.

“I pledge my continuous commitment and support to the stability, growth, and success of the PDP at all levels.”

ANAMBRA GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION 2017 & THE WINNER IS .... WILLIE OBIANO!!!!

Chief Willie Obiano

Dr Goodluck Jonathan & his PDP henchmen

Fayose, Okowa etc 

Baring any last minute magic show, the incumbent Governor of the state of Anambra, is coasting home to an emphatic and quite impressive victory.

Though the opponents arrayed against him were supposedly heavyweights, with the way things are going, it's like they were more of paperweights than the heavyweights people had thought they were, as their perceived influence apparently carried no weight at the end of it. Even with the calculations and permutations done to wrest power from Chief Willie Obiano, even with all the hell raised by his former friend and political ally in the person of former Governor, Mr Peter Obi, it is like the people seem to prefer the tested hand to a new one, it's likely saying the devil we know rather than the saint we don't!

The PDP particularly had raised so much dust, claiming the Governor never really did anything that warranted him needing a 2nd term, they had raised so much hoopla that at a point many felt that they had a chance to tip the apple cart and cause a major upset, infact with their final campaign just a day to the election, where former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan GCFR, Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, Governor Iyesom Wike of Rivers, Governor Arthur Okowa Ifeanyi of Delta, former Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel and many other bigwigs were present and had spoken against the incumbent and his party, the APGA one would have thought there was some major, very potent magic they were going to perform, but alas, there visit was inconsequential in every way, as the voters were apparently not convinced by them and at the end of the day, they the voters, voted their conscience- Willie Obiano!

The battle for 2nd position is a straight forward one between APC's Dr. Tony Nwoye and PDP's Oseloka Henry Obaze. UPP's own Osita Chidoka would most definitely come in a very distant 4th, all the other candidates from the other parties needed not to have contested at all in the first place, reason being that it's like it was just their friends and family members and few associates that voted for them and it was just a waste of resources. Maybe their calculation is that they would get relevance by contesting, we would see after all the dust has finally settled down if they have. 

We just hope that once Chief Willie Obiano is officially declared as the winner, which might be via a landslide victory that he had confidently predicted before the election began he would get, that he would be magnanimous in victory. And that he would close ranks with all his opponents (those willing to work with him though) so that at the end of it all, it would be Anambra that is the ultimate winner. Though a bit of gloating is allowed, it shouldn't be the type that would be to the detriment of the state. It's good that at least Obiano has finally dealt with the nuisance factor of Peter Obi and has somewhat shown him, that without him he can win an election quite easily.

Now that the people have openly showed to the world their confidence in OBIANO, what he should also do to thank them for the confidence reposed on him is to work, work and work, doing things that would greatly advance the quality of lives of Ndi Anambra.

So it's another 4 years of the Obiano magic, let's wait and see what the man would do for this 2nd term.

Imagine that the curious thing this election has brought to fore, is that the IPOB who had greatly over estimated themselves, couldn't disrupt the election, which they had ask the citizens to boycott. Now it's very obvious that they had given themselves credit that they didn't actually deserve.

The Nigerian Police and other security arms must be greatly commended for ensuring that a peaceful election took place, with next to no trouble recorded. Also INEC must also be commended for conducting what many have tagged a Free and Fair, rancour free election. Hope we can always expect this?

But the biggest commendation should be for the people, who we see as the real heroes, who despite the unwholesome intimidation from all sides, especially from an IPOB that had threatened death for daring to vote, they still went out and performed their civic duties and picked for themselves their own choice in returning the Governor. Kudos!

Any person or group of persons or entity that can afford to threaten her own people with death, just to get their support is not worth listening to at all. Those kind of people are the type that would turn out to be tyrants if given the chance. Everything in life is by choice, it must not be by force or intimidation.

Congratulations in advance sir. The people are expecting so much from you, one just hope that you wouldn't disappoint them. 

ANAMBRA NOVEMBER 18 2017 BECKONS. WHO WOULD CARRY THE DAY EVENTUALLY?

Just 3 more days to this election, which would be a litmus test for Nigeria, INEC, Police.

All the contestants are evenly matched so it seems, though the incumbent has a slight advantage in that he has shown already what he could do, so he can be accessed based on that, but that's not all, he can also use the paraphernalia of office to push things his way, but would that work here? We don't know for sure.

It's a straight battle pitting Obiano vs Obaze vs Chidoka vs Nwoye, that is APGA vs PDP vs UPP vs APC! Some are already predicting a straight battle between OBIANO of APGA and OBAZE of PDP. The reason for Obaze they think is because of the Peter Obi factor; the Ex-Governor who has a marvelous record of achievements whilst he was Governor, is hell bent on removing his own prodigy, who years back he fought tooth and nail to install, but since both men fell out, they have become sworn enemies ready to totally dismantle and eviscerate each other. Also the somewhat newly resurrected PDP which was on the brink of extinction before, are bent on making a statement with this election, as they want to be able to boast and claim that they are back and again are the party to beat and follow!

What are the chances of Dr. Nwoye of APC? The grassroots mobiliser might find it a bit hard so they say and the reason people are hammering on is that, people don't want to replicate Owelle Rochas Okorocha in Anambra State! But even at that, the Federal factor, which is the need to be in the main stream of things, just like Lagos now is, might just work wonders for him, apart from the federal factor though, Nwoye is an avowed, award winning grassroots, youth mobiliser par excellence and if he could work his magic right, he might just spring a major surprise.

On Sir Osita Chidoka, the former Minister and former boss of the FRSC, in recent times not very much has been heard about him, he seem to have gone deep, maybe not necessarily making too much noise, but doing what should be done underground. If preparation and articulation of ideas alone could just win an election, the former top PDP stalwart could have just walked leisurely in to the Awka Government house, but alas it's far much more than that.

To make sure all goes well on the D-Day, especially to forestall any hanky-panky from IPOB and other elements bent on forming troubles, 26000 personel, 300 vehicles, 15 gunboats and 3 Helicopters have been mobilised to make security water tight. 3 Commissioners of Police, new to that terrain would also be on ground, in charge of each of the Senatorial zones to stifle any form of trouble of any kind. The incumbent Commissioner for Police in Anambra State, Garba Umar was withdrawn, while the ADC to the Governor and all other police personnel attached to private and public individuals were recalled to forestall their use for any hanky-panky by those they work for who they would have most definitely favoured above others. All of this actions were taken to enable a level playing field (ground) for all.

So who would carry the day? OBIANO? OBAZE? NWOYE? CHIDOKA? 

TOWARDS NOVEMBER 2017- MRS. EBELE OBIANO CONTINUES TO WOO NDI ANAMBRA.

Like the old saying of the sages goes, "all is good or better still lawful in war". That's because this upcoming November 18, 2017 election in Anambra State of Nigeria is most definitely a war, to be fought on all front by all the candidates vying for the post of the Executive Governor of the state. All the combatants are not leaving anything to chance whatsoever, so every which way they can try to get people's sympathy and vote is what they would do or even try. 

One of those making sure that all the (i's) are dotted and (t's) crossed as per the election is the wife of the incumbent, in the person of Mrs. Ebele Obiano.

She's been every where done that in the last many weeks. Imagine she's had to ride on an Okada (commercial motorbike) very recently just to appear to blend with the people and experience what they do daily.

In furtherance of that same agenda which is to seem to be a part of the general populace, Madam took it further very recently as the pictures above speaks going to the market, with her full paraphernalia of office though, to buy "okporoko and things", maybe to cook a delicious dish for his excellency, Chief Willie Obiano. If this was what she does normally, it would have been nice, but to be so pretentious in just a short while, just to garner votes smacks of fakery and acting! Has madam become a Nollywood star so suddenly?

Would this new gimmick help to sway the people their way? Hmmmmmm November 18, 2017 on the evening of that day when the results would have come out we would know for sure!

We are so sure that if the Governor retains his post for any reason, it would have nothing to do with the acts of madam though.

One other thing we would love to address is this thing about the "1st lady's alleged quickness or propensity to daze anyone who angers her with a slap", which has somewhat earned her the tag of the slap-slap lady!!!! Isn't that allegation just a way to give a dog a bad name in order for one to be able to hang it? But if such an allegation is true, then it's not a good one at all and that's a negative mark on the Governor's good marks, remember that 2 have become one! So both as one would be guilty of such a despicable attitude. 

WHY WILLIE OBIANO IS LIKELY TO WIN A 2ND TERM! WHY HIS MOST FORMIDABLE OPPONENT IS JUST OSITA CHIDOKA! WHY ALL OTHERS ARE MERE PAPERWEIGHTS NO MATTER THEIR STATUS! PART 1

Willie Obiano

The upcoming November 18, 2017 Governorship election in Anambra would be very very interesting. The assertion majorly is because it would pitch a well known very hardworking, incumbent action Governor against some very formidable opponents likes of Osita Chidoka and a few others who haven't yet won their party primaries, who just mere looking at them alone and what they have at their disposals, are titans.

If one were to carefully look at some of those wanting to take over from the incumbent very carefully and deeply at the same time, not just on the surface, some very interesting things would pop up too.

That November 2017 election would be a fight for the very soul of Anambra State. Imagine the the caliber of those who have shown interest, likes of Senator Andy Uba, Capital oil boss Ifeanyi Ubah, former beleaguered Minister for Aviation, Stella Oduah and many others.

Former Governor Peter Obi, with his exemplary leadership style had created a fantastic foundation upon which the current Governor has built enviably on, which is what has majorly endeared him to his people.

Anambra, is most probably the headquarters of the Ibos and though probably the most cosmopolitan of the South Eastern states, with very many of the core wealthy ones amd very educated ones from there, no matter how you look at it, it is still a "civil service state". So to be able to win any election in the state therefore, you would most probably have had to impress the state' civil service who are the influencers in the state.

More after the break.

SENATOR ANDY UBA GETTING SET FOR ANAMBRA'S GUBERNATORIAL BATTLE

Senator Emmanuel Nnamdi Uba
"Andy Uba"

It would most definitely be a battle royale extraordinary when the Anambra State Governorship election would hold, as the caliber of those set to battle each other seem to be getting more awesome and more impressive by the day.

Just yesterday, another "incredible personality", in the person of Senator Andy Uba, of the APC formerly of the PDP/Labour Party went to pick up the form signifying his intention with about 40 senators from the APC and many women and youths in tow, so as to be the representative of the APC in the upcoming battle of the titans.

More after the break

#EkitiDecides: Enough is Enough Nigeria hosts Televised Debate for Candidates

“Of all the institutions of a democratic society, there’s none as formidable as an awakened and conscious citizenry.” – Shehu Sanni

 

KAYODE FAYEMI-APC

 

AYO FAYOSE-PDP

 

OPEYEMI BAMIDELE-LABOUR PARTY

 

KOLE AJAYI- ACCORD PARTY

 

 

 

 

Ekiti’s governorship election on Saturday June 21, 2014 kicks of the 2014/2015 election season.

Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE Nigeria), a coalition of young Nigerians promoting good governance and citizen engagement will host a live televised debate for three of the leading candidates on Sunday, June 1, 2014.

This continues EiE’s tradition of hosting youth-focused debates, having co-hosted the first youth-focused presidential debate in the country in 2011. It has since hosted debates in Cross River and Anambra (in partnership with Channels TV).

There are 18 candidates vying for the position of Governor and the four leading candidates were invited to participate in the debate: incumbent governor Kayode Fayemi, of the All Progressives Congress (APC); former governor Ayo Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Opeyemi Bamidele of the Labour Party (LP); and Accord Party flagbearer, Kole Ajayi.

Mr Fayose of PDP declined to participate in the debate.

Candidates are expected to make public their plans for Ekiti youth with special focus on education, security, power supply and employment/enterprise.

The debate will be aired live on EKTV, NTA Ekiti & TVC.