Kogi Guber – Precise Post

Court fines Yahaya Bello N500m for breach of Ajaka’s rights

December 7, 2023December 7, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

ABUJA- A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, awarded a N500 million in damages against Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi for violating the fundamental rights of Murtala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP)’s candidate in the Nov. 11 governorship election in the state. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, also directed Gov. Bello to tender public apology to Ajaka “for the gross and unwarranted violation” of his rights. Justice Ekwo equally made an order directing the security agencies and their heads, listed as 2nd to 7th respondents, to provide maximum security and ensure Ajaka’s safety, including his property, within Abuja, Kogi and Nigeria before, during and after the governorship poll held Nov. 11. The judge further made “an order of injunction, restraining the security agencies from arresting/abducting, detaining and/or further harassing, intimidating, shooting/threatening the applicant’s life and properties.” The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Ajaka had, in the originating motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/952/2023 dated and filed on July 11 by S.E. Aruwa, SAN, sought protection from the court. The SDP candidate sued Mr Bello; Nigeria Police Force; …

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Police confirm attack on Kogi election panel official, warn against inflammatory statements

December 6, 2023December 6, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

LOKOJA- The Kogi Police Command on Wednesday confirmed an attack on the Secretary of the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Mr. David Mike, on Monday by gunmen. A statement issued in Lokoja by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, said the secretary was attacked along two other persons on the day. Ovye-Aya warned the public from making inflammatory statements on the incident, which he said was under investigation. “On Monday, Dec. 4, at about 1820hrs, one Mr David Mike (M) Secretary to Kogi governorship election petition tribunal, along with Labode Apreala (F) Confidential Secretary and Hassimu Adamu Assistant Secretary, came to State Criminal Investigation Department, Kogi State Police Headquarters and reported that they were attacked by gunmen.” “On the date (Dec. 4) three of them left their hotel rooms in Lokoja about 1300hrs, heading to their office at the High Court Complex, driving in his (David’s) Peugeot 406 car, but that just before the CBN at about 1320hrs, one SUV vehicle which had earlier overtaken him, blocked his car with two other SUVS following behind. “All of them …

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Court of Appeal relocates Kogi Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to Abuja

December 6, 2023December 6, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

ABUJA- Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the President of the Court of Appeal, has relocated the Kogi Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal from Lokoja to Abuja. A statement by Mr David Umar Mike, Secretary of the Tribunal, said that its sittings would now be at the National Judicial Institute on Umar Yar’Adua Way. It urged litigants to take note of the change in venue. The statement was silent on the reason behind the relocation, but a top source at the tribunal said the step was necessitated by “security reasons.” The source said that members of staff of the tribunal had been attacked on several occasions in Loloja. “Just last Monday, tribunal officials were attacked on the way to the office. “Armed men just pounced on the officials. They robbed them of everything. They took away all the documents that were in the car. “Copies of petitions and personal belongings, official receipts, processes like subpoena, official stamps, were all stolen. “Generally, thugs are frustrating the job and the lives of our officials are at stake, making it difficult to work there,” the source said,” …

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Kogi guber poll: Accept defeat in good faith – Women, youths tell SDP

December 2, 2023December 2, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

LOKOJA- Women and youth groups in Kogi on Saturday pleaded with the Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alh. Muritala Yakubu-Ajaka to accept the result of the Nov. 11 governorship election in good faith. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the groups, who staged a rally round the streets of Lokoja metropolis carrying placards with various inscriptions, begged Yakubu-Ajaka and his supporters not to do anything that would set the state on fire. The groups said that Kogi belongs to all indigenes and residents alike irrespective of political, tribal or religious leanings, and must be cherished, nurtured and preserved, not to be burnt down. Mr John Dele, who spoke on behalf of the youth said nothing must be allowed to affect the peace being enjoyed in the state under the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello. “Our joy is that the off-cycle governorship election was the freest and fairest in the history of our state. “We, therefore, urged aggrieved parties, who might still want to contest its outcome to go about it in line with laid down …

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Military beefs up security at INEC office in Lokoja following siege by mob

November 30, 2023November 30, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

LOKOJA- The military beefed up security around INEC’s headquarters in Lokoja on Wednesday following a siege laid on the premises by a mob. Commissioner of Police in Kogi, Mr Bethrand Onuoha invited the military to the INEC office after the mob laid the siege. Onuoha alerted the Commander, 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Haruna Dasuki to assist in securing the INEC office. “I have no option other than to invite the military to join us, the police, in securing the INEC office. “The presence of troops really helped. It is the responsibility of the police to protect all citizens and property and that we will continue to do,’’ Onuoha assured. INEC itself had earlier reported to the police that its office was under siege. Its Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Gabriel Longpet, stated in Lokoja that the mob barricaded all accesses to the office and prevented employees from discharging their duties. “The mob also prevented counsel representing political parties that took part in the Nov. 11 off-cycle governorship election in the state from inspecting documents and materials used in …

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INEC presents certificates of return to Kogi governor-elect, Usman Ododo, deputy

November 17, 2023November 17, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

LOKOJA- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday presented certificates of return to the Kogi Governor-Elect, Usman Ododo and his Deputy, Joel Salifu. Ododo and Salifu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) had won the Nov 11 Off-Cycle Governorship Election in Kogi with 446,237 votes, to beat their closest rivals, Murtala Ajaka and Sam Ranti-Abenemi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) that garnered 259,052 votes. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the certificates of return were presented to the duo at at the INEC headquarters in Lokoja, the state capital on Friday, amid jubilation by party members and supporters. Mr Sani Adam (SAN), the National Electoral Commissioner for Kwara, Niger and Kogi, who presented the certificates to them, congratulated them for emerging victorious in the governorship election. Presenting the Certificate, the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC, Gabriel Longpet, said the presentation was part of the Commission’s mandate. Sani said that Ododo and Salifu wete being presented the certificate, for the simple reason that they met the constitutional requirements. Speaking shortly after receiving his certificate, Ododo promised …

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Kogi guber,: We’ve a clear win, ready for any litigation– APC

November 14, 2023November 14, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

LOKOJA- The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it had a clear and convincing victory at Saturday’s Off-Cycle Governorship Election of the state and not afraid of litigation. Mr Kingsley Fanwo, Spokesperson/Director of Media and Publicity, Kogi APC Governorship Campaign Council, made the remarks in Lokoja on Tuesday at a news conference. Fanwo described the outcome of the election in Kogi as a “resounding victory ‘ that would be different for anyone to upturn in the courts. “It is laughable for a candidate, who claimed to win only in his zone to be crying foul and calling for the cancellation of the results of the areas where he was massively rejected. “It is akin to a poor student who scored 20 per cent in a test to call for the cancellation of the 80 per cent he missed to make him score 100 per cent. “Our candidate and now the Governor-Elect, Alhaji Usman Ododo, won the election across the three Senatorial Districts while the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Alhaji Muritala Yakubu-Ajaka, claimed to have won in …

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Melaye to Yakubu: Swear by Quran if you were not aware of electoral fraud in Kogi

November 14, 2023November 14, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

KOGI- Senator Dino Melaye has challenged Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to swear by the Quran if he was not aware of electoral manipulations in Kogi State on Saturday, November 11, 2023. Melaye wondered why INEC declared a winner after promising to investigate the electoral irregularities that happened in the identified wards. The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who came third in the Kogi governorship election has repeatedly insisted that the INEC boss had a hand in his electoral loss. Describing the election as shameful, Melaye, while appearing on Channels TV’s Politics Tonight on Monday, November 13, 2023, maintained that Yakubu was the main problem of Nigeria’s democracy. He said, “As I speak to you, I am completely ashamed that INEC had an opportunity to correct their deliberate mistakes in the last presidential election but instead, they have decided to compound the worries of Nigerians over our democratic process. What we saw yesterday was not a democracy. Mahmood Yakubu is the bane of the democratic development in the country, he is not …

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Kogi won’t regret electing Ododo— Audu

November 13, 2023November 13, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

LAGOS- Aare Atunluse Omoluwabi Oodua Worldwide, Chief Muritala Audu, on Monday expressed confidence that residents of Kogi would benefit from the visionary leadership of the state’s Gov. Elect, Alhaji Usman Ododo. Audu, a Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in a statement in Lagos said that Ododo’s victory in the Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi was well- deserved. According to him, Ododo’s victory is a testament to the trust and confidence that the people of Kogi have in his leadership abilities. “His track record as the former Auditor of Kogi state Cabinet, coupled with his experience as a member Kogi State Government, showcases his dedication and commitment to public service. “Ododo will demonstrate exemplary leadership. His work with the Kogi State Government, and various other levels and assignments reflect his wealth of experience and competence in public administration. “As a former Local Government Auditor-General, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has contributed significantly to the fiscal accountability and transparency of our local government system. “His stint at the energy sector further demonstrates his diverse and valuable expertise in key sectors. …

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How APC’s Ododo defeated Ajaka, Dino to win Kogi Gov election

November 12, 2023November 12, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

By Ogechi Okorie The keenly-contested November 11, 2023 Kogi State Governorship Election has finally produced a winner with the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Usman Ododo, clinching the much-coveted seat. The State Returning Officer, Prof Johnson Urama, who is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, announced Ododo as the winner at 10:23pm on Sunday. “Ahmed Usman Ododo of APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” Urama declared in a room crowded with party agents and election observers. Ododo won with 446,237 votes, defeating his closest rival, Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who scored 259,052, while Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 46,362 votes. Results from the 21 local government areas (LGAs) in the state were collated late Sunday with the APC candidate sweeping over half of the LGAs. Ododo, an ex-Auditor General of Local Government in Kogi under Governor Yahaya Bello, was the anointed candidate of the governor who is ending his double terms of eight years. Melaye and some …

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Kogi Guber: Ododo, Ajaka in tight race, see results of 18 LGAs collated

November 12, 2023November 12, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

By Our Reporter With election results of 18 of the 21 local government areas in Kogi State collated, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the November 11, 2023 Governorship Election in the state, Murtala Ajaka; as well as his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Usman Ododo, are in a tight race. The collation of results commenced on Sunday morning after an initial adjournment last night. So far, results from Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Idah, Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu, Kogi, Mopa-Muro, Olamaboro, Ofu, Okehi, Omala, Ogori/Magongo, Okene, Yagba East and Yagba West LGAs have been announced. Results of Ibaji, Igalamela-Odolu, and Lokoja LGAs are being awaited by the State Returning Officer, Prof Johnson Urama, who is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Aside from Ajaka and Ododo, who is an ex-Auditor General of Local Government in Kogi under Governor Yahaya Bello, other strong contenders in the race include Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Party (ADC) and Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Melaye had on Saturday, raised the alarm over “filled result …

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Kogi people must be protected- APC tells INEC

November 12, 2023November 12, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

ABUJA- The All Progressives Congress (APC)has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protect the popular will of Kogi electorate in Saturday ‘s governorship election.Mr Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.“With the candidate of the APC, Usman Ododo, coasting to spectacular victory in Saturday’s Kogi governorship election, we call on INEC to protect the integrity of the legitimate votes of the Kogi electorate.“Announced and uploaded results, so far, show our candidate maintaining a landslide lead in Kogi West and Central, with a competitive showing in Kogi East,” Morka said.He said the APC was aware of intense pressure, including violent threats on INEC staff by agents and supporters of trailing opposition parties aimed at unduly influencing or disrupting ongoing collation of results in the state.He urged INEC to stand fast in discharge of its constitutional duty to deliver free, fair and credible election in the state, and ensure that the freely exercised will of Kogi electorate prevailed.(NAN)

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INEC suspends election in some locations in Kogi over completed result sheets

November 12, 2023November 12, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

By Chris Udochukwu The Independent National Electoral Commission has suspended election in some locations in Kogi over electoral malpractices. The Commission has received reports from our officials in Kogi State on incidences of electoral malpractices, particularly the incident of result sheets completed before voting. Reports indicate that the incidents occurred in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene Local Government Areas. The most serious incidents occurred in Ogori/Magongo, affecting nine of 10 Registration Areas. This is entirely unacceptable. Any result not emanating from the Commission’s process in the Polling Units will not be accepted. The Commission is determined not to reward bad behaviour. Consequently, the election in the nine Wards in Ogori/Magongo LGA (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) is at this moment suspended. The incidences in the other Local Government Areas are being thoroughly investigated, and the outcome, including the way forward, will be announced in the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, as the processes continue, we follow the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who may have been complicit in undermining the process. …

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Dozens of thugs invade Kogi NUJ secretariat, fight over ‘mobilization fee’ (VIDEO)

November 11, 2023November 11, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

KOGI- Some suspected thugs have reportedly broken into the secretariat of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on Saturday. The NUJ secretariat is not far from the Crowther College which houses a considerable number of polling units. According to a video shared on X (Twitter) by Punch, the hoodlums stormed in with cars and a motorcycle and were seen haggling over mobilisation fees for the elections before being eventually kicked out by security operatives. Watch video below:

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Kogi guber: No report of security breach, poll peaceful- Police

November 11, 2023November 11, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

LOKOJA- Mr Habu Sani, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of security in the Kogi Governorship Election, says the election so far, is peaceful as no security breach has been reported. The DIG made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Saturday via a telephone interview. He said that from all indications, the electorate and political actors in the poll were behaving well. “As it’s now, there’s no report of breach of security from any part of Kogi. “We thank God that what we have been praying for is indeed manifesting to show a sharp deviation from past experiences in Kogi. “We urge residents to maintain this peace even after the election so that Kogi can continue to experience the desired growth and development as a state, ” he said. According to him, his officers and men alongside other security agencies are doing their bests to ensure that the election remains peaceful till the end. The DIG commended security operatives for displaying high level of professionalism in maintaining peace during the election. (NAN)

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SDP candidate sure of victory in Kogi guber poll

November 11, 2023November 11, 2023 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

KOGI- Alhaji Muritala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Candidate, for Saturday’s Kogi governorship election, has expressed confidence of victory in the election. Ajaka said this when he spoke with newsmen shortly after he cast his vote at the polling unit 005 in his Ida county home.” INEC has tried in conducting this off circle governorship election in Kogi, but not with some challenges in some places. “We are only worried with the reports we are getting from our agents in three local government areas, Adavi, Okehi and Okene, where results sheets are reportedly missing. “We hope that the authorities would do something about such disturbing reports and ensure they are addressed properly, ” he said. Ajaka also commended security operatives for their professional conduct in ensuring that the election was peaceful in the state. However, the SDP had expressed disappointment over happenings in the state during te election. The party said this in a statement issued in Anyigba on Saturday by Faruk Adejoh-Audu, the spokesperson for Ajaka. (NAN)