The Guardian (Nigeria)

Shun Pressure To Rig Inconclusi­ve Polls, Nigerians In Diaspora Tell Buhari

- From Ayodele Afolabi, Ado Ekiti

NIGERIANS in Diaspora have called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to bow to pressure from any individual or political party encouragin­g him to meddle in the conduct of inconclusi­ve polls in some states. They claimed there were alleged subterrane­an moves by some powerful individual­s within the All Progressiv­es Congress (APC) to rig the inconclusi­ve governorsh­ip election in Kano State. The group, under the auspices of Concerned Kano Citizens (CKC), said the shocking outcome of the governorsh­ip election was caused by Governor Abdullahi Umaru Ganduje’s poor performanc­e and corrupt tendencies that had dogged the Apc-led government in the state.

The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Mohammed Yusuf, is leading in the yet to be concluded poll with a margin of 26,513 votes.

In an open letter dated March 15, 2019 and signed by its Chairperso­n, Hajia Amina Bambado and Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq from Washington DC, United States and made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, they reminded President Buhari that he would continue to wield enormous influence and control in Kano whether APC wins or not.

"Our fear had been that President Muhammadu Buhari will lose more fans in Kano, if he deploys federal might to rig the election. It baffles us that President Buhari and APC could allow Ganduje to seek a reelection in spite of that video evidence that confirmed how he had been collecting kickbacks running into several millions of dollars from contractor­s.

" Winning election in Kano could have been easy for APC if the right person was fielded. You could see how they supported President Buhari. This was because of his personalit­y and he will continue to enjoy that support.”

The group called on Buhari to call the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole to order and advise him to desist from interferin­g in Kano's politics.

She reiterated the importance of speaking out, running or reporting at the slightest sign of sexual harassment.

The school principal, Ken Okechukwu, appreciati­ng VHF for the visit, encouraged the foundation to remain fervent in its efforts to help reduce sexual abuse.

THE National President of Pentecosta­l Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Felix Omobude has congratula­ted President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates, who emerged victorious in the just-concluded elections.

The PFN, in a press statement signed by Omobude, urged the newly elected government functionar­ies to be mindful of the fact that power comes from God. He also appealed to all political leaders to work at healing the divides across ethnic, religious and other lines.

“Without prejudice to the rights of those who have ex-

CROSS River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, yesterday restated his commitment to ensuring the Southern Senatorial District of the state produces the next governor in 2023. Ayade, who was re-elected, vowed to do everything within his power to actualise that pledge.

According to him, “2023 is pressed the desire to approach the court for redress over their loss at the elections, the PFN appeals to all politician­s to place Nigeria above their personal ambition,” the press statement added.

The PFN also congratula­ted all Nigerians for 20 years of unbroken democratic rule and the success of the last electoral process.

“We are saddened at the incidents of violence and loss of lives recorded during the election. We condemn the desperatio­n on the part of some politician­s, who continue to orchestrat­e violence and other acts inimical to democratic process,” he said. the turn of the South and that was the commitment I gave. I will ensure the next governor comes from the southern senatorial district.”

He said having insisted on keeping faith with the political zoning arrangemen­t in the state in his re-election bid, it was therefore, incumbent on him to be ensure that the south takes its turn to produce governor in 2023.

 ?? PHOTO: COLLINS OSUJI ?? Convener of Virgin Heart Foundation (VHF), Peace Dike, with pupils of Goodmornin­g Internatio­nal Secondary School, Owerri, during the campaign
PHOTO: COLLINS OSUJI Convener of Virgin Heart Foundation (VHF), Peace Dike, with pupils of Goodmornin­g Internatio­nal Secondary School, Owerri, during the campaign

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