News
APC committee disqualifies reps member, Zacharias for alleged forgery
Member representing Idah/Ibaji/Igalamela/Ofu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives David Idris Zacharias has been disqualified from re-contesting in the party’s primary by the screening committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
National Update authoritatively gathered that the lawmaker was knocked out following a petition that the certificate he presented before contesting election in 2019 was forged with different names at different times.
Some APC members had petitioned the screening committee, accusing Zacharias of using different names and forged credentials.
He was also accused of submitting false documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2019.
The petitioner said,
“I am a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State, a dedicated and committed financier of the party and a lover of my great party, the APC.
“I write to draw your attention as a concerned member of our great party to the dangers that awaits our great party in the forthcoming 2023 general election should the alleged re-election bid of Hon. David Idns Zacharias, the incumbent House of Representatives member for Idah/ Igalamela/ Ofu/ Ibaji Federal Constituency in the 9th National Assembly be considered, accepted, endorsed, or authorized for the forthcoming primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in preparation for the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
“My concern is borne out of the challenges the present House of Representatives member in the person of Hon. David Idris Zacharias who won under the platform of our party in 2019 is faced with.
“A careful look at the INEC Form CF001 submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission by Hon. David Zacharias used in contesting for elections in 2019 under the platform of our party, the documents accompanying the said form was grossly defective as it contained false information.
“This could lead to the disqualification of our party if he emerges the flag bearer of our party in the forthcoming election and the said document is already in public domain and from very reliable sources it is also in the possession of some members of the opposition party waiting to use it in making sure our party does not field a candidate in 2023 as was previously seen in Bayelsa State and Zamfara State.”
According to the petitioner, it has been decided that the INEC Form CF001 is a form of an oath/affidavit, and a misrepresentation of any fact thereon amounts to a ground for disqualification under the laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
“By virtue of the provision of section 66 (1) (i) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). The said provision will be reproduced below for ease of reference.
“66. (1) No person shall be qualified for election to the senate or the House of Representatives if he is found to be fraudulent.
The petitioner recalled the recent case of Degi-Eremienyo in Bayelsa State which led to APC losing its hard eaned victory to the opposition in similar issue
Justice Ejembi Eko in that judgement held that:
“it is clearly fraudulent for one person to allegedly bear several names that he uses variously, chameleonicaily to suit the changing environment”
From the above-mentioned credentials, it is reviewed that Hon. David Idris Zacharias has the following names;
David Idris Zacharias . David Zacharias
Zacharias David Idris . David Zacharias
Drisu Zekeri
Monday Amana
Idrisu Zakari
David Zakarias
“The above listed names was used variously, chameleonically to suit the changing environment contrary to Section 31(5) & (6) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) read along with Section 66(1)(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
“David Zachariit on his APC party membership card issued in 2014,” part of the petition read.
“David Zakarias on his statement of result from University of Abuja issued in 2018, a letter of exemption from the National Service by the National Youth Service Corps.
“David Zakarias in his senior school certificate result issued in 2009, state of origin certificate and statutory declaration of age in a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“Drisu Zekeri in his certificate of primary education issued by the Benue State Government.
“His alleged brother, Enojo Oguche, who bears no similarities in name, in a statutory declaration of age purportedly made at FCT High Court of Justice, gave him a completely different name – David Zakarias.”
The panel, it was learnt
in its decision disqualified the lawmaker
A faith-based Civil Society Organization, (CSO), that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah activities Independent Hajj Reporters, (IHR) has called on the Federal and state governments to make adequate security arrangements for pilgrims at embarkation points across the country.
This is coming as the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia begins on Wednesday this week.
In a statement on Monday signed by its national coordinator Ibrahim Mohammed the IHR indicated that over 65, 000 intending pilgrims from Nigeria will be leaving their homes to various Hajj camps for screening and onward transportation to about 15 airports within the next 30 days.
The Statement observed that such mass movement of people from one point to another creates serious security challenges that need a comprehensive and coordinated strategy by the various security agencies in the country.
“While we appreciate the efforts made by security agencies in previous operations, we call on the federal government to order and activate a high-level security surveillance system to monitor and protect the movement of pilgrims throughout the outbound and inbound airlift operations.
“We also urge State Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards to advise intending pilgrims against coming to hajj camps with large escorts usually made up of family members as such increases the likelihood of security breaches especially
when airlift operations demand that pilgrims can be invited to hajj camps at any time of the day or night.
State governments should complement the federal security architecture by mobilizing local vigilantes and other volunteers to form a hajj security team and provide them with internal communication equipment with state hajj officials, airliners and other airlift stakeholders.
“As journalists who worked closely with security agencies during hajj operations, IHR had in the last few years honour security institutions during its annual hajj lectures and awards to appreciate and encourage them to improve on their daunting tasks of maintaining security of lives and properties across the country.”
IHR further appealed to Security forces to take necessary “measures to prevent evil-minded groups from exploiting the Hajj season to carry out acts of sabotage.
“Anticipating and preparing for potential security threats before they materialize will help in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities and weaknesses ahead of time”. The statement said.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket as the candidate of the party for the forthcoming November 16 governorship election in the state by sefeating fifteen other aspirants in a landslide victory
The Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee and Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, made the declaration on Monday morning in Akure, the state capital.
Ododo said Aiyedatiwa clinched the APC ticket with a total of 48,569 votes followed by his closest rival, Mayowa Akinfolarin, who trailed behind with 15,343 votes, while Chief Olusola Oke secured the third position with 14,865 votes.
Below is a breakdown of the final results of the election.
Total number of voters – 117922
Total number of accredited voters – 95,178
Total votes cast – 95178
Invalid – Nil
Jimi Odimayo – 490
Omogoroye Judith – 115
Lucky Aiyedatiwa – 48,569
Isaacs Kekemeke – 1045
Soji Ehinlanwo – 492
Olugbenga Edema – 395
Jimoh lbrahim – 9456
Adekojo Funmilayo – 529
Akinfolarin Samuel – – 15343
Wale Akinterinwa – 1952
Olusola Oke – 14,915
Olamide Ohunyeye – 424
Morayo Lebi – 290
Diran lyantan – 348
Prof Dayo Faduyile – 353
Ife Oyedele – 462
1: Ilaje LG
Lucky Aiyedatiwa 2,485
Wale Akinterinwa. 26
Olusola Oke. 2,511
Jimoh Ibrahim 589
2: Ile Oluji/Okeigbo
Jimoh Ibrahim: 282
AIYEDATIWA: 1225
WA: 474
3: Ondo West LG
Jimoh Ibrahim: 2668
Aiyedatiwa: 10610
4: Ese Odo LG
Aiyedatiwa – 298
Akinterinwa – 0
Oke – 147
Jimoh Ibrahim – 174
5: Owo LG
Aiyedatiwa – 2,123
Akinterinwa – 345
Oke – 225
Jimoh Ibrahim – 192
6: Idanre LG
Aiyedatiwa – 1, 579
Akinterinwa – 119
Oke – 225
Jimoh Ibrahim – 120
7: AKOKO NORTH EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 664
Akinterinwa 135
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 505
8: AKOKO NORTH WEST LG
Aiyedatiwa 5, 430
Akinterinwa 198
Oke 2, 721
Jimoh Ibrahim 728
9: AKOKO SOUTH EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 533
Akinterinwa 43
Oke 391
Jimoh Ibrahim 67
10: AKOKO SOUTH WEST LG
Aiyedatiwa – 2, 747
Akinterinwa – 272
Oke – 415
Jimoh Ibrahim – 466
11: No results for IFEDORE LGA due to alleged violence
12: OSE LGA
Aiyedatiwa 1, 091
Akinterinwa 39
Oke 800
Jimoh Ibrahim 267
13: IRELE LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 203
Akinterinwa 15
Oke 93
Jimoh Ibrahim 139
14: ODIGBO LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 631
Akinterinwa 114
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 845
15: AKURE NORTH LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 860
Akinterinwa 177
Oke 1, 239
Jimoh Ibrahim 1, 606
16: AKURE SOUTH LG
Aiyedatiwa 3, 265
Akinterinwa 86
Oke 328
Jimoh Ibrahim 294
17 OKITIPUPA LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 622
Akinterinwa 27
Oke 1, 571
Jimoh Ibrahim 109
18: ONDO EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 4, 803
Akinterinwa 141
Oke 1, 171
Jimoh Ibrahim 406
Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State and chairman of the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election committee has applauded stakeholders and members of the party in the state for their orderly conduct and massive turnout during the direct primary election in the state.
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor Ismaila Isah in a statement quoted the Governor to have given the commendation while receiving reports from members of the APC Governorship Primary Election committee, security agencies and other stakeholders who monitored the conduct of the election in different parts of the 18 local government areas in the state.
According to the Governor
“I have received reports from our committee members and security agencies as well as NGOs monitoring the election including video footages and I can say that the process has been transparent and we are going to produce a candidate that will unify the APC ahead of the November, 2024 governorship election in the state.”
Responding to questions over delay in arrival of materials in some wards and local government areas, Governor Ododo said he was certain that the delay has no adverse effect on the conduct of the primary election.
The Kogi State Governor also expressed confidence that concerns noticed in the revalidated membership list would not have any major impact on the outcome of the primary election, stressing that the committee is well guided by the APC guidelines for the nomination of candidates for general elections and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
Governor Ododo called on the aspirants and their supporters to see the primary election as a contest among brothers and sisters in one family seeking to make the family better as candidate of the party in the November, 2024 Governorship election in Ondo State.
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