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Why Uzodimma May Handpick APC Candidates for LG Chairmanship, Councilorship positions

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As the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State prepares for the upcoming local government elections, Governor Hope Uzodimma faces a crucial decision: whether to allow party leaders to harmonize and select candidates or to personally handpick those who will represent the party in the chairmanship and councilorship races.
 
Several factors suggest that the governor may lean towards the latter, especially given the current political climate and the strategic considerations at play.
 
Governor Uzodimma has publicly warned APC aspirants against engaging in unethical practices, such as taking oaths or entering into allocation-sharing agreements with influential party leaders.
 
These practices, which have been rumored to be prevalent among some aspirants, pose a significant threat to the integrity of local governance.
 
By securing the support of powerful leaders through such means, these aspirants effectively become beholden to them, prioritizing the leaders’ interests over the needs of their constituencies.
 
The governor’s threat to disqualify any aspirant caught engaging in these practices is a strong stance, but it may not be enough if he allows the current leadership to produce candidates.
 
These leaders could easily program their chosen candidates to adhere to the allocation-sharing agreements or oath-bound loyalties, knowing that their positions are secure as long as Uzodimma’s influence pushes them to victory in the elections. In such a scenario, the governor’s warning becomes ineffective, and the true purpose of ensuring transparent and accountable governance is lost.
 
Maintaining Control Amidst Local Government Autonomy
 
The autonomy granted to local government chairmen across Nigeria has reshaped the power dynamics between state governors and local government officials.
 
With more control over their resources and administrative decisions, chairmen are less dependent on the state government, potentially limiting the governor’s influence at the grassroots level.
 
For Governor Uzodimma, allowing party leaders to select candidates for these powerful positions could result in a loss of control.
 
If leaders install their loyalists as chairmen and councillors, they could wield significant influence over local government affairs, potentially even outmaneuvering the governor himself.
 
These leaders could leverage their control to influence councillors to remove chairmen who do not toe their line, a feat the governor may find difficult to counter if he did not personally select the candidates.
 
By handpicking APC candidates, Governor Uzodimma can ensure that those elected are aligned with his administration’s goals and are not under the undue influence of party leaders with their own agendas.
 
This strategy would allow him to maintain a unified front within the party and ensure that local government officials remain accountable to the state government, thereby preserving his ability to govern effectively.
 
Balancing Power and Protecting Governance
 
Governor Uzodimma’s potential decision to handpick APC candidates is not just about maintaining control; it is also about balancing power within the party and the state.
 
The governor is keenly aware that the concentration of power in the hands of a few party leaders could destabilize the party and weaken the overall governance structure in Imo State.
 
By selecting candidates who are free from the influence of these leaders, the governor can prevent the rise of independent power centers that could challenge his authority and disrupt the administration’s efforts to deliver on its promises to the people.
 
Moreover, this approach would protect the integrity of local governance by ensuring that those elected are committed to serving their communities rather than advancing the interests of a select few.
 
However, allowing the aspirants to go to the field and conduct proper primaries might also ensure that the leaders do not manipulate the process and install their loyalists who might turn around tomorrow to work against Uzodimma.
 
It is worthy of note that once elected, Uzodimma would not have the power to unseat them and as they have their own allocation which comes directly to them, he would not be able to push them around.
 
 
Source: Issueshq.com
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SAD! APC lawmaker dies while asleep

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The lawmaker representing Kaura Namoda South Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Aminu Ibrahim Kasuwar-Daji, has died.

It was gathered that the lawmaker passed on in his sleep during the early hours of Wednesday.

Aminu Ibrahim Kasuwar-Daji’s sudden death came as a shock to many in the state, especially his colleagues and political associates.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, the party under which he was elected, expressed deep sorrow over his passage.

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Members of the party, including the State Working Committee and other supporters, described his death as a great loss.

They said he was known for his dedication and honesty in serving his people.

His family, community members in Kaura Namoda South, and fellow lawmakers have been thrown into mourning as preparations for his burial began.

According to Islamic rites, he was buried today at 3:00 pm in his hometown of Kasuwar-Daji, located in the Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.

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Many in the state have continued to express grief as they remember the role he played in representing the people and contributing to the work of the state assembly.

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Just in: Sam Olumekun takes over as INEC’s Acting Chairman

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Mr. Sam Olumekun has taken over at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as Acting Chairman.

Olumekun is INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education.

He performed his first duties today, receiving a high-level delegation of the Labour Party (LP) at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja with other National Commissioners in attendance.

The delegation was led by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, who visited the Commission to discuss key developments within the Labour Party.

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It was gathered that both parties engaged in discussions centered on enhancing collaboration and reinforcing democratic values.

During the visit, Governor Otti formally presented a Certified True Copy of the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning the party’s leadership.

He noted that the meeting was aimed at fostering clarity, mutual understanding, and institutional alignment regarding the Labour Party’s current structure.

Mr. Olumekun, the Acting INEC Chairman, reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to neutrality, transparency, and the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

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Recall that a viral WhatsApp message had indicated that Prof. Mahmood was sacked by President Bola Tinubu and replaced with one Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan.

“INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan by President Tinubu,” the message, which had no attribution, read. However, both INEC and the Presidency debunked the widespread report.

Yakubu, who is rounding off his second tenure in office, is expected to exit the system towards the end of this year.

The process of appointing an INEC chairman is the President nominating a candidate and forwarding his particulars to the Department of State Services (DSS) for profiling.

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After such screening, the President, thereafter, takes the name to the National Council of State for its advisory review.

Based on the outcome, the President sends the name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

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Crude oil prices slide further, now selling below $57

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Crude oil prices have dropped below $57, following a previous rate of $59.78.

This decline coincides with the imposition of tariffs on several countries by US President Donald Trump.

A report from West Texas Intermediate attributes this price slump to consistent 6% reductions observed last week.

JPMorgan Chase & Co has warned that these tariffs could likely push both the US and global economies into a recession this year.

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The financial institution explained that the tariffs, set to take effect this week, are expected to have widespread economic repercussions.

Market analysts and the business community have expressed concerns about the negative implications of these measures, predicting a slowdown in economic activities and a subsequent decline in oil demand.

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