TheNewsGuru

Tag: 2023Election

  • Presidential poll: Nigeria Inter-Religious Council ask Nigerians to have faith in Judiciary

    Presidential poll: Nigeria Inter-Religious Council ask Nigerians to have faith in Judiciary

    …calls for calm, hails Nigerians for a peaceful election

    The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council has advised Nigerians to have faith in the country’s judicial system.

    The body also called for calm hailing Nigerians for eschewing violence after the results were announced.

    The Council under the leadership of the Co-Chairmen, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar Sultan of Sokoto; President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in a letter stated that:

    “The Council appreciates every Nigerian who came out to ‘vote on February 25, 2023. This showed patriotism on the part of the citizens who pray and hope
    for a better Nigeria.

    “While some people are celebrating the outcome of the elections, others are displeased ‘because they judged the conduct of the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections by the
    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as fallen short of the anticipated standard of
    justice and transparency in the electoral process.

    “However, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council is glad that there are no recorded cases of post-election violence. NIREC thanks Nigerians for this
    show of civility and maturity.

    “Given that there is no peace without justice, NIREC advise the aggrieved parties who may not be satisfied with the outcome of the elections to seek justice through legitimate legal
    ‘procedures. NIREC calls on all aggrieved parties to have faith in the judicial system of Nigeria.

    “NIREC implores supporters of aggrieved candidates to remain calm and law-abiding while the declared winning party should be magnanimous in their relationship with non-party
    ‘members. The Council calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to look
    into the concerns raised with a view of conducting the remaining parts of the elections without complaint. Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

  • Delta group hails Senator-elect, Dafinone, vows to support Omo-Agege

    Delta group hails Senator-elect, Dafinone, vows to support Omo-Agege

    Members of the Delta Progressive Riders and Artisans Political Forum, (DPRAPF), has congratulated the All Progressive Congress, APC, Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator-Elect, Chief Ede Dafinone on his electoral victory during the February 25th National Assembly election in Delta State.

    The group also called on all Deltans and residents in Delta to come out en-mass and vote for the APC Governorship candidate in Delta, DSP Ovie Omo-Ageg in March 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections, noting that Omo-Agege is better positioned to bring about the desired development in Delta.

    The Convener/Executive Director- DPRAPF in Delta State, Comrade Godwin Iklolo, stated this in Udu, Udu local government of the state, during the victory celebration of Dafinone’s senatorial election victory.

    Speaking at the event which attracted party leaders from Udu, Iklolo said: “We the entire members of the organised Artisan Group under the platform of Delta Progressive Riders and Artisans Political Forum, (DPRAPF), wish to felicitate with you, your family and the entire constituents of our Senatorial District on your well-deserved victory at the just concluded Senatorial election in Delta State.

    “It’s more satisfying that you are about to embark on the very amiable path of our late Icon and your father, one of our distinguished Urhobo Hero and a very distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, late Senator David Omueya Dafinone (DOD) went through.

    “Sir, we are much persuaded that the Urhobo Nation has again made the very right choice in your person and that your pedigree is in no doubt in the onerous task of providing quality representation for the Urhobo Nation and Nigeria at large at the Senate.

    “On behalf of the members of the Delta Progressive Riders and Artisans Political Forum, (DPRAPF), for Ede 2023, we congratulate you, our humble and Noble Senator-Elect, Okakuro Ede Dafinone, May the Almighty God guide and protect you throughout your tenure at the Senate and beyond in Jesus Name. Amen.

    He also urged the people of Udu and Delta not to rest until the PDP and all it represents is flushed out of the state come March 11th.

    Iklolo, therefore, tasked Deltans to be vigilant and come out en-mass to vote for Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and all other APC candidates in the quest to build a new Delta of our dream.

    Guest present at the celebration of the victory of Chief Ede Dafinone as Senator-Elect/ Endorsement of Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, the APC Governorship Candidate for the Saturday 11th March 2023 Election, include; Chief Dadi Osimili – Ovwian Ward 7 Chairman; Comrade Stephen Ochuko – 1st Vice Chairman, Udu Youth Wing/President of Urhobo Rebirth Congress.

    Others are General Ekulas – CSO to Ede Dafinone; Comrade Ejomafuvwe Okowhake; Comrade Lucky Emamu – State President of Vulcanizer Association; Mrs Lagos Florence – Leader of Women Initiative for Good Governance; Mr Igho – Ede Dafinone coordinator, Effurun-Otor Ward and Hon. Solution – SA to Ovie Omo-Agege.

    Other dignitaries

  • OPINION: Omo Agege and Federal Polytechnic Orogun [kwale]; Matters Arising-By Olorogun Olori Magege

    OPINION: Omo Agege and Federal Polytechnic Orogun [kwale]; Matters Arising-By Olorogun Olori Magege

    So much has been said of the several Federal projects that Senator Ovie Omo Agege attracted to Orogun Kingdom but all sited at Orhomuru his village.

    Many have raised the ethical issues about a Senator representing eight local government areas siting more than four Federal projects in his little village in the extreme corner of his kingdom.

    We must remind ourselves that the Federal Polytechnic project was the brainchild of the Member Representing Ukwuani-Ndokwa Federal Constituency and it was to be sited at Kwale. The matter was on the floor of the House of Representative and the good people of Ndokwa were already celebrating the prospect of the school being sited in their community.

    Suddenly in the upper chambers where Senator Ovie Omo Agege holds sway as the deputy senate President, a bill for the establishment of a Polytechnic in Orogun surfaced. Both Orogun and Kwale are in Delta State.

    Not too many people were surprised and amused. The Orogun people, according to a version of their history, are paternally Ukwuanis from Abbi but maternally Urhobo. Indeed the typical Orogun person is bilingual speaking both Ukwuani and Urhobo interchangeably in conversations.

    So when Ovie therefore decided to sponsor a bill establishing a Federal Polytechnic in Orogun in the Upper Chambers knowing similar bill sponsored by his colleague representing Ndokwa Ukwuani Federal Constituency was being entertained at the lower chamber, many with a conscience were very surprised.

    Orogun and Kwale are both in Delta State and the possibility of two federal polytechnics in one state is near zero. Ovie muzzled his way through and his bill scaled through.
    One would have expected Ovie to compensate Kwale with one of the many federal projects he attracted to his Senatorial District having hijacked the Federal Polytechnic Kwale dream. At least the Law School would have been an appropriate compensation. But such is not in the Machiavellian world in which Ovie lives.

    Ovie decided that the campus of the school should be in his Orhomuru village. He went on to grab ancestral lands that belong to some indigenous families of nearby Ugono Village without due process or compensation; huge expanse of land measuring 7 miles square. The dispossessed families are today without land to eke-out a livelihood nor money to start a new life. Surprisingly Ovie left his family’s sprawling land untouched saving it for future speculation. Is he not a smart guy!!!!

    And there is no prospect of the Federal Government or State Government paying compensation to the land owners.
    Because Ovie ‘donated’ the land to Federal Government as if the land belonged to him, payment of compensation may be impossible. Had the Federal Government approached the State Government for the land as is the required procedure, the State Government would have compensated the land lords for enumerated economic goods on the land. But because he wanted no one to share in the glory, Ovie decided to grab peoples’ land and ‘donate’ to Federal Government. But he left his family land out of the ‘donation’. What selfishness and wickedness.
    Till date Ovie had not paid a kobo to the landlords he dispossessed of their land. Meanwhile he is surveying his family land and plotting it into smaller portions for private development.

    And this is the man who wants to govern Delta State.
    God forbid!

    Chief Olori Magege wrote from Ugono Orogun.

  • Shock as Macaulay steps down as DG WUEDA

    Shock as Macaulay steps down as DG WUEDA

    …resigns from PDP

    It was a moment of shock and mixed feelings today as the Director General of Warri/Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency (WUEDA), Comrade. Ovuozourie Macaulay mentioned his resignation from the ruling party PDP to the management and staff of the Agency.

    Macaulay highlighted his working experience with some of the management staff and expressed his gratitude to them for the cordial working relationship he had with them, especially the Director of Project, Engr. Bemigho Ofoeyeno whom he stressed he worked closely with due to the sensitivity of his position by ensuring that the Agency projects are well executed as expected and not compromising standard, commended him for his capability and commitment towards the activities of the Agency.

    “I enjoyed working with the staff, and I thought I will be with you people until my tenure will formally expire.

    “I thank the Governor for the offer and exposing me to other aspects of Government after being in Government without break for the past twenty years, and the experience I had in these three and half years in this Agency were quite different from the twenty years plus experience I had which made me to know that there were other aspects one can find himself in government.”he said.

    “I actually came into the Agency with high expectations and hope of transforming Warri/Uvwie and Environs to cities that would be reckon with in any part of the world, and I’m only a messenger and no messenger can deliver more than what he is given, and at this point even if not much as expected, the Warri people have something to be happy about as the flooding problem has been drastically reduced. I am stopping here today and I hope whoever comes to take over from me will continue from where I stopped.” he stressed.

    “I have left PDP, the party that gave me this appointment and I cannot continue to keep their appointment when I have left the party, so I find it necessary to come down today to thank all of you very sincerely and to pick whatever I have left.” he mentioned.

    Macaulay expressed appreciation to the two Monarchs in the area, the Olu of Warri and the Ovie of Uvwie for their understanding all through his stay, stating that they will continue to be his Fathers at that level.

    Moreso, he thanked the journalists in Warri axis for being very kind to him by projecting the problem of the Agency to the Governor whenever they met with him even without him saying anything to them regarding the Agency.

    The new Director of Administration and Finance, Mr. S.O Esi appreciated Comrade Macaulay for being a great boss, adding that he had the best experience and achievement in service while he worked with him many years ago.

    The Director of Project of the Agency, Engr. Bemigho Ofeoyeno appreciated and thanked Comrade Macaulay for his selfless leadership style and his fatherly care towards all staff as well as the great experience he had working with him.

    “Thank you so much sir for the privilege given to us to work with you, and we pray that wherever life takes you to more of God’s blessings will locate you there.” he said.

    In their response, the Director of Investment, Mr. Kingdom Appih and the Chief Accountant of the Agency, Mrs. Ejiro Egbema also expressed gratitude to the out gone DG for his accessability and selfless nature in ensuring that staff are well taken care of even at his own expense.

    Other management staff also poured out their expression of gratitude to the out gone DG and wish him well in his future endeavors.

  • Just In: INEC expunges House leader, Doguwa’s name from Reps-elect list

    Just In: INEC expunges House leader, Doguwa’s name from Reps-elect list

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expunged the name of the embattled leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, from the list of election winners.

    The electoral body had declared him as the winner of the February 25 election in Doguwa/Tudunwada constituency.

    The returning officer, Professor Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai had earlier announced that Doguwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 39,732 votes to defeat his closest rival, Yushau Salisu Abdullahi of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) who polled 34,798 votes.

    But in the newly released list of members-elect, Doguwa’s name was conspicuously absent.

    In a viral video of the returning officer declaring the results, the don from Bayero University, Kano could be seen reading out the results with shaky voice.

    Recall that following election violence recorded in the constituency after the election, Doguwa was arrested by the police for his alleged role in the killings of several persons and burning of the secretariat of the NNPP, an allegation the lawmaker has denied vehemently.

    The police had confirmed that at least three persons were killed while the campaign secretariat of the NNPP in Tudunwada was set ablaze with two persons burnt to death.

    Doguwa was thereafter taken before a magistrate’s court on the charges of murder, arson and unlawful possession of firearms, and was subsequently remanded in prison.

    But a Federal High Court in Kano on Monday admitted the embattled lawmaker to N500million bail, but barred him from his constituency during the forthcoming gubernatorial and state assembly elections.

    #

  • 2023: Oborevwori takes an oath vowing to offer pensioners, civil servants a better deal if voted gov+Photos

    2023: Oborevwori takes an oath vowing to offer pensioners, civil servants a better deal if voted gov+Photos

    …promises affordable housing scheme for workers through Public/Private Partnership arrangement

    …assures them of prompt payment of promotion arrears, bridge gap in payment of outstanding pension arrears.

    Delta State PDP Governorship Candidate for the 2023 general elections and National Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has assured Civil Servants and retirees of a fair deal, if elected Governor in the March 11th, 2023, Governorship Election.

    Specifically, he said he would strive to promptly pay promotion arrears of Civil Servants and work hard to bridge the payment gap of outstanding pension Arrears to retirees in the state.

    At an Interactive session between him and Civil Servants, on Monday, March 6th, 2023 at the Professor Chike Edozie Secretariat Complex, Asaba, Rt Hon Oborevwori, also said if elected Governor, he would ensure the promotion of staff as at when due.

    According to him; he will strongly consider upward review of car and housing loans. We are going to work hard to bridge the payment gap of outstanding pension Arreas to retirees, adding that he will make pension payment more efficient by making funds available on time.

    Oborevwori who is also the longest Speaker in the history of Delta State also said that; “If elected Governor, I will ensure the health insurance scheme becomes more accessible to subscribers. My government will ensure that collective bargaining mechanism will be my mantra. There will be affordable Housing scheme for workers through Public/Private Partnership arrangement. Lastly, training and retraining for capacity building will take a prime position”.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the State Head of Service, Mr. R. O. E. Bayako, thanked the workers for their responsive attitude during the interactive session and solicited their votes for him, assuring that Oborevwori is a leader conversant with the needs and desires of the workers and will implement every promised he has made.

    He noted that in his interaction with the Speaker, he assured that 13 month salary has been paramount among the needs of workers in the State, adding that he was sure that the Governorship Candidate would look into the matter when voted into power as the next Governor of the state.

  • NASS elections: Bauchi APC berates PDP for alleged attack on collation Centre

    NASS elections: Bauchi APC berates PDP for alleged attack on collation Centre

    From Shola Kanji, Bauchi

    Bauchi State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has berated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for allegedly sponsoring thugs to attack the collation Centre during the collation of results of the election for Bogoro/Dass/ Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency seat in the 25th February election.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls that the election was won by Alhaji Jafaru Gambo Leko Dull of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeating the PDP candidate, Barr Kefas Magaji, the result was collated on Sunday, 26th February, 2023.

    The Leko Campaign Council made the allegation while speaking to selected Journalists in Bauchi on Monday while reacting to recent report of attack on the collation center in some media outfits.

    The Council accused PDP thugs for attacking the supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which won the house of representatives seat.

    Deputy Director of the Campaign Council, Michael Gizo Damina who spoke for the Council, blamed the PDP for the attack on some perceived supporters of the APC even in the eve of the presidential and National assembly elections which took place on Saturday 25th February, 2023.

    The Leko Campaign Council while stating that their attention has been drawn to a story with a caption, “Thugs attack collation Centre in Bauchi’, added that the they received the news with high degree of shock and surprise.

    According to them, the story is a cooked lies coming from people they thought at first were seasoned politicians but lacks such qualities.

    The Campaign Council which recalled that the story makers claimed that thugs were hired by the APC that won the election, debunked the allegations.

    While describing the allegations as lie, the campaign council said, the house of representatives-elect, Alhaji Leko has even before the election, shown great deal of tolerance, maturity and peaceful attitude towards all and sundry.

    Michael Gizo Damina said anybody who has followed Leko’s campaign manifestos, utterances and speeches, can testify that he has in several occasions warned all his supporters and fans to be law abiding and peaceful.

    The Campaign Council added that the Lawmaker-elect has always warned his supporters not to carry along with them, sticks, canes or anything that can serve as an instrument of harassment to anyone during his campaigns.

    The text presented by the deputy Campaign Director, Michael Gizo Damina was signed by its Director Media and Publicity, Godiya Lumi Jumma.

    They quoted Leko to have informed his supporters during his campaigns thus, “in this season of campaigns and electioneering, I beg you all my supporters and my Party faithful’s to remain calm and peaceful with everybody including our opponents, If someone abuse you just say sorry, if someone look for your trouble, just plead with Him, if they slap you on account of me, to show me that you love me please don’t revenge because he who knows is winning will not fight or cause trouble”.

    The Campaign Council noted that the allegations are cheap framed and worthless lies cooked to tarnish the good image of the Reps member-elect, Alhaji Leko Dull whose character has earned him the love of his constituents.
    End

  • Delta: 800 LP support groups vow to pitch tent with Omo-Agege

    Delta: 800 LP support groups vow to pitch tent with Omo-Agege

    A coalition of 800 support groups for Peter Obi in Delta State have pitched tent with Delta All Progressives Congress , APC, Governorship candidate, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, ahead of the March 11 guber election in Delta State.

    Speaking at an interactive session with the APC Governorship candidate over the weekend, in Asaba, Mr Ochuko Edafe, Lead Coordinator of Coalition of Obidients Movement in Delta Central, said the Obidients vote individuals and not parties.

    He was responding to a speech by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who addressed the Obidients on the pains of misgovernance experienced from the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration in the past eight years and the need to join forces with the APC to defeat the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and Governor Okowa on March 11.

    ” We Obidients we follow the footsteps and watch the character of our Principal, His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi, and when we came down home to our State, Delta, we decided we are going to look out for the same character and among all the people running for governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has those qualities and character and as you can see, he is a man of the people who is ready to meet with the people anytime. We are not card carrying members of any political party. We look for qualities of a good leader and we have chosen to work with Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. He is the most credible candidate for the 2023 governorship election in Delta State. That is where we have pitched out tent and that is where we have decided to follow.

    “We know everything that is happening in Delta State and now that we have the opportunity to remedy the situation we want to maximize it. Since 1999 till date there has not been a senator who performed like Senator Omo-Agege. People ask why don’t we follow the Labour Party governorship candidate and we say, we follow Peter Obi because he is credible and that is why we say, the only credible candidate as far as Delta State governorship election is concerned is Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. I want to assure you that the way the February 25 presidential election went that is the way it will go on March 11, expect more votes for Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

    Earlier on, Senator Omo-Agege expressed bitterness about the burden of suffering Governor Okowa has placed on Deltans saying he as governorship candidate of the APC was on the same page with philosophical views on how Deltans can live a better life and called for an alliance to fight the battle of the March 11 governorship election.

    ” We are not happy with the way Okowa has punished our mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who gave the best part of their lives serving Delta State and upon retirement Okowa refused to pay them their gratuities and pensions. On that, we are all on the same page.

    ” We are also not happy that our students who are in tetiary institutions in Delta State are being made to pay so much money by way of school fees and levies. We know when Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan left office, tuition was N25,000. Today under Governor Okowa tuition is N300,000. Are we happy about that?
    “On that one, I, Ovie Omo-Agege Delta APC Governorship candidate and you are on the same page.

    “We have so much in common, we have to come together, we have to work together and chase away Okowa and PDP from Delta State. We have succeeded in the first step, when election came on Saturday, the man who has stolen all our money said he wanted to be vice president, we said it can never happen. All of us came out and we chased PDP out. So now, the man can never be vice president. We have one more battle to go, we have to retire him permanently. We don’t have emperors in Delta State. Here we dig 6-feet graves to bury our dead but we are going to politically bury this man in a 21 foot grave. We don’t want the afflictions of Okowa and PDP in Delta State again.

    ” I want to make a commitment to all of you today, I feel your pains, we are on the same page. We want a Delta State where there will be job opportunities for our children when they leave school, where we will have good infrastructure, good roads, good schools, good hospitals and where workers will be paid their gratuities when they retire. A Delta State where we have 24 hours electricity, where companies operating across the Niger can come here to do business and create jobs openings for our youths.

    ” For us to get all of these, you have to elect a governor. I am the only one standing to fight and chase out Okowa, all other persons are pretenders who are enlisted into the battle to protect Okowa’s interest. Okowa is the one financing them. He is doing so because he wants a third term by proxy. I cannot do it alone, I need your help. I want all of us to come together. Between now and Saturday, go out there and canvass on behalf of Ovie Omo-Agege. When I emerge governor it is you that have emerged governor. When it is good for me, it is good for you. By God’s grace, if I emerge governor, come to me and tell me, this is what we want you to do for us. We are going to run a participatory government. We are going to bring you into government. I want to thank you, please do not rest. You started this and you have to finish it.

    ” Today, Okowa is running around begging everybody, moving about like a wounded lion. You see him on TV crying that election was rigged against him when we know he is the one who rigged election. When we know he is the one who stole the election in Ika federal Constituency and in Delta North. And for us in Delta Central he was prepared to steal our senate seat, in Delta South he wanted to steal our senate seat too but we refused.”

  • Protest: PDP tables five demands before INEC over presidential election irregularities

    Protest: PDP tables five demands before INEC over presidential election irregularities

    …says Feb 25 election results was a charade

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has made strong five demands before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the 2023 presidential election result.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls the presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar and other critical stakeholders had on Monday stormed the apex electoral body headquarters to present its demands.

    The demands were contained in a letter on Monday signed by the PDP National Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and the party’s National Secretary, Samuel N. Anyanwu.

    The PDP letter described the 2023 presidential election as a charade and cautioned INEC against destabilizing Nigeria’s fledging democracy.

    The major opposition party accused INEC of involvement in aiding and abetting the rigging and manipulation of the 2023 election results in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    From the letter, five major demands were made by the PDP which it claimed were the outcome of a careful review of the electoral process.

    See demands below:

    To reject and declare as unacceptable the outcome, announcement, and declaration of the Presidential election results.
    To call on your commission to suspend the ongoing transmission of the Polling Units results to your Server which is in complete breach of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
    To warn your commission against a repeat of the experiences of the February 25, election in the coming Governorship and State Assembly elections of March 11, 2023. Any attempt to manipulate the electoral process will be vehemently resisted.
    To call on all Nigerians to be co-partners in defense of our democracy, votes, the rule of law, and their Rights to freely choose the candidates of their choice.
    To demand an explanation of why you proceeded with the declaration of the election results marred with irregularities against all calls to address the complaints brought to your attention before and during the collation process.
    And below is the full letter from the PDP to INEC.

    THE POSITION OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) ON THE CONDUCT AND OUTCOME OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS OF FEBRUARY 25, 2023.

    “The above subject matter refers.

    “The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after long sessions of meetings to review and deliberate on the outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on February 25, 2023 considers it expedient to communicate to you and other critical stakeholders and partners in the advancement of democracy in Nigeria, the position of our great Party (PDP) with regard to the conduct and outcome of that election.

    “It is indeed disheartening to say that the election which raised the hopes of all Nigerians to witness an advancement in our electoral process turned out to be a charade.

    You would recall the outcry of many concerned citizens of this country variously accusing your commission of complicity in a planned manipulation of the electoral process in favour of the ruling Party (APC). At each time the issues took the media front burner you were quick in dispelling them as rumors and mere allegations. Today Nigerians have all seen that those allegations were true.

    “In many meetings and briefings your commission held with the Political Parties and the Press ahead of the 2023 general elections, you assured Nigerians that INEC under your leadership would conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible election. You also promised the use of the Bimodal Verification and Accreditation System (BVAS) technology in voter accreditation and result management whereby the public would have unhindered access to the results uploaded to your Servers online and in real-time (iREV). Contrary to this belief there was an abysmal failure on your part to honour your promises.

    “Predictably, the conduct and outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly elections fell below acceptable standards. It has resonated the fears of all Nigerians in your integrity and that of your commission to conduct a free, fair, transparent, and credible election. The confidence you deceitfully made us to repose in you and your commission has been battered and eroded away by the outcome of that election. The masses are angry and have not hidden their resentment and rejection of the purported declaration you made to that effect.

    “Without any equivocation, this election, in the history of our country elicited so much interest, awareness, commitment, and dexterity in Nigerians to exercise their civic responsibility.

    “The major factors that heightened the zeal and confidence of Nigerians to participate in the electoral process were the failures of the ruling APC government, the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) technology, the Electoral Act 2022 and your repeated assurances of bequeathing Nigerians a credible electoral process.

    “Everyone recalls with disappointment the reported widespread irregularities and manipulations that marred the election. There are ample evidences to show the deliberate complicity of your commission in the entire fraud. The falsification of results and deliberate de-activation of the BVAS and your Servers to frustrate the transmission of election results directly from the Polling Units attest to that. In all these issues brought to your attention you refused to act.

    “Nigerians are no more in doubt of your direct involvement in aiding and abetting the monumental rigging and manipulation of the election results in favour of the ruling Party (APC). In addition, the refusal and neglect of your electoral officers to transmit the results of the election directly from the Polling Units (PU) to INEC Servers as required by law is a flagrant violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. This action is not acceptable to Nigerians and neither to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It, therefore, stands to be challenged.

    For want of clarity, Section 64 (4) (b) of the Electoral Act 2022 specifically provides this;
    A collation officer or Returning Officer at an election shall collate and announce the result of an election subject to his or her verification and confirmation that the –

    (b) “Votes stated on the collated result are correct and consistent with the votes or results recorded and transmitted directly from Polling Units under Section 60 (4) of this Act.

    Consequent upon the above Section 60 (4) of the Electoral Act 2022, the result you have announced and the declarations made are ultra vires, illegal, and of no effect except for results transmitted directly from the Polling Units.

    “It is therefore circumspect that despite the agitations by Nigerians and our Party during the collation process protesting the reported irregularities surrounding the election you proceeded with the announcement of the results in utter disregard of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

    “It is funny and a gross abuse of our electoral process for your commission to have commenced transmission of the February 25, election results from the various Polling Units (PU) days after the results of the said election had been announced and purported winners declared. Your action in this regard is an affront to the sensibilities of all Nigerians which we have vowed to resist.

    “Notably, the hasty declaration of the election results evidently violating the Electoral Act 2022 places your integrity to total scrutiny going by your deceitful representations and assurances to Nigerians and the International Community that the Electoral Act 2022 is a game changer that would guarantee a free, fair, transparent and credible electoral process, especially with the BVAS transmission of election results directly from the Polling Units.

    “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) detests and condemns this absurdity and brazen rape of our electoral process. Nigeria should be seen as a country governed by the rule of law and it is a responsibility we collectively owe our citizens desirous of entrenching true democratic principles and the rule of law. In this circumstance, we call on all Nigerians both home and in the diaspora to stand firmly in defense of their rights, votes, and stolen mandate.

    “In consideration of the foregoing, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) acting on the mandate of the Nigerian electorate has resolved as follows;

    To reject and declare as unacceptable the outcome, announcement, and declaration of the Presidential election results.
    To call on your commission to suspend the ongoing transmission of the Polling Units results to your Server which is in complete breach of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
    To warn your commission against a repeat of the experiences of the February 25, election in the coming Governorship and State Assembly elections of March 11, 2023. Any attempt to manipulate the electoral process will be vehemently resisted.
    To call on all Nigerians to be co-partners in defense of our democracy, votes, the rule of law, and their Rights to freely choose the candidates of their choice.
    To demand an explanation of why you proceeded with the declaration of the election results marred with irregularities against all calls to address the complaints brought to your attention before and during the collation process.
    “We are writing to you because we want to bring our grievances and demands formally to your attention for necessary action.

    “Furthermore, to inform you and your commission that, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) together with the ordinary and aggrieved masses of our dear country will no longer tolerate any act in defiance of our electoral processes and laws. We feel pained at the outcome of the February 25, 2023 election and the provocative declaration your commission made against the will of the people. Sadly, this is coming at the time Nigerians were in high hopes of embracing a reformed electoral process.

    “Please take caution in your acts to avoid destabilizing our fledgling democracy.”

  • JUST IN: Atiku leads protest march to INEC HQ

    JUST IN: Atiku leads protest march to INEC HQ

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar is leading other party stalwarts on a protest march on the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Atiku arrived Legacy House, the presidential campaign headquarters of the PDP at about 11am where he joined other PDP leaders who had gathered at the premises awaiting his arrival.

    The protest march took off about 11:10 am. Joined in the march are the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    Also joining the protest are the chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Chief Raymond Dokpesi; former Adamawa State Governor, Boni Haruna among other party stalwarts.

    The protest is centred over declaration of questionable presidential election results announced by the apex electoral umpire.

    Details shortly….