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Tag: Ahmad Lawan

  • Why confirmation of NDDC board Chairman, members may delay

    Why confirmation of NDDC board Chairman, members may delay

    President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan has observed that there may be a delay in the confirmation of nominees for Chairman and members of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Lawan made the observation following a point of order raised on the nomination of the NDDC Board Chairman and members by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari today asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of his Special Adviser on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie who is from a non-oil producing area of Delta State as the substantive Chairman of the Board of the NDCC.

    President Buhari’s letter which was read at plenary by the Senate President named 14 members of the NDDC Board to include: Dimgba Arugba, State representative from Abia (South East); Dr Emem Wilcox Wills, State representative from Akwa Ibom (South South); Elder Sen. Dimaro Denyabofa, State representative from Bayelsa (South South); Hon. Orok Duke,State representative from Cross River (South South) and Dr Pius Egberanmwen, State representative from Edo (South South).

    Others are: Engr. Anthony Okene, State representative from Imo (South East); Hon Gbenga Edema, State representative from Ondo (South West); *Elekwati Dimpa, State representative from Rivers (South South); Alhaji Muhammed Kabir Abubakar, zonal representative from Nasarawa State (North Central); Alhaji Sule Iko Sadiq Sanni, zonal representative from Kebbi State (North West) and Prof. Tahir Mamman, OON, SAN, zonal representative from Adamawa State (North East).

    TNG reports Buhari nominated Chief Dr Samuel Ogboku from Bayelsa (South South) for the position of Managing Director, for a term of two years, to complete the unexpired term of his predecessor; Major General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) from Edo State (South South) for the position of Executive Director, Finance and Charles B. Ogunmola from Ondo State (South West) for the position of Executive Director, Projects.

    Meanwhile, citing Order 42, the Deputy Senate President, Omo-Agege faulted the NDDC board nomination list sent to the Senate by President Buhari over the absence of a representative from Delta State, which he described as an anomaly.

    Why thanking Buhari for eventually sending the list after almost three years, Omo-Agege said: “Listening to the list read out, I did not hear any name read out as a State Representative to represent Delta State in the board of the NDDC”.

    The DSP went further to say: “By the provisions of Section 2 (1A and 1B), specifically 2(1B) of the NDDC Act, every State of the Niger Delta is supposed to have one member, an indigene of the State, representing the State in the board of the NDDC, as a State representative.

    “Now, the list read out has all of the States represented but Delta State does not have a State representative. So, I will like to appeal to Mr President to graciously reach out to the Executive arm to do the needful, to correct the anomaly”.

    Reacting, the Senate President, Lawan said: “I have taken note and I am using this opportunity to advise the Executive arm of government that because we want to screen and consider the request of Mr President for the nominees to be confirmed, the needful must be done that every State of the Niger Delta is supposed to have one State representative.

    “In the case of Delta, you have the Chairman, you do not have a State representative. We will go strictly by the law establishing the NDDC. Let me also advise the Executive that it is in the interest of the Niger Delta and the entire country that we get that nomination for a State representative for Delta State. Otherwise, this will delay our processes here in the Senate for considering this request”.

  • Buhari confers National Honours on 450 Nigerians, non-Nigerians

    Buhari confers National Honours on 450 Nigerians, non-Nigerians

    President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred National Honours on 450 Nigerians and non-Nigerians, assuring that he will hand over a Nigeria that is free from insecurity to the next generation of leaders.

    The president, who stated this while conferring the awards on the recipients in Abuja on Tuesday, said the affected citizens had distinguished themselves in the service of the nation and humanity.

    According to him, citizens who contribute to national development deserve to be encouraged and appreciated.

    Buhari reiterated the determination of his administration to continue to root out all forms of banditry, criminality, terrorism and insurgency in the country.

    ”The National Honours are not merely decorative. They remind us of an important part of our responsibility as citizens.

    ”We must always endeavour to do our best for our country. We will continue to root out all forms of banditry, criminality, terrorism and insurgency in the land.

    ”As I stated earlier in my Independence address to the nation, I will hand over a Nigeria that is free from insecurity to the next generation of leaders.”

    On the National awards, the president commended the National Awards Committee headed by Justice Sidi Muhammad,  a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and the Emir of Lafia.

    He lauded the committee for a great and patriotic duty in diligently going through over 5,000 submissions and coming up with these recommendations.

    The president noted that the screening and selection of nominees for this year’s award as always, followed established broad criteria, in accordance with the National Honours Act CAP.N43 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    They include but not limited to: ‘‘consistent and meaningful participation in community and/or national development; rendering unsolicited, selfless and philanthropic services to humanity;

    ”Outstanding sacrifice in the defence of a cause popularly adjudged to be positive, relevant and beneficial to the nation and community.’’

    Other criteria listed by the President for selecting the recipients are:

    ‘‘Distinct act of bravery in the protection and/or defence of national interest, public peace, safety of life and property.

    ‘‘Remarkable achievement in any field of expertise where the person’s activities in that field have made significant contributions to the attainment of national goals and objectives.

    ‘‘Immense contributions towards the uplift of community, state, nation and/or humanity through achievements by way of inventions and bringing outstanding honour and glory to the state through personal dedication and patriotic commitment.

    ”Service with integrity is also a basis for the selection process.’’

    While emphasising that nation building involves a lot of sacrifice by the citizenry, the president declared that citizens who contributed to national development deserved to be encouraged and appreciated.

    He, therefore, lauded the 2022 National Award recipients for distinguishing themselves in various ways ‘‘for the purpose of recreating a new Nigeria of our dreams through respect for the rule of law, image laundering, transparency and accountability in management of scarce resources.’’

    The president added that those in the private sector had also creditably discharged themselves in business, entertainment, hospitality, transportation and other forms of human endeavours to transform Nigeria.

    ‘‘We have amongst the recipients today, Amb. Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Ms. Amina J. Mohammed and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who are doing our country proud on the international scene.

    ”Our dear sisters are a source of inspiration to our young women that through the dint of hard work and dedication, they can achieve greatness.

    ‘‘We also have on the list, Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, a religious leader who hid over 262 Christians in his mosque from attacks in Yelwa Gindi Akwati village, in Plateau State.

    ”He is a good example of religious tolerance we preach amongst Nigerians. I am excited that he is being honoured today with Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

    ‘‘Worthy of mention are our Artistes, particularly, our very own Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (Burna Boy), who won the Grammy Awards in 2020.

    ”He along with other artistes have repositioned the Nigerian entertainment industry and placed it on the global map.

    ”At the just concluded Dubai Expo 2020, Nigeria’s pavilion was a beehive of activities as our musicians entertained guests from around the world.

    ‘‘Despite the present economic challenges, Nigeria still boasts of men and women of integrity.

    ” Ms. Josephine Agu, an airport cleaner returned $12,200 US dollars found in a toilet at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos as well as Ogbanago Muhammed Ibrahim, a bank security man who found and returned $10,000 dollars.

    ‘‘Today, we celebrate their dignity and strength of character by conferring National Honours on them.”

    According to the president, they are a shining example to the younger generation.

    ‘‘I congratulate all the recipients today who will be joining the league of Awardees.

    ‘‘I appreciate the non-Nigerian recipients and assure all of you that this administration will continue to provide the enabling environment for you to undertake your lawful businesses to allow you to sustain your efforts at contributing to the development of our nation, Nigeria,’’ he said.

    The president acknowledged that the list of awardees was justifiably long because the exercise had not been carried out since 2015.

    According to him, since the inception of this administration, there has not been such occasion like this where individuals and friends of Nigeria have been so singled out for investiture except for the Special Investiture Ceremony in honour of Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe and Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN.

    He noted that the Investiture Ceremony for Abiola and others was specially carried out to right the wrong done in the past, ”to assuage our feelings and to resolve to stand firm now and in the future for the sanctity of the electoral process and our democracy.”

    In like manner, he said, the country’s athletes were also honoured recently for their spectacular performances in several competitions.

    He appealed to other Nigerians who are yet to receive this recognition to be patient and understand that their efforts in nation building are appreciated and at the right time, would similarly be recognized.

    ‘‘This administration will continue to partner with Nigerians and friends of Nigeria with like minds in our efforts to build the Nigeria of our dreams where everybody will strive to excel in their chosen fields devoid of parochial sentiments,’’ he said.

    Buhari also reminded the recipients and other Nigerians that National Honours ”are not merely decorative.”

    ‘‘They remind us of an important part of our responsibility as citizens. We must always endeavour to do our best for our country.’’

    The award, which is in 10 categories, was presented to Supreme Court Justices, judges, top lawyers, incumbent and former governors, Ministers, traditional rulers, creative artistes, politicians, businessmen, athletes, security officers who died in the line of duty, and other distinguished Nigerians.

    A total of six persons were conferred with GCON, 55 received Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), 65 got the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) while 77 were presented with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).

    The president also conferred 110 citizens with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON); 74 were presented with Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and 55 received Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

    There were four recipients each for the Federal Republic Medal I (FRM I) and Federal Republic Medal II (FRM II) Second Class) respectively.

    The seven foreigners honoured received the OFR Award.

    Speaking on behalf of the Awardees, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, thanked the President for the honour, pledging that the award is an encouragement to more work and a call to duty to serve Nigeria with renewed strength, loyalty and honesty.

    Leading the 2022 National Honours Award recipients, in the category of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) are Senate President, Lawan, Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, immediate past CJN, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.

    Others are; the Director-General, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Deputy Secretary-General of UN, Amina Mohammed and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.

  • Senate President laments loss of 1 million barrels of crude oil daily

    Senate President laments loss of 1 million barrels of crude oil daily

    The President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan says Nigeria loses one million barrels of crude oil daily to crude theft.

    He made the remarks at the presentation of the 2023 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Friday.

    Lawan said that the Nigerian economy was still challenged by dearth of revenues and the situation was worsened recently, culminating in the loss of one million barrels of crude per day.

    He said: “Translated into monetary terms, our loss is monumental. The large scale and massive stealing of our oil is concerning as this reduces drastically, the revenues available to government.

    “With conflicting figures, projections have put our losses from this malaise at between 700, 000 to 900, 000 barrels of crude oil per day, leading to about 29 to 35 per cent loss in oil revenue in the first quarter of 2022.”

    The senate president also said that the figure represented an estimated total revenue fall from N1.1 trillion recorded in the last quarter of 2021 to N790 billion in the first quarter of this year.

    “The figures show we are not able to meet the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) daily quota of 1.8 million barrels per day.

    “I consider the oil thieves the worst enemies of our country. The thieves have declared war on our country and our people.

    “I strongly feel that if we do not take the necessary measures to stop the thieves immediately, our economy will be devastated, as efforts to provide infrastructure and diversify the economy will be thwarted.

    “The idea of deploying our revenues from oil and gas to support diversification into real sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, mining etc is now under serious threat.

    “It is time to take drastic and desperate measures against the thieves,” Lawan said.

    He said the situation had become more worrisome if factored in, an estimated budget deficit of N7 trillion with its grim prospect of increasing to about N11.30 trillion, as presented in the 2023 – 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework/Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP).

    The senate president, however, said that the budget deficit could be reduced by stopping the theft.

    “We can also consider other options to source more revenues for government through the review of waivers and concessions government has granted to the tune of N6 trillion,” he added.

    Other options, he said, included removing some major revenue generating agencies from direct funding by placing them on cost of collection of revenues, as was done for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    “In this regard, agencies like Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), etc can be given the encouraging cost of collections of revenues,” he said.

  • Senate President finally concedes defeat to Machina

    Senate President finally concedes defeat to Machina

    The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, has finally accepted defeat to Bashir Sheriff Machina who was affirmed by a court as the rightful APC candidate for Yobe North senatorial district in the 2023 elections,

    APC’s primaries in June produced Machina at a time Ahmed Lawan was busy with his presidential aspirations against the likes of eventual candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    However, the senate president, Rotimi Amaechi, Governors Yahaya Bello, Dave Umahi and other aspirants including the Vice President, Professor Osinbajo lost to Tinubu.

    Lawan would later return to claim his Yobe North ticket which was earlier won by Machina. This did not sit well with the latter and that forced him to drag Lawan to court.

    A Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu, Yobe State, on Wednesday, passed a judgment in favour of Machina following series of proceedings.

    Accepting the court’s ruling, Lawan in a Twitter post said he has accepted the judgment in good faith and will not further appeal the case.

    Read the tweet below:??

    https://twitter.com/DrAhmadLawan/status/1575450611436457987?t=O02N_job2ZXaA1lpR8T-8Q&s=19

    “After due consultations with my political associates, supporters and well-wishers, I have decided not to appeal against the judgement. I accept the judgement.

    “At this juncture, I deem it appropriate to thank His Excellency, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam for the leadership role in the APC political family in Yobe State. I also thank His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni for the support and brotherhood,” Lawan tweeted, thanking his constituents for the opportunity given to serve them in the Red Chamber.

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    “To my constituents, I thank you all for your unflinching support, loyalty and unreserved commitment to the course of building our people and Yobe North Senatorial District and indeed Yobe State.

    “I want to assure you that I will continue to serve you in my personal and any other capacity at all times.

    “We journeyed together for a long time, and this journey will remain a lifelong journey. It has been a wonderful relationship and it can only get stronger. I am indebted to you all. Alhamdulillah,” he added.

  • BREAKING: Machina floors Ahmad Lawan in court for Yobe North senatorial ticket

    BREAKING: Machina floors Ahmad Lawan in court for Yobe North senatorial ticket

    The Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Bashir Machina as the candidate for Yobe North senatorial candidate.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Fadimatu Aminu, also directed the APC to submit Machina’s name to the INEC as the rightful winner of the party’s May 28 primary election in the district.

    She held that the ”phantom June 9 primary election” that produced Ahmed Lawan, the Senate President, as the winner and candidate, was a “nullity” because INEC did not monitor the election.

    Aminu also discountenanced the claim that the case was statue bar, saying the cause of action arose on June 17, not May 28.

    The judge said Machina, the plaintiff, approached the court when he discovered that the first defendant, APC, had forwarded Lawan’s name to INEC as its candidate.

    She, therefore, said the constitutional requirement of filing the case not later than 14 days from the election was not applicable.

    On June 22, Machina instituted the case, seeking an order to compel APC to declare him as the candidate of the District and send his name to INEC for publication.

    He told the court that he won the May 28 primary election unopposed, declared winner by INEC and his certificate of return was duly issued to him.

  • Senate passes bill to amend CBN Act for 2nd reading

    Senate passes bill to amend CBN Act for 2nd reading

    The Senate on Tuesday at plenary, passed for second reading, a bill to amend the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.

    Leading debate on the general principles of the bill, its sponsor, Sen. Sadiq Umar (APC-Kwara), said the bill was to enable the appointment of a person other than the Governor as Chairman of the Board of CBN.

    He said the bill was also designed to divest the powers of the board on determining and fixing salaries and allowances of its members.

    According to him, the bill if passed, will be used to determine consideration and approval of the annual budget of the CBN.

    Suleiman said the envisaged new chairman of the proposed board of the CBN, would have powers to determine salaries and allowances of members, while the Governor focused on administrative duties of the bank.

    In her contribution, Sen. Betty Apiafi (PDP-Rivers), called for a holistic amendment of the CBN Act, adding that the CBN governor went out of his way to indicate interest to participate in politics while in office.

    She said the development was not the trend in the world, given that election materials were kept in CBN.

    Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA- Abia), James Manager (PDP-Delta), Orji-Kalu (APC-Abia) kicked against the hasty amendments to the bill, while Sen. Barau Jubril (APC-Kano), supported the bill in his submission.

    President of Senate, Ahmad Lawan, however, cautioned senators to focus on the proposed amendment rather than deliberating on alleged attempt by the CBN governor to contest as that wasn’t part of the general principles of the bill.

    Lawan, thereafter, put the passing of the bill for second reading to a voice vote and senators voted unanimously for its passage.

  • Senate President’s hope of staying in NASS remains in the balance

    Senate President’s hope of staying in NASS remains in the balance

    The hope of Senator Ahmad Lawan, President of the Nigerian Senate, staying in the National Assembly (NASS) going into the 2023 elections remains in the balance.

    This is as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its stand on the report of its team that monitored the Yobe North Senatorial District primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Bashir Machina won the APC primary election for the district and has refused to step down for Lawan, who contested the APC presidential ticket.

    INEC in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye in Abuja on Thursday stated thus: ”The attention of INEC has been drawn to a counter affidavit filed in the Federal High Court, Damaturu Judicial Division relating to the primary election.

    “Notwithstanding the matter in court and without prejudice to the consideration or likely outcome of the case in court, the commission reiterates its earlier position that it stands by the report of its monitoring team. It was on the basis of that report that the commission did not publish the name and personal particulars of any candidate for the Yobe North Senatorial District”.

    Okoye said that INEC would review its quality assurance protocols, as well as ensure the preview by appropriate ranking officials of all processes filed on its behalf. This according to Okoye was to ascertain their correctness in all material particulars with all reports and all information at its disposal before their presentation so that the situation would not be repeated.

  • 2023: Bashir Machina denies withdrawing for Ahmad Lawan

    2023: Bashir Machina denies withdrawing for Ahmad Lawan

    Alhaji Bashir Machina, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Yobe North Senatorial District at the 2023 election has denied stepping down for Senate President, Sen. Ahmed Lawan.

    Reacting to claims that he had stepped down for Lawan, the candidate stated on Sunday in Damaturu that it was also not true that he had defected from the APC.

    “It has been brought to my notice that some unscrupulous elements forged a letter of my withdrawal from the race out of mischief and blackmail.

    “I state unequivocally that the letter was forged. I did not at any time withdraw or resign from the APC.

    “I was shocked when I discovered that some persons concocted plans to mislead the public particularly my supporters into believing that I have withdrawn,’’ he stated.

    The candidate called on the national secretariat of the APC to issue a statement on the forged letter which carried its official stamp.

    Machina stated also that he had instructed his lawyers to institute legal action against those behind the fake letter of his withdrawal from the race.

  • INEC denies recognising Lawan, Akpabio for senatorial elections

    INEC denies recognising Lawan, Akpabio for senatorial elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied alleged   doctoring of  documents to accommodate Sen. Ahmed Lawan and Godswill Akpabio to run for Yobe North and Akwa Ibom North West senatorial districts respectively in  2023.

    The commission gave the denial in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Okoye said that not for the first time, INEC’s  attention had been drawn to a story published by an online medium that the commission had doctored, backdated and certified documents to accommodate the nominations of Lawan and Akpabio, from Yobe and Akwa-Ibom respectively.

    Okoye said that nothing could be further from the truth.

    He said that as evidence of the alleged role played by the commission, a certified true copy of Form 9C uploaded by the duo candidates’ political party and received by INEC on June 17 when the nomination portal closed was presented.

    Okoye said that for clarity, the Form EC9 (submission of names of candidates by political parties) was the form uploaded by parties on the INEC nomination portal.

    He said that was clearly indicated on the title of the form which was received on June 17 when the portal closed.

    “What follows is the publication of the personal particulars of nominated candidates which was done a week later. The forms of the two personalities in question were not published by the commission. The decision of the commission triggered legal action which are still ongoing.

    “It, therefore,  defies logic and common sense to go around and submit doctored documents purportedly recognising the duo as candidates when the matter is clearly sub-judice.”

    Okoye said that as part of the ongoing case in Court, a law firm requested for a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Form EC9 submitted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as its candidate for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District which INEC was duty bound to oblige them under the law.

    He explained that the form was certified on July 15, 2022.

    “If minimum care has been exercised by the promoters of the story, they would have seen the two stamps of the commission bearing different dates on the form.

    “It is this form that is now misconstrued as INEC’ s endorsement. For the record, the commission has not recognised any of the two personalities as  senatorial candidates.”

    Okoye called for responsible reportage as against the unwarranted attack on the INEC and its officials over a matter than could be easily fact checked.

  • Just In: INEC bows to pressure from APC, backdates documents to capture Senate President Lawan, Akpabio as Senatorial Candidates

    Just In: INEC bows to pressure from APC, backdates documents to capture Senate President Lawan, Akpabio as Senatorial Candidates

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission has backdated Certified True Copies of reports of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries to accommodate Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, Godswill Akpabio and others as candidates in the 2023 general elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls Bashir Machina won the party’s ticket for Yobe North Senatorial District, while Udom Ekpoudom won the primary election for Akwa Ibom North-West which was monitored by INEC officials.

    In Yobe, a certified true copy of the commission’s report from the election of May 28, 2022, revealed Machina polled 289 votes out of 300 delegates. The document was certified by the electoral office on June 23, 2022.

    The National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu had warned of severe sanctions if Machina refused to relinquish his ticket to Lawan.

    Adamu claimed that the party is supreme and that it reserves the right to decide who gets its ticket in any election.

    In Akwa Ibom, Akpabio was declared the winner of another primary, but the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the state, Mike Igini, had said that the exercise which produced the former minister as a candidate was not monitored by the commission.

    According to Section 31 of the Electoral Act only allows for substitution when a candidate dies or when he or she withdraws from the race and informs INEC in writing.

    The section reads: “A candidate may withdraw his or her candidature by notice in writing signed by him and delivered personally by the candidate to the political party that nominated him for the election and the political party shall convey such withdrawal to the commission not later than 90 days to the election”.

    “INEC has caved in to political pressures and other forces deployed by the outgoing Senate President, Mr Ahmad Lawan and his backers to shred the report of the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner that supervised the APC primary Elections in Yobe state by doctoring and backdating it to accommodate the Senate president and others in states where they have an interest.

    “Shockingly, the Chairman of INEC Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu is fully part of this plot, making direct telephone calls to state offices.

    “Despite the glaring fact that Ahmad Lawan was a principal actor in the APC presidential primary, which saw him lose to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he has since mounted relentless pressures on INEC leadership to obtain a senatorial ticket in Yobe state by all means possible”, a source had said.

    A source confirmed that the certified true copy of reports had been doctored and backdated to accommodate the Senate President and former Akwa Ibom Governor.

    “Nigerians will be shocked that despite serial denials by Professor Yakubu-led commission that Lawan and Akpabio names would not be on the ballot as senatorial candidates respectively, INEC is merely deceiving them, signifying a roll back to Professor Maurice lwu-led commission that gave so much hope for the 2007 election which later became the worst election in Nigeria’s electoral history.

    “The EPM (Election Monitoring Department) under a very compromised Director, Musa who is about to retire from service and one Barr. Tanimu of the legal department have back-dated documents to include Lawan and Akpabio on the ballot. INEC is now returning gradually to Prof Maurice lwu’s era.

    “Just as it was then that there was a notorious National Commissioner named Chukwuani who was the politicians’ hatchet man of that inglorious period, so is Festus Okoye now who is the hand-gun of politicians being used in the emerging efforts to mess up the outcome of party primaries by accepting from political parties names of individuals who didn’t participate in primaries monitored by its states’ offices.

    “Nigerians will recall that Festus Okoye had been in virtually all television stations granting interviews on Channels TV to prepare the minds of Nigerians to what they are about to make public on the final list when he said ‘RECs are not recognised members of INEC and the commission is not bound by the reports of party primaries monitored by state offices because they also send monitors from Abuja that write reports to INEC Headquarters’.

    “Both the EPM and legal department have advised lawyers of Akpabio to file a writ of summons so that witnesses could be called and Abuja INEC Headquarters will prepare and bring forward a staff member that will testify that he or she monitored the re-run primary in line with what Okoye had told Nigerians. This is how they planned to do away with state offices’ reports of the party primaries submitted to the headquarters.

    “APC has taken control of INEC headquarters, that is why there’s an outcry over the outcome of the primaries in virtually all the states across the country, from Oyo, Ogun, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Kano, Sokoto, it’s the same story. Festus Okoye’s interview has done so much damage to the confidence Nigerians were beginning to have over the outcome of recent elections.

    “Commissioner Okoye is now the spokesperson for both INEC and corrupt politicians, as he has been assuring them of having not committed any offence under section 115 of the 2020 Electoral Act despite a Federal High Court judgment in Ebonyi State. Politicians have infiltrated and are in control of INEC. The chairman of INEC at a recent event deceptively told his listeners that they will implement the provision of the 2022 Act and that politicians should study it yet he accepted from political parties names of persons who didn’t go through primaries and refused to apply the provisions of section 84 of the same Act and section 285 of the Constitution to reject those names that his commission published as candidates.

    “The discordant tunes from headquarters and states where party primaries were conducted have created serious doubts about the trustworthiness of Prof Mahmood Yakubu’s headship of INEC to conduct a free fair and credible election in 2023. The brazenness of INEC in forging a document showing that the name of Akpabio was submitted to it is a further confirmation of compromise at the highest level”.

    Source: Sahara Reporters