TheNewsGuru

Tag: Elections

  • International Democracy Day: Atiku urges INEC on credible elections

    International Democracy Day: Atiku urges INEC on credible elections

    Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the outcome of the 2023 general elections reflects the desire of the people.

    Abubakar gave the appeal in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, in Abuja on Thursday on the occasion marking the International Day for Democracy.

    Abubakar urged INEC and other agencies of government playing roles in the electoral process to ensure that outcome of the election was a true reflection of the desires of the people.

    The PDP presidential flagbearer said that the celebration of democracy was, indeed, a celebration of the people’s power.

    He said that although there had been significant improvements in the processes that elections were conducted in Nigeria, “the 2023 episode was an opportunity for INEC to show that the commission had grown beyond partisanship,” he noted.

    “In 2023, Nigerians will be voting for the leadership that they truly believe will lead this country out of the current dire situation.

    “It is important to use the opportunity of the celebration, this day, to tell not just the INEC, but other agencies and non-governmental organisations involved in the conduct of election, that the next election should be the freest and fairest ever in the history of Nigeria.”

    Abubakar congratulated Nigerians on being part of the global community of people practising democracy.

    The former vice president reminded the electorate in Nigeria to remember that democracy was an enabler of good governance.

    “Good governance is the ultimate end game.

    “And the democracy that we practise is the only veritable vehicle that can drive us safely to the establishment of a government that will give us good governance and ensure that the rule of law is entrenched in our body politic,” Atiku said.

    He pledged that if elected, under his watch, press freedom, a fundamental foundation of democracy, would be guaranteed.

    “A free, robust and unencumbered press is key to nurturing democracy and development.”

  • We’re ready for the task at hand – Chairman, NFF Electoral Committee

    We’re ready for the task at hand – Chairman, NFF Electoral Committee

    The Chairman of the NFF Electoral Committee 2022, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik has declared that himself and his team are ready to accomplish the task at hand with utmost integrity and credibility, saying transparency and diligence will be their watchwords.

    Speaking on Friday (a day after the Congress of Nigeria Football constituted the NFF Electoral Committee and NFF Election Appeals Committee at its Annual General Assembly in Lagos), the Senior Advocate assured that the business of giving Nigeria a new NFF Executive Committee will be done without fear or favour, and within the 42 –day time-span.

    A native of Edo State, Senior Advocate Malik was born and brought up in Ibadan, where he had his primary and secondary education, and attended the University of Ibadan and the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He has a master’s degree in law and certificates in international criminal justice and administration as well as public prosecution.

    A former special assistant to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Malik was the best graduating student in library, archival and information studies at the University of Ibadan in 1993.

    At its 77th Annual General Assembly on Thursday, the NFF Congress set aside the provisions of the NFF Statutes 2010 and the NFF Electoral Code 2009 that provide for a certain duration between the time of constitution of the Electoral Committee and the conduct of elections. This enabled the Congress to set up both the Electoral Committee and the Election Appeals Committee with a mandate for the conduct of elections on 30th September 2022 in Benin City.

    NFF ELECTORAL COMMITTEE 2022:

    Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik – SAN – (Chairman)

    Justice Abdulkadir Zakarriya (Vice Chairman)

    Babatunde Ogala – SAN – (Member)

    Daha Umar Daura – Danburam – (Member)

    Gambo Mamman (Member)

    Alternate Members: Barr. Ifeanyi Dike; Barr. Ransom Ariyo

    NFF ELECTION APPEALS COMMITTEE 2022:

    Barr. Gandi Umar – mni – (Chairman)

    Ayo Akindele – SAN – (Vice Chairman)

    Rev. Obioman Onyeaghala (Member)

    Alternate Members: Barr. Chive Kaave; Barr. Idi Halidu Ali

    PHOTO: Senior Advocate Malik, Chairman of the NFF Electoral Committee

  • UN Chief Guterres congratulates Kenya on peaceful elections

    UN Chief Guterres congratulates Kenya on peaceful elections

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres has congratulated the people of Kenya for the peaceful voting during the general elections on August 9.

    Mr Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General said this at a news conference on Thursday at UN headquarters in New York.

    “He trusts that all political stakeholders and the Kenyan people will continue to demonstrate the same level of calm.

    “That they will continue to demonstrate same level of calm, patience and respect for the electoral process as they await the announcement of the results of the polls in accordance with the legal timeframe,’’ Dujarric quoted Guterres as saying.

    He notes the important work done by the Kenyan authorities and electoral management bodies, the active engagement of numerous national stakeholders and the unwavering commitment of the voters to duly exercise their constitutional right to vote.

    The secretary-general reiterates the availability of the United Nations to continue to support the efforts of the Kenyan authorities and people in the advancement of the democratic process in Kenya.

    The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati said in an update on Tuesday evening that voting had been concluded in all polling stations across the country and counting started.

    Chebukati noted that the tallying was being done at three levels namely polling centres, constituencies and at the national stage.

    At the national tallying centre, he said they are verifying transmitted images of the forms used in capturing results.

    The forms are being transmitted from polling centre

    However, two days after the general election, officials are yet to announce who is leading the presidential race in East Africa’s regional powerhouse.

    Yet, confused citizens were seen struggled to make sense of divergent tallies from the media in a nail-bitingly close race.

    Media houses are compiling results from images of forms that the election commission uploaded on to its website from more than 46,229 polling stations, a mammoth task that means their tallies lag far behind the amount of raw data available.

    Meanwhile, some citizens were worried that the media’s differing tallies could inflame claims of rigging, which had sparked violence in past elections; many urged fellow citizens to wait for the official results.

    “There is so much impatience due to media reports, because they are varying. Given the experience that we have in Kenya, we have to be patient and just wait,’’ said Ongao Okello, as he scrutinised newspapers being sold on a street corner in the western town of Eldoret.

    Veteran opposition leader and former political prisoner Raila Odinga, 77, is making his fifth stab at the presidency. He is neck and neck with Deputy President William Ruto, 55.

    The outgoing President, Uhuru Kenyatta has reached his two-term limit, he has endorsed Odinga for president after falling out with Ruto after the last election.

    Kenyan election authorities have proceeded with tallying cautiously, wary of the mistakes that caused the Supreme Court to nullify the results last time and order a re-run.

    Media houses have filled the information gap by recruiting hundreds of people to manually input results from the images of results forms into spreadsheets.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that general elections were held in Kenya on Aug. 9.

    Voters elected the President, members of the National Assembly and Senate, county governors of Kenya and members of the 47 county assemblies of Kenya. General elections in Kenya are held every five years.

  • Members of NURTW cannot support any political party – Chairman

    Members of NURTW cannot support any political party – Chairman

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has declared that no politician can use its members for campaigns again.

    The Kwara Chairman of the union, Alhaji AbdulKareem AbdulRasak, made this known on Monday in Ilorin.

    AbdulRasak said that NURTW members were part of stakeholders to ensure free and fair elections, adding that the rules that govern them did not allow any member to belong to any political party.

    “Once you are a member of NURTW, you cannot support any political party, not to talk of campaign for them or move around with them.

    “It has been stated that anyone found participating in political rally or fighting for a particular politician to win will be punished accordingly and also dismissed from the union.

    “This is to ensure free and fair election and also to have peace and stability in the country before, during and after election,” he said.

    The chairman explained that many people had wrong mindset about commercial drivers, as they believe that majority were trouble makers and irresponsible people.

    Accoding to him, the transport union has being in existence for the past four decades and many of its members had made lots of successes and achievements.

    “No more thugs and hooligans in NURTW. We are responsible and respected people now and many people are willing to associate with us and even give us their daughters in marriage,” he said.

    AbdulRasak said that the President of NURTW, Alhaji Tahjudeen Baruwa, had ensured that the union members were well catered for by making the work easy and free of corrupt leaders.

    “All the tickets issued at every car park all over the 36 states have been centralised as it is printed from the headquarters in Abuja, and as such, cannot be tampered with,” he said.

    On security, the chairman said that none of their members had experienced any security challenges, saying that it is due to the grace of Almighty Allah and proper arrangements made by the union, security agencies and government.

    “A meeting was held at the national level and a memo was passed to everyone that no one should move above the scheduled time of 6 a.m to 9 p.m.

    “However, there is an arrangement made for night travelers, as few drivers usually operate at some car parks, to enable travelers get to their various destinations when they arrived,” he said.

    The NURTW boss commended the administration of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his role in ensuring peace during the last union election that produced him as chairman.

    He commended the governor’s effort towards the betterment of transporters in the state, but solicited for more support for the drivers to move within and outside the state easily.

    NAN

  • BREAKING: INEC vows not to keep sensitive materials with CBN

    BREAKING: INEC vows not to keep sensitive materials with CBN

    Ahead the 2023 general elections,Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the independent National Electoral commission (INEC), has vowed that sensitive electoral materials will in the meantime no longer be routed through the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    He also specifically notes that, beginning from the Ekiti state Governorship election, INEC will not keep its sensitive materials with the CBN.

    On Statutory delegates can vote in party primaries declared by the Court, the number electoral umpire in Nigeria said” this decision is to guarantee that electoral materials for the lined up Elections are not compromised

    The INEC Chairman stated this while responding to questions in an ongoing dialogue in elections in Abuja.

    Several individuals and groups have raised serious concern about the sanctity of Elections materials kept with the CBN, after stories about the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, indicating interest to contest for the country’s presidential seat hit the airwaves in recent months.

    Details to follow…

  • 2023: No automatic ticket for Bola Tinubu – SDP

    2023: No automatic ticket for Bola Tinubu – SDP

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has indicated that no automatic ticket for All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other aspirants willing to contest for elective positions in 2023 on the party’s platform.

    The Acting National Chairman of SDP, Chief Supo Shonibare, who stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, however, said the party would provide succor for aggrieved aspirants from other parties.

    TheNewsGuru reports that, there were speculations that the APC chieftain might likely defect to SPD if he failed to pick the APC presidential ticket.

    Shonibare said while those who felt cheated in other political parties could come and join the SDP to pursue their political ambitions in 2023, they should be ready to submit themselves to stringent condition, including integrity test.

    He also clarified that the APC chieftain was not a registered member of the SDP.

    “On the issue of Asiwaju Tinubu, the last time I checked, he is not a member of the SDP.

    “I checked on the list because the membership list of our party as INEC has required, has already been submitted by our state chapters to us in Abuja.

    “His name is not among those who are members of our party in Lagos State. That’s all I can say, he’s not a member of SDP,” he said.

    He, however, said that Tinubu or any other aspirant from other registered political parties interested to join the party was welcome.

    “Yes, we welcome anyone felt cheated by other political party, but must be consistent with integrity.

    “If he (Tinubu) comes, it won’t be automatic, what we would emphasise is consistency with integrity within the public officer.

    “Also anyone who is controversial, rated low or with baggage, who doesn’t have integrity will not be allowed. SDP leadership does not want the party to be an opportunistic vehicle,” he said.

    Shonibare maintained that the party would only give consideration to individuals cheated by his party but not for anyone in controversial circumstances

    “In instances where we’ve seen great injustices to an individual, who we feel is not coming to us with baggage, yes that individual will be welcome to SDP.

    “But we won’t welcome anyone who we feel has a pending court case. We won’t welcome anyone that has been convicted, even if the person is actually now appealing that conviction.

    “So we will try to ensure that those who we will welcome into our party, are men and women of integrity, making SDP to be a succor for those who have been wrongly dealt with in their political parties.

    “Provided those who are coming themselves have displayed integrity and honour in the way and manner they themselves have conducted themselves in government,” he said.

    On the party leadership crisis, Shonibare maintained that INEC lacked the powers to determine who the authentic leadership of SDP is.

    “INEC is not the court of law, so it cannot determine which fact is the rightful leadership of the party.

    “It is the constitution of the party, the rules of the party and the determination of the court that will determine who is the legitimate leadership of the party. It is that process that INEC will oblige to accept,” he said.

    Shonibare said, while INEC was set up to observe and issue guidelines for conduct of elections, it was not its responsibility to determine a faction to be recognised when there were parallel or faction congresses.

    He reiterated the resolve of the Party’s leadership towards ensuring that sanity was restored, adding that there was the need for the party exercise caution.

    He said that the party would resist attempt to make the SDP ineffective or ineffectual in the contest for power and render it an ally of the lackluster ruling regime.

    “We shall resist the machinations of the burgeoning usurpers,” he said.

  • Osinbajo finally decides to run for 2023 presidency

    Osinbajo finally decides to run for 2023 presidency

    After several months of speculations, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has finally decided to run for the 2023 presidential election under the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Osinbajo informed APC governors about his bid for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to run for President after the break of fast during Ramadan.

    According to TheNation, he told them of his capacity and experience having been Vice President for about seven years.

    He said he had consulted widely and that he would inform Nigerians through a declaration today.

    He said having informed President Muhammadu Buhari, he felt the governors were the people to inform next, a source close to the meeting said last night.

    It was learnt that about 10 APC governors attended the meeting, led by Chair of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu.

    Some of the governors in attendance include Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Hope Uzodimma (Imo) and Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna).

    Governor Bagudu, who responded on their behalf, it was gathered, said the APC governors were looking forward to the party continuing to hold the levers of power in the country after the 2023 election.

    Osinbajo is expected to make the declaration through an online broadcast.

    “The video will be circulated across social media handles. The details will be explained in a press statement,” Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters (Office of the Vice President), Mr. Femi Ojudu, said last night.

    Former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi have declared their intention to vie for the APC presidential ticket.

  • PDP will lose 2023 elections if… – Ex-Kaduna gov, Yero

    PDP will lose 2023 elections if… – Ex-Kaduna gov, Yero

    Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Yero, has urged stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to unite to enable the party sweep polls in the 2023 general elections.

    Yero made the call in an interview with NAN on Sunday in Kaduna.

    He said it was imperative for the party members to unite to win upcoming elections in the country.

    “It is important for PDP family to come together to rescue the country.

    “We must eschew all bitterness and put personal interests aside and look at the collective interest of Nigerians as well as the party.

    “So that when Nigeria becomes a better country, all of us will rejoice and will be happy with the situation.

    “But if we continue to fight each other and only promote our personal interests, we will end up losing.

    Yero also admonished the youths to use the 2023 elections to establish themselves as “true leaders of tomorrow.”

    He advised the youth not to allow themselves be hoodwink by self-seeking politicians and vote for credible leaders to ensure a better future for the country.

    On security, Yero urged relevant authorities to use all the resources available to address the problem.

    “There is need to create more jobs for people because part of the problem have been lack of jobs.

    “That is why we have so many informants around, because they have no jobs, they easily give information for a small token,” he said.

  • What PDP must do if it wants victory in 2023 – Anyim

    What PDP must do if it wants victory in 2023 – Anyim

    A presidential aspirant on the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim has said that the party must respect zoning if it wants victory in 2023.

    Anyim stated this on Monday in Jos when he interacted with Plateau delegates ahead of the party’s primaries.

    The former Senate President said that power must shift to accommodate the views of all Nigerians.

    He said that those saying that power must remain in a particular zone for PDP to win the election were wrong.

    Anyim said that no part of the country would produce president without the support and contribution of other regions.

    According to him, it was for such reason the PDP included zoning in its constitution that power must shift from North to South and vice versa.

    “If we don’t zone or rotate we will not win the election because the winning formula is fairness, justice and equity.

    “2023 is a defining moment for the nation because every nation is organic, it needs to grow.

    “We have had a checkered history of going forward and backward.

    “Nobody is happy with where we are today as a nation and I have put my credentials on the table as someone who would help the nation to grow.

    “I am seeking to protect our collective future, seeking to promote the growth of the nation,’’ he said.

    The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation told the gathering that there must be peace and progress on the Plateau.

    Jos, the Plateau capital, he said was planned by the initial leaders to be centre of learning and tourism.

    He promised to develop Jos as international city and restore its status as centre of learning and tourism.

    Plateau PDP Chairman, Mr Chris Hassan, said that the former senate president has the capacity to effectively lead Nigeria to greatness.

    “We appeal to you to have at least one man on your campaign structure and if you do that you will not forget us.

    “I know the friends you made in Plateau when you were senate president.

    “Plateau people are not deceptive people, when they pledge to work with you, they do that with all their whole hearts,’’ he said.

  • Expect increased communal tensions in build-up to 2023 election – Report

    Expect increased communal tensions in build-up to 2023 election – Report

    A report by Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) chronicling violence in the North Central region has cautioned that violence and banditry are not checkmated, Nigerians should expect increased communal tension in the region.

    In the 35 page report by the humanitarian organisation the Nigerian authorities was advised to:

    “End impunity by ensuring that complaints related to human rights violations are promptly, independently and impartially investigated, and those responsible are held to account after fair trials.

    “There is an urgent need for the Nigerian authorities to enforce the rule of law to protect all its citizens. Following an attack by Fulani militia in central Nigeria, it must not be left to local vigilantes to take matters in their own hands.

    “Analysts anticipate increased communal tensions in the build-up to the 2023 election.

    “The Nigerian Government must provide additional and adequate security for vulnerable communities and displacement camps, including farms and villages in central Nigeria at risk of Fulani militia attacks.

    “Where Nigerian military forces are overstretched, and where it is appropriate to do so, the police should be mobilised to carry some of the burden of protection of civilians.

    “Nigerian authorities must cease persecuting journalists and whistleblowers who draw attention to their failures.

    ” The US Department of State should reverse its decision to remove Nigeria from its list of ‘Countries of Particular Concern regarding religious freedom.

    “As part of its ongoing geographical footprint review, the UK Government must ensure immediate humanitarian assistance for displaced people in the Middle Belt, in addition to aid provided to the northeast and northwest.

    In its conclusion, the report stated that:”Conflict between nomadic herdsmen and settled farmers has existed for a long time.

    “For centuries, although disputes would arise, leaders would resolve them by compensating losses or sharing resources. In 2016, the Anglican Bishop of Bauchi, Musa Mwin Tula, warned us that this historic menace between herdsmen and farmers has jumped from a worrisome itch in
    the north to a cancerous disease, spreading throughout the country, claiming lives and threatening to spiral into a monster.”

    “Today, the Bishop’s warning has been realised. Well-armed Fulani militia frequently attack villages in the Middle Belt. The attacks are planned and coordinated, with a demonstrable goal of driving out indigenous Christian populations and seizing their land. We have visited and personally witnessed the results of recent land-grabs, massacres, atrocities, kidnappings and forced displacement Nigerian authorities at both the state and federal levels appear unable or unwilling to prevent the attacks, and instead engage in legal prosecution of journalists and activists who draw attention to the crisis.

    ” The international community appears similarly indifferent, providing no meaning engagement in favour of ending the violence or humanitarian assistance to the millions displaced across central Nigeria.