TheNewsGuru

Tag: Elections

  • PDP sweeps council polls in Enugu State

    PDP sweeps council polls in Enugu State

    The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State won all the 17 chairmanship and 260 councillorship seats in the local government elections held in the state on Wednesday.

    The party beat the 10 other political parties that contested in the council elections with wide margins.

    Declaring the PDP chairmanship candidates winners at the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), the Returning Officer, Dr Mike Ajogwu, noted that they did exceptional well.

    Ajogwu, who is also the Chairman of ENSIEC, presented Certificates-of-Returning to the chairmen-elect and said a similar exercise would be held for the 260 councillors-elect at the commission’s headquarters on Friday.

    He commended the political parties that participated in the elections for their spirit of sportsmanship and the electorate for turning out en-masse to vote.

    Council elective offices in Enugu State have two-year tenure.

  • Qualities Nigerians must look for in electing next President – Afe Babalola

    Qualities Nigerians must look for in electing next President – Afe Babalola

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Aare Afe Babalola, on Thursday educated the political parties and voters on qualities to look out for before adopting or voting anyone to become the next Nigeria’s President.

    Babalola, in a three-page statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, said that the parties must search for the very best, without mundane considerations in picking their candidates.

    The legal practitioner, who is also the Founder, Afe Babalola University (ABUA), Ado-Ekiti, said that the country needed a candidate who would go beyond politics and embrace principle of a stronger Nigeria.

    According to him, such candidate must be highly educated, up to at least, degree level and must not have history of penchant for corrupt practices.

    Babalola, in the statement entitled: “The Presidency: When a Candidate Is or Not Qualified”, said that such a candidate must not be too old and must be of sound health.

    He said the candidate must also be extra-ordinarily brilliant and have sound knowledge of the current affairs, work ethics, leadership experience, good human relations and also have clear cut vision and mission for Nigeria.

    The notable legal practitioner said that the presidential candidate should be fluent in spoken English, such that he would possess the ability to write a speech all by himself.

    According to him, in addition, he must possess the ability to speak off-the-cuff.

    Babalola said: “The candidate must produce evidence that he possesses unquestionable means of livelihood.

    “He should not just be seeking election as a means of securing employment or to offset outstanding indebtedness or use his position as the President to divert government’s funds into his offshore accounts.”

    He further advised that the candidate must demonstrate that “he is willing and prepared to serve the nation without earning salaries, as it was the case between 1960 and Jan. 15, 1966.

    “The sum total of the qualities those who deserve to be voted for as Nigeria’s President are age, health, education, sound knowledge of current affairs, work ethics, experience, human relations, vision and mission for Nigeria.

    “Others are; belief in the need for a new Constitution, oratory power, kindness, friendliness and firmness, previous contributions to development, economic standing and readiness to serve as well as proven ability to solve problems,” Babalola said.

    On age, he explained that any candidate for the post of Nigeria’s President should not be more than 60 years old, so that if he has the opportunity of serving two terms of four years each, he would still be leaving office before he turns 70.

    Babalola, commenting on health, said the candidate must be physically, mentally and medically fit.

    “The President should not be a person who will be looking for medical treatment from hospital to hospital around the world.

    “He must be so healthy that he should be able to work for a minimum of 14 hours a da.

    “It is normal that the aspirant for the post of Nigeria’s President must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree, obtained from a reputable university.

    “Sound knowledge of current affairs must also be considered.

    “A person aspiring for the post of Nigeria’s President should possess a sound knowledge of Nigerian, African and world affairs for him to be able to speak and debate convincingly on any of them,” he said.

    On work ethics, he said that the occupant of that exalted seat should be able and ready to work for a minimum of 14 hours a day, based on his personal knowledge of the volume of documents, petitions and applications that daily flooded the office of the President, most of which would require his personal and urgent attention.

    “I know, as a fact that former President Olusegun Obasanjo worked for a minimum of 18 hours a day when he was at the saddle as Nigeria’s President without leaving any file till the next day.

    “That is how anyone aspiring to be Nigeria’s next President should work.

    “Concerning personal attributes, the aspirant should not be arrogant or opinionated. He should be a good listener, respectful and humble.

    “He must be law abiding and a respecter of the Rule of Law, vision and mission for Nigeria:

    “The aspirant must be someone who is totally detribalised and who appreciates that the country, Niger Area, now called Nigeria was brought together by Europeans during the 1884 Berlin Conference without consulting the locals and without their consent.

    “He must appreciate that the over 400 ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria have their different languages, cultures, religions, customs and values.

    “He must, therefore, demonstrate to the voters that he believes in the evolution of nation-Nigeria from these various ethnic nationalities,” Babalola further stated.

    He, however, called for a brand new Constitution for the country, in which he said the presidential candidate must be a strong believer.

  • FCT Elections: Call girls in trouble as Chairmanship aspirant vows to flush them out of Abuja

    FCT Elections: Call girls in trouble as Chairmanship aspirant vows to flush them out of Abuja

    The Abuja Municipal Area Council candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Chief Eric Ibe at the FCT council polls chairmanship debate on Friday vows to send Abuja sex hawkers out of Abuja if voted into office.

    He expressed worry that 1,285 women and girls in the FCT were allowed to “disgracefully sell their bodies every night” to afford food and other basic necessities for their families.

    Ibe stated this during the FCT Council Chairmanship Debate held by The Pink Vote Movement and aired on Wazobia FM, yesterday in Abuja

    The SDP candidate said: “We conduct research and discovered that about 1,285 women and girls prostitute on the streets of Abuja every night. This figure is very alarming and disturbing.

    “The people we are talking about are our wives, sisters and daughters. So, we have to do what must be done to get them off the streets.

    “Against this background, we have identified some civil society organizations that are ready to collaborate with the government to ensure that we give these women and girls a better life.”

    He also promised to run an administration that will be ‘big’ on the open-door policy as well as women empowerment, saying “We will also ensure that 80% of all appointive positions are occupied by women because they are good managers.”

    In the same vein, the candidate of the National Rescue Movement, Ms Minabo Horsfall, said she will focus on helping the people, especially women, to achieve success in material and financial terms, if elected.

  • Oyetola urges Osun voters to safeguard PVC ahead of guber election

    Oyetola urges Osun voters to safeguard PVC ahead of guber election

    Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun has urged the electorate in the state to safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the July 16 gubernatorial election in the state.

    The governor made the remarks on Thursday during what was described as a “strategic tour” of Ila Federal Constituency Area of the state.

    Oyetola also urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to keep their membership registration slips safe ahead of the party’s primary.

    He appealed to them not to allow any individual to deceive them with ”fake loan” to steal still their PVCs from them.

    “I implore you to keep the party’s registration slip issued during the accreditation exercise and your voter’s card safe.

    “With the look of things, it seems that the party will opt for direct primary, if it is so, the membership slip will be used for the exercise.

    “Some people want to collect your PVC and membership slip with the pretence to give you a loan.

    “They are all liars, the loan that they did not give you two years ago, they are lying to give you months to the election.

    “They are promising you food now, they are liars. We started our food support programme last year April and we did not stop it.

    “We are not doing this because we want to get votes from you, but it is because of our genuine love for the people.

    “Let us be prepared for the primary election of our party and the gubernatorial election,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdul Oyedotun, said the achievements of the governor in the development of the state were enough testimonies for him to be reelected.

    Oyedotun, who noted that the governor would triumph in the election, said the electorate were behind him.

    “Your achievements speak for themselves and we are proud of what you have done.

    “Your second term ambition will be successful and whoever tries to stand on your way, will not witness your success story.

    “ Don’t despair, our ancestors were faced with travails and they emerged triumphant, you shall overcome yours too.

    “Your detractors will witness your success and you will triumph over them,” the Oba said.

  • 2023 election not a do or die affair – Buni

    2023 election not a do or die affair – Buni

    Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has cautioned politicians not to see the 2023 general elections as a do or die affair.

    Buni, also National Chairman, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the maiden National Progressives Women Conference.

    He specifically charged women to preach the doctrine of peaceful elections across the country ahead of 2023 general elections.

    “You should enlighten your spouses, children, brothers, in-laws, neighbours and the larger society that we must not see election as a do or die affair.

    “We should promote peaceful elections and service delivery against personal gains,” he said.

    Buni wished the women fruitful deliberations and assured that the APC would continue to support them.

    He expressed confidence that the conference would unveil ideas that would improve the fortunes of the APC and support the government of President Muhammadu Buhari in its commitment to improve the lives of Nigerians.

    He noted that women no doubt constituted a large proportion of Nigeria’s population, adding that their roles in nation building, political and socio-economic development of the country could not be over emphasised.

    “Today, Nigeria proudly parades a good number of women at the Federal and State levels, as well as in political offices serving with excellence.

    “At the home front, you define the future of the country through great values and support to your spouses which helps in shaping the society and modelling the
    present and future of the country.

    “Politically, women have always played key roles in our electioneering process and administration.

    “You remain the best and most reliable mobilisers of support to any political party and its candidates. You have always been there on queue on election days,” Buni said.

    He added that it was in realisation of these great roles of women, that the APC had as a matter of deliberate policy reserved some space to carry the women along at all levels.

    He recalled that while the party under his leadership conducted membership registration and revalidation exercise, it found it expedient to constitute a special committee on women and youth before the commencement of the exercise.

    He said the roles women played, made the membership registration and revalidation exercise a huge success.

    “Today, APC parades over 41 million registered members, asserting our position as Africa’s largest political party and of course, Nigeria’s leading political party.

    “With this, we are confident of winning the 2023 general with huge success,” he said.

    He expressed gratitude to the party’s women for their support before, during and after the exercise.

    He said the party was looking forward to more support from the women during its Feb. 26, National Convention and during the 2023 general elections.

    He said as the most women friendly party in the country, the APC shall reciprocate the kind gesture of women by supporting them and youths in their political aspirations to enable them realise their political dreams.

    “We look forward to having more women contesting in the forthcoming National Convention of the party and the 2023 general elections.

    “Now, as we approach the convention and moving closer to the next general election, l wish to remind you of your progressive role to supporting progressive minded leaders,” Buni stressed.

  • Elections: BVAS has come to stay – INEC

    Elections: BVAS has come to stay – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday said that the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for accreditation during elections has come to stay.

    INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, said this at the one-day Implementation meeting for the FCT Area Council Election on Friday in Abuja.

    Okoye said that INEC would continue to come up with innovations to check electoral malpractices and strengthen democratic governance in the country.

    Okoye said that BVAS would be used for FCT area council elections, as it had assisted the commission to conduct credible and well accepted election in the Anambra governorship election.

    He said those used to electoral corruption, cutting corners in the electoral process, snatching ballot boxes and ballot papers would never easily accept any change that would deny them.

    “That is what the whole issue about the BVAS is. So, let me say it very clearly that the BVAS as a form and mode of accreditation has come to stay, and the Commission can only keep improving on it, but jettisoning it will not be possible,” he said.

    Okoye called on stakeholders to support the commission to conduct a hitch-free FCT Area Council poll, scheduled for Feb. 12, 2022.

    The INEC official stressed that the commission would provide necessary information that would guide stakeholders, especially the National Orientation Agency and the National Youth Service Corps for effective communication with the electorate during the poll.

    In his remarks, the FCT INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Yahaya Bello, said adequate measures are being adopted to educate political parties and FCT residents on the locations of about 3,000 polling units, including newly-created ones in the six area councils in the territory.

    Bello said regular meetings are also being organised with security agencies, the traditional institution and political parties to ensure the safety of INEC staff and electoral materials during the election.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, commended INEC Staff for their commitment towards deepening democracy in the country.

    Oyekanmi appealed to INEC staff and other stakeholders to keep abreast with innovations being introduced by the commission and work as a team to conduct an inclusive election in the FCT.

  • We’ll ensure transfer of power to winners of elections in 2023 – Buhari

    We’ll ensure transfer of power to winners of elections in 2023 – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians and the international community of free and fair elections in 2023 general elections, and peaceful transfer of power.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the president’s spokesman in a statement on Friday in Abuja said the president gave the assurance in his remark at a Virtual Summit for Democracy organised by President Joe Biden of the United States.

    President Buhari said necessary mechanisms would be strengthened to ensure that Nigeria witness another peaceful transfer of power.

    He said: “As we countdown to our next general elections in 2023, we remain committed to putting in place and strengthening all necessary mechanisms to ensure that Nigeria will not only record another peaceful transfer of power to an elected democratic government, but will also ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.

    “Your Excellencies, Nigeria will continue to actively support the democratisation processes in our region West Africa and the African continent at large. But regrettably, our democratic gains of the past decades are under threats of unconstitutional takeover of power.

    “This unwholesome trend, sometimes in reaction to unilateral amendments of constitutions by some leaders, must not be tolerated by the international community.

    “Nigeria fully supports the efforts by ECOWAS to address this growing challenge and appreciates the support of both the African Union and the United Nations,’’ he added.

    According to the president, Nigeria continues to face security challenges which pose a threat to democracy.

    He called on global partners to support Nigeria’s efforts in tackling insurgency and terrorism.’

    “I am proud to state that Nigeria has had over two decades of uninterrupted democratic governance and has unequivocally remained committed to upholding the core values and principles of democracy.

    “Since assuming office in 2015, we have been able to introduce mechanisms to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

    “We have strengthened our key anti-corruption agencies in collaboration with international partners and have undertaken several anti-corruption measures and initiatives,’’ he said.

    The Nigerian leader thanked President Joe Biden, government and people of the United States for hosting the Summit.

    “As you are aware, democracy has remained the most popular and universally recognised way of governance thus far.

    “It is one governance system that guarantees freedom of speech, rule of law, respect for human rights and inclusiveness in governance.

    “It also promotes social justice, economic and social development and national and global peace.

    “However, in spite of these laudable qualities, more is required from us as members of democratic societies, particularly in ensuring that democratic institutions and processes are strengthened, particularly during this period of a global pandemic which has threatened social cohesion in most democracies.

    “We, therefore, must remain resolute and enhance cooperation, so that together, we build back better democratic institutions and sustainable democratic values,’’ the president added.

    President Buhari noted that the summit was taking place at a time when democratic institutions around the world were facing several challenges.

    According to him, the summit will help promote a positive agenda for democratic renewal by focusing on some of the major challenges faced by democracies today.

    “It is hoped that through our collective action, we can safeguard democratic values and principles,’’ he said.

    The president said the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had made it impossible to convene the meeting face to face, had taken a heavy toll on economies, health and democratic processes around the world.

    “Nevertheless, we have witnessed the resilience of democratic institutions in many countries that have held free, fair and transparent democratic elections under very challenging conditions,’’ he added.

  • Lai Mohammed lied he funded 2019 Kwara APC elections – Secretary

    Lai Mohammed lied he funded 2019 Kwara APC elections – Secretary

    The Secretary of the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Mustapha Ishowo, has described allegations by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that he funded the 2019 general elections in the State as “false and self-serving.”

    He said this at a press conference in Ilorin, on Thursday. Ishowo condemned what he called the minister’s dictatorial and divisive tendencies.

    Ishowo, said this in response to remarks made by the Minister in a newspaper interview.

    He said, “The then governorship candidate ran and led his own campaign across the state, day and night. This was heavily bankrolled by the candidate himself.

    “He also donated hugely to the campaigns of other candidates, even when he had his own election to run. This is the fact, and any claim to the contrary by Alhaji Lai and his followers is synonymous with his widely acclaimed epithet: lies.”

    “Alhaji Lai Mohammed’s claim that he funded the APC election campaign in 2019 is a fallacy. Anyone who knows Alhaji Lai Mohammed knows he cannot part with his kobo.

    “The claim that he bankrolled the governor’s campaign is an empty boast that every serious party member and elder knew to be false. If anything, he was simply cornering party funds for personal promotion and use.

    “The motorcycles he was talking about were donations to the party which he was forced to share after a tug of war and subtle threats of reporting him to the party’s national secretariat and the donors.

    “Indeed, rather than warehouse such donated items at the party secretariat, they were kept at his LAMCO office. This shows his nature as a sectional and maximum ruler.”

    According to the party chieftain, the claims in the interview by the minister were self-serving and untrue.

  • Africans must ensure transparent democratic processes — Osinbajo

    Africans must ensure transparent democratic processes — Osinbajo

    The Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, has urged Africans to continue to make the additional effort in ensuring that elections in the continent go through the democratic process and remain transparent and fair.

    Osinbajo said this on Monday while receiving the President-elect of Sao Tome and Principe, Carlos Vila Nova who paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, revealed this in a statement titled ‘Elections in Africa must follow democratic process.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that on July 18, 2021, elections were held in Sao Tome to replace President Evaristo Carvalho, whose tenure expired on September 3, 2021.

    Based on constitutional provisions, an outright winner did not emerge from the polls and a run-off led to the emergence of Vila Nova, who would be inaugurated on October 2, 2021.

    According to the Vice President “there is no question at all that for those of us in Africa, we must make the extra effort to ensure that the democratic process is very transparent. It is such a pleasure to see that that was what took place in your country which led to your election.”

    Speaking about areas of cooperation between both countries, he said, “We already talked about some of the areas of cooperation…your tenure might be an opportunity to bring some of those things to fruition.”

    He reassured Vila Nova of Nigeria’s support to ensure that “your tenure is as comfortable and effective as possible as partners and friends.”

    In his remarks, President-elect Vila Nova expressed appreciation to the President, Muhammadu Buhari for supporting Sao Tome and also thanked the Vice President for his attention, stating that Nigeria is a “friendly country” and the relationship between both countries dates back many years.

     

  • How endless litigations obstruct our attempts to improve elections in Nigeria – INEC

    How endless litigations obstruct our attempts to improve elections in Nigeria – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appears undone with its constant alarms over conflicting court orders to political parties, their candidates and how it might affect the credibility of elections in the country.

    Raising the alarm this time is the commission’s Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu at a meeting with political party leaders in Abuja, ahead of the governorship election in Anambra State.

    “It appears that in a number of electoral cases in Nigeria today, the settled law is now unsettled and the time-honoured principle of certain decisions doesn’t seem to matter anymore,” Professor Yakubu said.

    “The more INEC strives to improve the credibility and transparency of our electoral process, the more obstacles are put in our way through litigation.”

    These conflicting court orders, the INEC boss warned, pose major challenges for the electoral process and are capable of hurting the country’s democracy.

    “I’m aware that some of the cases are still in court and are therefore subjudice,” Professor Yakubu said.

    “I must say that some of the decided cases are making our work difficult and we have been crying out loud for a long time.

    “In particular, some pre-election litigations relating to the nomination of candidates for elections were not determined until after the elections.”

    The INEC chairman’s comments come two weeks after the commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education, Mr Festus Okoye, expressed similar concerns, and amid debates about the implications of the conflicting judgements. The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammed, has also intervened.

    While Mr Okoye called on the judiciary to intervene in the matter to protect the electoral process, his boss Professor Yakubu took it further, advising politicians to avoid actions that hurt the electoral process.

    He told the political leaders that even when elections are conducted, some litigations make it impossible for INEC to issue Certificates of Return to winners.

    He also warned that “contracted and conflicting litigations” result in situations “where courts rather than votes determine winners of elections”

    “This situation is compounded by cases on the leadership of political parties, therefore making the exercise of our regulatory responsibilities difficult,” he added.

    “Consequently, in some instances, political parties were declared winners without candidates to immediately receive the Certificates of Return.”