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Tag: LG Elections

  • BASIEC fixes date to conduct LG election in Bauchi

    BASIEC fixes date to conduct LG election in Bauchi

    The Bauchi  State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) has fixed Aug. 19, 2024, for local government elections in the State.

    The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Ahmad Makama, who disclosed this at a news conference on Tuesday in Bauchi, said all necessary arrangements have been concluded to ensure free and fair elections.

    He reiterated the commitment of the commission to conduct credible and transparent election, urging citizens to come out and vote for their preferred candidates across all parties on the election day.

    He denied any alleged rigging plan in the elections, noting that previous elections were free and fair.

    Makama said the commission had organised series of meetings with political parties, security chiefs and relevant stakeholders, as part of the election preparations.

    He urged the public to support the commission to ensure hitch-free local government elections.

  • Kogi announces date for LG election

    Kogi announces date for LG election

    The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has announced Oct. 19 for the local government election to occupy chairmanship and councillorship seats in the state.

    Announcing the date at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja on Tuesday, the Chairman, KOSIEC, Mamman Nda-Eri, also released the timetable for the electoral process.

    Nda-Eri said the announcement was made in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

    “KOSIEC is established under Section 197 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “It is also empowered by the Kogi State Government, via the Local Government Elections Law 2004, and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

    “I, hereby, formally present the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2024 Local Government (LG) election in Kogi State.

    “The LG election has been scheduled for 19th of October 2024 by the grace of God,” Nda-Eri said.

    According to him, the collection of forms by political parties will be from Aug. 5 to 12, while the conduct of primaries including dispute resolutions is scheduled from Aug. 13 to 23.

    He added that Aug. 26 will be the last day for the submission of forms, while verification of documents will be held between Sept. 4 and 12.

    “Campaigns by political parties will commence on Sept. 13 and end on Oct. 17, while the election will be held on Oct. 19.

    “We, diligently, prepared this comprehensive timetable and schedule of activities to ensure a transparent, fair, and credible electoral process.

    “We assure you that these activities have been designed with utmost consideration for inclusivity, transparency, and adherence to electoral laws.

    “As such, we present the detailed timetable and schedule of activities to you all as critical stakeholders for your review and approval.

    “We appreciate your continued support and collaboration to the successful organisation and completion of the 2024 local government election in Kogi State by the grace of God,” he said.

    In separate interviews, leaders of various political parties and other stakeholders at the meeting commended the commission for the presentation.

    The stakeholders unanimously hailed the Supreme Court judgment granting full autonomy to the local government as the third tier of government, adding it would engender grassroots development.

    Amb. Idris Muraina, Chairperson, Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), and Miliki Idris, Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), called for full compliance with the guidelines as stated.

    They urged the citizens to take ownership and monitor the process from beginning to end to ensure a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

    Mr Bala Bodinga, Deputy Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kogi Command, promised the corps’ readiness to provide security support at all stages of the electoral process.

    According to him, NSCDC Commandant, Kogi State Command, CC Paul Igwebuike, is committed to making good the promise.

  • Autonomy: NASS told to stop Govs from conducting LG elections

    Autonomy: NASS told to stop Govs from conducting LG elections

    A pan-African students’ movement, Progressive Students’ Movement (PSM), on Monday, urged the National Assembly to enact a law that would stop governors from conducting local government elections.

    President of PSM, Bestman Okereafor, said in a statement in Enugu that it was imperative to make the financial autonomy granted the local governments to make the desired impact.

    Recall the Supreme Court had, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, ordered the Federal Government to begin direct payment of monthly allocations into local councils’ accounts.

    Okereafor described the apex court verdict as a landmark judgment and one which would have direct impacts on the lives of the common man at the grassroots.

    “This judgment will help strengthen our democracy, uphold our constitutional rights and the ideals of local governments regarding financial autonomy.

    “It will check the retrogression suffered by council areas in terms of governors solely and frequently appointing or handpicking caretaker chairmen and councillors in connivance with their respective state electoral commissions.

    “We commend Hon Justice Emmanuel Agim for standing on the path of freedom, equity and social justice. May God bless him for standing with the people.

    “As intellectuals, PSM is calling on the National Assembly to, as a matter of urgency, stop state governments from conducting local government elections for the purpose of transparency, fairness and accountability,” he said.

    The PSM president called for the conduct of local government elections by INEC through its zonal/state offices henceforth.

    “We are of the view that leaving the conduct of local government elections in the hands of state governors, who are not pleased with the Supreme Court judgment, simply means they are still controlling the local government chairmen.

    “The governors will want to remain the chief determinants of who gets what and how the finance is being spent in the council areas,” he said.

    Okereafor commended the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, for having the courage to pursue the case to a logical conclusion in the interest of the Nigerian masses.

    “PSM also commends President Bola Tinubu for allowing due process and rule of law by not interfering in the judicial process and equally affirming that the decision of the apex court is of historic significance.

    “We strongly believe that the Supreme Court judgment will, in no little way, help improve the economy of our people at the grassroots.

    “We are calling on our youths to massively contest at the local government level in their respective states for the renewal of the lost hope,” he stated.

  • LG poll: How PDP won 25 seats in Delta

    LG poll: How PDP won 25 seats in Delta

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the July 13 council polls in the 24 local government areas of Delta State. The results were announced on Sunday in Asaba at the headquarters of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC).

     

    After the declaration of results by the LGA Returning Officers, DSIEC Chairman Dr. Jerry Agbaike mentioned that the Allied People’s Movement (APM) won in one electoral ward in Oshimili South local government area.

    Recall that recently the Supreme Court granted LG Autonomy and ruled that they can now get allocations directly from the Federal Government.

    President Tinubu  welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, affirming the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the statutory rights of local governments.

     

    The president stated that a fundamental challenge to the nation’s advancement over the years has been ineffective local government administration, as governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration is nearly absent

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  • DSIEC rated high as PDP clears Delta LG election; Dafinone kicks

    DSIEC rated high as PDP clears Delta LG election; Dafinone kicks

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won all the 25 local government chairmanship seats in the Delta Local Government election held across the State on Saturday.

    The party also clinched 499 of the 500 councillorship seats, losing one to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oshimili North Local Government Area (LGA).

    Dr Jerry Agbaike, the Chief Electoral Officer and Chairman, Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), announced the results at the commission’s headquarters in Asaba on Sunday.

    Agbaike said election was, however, not held in Udu LGA as the PDP chairmanship candidate was returned unopposed.

    The DSIEC chairman also issued Certificates of Return to the elected LG chairmen to mark the end of the exercise.

    Recall that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and other PDP chiefs had earlier predicted victory for the candidates of the party.

    After casting his vote on Saturday, Oborevwori said he was confident of victory in the election he described as transparent, free and fair.

    The Governor also expressed support for the LG autonomy, claiming he did not, for this reason, constitute caretaker committees at the end of the tenure of the immediate past chairmen.

    “The Supreme Court judgment has no effect here in Delta State because we don’t tamper with local government funds.

    “As a former speaker, we were at the forefront of the issue of autonomy for the legislature and the judiciary. So, that judgment does not affect us here in Delta State.

    “In the past, the state government cleared monies owed by local governments in the state.

    “The Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC) is just a monitoring process to ensure transparency,” Oborevwori said.

    Delta LG Election: TAF Africa lauds DSIEC, security agencies

    Meanwhile, TAF Africa, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has lauded the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) for ensuring inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Saturday, July 13, local government election.

    The organisation also lauded security agencies for visibility in all the wards and polling units across the 25 local government areas of the state.

    Jake Epelle, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, gave the commendation on Sunday in Asaba at a news conference while
    giving final report on the Saturday election.

    He said DSIEC adopted the lessons learnt from TAF Africa on how to ensure inclusiveness of PWDs in its electoral process.

    He added that the foundation deployed a team to observe the election closely, saying DSIEC made exceptional efforts in ensuring a more inclusive and secured election environment.

    He noted that “we observed that adequate security was provided in all polling units visited and notably, no violence was recorded throughout the election.

    “This ensured peaceful and orderly process, allowing voters to exercise their rights without fear.”

    Epelle, however, noted that there was low voter turnout owing to voter apathy occasioned by experiences from previous elections.

    He also said that some voters were disenfranchised due to creation of new polling units without adequate sensitisation of the electorate.

    The organisation urged DSIEC to investigate why elections could not hold in Koko 11, units 1,2 and 3 in Warri North Local GovernmentArea.

    The foundation’s Programmes Manager, Mr Adeolu Kilanko, said “voter apathy can pose significant threat to democratic system.”

    According to him, the low voters turnout in the election reflects a trend of disenchantment among the electorate.

    ‘For PWDs, the impact is even more pronounced. Voter apathy can lead to their voices being further marginalised.”

    Also, the TAF Africa Senior Communication Manager, Ms Lynn Agwuocha, also lauded DSIEC for its stride toward an inclusive electoral process.

    Agwuocha reiterated the foundation’s commitment to continue to advocate for the rights and inclusion of PWDs and work toward a more inclusive and participatory democratic process in the country.

    Delta LG polls a complete sham, falls short of democratic standard – Dafinone

    Nevertheless, the senator representing Delta Central Senatoral District, Senator Ede Dafinone has described the Delta state local council elections held on Saturday, July 13 as a complete shame and a mockery of democratic ideals and standard.

    Senator Dafinone spoke on the growing concern across the country on how the sitting state governors uses the State Independent Electorial Commission DSIEC to undermine the growth and development of the electoral system at the local government level.

    The Delta Central lawmaker while reacting to the outcome of the council polls held in Delta state said that it’s very unfortunate that people at the grassroot level are prevented from participating in our democratic process by state governors to freely elect their councillors and council chairman.

    Senator Dafinone while applauding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the financial autonomy for the local governments across the country with the recent Supreme Court landmark judgement, noted that Nigerians of goodwill must collectively work to amend the relevant sections of the constitution to rescue the local government system from the iron-fist of the state Governors.

    He added that the main opposition in the state, the All Progressives Congress sensed that the electoral umpire, Delta State Independent Electorial Commission DSIEC was not going to conduct a credible elections as predicted, hence most of the party candidates withdrew from the polls.

    According to him, “it’s very unfortunate and sad how low our people can go to acquire power. It’s even more troubling that after 25 years in our democratic experiment, we can’t conduct what looks like an election at local government level. “What took place in Delta State on Saturday to all intent and purpose can’t be classified as an election. It’s a complete sham and an affront to all known democratic ideals.“

    The State electoral umpire most probably acting on the instructions of the state Governor just allotted figures to candidates who took part in the shambolic process. It can at best be described as a mere coronation of all PDP-nominated candidates.

    “As predicted by political watchers that the Delta State PDP-led government is incapable of conducting free, fair and credible elections, DISEC proved all of us right. Because there were reports across the state that electoral materials, particularly results sheets were not supplied to many polling units, and in some cases, wards that were considered as strongholds of the opposition, voting materials were not supplied at all.

    “It’s disheartening that our governors who are products of free and fair elections can’t replicate the same in the local government areas of their state. If INEC were to conduct elections the way the governors purportedly teleguide SIEC to conduct local government polls, many of them would not be governors today.

    “I think at this point in our national history and democratic journey, we have to put partisan politics aside and work collectively to amend the relevant sections of our constitution to rescue the local government system from the grips of our governors.

    “I must commend the laudable effort of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking the lead in this respect by ensuring financial autonomy for the local governments across the country.

    “We must do likewise to enthrone democratic principles at the local government level by ensuring that a credible agency, possibly INEC, is charged with the conduct of local government elections across the country to guarantee our people’s participation in democratic governance.”

  • Osuoza reacts as IPAC rates conduct of LG election in Delta

    Osuoza reacts as IPAC rates conduct of LG election in Delta

    The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has lauded security agencies in Delta for ensuring peace and creating a secure atmosphere for the ongoing local government election.

    IPAC Chairman, Prince Henry Eze, made the commendation in an interview with journalists while monitoring the elections in Asaba on Saturday.

    He noted that the election was generally peaceful and encouraging from all the polling units visited and as reported by IPAC members across the state.

    “We have been going around covering polling units in Oshimili South Local Government Area, and things are moving on smoothly at the units; no fighting, no thuggery.

    “The security agencies lived up to expectations, matching their words with actions.

    “We met with the state Commissioner for Police (CP), Olufemi Abaniwonda, who assured us of adequate security, and what he said is what we are seeing today,” he said.

    Eze said that about 10 political parties participated in the LG election, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP) and Action Alliance (AA).

    He said that in line with the all-inclusive electoral goal of the council, people with disabilities were seen voting in some of the polling units monitored in Asaba.

    Voting was also peaceful in the Okpanam area of Oshimili North LGA in DSIEC Ward 13, Units 3 and 30.

    Delta LG election: Osuoza declares exercise free, credible

    Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, has described the July 13, 2024 Local Government Council election in his Ward as free, fair, credible and transparent.

    Dr Osuoza predicted a landslide victory for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the statewide polls.

    Osuoza, who spoke to newsmen shortly after casting his vote around 10.30am, at his polling Unit 007 in Ward 10, Idumuje Ugboko, in Aniocha Local Government Area of Delta State, commended the State Independent Election Commission, DSIEC, for ensuring that election materials and personnel arrived on time and the process was conducted seamlessly, in a conducive and peaceful atmosphere.

    He said: “I have to commend DSIEC for conducting a smooth, free, fair, transparent and credible election. Election materials and officials arrived quite early and they set up their structures on time to ensure that everything was ready before polling started.

    “I must also commend our voters who turned out in their numbers to cast their votes, which is an indication that they responded very well to our campaigns.

    “It has always been our belief and philosophy in the PDP that there are no small elections. Every election is very important to us and that is why we campaigned comprehensively, vigorously and robustly across all the Wards and Local Government Areas in the State for this council election and the result is the impressive turnout of our voters.

    “I have no doubts whatsoever that from the turn out I have witnessed in my polling unit today and from feelers that I have been getting from across the our LGA and other areas, the PDP is surely heading for a landslide victory across the State in this election.

    The Delta Information Commissioner then appealed to Deltans to continue to support the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as he delivers his MORE Agenda to the people.

    “I want to urge Deltans to continue to support our dear Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, as he continues with his focused, determined and steady leadership, to deliver legacy projects across the three Senatorial Districts and ensure the provision of life impacting dividends of democracy, through Meaningful Developmental initiatives, Opportunities for all, Realistic and impactful Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security for all Deltans, in our collective effort towards Advancing Delta with the MORE Agenda”, he concluded.

  • RSIEC announces date for LG elections in Rivers State

    RSIEC announces date for LG elections in Rivers State

    The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), has fixed Oct. 5, for the conduct of local government council elections in the state.

    RSIEC Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), announced the date at a stakeholders meeting in Port Harcourt on Monday.

    “The aim of this meeting is to unveil the timetable and guidelines for the conduct of elections into the 23 local government councils in the state,” he said.

    Enebeli said that campaigns would take place between Sept. 4 and Oct. 3 while the election would hold on Oct. 5.

    He urged political parties willing to participate in the exercise to obtain, complete and submit their expression of interest forms to the commission, latest July 15.

    Enebeli said that the commission was empowered by Section 5 of the RSIEC Law No 2 of 2018, to provide guidelines and to conduct local government council elections in the state.

    He said that only registered political parties could sponsor candidates for the elections by submitting duly completed expression of interest forms to the commission.

    The chairman said that the commission would not tolerate multiple nomination of candidates for one position during the process.

    “Political parties that nominate multiple candidates for a particular position will be disqualified.

    “Substitution of candidates will only be allowed if the first candidate withdraws or dies before the exercise.

    Speaking at the meeting, Solsuema Osaro, the Chairman, Inter-party Advisory Council, said that political parties in the state were ready for the council elections.

    He expressed hopes that the election commission would play the role of an unbiased umpire in the conduct of the poll.

  • INEC has no power to conduct LG elections – Yakubu

    INEC has no power to conduct LG elections – Yakubu

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says the commission has no constitutional power to conduct local council elections except in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Yakubu said this on the sidelines of a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), on Monday in Lagos.

    Reacting to the agitation seeking constitutional backing for INEC to be saddled with the responsibility of conducting local council elections, Yakubu described it as ‘a constitutional matter’.

    According to Yakubu, unless necessary constitutional amendments are made, the commission will only continue to organise national and state elections.

    “The same section of the constitution that establishes INEC also establishes the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and we cannot take over their duties.

    “It is good for people to engage in advocacy for INEC to take charge of the whole elections, but the constitution has to be amended for that to happen.

    “For now, INEC can only conduct the local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory with six area council chairmen and 62 councillors.

    “And it is in the FCT that the conduct of council elections has been regular and we are proud that the conduct of the elections there has been done to the best of our capacity.

    “So, we are encouraged by what we have done, but as for taking over the state elections, the constitution has to be amended, and we are not there yet,’’ he said.

    Some Nigerians are canvassing for the dissolution of the SIECs in the ongoing constitutional amendment, to pave way for INEC to take charge of local government elections.

    The proponents believe that state governors were hijacking local councils’ allocation due to irregularities in the conduct of the LG polls.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had in March this year called for the scrapping of SIECs.

    Fagbemi said that SIEC’s function should be transferred to INEC, to ensure independence and transparency in the outcome of local government elections in the country.

  • Benue shifts local government election

    Benue shifts local government election

    Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) has shifted  the state’s local government election from July 6  to Nov. 16.

    Dr. John Chen,Chairman of the commission, disclosed this while speaking with  newsmen on Friday in Makurdi.

    Dr. Chen said the change of date was necessitated by  logistical constraints.

    He said the commission needed more time to prepare and procure election materials,which he said had not yet been procured.

    “We have commenced the process of rescheduling by developing a revised timetable that will accommodate all critical activities and allow sufficient time for adequate preparation.

    “Today serves as the date for the issuance of the election notice in accordance with the relevant Statutes, particularly Sections 103 (3) and 150 of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended, and detailed guidelines will be released in due course in accordance with these laws,” he said.

    The Chairman appealed to  all political parties,  candidates and critical stakeholders to cooperate with the commission to enable it conduct a free and fair election.

  • Delta council polls: I stand firm with PDP – Prof Oyovbaire

    Delta council polls: I stand firm with PDP – Prof Oyovbaire

    Renowned elder statesman and former Minister of Information, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire has reinstated his resolute commitment to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Prof. Oyovbaire, a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, reinstated his stand with the party at his country home of Opujara in Okpe local government area, Delta State.

    Oyovbaire said: “I have been in PDP and I remain in the party. I am not one to run from party to party. I stand firm with PDP and encourage everyone to remain with the party”.

    The former Minister of Information said this on Thursday as the PDP in Okpe commenced its campaigns in Opuraja ahead of council elections set to hold in Delta in July.

    Speaking during the campaign tour, Chairman of Okpe PDP, Hon Efe Uko explained why the party’s campaigns in Okpe local government area have to commence in the country home of Prof Oyovbaire.

    “We are happy to be here at the ward of our leader, Prof Sam Oyovbaire, the Ọgbirhorho Okpẹ kingdom.

    “The campaigns did not start in Opuraja in error. When we sat down to make the decision, we decided that the campaigns should start here from the home of our leader.

    “Prof Sam Oyovbaire, being a member of the PDP Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council, is a ranking member of the party and a leader in the State. It is, therefore, the right thing to do to begin the campaigns here,” Uko said.

    In his remarks, the PDP campaign coordinator in Okpe, Hon Joseph Otirhue re-emphasized on the reason why the party is presenting Hon Isaiah Esiovwa as chairman for second tenure.

    While thanking leaders of the wards visited for the warm reception, Hon Otirhue said: “We sat down to reason how we are going to do it and who we are going to send.

    “We were faced with the challenge that no one has ever returned for second term in Okpe local government council. No second tenure.

    “But when we consider the fact that other local governments do second term, we told ourselves that this is doable. We looked around and decided that Hon Isaiah Esiovwa is presentable for second term.

    Speaking further, Otirhue said: “When there is a guaranteed second term, the person is more likely to work better than when it is only one term.

    “So, leaders of the party have to ratify Hon Isaiah Esiovwa for second term with Pastor Mrs Mary Otikiri as running mate. So, we succeeded in breaking the jinx with Hon Esiovwa”.

    Highlight of the campaign tour was the presentation of PDP flags to the councillorship standard bearers of the party for the wards visited.

    The flag bearers unveiled during the campaign tour are the PDP councillorship candidates for Opuraja Ward 16, Judith Omovigho Johnson. Others are those for Adeje Ward 15, Felix Ikoyo; Evwriyen Ward 7, David Onoberevu and Adagbrasa-Ugolo Ward 8, Kenneth Awehtuya.

    According to the timetable earlier released by Okpe PDP, the campaign tour will be held across the remaining wards of the local government area on Saturday and Monday when more councillorship candidates would be unveiled.