Accredited Observer Group Commend INEC For Conducting Credible Election In Ekiti

The INEC accredited observer organization has commended the just Ekiti Guber Election.

Speaking on behalf of the organisation, the Director-General of the Centre for Credible Leadership & Citizens Awareness, Dr Nwambu Gabriel said that the BVAS Technology as introduced by INEC functioned optimally in 94% of areas visited.

Malfunctioning of the BVAS Technology was observed in 6% of the state and INEC was prompt in replacing them with elections continuing almost immediately.

Except is the full text of the observer’s organisation statement:

A POST-ELECTION PRESS BRIEFING ON THE EKITI STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION HELD ON THE 18TH OF JUNE, 2022.

Gentlemen of the press, you are welcome to this press briefing.

On the 18th of June, 2022, the people of Ekiti state exercised their franchise to determine the candidate of the 16 political parties to saddle the affairs of the state for the next four years. This is essential to elect a replacement for his Excellency, Dr Koyade Fayemi whose administration would come to an end in the next few months having served for a maximum of 8 years. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Accredited reputable Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations as observer groups essentially to observe the degree of compliance of the electoral management body, the political parties as well as their supporters to the relevant electoral laws. Ekiti state is one of the States with off-season elections and is classified as a volatile state because of the persistent violence observed in past elections in the state.

This election has its peculiarities, firstly, this is the first time the BVAS Technology would be deployed in an Ekiti state election. Secondly, this is the first election in Nigeria where the Electoral Act 2022 As Amended would be deployed in full force. Electronic uploading and transmission of votes, backed by law with viewing portals in real time was deployed in the election.

Now, the rights of the electorates are said to be violated if the processes of power transition do not conform with the relevant provisions of the electoral laws governing the process of the said election.

749,065 voters out of 988,923 registered voters collected their PVCs in Ekiti state. The election was conducted in 2,445 Polling Units, and 177 Wards across 16 Local Government Areas.

We, as INEC Accredited observer organization observed the election and hereby state as follows:

(1). That election was held across the 2,445 Polling Units of Ekiti state.

(2). That we observed the distribution of sensitive materials from the INEC State office in Ado Ekiti to the LGAs, then to the RAC centres and then to the polling units. (3). That election commenced between 8.00-8.30 am across the state.

(4). That the BVAS Technology as introduced by INEC functioned optimally in 94% of areas visited. Malfunctioning of the BVAS Technology was observed in 6% of the state and INEC was prompt in replacing them with elections continuing almost immediately.

(5). We observed that there were pockets of vote buying, especially in Ado and Oleh. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were on the ground and the operatives arrested some persons allegedly believed to be buying votes in one of the locations. Now, this is not enough fact to prove that the entire process was marred by vote-buying as this was observed in pockets of polling units visited.

The performance of the BVAS Technology improved significantly from what was observed in the Anambra State Governorship election.

(6). That the Centre observed a significant reduction in the snatching of ballot boxes. This could be largely attributed to the latest amendments of the electoral act 2022.

SECURITY AGENCIES.

The deployment of about 17,000 officers and men of the Nigerian Police and 9,000 members of the NSCDC and other security agencies no doubt aided in the reduction of electoral-related violence. However, security agents have been alleged to be complaisant in vote-buying.

CONCLUSION.

The Ekiti State Governorship election has come and gone, it should be noted as observed that this election is one of the most transparent elections in the history of Nigeria for which the processes were consistent with the relevant electoral laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore, we can unequivocally state that the election was free, transparent and in tandem with the law. The APC candidate emerged the winner of the election having polled 187,057 against his closest rival the SDP candidate who scored 82,211 voters. While the PDP candidate scored 67,457 votes. Consequently, we advise those who lost in this election to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship by congratulating the APC candidate who won the election.

By this medium, we hereby commend YIAGA AFRICA and Channels Television for the collaboration in enhancing the viewing portals of INEC for the wider reach of all Nigerians online and in real-time.INEC is here commended for initiating the latest amendments in the electoral act and the introduction of the BVAS Technology backed by law which has made the electorate’s vote count. This has increased the populace’s belief and trust in our electoral system.

Thank you.

Signed: Dr NWAMBU GABRIEL.

Director-General.

Recall Uzor Kalu Now; Coalition Tells Constituents

 

The coalition of Democratic Watchdogs of Nigeria has called for the recall of the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, an erstwhile governor of Abia State.

According to Dr. Nwakor Chibuzor who spoke on behalf of the coalition, he said that the good people of Abia North do not deserve Orji Uzor Kalu.

“By this utterance of Orji Kalu, the people of Abia North who are 100% Christians should immediately commence a recall of Orji Kalu from the Senate as it is evident that he is not representing Abia North, Dr. Chibuzor said,

An excerpt is the full text of the press briefing:

Good morning gentlemen of the fourth realm and welcome to this press briefing.

No doubt the issue of choosing a running mate by the two main political parties (that is, the APC and the PDP) has dominated the media space and national discussion especially as the electoral management body (INEC) has issued 17th June 2022 as the deadline for the submission of names for the Vice Presidential Candidates for all political parties. The fundamental issue is the combination in terms of the Muslim/Christian ticket or the Muslim/Muslim ticket. In other words, a Muslim from the North, and a Christian from the South or vice-vasa. This balance essential is to ensure that equitable representation of both Muslims and Christians alike in the nation's highest executive arm of government. Moreover, the 1999 construction of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended provides for the Federal Character in other to ensure equity, balance, and fair representation across the nation.

You would all agree with me that the Nigerian state has never been this polarized, aligned and divided along religious and tribal sentiments and affiliations. Hence both the AREWA and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)has warned against the looming jeopardy that would associate the Muslim/Muslim ticket by the APC in the country if Bola Tinubu make the mistake of fielding the Muslim/Muslim ticket.

Now, the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, an erstwhile governor of Abia State, who has been charged and convicted by the court for 7.6 Billion Naira fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is yet at it again. Mr. Orji Uzor, a supposed Christian, emphatically stated his unalloyed support for a Muslim/Muslim ticket for the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. He further emphasized that his own interest is for the APC to win the election. In other words, for the Chief Whip, equity does not matter, fair representation for Christians and Muslims alike doesn't matter, the provision of Federal Character as entrenched in the Nigerian constitution does not matter, for him, it is all about winning the and election. Recall also that the same Orji Uzor Kalu had previously declared his unalloyed support for the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan. He even stated that he prefers to be a cleaner in the Aso Rock Villa provided that Ahmed Lawan wins as President of the federal republic of Nigeria. What a multi-faceth character! This is absurd and gross irresponsibility of the highest order. No Christian has sold out to this level in Nigerian history. How did the people of Abia North Senatorial District deteriorate to this level? It is unfortunate because the good people of Abia North do not deserve this satanic incarnate. A Lucifer personified and the antichrist of our time. By this utterance of Orji Kalu, the people of Abia North who are 100% Christians should immediately commence a recall of Orji Kalu from the Senate as it is evident that he is not representing Abia North. People like Orji Uzor should not be found in public service as his interest is personal and selfish. For oscillating like a pendulum, from Ahmed Lawan to Tinubu, and to Muslim/Muslim ticket, Uzor Kalu has demonstrated inconsistency and no recourse whatsoever to the people of Abia North he claims to be representing, therefore he should be treated as his I'll conduct depicts. Orji Uzor Kalu is an anti-Christian, anti-Igbo and anti Abia North.

Thank you.

 

Rivers 2023: PDP Governorship Primaries Under Threat

 

…….Court Grants Order Compelling PPD, INEC To Show Why Primaries Should Hold In Rivers Without Dagogo

The Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo has ordered the  Peoples’ Democratic Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission to show reasons why the party’s gubernatorial primaries should hold in Rivers State without the plaintiff, Hon Farah Dagogo.

The Plaintiff/Applicant, Farah Dagogo the Member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency of Rivers State under the PDP.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo ordered the PDP and INEC to show cause on Tuesday,  May,2022 why Dagogo’s application seeking injunctive orders against the PDP and INEC in respect of the PDP gubernatorial primary election for Rivers State should not be granted.

Dagogo had filed a suit on March 12, challenging his prevention from the screening exercise of his party (PDP) for the oncoming gubernatorial primary election for Rivers State having submitted all the required documents.

The presiding judge in the sitting of the court on Monday granted the order for INEC and PDP to show cause why the primaries should not be stopped.

Dagogo went to court  to seek an order of the High Court to restrain INEC, (2nd Defendant) or any of its officers or agents from monitoring the conduct of the PDP (1st Defendant) primary election for the gubernatorial position for Rivers State scheduled for 26th May 2022.

He asked the Court not allow INEC to send any of its representatives on the scheduled fixed without his name on the list of contestants for the forthcoming primary election pending the hearing and determination of the substantive action.

Dagogo, is appealing to the court to compel INEC and PDP, to include his name as one of the aspirants in the forthcoming gubernatorial primary election.

The aspirant is seeking "an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant either by itself or any of its officers or agents from monitoring the conduct of 1st Defendant’s primary election for the gubernatorial position for Rivers State on 26th May 2022 or any other date fixed, without the name of the Plaintiff on the list of contestants for the said primary election pending the hearing and determination of the substantive action."

The Network gathered that the aspirant was duly nominated by not less than 45 persons from at least two-third of the Local Government Areas within Rivers State, who are registered voters in their respective Local Government Areas and registered members of PDP.

According to Dagogo, he completed and submitted the said nomination form to the the PDP,  and accompanied them with all the relevant documents, including copies of his PDP membership card, voter’s card and sworn declarations made before a Commissioner of oaths at the High Court.

He stated that he satisfied and abided by the guidelines, all laws, rules or regulations made by PDP relating to the conduct of primary elections.

He stated that his Primary Form was issued to him by the PDP as proof that he had met all the requirements required of him as an aspirant by the National headquarters of the party.

He said that he presented himself to the Screening committee for gubernatorial aspirants in Rivers State, on the 28th and 29th of April, 2022, at the PDP Zonal Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He disclosed that while he was waiting to receive his interim clearance papers, some individuals in mufti who claimed to be Rivers state Government House security agents led by the Camp Commandant, DSP Efeture Irikefe removed him from the sitting arrangement with the active connivance of the membership of the Screening Committee, who had ensured that he was the last person to be screened.

However, Dagogo narrated that he was whisked away to Operation Sting Police Unit/formation and later at State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (State CIID) both in Port Harcourt. 

According him,  the State CIID, quickly made an attempt to arraign him on trumped up charges at the Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt on 29th April, 2022 which proved abortive.

“There was an attempt to arraign Plaintiff/Applicant on trumped up charges at the Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt on 29th April, 2022 which proved abortive. 

"Following the deterioration of the Plaintiff/Applicant’s health in custody the Plaintiff/Applicant is now receiving medical attention at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and he as remanded in hospital care since 4th May 2022, still under the detention of the security agents.

"From inquiry and investigation, Plaintiff/Applicant was being prevented from physically participating in the PDP Primary, and as a result he caused  his Solicitors wrote to the PDP Screening Committee in charge of the exercise on 29th April, 2022 narrating his travails and requesting that he should be obliged with a virtual meeting or for the appeals committee to come to the State CIID, Port Harcourt where he was being detained at the time to meet him since he had earlier submitted all his necessary documents to the 1st Defendant. 

"None of the complaints of the Plaintiff/Applicant were treated and the 1st Defendant’s agents at Port Harcourt has completely ignored the Plaintiff/Applicant which led Plaintiff/Applicant to write again, through his solicitor’s (in line with the PDP Guidelines) to write an appeal to the PDP Gubernatorial Screening Appeal Panel, Abuja in a letter dated 30th April, 2022.

"Again, despite the appeal made to the said Appeal Panel, it did not treat the appeal and or deal with the grievances of the Plaintiff/Applicant or granted his request. 

"By the constitution and guidelines of the 1st Defendant, an aspirant to the position of the gubernatorial office of a state must go through the screening process before he/she will be eligible to participate in the 1st Defendant’s primary election to elect the party’s gubernatorial flag bearer/candidate of the state, (Rivers State herein) for the general election,” the sworn  affidavit deposed in support of the motion of interlocutory injunction before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2022  read in part.

Anti-Corruption Coalition Berets Petitioner On Allegation Against Senator Bassey Otu

The Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption has bereted one Bala I. Dakum for petitioning Senator Bassey Otu who is an APC Governorship aspirant in Cross River State.

According to the anti-corruption organisation’s Director-General, Dr Nwambu Gabriel, he said that the name of the individual who purportedly signed the petition is non-existent and the address used by the petitioner does not exist in reality. In other words, it was a fabricated address.

“Senator Bassey Edet Otu served his former employer meritoriously before he resigned his appointment to venture into politics. Senator Otu was even bestowed with a meritorious service award by his former employer for his exemplary conduct and dedication to duty, Dr Nwambu Gabriel said.

An excerpt is the full text of the press statement:

Good morning gentlemen of the fourth realm. Welcome to this press briefing.

On the 14th of May, 2022, a petition addressed to the state screening committee of the APC, Cross River state purportedly signed by one Bala I. Dakum had alleged that Senator Bassey Otu who is a Governorship aspirant in Cross River State had been convicted of fraud while working with his former employer, Mercantile Bank of Nigeria Plc. In other words, the petitioner claimed that this alleged offence is in contravention of the provisions of section 182 (e) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Sequel to the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to combat corruption in Nigeria, the Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption (A Coalition of 13 Anti-Corruption CSOs), decided to conduct a clinical, very thorough, independent verification and fact-finding exercise to ascertain the veracity and facts of this grave allegation.

Consequently, our coalition unravelled as follows:

1. That the name of the individual who purportedly signed the petition is non-existent.

2. That the address used by the petitioner does not exist in reality. In other words, it was a fabricated address.

3. That Senator Bassey Edet Otu served his former employer meritoriously before he resigned his appointment to venture into politics. Senator Otu was even bestowed with a meritorious service award by his former employer for his exemplary conduct and dedication to duty.

4. That Distinguished Senator Edet Otu was never accused of any allegation bothering on fraud, was never convicted and therefore has not contravened section 182 (e) as alleged by the ghost petitioner.

5. That Senator Otu is a graduate of Social Sciences from the University of Calabar.

6. That Senator Otu has served as a two-term Member of the House of Representatives for Calabar Municipal/Odukpani between May 2003 and May 2011. He has also served as a Senator representing the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State from June 2011 to June 2015.

7. That Senator Otu has contested elections in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 respectively. He has been consistently screened by all the relevant agencies of Government.

From the foregoing, it becomes evident that this fiction exists only in the mind of the author of this script which was orchestrated, premeditated, designed to mutilate the impeccable integrity of Distinguished Senator Bassey Edet Otu who has served this nation meritoriously, performed creditably well, and has made his mark in banking and public service respectively. In another world, Otu should be commended for his selfless and exemplary leadership style.

We want to enjoin Nigerians and indeed all persons aspiring for public positions of trust to face the realities of politics rather than the ‘Pull Him Down Syndrome’ which is inimical to deepening democracy in Nigeria but sadly has dominated our political space.

Thank You.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya Deserves An Overwhelming Second Term In Office

 

By Adewole Kehinde

After about 25 years of existence, Gombe State, the Jewel of Savannah, is now clearly set on the path of new dawn under the transformational leadership of Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya.

The current administration, which ushered in the new era, was only three years old when the impact of transformational leadership began to gain traction, whereas my findings indicate a solid foundation for sustained growth across the state's socio-economic landscape in the medium to long term.

Most governance analysts have often excused many governments’ failures on the premise of the impact of COVID-19 on the national and sub-national economies, but Gombe seems to have created a different narrative; that challenges berth creativity and ultimately superlative performance.

For Gombe, the environmental circumstances were even more daunting, judging from the difficult financial and socio-political liabilities inherited by the Mohammad Yahaya administration. My findings show that upon assumption of office, the administration was confronted with a treasury in distress, burdened with about N124 billion in loans and bonds, pension and gratuity arrears, and contractors’ liabilities.

The fiscal stress could be gleaned from the recurrent obligations amounting cumulatively to about N900.4 million monthly to service the liabilities. But the administration has gone ahead to demonstrate a determination to achieve positive results. It is the usual practice for new administrations in Nigeria’s governance space to abandon uncompleted projects inherited from the previous administration, especially if the new administration was not an extension of the previous. But Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya chose the road less travelled.

Determining to salvage and possibly turn around the taxpayers’ money into viable assets, the administration embarked on completing those projects.

Despite being in the midst of the theatre of insurgency, Gombe ranks as the best state in the ease of doing business, emerging top in Nigeria’s sub-national ease of doing business survey. The survey was conducted by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council. The states were assessed using homegrown indicators in four thematic areas: infrastructure and security, transparency and access to information, regulatory environment, and skills workforce readiness.The Infrastructure and Security theme involves four indices, namely transportation, primary healthcare, and security.

It is more than apparent that Governor Inuwa Yahaya is achieving all these, by predisposing his energy and resources, towards engaging the youth population in the state, with the various developmental projects he has embarked upon. The Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park is scheduled to provide 50,000 jobs for youths in the state.

The governor has already established the Gombe State Security, Traffic, and Environmental Corps, GOSTEC. The corps is a homegrown innovation which is providing 2,000 young men and women with jobs in security, traffic control, as well as environmental cleaning and maintenance services across the state. It boasts of a women's empowerment programme where 5,000 women are being trained and funded to embark on different business ventures of their own.

When youths are taken off the streets, and the idle womenfolk are engaged with one business or the other, society becomes safer and more ideal for government policies and other socio-economic programmes to thrive. Overall, the youth empowerment programmes are targeting 20,000 youth and women.

Another arm of this youth empowerment drive is the unprecedented provision of 2,000 tricycles, popularly called Keke-NAPEP. This is geared towards the socio-economic advancement and self-reliance of the common man. This was done through the human capital development initiative of the state government. The distribution of the Keke-NAPEP was done through the umbrella association of the Keke Riders Association of Nigeria, Gombe State chapter. One thousand (1000) beneficiaries were drawn regardless of their party affiliations, their local governments or tribes to kick-start the initiative. This was in addition to the training and engagement of over 1,000 youths under the At-Risk Children Programme (ARC-P).

Another 3,000 youths have also been engaged as development facilitators, working for the progress of their various communities. With the aforementioned programmes, the state government has institutionalised a framework that has guaranteed a steady and geometric surge in internal revenue, which has never been seen within the last 25 years of the state’s existence. To further bolster the human capital development drive, a database capturing the 27,000 unemployed graduates in the state is being deployed to link them to appropriate jobs in both the public and private sectors based on their skills.

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) have not been disabled by the Inuwa Yahaya empowerment and youth development projects. A mega centre is being built for them in the state, while various empowerment items, funds and training are being extended to them as well, just like the other able-bodied youths in the state. This is being done in collaboration with the Qatar Charity Foundation, which has executed over 400 projects across the state.

It has provided medical services to more than 5,000 people, with over 1,000 eye surgeries and medical glasses. It has built more than 50 places of worship, in which youths were engaged, with marketers of various building materials in the state enjoying patronage. More than 140 boreholes were also built. PWDs were provided with tricycles for the disabled and hundreds of sewing machines, grinding machines, and learning packages for PWDs.

A whopping 1,000 fresh teachers are being recruited by the Gombe State Teacher’s Service Commission. A total of 288 teachers under the SUBEB programme have applied for a transfer of service to the State’s Ministry of Education’s Secondary Schools and Technical Colleges. All of them have been approved and will be absorbed into the recruitment exercise. This massive engagement of the youth populace into the state’s workforce, and other meaningful programmes, are going a long way in providing job and food security in the state. It is a key ingredient in maintaining law and order in the state. The jobless ones are mopped up from the streets by providing employment and businesses that make them independent or self-reliant. Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s purposeful leadership is providing food on the table for the common man, jobs for the youth, and security for the state.

For these and even some more landmark achievements, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State deserves a second term in office with at least 99% of the total vote cast in Gombe State.

Adewole Kehinde is the Publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached via 08166240846. kennyadewole@gmail.com

 

Sustain The Islamic Virtues Learnt During Ramadan – A.A Zaura

Kano State APC Guber aspirant, His Excellency Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura has called on the people of Kano State to sustain the good lessons and Islamic virtues learnt during the month of Ramadan after Sallah.

Zaura made this call while discussing with pressmen on Sallah message on Sunday evening at his Kano office, Gyadi Gyadi Kano metropolis.

He said the idea of the month is to improve in one’s good doing, revive them and they have a paradigm shift of good Values lost during Ramadan, calling on people.

Zaura reminded us that “we are worshipping One ALLAH, the same ALLAH we worship during Ramadan is the ALLAH that we worship outside the month, therefore Ramadan is an institution to add to our faith and Iman as well as learn food virtues that benefit us here in Dunya and hereafter, we, therefore, should know that the good should be sustained after Sallah “Zaura Preaches.

“One of the objectives of the month is to train us, train us on endurance, a lot of people don’t know how hunger seems, this month had trained and taught us about it when next you meet a hungry man, you can share his pain, we had learned to give, to be tolerant, to love one another, to listen and read the Quran, it’s Science among many others,” Zaura said.

He, therefore, calls on the good people of Kano to continue to exhibit and act this good as they are not only limited to Ramadan.

Recall that Zaura had throughout the month his Social media handles reminded people of their Obligations during the month on daily basis, to remind and freshen their minds.

Zaura Calls On Youth To Sustain The Peace Tempo In Kano During Sallah Celebrations

His Excellency, Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura, Founder of the AA Zaura Foundation, called on the stage youths to contribute to sustaining the hard-earned peace the state is enjoying throughout Sallah Celebrations.

Zaura made this disclosure while chatting with pressmen in his Kano campaign office at Gyadi Gyadi, Kano metropolis. He said the state is about the only peaceful state in the Northwest, despite it being bordered by the frontline states of Kaduna and Katsina.

“Of course, we are obliged to thank Allah for this, but we must also appreciate the efforts of the state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, state security operatives, and the entirety of Kano’s residents.

“We, as a subnational, have, alhamdulillah, enjoyed relatively sustainable peace. We, therefore, should continue to maintain it, rather than use the Sallah celebrations to cause havoc, I am happy to have seen the state governor’s statement on the use of posters during the period. Indeed, according to the law, the schedule of election campaigns has not yet begun. Let us all abide by and keep this state to prosper, progress, and develop. ” Zaura ended.

Remember that Zaura has called for long-term peace and the avoidance of thuggery politics in several Fora.