Politics

Atiku, PDP withdraw suit against INEC asking for access to electoral documents

No Comments

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have withdrawn an application they filed to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to allow their agents to participate in the process of sorting out ballot papers and electoral papers that were used for the presidential election that held on February 25.

PDP and Atiku are challenging the outcome of the election declared in favour of the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu.

Lawyers of the PDP and Atiku on Wednesday, March 15, told the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, sitting at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, that they were no longer interested in the application.

When the motion ex-parte, marked: CA/PEC/10M/2023, was called up for hearing on Wednesday, Atiku, through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Joe Kyari Gadzama, SAN, told the court that he filed a notice of discontinuance, according to reports by VANGUARD.

The move comes after a meeting Atiku’s legal team held with the leadership of the electoral body on Tuesday.

Atiku had in the withdrawn application, which he predicated on 11 grounds, maintained that it was necessary for agents of his party to be present during the sorting out of the electoral materials he would need to prepare a petition he intends to lodge against the outcome of the presidential election.

Atiku said there was need for his agents to observe/participate in the sorting of materials he requested in all the offices of INEC nationwide, in line with the ex-parte order the court made on March 3.

Following the withdrawal of the application, Justice Joseph Ikyegh-led three-member panel struck it out.

Politics

Oyo SDP gov candidate withdraws and support Makinde

No Comments

The governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party in Oyo State, Michael Lana, has withdrawn from the race to back Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of Saturday’s polls.

Lana made his position known on Tuesday at a press conference, which was held at Iyaganku Quarters in Ibadan, the state capital.

The former Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice explained that he had consulted widely before stepping down to support the incumbent governor, adding that the decision was taken alongside the SDP House of Assembly candidates.

He said;

“During my radio interview recently, I duly informed members of the public that wherever I step down it would be a decision by all candidates, especially the House of Assembly candidates of the SDP, of which I am the governorship flag-bearer.

“As you are aware, in almost all radio interviews I featured, I was asked whether, as it had become the habit of this party, I too would step down at the end of the day. Believing I was in the midst of ideologically sound members, and knowing myself as a principled person, I always answered in the negative. I believed fervently that my gospel of issues and ideas would earn me the victory that the people of the state deserve.”

Lana pointed out that events in the past few weeks had proved him wrong as some party chieftains believed only in money politics and victory by vote-buying.

“We have consulted widely; we have talked with some national officers of the party and my supporters among the trade unions, traditional rulers, market associations and religious bodies.

He lamented that some of those at the helm of affairs of the party in the state had sold them out for a pittance and declared for the opposition without their knowledge or consent.

“We had to sit down and rethink and take a decision that will be in the best interest of the neglected and aggrieved party members, the candidates and the generality of the people of the state that we set out to serve. After several consultations, we resolved that the best thing for the state right now is to align ourselves with a really progressive candidate.

“We have therefore resolved to inform all our teeming supporters to vote massively for Makinde of PDP on Saturday, March 18, 2023 and get him elected as governor of the state,” Lana pointed out.

Politics

We recorded over 12.9 million cyberattacks during presidential election – Federal Government

No Comments

The federal government has said that 12,988,978 cyberattacks were recorded during the presidential and national assembly elections.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, who disclosed this, said on elections day alone over 6.9 million attacks were recorded.

Pantami said the attacks were successfully blocked owing to the sophisticated infrastructure on grounds by different agencies of government charged with the responsibility of protecting the nation’s cyberspace.

The Minister thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the enabling environment for agencies of government to perform their assignments without let or hindrances.

He said;

“It is worth noting that in the run-up to the 2023 general elections, threat intelligence revealed an astronomical increase in cyber threats to Nigerian cyberspace.

“Generally, threats to public websites and portals averaged around 1,550,000 daily. However, this skyrocketed to 6,997,277 on presidential election day.

“During this period, a series of hacking attempts were recorded, including Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), email and IPS attacks, SSH login attempts, brute force Injection attempts, Ppth traversal, detection evasion, and forceful browsing.

“A total of 12,988,978 attacks were recorded, originating from both within and outside Nigeria. It is worth noting that the centres successfully blocked these attacks and/or escalated them to the relevant institutions for appropriate action.”

Politics

Nnamdi Kanu is suffering from heart and nutrient deficiency – IPOB alleges

No Comments

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has alleged that their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is suffering from nutrient deficiency and heart ailments.

The secessionist group made the claim in a statement released by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, on Tuesday, March 14. They challenged the DSS to prove them wrong by allowing Kanu’s physician attend to him.

The statement read;

“A common sense question for the DSS is whether anyone is ever fine in their solitary confinement facility, especially someone they have refused a change of clothes, refused his praying shawl and denied access to his doctor when they are fully aware that he has a health issue.

“If DSS claimed that Kanu is adequately being taken care of and that IPOB and his lawyers are deceiving the public for sympathy, they should allow unfiltered access to his physician to investigate his present health status.

“It is imperative to deliver this message to the public that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s health condition is still deteriorating inside DSS solitary confinement as a result of poor or lack of medical attention and feeding.

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has an unresolved nutrient deficiency. He also has an ear and heart condition that requires urgent surgery. DSS should release MNK unconditionally as ordered by the court or take him to specialists for proper medical examination and treatment.

Recruiting media dogs to attack IPOB, MNK, and his legal team will not exonerate them should anything bad happen to our leader.”

Also reacting to claim of IPOB lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor allegedly working against Kanu, Powerful said;

“How could someone with a sane mind say that Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who has been under serious attacks from DSS and the Nigeria Army, is working against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu or IPOB?”

Politics

Gunmen kidnap Accord assembly candidate in Rivers state

No Comments

The Accord Party candidate for the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Constituency 2 in the Rivers State House of Assembly for the March 18 election, Chukwudi Ogbonna, has been kidnapped by gunmen.

Punch reported that Ogbonna was kidnaped while driving in his car at Rumuigbo, near Port Harcourt on Monday night.

The gunmen reportedly forced him to stop and whisked him away with his car.

His cousin, Ifeaka Nwakiri who confirmed the abduction said;

“They took him with his Mercedes car. We have reported the matter at the Kala Police station.”

Politics

Five governorship candidates step down for Sanwo-Olu ahead March 18 election

No Comments

On Monday, nine political parties under the Alliance of Registered Political Parties (ARPP) declared support for the reelection of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat in Lagos.

Governorship candidates of five of the political parties in the ARPP also stepped down for Mr Sanwo-Olu ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.

The political parties are the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Others are the National Rescue Movement (NRM), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

The five governorship candidates that stepped down for Mr Sanwo-Olu are Adeyemi Abiola of APP, Adenipebi Mode-Adekunle of ZLP, and Funmi Kupoluyi of APM. Others are Ishola Bamidele of ADP and Ajayi Adebayo of the YPP.

Addressing a news conference on Monday in Ikeja, Mr Adebayo, leader of ARPP, said,

“We reached this decision sequel to our thorough analysis of all the good works and rapid development in Lagos state. We cannot sacrifice the various landmark achievements of the present administration scattered all over the state on the altar of bitter politicking.”

The event was attended by the governorship candidates and representatives of the nine political parties in the ARPP.

He said that Sanwo-Olu had delivered on his social contract with the people of Lagos through the THEMES mantra.The ARPP leader mentioned that the group concluded that it has in Mr Sanwo-Olu a governor committed to taking Lagos to greater heights in the years ahead.

“Lagos state at a time like this is better entrusted in the hands of experienced and patriotic leaders. A vote for Sanwo-Olu will indeed be an endorsement for continuity and greater development,” noted Mr Adebayo.

“This support is born out of love and desire for a greater Lagos state, which Sanwo-Olu has set the pace and deserves to drive it to fruition.”

The ARPP leader added,

“We seize this opportunity to inform and urge all our supporters to vote massively on Saturday, March 18 for Babajide Sanwo-Olu as governor and his deputy, Quadri Obafemi Hamzat.”

Business, Lifestyle, Politics

CBN directs banks to dispense and receive old N200, N500 and N1000 notes

No Comments

The Central Bank of Nigeria has directed commercial banks to dispense and receive old naira notes as legal tender across the country.

A statement by the acting Director, CBN Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, says the apex bank gave the directive at a Bankers’ Committee meeting held on Sunday.

Banks have now been authorised to dispense and receive the old Naira notes.

Politics

Akwa Ibom state government suspends levies and daily tickets on tricycle and minibus operators

No Comments

The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced the suspension of all levies and daily tickets to tricycle and minibus operators in the state for five days.

In a statement released by the state Commissioner for Transport, Uno Etim Uno, the state government said the gesture was to cushion the ongoing cash crunch and other challenges suffered by transporters as a result of the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The statement reads in part;

“Due to the harsh realities occasioned by the cash crunch in the country, the Akwa Ibom State Government hereby graciously announces a five-day suspension of daily ticketing for operators of commercial tricycles and minibuses.

The suspension takes immediate effect from Monday, March 13 till Friday, March 17, 2023.

This development will help the operators breathe a sigh of relief as they struggle to earn a living amidst these biting hard times.

The government notified all operators of tricycles and minibuses as well as the monitoring unit of the development and possible compliance.

The general public, particularly operators of commercial tricycles and minibuses and the Compliance and Monitoring team are hereby notified of this development.”

The commissioner urged the benefitting transporters to use the five days tax holiday to take an active part in the governorship and state Assembly poll reschedule for March 18, 2023, in the state

“In continued support for the state government, transporters are urged to use the five days of grace to prepare to take an active part in the governorship and state assembly elections slated for Saturday, March 18, 2023.

It is hoped that in response to the kind gesture of the state government, transporters will remain law-abiding and shun all forms of violence throughout the period of the elections,” he said.

Politics

I didn’t contest to make Tinubu win – Peter Obi responds to Festus Keyamo

No Comments

The Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi on Monday responded to claims that he helped the President-Elect, Bola Tinubu, win the just-concluded presidential election.

Obi said he contested the presidential election to win and not to help Tinubu’s emergence.

Obi was reacting to a remark by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, that God raised him to make Tinubu president.

Keyamo said Obi helped Tinubu’s emergence as he helped collect PDP’s votes in the South East and South South.Appearing on Arise Television’s Morning Show, on Monday, March 13 Obi said:

“I did not contest the election to help anybody to win; to win is to win the people.

“Democracy is the government for the people, and if you have not won the people it means you have not won, and this is what we are challenging because the declared winner did not win.

“I have never and will not ask anybody to rig an election for me.”

Politics

Don’t stoke nationwide unrest with naira policy – Arewa Consultative Forum caution Buhari

No Comments

Northern leaders, under the aegis of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), have cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari over the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) naira redesign policy.

According to the group, the Federal Government’s refusal to abide by Supreme Court judgment on continued use of old naira notes has brought severe hardship on Nigerians and can lead to social unrest.

“Whatever the CBN or anyone else may say about the benefits of the policy, which evidently are many, it is of little comfort as soon as the highest court in the country has deemed that it is, or, at least, the manner of its implementation, breaches the law,” the ACF said.

Secretary General of the ACF, Murtala Aliyu, speaking on Sunday, said the FG should have complied with the apex court’s ruling and also circulated new naira notes to assuage the sufferings of Nigerians.

“10 days is long enough time for the government to find its way towards complying with a court order, which import is central to the achievement of peace, order and good governance in the country.”

“President Buhari is under oath to defend the Constitution of Nigeria. As his long-term supporters, it will be remiss of us if we fail to warn that the much-touted benefits of the naira redesign can never justify the damage to his credentials as a democrat and a stickler for the rule of law.

“This is quite apart from real possibility of the crisis morphing into serious social disorder, leading to possible breakdown of law and order throughout Nigeria. We do not believe or can we advise him to pay such a heavy price on account of a policy, which immediate goals are not entirely clear to majority of Nigerians.”

“Some 10 days ago, the Supreme Court of Nigeria held that the President breached the Constitution of Nigeria in the way he issued a directive to the CBN for redesign of the naira without consulting the National Council of States and the Federal Executive Council. It went further to rule that the unconstitutional use of powers by the President on the naira redesign has breached the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens in various ways.

“The state governors have persistently argued that the policy, which permitted the CBN to place an embargo on the circulation of old N500 and N1,000 notes, while not providing their replacement in sufficient amounts, triggered severe cash shortage and chaos in the economy.

“It has led to runaway inflation in food and other commodities. Huge crowds and long queues form around bank offices and ATM points across the country, as people struggle to get the new cash which has remained extremely scarce. It has triggered riots and other forms of civil unrest.

“The current approach of the CBN raises concerns about respect for civil liberties and rights of Nigerians as it relates to their freedom to use legitimately earned income as they so wish. They believe that the CBN is, in truth, pursuing a policy of naira confiscation, which would possibly set off crippling depression.”

Politics

CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, denies giving Rhodes-Vivour N500 million ahead of Lagos state Governorship election

No Comments

The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has denied giving the governorship candidate of Labour party in Lagos state, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, N500 million ahead of the March 18 state Governorship election.

A report published by the Nation today March 13 claimed that the apex bank has released N500 million in new banknotes to shore up the campaign of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos state.

According to the publication, Emefiele is determined to influence the outcome of the March 18 governorship election in Lagos State against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “It was learnt that the N500 million windfall was mobilised through high-level CBN agents in Lagos. It was described as “Oga’s own contribution to the takeover-Lagos-from- Tinubu’s-influence, now that he has become the president-elect and will be relocating to Abuja”.

It was learnt that Emefiele had worked to ensure that Tinubu did not emerge as presidential candidate and president-elect.

Sources said the cash bonanza is intended to give undue advantage to the LP candidate, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, over the two other major contestants – incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC and Mr. Olajide Adediran of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose campaign and mobilisation have been seriously affected by the cash squeeze caused by Emefiele’s Naira redesign policy.

Besides, Emefiele, who hails from Delta North, is said to be an enthusiastic promoter of the “Igbo agenda” to install “our own in Alausa come May 29”, the report reads in part.

In a statement released today March 13 by the CBN’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isa Abdulmumin, Emefiele said the report is false and malicious and that he has never met Rhodes-Vivour either in person or by proxy.

The apex bank mentioned that Emefiele does not engage in politics.

Politics

INEC explains why its ICT Director was redeployed months to 2023 election

No Comments

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why its Director of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Chidi Nwafor, was transferred a few months before the 2023 general elections.

There’s been controversies over what caused the non-upload of presidential election results in real time, with many saying that the commission missed the expertise of Nwafor.

Reacting to this during an interview on Channels Television, INEC National Commissioner Festus Okoye stated that the commission is built in a way that no department is wrapped around an individual.

He said;

“The present leadership of the commission wants to build a professional organisation that is not wrapped around one individual. The individual (Nwafor) mentioned is a very good friend of mine; he is a director in the commission and any director can be posted out or to go and become an administrative secretary.

“Now the time we readjusted list of administrative secretaries was the time the commission was slightly panicky on whether we were going to have new resident electoral commissioners and we were preparing for elections.

“So, the commission decided in its wisdom that we are going to post our best hands to the various states as administrative secretaries to go and prepare the states for the purposes of election and that was exactly what the commission did.

“We have a department in charge of ICT and the Chidi I know tried to build a department that can stand on its own whether he is there on not and that is the same thing with every department.”

Okoye also blamed INEC’s inability to transmit polling units results directly to its portal in real time as it promised before the elections to “technical glitches” which he said have been rectified ahead of the March 18 governorship and state assembly elections.

He assured Nigerians that the commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) will be functional during the March 18 elections.

Politics

Zulum visits families of 30 fishermen killed by terrorists in Borno

No Comments

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno has visited the families of the 30 fishermen killed on Wednesday by terrorists in Mukdolo village, Ngala Local Government Area of the state.

The affected fishermen from Dikwa LGA went fishing in the village but were ambushed and killed by terrorists.

A statement from the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Isa Gusau, on Saturday said Mr Zulum met with the bereaved families at the palace of the Emir of Dikwa, Ibrahim Ibn Ibrahim-Elkanemi.

“On behalf of the government and people of Borno, I am here to extend our sympathy to you over the killing of our brothers who had gone to earn a living.

“I urge you to take solace from the Almighty Allah, as He alone can take life. We pray that their souls shall rest in eternal peace,” Mr Zulum said.

The governor, who presented relief materials to families of the slain fishermen, also assured them of further assistance.

Responding on behalf of the families, the Shehu of Dikwa appreciated the governor for his concern and commitment to the welfare of the people.

Politics

Katsina NNPP sacks deputy governorship candidate, state chairman for endorsing APC

No Comments

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Katsina State has sacked its deputy gubernatorial candidate, Muttaqa Rabe-Darma, the state party chairman, Sani Liti, and other top executives.

The party’s spokesman Nasiru Usman-Kankia, disclosed this while briefing reporters on the decision of the party on Friday in Katsina.

He said they were sacked for anti-party activities, including Thursday’s endorsement of the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Dr Dikko Radda.

“As you are already aware, a section of the state executive leadership of the party convened an unauthorised meeting on Thursday, March 9, the decision of which almost rocked the party.

“An emergency exco meeting comprising 19 out of 29 members was conveyed to discuss the immediate and remote causes of the illegal meeting.

“Facts have emerged that the illegal meeting was unconstitutionally convened without the consent of the state executive committee.

“It was also discovered that even when invitations were sent for the illegal meeting to state and local government exco members and ward chairmen, they were informed that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss and disburse funds for the settlement of polling unit agents and ward coordinators.

“However, at the illegal meeting, the APC gubernatorial candidate was ushered in and the NNPP state chairman, Liti, the party’s gubernatorial running mate, Rabe-Darma, and other top executives introduced other members present as decampees to the APC.

“Almost immediately, the entire arena turned chaotic with shouts of NNPP slogans and chants of no, no, no, by the party’s loyalists,” Mr Usman-Kankia narrated.

According to him, the APC candidate, Mr Radda, then immediately stated that what he discussed with the NNPP members was on alliance not defection.

The NNPP spokesman recalled that the party had on March 5, warned its members, officials, and candidates against forming an alliance with any political party.

“Accordingly, party officers, members and candidates at all levels are not authorised to discuss, negotiate or form any alliance with any political party for the purpose of winning the upcoming gubernatorial and legislative polls.

“Anyone who endorses a candidate of another political party will be sanctioned in line with the NNPP Constitution, ranging from suspension to expulsion.

“Our emergency meeting considered and decided to expel the officials and members involved in the illegal meeting, subject to approval of the national executive committee of the party.

“They are Alhaji Sani Liti, state Chairman, Umar Jibril, state Secretary, Mustapha Basheer, youth leader, Dauda Kurfi, Katsina zonal Chairman, Abdulhadi Mai-Dawa, Funtua Zonal Chairman, Dr Sale Mashi, Daura zonal Chairman, Rabe-Darma deputy gubernatorial candidate and Sen. Audu Yandoma,” Mr Usman-Kankia listed.

Politics

Bola Tinubu as President-elect stand, anyone who is aggrieved should proceed to court – President Buhari

No Comments

President Buhari has said that the declaration of APC Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu as President-elect stands and that anyone who is aggrieved with the outcome of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election, should proceed to the court, if they have the locus to do so. 

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement issued on Thursday, March 9,  titled “At the 5th United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries, LDCs”, disclosed that President Buhari is against any plans to annul the elections which many have said was characterized by irregularities. 

According to Garba, President Buhari has said that he will not allow June 12, 1993, saga to repeat itself.

He pointed out that before the President’s trip to Doha for the UN Conference, there were calls for the cancellation of the elections but that he had always maintained that the outcome of the election will be accepted by his government and must stand. 

“In addition to other things, this trip, more than any other, speaks to the courage, political stamina and statesmanship with which the President has managed the affairs of the nation.

Before the trip, he was faced with orchestrated attempts to poison public opinion against national institutions, particularly the presidential election and its conduct by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as an institution, against which vile and unsubstantiated allegations were hurled.

The clear intent of this was creating an atmosphere of fear, polarising the public and demonising the administration of the President.

The wishful thinkers appeared to assume that the June 12, 1993, election crisis, the worst ever since the civil war could be recreated.

Those who sought to do this forgot what the President said at the palace of the Gbong-Gwon Jos, when he went to the city to inaugurate the Tinubu-Shettima campaign:  “this election will not be annulled; whoever is the winner will be president.

President Buhari not only muted himself, following the cacophony, he picked up international travel: Bola Tinubu’s election stands. If you are aggrieved, go to court.”

Politics

New Nigeria will rise from Lagos — Labour Party Governorship candidate

No Comments

The Lagos State Labour Party governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, says Nigerian youths are 90 per cent close to taking over governance and having their dream country materialise.

The 40-year-old LP candidate disclosed this at a meeting tagged, “Youth O’ Clock” in Ikeja on Thursday, where he said new Lagos would birth new Nigeria.

He said;

“We know that the goal and what we are going through is far bigger than I and any of us.

“It is a project that will lift the lives of millions of Lagosians up and in turn lift the lives of many Nigerians up. It is a project to free Lagos from the shackle hold of tyranny.

“A Lagos State where the inner roads will work, where our people will have quality healthcare, water, quality public education, not one where parents keep struggling trying to find how to pay school fees for their children to go to private school.”Rhodes-Vivour assured of a very bright future.

“We are already 90 per cent there. We need to bring this thing home. I want you to understand that the moment we take Lagos, this fire of a new type of politics will engulf Nigeria.

“You start to find politicians that mean well for the people, that can articulate their vision and positive about change.

“No more status quo, we are changing the narrative to have a new Lagos and a new Nigeria. We will set a new standard,” Rhodes-Vivour said.

Hailing Nigerian youths for voting the LP’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi and his running mate, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed in the February 25 presidential election, he said Obi and the LP were all about empathy and compassion on the suffering of the people.

Politics

Kano APC Governorship Candidate Meets Buhari In Katsina

No Comments

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Kano State, Nasiru Gawuna, on Thursday, met with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in Daura, Katsina State.

This comes hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission postponed the governorship and state houses of assembly elections earlier scheduled for Saturday to March 18, 2023.

Buhari returned to Nigeria on Wednesday after a four-day trip to Doha, Qatar, where he participated in the fifth United Nations Conference.

Politics

LP Presidential Campaign Council, Akin Osuntokun has claims BVAS was “perverted”

No Comments

Director General of the LP Presidential Campaign Council, Akin Osuntokun has claimed that the Bimordal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was “perverted” during the presidential and National Assembly elections.  

Appearing for an interview on Channels Television, Osuntokun said Labour Party is compiling its results of the exercise. 

He also claimed that the party won some states by wider margins. 

He said “BVAS has been perverted. Something that is to serve a good course has now been perverted. Because once the BVAS does its role – takes a picture of the results – the polling agents will have it.

“So, the polling agents have all the results and we have our own that is presently being compiled.

“It has been said before – about nine opinion polls – prior to the election said Obi was going to win.

“INEC has another opportunity on Saturday [governorship and state house of assembly elections] to redeem itself.”

Osuntokun also said that the presidential and National Assembly elections should be a source of worry for President Muhammadu Buhari who promised to leave a credible exercise. 

He added;  

“He wants Nigerians to remember him for the best election ever conducted. But look at the absurdity of what has happened! Is this the legacy he wants to bequeath?”

Politics

Afenifere knocks INEC, says commission disobeys electoral guidelines

No Comments

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has condemned the outcome of the February 25, 2023 Presidential Election, won by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.

The group also faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission on the conduct of the election, saying the commission did not comply with electoral guidelines.

This was contained in a communique issued after the general meeting of the group.

The communique was made available to our correspondent by the Secretary General of the association, Mr Sola Ebiseni, in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Wednesday.

According to the group, the alleged non-compliance with the electoral guidelines by the INEC caused a series of malpractices during the last general election.

The communique read in part;

The deliberate non-compliance by the Commission with these mandatory guidelines encouraged electoral brigandage at the polling units which included the destruction of ballot papers, snatching of ballot boxes, doctoring of figures and swapping of votes of candidates at the coalition centres by amended and outlawed manual procedures which rendered the 25th February 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections flawed in several respects as confirmed by local and international observers.

“The results of the lawful votes at the election available to the Afenifere through credible sources confirm that His Excellency Peter Gregory Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party won the said election and we thus support his decision challenging the contrary Declaration by the INEC.”

The group, which declared that the Labour Part’s candidate, Mr Peter Obi won the presidential election, “denounced in strong terms and dissociated Afenifere from any congratulatory message in the name of the Organisation or howsoever to any candidate as illegally declared by the INEC.”

Afenifere reiterates that for equity, fairness, national cohesion and peaceful corporate existence, the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a person of its Southern part and specifically the South-East,” the statement added.

The group called on Nigerians to troop out en masse and participate fully in the governorship and houses of assembly elections coming up on Saturday, March 11, 2023.

Earlier, the leader of the group worldwide, Pa Reuben Fasoranti in a congratulatory letter to the President-Elect, Tinubu over his victory in the last presidential election.

In the letter, Fasoranti advised the President-Elect to avoid the mistakes of his predecessors.

The letter read in part;

“You now have the opportunity. Now is the time for you to prove me right. I pray to God to be with you.

“In going about this, avoid the mistake of some of your forbears. Be fair to all concerned. Go ahead to unite the country, see and treat the country as one.

“Be a federalist. Allow the big ethnic groups to exist and respect one another, but also allow the small ones to feel proud and wanted in the spirit of federalism as practised in the USA.”

Politics

Senior Nigerian lawyer Pius Akubo rejects appointment to Tinubu’s legal team

No Comments

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Pius Akubo has rejected the appointment to be part of President-elect Bola Tinubu’s legal team expected to defend his controversial win in the February 25 presidential election.

Mr Akubo said he was unaware of the appointment, and there had been no official communication between himself and Mr Tinubu’s camp.

“In the last twenty-four (24) hours or so, the social media space has been agog with a trending unsigned letter in respect of appointment of Presidential Election Petition Legal Team by All Progressives Congress (APC) wherein my name is listed as number 10,” said the senior lawyer in a statement.

Mr Akubo added;

“With all due respect, I wish to state that I had no prior knowledge of the said appointment. As a matter of fact, I have not received any official communication on the subject matter hitherto. Suffice it to say that I was taken by surprise to hear of the said appointment vide social media.”

Mr Akubo pointed out that he could not defend the former Lagos governor for personal reasons even if such contemplations were being made. “In the circumstance and for personal reasons, I hereby decline the said appointment,” he added.

The Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party are seeking to contest Mr Tinubu’s victory. With the PDP and Labour claiming victory in the election, the country is set to witness a consequential legal dispute that could last for several months.

Close Menu

Privacy Policy