COVER
INEC Fixes April 15 for Kebbi, Adamawa Governorship, Other Supplementary Elections
By Jude Opera & Johnson Eyiangho (Abuja) & David Torough, Makurdi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct two supplementary governorship elections in Adamawa and Kebbi on April 15.
The commission disclosed this in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr.
Festus Okoye in Abuja yesterday.Okoye said the commission would also conduct five senatorial districts and 98 constituency elections, comprising of 31 Federal and 58 State Assembly constituencies.
Okoye said the commission met on Monday, reviewed the areas where supplementary elections were required to conclude the outstanding governorship, national and state assembly elections across the country.
He recalled that 26 State governorship, 104 senatorial, 329 federal and 935 state constituency elections have been concluded and winners declared.
“Consequently, supplementary governorship elections will be held in Adamawa and Kebbi states, five Senatorial Districts, 31 Federal and 58 State Assembly constituencies.
“Owing to the competitive nature of the elections, especially for legislative seats, supplementary elections will be held in just a few polling units in some constituencies,” he said.
Okoye said the comprehensive list of the polling units by state, local government, registration area, registered voters and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected would be published on its website on or before Wednesday, March 29.
He appealed to all political parties, candidates and stakeholders to note the date and locations of the supplementary elections.
Okoye said the earlier accreditation for polling and collation agents, observers and the media still subsisted for the supplementary elections.
“The commission once again urges political parties, candidates and their supporters to see the exercise as an election and not war.
“They should avoid incendiary statements and negative mobilisation so that the elections can be conducted and concluded as scheduled,” he said.
Last Monday, the election in Kebbi was declared inconclusive due to breaches of electoral laws that led to cancellation of results in polling units within 20 of the state’s 21 local government areas (LGAs).
INEC’s Returning Officer in the state, Professor Yusuf Sa’idu, said violence, destruction of election materials, disruption of electoral proceedings and over-voting played a role in having the election declared inconclusive.
Before declaring the election inconclusive, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was leading the poll with 388,258 votes, as against 342,980 votes scored by the PDP.
Meanwhile, in Adamawa, the candidate of the APC, Senator Aishatu Dahiru (aka Binani) got 390,275 votes while the incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and PDP candidate polled 421,524 votes.
However, INEC state collation officer, Prof Muhammadu Mele of the University of Maiduguri, declared the election inconclusive due to the margin of votes.
“Elections were not held in 47 wards, affecting 69 polling units. So, this gives us a margin of 31,249. The total number of PVCs collected in places where elections were not held amounted to 37,016,” he said.
PDP Alleges APC Pressuring INEC to Alter Adamawa Guber Poll Result
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarm that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in Adamawa State are mounting fresh pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to alter the result of the March 18, 2023 governorship election result in their favour.
The party alerted the people of Adamawa state that the fresh plots were to alter and cancel the already declared results in 21 Local Government Areas where elections had been concluded and declared.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, told a news conference yesterday that the party was aware that the APC and its candidate, having realized that they cannot defeat Governor Fintiri in the 69 Polling Units, given his popularity and determination of the people, are now putting pressure on INEC to alter already collated and declared results in other Polling Units where no cases of malpractice or disruption of election took place.
“The PDP alerts the people of Adamawa of fresh plots by the APC, its hired agents and compromised officials of INEC to alter and cancel the already declared results in 21 Local Government Areas where elections have been concluded and declare people.
“This is part of APC’s plot to facilitate the manipulation and/or alteration of the already declared results in favour of the APC candidate against the expressed Will of the people,” Ologunagba further alleged.
He said that as already declared by INEC, the final tabulation of results from the Polling Units across Adamawa State, the PDP Candidate, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, was in clear lead with 31,299 lawful votes above the defeated candidate of the APC, Senator Aisha Binani, who has been desperate to compromise the election against the expressed Will of the good people of Adamawa State.
Ologunagba recalled that the PDP had earlier alerted Nigerians of how the APC and some compromised INEC officials attempted to move the collation of results of the Adamawa State Governorship election from Yola to Abuja to enable the INEC Returning Officer declare the APC candidate the winner; a move which was firmly resisted by the people of Adamawa State.
According to him, when that plot failed, the APC pressured INEC to cancel results in 69 Polling Units citing overvoting but with the clandestine intention of manipulating the re-run election in favour of the APC candidate.
He, however, called on the people of Adamawa State and the PDP supporters to remain calm but very vigilant in resisting the APC and its candidate who were desperate to steal the people’s mandate.
He also said the PDP has evidence of reported complicity of the Adamawa State REC Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari, in which he was allegedly caught on tape directing the Electoral Officer of Fufore Local Government Area in Hausa Language to alter results in favour of the APC governorship candidate.
The PDP scribe described the action of the Adamawa REC as reprehensible, sacrilegious, profane and unbecoming of an Electoral Officer.
“INEC should therefore immediately relieve Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari as the State Resident Electoral Commissioner and hand him over to the Police for a thorough investigation and prosecution,” he said.
Only PDP NEC Can Suspend Me – Ayu
National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has responded to his suspension by the Executive Committee of his Ward, saying that his purported suspension was the handiwork of some members of the Exco “being teleguided by political gamblers to cause mischief and nothing more”.
Ayu, who said that his attention was drawn to the suspension, insisted that he had not been suspended.
A statement by Ayu’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Simon Imobo-Tswam, yesterday, described the purported suspension as “an exercise in futility as it derives its strength majorly from gross illiteracy, ignorance, gambling and desperation”, adding that it had “only mischief, drama and propaganda value”.
The Ward Executive of the party at Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State suspended the national chairman on Sunday.
Addressing newsmen in Makurdi on behalf of Kashi Philip, the Ward Chairman, the Ward Secretary, Mr. Vangeryina Dooyum, explained that Ayu was suspended for alleged anti-party activities.
But Imobo-Tswam urged the general public to ignore rumoured suspension, saying that those behind the plot were only investing in “expensive illusions.”
“For starters, Article 57(7) of the PDP Constitution as Amended in 2017 expressly prohibits any organ of the party or executive committee of the party at the Ward or State Level from taking any disciplinary measure against any member of the party’s National Executive Committee.
“The purported suspension is, therefore, an exercise in futility as it derives its strength majorly from gross illiteracy, ignorance, gambling and desperation. It has only mischief, drama and propaganda value.
“But more than this, the so-called suspension letter was written by an illiterate before hand, and only given to the coerced members to sign somewhere in Makurdi.
“This is why the original date is typed and 24 March imposed on it. And this is also why it states that the presidential/NASS and Governorship/State Assembly elections held on 25th and 18th March, 2023 respectively.
“From what we know, document itself is fraudulent as the signatures of the Ward Executives were forged or obtained under duress. The chairman, his deputy and legal adviser didn’t sign. “The 14th person on the list didn’t sign too. She was at NKST Ambighir for the Holy Communion.
“In fact, the same applies for Nos. 5, 8 and 16. At the time they were supposed to be in Makurdi with the other coerced, intimidated and induced members of the Exco, they were actually in their villages, going about their normal businesses.
“Up till now, about nine members of the Ward Exco are still being held hostage in a location in Makurdi for obvious reasons. And expectedly, their mobile numbers have been switched off. It is instructive,” he said.
Similarly, the Convener, Atiku Grassroot Movement, Mr. Terzungwe Atser, said according to the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party officials of a council ward lacked the powers to suspend a member of the National Working Committee (NWC).
This was contained in a statement which he signed and issued yesterday in Makurdi.
According to the statement, the party’s officials of Igyorov Council Ward, Gboko Local Government Area, Benue were not aware of section 57 subsection 7 of the PDP constitution where it is stated that only the National Executive Committee of the party has the power to take disciplinary measures against a national official of the party.
“The perpetrators of this shameless act must also be aware that the ward officials lack the powers to suspend or take any other disciplinary measure against a national officer of the party.
“By virtue of section 57 sub-section 7 of the PDP constitution, only the National Executive Committee of the party has the power to take disciplinary measures against a national official of the party.
“Ignoring the provisions of the party’s constitution and going ahead to do so only points to intended mischief by the perpetrators and their sponsors,” Atser said.
He pointed out that the purported letter of suspension was also full of inaccuracies and blatant lies, noting that the letter was dated March 24 but was announced on Sunday, March 26.
He disclosed that the ward officials acted acting under duress.
The letter also claimed that the National Chairman could not deliver his polling unit and ward to the PDP.
He further said that to the accusation that PDP lost in Ayu’s polling unit was false, stressing that evidence on ground showed that the PDP won overwhelmingly in Mkovur Market polling unit where the Chairman voted and also won in Igyorov council Ward.
“In the governorship election, all other parties got zero votes while the PDP got 200 out of 203 accredited voters. The results are on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Irev portal to be verified by any concerned person.
“The claim that the National Chairman did not vote in the governorship and state assembly elections is also a figment of imagination of the authors as the chairman voted and stayed at the polling unit with all members of his family until the votes were counted and announced. This too can be verified,” he said.
PDP Ward Leaders Deny Suspending Ayu
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday denied the letter of suspending the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, saying that their signatures were forged.
In a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, a copy, which was seen newsmen in Abuja, the executive members of Igyorov Ward of Benue State explained that they never endorsed Ayu’s suspension for any reason.
Describing the letter as a height of mischief, the exco said the purported suspension was not in line with due process and proper consultation was not observed in line with the party Constitution.
They called on PDP members and supporters to disregard the suspension, stressing that their signatures were forged for purposes of mischief.
The letter, which was signed by the Ward Deputy Chairman, Ortese Helen and 15 others, wondered at the development which was never contemplated before or after the election.
According to them, they have no knowledge of the letter and have not authorized anyone to issue same on their behalf, even as they continue to have faith in the leadership of Dr Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman of PDP.
“The purported signatures on the letter are forged and no member of PDP Executive Committee of Igyorov Council Ward have signed that letter nor caused to be signed on his or her behalf. The names of the Executive Committee Members are wrongly written and spelled which show the desperation of the mischief makers. The content of the purported letter itself is contradictory on the holding of the presidential and National Assembly Elections on the March 25, 2023 while the letter itself is dated 24th March, 2023.
“The letter was written before the purported Commission of the offence which shows clearly that it is the hand work of the mischief makers.”
While making reference to provision of Article 57(7) of PDP Constitution, they insisted that they lacked powers to suspend a national Chairman and went ahead to pass a vote of confidence on Ayu.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja Federal Government says it will consider using private sector funds through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a funding option for certain key projects in the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.This was disclosed when the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji.
The meeting which was at the instance of the ICRC DG, sought partnership between the two government bodies to harness PPPs to advance critical projects that can boost the economic and technological growth of the nation. Speaking during the meeting, Dr Ewalefoh said that science and technology, if properly deployed, can serve as a key driver of the economic growth and progress of Nigeria.“Many countries around the world have used Science and Technology to drive the economic growth and prosperity of their country and people.“We are here to brainstorm with you and find ways by which we can deepen the usage of science and technology for the advancement of our country.“Over the last two decades, countries and businesses have harnessed technology and innovation for upscaling their economy and improve the efficiency in their service delivery.“That is where we want our country to go, and we believe that is the vision you are championing under the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.“It is, therefore, my aspiration that your ministry will partner with the ICRC to see areas where we can champion private sector funding through Public Private Partnership to develop some of the projects specific to the ministry,” he said.The DG informed the Minister that there was already a collaboration with an agency under its purview but stressed that there were other key areas where PPP could be harnessed to deliver laudable projects in the Ministry.He added that the commission has streamlined its processes to accelerate PPP project delivery and deliver important services to the Nigerian people, pointing out that some key private sector operators have already verbalised their desire to work with the Ministry in a PPP arrangement.In his remarks, the Minister expressed his excitement at the appointment of Dr Ewalefoh as the DG of ICRC, saying that the DG’s wealth of experience will revolutionise the PPP sphere in Nigeria, adding that, indeed, a square peg has been placed in a square hole.The Minister emphasised that the Ministry served as a key enabler of economic growth and has had the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu demonstrated through major approvals granted the Ministry.He said that the President had given approval for methanol production, saying that although the implementation process were still being finalised, foreign direct investments for the project has reached over $1.5 billion.“We want to go into beneficiation of raw materials and we have the presidential executive order number 5 to back it, such that we don’t have to export our raw materials, but process it to a level before exporting. We are looking at doing green hydrogen, too,” he said.He stressed that Nigeria could make a lot more from cassava export than it was currently making if the raw cassava was processed before export.“We believe that with ICRC, we will partner in doing things right and enabling us to forge a better outlook for most of these projects.“In methanol, we are going to involve ICRC more closely to see the way forward and how it can benefit the country better.“I am happy that you are here; coming here shows that you know what you are doing. You are taking services to those that need it,” he said.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani armed militia, on Wednesday night, reportedly invaded Anyiin town in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Multiple reports indicated that no fewer than 15 persons were killed in the attack, leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries while yet to be ascertained number were missing.
The attack, which was said to have been launched at about 6:30pm by the well-armed Fulani herders, caught the community unawares as the invaders reportedly emerged from different locations shooting at everyone in sight.
The attackers, who were said to be numbering about 200, were reported to be wielding AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons, operated for about three hours.
An eyewitness and community leader in Anyiin town, Chief Joseph Anawah, said the armed herders overwhelmed security operatives stationed in the town because of their large numbers.
He said it was a coordinated operation, stating that the alleged Fulani terrorists took residents of the town unawares, surrounded the town and shot sporadically.
Anawah said some of the villagers who ran for their dear lives were caught in an ambush laid by the invaders.
He listed some of the victims to include: Mr Orihundu Ati, a retired primary school supervisor and the son of a kindred head.
Also killed was a son to a Chief of Staff to a former Logo council chairman, Tordoo Suswam and a relation of a late District head of Ukemberagya, Zaki John Chembe.
Anawah listed Ukemberagya, Tswarev, Mbawar, Gov, Mbainange, and Tombo among neighbouring communities earlier displaced by the invaders and whose residents were taking refuge in Anyiin before the latest attack.
The community leaders appealed to the federal government and the Benue state government to revive an abandoned Mobile Police barracks project along Akwana-Anyiin-Wukari road to secure the lives and property in the communities.
They lamented that farmers in the affected communities could not harvest their crops because they were being killed and abducted on their farms by the armed invaders.
According to them, communities along the Benue-Taraba border are the worst hit by the marauders’ incessant attacks.”This is the second attack in one month by the Fulani terrorists. On Oct. 9, they attacked Ayilamo town, the headquarters of Tombo Council Ward and killed scores of people. As I speak, people are deserting Anyiin town for fear of the unknown”, Chief Anawah said.
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas yesterday described growing malnutrition and food insecurity as great threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and public health.
Inaugurating the Local Organizing Committee for the National Assembly summit on nutrition and food security in Abuja, the Speaker reiterated the urgent need for legislative action to restore the country’s productivity and public health.
Abbas who was represented by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu noted that Nigeria’s rate of malnutrition is among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
He noted that malnutrition, especially among children, stunts physical and cognitive development, impacting long-term educational and economic potential and contributing to broader societal challenges.
The Speaker assured the lawmakers’ full support for the committee’s initiatives, urging collaboration with State Houses of Assembly to create a unified approach to combating food insecurity.
He said, “The need for this National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security has never been more urgent.
“This organizing committee’s mission is to foster collaboration across ministries, engage both public and private sectors, and create a platform for lawmakers, experts, and community leaders to address the root causes of food security challenges.”
The chairman of the committee, Chike Okafor said there is malnutrition across Nigeria, particularly in the north spiking by 51 percent among children.
He described the situation as a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by recent floods in Adamawa, Maiduguri, and Jigawa, which have disrupted food supplies nationwide.
According to him, the summit will help to in the formulation of policies to tackle food insecurity.
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