POLITICS
APC Congratulates Obaseki on Re-election as Edo Governor
Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Caretaker Committee, Mai Mala Buni,has said that the peaceful conduct of the just concluded Edo governorship election and its outcome represents a victory for Nigeria’s democracy.
He said this in a statement issued in Damaturu, Yobe, on Monday, adding that the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari remained committed to free and fair elections.
This, he said, was critical to strengthening the foundation of the country’s political and moral authority.
Buni, who is also the governor of Yobe, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and all political parties that contested the election for the successful conduct of the exercise.
He also commended the APC candidate at the election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu for his tenacity and leadership qualities.
Buni also appreciated the efforts of the immediate past national chairman of the APC, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, and other members for demonstrating unwavering support for the party and its candidate in the election.
Gov. Buni added that with the election over, it was time to unite to move the country’s democracy forward and put an end to the era when the electoral contest became warfare.
“We appeal to our members to be strengthened by the outcome of the election and unite in order to correct the problems that worked against our party and our candidate in the election.
“As progressives and democrats, we are confident that all leaders and members of the party will celebrate the outcome of the election as free and fair as acknowledge by our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Let us unite to move our democracy forward.
“We must put an end to the era when electoral contest become warfare.
“We urge our candidate and all our members to join us in congratulating Mr Godwin Obaseki and the PDP as winner of the election.
“Our attention must now shift to Ondo State and ensure that we win the Oct. 10, 2020 election.
“Sept. 19, 2020 Edo election should present a new watershed,” Buni stressed.(NAN)
POLITICS
Nigeria not Ripe for Diaspora Voting – NBA Official
Mr Auta Nyada, the Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Legal Education Committee, says Nigeria is not ripe enough for Diaspora voting.
Nyada said this at the Multi-stakeholders’ Forum on Youth Electoral Reform Priorities on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said that although the idea of Diaspora voting had been raised by many groups in recent times, the electoral system was not matured enough to accommodate it.
Nyada advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to concentrate on addressing the loopholes observed in the 2023 general election and the other off-cycle elections rather than delve into Diaspora voting.
“Diaspora voting is actually a good idea, but for me, I don’t think that Nigeria has reached the stage for Diaspora voting, introducing Diaspora voting will require a lot to be successful.
“Nigeria is still struggling with the operation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and people are talking about Diaspora voting.
“We are witnesses to the malfunctioning of the BVAS in the 2023 general election, I think we should work toward rectifying the problem, instead of talking about Diaspora voting, ” he said.
Nyada said that Nigeria must put in a watertight technology before thinking about Diaspora voting.
“So many foreigners are getting the National Identification Number (NIN) in spite of the stringent regulations by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
“If you introduce Diaspora voting today in Nigeria, all black people in the world could decide to vote as Nigerians.
“We don’t have a watertight security system to identify genuine Nigerians from others, I think Diaspora voting is for future and not now, ” he said.
Nyada also called for the amendment of the Electoral Act to ensure that all election matters were terminated before elected officials were sworn in.
“You can’t expect me to have a control over the state power apparatus and still expect me to lose an election case in court, it is really impossible, ” he said. (NAN)
POLITICS
PDP NWC passes Vote of Confidence on Damagum
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has passed a Vote of Confidence on the party’s Acting National Chairman, Mr Umar Damagum.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the vote of confidence was passed at the NWC’s 584th meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ologunagba said the decision was based on Damagum’s efforts aimed at repositioning the PDP as the main opposition party in Nigeria.
The National Executive Council meeting of the party had be slated for Thursday to either affirm Damagum as the Chairman or appoint a replacement.
Damagum was appointed as the Acting Chairman following the suspension of the former chairman,
Chief Iyorcha Ayu in 2023.
POLITICS
We Shall Return to Aso Villa in 2027 – PDP Reps Caucus Says
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Represebtatives says it must regain the presidency it lost in 2015, as the seat of power had “become our party’s birth right”.
Rep. Chinda Kingsley, the leader of the minority caucus in the House, said this while briefing newsmen after the third meeting of PDP lawmakers in Abuja, on Tuesday.
“We are going back, as we resume the session to commence a strong, virile and purpose-driven opposition to give the people a voice in the parliament,” the Caucus said.
The lawmakers issued a three-months ultimatum to the Federal Government to normalise the security situation in the country.
According to him, government must immediately take steps to ensure that the security situation in the country is normalised.
“We x-rayed the security situation in our country and we resolved that we can no longer take this situation where Nigeria is today almost tagged as ‘one life, one minute silence’.
“After three-months, the caucus will take further steps to sensitise and mobilise Nigerians to take their security into their hands,” the legislators said.
He said the caucus also agreed to call on all party caucuses, the board of trustees, national executive committee and the national working committee of the party to embark on reconciliatory measures.
This, according to him, is with the view to resolve all litigations that are pending and have hindered the party’s quest for a substantive national Chairman.
He called on leaders of the PDP to continue to demonstrate unconditional loyalty to the party and ensure that the party is placed where she enjoyed the position of the largest party in Africa.
He said that PDP members in the House of Reps were united, indivisible, committed and out to perform their duty as the watchdog on behalf of the Nigerian people.(NAN)