POLITICS
Buhari Approves Review of CECPC Timeline, Timetable for APC Congresses
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the review of the timeline for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).
Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary APC CECPC, said this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.
He said the president granted the approval after considering the progress report on outstanding activities with regards to congresses, the national convention and the Ananmbra governorship election.
Akpanudoedehe said the approval was sequel to the presentation of the committee’s progress report by the CECPC National Chairman and Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe at the state house.
He said the president also approved the timetable for APC Ward, Local Government and State Congresses.
According to him, the party’s ward congresses will hold on July 24 to be followed by local government congresses on Aug.14 and state congresses on Sept.18.
He said the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) conferred on the CECPC the power to organise a National Convention for the party at its last meeting.
He said this was in line with the powers provided in Article 13.3 of the party’s Constitution.
“The National Chairman has the president’s approval to review the timeline available to the CECPC,” Akpanudoedehe said.
“I am pleased to state that the party is now more peaceful, more accommodating, and more united with greater prospects than when we came on board.
“On the hugely successful and record setting membership registration, revalidation and register update exercise.
“As part of measures to reposition the party, the committee found it expedient to establish the numerical strength of the party as provided by its Constitution,” he said.
This, he said would help strengthn the party’s planning processes for congresses, conventions and general elections.
He added that with the successful completion of the exercise, the party now has over 40 million members who either registered as new members or revalidated their membership.
Buni said that the liability of unpaid legal fees to the tune of N340 million inherited by the CECPC was successfully negotiated and brought down to N179 million which had been fully paid.
He added that with respect to court cases bordering on the legitimacy of the committee and election related matters, the committee was able to secure a judgment affirming its legality.
The CECPC he said, has concluded payment of the outstanding balance and has taken over the ownership of the building housing the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
“I also have the honour to inform you that in recognition of the untiring leadership role you have provided to our great party and the nation, and the democratic legacy you have put in place.
“The CECPC has approved the naming of the National Secretariat of the party after you. The secretariat will henceforth be known as Buhari House,” he said.
He said the committee has been cautious in making arrangements towards conduct of credible, transparent, flawless and generally acceptable congresses and convention for the party.
He said this was critical to produce a strong leadership that would enjoy the support, trust and confidence of all party members.
He stressed that the support for conduct of a credible election could not be over emphasised as it would justify the successes recorded and the status of the desired new APC.
He expressed appreciate to Buhari and the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) for the confidence reposed on the CECPC.(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)