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Election: INEC Tasks Observer Groups to Adhere to Code of Conduct

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on accredited election observers for the Nov.11 Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo governorship election to strictly adhere to the code of conduct.

The INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this at the commission’s quarterly meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Wednesday in Abuja, ahead of the election.

He said that INEC had accredited 145 organisations that were expected to deploy 7,896 observers, adding that in the next few days, they would be issued their identity cards for election duty.

Yakubu, who described election as a multi-stakeholder activity, said that in discharging its responsibilities, INEC would continue to engage with all stakeholders.

The INEC boss said that one of such was the need to step up engagements with the security agencies.

“In previous elections, civil society organisations have expressed concern about the safety of persons involved in elections, as well as the protection of the process, including polling units and collation centres.

“Similarly, civil society organisations have on several occasions urged the commission to interface  with the security agencies to grant you unimpeded access to voting and collation locations.

“I want to reassure you that we will continue to do so as we engage with the security agencies both at the national level and in the three states.

“At the same time, I wish to remind all accredited observers to strictly adhere to the code of conduct for election observation,’’ Yakubu said.

Speaking on behalf of the CSOs, the National Coordinator, Justice and Equity Organisation, Mr Kafunsho Tunde, pledged to contribute his quota toward credible electoral process in Nigeria.

Tunde added that the CSOs would continue to play their roles in line with the rules guiding observer groups in future elections.

“We are grateful to God for the wonderful and excellent work INEC has been doing for this nation, which has been adjudged by the international community as one of the best in the world.

“We are grateful that adequate assurances have been given by the Commission to the observer group, both domestic and international, and we will play our roles in line with the electoral law and with support.

“It is our conviction that, amid the excellent work done during the 2023 general elections, the forthcoming off-cycle election in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states will also be credible with transparent arrangements already on the ground by the Commission,’’ he said.

Babatunde also appealed to the electorate in the three states to come out en masse to exercise their franchise and ensure that they voted for the candidates of their choices.(NAN)

POLITICS

APC Begins Campaign for LG Polls in A’Ibom

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom, has announced plans to kickstart its campaigns for the Oct. 5 governorship election in the state.

Sen. Ita Enang, the Chairman, APC Campaign and Election Planning Committee in the state, disclosed this at a press conference in Uyo on Tuesday.

He said that the rally to kickstart the party’s campaign for the election would hold on Sept 18, at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium.

Enang expressed confidence that APC would win all the chairmanship and councilorship positions in the state.

He expressed hopes that the state Independent Electoral Commission would provide a level play field to all political parties.

 “On Sept. 18, the APC in Akwa Ibom will formally begin local government elections campaigns at the Township Stadium, Ikot Ekpene.

“The president has taken the bold step to approve autonomy for local governments in the country, so we shall participate in the poll.

“We are confident that we are going to contest, we are also going to win the elections in all the 31 local government areas.

“We have the number to win. We want to display our majority, our strength, and our capacity in the local government elections,” he said.

Enang said that an APC-controlled third tier government in Akwa Ibom would deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

“I am sure that the people are not satisfied with the performance of the local government councils in the state, we shall make the difference,” he said.(NAN)

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POLITICS

Benue Speaker Identifies With Kogi Counterpart on Chieftaincy Title

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh has identified with his Kogi State counterpart, Alhaji Aliyu Umar Yusuf on the conferment of chieftaincy title as the “Badakoshi of Lokoja” by the Lokoja Area Traditional Council of Kogi State.

Dajoh who is also “Atonko u Mbatiav” spoke at the palace of Maigari of Lokoja, Kogi State.

The speaker acknowledged the dexterity of Yusuf in leading the Kogi State House of Assembly successfully without chaos and for maintaining cordial relationship with other members of the house and for ensuring smooth working relationship with the Executive arm of government which had brought good tides to Kogi State.

He added that the honour done to the speaker by the traditional rulers was a true reflection of the uncommon visionary leadership disposition of Alhaji Yusuf, stressing that the people made no mistake in electing Yusuf into the Kogi State Assembly.

Dajoh who is also the Vice Chairman North Central Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, maintained that Lokoja people have added another responsibility to the member, stressing that “this, further would spur him to do more for his people”.

According to him, all the speakers of the 36 States of the federation have decided to come and celebrate with one of their own as a mark of honour for Kogi State in particular.

Dajoh further stated that the Lokoja traditional council took a wise decision by honouring the speaker and promised that the entire speakers in the federation would always support their son to succeed in office.

He charged the new Badakoshi of Lokoja to always encourage members of his state assembly to initiate bills and embark on oversight functions that have direct bearing on the generality of Lokoja people and Kogi State at large.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, in a statement in Makurdi said, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly who is also the Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Edward Ogundoyin attended the event.

He further stated that Dajoh was accompanied to the occasion by Saater Tiseer, Majority Leader, Peter Ipusu, Majority Chief Whip and Michael Audu, Minority Leader.

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POLITICS

APGA Leadership Tussle: INEC Asked to Wash off Hand from Njoku Destructive Plans

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From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been asked to wash off its hand from the alleged destructive plans of Edozie Njoku who has determined to assert himself in power as the National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) by disobeying court orders that have removed him from office.

INEC was also asked to act fast in order to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy by removing the name of Chief Edozie Njoku from its records and formally reinstating Sly Ezeokenwa as the authentic APGA National Chairman.

Addressing a Press Conference in Yenagoa, the Executive Director, The Inspired Leadership Doutimiye Dan Pipa said the time to act is now if Nigeria democracy must be protected from those who seek to undermine it for personal gain.

Inspired Leadership Group is a Civil Society Organization deeply committed to the promotion of justice, good governance, and the rule of law in the country. “We are a group that believes in the power of leadership rooted in integrity, transparency, and service to the people. Our guiding principle is simple: leadership should inspire, not divide; it should uplift, not suppress; it should build, not destroy”.

According to him, “let it be categorically stated that, after an exhaustive study of all relevant judgments passed by the courts on this matter, there is no single court ruling that pronounced Edozie Njoku as neither the National Chairman of APGA, nor any that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize him as such”.

“In fact, a recent Supreme Court judgment clarification, clearly obtained by the Inspired Leadership Group, stated unequivocally that at no point did its judgment pronounce Edozie Njoku as the APGA National Chairman. It also affirmed that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, did not disobey any court judgment by refusing to recognize Edozie Njoku as APGA National Chairman”.

“The time has come for INEC to revert to their earlier recognition of Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa as the authentic National Chairman of APGA. By doing so, INEC will not only uphold justice but also safeguard the internal democracy of our political parties, which is essential for the health of our national democracy.

“At the core of our mission is the protection of democratic values, ensuring that our institutions, particularly political parties, uphold the tenets of fairness, inclusivity, and accountability. We stand as a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves, and as advocates for the preservation of internal democracy within political parties, which forms the bedrock of national democracy,” he said.

Speaking further said, despite the clear clarification and declaration from the apex court, free of any ambiguity, INEC continues to recognize Edozie Njoku, whose so-called Owerri Convention was not monitored by INEC, neither was it conducted by the then APGA National Chairman, nor endorsed by the then APGA National Leader, Dr. Willie Obiano, or attended by the then APGA NEC, BOT, or any other party organ, and INEC never had any reports on such an unknown convention.

Saying this bizarre situation raises concerns that INEC may be acting under pressure from anti-democratic forces. “We therefore warn INEC not to behave in a manner that suggests compromise. It is crucial that they prove the naysayers wrong by recognizing Sly Ezeokenwa as leader of APGA, a decision they had previously upheld until certain anti-democratic elements took the center stage”.

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