POLITICS
INEC to Resume CVR in Edo, Ondo
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it plans to conduct the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo States from Monday, May 27 to Wednesday, June 5.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this at the commission’s second regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties held on Monday in Abuja.
Yakubu said that INEC would also distribute uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the two states during the period, advising those who were yet to register or collect their PVCs to use the opportunity to do so.
He said that the resumption of the CVR would also afford registered voters who wanted to transfer their registration from other states to Edo and Ondo.
“Let me reiterate that the CVR is only open to new registrants and those who seek to transfer their registration.
“Persons who are already registered voters should not attempt to register again as that will amount to double or multiple registrations and it is illegal.
“Lost or damaged voters’ cards will be replaced during the exercise but this does not require fresh registration,” he said.
Yakubu said that taking into consideration the limited time to the election, the CVR would take place at ward and state headquarters of INEC instead of the local government offices, and a few designated centers.
“This means that there will be 192 Ward registration centres in Edo and 203 centres in Ondo, in addition to our state offices in Benin City and Akure, making a total of 397 walk-in registration centres in the two states.
“There will be no online pre-registration option in the two states because of time constraint. Each centre will be managed by two officials drawn from our regular staff and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),’’ he said.
He added that in the next few days, INEC would commence the training of at least 794 officials for the exercise, saying that the locations for the registration centres and other relevant information had been made available to political party leaders.
Yakubu appealed to political parties and other stakeholders to join INEC in mobilising prospective registrants for the exercise, particularly on the need to register early and not wait until the eleventh hour.
He said that INEC plans to publish the list of uncollected PVCs in its offices in the two states and simultaneously uploaded to the commission’s website.
Yakubu appealed to party leaders to continue to play by the rules during the electioneering process and beyond, ahead of the April 24 commencement of electioneering campaign for Edo election.
He also urged them to adhere strictly to the timeline for the upload of the list of polling and collation agents to INEC dedicated portal.
He said doing so would enable INEC to produce and deliver identity cards in good time for the expected 76,823 polling unit agents and 3,587 ward, local government and state collation agents for the election.
“Turning to Ondo, political parties have just concluded their primaries. Eighteen political parties conducted primaries monitored by the Commission.
“I wish to remind you that parties have one week to the deadline for the nomination of candidates which is 6.00pm on Monday May 20, 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down.
“I urge you to adhere strictly to the deadline. Political parties have been given 23 days from the end of primaries to prepare and submit the list of only two candidates (governorship candidate and running mate) to the Commission,’’ Yakubu said.
He said that the commission was remobilising to conduct the two State Assembly constituencies in Enugu and Kano States.
Yakubu also said that INEC would soon announce date for the conduct of by-election into existence of vacancies in National and State Assemblies caused by either death or resignation of members in three states constituencies and one federal constituency.
“The constituencies are; Khana 2 State Constituency of Rivers, the Bagwai/Shanono State constituency of Kano State, the Zaria Kewaye State Constituency of Kaduna State and the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State,’’ he said.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mr Yusuf Dantalle, pledged to work with INEC to mobilise voters for Edo and Ondo governorship election.
“Ahead of the forthcoming Edo and Ondo States governorship election, it is important that voters are massively mobilised to register and participate in the poll.
“As the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, IPAC will spearhead this crucial exercise in collaboration with INEC.
“In previous elections, Council would move to various states, sensitize and mobilise the people on upcoming polls, called for non-violence and urge them to shun vote buying and selling, etc with the limited funds at its disposal,’’ Dantalle said.(NAN)
POLITICS
PDP Crisis: Party Chieftain Faults Kogi State Congress, Seeks Redress in Court
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From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Congress of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) held last Saturday August 31, in Lokoja, has been described as ‘illegal, fraudulent, null and void’.Capt. Joe Agada rtd, who made the declaration at a press briefing in Lokoja, told newsmen that the purported state congress was illegal, lacked credibility and adherence to party guidelines.
Agada maintained that his group had concrete proofs to show that the majority of delegates at the purported congress that allegedly produced, Enemona Ayebe, as state PDP Chairman was characterised with illegality and marred with anomalies. Agada stressed that the basic bloc of the State Congress which is the Three-Man Ad-hoc Ward Delegate Congress where they were supposed to elect 717 delegates in Kogi, purportedly conducted by Rt Hon. Boyelayefa Dabekeme led committee, was marred with grave anomalies and impersonation of Returning officers from FCT, Nassarawa, Imo and Kano States.He insisted that the development compromised the integrity of the ward congress and therefore rendered the entire process null and void.He added that the delegates that allegedly produced Ayebe at the purported State Congress held on August 31, 2024, was marred with impersonation of delegates across all the 21 local government areas of the state.He noted that the guidelines for the conduct of PDP Ward, LGA, State and Zonal Congresses as well as the National Convention in PDP Constitution, for the purpose of selecting party executive committees at all levels, were jettisoned.The PDP chairmanship aspirant stressed that the accreditation at the State congress was highly manipulated and populated with non-statutory delegates across the 21 LGAs of Kogi State.Agada stressed that the PDP should not see the illegality issue as a party internal affairs, but as a matter that would be challenged in Court.According to Agada, the Supreme Court has made a distinction between processes that are called internal affairs of the party, and what the Court can inquire into.”In the 2022 judgement, the Supreme Court affirmed that where an action has not taken place, it is the internal party affairs.”But where an action has taken place, an aggrieved member of the party who has locus and concerned that a bridge of the Constitution of party guidelines has been violated by the party itself, can seek redress in court.”This is why we did not participate in the purported illegal state congress because we have a focus as we have declared our abstinence,” Agada said.He added: “We will approach the Court because the injuries done to our aspirations cannot be compensated by quantum damages in lieu of the financial compensation.”It is an interest that must be protected, hence, the need for the press briefing to alert the general public of the illegality of the kangaroo PDP state congress in Kogi”.Agada noted that the Kogi PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Sen. Laal Danjuma; and its Secretary, Philip Gyunka, had written to the INEC, DSS and Police, PDP NWC to notify them of the anomalies that marred the purported state congress.Agada also said that aside the illegality of the congress, the purported elected Kogi PDP Chairman Enemona Anyebe, had been debarred by the PDP Disciplinary Committee in his Ogugu ward 2, from holding any party office due to anti activities.According to Agada, Anyebe was found guilty of participating in anti-part activities by Ogugu ward 2 Disciplinary Committee on May 3, 2019, which was reconfirmed on March 20, 2024, with authentic proof.He stressed that the debarred Ayebe neglected and failed to appeal the disciplinary committee actions until August 31, when the purported state congress was held.Agada emphasised that there was a subsisting Court order restraining Anyebe from holding any party office position or participating in any elective positions at all levels including party ex-officio.”My interest in seeking to become Kogi PDP Chairman is to build the party; it is all about developing the party, and not personal interest like others.”We found this party together and we believe in the objectives of our founding fathers; we will not allow it to die in our hands.”We will approach the Court to stop the PDP National Working Committee from recognizing and ratifying any purported executive that emerged from the illegal congress in Kogi. We will follow this case to its logical conclusion,” Agada said.Agada further accused the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike of using his influence to cause crises in Kogi and 10 other States across the federation during the August 31, PDP State congress, held nationwide.”Wike is the man behind the PDP crisis in Kogi as well as 10 other States across the federation during the August 31, state congresses.”The PDP at national level has not been bold enough to sanction Wike, and one single person is holding the entire party to ransom. Wike is out to weaken and destroy PDP, and he must be stopped now.”I can tell you, if PDP goes the way it is going now, then, forget about PDP in the 2027 general elections,” Agada warned.
POLITICS
INEC Urges CSOs to Scrutinise Political Parties, SIECs
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to extend their scrutiny to the activities of political parties and State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
CSO’s scrutiny will promote transparency and accountability in electoral processes, deepen democracy and enhance the conduct of local government area elections in Nigeria.
INEC Chairman, Prof.
Mahmood Yakubu, made this appeal when the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, led by its Convener, Mr Yinusa Z Ya’u, visited the commission’s office on Thursday in Abuja.Yakubu commended CSOs’ contributions to improving Nigeria’s electoral democratic process but stressed the need for them to engage other stakeholders to deepen democracy.
“Remember, most of the improvements that you see in the conduct of elections are as a result of the activism of the civil society but sometimes, the civil society is quiet about other elections.”
He emphasised that flawed primary elections and local government elections can undermine the entire electoral process.
“Take the conduct of party primaries for instance. Political parties conduct primary elections and INEC conducts secondary elections.
“So, the most important process is actually the primaries conducted by political parties. It is the candidates they present that we put on the ballot.
“Citizens can only choose from the candidates presented by political parties,” he said.
Yakubu urged CSOs to scrutinise political parties’ primary elections and SIECs’ conduct of local government elections, as these have a direct impact on the quality of candidates and the electoral process.
“Elections are conducted at the local government level by the SIECs and they declare all the candidates of the ruling party winners. Yet, we don’t hear anything from the civil society.
“At INEC, we appreciate constructive criticisms. It is an ingredient for change. But we want all the components of elections to be alright.
“We cannot have one component going right and another going another way.”
The Team Leader of the Civil Society Situation Room, Yau, noted that his organisation shares a common interest with INEC in consolidating democracy and conducting elections in Nigeria.
He highlighted the group’s efforts in mobilising citizens for Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) collection and promoting peaceful polls in Edo.
Yau also affirmed the group’s commitment to urging political parties to play by the rules and not undermine the electoral process.
NAN)
POLITICS
TDF Faults NLC Over Tinubu’s Purported Betrayal on Fuel Price
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The Democratic Front (TDF) has faulted the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over claims that President Bola Tinubu betrayed or deceived them on fuel price to arrive at the N70,000 minimum wage.
TDF added that Labour and government mutually negotiated and agreed on the minimum wage.
Malam Danjuma Muhammad, the Chairman of TDF, said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
He said the President could not have been emphatic and decisive on the pump price of fuel in a deregulated market.
He said: “We are disappointed with the often repeated wrong postulations of the Joe Ajaero-led NLC against the government and person of President Tinubu”.
He added that most of what the NLC said could not add up, stressing that the negotiation of the minimum wage was never debated as a condition on how much fuel would be sold.
He said that Tinubu never hid his desire or pretended over his preference to make the ideals and philosophy of a liberal free-market economy the focal point of his economic transformation agenda
“As a matter of fact, he announced an end to the age long petroleum subsidy regime in an unprecedented fashion during his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023.
This, according to him, is to herald commencement of the end of state-controlled economic policies and protectionism in the Nigeria investment ecosystem.
He said, that he believed that Tinubu would not, for whatever reason, give personal guarantee or assurance to anybody or group, on a specific price of fuel in Nigeria.
He added that the President knew that in the absence of government subsidy, such prices were solely determined by the unpredictable dynamics of market forces.
“We, therefore, view the accusations against Tinubu by Ajaero as untrue and a ridiculous attempt to blackmail the President.
” We understandably note that the withdrawal of fuel subsidy by the government has compelled the NNPCL to respond to the dictates of market forces.”
This, according to him, is in order to cope with the logistics of importing refined petroleum into the country.
” The increase in the pump price is to accommodate the landing cost of the product.”
He said that TDF expected fuel price to crash with the expected infusion of locally refined fuel from Dangote Refinery into the Nigerian market.(NAN