You're partisan, don't truncate électoral process, FG replies Obasanjo – Newstrends
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You’re partisan, don’t truncate électoral process, FG replies Obasanjo

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1 year ago

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The Federal Government has asked former President Olusegun Obasanjo not to “truncate” the ongoing electoral process in the country.

It was a reaction to the ex-president’s speech on Monday calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the electoral body to respond to allegations of irregularities in the conduct of last Saturday’s elections.

Obasanjo had said elections reportedly marred with irregularities should be cancelled and retaken.

But in a statement on Tuesday, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said Obasanjo presided over the worst elections since Nigeria returned to Democracy in 1999.

Mohammed said the former president is not in the position to counsel President Muhammadu Buhari on elections.

He said, “Though masquerading as an unbiased and concerned elder statesman, former President Obasanjo is, in reality, a known partisan who is bent on thwarting, by subterfuge, the choice of millions of Nigerian voters.

“As the whole nation waits with bated breath for the result of last Saturday’s national elections, amid unnecessary tension created by professional complainants and political jesters, what is expected from a self-respecting elder statesman are words and actions that douse tension and serve as a soothing balm.

“Instead, former President Obasanjo used his unsolicited letter to insinuate, or perhaps wish for, an inconclusive election and a descent into anarchy; used his time to cast aspersion on electoral officials who are unable to defend themselves, while surreptitiously seeking to dress his personal choice in the garb of the people’s choice. This is duplicitous.

“With a deployment of over 1,265,227 electoral officials, the infusion of technology to enhance the electoral process, and the logistical nightmare of sending election materials across our vast country, INEC seems to be availing itself creditably, going by the preliminary reports of the ECOWAS Electoral Observation Mission and the Commonwealth Observer Group, among other groups that observed the election.

“Therefore, those arrogating to themselves the power to cancel an election and unilaterally fix a date for a new one, ostensibly to ameliorate perceived electoral infractions, should please exercise restraint and allow the official electoral body to conclude its duty by announcing the results of the 2023 national elections.”

The minister said anyone aggrieved with the election results should approach the tribunal.

The presidential election results are currently being collated in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The results of some states have already been announced.

Dino Melaye, PDP’s agent, had on Monday walked out of the collation centre alongside LP’s representative and some other parties.

The group pulled out of the exercise after insisting that results uploaded to the portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be displayed before the exercise could continue.

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Edo 2024: Muslims demand fair representation in govt

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9 hours ago

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May 6, 2024

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Edo 2024: Muslims demand fair representation in govt

In anticipation of the upcoming governorship election slated for September 21 in Edo State, the state chapter of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called for the fair representation of Muslims in the state’s governance.

Mallam Abdulazeez Igbinidu, the Chairman of Edo State’s NSCIA, voiced this demand during a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City. He emphasized the inadequate representation of Muslims in the state’s governance structures.

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Addressing the attendees, Mallam Igbinidu highlighted the purpose of the meeting, which aimed to collectively address the concerns of Muslims regarding the conduct of the upcoming governorship election.

He stressed the necessity for equity and fairness in representation within the state’s governance framework to ensure that Muslims are adequately represented.

The call for equitable representation underscores the importance of inclusivity and diversity in governance, reflecting the need for all population segments to be adequately represented in decision-making processes.

Edo 2024: Muslims demand fair representation in govt

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PDP: Sule Lamido blames court for mass resignation from party

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23 hours ago

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May 5, 2024

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Former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido

PDP: Sule Lamido blames court for mass resignation from party

Former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has revealed why the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is grappling with a gale of resignations from its folds in recent times.

Some notable members of the nation’s leading opposition party have quit the party in recent weeks.

Speaking on the exodus from the party, Lamido blamed the situation on the procedures of the court.

He said the actions of the court and the leadership of the PDP have left the party in a precarious and parlous state.

He added that the PDP mass resignation was as a result of frustration engendered by the leadership of the party and the judiciary.

Speaking during an interview with This Day, Lamido bemoaned the selfish moves of some leaders of the party.

Recall that there has been an ongoing resignation by members of PDP especially in Imo and few other states.

The former governor said if the court did not insist that Senator Samuel Anyanwu was the National Secretary, when he (Anyanwu) went and contested for the Imo State governorship election, the position of National Secretary would have gone to another person from Imo State.

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He also asserted that some persons outside the PDP are influencing what happens in the party.

Lamido said, “Emeka Ihedioha and other chieftains of the PDP that resigned from the party were humiliated and frustrated out. They were humiliated by the leadership of the party, with the help of the judiciary.

“Ministers resigned to contest election. Other government officials and even party officials resigned to contest elective offices. Senator Anyanwu ought to have resigned to contest the governorship election in Imo state.

“What did he (Anyanwu) do. He held to the office of national secretary and contested for the governorship election. You cannot eat your cake and still have it back. You cannot appropriate the two positions. You are the national secretary and the governorship candidate at the same time. This is not done.

“So, when the stakeholders from Imo state complained, the judiciary aided him and affirmed his position as National Secretary when he lost his governorship election.

“So, Ihedioha and his group felt frustrated and humiliated by the action of the leadership of the party by failing to stand up for justice. So, as a person, I don’t blame Ihedioha and his associates. I can understand why he and his associates left. Some external influences are tele-guiding the party.”

he said, “The leadership of the party was extremely unfair to Ihedioha who first asked if Anyanwu will contest for governor and when Anyanwu said yes, Ihedioha left it for him and yet, Anyanwu still did not leave the post of National secretary. It is not fair.”

PDP: Sule Lamido blames court for mass resignation from party

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Aregbesola no longer member of APC, says ex-Osun commissioner

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2 days ago

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May 4, 2024

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Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

Aregbesola no longer member of APC, says ex-Osun commissioner

The immediate past Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Adebayo Adeleke, has said ex-Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, is not a member of the All Progressives Congress.

Adeleke served as a commissioner in the cabinet of ex-governor Adegboyega Oyetola, currently serving as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

He spoke at the Osun Central Senatorial meeting of the APC held in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

The APC chieftain said all serious party members in the state were aware that Aregbesola was not currently a member of the party.

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Speaking at the meeting attended by the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and other party bigwigs from the ten local government areas that made up the senatorial district, Adeleke insisted that the two ex-governors in Osun APC are Chief Bisi Akande and Oyetola.

Adeleke said, “They said in our party in Osun, we have two former governors, we have Chief Bisi Akande and ex-governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

“Someone asked about ex-governor Rauf Aregbesola, and my response is that all members of the APC know that Aregbesola presently is not a member of our party.”

Aregbesola no longer member of APC, says ex-Osun commissioner

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