Politics
Resign now and stop buck-passing, Atiku tells INEC chairman
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has asked Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Mahmood Yakubu to resign from his position instead of shifting the blame of his failure on some officials.
Yakubu, in a meeting with resident electoral commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on Saturday, admitted that a number of issues ranging from technology, delay by election officials, and attitudes of political parties’ agents adversely affected the outcome of the February 25 elections.
Even as he said those found involved in any infractions would not be part of the governorship poll, he warned that the REC would be held liable for any untoward act in a state during the March 11 elections.
But Atiku considered Yakubu’s action as desperate and buck-passing.
He said in a statement on Sunday through his special assistant on public communication, Phrank Shaibu, that the INEC chairman was only trying to shift blame instead of accepting responsibility for the irregularities during the presidential and national assembly elections.
“The INEC chairman is nothing but a hypocrite,” Shaibu said.
He also said, “After promising to upload the results from polling units in real time, he allowed himself to be used, or he used himself in subverting the will of Nigerians.
“It will shock you to note that seven days since the election ended, the full results have still not been uploaded on INEC’s result viewing portal.
“The election was so bad that it failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians as restated by several foreign media outlets and observers as well as ambassador Mary Beth Leonard of the US. Rather than apologise, the INEC chairman is trying to shift the blame.
“After INEC’s abysmal performance at the scam election of February 25, he is now trying to save face, insisting that errant staff would be punished and would not be deployed in the March 11 governorship poll.
“This is arrant nonsense. Is INEC planning on training new staff within five days that will replace the so-called errant ones? Is he going to recruit new staff or deploy some from outer space?
“Prof. Yakubu should be man enough to own up to his failure. A fish rots from the head down, and that is what has happened at INEC.
“Rather than suspend any staff, the INEC chairman is the one that needs to step aside as his first act of contrition. Already, over 300,000 Nigerians have signed a petition on Change.Org to demand that the US, UK, and Europe place a visa ban on the INEC chairman. This shows you the general feeling of Nigerians. Prof Yakubu should hide his face in shame.”
Politics
2027: Kwankwaso slams northern elders over choice of candidates
2027: Kwankwaso slams northern elders over choice of candidates
The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has again commented on the next presidential election, coming up in 2027.
The former Kano State Governor expressed his discontent with individuals which he said claimed to be Northern leaders, who interfere in the selection of candidates, especially for the presidency, under the guise of representing the region.
Kwakwanso made the remarks in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service. He stated that such actions cause division among the people, disrupt democracy, and, most importantly, lead to the election of unqualified leaders.
READ ALSO:
- How I escaped death after my 14-year-old bride poisoned my meal – Jigawa man
- APC diaspora rejects group’s ranking Tinubu among most corrupt leaders
- Tinubu to Enugu Gov: You’re a good thinker
He emphasized that the lessons from past elections should serve as a warning to these so-called leaders, urging them to steer clear of interfering in candidate selection and imposing their will on the people.
Kwankwaso also emphasized that Northern elders, particularly those from the Northwest, should refrain from displaying favouritism in the selection of candidates.
It will be recalled that some time ago, the former governor dismissed rumours of an agreement between himself and former presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, suggesting that each would serve a specific term in office.
Kwakwanso came fourth behind the eventual winner, President Bola Tinubu, Atiku and Obi, in the 2023 polls.
2027: Kwankwaso slams northern elders over choice of candidates
Politics
APC diaspora rejects group’s ranking Tinubu among most corrupt leaders
APC diaspora rejects group’s ranking Tinubu among most corrupt leaders
The former Secretary of the Committee of APC Diaspora Chairmen, Mr Ayoola Lawal has condemned the inclusion of President Bola Tinubu in the recent global corruption ranking by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
READ ALSO:
APC diaspora rejects group’s ranking Tinubu among most corrupt leaders
Politics
Obi: We’ve not agreed on merger with any political party
Obi: We’ve not agreed on merger with any political party
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi has said there was currently no agreement between the party and any other opposition party for a merger.
The former Anambra State governor spoke against speculations that the LP had entered into a merger deal with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP.
Obi, who addressed newsmen on the state of the nation in Abuja, yesterday, however, didn’t admit or deny the existence of merger talks, but he was emphatic that there was “no agreement yet.”
He appealed to all lovers of Nigeria irrespective of political affiliation to unite because it was only in unity that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, whom he said has “mismanaged” the nation’s resources can be defeated.
READ ALSO:
- Rivers elders accuse Wike of disrespecting Peter Odili
- Your assessment misleading, APC tackles Obi over socio-economic situations
- Female-led phone thieves smashed in Kano, 5 suspects arrested
Obi described Nigeria’s security situation as unfortunate. He expressed sadness that Nigerians were needlessly being sent to their early graves on account of banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping-for-ransom.
He also faulted the current administration’s claims of fighting corruption.
Obi argued that the level of corruption in Nigeria remained high just as the cost of governance which he said has led to an astronomical increase in public debt.
Obi stressed that the situation was worsened because government officials willfully mismanaged public funds in 2024 through incessant foreign travels.
Obi: We’ve not agreed on merger with any political party
-
metro2 days ago
‘Deepen Shariah knowledge to curb misinformation’
-
metro1 day ago
Youths beat Osun monarch for appointing Imam
-
metro2 days ago
Ilorin: Retired works controller murdered on New Year’s Day
-
metro2 days ago
Tinubu’s refusal to honour Seyi’s pact with us disappointing – Nnamdi Kanu’s family
-
Business13 hours ago
Petrol price may crash to N500/litre, say marketers
-
metro2 days ago
Jealous husband stabs Bishop to death over allege affair with wife
-
metro1 day ago
Mosques should be research centres – Varsity don
-
Business12 hours ago
Meta deletes AI accounts after backlash over posts