Politics

Attacks: INEC takes final decision on Anambra guber election today

Published

5 years ago

October 5, 2021

The Independent National Electoral Commission will today hold an emergency security meeting in Abuja to take a final decision on the conduct of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.

There are fears that the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the state may hinder the conduct of the election.

Political parties and candidates have reportedly suspended their campaigns owing to the worsening security situation in the state.

Director, Voter Education and Publicity, INEC, Victor Ayodele Aluko, told Daily Trust Monday that the emergency Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security meeting would among others deliberate on the way forward.

Asked if the INEC was considering postponing the election as a result of the insecurity in the state, he said the answer would come after today’s meeting.

INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had last Wednesday expressed fears over the worsening security challenges in the state.

However, politicians and residents of Anambra yesterday expressed hope that the election would hold as planned despite the security challenges in the state.

The director of media in the Andy Uba campaign council, Afam Ogene said the election would hold and the APC was prepared for it.

A director in the campaign organization of the APGA governorship candidate, Charles Soludo, Don Adinuba, said the insecurity would not affect the election.

Adinuba, who is also the Commissioner for Information in the state, said the government was putting measures in place to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.

Similarly, the publicity secretary of the PDP in the state, Nnamdi Nwangwu, said the party was hopeful that the election would hold and was preparing for it.

A resident of Awka, Philip Obasi, said that though there were concerns, the election would go as scheduled.

But Miss. Ngozi Uche, another resident, doubted that the election would hold as non-state actors “continue to decide when people come out and go in.”

The vice president of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Ogene-Okeke, urged the federal and state governments to give the citizens hope of safety.

“Security is the duty of the federal and state governments. They should do the needful by providing security to the people. Nobody is happy that people are being killed every day unchecked. Killing is killing either in Anambra or Zamfara,” he said.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to address the security challenges in the country

The Commissioner of Police, Tony Olofu, charged his personnel to be firm and resolute inmtaking the battle to the doorstep of the attackers.

Election date shift, tenure extension possible — Lawyers

A lawyer, Tawo Eja Tawo (SAN), said: “INEC still has the powers to shift the election provided it doesn’t clash with the inauguration of the new governor and provided the incumbent governor’s stay does not extend beyond four years.”

For Hameed Ajibola Jimoh, based on Section 180(3) of the 1999 Constitution, the tenure of a governor can be extended for not more than six months in all if there is a situation of war.

“I think after that period, then the speaker of the state assembly takes over for three months renewable for another three months until INEC can conduct an election,” he said.

Another lawyer, David Onyeike, said if the violence escalates, the federal government could declare a state of emergency and appoint an administrator for the state.

Daily Trust

Related Topics:anambra Election guber INEC

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Politics

ADC Raises Alarm as Court Delays Release of Lifu’s Judgment Despite Payment

Published

2 hours ago

November 9, 2026

Trends Admin

ADC Raises Alarm as Court Delays Release of Lifu’s Judgment Despite Payment

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised fresh concerns over the handling of its leadership crisis, accusing the Federal High Court in Abuja of delaying the release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a judgment that nullified the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party.

The party’s Presidential Campaign Council said the continued delay had denied affected parties access to the full details of the judgment, despite the payment of the prescribed fees for obtaining certified copies.

In a statement issued on Monday, November 9, 2026, the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, said lawyers representing some of the defendants had formally applied for the certified judgment but were yet to receive the document.

According to the council, counsel to the third defendant submitted an application on November 5, the day Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment, while counsel to the first defendant filed another application on November 6.

The council maintained that both applications carried the Federal High Court’s official ‘PAID’ stamp, indicating that the required fees had been settled.

Shaibu questioned why the certified judgment had remained inaccessible despite the judge’s reported declaration in open court that copies were ready.

He argued that the delay was particularly troubling because the judgment directly affected the leadership and future of the opposition party, as well as the political interests of its members.

The ADC campaign council maintained that without the certified copy, affected parties could not properly establish the precise orders made by the court or fully determine the appropriate legal steps to challenge them.

It described the situation as a denial of access to justice, insisting that litigants should not be subjected to unnecessary difficulties in obtaining official copies of judicial decisions affecting their rights.

The council also recalled its earlier objection to Justice Lifu presiding over the case, saying its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, had previously raised concerns about the judge’s impartiality.

It further questioned the timing of the judgment, which was delivered days after the ADC’s campaign activities in Sokoto, alleging that the circumstances surrounding the ruling and the subsequent delay in releasing the certified copy had heightened suspicions among party members.

The ADC had earlier rejected the November 5 judgment and announced plans to challenge it through the appropriate judicial channels.

In the controversial ruling, Justice Lifu nullified the Senator David Mark-led leadership structure and invalidated actions taken by the disputed executive, including decisions connected to the party’s 2027 presidential nomination.

The ruling also recognised the position of Nafiu Bala Gombe in the leadership dispute.

The ADC has vowed to pursue every lawful avenue to challenge the judgment, while demanding an immediate explanation for the delay in releasing its certified copy.

As of Monday, November 9, there was no reported official response from the Federal High Court addressing the campaign council’s latest allegation.

ADC Raises Alarm as Court Delays Release of Lifu’s Judgment Despite Payment

Politics

Tension in Delta as Task Force Members Protest Over Colleague’s Killing at NDC Rally

Published

2 hours ago

November 9, 2026

Trends Admin

One Killed, Five Injured as Violence Disrupts Obi-Kwankwaso Rally in Delta

Tension in Delta as Task Force Members Protest Over Colleague’s Killing at NDC Rally

ASABA, DELTA STATE – Tension has heightened in Asaba, Delta State, following a protest by members of a task force over the killing of their colleague during Saturday’s violent political clash involving supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The protest reportedly took place on Monday, November 9, 2026, two days after violence erupted during a political procession organised by the Obedient/OK Movement in support of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

According to reports, the task force members took to the streets to express their anger over the death of their colleague, who was reportedly among those affected by Saturday’s violence.

The protest came amid growing tension over the circumstances surrounding the deadly confrontation, which left one person dead and several others injured.

The incident occurred along Nnebisi Road, Asaba, at about 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, during the political procession.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed the death and disclosed that five other people sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The police said they had received intelligence suggesting a possibility of violence before the procession and subsequently invited the organisers to a security meeting.

According to the command, the organisers were advised against holding an open-road procession and encouraged to conduct their political activities at a designated venue where adequate security could be provided.

However, the police alleged that the organisers ignored the advice and proceeded with the procession.

Following the violence, the command announced that it had commenced a full-scale investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the clash and identify those responsible.

The Delta State Government also condemned the incident, describing the loss of life as unacceptable and calling on the police to ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.

The development has further heightened concerns over political violence and public safety in Delta State as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The circumstances surrounding Monday’s protest, including the full identity of the deceased task force member and the extent of the protesters’ demands, were not immediately clear.

Tension in Delta as Task Force Members Protest Over Colleague’s Killing at NDC Rally

Politics

Hamzat, GRV Clash Over Housing, Transport, Governance at Lagos Debate

Published

23 hours ago

November 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Hamzat, GRV Clash Over Housing, Transport, Governance at Lagos Debate

The Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, and his African Democratic Congress (ADC) counterpart, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, have presented contrasting development plans for Lagos State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The two candidates outlined their policy priorities during the 2026 Lagos State Governorship Debate held in Lekki on Sunday, November 8, with particular attention to housing, transportation, infrastructure, security, healthcare, waste management and accountable governance.

Hamzat, who described the debate as a job interview, relied heavily on his experience in public service, arguing that his professional background and previous appointments had prepared him for the responsibility of governing Lagos.

He said his experience as a teacher, case manager in New York and systems manager, alongside his years in the Lagos State Government, had equipped him with the knowledge required to manage the state’s affairs.

The APC candidate recalled his time as Commissioner for Science and Technology, during which he said he led the development of the state’s residents and structural database.

He also highlighted his tenure as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, citing his involvement in the delivery of major infrastructure projects, including a cable bridge described as the first of its kind in West Africa and the second in Africa.

Hamzat said effective governance required a leader who understood the people, the state and the responsibilities attached to public office.

Presenting his development blueprint, tagged Jacob’s Promise, he said it was structured around seven pillars, seven broad areas of action and 100 pledges.

He identified respect for citizens, hard work and truthfulness as the principles that would guide his administration, adding that government should prioritise actual delivery over public announcements.