BREAKING: LP supporters storm INEC office in Imo – Newstrends
Connect with us

metro

BREAKING: LP supporters storm INEC office in Imo

Published

1 year ago

on

BREAKING: LP supporters storm INEC office in Imo

Due to purported access denials to election materials, Labour Party (LP) supporters stormed to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) headquarters in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, on Monday.

According to reports, the politicians voiced their displeasure over the purported denial of access to the records utilised for the November 11 governorship election.

Senator Athan Achonu, the candidate for the Labour Party in the recently held state gubernatorial election, alleged that the Commission had declined to furnish him with authenticated duplicates of the election materials.

In an apparent media address during the demonstration, LP state chairman Callistus Ihejiagwa emphasised the party’s complaints about the Commission’s actions in the state.

The LP chairman said, “INEC is frustrating us. Nine days after an official request was made by our solicitors to the State INEC office, this Commission has continued to deny our legal team access to certified true copies of documents used for the November 11 governorship election in the state as required by law.

READ ALSO:

“We have come to INEC to express our deep frustration at what is happening. Nine days ago, I was beaten up and thrown out of the hall like a common criminal while INEC and the heads of security agencies in the state looked on. We were mocked and asked to go to court.

“Nine days after they have refused us access. Why, then are they delaying the release of the CTC of requested materials? INEC was so efficient in announcing the results of 27 LGAs in less than 12 hours after the elections; why then is it taking the same INEC over 144 hours to issue the documents backing their pronouncements?”

Ihejiagwa mentioned that his wife and children are still struggling to overcome the distress of witnessing him being assaulted and expelled from the collation centre by thugs affiliated with the All Progressives Congress, all while security agents stood by.

Addressing the demonstrators, the Head of the Department of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC in Imo State, Ben-Opara Emmanuella, confirmed that INEC had received the LP application and assured them it was being addressed.

She said, “It’s your right to request for CTC. The materials are being assembled as we speak. We are already costing the material, and by tomorrow, we’ll give you the cost of payment.”

BREAKING: LP supporters storm INEC office in Imo

Related Topics:
Advertisement

metro

Sanwo-Olu targets 24-hour power supply, signs Lagos Electricity Bill 2024

Published

12 hours ago

on

December 3, 2024

By

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Sanwo-Olu targets 24-hour power supply, signs Lagos Electricity Bill 2024

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has signed the Lagos Electricity Bill 2024 into law, a step considered as pivotal towards ensuring 24-hour electricity supply across the state.

Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser to the governor on media and publicity said Sanwo-Olu assented to the bill on Tuesday.

He disclosed this via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Akosile’s tweet noted that this signing followed the Federal Government’s approval in 2023, which granted states the authority to generate and distribute electricity, paving the way for Lagos to take control of its power supply and distribution.

The bill is expected to significantly enhance the state’s energy infrastructure, providing uninterrupted power that will benefit households, businesses, and industries alike.

“Lagos State Governor @jidesanwoolu today signed the Lagos Electricity Bill 2024. The bill is a major step by the State Government, to ensure 24 hours electricity supply to every nook and cranny of the State, following the FG’s nod for States to generate and distribute energy in 2023,” the tweet read.

Also featured in Akosile’s post was a short video showing Governor Sanwo-Olu, flanked by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and a few other top members of his cabinet, as he officially signed the bill into law.

READ ALSO:

The signing marks a new chapter in the state’s energy reform agenda, promising to tackle long-standing electricity supply issues and strengthen Lagos’s economic and infrastructural development.

The Lagos Electricity Bill 2024 signed into law by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, marks a major step towards energy independence for Lagos State.

It replaces the Lagos State Power Sector Reform Law of 2018 and aligns with the Federal Government’s 2023 approval allowing states to generate and distribute electricity.

The Bill establishes the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission to oversee the electricity market, regulate power generation, and set tariffs. It also creates the Lagos State Electrification Agency to promote off-grid solutions and enhance electricity access in underserved areas.

A key feature of the Bill is the creation of the Lagos Electrification Fund, aimed at financing the state’s grid expansion and off-grid projects.

The bill also introduces an Integrated Electricity Policy focused on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and decarbonization. It outlines a roadmap for a sustainable power supply, with private-sector involvement encouraged.

Additionally, the Bill establishes an Independent System Operator to manage grid operations and a Power Enforcement Unit to tackle electricity theft.

With these measures, Lagos aims to improve power reliability, attract investment, and become a leader in Nigeria’s energy transition, providing consistent and sustainable electricity for its residents.

 

Sanwo-Olu targets 24-hour power supply, signs Lagos Electricity Bill 2024

Continue Reading

metro

BREAKING: Unfreeze NSIPA accounts to pay 395,731 N-Power beneficiaries, Reps tell FG

Published

12 hours ago

on

December 3, 2024

By

House of Representatives

BREAKING: Unfreeze NSIPA accounts to pay 395,731 N-Power beneficiaries, Reps tell FG

The House of Representatives has issued a directive to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to mandate the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to unfreeze all accounts belonging to the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA) within a 72-hour timeframe.

The resolution was reached following the adoption of a motion sponsored by the deputy speaker and 20 other lawmakers on Tuesday.

Lawmakers voiced their displeasure, arguing that despite the programmes of NSIPA being vital for poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, and economic inclusivity in Nigeria, the agency’s functionality has been hindered due to administrative bottlenecks, insufficient funding, and frozen accounts.

READ ALSO:

The president had ordered a halt of the programmes of NSIPA following allegations of financial mismanagement by overseers of the programmes.

The suspension also led to the freezing of the agency’s accounts.

BREAKING: Unfreeze NSIPA accounts to pay 395,731 N-Power beneficiaries, Reps tell FG

Continue Reading

metro

JUST IN: House of Reps opposes CBN’s plan to retire 1,000 workers

Published

12 hours ago

on

December 3, 2024

By

House of Representatives

JUST IN: House of Reps opposes CBN’s plan to retire 1,000 workers

The House of Representatives has kicked against the plan by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) to retire over 1,000 of its workers

The House asked the suspension of the exercise and initiated an investigation into the associated N50 billion payoff scheme.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Kama Nkemkama (LP, Ebonyi), the House asked the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to ensure that the rights of the affected staff are protected under Nigerian labour laws.

READ ALSO:

Lawmakers raised concerns about the transparency and legality of the retirement criteria and the potential misuse of public funds.

The House said an ad hoc committee will be set up to scrutinize the impacts on the financial sector and ensure compliance with labour laws.

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has also been tasked to safeguard the rights of affected staff, highlighting the socio-economic implications of the decision.

JUST IN: House of Reps opposes CBN’s plan to retire 1,000 workers

Continue Reading

Trending