Politics
Caution your supporters, police warn presidential candidates, others
The Nigeria Police Force has advised all politicians to eschew violence and caution their supporters against threatening voices of dissent and opposition in the run-up to the 2023 general elections.
The police said any threat to life was a criminal offence, adding that the Electoral Act is also clear on the appropriate punishment prescribed for election-related crimes.
The Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated this in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday against the backdrop of online bullying and violent verbal exchange between the supporters of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu and the Labour Party flagbearer, Peter Obi.
A report had alleged that the Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo advised Tinubu to seek medical care and give the LP presidential candidate the chance to rule, but the Ghana High Commissioner in Nigeria, Abdulrashid Bawa, had since denied the report in a statement.
The High Commissioner described the report as false and misleading, adding that the Ghanaian leader did not write such a letter to the APC leader.
A viral video of the Pyrates Confraternity in which the members were mocking a leading presidential candidate in a song also attracted anger and condemnations across the country.
Similarly, there has been increased cyber bullying on social media and attacks by over-zealous presidential candidates’ supporters sparking anxiety that this might culminate in electoral violence during the campaigns which would kick off in September.
This is happening as findings by The PUNCH indicate that no fewer than 27 persons were killed in 28 separate incidents of electoral violence in the country in the past seven months.
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But stressing that the police would not take lightly the violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act, Adejobi advised anyone who felt threatened to report to the police for necessary action.
He stated, “Threats to life is a criminal offence, and everyone has the right to take up cases against anyone who threatens their life or engages in an act capable of making their life precarious, or causing a problem in the country. Hence, whosoever feels threatened is at liberty to approach the police formally, for necessary action.
“The Electoral Act is clear on electoral offences and appropriate punishments. Also, our criminal laws can be applied in handling election-related crises. We have our laws and we are duty-bound to enforce them at all times.
“While we urge all political actors to be law-abiding and desist from violating the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, we will always engage relevant stakeholders, especially politicians, in deliberations, from time to time, on how to have a seamless exercise in 2023.”
INEC backs police
The Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the Nigeria Police was in order to advise supporters of presidential candidates not to engage in violence, pointing out that no meaningful electoral activities can take place amid chaos.
He noted, ‘’It is not for nothing that the Independent National Electoral Commission works closely with security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to guarantee peace in all our elections.
‘’The commission also works closely with the National Peace Committee to ensure that candidates in all major elections, especially the off-season governorship elections held in Edo, Bayelsa, Kogi, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, sign the Peace Accord.
‘’My appeal to supporters of various candidates is that they should shun violence. The next general election will not be about who throws the most vicious punches. It will be about fundamental issues affecting the well being of all citizens across Nigeria.’’
Efforts to reach the Director of Media and Communications for Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Bayo Onanuga proved abortive, but the Director General of Asiwaju Tinubu-Shettima Coalition for Good Governance, Adebayo Shittu, described the police warning as a welcome development.
According to him, putting a punitive measure in place to checkmate violation of the electoral act by political candidates and their overzealous supporters is long overdue.
He said, “It is a welcome development for the police to rise against fifth columnists. People who deliberately want to foment trouble by attempting to ensure elections never hold in the country instead of losing to the oppositions. There must be law and orderliness.
“Certain candidates and their supporters are already afraid, knowing that they stand no chance at the polls. I am not just an optimist. My optimism is buoyed by what I see happening in the country.”
The former Minister of Communications also noted that the result of the Kenya presidential election is a clear indicator for those still living in denial and believing that social media can make a change in the voting pattern of Nigeria.
“Just imagine how the man with the highest votes on social media was humbled. I am sure their eyes will clear now. Recall I once told you that the choice of Shettima and Tinubu is an unassailable combination hence people will always seek all means to run down their personalities.
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“Otherwise, why would anybody cook up a fake narrative to implicate Ghanaian president last week because they want to make Tinubu look bad the way they did. Is Nana Akufo-Addo Tinubu’s supervisor or what?” he stated.
But,the Spokesperson for the Peter Obi Support Network, Onwuasoanya Jones, in an interview with The PUNCH, Obi had been “an advocate of peaceful and responsible conduct both in speech and action and he has always encouraged his supporters and volunteers to toe the same path of issue based engagements.
“Unfortunately, Peter Obi has been at the receiving end of very bad and tasteless blackmail against his person and even family, especially, from the angle of some ill-trained social media hirelings of Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress.
“We have seen many badly constructed fake news, outright falsehoods and hate speeches targeted against Mr Peter Obi, but in his characteristic tolerance and noble temperament, he has taken these with equanimity.
“If we a group, we wish to respond or take action against such, we know where and how to channel these complaints, we won’t overburden the Police with civil complaints like defamation of character when we know that the Police have a lot of criminal acts they are yet to tackle.
“The police must do their jobs professionally and patriotically by being non-partisan, especially, as we are about entering the main campaign period. They should not become bodyguards and attack dogs for a political party or some candidates. The issue of defamation of character should be a matter for civil litigation, and Police shouldn’t allow itself to be used to intimidate those who hold contrary views with certain “protected politicians”
Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Agbo Major, said, “The task of maintaining public peace rests with the police. We have always canvassed for the need to migrate from campaigns targeted at individuals or groups to that of issues as practiced in other democracies and so the warning is not out of place.
“As we head towards the elections, political parties and their candidates should engage voters based on issues and programs not on individual basis.”
When contacted, the Spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, Senator, Dino Melaye, stated, “The question of whether there should be peace should be channeled to those who make trouble. Everyone knows we are not a violent party. We and you know those who brought violence to the political laboratory of Nigeria.”
Defending the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidates, he stated, “We will continue to maintain peace. Atiku as a man of peace will have to tow that line. The quest for peace should be channeled to those who are violent.”
AAC advises candidates
Commenting on the situation, the African Action Congress said all Nigerians had the right to campaign and rally in any part of the country they deem fit.
The party condemned the use of “caustic, divisive and threatening statements” among supporters of other presidential candidates, stating that Nigerian youths should not lose sight of the goal to change the country in the forthcoming elections.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Femi Adeyeye, in a statement on Saturday, noted that the polity did not have to be heated up because of the 2023 elections.
He stated, ‘’It is a matter of fact that the Nigerian space has never been this polarised since it was established. No thanks to the nepotistic, clueless Buhari regime that has further widened the division among Nigerians, through very dangerous social and economic inequalities.
“Should we as people then continue to widen the trench through divisive rhetoric of violent threats to one another, all in the name of a “campaign”?
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Meanwhile, no fewer than 27 deaths were recorded in 28 incidents of political violence in the country between January 2021 and August, 2022.
Also, no fewer than 10 individuals were injured while one person was reportedly abducted. Houses and other properties were destroyed during the various attacks.
On January 13, the Peoples Democratic Party secretariat in Ekiti was attacked by suspected hoodlums. The Gombe PDP Secretariat, Atiku campaign office was similarly attacked on Feb 1 while sporadic shooting was recorded at Rauf Aregbesola’s campaign office in Osun state on February 3.
One person was killed while allegedly snatching a ballot box and a vehicle was torched during the Federal Capital Territory council elections on February 12.
Two persons were killed during the PDP ward congress in Osun on February 23 while two policemen and six others were confirmed dead after an attack by gunmen on some polling units in Enugu the same day.
On March 25, four persons were reportedly killed and many injured during the inauguration of the Kano APC executives by Governor Umar Ganduje.
Suspected political thugs were said to have torched a politician’s home in Ondo on March 19 while a victim was shot at the Rivers APC delegate ward congress on May 18.
Violence also marred the PDP primaries in Cross River on May 22 as a policeman and another person sustained gunshot injuries. Also, three PDP delegates were killed by suspected bandits in Niger state on May 25.
The latest incident was the clash between some political supporters in Osun where three persons died, one was kidnapped and property destroyed over election largesse on August 5.
A political analyst, Jide Ojo observed that electoral violence is a crime under the electoral laws, stressing that the laws should be vigorously enforced to teach those defaming others a lesson.
He added, ‘’It’s a warning sign to the political gladiators, particularly candidates and their loyalists to moderate their actions as we enter into the five-month campaign period starting next month.
‘’Hate speech, fake news and defamation of character should not be the dominant feature of our elections. I implore political supporters to market ideas; what is needful at this point is an issue-based campaign, not character assassination, name-calling, defamation of people’s character and slandering because these have consequences whether during or after the elections.
‘’Defamation of character, slander, character assassination and libel all have laws guiding and regulating them and people can be sued and heavy compensations including jail terms could be the punishment given to any of the guilty parties.”
A lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu, argued that the police warning was of little value, adding that the security agencies should be equipped to do their job.
“Equip them with fighting equipment and the rest. They should be up to the task,’’ he submitted.
Politics
How INEC bungled Edo gov election at collation, by observer groups
How INEC bungled Edo gov election at collation, by observer groups
A total of 25 observer groups have said last Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State fell short of expectations.
The group supported the position of Yiaga Africa, which said the Edo election lacked credibility because the results were fraught with alteration of figures.
They particularly noted the election was bungled by the poll umpire at the collation of results which did not comply with the Electoral Act, 2022.
Also, some 30 civil society organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of Citizens Memorandum for Electoral Reforms have presented 37 draft electoral recommendations to the National Assembly to help in the review of the 2022 amended electoral laws.
A statement by Mrs. Rose Akhigbe, Comrade Peter Nwokolo, Anyasor Gabriel, and Sunny Elekwa, on behalf of the observer groups, rejected the collation of ward and local government results at the INEC state collation centre in Benin City, saying it is contrary to the law.
They however said they were satisfied with more than 4,500 polling units’ results at the election.
The statement said, “We reject the result declared because there are two sets of result sheets. One was taken to the field and another one to APC in Edo North, some parts of Edo South and Edo Central.
“We also observed that the military and police disrupted collation of results at the wards and local governments collation centres, including intimidation of INEC officials that collated results, contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines. There is significant concern about the credibility of the results collation process.
“We totally reject the result of the election, which declared the All Progressive Congress APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo. There was militarisation and use of impunity at wards, local governments and state collation centres.
“INEC, military and police have clearly violated the provisions of Electoral Act 2022 concerning the collation of results in governorship election. Results were only collated at units and some wards.”
At another press conference on Wednesday, the 30 other CSOs, under Citizens Memorandum for Electoral Reforms, said the country was at a crossroads and needed a quick electoral reform to address issues arising from the elections.
The press conference was addressed by Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) ElectHER, International Press Centre (IPC), International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), and Justice, Development and Peace Makers Centre (JDPMC), Osogbo.
Others were Justice Development and Peace Movement (JDPM), Oyo; Justice Development and Peace Initiative (JDPI), Ekiti; The Kukah Centre; Nigeria Women’s Trust Fund (NWTF); Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC); SOS Children’s Villages (SOS); TAF African; and Yiaga Africa.
The CSOs said, “The proposals encapsulated in this memorandum stem from a comprehensive analysis of the pressing challenges that have plagued our electoral system for too long.
“They are the product of extensive research, input from key stakeholders, and, importantly, the reflections drawn from our experiences during the 2023 general elections.
“We have also incorporated valuable recommendations from domestic and international election observers, who have called attention to areas requiring urgent reform if we are to restore public trust in our democratic institutions.
“As the National Assembly embarks on yet another round of electoral reforms, we present this Citizens Memorandum for Electoral Reforms as a crucial resource, which serves as a roadmap designed to guide lawmakers and all election stakeholders through priority areas in need of immediate attention.
“These amendments are strategic in their scope and assess, ambitious in their vision, yet they are also rooted in practicality, responding to the realities of our current electoral system.”
The groups said the memorandum focused on “three core pillars of the electoral legal framework for the conduct of elections: the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Elections.”
Politics
APGA plots to suspend Soludo over alleged anti-party activities
APGA plots to suspend Soludo over alleged anti-party activities
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is taking significant steps to suspend Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, following accusations of engaging in anti-party activities.
This development was revealed by the party’s National Chairman, Chief Edozie Njoku, who stated that the governor has been undermining the Supreme Court-recognized National Working Committee (NWC) tasked with restoring peace within APGA.
During a press briefing at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Njoku expressed his disappointment with Soludo, accusing him of consistently sabotaging efforts aimed at promoting unity within the party.
Njoku stressed that Soludo’s actions have been detrimental to the party’s interests, leading to further instability and weakening APGA’s internal cohesion.
“They are pushing us to the limit, and they seem to believe that the governor of Anambra State is bigger than the party. No one is bigger than the party,” Njoku stated, emphasising that the NWC would not tolerate further violations from the governor.
Njoku further expressed disappointment over Soludo’s involvement in the upcoming local government elections in Anambra, scheduled for September 28, despite the internal turmoil within the party.
“Charles Soludo must remember that he operates within a political system—he’s not an emperor,” Njoku added.
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Edozie explained that on Thursday, September 26, 2024, the National Working Committee (NWC) will reveal the names of party members suspended for anti-party activities, including Anambra State Governor Soludo.
In preparation for the upcoming off-cycle governorship election, the national chairman emphasized that the party does not have a sole candidate for the election. He expressed skepticism about Soludo’s chances of winning the party’s primaries.
Edozie invited anyone interested in becoming the governor of Anambra State to come forward and participate in what he described as a seamless process.
The statement reads, “If you remember, just about a week ago or two weeks ago, we just left the Court of Appeal where a stay was applied at the Court of Appeal to stay me being recognized by INEC despite the fact that the Supreme Court said in their own words that the removal of Chief Edozie Njoku as national chairman of APGA is not justiciable.
“They went to Awka and filed the suit, suddenly the judge in Awka was very smart, and he pulled out of it. They came to the Federal High Court again.
“They filed another one behind our back, they were applying for an interim injunction behind the back of the national chairman of the party, behind the back of APGA, behind the back of the orders of the Court of Appeal, which asked that they should enforce the judgment as pay or affirm the enforcement of the judgment, as per the Buhari High Court.
“They went forward behind the back of APGA and INEC were very smart, and INEC have written that everything they said is not true.
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“The local government elections are going to take place in Anambra on the 28th but what we should understand about this is that Charles Soludo, the governor, I don’t know, he should know that it’s a political system he’s not an emperor.
“He has gone forward to get the House of Assembly to adopt, to make a law whereby the party cannot field their candidates.
“They went to the field and conducted something behind the back of the party, where they assembled certain people who are conducting anti party activities.
“If you notice, the whole NWC are here, and a group of people are being suspended from the party. As you know, I’ve been preaching peace because it’s not in the interest of the party for us to start suspending elected officers, to start suspending a governor, to start suspending House of Assembly members, to start suspending the senator from Abia.
“They are pushing us far to the limit, and they are believing that the governor of Anambra State is bigger than the party. No one is bigger than the party, and so maybe they are playing on that I want peace, that I will not change, even the beauty.”
“You will remember what the chairman of the BOT said, that we the NWC, must take action so that we don’t look like toothless bulldogs,” Edozie said.
He stated, “This is a political party, and APGA is here to stay. We have reached an 80% consensus on the individuals who will be suspended from the party, including the governor. I ask, should we really suspend our only governor? However, if he is merely pretending or trying to appease others while allowing honest members to engage in anti-party activities, we must take action.”
“We need to address this issue decisively. I’m uncertain about what Soludo’s intentions are or what challenges he faces, but he needs to align himself with the party,” he added.
APGA plots to suspend Soludo over alleged anti-party activities
Politics
APC will replicate Edo template in Ondo, Anambra elections – Ganduje
APC will replicate Edo template in Ondo, Anambra elections – Ganduje
National chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said the party would use its template in Edo State governorship election to win the November 16 election in Ondo State.
APC will replicate Edo template in Ondo, Anambra elections – Ganduje
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