Fake opinion polls can set Nigeria on fire – NNPP - Newstrends
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Fake opinion polls can set Nigeria on fire – NNPP

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Rabiu Kwankwaso

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has sounded a note of warning to those reeling out figures claimed to come opinion polls, saying fake results will cause violence in the 2023 general elections.

The conduct of opinion polls has been part of political activities carried out towards the conduct of elections worldwide including Nigeria, especially in the presidential elections.

But the NNPP warned that conducting fake opinion polls could set the country on fire.

A statement issued by the national publicity secretary of the NNPP, Major Agbo, said opinion poll could be very exciting as it allows the political parties to understand their performances in the electioneering in the run up to an election, thereby helping such political parties to either continue or change strategies but warned that doing such in a wrong way could cause violence.

The statement read in part, “Some important ingredients of credible opinion polls are sampling different strata of populations, size of samples, distribution of samples across the constituency, professionals to conduct the polls and specifying margin of errors. All these are missing in the charade called opinion polls as being witnessed in the up to the 2023 general election in Nigeria.

“It is disheartening and disturbing the character and result of public opinion polls on the 2023 presidential election being released by selfish and unprofessional groups that don’t have any pedigree, giving misleading results designed to promote a certain candidate as a leading contender.

“More worrisome is that most media houses have fallen for this joke that has many far-reaching implications to the credibility of the elections and the security of the country.

“One cannot blame the media for reporting these fake opinion polls, however, the fourth realm of the estate needs to be wary to celebrate these falsehoods in their reportage.

“The so-called groups conducting these fake polls may be doing so in order to: connive with some candidates to deceive the  public and confer undue advantage on some preferred candidates; deceive the undecided voters to move their attention to a dubiously acclaimed winning candidate; discourage supporters of other candidates so as to sway their support to the fraudulently acclaimed leading candidate; set up a booby trap for potential crisis if the criminally promoted candidate does not win by crying rigging.

“We cannot forget in a hurry our experience in 2011 when the country was thrown into an unavoidable crisis following alleged rigging of elections due to fake opinion polls bandied before the elections. Many lives and properties were destroyed due to the wickedness of fake pollsters and the laxity of authorities.

“Therefore, it is pertinent to call on all these fake public opinion polls mongers to desist from driving the country into crisis. We equally call on security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities and be more interested in the activities of all the dubious social media public opinion polls warriors.

“We cannot sit down and allow selfish and fake individuals to aggravate the tense situation we are passing through in our dear country by releasing fake opinion polls results which is as dangerous as releasing fake election results. They are a recipe for political upheavals, anarchy and crisis in the polity.”

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ADC Defeats APC to Win First Polling Unit in FCT Area Council Election

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Election polling unit

ADC Defeats APC to Win First Polling Unit in FCT Area Council Election

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has recorded its first polling unit victory in the ongoing Area Council Elections in the Federal Capital Territory, defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in what supporters have described as a symbolic breakthrough.

The opposition coalition secured the win at Polling Unit 076, Sani Abacha Estate, Wuse Zone 4, within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), where the ADC chairmanship candidate, Dr. Moses Paul, cast his vote.

Out of 10 ballots recorded at the polling unit, ADC polled seven votes, while APC received two votes, with one vote declared invalid, according to results announced by electoral officials at the unit.

Low Voter Turnout Observed

The election across several parts of the FCT was marked by notably low voter turnout, a development that has drawn reactions from candidates and observers. Dr. Paul attributed the situation to movement restrictions announced ahead of the poll by the FCT authorities.

He argued that the directive caused confusion among residents and discouraged voter participation, describing the atmosphere as unusual and unsettling.

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“I have lived in AMAC for about 40 years and I have never witnessed anything like this,” Paul said, adding that the situation felt like “a state of emergency” over what he described as unwarranted restrictions.

Allegations of Intimidation and Vote Buying

While commending electoral officials at his polling unit for what he described as professional conduct and adherence to due process, the ADC candidate raised concerns over alleged intimidation of his party’s agents in other locations.

According to him, reports reaching his campaign indicated that ADC agents in Takum Shara and parts of Kabusa Ward, including Dogongada and Shereti, were allegedly threatened and intimidated during the voting process.

Paul alleged that some agents were told they could be maimed or killed, claiming such actions were aimed at suppressing voters and influencing the election in favour of the ruling party.

He also accused political actors of engaging in vote buying, describing the practice as criminal and harmful to Nigeria’s democratic process. These allegations, however, had not been independently verified at the time of reporting.

Confidence Amid Challenges

Despite the challenges, Paul expressed confidence that the ADC would perform strongly in the overall election, insisting that the will of the people would ultimately prevail.

He urged residents of the FCT and Nigerians at large to resist intimidation, reject electoral malpractice, and demand accountable and people-centred leadership.

As collation continues across wards and area councils, observers note that while a single polling unit win does not determine the final outcome, the ADC’s result against the APC in the heart of Abuja carries symbolic political significance amid growing voter dissatisfaction and calls for alternatives.

ADC Defeats APC to Win First Polling Unit in FCT Area Council Election

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Peter Obi Launches ‘Village Boys Movement’ to Rival Tinubu’s City Boys Ahead of 2027

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Peter Obi Launches ‘Village Boys Movement’

Peter Obi Launches ‘Village Boys Movement’ to Rival Tinubu’s City Boys Ahead of 2027

Supporters of former Peter Obi have unveiled a new grassroots political initiative, the “Village Boys Movement”, in Abuja ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The movement is designed to mobilise rural and local communities and offer a value-driven alternative to President Bola Tinubu’s “City Boys” network, promoted by his son, Seyi Tinubu.

The movement was launched as a platform to engage grassroots supporters, promote ethical leadership, and advocate accountability in Nigerian politics. Its convener, Maazị Tochukwu Ezeoke, introduced himself as the “Village Headmaster” and described the group as a disciplined and principled organisation built on responsibility, honesty, and transparency.

Speaking at the Abuja launch, Ezeoke emphasised that the Village Boys Movement is not designed to target urban populations. Rather, the name is symbolic, reflecting the movement’s focus on values such as ethical leadership, productivity, and community-driven accountability. He said, “The issue is not geography but the source of wealth, the ethics of leadership, and the structure of accountability. We represent a Nigeria that works before it earns and earns before it spends.”

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Organisers highlighted that the initiative will primarily operate in rural communities, advocating civic engagement, political education, and grassroots mobilisation. The platform aims to strengthen Peter Obi’s outreach beyond urban centres, complementing existing youth networks while encouraging active participation in the democratic process.

Political analysts note that the launch of the Village Boys Movement signals a strategic effort by Obi’s supporters to counter the influence of Tinubu’s City Boys, which has historically rallied urban youth support. The initiative underscores the growing importance of grassroots campaigns in Nigeria’s 2027 elections and reflects an emphasis on values-based politics as a tool to attract voters nationwide.

The movement has pledged to expand operations across multiple states, engage community leaders, and empower citizens at the local level, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape ahead of the 2027 polls.

Peter Obi Launches ‘Village Boys Movement’ to Rival Tinubu’s City Boys Ahead of 2027

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AMAC Polls Shock: Another PDP Candidate Withdraws from FCT Race, Backs APC

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Zadna Dantani

AMAC Polls Shock: Another PDP Candidate Withdraws from FCT Race, Backs APC

Less than 48 hours before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Zadna Dantani, has pulled out of the race and declared support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.

Dantani’s withdrawal follows a similar move in Bwari Area Council, where the PDP candidate, Hon. Julius Adamu, stepped down in favour of APC’s Joshua Ishaku Musa, signalling a major shift in political alignment ahead of Saturday’s elections.

In a formal declaration, Dantani explained that his decision was influenced by high-level intervention from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, whom he described as both “party leader and FCT leader.”

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“I want to sincerely appreciate everyone who supported us. This decision is not about personal interests. The Honourable Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, emphasized that this is a brotherhood election. I am aligning with APC in support of the good works of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Dantani said.

Dantani also confirmed that he had completed all legal formalities, including submitting a letter of withdrawal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stating that the move was entirely voluntary and made after consultations with family and stakeholders.

He called on his supporters across AMAC’s 12 wards to vote for APC’s Christopher Maikalangu, describing the alignment as a step toward unity and effective governance in the territory.

Political analysts note that these high-profile PDP withdrawals in both AMAC and Bwari have reshaped the FCT political landscape, increasing APC’s chances of sweeping the elections and stirring debates about PDP’s internal cohesion ahead of upcoming local and national contests.

AMAC Polls Shock: Another PDP Candidate Withdraws from FCT Race, Backs APC

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