How INEC bungled Edo gov election at collation, by observer groups – Newstrends
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How INEC bungled Edo gov election at collation, by observer groups

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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.”

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Activist Senator Shehu Sani returns to APC with 49 others

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Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani

Activist Senator Shehu Sani returns to APC with 49 others

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has welcomed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Shehu Sani and other prominent politicians in Kaduna.

Gov Sani also assured Shehu Sani and the other 49 political stalwarts that defected to the APC that they would enjoy the same rights and privileges like every other members of the party.

The Governor spoke when he addressed a mammoth crowd of the party’s supporters at the Murtala Square at a mega rally held on Saturday.

Sani said that there was no any difference between a party member that joined it recently and the ones that have been in APC ten years ago.

He said: ‘’Someone who joined APC today and the one who has been a foundation member 10 years ago, they are of the same status. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges.”

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Sani urged the decampees to notify their supporters of the readiness of APC to accept them into the party as their doors were still open to accept more defectors.

According to him, the popularity and acceptability of APC is because of the its just leadership at both the state and federal levels.

Sani added that the party has come to stay in Kaduna State, the entire North and Nigeria as a whole.
‘’In the 2027 election, the electorate will vote for APC in all the elections, from top to bottom.
“At the top, our leader, President Bola Tinubu will be elected.

“At the state level, the party will be voted for at the gubernatorial, National and State Assemblies elections, by the Grace of God,’’ he said.

The Governor promised that more projects would be executed in all the nooks and crannies of the state, irrespective of party affiliations and ethno-religious considerations.

‘’Politics is different from governance. We will be fair to all, whether or not they voted for us, because that is the oath of office that we swore to uphold as leaders,’’ he further said.

Activist Senator Shehu Sani returns to APC with 49 others

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Buhari, governor vote in Katsina local govt election 

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Buhari, governor vote in Katsina local govt election 

 

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has voted in the ongoing local government election in Katsina State.

He voted at Polling Unit 003, Sarkin Yarn Ward A of Daura at 11:09am alongside the state Commissioner for Special Duties, Adnan Na-Habu Daura.

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, and his wife, Zulaihat, also cast their votes on Saturday in the local government election.

The governor and his wife voted around 11:45am at the Kofar Katika Polling Unit in Radda Ward of Charanchi Local Government Area.

Radda said he was impressed with the large turnout of voters, adding that this was a testament that democracy had come to maturity in the state.

“I believe that at the end of the exercise, with the kind of projects executed since we came on board, we believe so much in APC and APC will come out victorious. People should expect their votes to count,” Radda said.

 

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Osun LG poll is illegal, APC won’t participate, says Oyetola

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Former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola

Osun LG poll is illegal, APC won’t participate, says Oyetola

The All Progressives Congress(APC), Osun State has declared that it would boycott the forthcoming local government poll scheduled for February 22, following the Court of Appeal verdict reinstating its sacked members back to their offices.

 It will be recalled that APC members were elected at the twilight of the administration of Adegboyega Oyetola in 2022 in a controversial ‘Yes or No’ election, which the Federal High Court declared illegal.

Subsequently, Governor Ademola Adeleke sacked the council bosses in November 2022, hence the matter was taken to Court of Appeal where the matter was resolved in favour of APC on Monday. However, the Osun Independent Electoral Commission(OSIEC) had fixed February 22nd for the election.

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Meanwhile, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola who is the leader of APC in Osun State on Friday announced that the party will boycott the election noting they ‘any election after the Court of Appeal verdict is illegal. We can’t be part of such.”

Speaking at the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign office on Friday, Oyetola said: “We will not participate in any LG election, it is illegal, tell them to obey the court order first because as it is, the council positions are not vacant, hence no need for another election.

“Our chairmen will resume their respective offices with all instruments of law. The court of Appeal verdict will be implemented. I want to urge all the chairmen and councillors not to fight them, we are a peace-loving party.”

 He charged the reinstated council Excos that “Go home and be rejoicing, I will come and greet you all in your respective offices.”

 Earlier, the State Chairman of APC, Tajudeen Lawal lauded Oyetola for providing leadership for the party and supporting the course of the court matter which reinstated members of the party to 30 Osun councils.

Osun LG poll is illegal, APC won’t participate, says Oyetola

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