INEC chairman, Yakubu, steps aside, hands over to Mu’azu - Newstrends
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INEC chairman, Yakubu, steps aside, hands over to Mu’azu

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Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Monday handed over the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to AVM Ahmed Mu’azu (retd.) as acting chairman of the commission, pending his (Yakubu’s) clearance by the Senate.

Yakubu’s five-year tenure ended Monday but has been nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term.

Speaking at the ceremony, Yakubu noted it would be inappropriate for him to remain in office beyond November 9 without confirmation by the Senate.

He said, “You may recall that the current commission was inaugurated in three batches. The chairman and five commissioners were sworn in on 9th November, 2015, followed by another six commissioners on 7th December, 2016 and one more commissioner on 21st July, 2018.

“The commission is a constitutional body whose members are appointed for five years which may be renewed for a second and final term. This means that my tenure and that of the first set of five commissioners ends today.”

Yakubu also said, “As you are already aware, our work as election managers requires us to enforce the law, regulations and guidelines. In doing so, we must demonstrate strict respect for, and compliance with, the Constitution of Nigeria and subsidiary laws.

“Consequently, it will be inappropriate for me to remain in office beyond today, 9th November, 2020, without confirmation by the Senate and swearing to another oath of office as provided by law.”

According to him, pending the conclusion of the statutory process, the other national commissioners have resolved that Mu’azu should oversee the affairs of the commission.

“It is therefore my pleasure to hand over to him in the interim. We have worked as a team for the last four years. Therefore, there is nothing new to anyone of them,” he said.

He thanked members of the commission for their support, especially the Resident Electoral Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, the Director-General of the Electoral Institute, Directors.

He said he had enjoyed the tremendous support and cooperation of members of the technical team, heads of the various security agencies deployed to INEC and other personnel of the commission nationwide, adding that he looked forward to working with them again.

Mu’azu commended the outgoing chairman of INEC and his colleagues for the privilege and confidence reposed in him to oversee the commission.

He promised to handle the affairs of the commission with all due diligence.

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NNPP caucus denies coalition talks with PDP

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NNPP caucus denies coalition talks with PDP

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) House of Representatives Caucus has refuted claims of engaging in discussions for a possible coalition or merger with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) or any other political party.

The denial comes amidst widely circulated rumours suggesting ongoing talks between the NNPP and the PDP.

In a statement released by Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin on behalf of the NNPP House Caucus, the party categorically dismissed the rumours as baseless and entirely false.

The party clarified its stance, asserting an open policy for collaboration, alliances, or mergers with various political entities, including the APC, PDP, and LP.

The NNPP emphasized that there are no ongoing discussions or meetings related to coalition or merger with the PDP or any other party. The party denounced the spread of such misinformation, labelling it as mischief.

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The NNPP House Caucus urged the public to disregard these unfounded rumours, affirming the party’s unwavering commitment to political neutrality while remaining open to potential collaborations with diverse political groups.

The statement read:

“Our attention has been drawn to a widely circulated message in some sections of the media that our great party, NNPP is in talks with the PDP and other parties for possible coalition.

“There is no any element of truth in this. It’s a blatant lie. Our party has consistently maintained a neutral stand that we are open for collaboration, alliance and even merger with the APC, PDP, LP and any other political party.

“There is presently no any talk whatsoever ongoing and the party did not attend any meeting to discuss coalition or merger with PDP or any other party. It is an act of mischief makers and should be regarded as such.”

NNPP caucus denies coalition talks with PDP

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Tinubu approves APC’s blueprint for total takeover of southeast states

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu approves APC’s blueprint for total takeover of southeast states

National chairman of All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, says President Tinubu has already approved party’s blueprint for political liberation of Southeastern states.

With the newly approved blueprint, Ganduje expressed his optimism that Anambra would  become an APC controlled state in 2025.

Ganduje stated this when he received Senator Ifeanyi Uba, Senator Uche Ekwunife and other party stalwarts from Anambra state at the APC, national secretariat in Abuja.

He said, it would be in the best interest of the South-East geo-political zone pushing to produce an occupant of the exalted seat of the presidency to join the APC fold.

He added that, the liberal revolution is starting from Anambra and the party will test its popularity with the citizenry in the South-east geo-political zone with the 2025 Anambra state governorship poll.

“I will like to let you know that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved our blueprint for political liberation of South-east to the APC, he approved the political emancipation and political de-marginalisation of the region,” Ganduje said.

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“Be with one voice because if you speak with one voice, it will be bigger, wider for  negotiating the political leadership of this country.

“We will win the next gubernatorial election and will win the National Assembly, the State Assembly, and all other grassroot elections, in Anambra state.

“So what I’m telling you is that the South East geopolitical zone is coming into the national politics and the region will be dominated by APC,” he added.

Meanwhile, Imo state governor and chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodinma who was at the party secretariat also re-echoed the position of Ganduje.

“It is important that APC as a political party become the vehicle for the South-east region to be fully integrated into the national project.

“Consistent to that, we are going to do our best to make sure that the five states in the South-eastern region are dominated by APC, by endearing our party to the people of the South-east region,” he said.

Other governors in attendance include: Kwara state governor and Chairman Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state and governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state.

Tinubu approves APC’s blueprint for total takeover of southeast states

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2027 election: INEC receives application from 25 new political parties

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Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

2027 election: INEC receives application from 25 new political parties

In Nigeria, 25 political associations have requested to be recognized as political parties ahead of the general elections in 2027.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the Public Presentation of the ‘NEEDS Assessment of Political Parties in Nigeria’, which was organized by the Kukah Centre and the European Union (EU).

Sam Olumekun, a National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, represented INEC.

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He said: “Despite harsh criticism that INEC has passed through, especially in the last couple of months, we have the National Assembly that emerged from the political parties. There was a time we had many political parties before they were pruned down by legal requirements to 19.

“As at today we have about 25 political associations that have applied that they want to register as political parties. If political parties are not functioning well, why are groups coming up to seek registration as political parties?” Olumekun queried.

Also, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, represented by the Senator from Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chief Victor Umeh, said that since the return to democracy in 1999, Nigeria’s political landscape had witnessed significant transformation, which can be attributed to the relentless efforts of various stakeholders and institutions, including Nigerians and political parties.

2027 election: INEC receives application from 25 new political parties

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