Politics
INEC may start e-voting with Anambra governorship election 2021
The Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Wednesday hinted the much totuted Electronic voting in the country may begin from the Anambra State gubernatorial election slated next year.
Prof. Yakubu dropped the hint while speaking with newsmen shortly after 2021 budget defence session before the House Committee on Electoral Matters.
He stated that about 40 companies had demonstrated on e-voting to the commission but a decision was yet to be reached.
He said, “They have demonstrated. The next stage is for the commission to decide. So, its too early to tell you the cost or when the process will be concluded.
“But we’re determined, we are going to deploy electronic voting machines, or electronic ballot machines in elections, possibly we commence with the Anambra Governorship elections next year. ”
The INEC boss, however, declined to speak on what the country is to expect from him as the INEC boss during his second tenure saying “I have not been confirmed by the Senate yet, wait till I’m confirmed, then I will tell you what to expect from the Commission.”
There was however some bickering on as the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, made to present its 2021 budget proposal to the House Committee on Electoral Matters.
Immediately after the Chairperson, Hon. Aisha Dukku, delivered her opening address, the Chairman of INEC made to commence the outlay of the 2021 proposal, but a lawmaker, Solomon Bob, (Rivers) under a point of order noted that it would be pointless and counterproductive to do such.
According to him, the 2020 budget performance is the real kernel of the matter.
He recalled that throughout 2020, there was no oversight of the INEC due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, he said it was imperative to know how the appropriation given was utilized before other funds would be given.
But the Chairperson of the Committee, Aisha Dukku, ruled him out of order, saying as the chairperson of the committee, she had the prerogative to structure the order of events.
But after the presentation of the 2021 proposal, Uzoma Abonta (Abia PDP) and Yusuf Tajudeen (Kogi PDP) insisted on asking questions on the 2020 budget performance of the organisation.
They said if the INEC was not comfortable with discussing issues in the open, they should go into a closed door session.
The Chairperson capitulated and all the commissioners, directors, the Permanent Secretary, journalists and aides to lawmakers in the committee room were asked to leave, with only the INEC chairman and the lawmakers remaining.
One of the national commissioners who were asked to stay outside, Mr Festus Okoye, however, told journalists that there was nothing strange about the committee opting to meet with only Yakubu behind closed doors.
He said, “They have their own rules; they set their own rules so we have to comply. They can invite only the chairman for a meeting, so there is nothing strange in what is happening now.”
The INEC boss had earlier informed the committee that the commission had to revert to its special fund, created under section three of the Electoral Act, in order to meet its mandates, due to a drastic reduction of its budget after the review.
According to him, its initial budget of N40bn was reduced to N36bn, when the commission was already in the middle of implementation, and so had to draw N5.2bn from the INEC Fund in order to deliver on its mandate.
Politics
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reconciliation Committee, led by Olagunsoye Oyinlola, is set to brief the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on its findings and recommendations ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday.
The committee met at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday to finalise its report for presentation to the Amb. Umar Damagum-led NWC, which will then present it to the NEC for ratification.
Following a meeting with the PDP National Assembly Caucus, Oyinlola emphasised the need for unity within the party, noting that any successful political party must be united. He described the discussions as productive and critical for addressing the party’s declining political fortunes.
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Oyinlola also addressed the upcoming Ondo Governorship election, stating that the committee has considered the election while touring the South-West region and is developing strategies to support the party’s efforts.
When asked about internal disputes, Oyinlola confirmed that the committee is focused on reconciling party members who have disagreements. Regarding rumours of possible suspensions, he dismissed them as speculation, pending discussions with the NWC.
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
Politics
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Speaking at a recent event to commission infrastructure projects in Ado-Ekiti, Fayose made his support for Oyebanji clear, emphasising that his loyalty to the governor transcends party lines.
“I don’t care what people say about me,” Fayose declared in response to criticism from his party. “Whoever is not pleased should take their party away.”
His comments come amid growing tensions within the PDP, where some members have threatened Fayose with expulsion for his actions.
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- Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
Fayose praised Governor Oyebanji’s performance, citing his developmental strides and the unity among Ekiti leaders as key reasons for his endorsement.
“All former governors of Ekiti are standing behind Oyebanji for a second term,” Fayose noted, underscoring the broad support Oyebanji has garnered due to his achievements in office.
Governor Oyebanji, during the event, highlighted his administration’s efforts to improve the lives of Ekiti residents.
He pointed out that under his leadership, over 40 towns have been connected to the national power grid, boosting local economies through significant infrastructure projects.
Fayose’s endorsement comes ahead of the 2026 governorship election and is seen as a significant boost to Oyebanji’s chances of securing a second term.
Despite Fayose’s strong ties to the PDP, his support for the sitting governor indicates a potential rift within the party as the state prepares for the upcoming election.
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Politics
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
Tensions are reaching a boiling point within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State as key party leaders lock horns over political appointments following the recent election.
The power struggle between former APC governorship candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s camp and former Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s faction has escalated into a full-blown conflict, with both sides accusing each other of greed and overreach in the allocation of “juicy” positions within the state government.
Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s loyalists have made it clear that they will not tolerate what they perceive as an attempt by Oshiomhole’s camp to monopolize appointments in Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
A source from Ize-Iyamu’s camp told News Direct:
“We will not allow one greedy man to singlehandedly nominate appointees into all the juicy positions or take the lion’s share in nominating political appointees beyond his senatorial district.
“He plans to boss the governor into a tight corner to take command over his government.”
The rift was fuelled by accusations that Oshiomhole’s influence over the incoming governor is growing disproportionately, and there are concerns that the former governor, through his loyalists, is attempting to seize control of key positions in Edo State’s administration.
On their part, Ize-Iyamu’s supporters believe the positions should be distributed equitably across all senatorial districts.
A source from Oshiomhole’s faction dismissed the position, saying:
“Those that didn’t contribute significant votes in the election should take the back seat.
It is not a monkey work, bamboo chop thing; but, if the governor insists he wants to play to their music, we will not hesitate to dance naked and tell the tribunal how we rigged the election that brought him because he knows he didn’t win at the poll.”
The current political tussle appears to be centred on distributing 12 commissioner slots and other high-ranking appointments.
Ize-Iyamu’s camp has argued that it is unfair for one individual, particularly someone from a different senatorial district, to control so many key positions. A senior member from Ize-Iyamu’s faction said:
“We insist 12 commissioners and other juicy appointments are too much for one man who is merely a senatorial leader. We must resist this masked intruder vehemently.
“His puppet can concede his two Ovias to support the Edo North slot, but certainly not in my Edo South or Okpebholo’s Central. We are not fools.”
Meanwhile, political watchers in the state say the deepening feud between these two factions could have serious implications for the stability of the APC in Edo State.
There are also fears that the dispute over appointments could weaken the party’s unity, especially with the looming possibility of litigation at the election tribunal.
While the Oshiomhole camp has implied that it could reveal damaging information regarding the election process, Ize-Iyamu’s camp remains defiant, stating that they can defend their victory without relying on Oshiomhole’s influence.
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
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