Insecurity: INEC postpones bye-elections in 11 states – Newstrends
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Insecurity: INEC postpones bye-elections in 11 states

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The Independent National Electoral Commission  has announced the postponement of bye-elections in 11 states of the federation.

INEC in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, cited security situation in the country.

INEC said its offices and facilities had been vandalised by hoodlums during the attack and looting of public and private facilities across the country recently after EndSARS peaceful protests by youths against police brutality was hijacked.

It said it would consult with stakeholders before deciding on a definite date for the conduct of the bye-elections.

INEC’s statement read in part, “The public will recall that the commission met on 22nd October, 2020 with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to deliberate on the 15 outstanding bye-elections in 11 States of the Federation earlier scheduled for 31st October 2020. Due to the security situation in the country at the time, the Commission decided to suspend the bye-elections and meet in two weeks to review its decision.

“The commission met today, Thursday November 5, 2020 to further review the situation and decided that:

“The commission suffered extensive damage to and vandalisation of its local government offices and facilities, including the areas where the bye-elections are scheduled to hold.

“It is important to consult all the critical stakeholders in the electoral process before deciding on a definite date for the conduct of the bye-elections.

“Consequently, the commission will consult with political parties and civil society organisations on Tuesday 10th November 2020 and then with the media and Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) on Wednesday 11th November 2020. The Commission will thereafter meet again with the Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday, 12th November 2020 to decide on a date for the conduct of the bye-elections.

“We appeal to all stakeholders to continue to cooperate with the Commission in its efforts to conduct credible elections under a safe and conducive environment.”

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Commotion as hackers infiltrate server, disrupt Osun teachers’ recruitment exercise

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke

Commotion as hackers infiltrate server, disrupt Osun teachers’ recruitment exercise

The ongoing teacher recruitment exercise in Osun State was severely disrupted on Wednesday when hackers apparently compromised the server hosting the Computer-Based Test (CBT).

The event trapped thousands of applicants at the state’s 13 scheduled examination centers.

The cyber-attack happened in the early hours of Wednesday and attacked the server operated by Osun State University (Uniosun), which organized the recruiting test.

The breach led to system glitches and technical failures, frustrating applicants who had gathered at the centres to take the crucial examination.

One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the gravity of the situation to our correspondent.

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“All the systems were down after hackers breached our server overnight. It was a terrible experience at all the centres, but we later resolved some centres, while the examination has been rescheduled for others,” said the official.

Ademola Adesoji, the Public Relations Officer of the university, attributed the incident to unknown criminals.

“The damage inflicted on the server required time to resolve, resulting in an undue delay in the start of exams and necessitating the rescheduling of tests at two out of thirteen centers.

“Over the last eight or so hours, it has been a tough battle in our efforts to ensure the success of Osun State government. Examinations have concluded at 11 out of the 13 locations today. However, the two problematic centres, Osogbo and Ikire, will be rescheduled based on the Ministry’s decision,” said Adesoji.

Commotion as hackers infiltrate server, disrupt Osun teachers’ recruitment exercise

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Drama as INEC disowns Anambra Labour Party convention

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Drama as INEC disowns Anambra Labour Party convention

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected Wednesday’s Labour Party National Convention in Anambra State.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, stated this in Abuja on Thursday.

Oyekanmi said INEC did not oversee the convention’s conduct.

The LP on Tuesday shifted the convention from Umuahia in Abia State to Nnewi, Anambra State.

But speaking on the change in venue, the LP National Legal Adviser, Kehinde Edun, told journalists that the party had duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date.

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“In fact, Umuahia was not even the first venue we chose. Benin City was the first choice before we changed to Umuahia and now Nnewi.

“So, we are at liberty to pick any venue of our choice. We only need to inform INEC about the change in venue and the time,” Edun said.

Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 states that political parties shall give INEC at least 21 days notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting.

This includes the convention or meeting convened for the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates.

Drama as INEC disowns Anambra Labour Party convention

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Suspended Ningi demands reinstatement, threatens to drag Akpabio before NBA

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Senator Ahmed Ningi and Senate President Godswill Akpabio

Suspended Ningi demands reinstatement, threatens to drag Akpabio before NBA

The senator representing Bauchi Central, Ahmed Ningi, has communicated with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, requesting the removal of the current suspension imposed on him.

Ningi, who communicated with Akpabio through his legal representative, Femi Falana (SAN), emphasized that if his suspension is not revoked within the next week, he will take the matter to the Federal High Court.

On March 12, the Senate decided to suspend Ningi for a period of three months due to his statement alleging that the 2024 budget had been inflated by N3.7tn.

In the letter, Falana wrote: “On March 9, 2024, our client granted an interview to the BBC Hausa Service on the 2024 Appropriation Act. He expressed his views on the budget of the Federal Government in the exercise of his fundamental right to freedom of speech guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“Dissatisfied with the interview, you caused our client to be put on trial before the Senate on March 14, 2024 contrary to the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018.”

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Falana, in the letter, said the Senate President acted as the accuser, prosecutor and judge in the case, saying this was in utter violation of the provisions of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.”

Falana argued that apart from violating Ningi’s fundamental right to a fair hearing, the Senate also violated the right of the people of the Bauchi Central Senatorial District to representation in the Senate for three months.

“This is a breach of Section 111 of the Constitution and Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act,” the SAN said.

“As you are no doubt aware, the Federal High Court had struck down the suspension of some members of the Senate and the House of Representatives who had accused the leadership of both houses of budget padding, corruption or abuse of office.

“Specifically, the court declared the suspension of the affected legislators illegal and unconstitutional.

“As a senior lawyer, you (Akpabio) ought to have drawn the attention of the members of the Senate to these decisions and several others where the high courts of some states and the Court of Appeal have held that no parliament in Nigeria has the power to suspend or expel a legislator and confiscate his salaries and allowances.

“In view of the foregoing, you will agree with us that the suspension of Senator Ningi and the denial of his entitlements are illegal and unconstitutional in every material particular.

“We are compelled to request you to ensure that the said suspension is lifted forthwith.

“However, if you fail to accede to our request seven days upon receipt of this letter, we shall not hesitate to pray the Federal High Court for the reinstatement of our client. We shall equally report you to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for treating the judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal with disdain.”

Suspended Ningi demands reinstatement, threatens to drag Akpabio before NBA

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