Politics
Osun Election: It Is Not Our Duty To Stop Vote-Buying, Says INEC Commissioner
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is not its job to prevent vote-buying during an election.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Prof Abdulganiy Raji, stated this while speaking on Channels Television’s Daily Sunrise on Thursday morning.
Raji was speaking about the menace of vote-buying ahead of the Saturday governorship election in Osun State.
Vote-buying has become one of the greatest challenges during elections in Nigeria as the last month’s governorship poll in Ekiti State was marred with massive buying and selling of votes.
On Wednesday, the Head of Secretariat, National Peace Committee, Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, expressed concerns over vote-buying during the country’s elections.
The cleric said the electorate in Osun were already waiting to sell votes during the election, lamenting that poverty in the land was glaring.
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But while speaking on Thursday, Prof. Raji said, “As far as vote-buying is concerned, let me tell you that INEC can not prevent vote-buying. We can only make efforts to ensure that people are discouraged from doing it through voter education and sensitisation which we have been doing extensively.
“Vote-buying and selling is a criminal offence and INEC is not a security agency that can actually make arrests. We can only inform the security agents when it [vote-buying] is taking place. Then, they (the perpetrators) will be arrested and prosecution will take place where we will be joined.
“I am always surprised when people are talking about vote-buying and selling and they expect INEC to be able to stop it, an act that has nothing to do with the mandate of the management of an election.
“The people that are involved in vote-buying and selling are actually those that should be addressed.”
He, however, said INEC would work with other critical stakeholders to curb the menace of vote-buying in Nigeria’s elections.
Analysts said the placement of the voting cubicles during the Ekiti State Governorship election encouraged vote-buying but the Osun State REC said INEC had made a new design for the cubicles as part of efforts to discourage election rigging.
He also disclosed that voters who refused to fold their ballot papers after thumb printing should be arrested by security agents.
DAILY TRUST
Politics
Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP
Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP
Dr. Jasper Uche, the 2023 Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, has officially tendered his resignation from the party.
In a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Umuaku Ward in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, Uche’s decision to step down was clearly stated. The letter copied to both the PDP Chairman of Umunneochi LGA and the State Chairman of the party, reads:
“This is to notify you of my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with effect from today.
“Kindly note that this decision was taken after extensive consultation.
“I thank the party for giving me the platform, which culminated in my nomination as Deputy Governorship Candidate in the 2023 general elections”.
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In a related development, Hon Ikechukwu Nwabekee, a former member of the Abia State House of Assembly representing Osisioma Ngwa North constituency, has also chosen to sever ties with the party.
In a letter directed to the party chairman of Amasaa Ward 5 in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, Nwabekee stated:
“Kindly note that the decision is taken after extensive consultations and out of deep personal conviction.
“The firm resolve to withdraw my membership is without prejudice to my friends, associates, and numerous supporters who might have different opinions, as I seek for new challenges.
“I thank the party for giving me a great platform to perform, including rising to the position of Chief Whip Abia State House of Assembly,” Nwabekee added.
Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP
Politics
BREAKING: Again Rivers Assembly passes new law without governor’s consent
BREAKING: Again Rivers Assembly passes new law without governor’s consent
Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday ignored the state governor Siminialayi Fubara’s consent in passing a new law.
The lawmakers specifically passed the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment)Bill, 2024 into Law
It is the third time in three months that the state assembly would override the governor.
In March, the assembly had ruled against Fubara to enact the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Service Commission Law.
It took same measure in April by passing the local government amendment bill into law despite the refusal of Fubara to give his assent.
The lawmakers also threatened to take stringent measures against the governor “if he continues to flout the laws of the state”.
The assembly said it acted in consonance with the provisions of Section 100 (5)of the 1999 Constitution voted, and with a two-third majority votes passed the bill into law.
The lawmakers had passed the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment)Bill, 2024 on the 26th of March, 2024, and transmitted it to the governor for assent, which he declined.
Speaking on the bill , the speaker, Martin Amaewhule, said it was to secure taxpayers’ money and ensure that it is not spent on frivolities and twisted contracts.
Amaewhule condemned a situation where due process is relegated to the background, contracts awarded without legal backing and the state being governed in a “dictatorial panache”.
Politics
Edo 2024: Muslims demand fair representation in govt
Edo 2024: Muslims demand fair representation in govt
In anticipation of the upcoming governorship election slated for September 21 in Edo State, the state chapter of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called for the fair representation of Muslims in the state’s governance.
Mallam Abdulazeez Igbinidu, the Chairman of Edo State’s NSCIA, voiced this demand during a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City. He emphasized the inadequate representation of Muslims in the state’s governance structures.
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Addressing the attendees, Mallam Igbinidu highlighted the purpose of the meeting, which aimed to collectively address the concerns of Muslims regarding the conduct of the upcoming governorship election.
He stressed the necessity for equity and fairness in representation within the state’s governance framework to ensure that Muslims are adequately represented.
The call for equitable representation underscores the importance of inclusivity and diversity in governance, reflecting the need for all population segments to be adequately represented in decision-making processes.
Edo 2024: Muslims demand fair representation in govt
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