Shut tertiary institutions for students to collect PVCs, vote, reps urge FG – Newstrends
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Shut tertiary institutions for students to collect PVCs, vote, reps urge FG

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The House of Representatives has advised the Federal Government to close all tertiary institutions to enable the students collect their Permanent Voters Cards and vote during the general elections.

The reps made the call through the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education, the National Commission for Colleges of Education and the Federal Ministry of Education.

The House also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make special arrangements for the students to collect their PVCs.

The resolutions followed the consideration of a motion at the plenary by Hon. Kabir Ibrahim.

Presenting the motion, Ibrahim noted that, according to available statistics, there were over 2.1 million students currently studying in Nigerian universities, while over 2.4 million were students in polytechnics, monotechnics and Colleges of Education across the country.

He stated that academic calendars of various tertiary institutions were structured in a way that most students are disenfranchised as school calendars do not take into consideration the timelines and date for elections.

He said, “This lack of flexibility makes it difficult for students to participate in the electoral process. 3.8 million of the newly registered voters are students, accounting for 40.8 per cent of the total number of newly registered voters as stated by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at the commission’s 2022 third quarterly meeting with political parties in Abuja.

“These students who constitute 40.8 per cent of the newly registered voters, have their polling units sited in states outside their campuses, thereby necessitating traveling outside their respective institutions to vote in the 2023 elections.

“Tertiary institutions are not considering academic breaks for students during the general elections, despite having knowledge that most students registered outside their campuses during the continuous voter registration exercise, which took place during the prolonged Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has devolved permanent voter cards (PVCs) distributions at the registration areas and wards across the 774 local government offices throughout the federation.

“Distribution of PVCs at the wards has ended, and the exercise moved back to the local government/area council offices, thereby further limiting the chances of the students to collect their PVCs which is a precondition for voting at the Polls.

“While the students are busy with academic activities, the Independent National Electoral Commission is engaged in distributing PVCs at the wards across the 774 local government areas of the federation which deprives students of the opportunity to collect their PVCs.”

Ibrahim also noted that the tertiary institutions did not consider periods of elections in designing academic calendars, as most of them conduct semester examinations when the preparations for the general elections were almost completed or when the polls are going on, thereby disenfranchising the students from exercising their civic duties.

He said, “The INEC has enormous statutory powers to make special arrangements for students to collect their PVCs to vote.

“The National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), and the Federal Ministry of Education, as the regulators of tertiary education in Nigeria, have the statutory powers to direct both the public and private tertiary education institutions in Nigeria to suspend academic activities pending the conclusion of the general elections.”

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Nine political parties merge with APC ahead of Edo gov election

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September 19, 2024

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Senator Monday Okpebholo

Nine political parties merge with APC ahead of Edo gov election

Ahead of the highly anticipated 2024 governorship election in Edo State, nine political parties have announced their merger with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The decision, revealed by Chief Sam Arase, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), marks a significant political shift in the state.

The political parties involved in this coalition include the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Peoples Party (APP), Accord (A), Young Progressive Party (YPP), Action Alliance (AA), and the National Rescue Movement (NRM).

Chief Arase, speaking on behalf of the Assembly of Registered Political Parties in Edo, highlighted their collective endorsement of APC’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

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“We believe Senator Monday Okpebholo is the best choice for Edo State,” Arase said, adding that they are confident of his victory in the forthcoming election.

The coalition also called for a peaceful and violence-free election, urging the people of Edo State to vote in large numbers for the APC candidate.

The merger of these parties strengthens Okpebholo’s chances as the state heads to the polls on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

This unification under the APC banner is seen as a strategic move to consolidate political strength and ensure a competitive edge for the party in the governorship race.

Nine political parties merge with APC ahead of Edo gov election

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BREAKING: PDP BoT, national assembly caucus hold closed-door meeting amid party crisis

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September 19, 2024

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BREAKING: PDP BoT, national assembly caucus hold closed-door meeting amid party crisis

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to address internal turmoil as members of its Board of Trustees (BoT) meet with the party’s National Assembly caucus behind closed doors.

The meeting, which took place at the PDP office, Legacy House in Abuja, comes amid growing concerns over the state of the party since the lead-up to the 2023 elections.

The PDP has been embroiled in internal conflicts, with several party stakeholders voicing frustration over the failure of Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to introduce significant reforms.

Tensions escalated further after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, openly criticized Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, and the PDP Governors Forum concerning the party’s leadership structure.

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According to reports, the PDP BoT, led by Chairman Adolphus Nwabara and Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi, had earlier held a private meeting with Wike in Abuja on Tuesday.

The following day, the BoT also met with Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed, in an effort to resolve the party’s ongoing challenges.

The current meeting is seen as an attempt by the BoT to gauge the perspective of the PDP National Assembly caucus regarding the party’s issues.

In attendance are key figures such as Senate Deputy Minority Leader Lere Oyewumi, House of Representatives Minority Whip Hon. Ali Isa JC, and Hon. Pastor Ojema Ojotu.

The outcome of these discussions remains uncertain, but it is expected that the BoT will propose recommendations aimed at steering the party back on course.

BREAKING: PDP BoT, national assembly caucus hold closed-door meeting amid party crisis

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Edo poll: Set back for PDP as ex-deputy speaker dumps party

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14 hours ago

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September 19, 2024

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Edo poll: Set back for PDP as ex-deputy speaker dumps party

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has suffered a significant setback following the exit of Omon Ezomon, a three-time member and former Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.

Ezomon, who represented Owan West Constituency from 1999 to 2007, announced his decision to leave the party ahead of the crucial September 21 governorship election, which Governor Godwin Obaseki has termed a “do or die” affair.

Ezomon attributed his departure to the deepening internal crisis within the PDP. According to him, the unresolved conflicts and infighting have weakened the party’s position, particularly in his area of influence.

His exit is expected to further diminish the party’s control in the Owan West constituency, where the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon Blessing Agbebaku, claims leadership.

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In a letter dated September 16, 2024, addressed to the PDP Chairman of Ward 5, Avbiosi, Iuleha, Owan West LGA, Ezomon explained that after “considerable reflection” and consultations, he could no longer tolerate the alienation he faced within the party.

Despite his long-standing service as a foundation member and a two-term representative, he lamented that the party’s leadership had sidelined him from important decision-making processes at the ward, local government, and state levels.

Ezomon expressed deep frustration over what he called the rise of “neophytes” controlling the local party machinery, undermining his political legacy, which included serving as Deputy Speaker during his tenure.

He highlighted the disunity and lack of leadership within the PDP, warning that it could severely impact the party’s chances in the upcoming governorship election.

“For my own peace of mind and mental health, I have made the painful decision to leave,” Ezomon stated, while also acknowledging the opportunities the PDP had provided him and wishing the party well.

His departure has sent shockwaves across Edo’s political landscape. Although his next political move remains uncertain, there are speculations that Ezomon may align with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

His exit from the PDP underscores the internal struggles that may shape the party’s future in the state.

 

Edo poll: Set back for PDP as ex-deputy speaker dumps party

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