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2023: Zone presidential tickets to the south, IBBN urges political parties

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The Initiative for a Better and Brighter Nigeria, IBBN, Tuesday, in Abuja called on all political parties to zone their presidential tickets to the Southern part of the country.

The IBBN stated that the need for the zoning is to ensure fairness and equity in Nigeria’s leadership, explaining that the North will be concluding a full eight-year term by 2023.

The President of the IBBN, Dr. Isah Sadiq, delivering a speech at the press conference said, “Morestill, as political activities hit the crescendo, we call on political actors in the country to play the game, putting Nigeria first over any parochial interest. Among other things, national interest first. “We call on all Political parties to in all sense of fairness, to zone their presidential tickets to the southern zone of the country, especially since the North will be concluding a full eight-year term by 2023.

“Fairness and equity is all it takes to service and continue to make every union work and indeed fairness and equity is what it will take to keep the Nigerian union as one indivisible great country under God.“

Sadiq speaking on the Abduction and Murder of Little Hanifa in Kano State, expressed fears that from the wave of mass abductions for ransom at schools over the last year, carried out by terrorists elements nicknamed bandits, there could not be any more endangerment of education

He said the recent abduction and murder of little promising 5 year old Hanifa Abubakar by the Proprietor of her own school, who demanded for a ransom of six million naira ($14,500) last month, only to later kill Hanifa with rat poison and bury her in a shallow grave in the city of Kano; there couldn’t violation of the right to life in Northern Nigeria.

“Truth is, a society perpetually void of safe spaces for children is a society with a bleak future, if it has any at all. For the act of terrorism against children alone, Nigerian Government need not show mercy to domestic terrorists and terrorpreneurs alike.

“We must stand up to the active defence of the right to life in Nigeria because the life of Nigerians matter!

“May God comfort the family of little Hanifa and all others who have lost loved ones in the hands of terrorists and terropreneurs in Nigeria,” he said

He further stated that the IBBN in alignment with Civil Society Coalition and well meaning Nigerians called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to authorise a new progressive electoral act for Nigerians that will make elections free, fair, transparent, peaceful and inclusive; especially that Mr President rode to the Presidency with a promise of electoral reforms to Nigerians.

“While we commend the 9th National Assembly for their efforts in advancing progressive clauses in the Electoral Act Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2020, the Initiative for a Better and Brighter Nigeria however wishes to call on the National Assembly to consider and review section 91 of the Electoral Act Bill which dramatically and astronomically increased campaign spending limits by 300 percent, which suggests that the 9th National Assembly intends to entrench a heavily monetized and merchandising political system, and this has dire implications for election violence, youths exclusion, good governance and the economy, ” the IBBN added.

Still on the electoral process, IBBN recalled that INEC had in June last year, expanded voter access to polling units for the first time in 25 years since the initial delimitation in 1996 by creation of additional 56,872 Polling Units nation wide bringing the total number of polling units in the country to 176,846. A feat he said, should ordinarily improve voter turnout and ease the management of polling units and crowds during elections.

“What we have however, noticed from the recently concluded Anambra State elections and from the recent INEC Consultative meeting with Civil-society Organisations, is that both old and new voters are either not fully aware of this expansion of voter access and or failed to take advantage of it to transfer to these new Polling Units which has the potential to defeat the intended objective of the expansion and even entrench voter disenfranchisement.

“The Initiative for a Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN) therefore wishes to call on Nigerians, Civil Society Organisations and serious grassroot stakeholders and Politicians to take inventory of those new polling units in their constituencies, organise townhalls, educate the people and facilitate the even distribution of voters in those areas between the old overpopulated polling units and the new polling units closest to the old ones, by simply applying to transfer those affected voters’ polling units, as well as leveraging on the ongoing CVR for the regular recruitment and registration of new voters to locations where they would be during elections by visiting the INEC website.

“We all must turn to community organisers in our localities if we must make democracy work for Nigeria.”

He further expressed worries that the number of men and Officers of security agencies are obviously inadequate to secure Nigeria’s rural communities and forests which need security as well. “It’s obvious that if we don’t secure forests in Nigeria, terrorist elements will always take refuge in those forests and use them as a launching board for their terrorist attacks.

“Government is not oblivious of this, because we have adequate security deployments securing the forest within the villa area through Mambilla Barracks, through the Gwarinpa expressway and down to the AYA area here in the nation’s capital.”

According to him, “the expediency of experimenting with state police to complement the overstretched central Nigerian Police Force stares us in the face at this time of our national history. Beyond preventing deepening attacks, we need reclaim forests and ungoverned spaces already occupied by terrorists. When will we deploy the much celebrated tucano jets and other Airforce platforms procured to extinguish these terrorists? Is it better when the terrorists are done with killing Nigerians? We call on Government to Deploy those tucano jets to use now!”

The Initiative for a Better and Brighter Nigeria commended the gallantry of Men of the Armed Forces, assuring that it will continue to stand with them, while expressing hope that Nigeria will surmount her security challenges, “we however call on Nigeria policy makers and President Muhammadu Buhari’s led Federal Government to be more innovative and proactive in securing the precious lives of and defending the inalienable right to life of Nigerians,” Sadiq added.

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LP insists Peter Obi will not leave over smear campaign against Abure

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Peter Obi
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***As no court has found Abura guilty of diversion of party fund

The leadership of the Labour Party(LP) has warned fake news peddlers against its National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure using every available social media platforms to desist from further media trial of their party’s leader but rather utilize legal options if they are convinced of their allegations.
National Publicity Secretary
of the Party, Obiora Ifoh, made the position of the party known on Wednesday immediately after the court of Appeal judgement that affirmed Bar Julius Abure as the authentic National chairman.

Obiora also indicated that the party’s national leader, Peter Obi is not under any pressure to dump the party ahead the 2027 general over the sustained smear campaign against Julius Abure.

He said Obi has restated his willingness to remain in the party knowing that all the attacks at Abure were sponsored and orchestrated by some political opponents in the high places.

According to him, “It astonishes us how far our detractors can go in ensuring that the party swims from one ocean of crisis to another in their evil desire to create disharmony between the party and our leaders.

“We are aware that Abure is not the target of these ferocious and malicious missiles. We are also aware that huge sums of money has been mapped out to wage a propaganda war against our leader ahead of the 2027 general election.

“The feat of the Labour Party in the last general election rattled not a few persons and the fear of the future has driven them to begin so early to prepare ahead. Part of the strategy is to make any political platform unviable for Obi to sail with.

“The party is also aware that any Political Party Peter Obi finds himself in as a vehicle for the 2027 presidential election including the Labour Party, will not be spared by the political hirelings who are already recruited to dismember such a party.

“Let me emphasis here that even Peter Obi has severally pledged loyalty to the Labour Party due to its social democratic ideology which suits his political vision. Peter Obi will not anymore fellowship with any bourgeoisie party. He is a liberator and not a ruler as seen in the other parties.”

The National Publicity Secretary while also speaking on the corrupt enrichment allegations leveled against the National Chairman, said, “They are spurious, fairy tale, and a calculated attempt to tar the person of Abure with a dark brush. The audit report by the party’s external auditor gave the party a clean bill of health since 2021 when Abure assumed office. As a matter of fact, an earlier forensic audit report carried out in 2017 indicted our suspended Treasurer for fraudulently diverting huge sums of money to personal accounts.

“Abure’s only offence was that he refused to allow the continuation of looting while insisting that accountability must be enthroned. The very official who was the greatest beneficiary of those sleazes became uncomfortable and started wedging wars.

“We are aware that Abure is still living in a rented apartment in Abuja and that he only recently refurbished a bungalow left for him by his late father as the first son. There is also no law in Nigeria forbidding a citizen from owning properties. Those making all these spurious allegation may have to prove them in the court as the case is already before the court.

“It would also interest you to know that no kobo has ever left the Labour Party Bank accounts without a co signatory; either by the National Secretary or the National Treasurer. So the narrative that Abure alone siphoned or diverted the party fund is clearly misleading and orchestrated to muscle him out of office.”

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Kogi Guber: AA national chair confirms abduction of 3 witnesses at Tribunal venue

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High chief Peter Ameh, Barrister Kenneth Udeze
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***Says, Multiparty democracy is inevitable

**When parties fail to speak up against the ills of governance, dictatorship thrives

The National chairman of the Action Alliance (AA) Barrister Kenneth Udeze has confirmed the abduction of three witnesses that were meant to buttress the party’s petition at the the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, venue of the Kogi State Governorship Petition Tribunal.
Political thugs were alleged to have abducted three witnesses associated with Olayinka Braimoh, the AA governorship candidate in the November 2023 election in Kogi state on February, 26th, 2024

CUPP members with Barrister Kenneth Udeze


The witnesses were allegedly whisked away from the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, venue of the Kogi State Governorship Petition Tribunal.

The three abducted witnesses were identified as Idris Khadijat, Safiyat Muhammed and Abdulmalik Muhammed.
However, a statement signed by the State APC chairman, Abdullahi Bello debunked the rumours that said witnesses were abducted.
Bello in the statement categorically refuted the mischievous allegation that any of its supporters abducted the witnesses of the Action Alliance political Party or even had any altercation with any Witness.
The chairman described the allegation as false, coming from mischief makers bent on tarnishing the image of the party and whip up sentiments with the ulterior motive of prejudicing the mind of the tribunal and the public against the APC.
The statement went further to confirm that the Chairman of the Kogi State Chapter of the party was in Court on the said 26th February 2024 adding that he did not witness any such incidences but was only informed of a fracas which occurred between persons who were outside the tribunal complex.
Speaking on Tuesday at the party’s national Secretariat in Kubwa Abuja when the Coalition of the United Political Parties (CUPP) led by its secretary Chief Peter Ameh paid a solidarity/consultative visit to the party, Udeze said, “It is a very sad and terrible situation. I want to confirm officially that three of Action Alliance witnesses for that Election Petition Tribunal were abducted and as a matter of fact they are still missing till today.
“This is the kind of country we find ourselves. A situation where a governorship candidate sees some loopholes to prove that the election that was conducted in Kogi was not free and fair, and in order not to behave like thugs, he decided to explore the legal means in order to correct the anomaly in the election only for intimidation to be comming from left right and center from the APC government that won the election in Kogi State
“I am using this opportunity to really condemn it in its entirety the threats and intimidation against the candidate of the action Alliance in Kogi State. I am confirming it, it is exactly what happened”
The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, had relocated the Kogi Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal from Lokoja to Abuja.
The relocation was not unconnected with security breaches against members of staff of the tribunal who have been attacked on several occasions in Loloja.
Speaking to issues raised by his guests, the AA chairman said,
“It is our responsibility to make sure that the issues that have to do with governance are well taken care of in this country.
“The situation in the country is terrible, people looting everywhere people looking for where to see food. We have never found it so terrible in this country.”
He called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the body that supervises electoral process to make sure that the issue of multi political party Democracy is being encouraged.
He said, it is not the era for delisting political parties as Nigeria is a great nation that even 200 political parties are not enough
“I don’t see reason why we keep deregistering political parties that have what it takes to rally support for the development of our nascent democracy.
“If you are calling any thing that has to do with constitutional National Conference in this country, you must look for those leaders of political parties who have contributed in one way or the other to get to the level we are in the Nigeria.
He expressed appreciation to the CUPP leadership for the visit to one of its Allies.
“AA today as your ally in the political struggle we are always opened, anything the corps feel we can do as registered political parties to make sure that we move the welfare of the masses forward, the AA is always there to accommodate that.
The CUPP scribe, Chief Ameh, indicated that one thing that allow for dictatorship to take root is when there is gap between citizens participation, citizen’s advocacy and action. “When there is that gap and you allow those in government to continue to work without participation because participation is key I’m making sure that our points, our ideas and believe in the democratic system is pushed to a point where we hold our leaders accountable.
“So for us in the corps and those who are the leaders of the Corps like the national chairman of AA, while their Motto is let the masses live, it is about working for the masses of Nigeria, it is about driving policies and programs that will protect the masses of Nigeria because without the masses there is no nation.
“When governance becomes self centered, and policies start bitting hard to the point where trucks and warehouses are being looted, people go to warehouses to look for food, then there is need for political party leadership to speak up and that is why we are here to pay a courtesy/consultation visit to his office to speak about the issues and the ills of Nigeria, and also issues of Multi Party democratic practice in Nigeria.
“That is why we are talking about the next national Constitutional Reform that is coming up, that political parties must participate, because we need the survival of political parties like AA, ADC, SDP, NRM and all the other parties including APP.
“Our democratic system would be truly enriched and deepened to a point that would allow the son of a man born in Nyanya, the son of a.man, born in Agage, shogunle, Shomolu, fadeyi and the son of a man born in Ogun to compete with those who are born in Ikoyi, Asokoro and Maitama, to have the same level of participatory platform.

“This he said will deliver a country where the right of every citizen is protected, where the rights of those who protect us are also protected to work in the armed forces. So for all these reasons and so many issues that have bedevilled our democratic practice even our economy and the social environment.
“That is why we felt it is very important that voices like these must be encouraged, must be supported given all the background that is needed to push forward because it is about solidarity in practice and defence of our country, Solidarity for ever

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More troube for Abure as aggrieved LP candidates demand prosecution

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***Insist he forged their purported withdrawal letters to substitute them

There seem to be no respite yet for the embattled Labour Party (LP) national chairman as two governorship candidates and a House of Representatives candidate of the party in the 2023 General election have called for his prosecution having allegedly established forgery allegation against him
The aggrieved candidates; LP governorship candidates for Ebonyi State and Plateau States, Eze Oko Splendour and chief Yohana Yilpwan Margif respectively and the House of Representatives Candidate for Edo Orhionmwon/ Uhunmwode Federal constituency Imasuen Paul Murphy said they have established the forgery allegations through Police investigation for which Abure was detained.

Each of the candidates at a joint press conference in Abuja on Wednesday narrated their ordeals stating how they were fraududlently substituted with their forged Signatures, documents, Withdrawal Letters submitted to INEC.
They highlighted others other illegal acts of Abure to include their Unlawful Substitution of LP Candidates submitted to INEC, Fake & Forged Sworn Affidavits of FCT High Court Receipts, Seals and Oaths.
They also accused Abure of collecting N30m as bribe from each of their alleged substitutes.

Comrade Splendour said he won the LP primary for Ebonyi state but what should have been a straight forward democratic process was marred by criminality, deceit, and manipulations orchestrated by the party’s national chairman.

“Despite numerous attempts by Abure to evade accountability, the diligent efforts of law enforcement officials led to his eventual apprehension.
“However, the investigation was not without its Significant challenges as the former Chairman consistently attempted to obstruct justice and evade arrest through corrupt and deceitful means after months of rigorous information gathering, cross examinations and forensic analysis, the police investigation conclusively determined that Mr. “Abure criminally forged my signature to perpetrate his illegal scheme.

“Throughout the investigation process, I cooperated fully with law enforcement authorities, providing them with all necessary evidence

to substantiate my claims of forgery and electoral malpractice.
“Despite
the complexities and obstacles encountered along the way, the FCID remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice, ultimately recommending the prosecution of Abure for his criminal actions.
“The case file has since been forwarded to Federal Ministry of Justice for charges to be instituted but up until now, there has been no movement on the matter.
“This has begun to agitate my mind as the perception is that the former Chairman can get away with brazen and unbridled criminality which has further emboidened him to become
even more reckless, believing that he is a “sacred cow”.

“Having received the case file and recommendations from the FCID, I am hereby appealing most passionately to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to ensure justice is served. The events described herein underscore the critical importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability within our democratic institutions.
“Those who seek to subvert the electoral process and undermine the integrity of our democracy must be held accountable for their actions.
“The prosecution of Abure is not only a matter of justice but also reaffirmation of our commitment to the principles of transparency,
fairness and accountability in governance.
“As the Chief law officer of the federation, a renowned staunch
advocate for the rule of law and a firm believer in the principles of
democracy, you have a sacred duty to uphold the rule of law without fear or favour.

“The police recommendation for criminal charges against the Chairman and others, must be treated with the urgency and diligence it deserves.
“We must send a strong message that our democracy cannot flourish where internal party processes are corrupted and electoral integrity is recklessly subverted.
“I kindly implore you to use your highly esteemed office to ensure that charges are filed against Mr. Abure and others without further delay.

Chief Margif said, ”

“I passed through the primaries successfully, the primary was witnessed by INEC, I scaled through as the flag bearer, I was given certificate of return by Julius Abure to run the race but after one month while I was doing campaign there was a planned arrest by police, I was taken to police custody only to hear that there is another primary going on the 5th of August purporting that I have withdrawn from the race.

“The letter of withdrawal was forged which they submitted 5th August 2022, Knowing very well I was in detention on 5th How can I sign withdrawal letter while in detention.
According to Murphy, “I did not at any time wrote a withdrawal letter nor deposed to any affidavit to that effect, this further made my lawyer to equally write a letter to the Federal High Court Abuja to confirm the authenticity of the affidavit
“Again the Court replied that the affidavit was never deposed to in that court, which means that they forged my signature, Court affidavit, court revenue receipt and some other documents, which prompted my petition to IGP to investigate this criminal act by the national chairman, Secretary and some other LP officials that may be involved in this criminal

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