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2023 general election

Abia Guber: Cooked up figures can not upturn our victory, Says LP’s Alex Otti

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**Reiterates the belief that BVAS is truly a game changer

The Gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party for Abia State in the Governorship and House of Assembly election held last Saturday in the State Alex Ottia has urged his supporters and other citizens of the State to be calm as no amount of cooked up figures can torpedo his victory.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday Otti who commended the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) for the deployment of BVAS described it as the real gamechanger which has demystified Obingwa votes.
Dr. Alex Otti, noted that the deployment of BVAS has exposed the fraud being perpetrated in Obigwan Local Government over the years by the ruling party in the state.
Recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Monday suspended the collation of governorship election results in Abia State after claims that the ruling party in the state attempted to rewrite the results in Obigwan Local Government to upturn the original results as already collated by INEC officials.
From the results released on INEC website, Alex Otti of the Labour Party won a total of 10 out of the 16 Local Government Area results so far declared by the INEC, before the commission suspended collation of the Abia Governorship election.
In the results declared so far for the 12 LGA Otti polled a total of 171,747 votes while Okey Ahiwe of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, scored a total of 79,477 votes after winning five LGAs.

According to him, “When they thought the got the last figure, they wrote 86000 for Obingwa and try to push it in but the collation officer resisted the attempt and they said they were not going to leave there until he signed.
“After a long time he signed the document for his own safety and then INEC, security people moved them back to ummuahia

“Before then, like it is said, there is no perfect crime. They had released the house of Assembly result for the two constituencies for Obingwa and declared PDP candidates as winners, the total votes with which they were declared winners was just above 27000 and total number of voters accredited was below 28000 so that is to make allowance for void votes and all that, findings about accreditation was less than 28000

“A few questions that Abia people are asking, if it is the same election with accreditation held same time, and two ballot papers issued to people whose accreditation were successful how will you justify 86, 000 votes in the same Obingwa for governorship and less than 28000 votes for the two house of Assembly candidates that were declared?

“When the confusion came to a head, the national headquarters of INEC intervened and said that collation for Obingwa be suspended and that INEC commissioners were going to visit Umuahia today (Tuesday) to verify the numbers or review it. “Subsequently, yesterday another release from the electoral umpire invited INEC staff and all the people involved to Abuja for today.
“I believe that as we speak the verification and review must be happening. Interestingly the Abia Government has been going round issuing press releases and making all sorts of statements that are capable of breaching the peace
“I will like to use this opportunity to call on Abia people to remain peaceful and calm. 16 local Government results have been collated out of the 17 and the total votes of the Labour Party scored in the 16 local government is about 172000, and that of PDP is less than 80, 000, so any how you flip and dice it, even the number they have inflated that does not have the support of the law can not torpedo our victory
“That having been said, it is also important to underscore the point that we believe that INEC will do the right thing. All the other Local Governments that have been cleared used the BVAS machine for accreditation and it is our firm believe that INEC will not change the rule in the middle of the contest.
“So we are calling on our supporters, Labour Party and the Abia people to remain calm and wait on INEC to release the results or to finish their review and release the result.
“The other important thing is that we are also thanking INEC like we have always said, the BVAS is a game changer particularly if there is a will to use it and particularly what has happened this time around is that the BVAS has demystified Obingwa Local Government in Abia State
“Recall that in 2015 when I contested for the first time PDP produced 82000 votes from Obingwa and upturned the victory that Abia people gave to us, this time around they wanted to do the same thing but the BVAS has proved that there are not more than 30000 votes in Obingwa and that is what we also proved in 2015 that led to our victory at the court of Appeal
“I thank all my co contestants, particularly those that have sent letters congratulating me and have also called on INEC to release the results forthwith so that Abia will be at peace.
He said APGA candidate Prof Greg Ibe, Accord Party candidate Bishop Emeka Nwampa and the AAC candidate have all called to congratulate him on his victory

“It is our form believe that INEC will do the right thing and ensure that only results that are based on the BVAS as provided in section 47 of the electoral act are accepted. I believe that when INEC is done, we will be declared winners of that election. “

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2023 general election

EU reports: LP says FG is feebly adopting face saving measures

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***EU only hit the nail on the head

The leadership of the Labour Party has countered the Federal Government of Nigeria for discrediting the European Union’s conclusion on the 2023 General Election wherein it faulted the modalities by which the conclusion was reached.
It reiterated what it believed as the accurate testament of the European Union’s conclusion on the 2023 general elections which merely hit the nail on the head.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh said,
“Eropean Union’s Conclusion on the 2023 general elections are nit Jaundiced but accurate Testament of the outcome of the FG and INEC alliance to change the will of the electorate.”
“We see this face-saving measure by the Federal Government which is coming days after the submission of the report as feeble and medicine after death.

“It will interest the government to note that the European Union’s report is only one out of numerous submissions by other international Observers who have described the outcome of the election as a sham and an exercise that did not reflect the will of the majority of Nigerians.

“Labour Party stands by the position of the EU observation mission. We have always said that this election was massively rigged in favour of the APC and their candidate.
“What the FG is saying is just an afterthought and a shameless effort to mask the obvious. Even the blind can see, the deaf can hear and they know this election was manipulated.
“Huge pieces of evidence abound for even the deaf and the blind to hear and feel. We are only hoping that the judiciary will dispense justice without fear or favour in the interest of the nation and posterity.
“Nigerians already know the true winner of the 2023 presidential election and no amount of slandering, denial, or rebuttal can change the fact that the party in power has no mandate of the electorate.

“We must also note that whatever position the INEC has taken is with active connivance with the Federal Government to deny the electorate and it clearly shows that INEC is not in any way independent.
“The Commission’s action is at the whims and caprices of the government and we know it. But Nigerians looking to the Judiciary for justice. That’s where we stand.”

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2023 general election

FG tackles EU over report on 2023 general elections

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The Federal Government has countered the European Union’s report on the 2023 general elections, describing the conclusions therein as “jaundiced”.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy gave the indication in a statement on Sunday.

“We urge the EU and other foreign interests to be objective in all their assessments of the internal affairs of our country and allow Nigeria to breathe,”
According to him, the February 25, 2023 presidential election was “clearly and fairly” won by Tinubu, the then candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC).

He also advised that the EU allow Nigeria to breathe and not meddle in the affairs of the country.

“We find it preposterous and unconscionable that in this day and age, any foreign organisation of whatever hue can continue to insist on its own yardstick and assessment as the only way to determine the credibility and transparency of our elections,” he said.

He said the presidency was not unaware of the “machinations of the European Union to sustain its, largely, unfounded bias and claims on the election outcomes”.

Alake further stated that there is no substantial evidence provided by the EU or any foreign and local organisation that is viable enough to impeach the integrity of the 2023 election outcomes.

“We would like to know and even ask EU, how it reached the conclusions in the submitted final report with the very limited coverage of the elections by their observers who, without doubt, relied more on rumours, hearsay, cocktails of prejudiced and uninformed social media commentaries and opposition talking heads,” he stated.

“We have many reasons to believe the jaundiced report, based on the views of fewer than 50 observers, was to merely sustain the same premature denunciatory stance contained in EU’s preliminary report released in March.

“We strongly reject, in its entirety, any notion and idea from any organisation, group and individual remotely suggesting that the 2023 election was fraudulent.”

The media aide said Nigeria has put the elections behind, and Tinubu is facing the task of nation-building.

“As a country, we have put the elections behind us. President Tinubu is facing the arduous task of nation-building, while those who have reasons to challenge the process continue to do so through the courts.”

On June 27, 2023, the EU presented its report on the 2023 elections in Nigeria to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The EU said the election exposed enduring systemic weaknesses and therefore signaled a need for further legal and operational reforms to enhance transparency, inclusiveness and accountability.

The EU also identified six areas for improvement in Nigeria’s electoral process moving forward.

Some of the key areas listed by the Mission are ambiguities in the law, the establishment of a publicly accountable process for the selection of the INEC members, ensuring real-time publication of results as well as access to election results.

It also highlighted the need for protection for media practitioners while decrying the discrimination against women in elective and appointed positions as well as impunity regarding electoral offences.

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2023 general election

Okumagba expresses confidence in Tinubu to initiate inclusive national reconciliation 

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***Says, the president has capacity to confront insecurity with reforms

***Applauds his agenda poised to bringing about a dawn of a new era

Prominent leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba has expressed the confidence in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s newly inaugurated government to bring about lasting peace and prosperity to Nigeria through an inclusive national reconciliation process.

Okumagba who is also a member of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said the president has the capacity to remarkably focus on confronting insecurity through a reform of the sector; growing the economy; and tackling multi-dimensional poverty, which would boost Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

By so doing, he said the new government will create a robust middle class that will drive our Country’s economic rebound under his watch.

In a Press Statement, Olorogun Okumagba, a former Delta State Commissioner for Finance, also reckoned that the new President who has an established reputation as a bridge builder, a true progressive, an astute believer in true federalism, and who has over the years sacrificed to ensure the sustenance of democracy in the country, will bring these remarkable skills and attributes to bear in renewing the hopes of Nigerians for a more prosperous nation.

These were contained in a statement he issued to congratulate President Bola Tinubu (GCFR) and Vice President Kashim Shettima (GCON) on their momentous inauguration as the 16th President, and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He wished them every success in guiding our country towards stability, true democratic governance and economic development.

Reacting to President Tinubu’s inaugural address, aptly captioned “THE NIGERIAN IDEAL”, shortly after being sworn-in by the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Olorogun Okumagba eulogised the President for his firm and unequivocal commitment to “progressive good governance in furtherance of the Nigerian ideal” succintly captured in his five governance principles.

The principles that will guide his administration as outlined by President Tinubu include “governing according to the constitution and the rule of law; to defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of our country; and to remodel our economy to bring about growth and development through job creation, food security and an end of extreme poverty.”

Okumagba also applauded President Tinubu’s promise to address the nation’s economic problems and his directive to the monetary authorities to make monetary policy to be more business friendly and work towards a unified exchange rate.

Okumagba stated his deep appreciation of the significant role President Tinubu has played in seeking solutions to the political and economic challenges assailing our nation. Olorogun Okumagba recalls that President Tinubu’s remarkable transformation of Lagos State as Governor between 1999 and 2007, and the sustenance of a succession pipeline has since made Lagos the state of choice to live in, work, and play.

In tune with the mood of the nation for “renewed hope” of a more prosperous and united nation, Olorogun Okumagba re-affirmed his best wishes for the success of the important work that lies ahead.

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