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2023 general election

Controversy over reports of APC’s alleged zoning of Senate Presidency to Northwest

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***As party national chairman debunks reports, says it is fake News

A report alleging that the All Progressives Congress(APC) has finally opted to zone the senate’s presidency position to the North West Geo-political zone has stoked controversy in the ruling party.

The report credited to some groups within the party had indicated that the odds favoured Senator Barau Jibrin who is one of the highest ranking senators having spent a term in the House of Representatives and now a third timer in the Senate.

This is apart from others in the North Central who believe is their turn.Those of the North Central have been canvassing for Senator Sanni Musa, whom they referred to as a bridge builder

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, however described as fake, the widely reported news of the zoning arrangements in the National Assembly.

Adamu, declared while addressing journalists after he cast his vote at his Keffi, Nasarawa State, country home on Saturday that no such thing had taken place

He was reacting to a news report that Senator Barau Jibrin, was being favoured to emerge as the Senate President, because the APC had zoned the Senate Presidency to the North West.

But Adamu wondered why politicians would be engaging in wishful thinking instead of awaiting the official pronouncement from the party.

He said, “The report about the zoning arrangements for the 10th National Assembly is fake news. We have not done any zoning.

“I have said it times without number since Monday. I am still saying the same thing. No zoning has been established yet and agreed to.

“No zoning has been made public. Anybody who is saying anything, is a rumour. It’s a wishful rumour.

Also in a statement titled, “APC Yet To Zone Key 10th National Assembly Positions,” signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Saturday, described stories of the zoning arrangements, as false and misleading.

Morka said, “The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to a report circulating on social media on purported zoning of key positions of the incoming 10th National Assembly. The report is false and misleading, and should be disregarded in its entirety.

“The Party has not made any decision on zoning of positions or offices of the 10th Assembly.

“As soon as a decision is made on zoning, it will be made public through the Party’s official communications channel.”

The said false report claimed that the decision on zoning was reached on Friday night, by the leadership of the APC after consulting with the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The decision takes pre-eminence over earlier suggestions in some quarters to zone the position to the South,” it further claimed.

The earlier report had indicated that Barau’s two main competitors from the South, Senators Orji Uzor Kalu and Godswill Akpabio, are only two termers, while former Governor Abdul’azeez Yari is a first termer.

Aside that, the report explained that Senator Jibrin has handled some very critical Committees in both Chambers like Appropriations and Education.Most Senators-elect, our investigations revealed, have been meeting secretly pledging support to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations.

It was gathered that the decision was reached friday night by the leadership of the APC after consulting with the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The decision the report indicated will take pre-eminence over earlier suggestions in some quarters to zone the position to the South.Our usually reliable source revealed that what swung the decision in favour of the North West was that the APC Presidential candidate got his highest number of votes from the zone.Some Top leaders of the party from the zone in the report were said to have made that very strong case for the North West.They maintained that the zone should be rewarded for its performance during the presidential election.They went further to say having the Senate President from the North West will spur the zone to give His Excellency more votes in his reelection in 2027 God willing.”It would amount to a great mistake if the position of the President of the Senate is gifted to zones where we got very little votes .This should not be done due to the pressure mounted by those who are calling for the socalled “religious balance’.This country has gone beyond this kind of sentiment.”There must be reward for performance otherwiset, God forbid our party will be doomed in future elections. we should not rob Peter to pay Paul.”We must take a cue on how H.E Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu won the primary and the general elections to become the President-elect.”He succeeded based on his foresight, hard work, and above all, Merit. He never resorted to evoking religious sentiment.This was emphasized in his statement to the nation yesterday, that his cabinet shall be “devoid of ethnic and religious considerations”There are several other positions that could go to such zones”, the party Chieftain stated.The decision to zone the Senate Presidency to the North West has now opened a flurry of support for Senator Barau Jibrin from Kano North Senatorial District.Amongst the aspirants for the Senate Presidency, Senator

Part of the highlights of the meeting is the Zoning of the Speakership of House of Representatives to the South East while the Deputy President of the Senate is zoned to the South South. The position of the Deputy Speaker has been zoned to the North Central while that of Senate Majority Leader is zoned to South West. That of House Majority Leader has also been zoned to the North East.

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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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