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LP asks Tinubu to dismiss, prosecute INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu
***That Tinubu should borrow a leaf from late Yaradua, former President Jonathan
***Demands Forensic financial probe of the commission
The labour Party on Thursday unequivocally demanded the immediate dismissal from office and prosecution of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu for purportedly superitending over the worst election in the history of Nigeria on February 25th, 2023.
The party also demanded immediate Forensic financial investigation into the expenditure of budgeted disbursements and donors funds received by INEC that includes the N300b appropriated from the national purse as well as other funds and materials, received from International Donor agencies.
The Director General of the Obi Datti Campaign Organization Balogun Akin Osuntokun spoke while addressing a Press conference orgarnised in conjuction with the Labour Party in Abuja on Thursday.
“If you go to equity, you go with a clean hand, INEC and the security Agencies have already taken steps to prosecute the REC of Adamawa.
“As far as we are concerned what the REC of Adamawa did is like what Yakubu did at the National level, so if that is the case we are also thinking that Yakubu should be prosecuted and even dismissed.
When reminded that his position as chairman of INEC is constitutionally and legally protected and it is only the President with concurrence from the National Assembly that can remove him, he said,
“So also the position of a CBN governor, it is constitutionally guaranteed that is why he called it suspension, same attitude
Ideally somebody who has commited the abuse of office, INEC Chairman has committed should resign which means that of CBN and EFCC remain a selective one.
He said since there have been severe condemnation from all the observer groups and even majority of Nigerians against INEC in all facets, is it not a contradiction to expect that an agency that stands condemned will produce an honest result?
“This is a big preponderance of contradiction for us to establish, that INEC is guilty as charged which will discredit the results from the compromised agency.
“The efforts being made by the authorities in Abuja that is an escapist madness in trying to say they want to discipline when they are the father of all the wrong doings.
“There is nothing that the REC man in Adamawa has done that this INEC in Abuja has not done ten times worse, so physician heal thyself. You are pointing at a spec in somebody’s eyes and forgetting the log in your own eyes.
“We as a party we are partisan so we have our reservation and criticisms but what about objectively Independent organizations both in Nigeria and outside Coming to a concensus that this INEC is not credible.
“If INEC is not credible how can we expect results emanating from that same group to be credible?
“At the very minimum if Yakubu has any shame he would have resigned but if the president has the political will there are ways of going round at it, he can be suspended from office just like what he has done to the CBN governor.
“What is required is the political will to do the right thing but being the beneficiary of INEC’s mischief I don’t expect that but we have precedence if he wants to be honest.
“Remember the late President Umaru yaradua who openly admitted that the election that brought him was flawed, he went ahead to set up Electoral reform committee under Justice Muhammed Uwais to move Nigeria towards objective of achieving credibility in election management
“Goodluck Jonathan did a similar thing Remember that he did not even wait for the election to be concluded before doing what is done in established and advanced democracy and that was to save the country from trauma by Congratulating Former apresident Buhari.
“Remember the conduct of this same APC people they went as far as calling for the formation of a parallel government. So you can see the contrast with what we have today and what we had then.
“More importantly is that a lot of the problems in Nigeria is impunity, people will do wrong, commit grievous offense without any sanction. If this INEC and its chairman are not sanctioned, what will be the disincentive for future chairman of INEC not to do the wrong thing after all nothing will happen to him.
On whether he still believes in the judiciary, he said, “We have faith in the judiciary but not a blind faith. In terms of proving our own case I think we have done beyond reasonable doubt to categorically prove, there is sufficient overwhelming evidence for us to expect justice.
“You know it is ironical, tragic that the INEC again has come up with argument against believing BIVAS, their argument they want to smuggle in is that the law permits them at one stage or the other to do things manually.
“So you then ask what was the purpose of the h undreds of billions expended on this technology if you same INEC their argument is contrived malfunctioning.
“It is fair to say, that so many of our national problems have gotten worse, because we as a people, have not adequately risen to the challenge of effecting the right solutions, when they ecur, to put them permanently in check.
“Given the extent of fraud, impunity, conspiracy, deceit, financial waste and democratic impediment, orchestrated and effected in the 2023 elections, and the increased interest, awareness and participation of our people in partnering practically, to bring genuine change to our country this time.
“It is imperative, that we as a people, do not again fall to the complacent hopelessness, that has aided recurrence and deterioration, but that we pursue the required rectification and legal correction required, to ensure that the will of the people, as expressed in the 2023 elections, are firmly and rightly, upheld.
“While it is often said that government is a continuum, and the administrative formalities following the bizarre declarations by INEC, have been put in place, the election, today remains under legal contest, and cannot be concluded, until the legal processes have been rightly and judiciously exhausted.
According to him, the 2023 elections, represent a significant and overwhelming watershed in our country’s electoral, political and development history.
He added that this time, the entire nation and the international community also, stand determined to ensure, that electoral fraud and the manipulation of the true will if the people will not stand as the foundation for bad governance in the past had been concretised by the acceptance of such illegality
Osuntokun commended the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, the United States National Democratic Institute (NDI) – & International Republican Institute (IRI) Joint International Election Observer Mission, The European Union Election Observer Mission , Commonwealth Observer Group, The African Union AU, ECOWAS and all other regional and local Observers.
“Their doggedness in field engagement, despite the onslaught of violence, inducement, manipulation and all manner of evil, as witnessed in the elections, will serve not only as an unbiased record of the tragic events, but as motivation for its logical conclusion and inevitable resolution, according to the will of the people.
“In critically and broadly examining the independent reports of the various Observer missions, the consistency in their experiences and exposition, cannot be overlooked, as each and every Observer group, underlined the fact, that the elections fell short of citizens expectations, legal regulations and moral and international standards.
The Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, the umbrella group for the majority of national NGOs involved in monitoring the elections, described the elections, in its comprehensive report, and I quote, as ‘a missed oppurtunity In Nigeria’s democratic development’..
“They further reported, that ‘credibility of the 2023 election was greatly tarnished by numerous pitfalls.
“The election suffered several lingering deficiencies In election administration, including inefficient management of permanent voters cards (PVCs) distribution, failure of operational and logistical arrangements, malfunctioning of election technology, inefficient handling of results management procedures, lack of transparent results collation and declaration process, and poor crisis communication.”
News
Group demands Coordinated security surveillance at Hajj Camps, Embarkation points
A faith-based Civil Society Organization, (CSO), that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah activities Independent Hajj Reporters, (IHR) has called on the Federal and state governments to make adequate security arrangements for pilgrims at embarkation points across the country.
This is coming as the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia begins on Wednesday this week.
In a statement on Monday signed by its national coordinator Ibrahim Mohammed the IHR indicated that over 65, 000 intending pilgrims from Nigeria will be leaving their homes to various Hajj camps for screening and onward transportation to about 15 airports within the next 30 days.
The Statement observed that such mass movement of people from one point to another creates serious security challenges that need a comprehensive and coordinated strategy by the various security agencies in the country.
“While we appreciate the efforts made by security agencies in previous operations, we call on the federal government to order and activate a high-level security surveillance system to monitor and protect the movement of pilgrims throughout the outbound and inbound airlift operations.
“We also urge State Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards to advise intending pilgrims against coming to hajj camps with large escorts usually made up of family members as such increases the likelihood of security breaches especially
when airlift operations demand that pilgrims can be invited to hajj camps at any time of the day or night.
State governments should complement the federal security architecture by mobilizing local vigilantes and other volunteers to form a hajj security team and provide them with internal communication equipment with state hajj officials, airliners and other airlift stakeholders.
“As journalists who worked closely with security agencies during hajj operations, IHR had in the last few years honour security institutions during its annual hajj lectures and awards to appreciate and encourage them to improve on their daunting tasks of maintaining security of lives and properties across the country.”
IHR further appealed to Security forces to take necessary “measures to prevent evil-minded groups from exploiting the Hajj season to carry out acts of sabotage.
“Anticipating and preparing for potential security threats before they materialize will help in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities and weaknesses ahead of time”. The statement said.
News
Lucky Aiyedatiwa clinches APC ticket for Ondo gubernatorial election
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket as the candidate of the party for the forthcoming November 16 governorship election in the state by sefeating fifteen other aspirants in a landslide victory
The Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee and Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, made the declaration on Monday morning in Akure, the state capital.
Ododo said Aiyedatiwa clinched the APC ticket with a total of 48,569 votes followed by his closest rival, Mayowa Akinfolarin, who trailed behind with 15,343 votes, while Chief Olusola Oke secured the third position with 14,865 votes.
Below is a breakdown of the final results of the election.
Total number of voters – 117922
Total number of accredited voters – 95,178
Total votes cast – 95178
Invalid – Nil
Jimi Odimayo – 490
Omogoroye Judith – 115
Lucky Aiyedatiwa – 48,569
Isaacs Kekemeke – 1045
Soji Ehinlanwo – 492
Olugbenga Edema – 395
Jimoh lbrahim – 9456
Adekojo Funmilayo – 529
Akinfolarin Samuel – – 15343
Wale Akinterinwa – 1952
Olusola Oke – 14,915
Olamide Ohunyeye – 424
Morayo Lebi – 290
Diran lyantan – 348
Prof Dayo Faduyile – 353
Ife Oyedele – 462
1: Ilaje LG
Lucky Aiyedatiwa 2,485
Wale Akinterinwa. 26
Olusola Oke. 2,511
Jimoh Ibrahim 589
2: Ile Oluji/Okeigbo
Jimoh Ibrahim: 282
AIYEDATIWA: 1225
WA: 474
3: Ondo West LG
Jimoh Ibrahim: 2668
Aiyedatiwa: 10610
4: Ese Odo LG
Aiyedatiwa – 298
Akinterinwa – 0
Oke – 147
Jimoh Ibrahim – 174
5: Owo LG
Aiyedatiwa – 2,123
Akinterinwa – 345
Oke – 225
Jimoh Ibrahim – 192
6: Idanre LG
Aiyedatiwa – 1, 579
Akinterinwa – 119
Oke – 225
Jimoh Ibrahim – 120
7: AKOKO NORTH EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 664
Akinterinwa 135
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 505
8: AKOKO NORTH WEST LG
Aiyedatiwa 5, 430
Akinterinwa 198
Oke 2, 721
Jimoh Ibrahim 728
9: AKOKO SOUTH EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 533
Akinterinwa 43
Oke 391
Jimoh Ibrahim 67
10: AKOKO SOUTH WEST LG
Aiyedatiwa – 2, 747
Akinterinwa – 272
Oke – 415
Jimoh Ibrahim – 466
11: No results for IFEDORE LGA due to alleged violence
12: OSE LGA
Aiyedatiwa 1, 091
Akinterinwa 39
Oke 800
Jimoh Ibrahim 267
13: IRELE LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 203
Akinterinwa 15
Oke 93
Jimoh Ibrahim 139
14: ODIGBO LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 631
Akinterinwa 114
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 845
15: AKURE NORTH LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 860
Akinterinwa 177
Oke 1, 239
Jimoh Ibrahim 1, 606
16: AKURE SOUTH LG
Aiyedatiwa 3, 265
Akinterinwa 86
Oke 328
Jimoh Ibrahim 294
17 OKITIPUPA LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 622
Akinterinwa 27
Oke 1, 571
Jimoh Ibrahim 109
18: ONDO EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 4, 803
Akinterinwa 141
Oke 1, 171
Jimoh Ibrahim 406
News
Massive turnout for Ondo Primaries excites Gov Ododo, Commends stakeholders, others
Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State and chairman of the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election committee has applauded stakeholders and members of the party in the state for their orderly conduct and massive turnout during the direct primary election in the state.
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor Ismaila Isah in a statement quoted the Governor to have given the commendation while receiving reports from members of the APC Governorship Primary Election committee, security agencies and other stakeholders who monitored the conduct of the election in different parts of the 18 local government areas in the state.
According to the Governor
“I have received reports from our committee members and security agencies as well as NGOs monitoring the election including video footages and I can say that the process has been transparent and we are going to produce a candidate that will unify the APC ahead of the November, 2024 governorship election in the state.”
Responding to questions over delay in arrival of materials in some wards and local government areas, Governor Ododo said he was certain that the delay has no adverse effect on the conduct of the primary election.
The Kogi State Governor also expressed confidence that concerns noticed in the revalidated membership list would not have any major impact on the outcome of the primary election, stressing that the committee is well guided by the APC guidelines for the nomination of candidates for general elections and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
Governor Ododo called on the aspirants and their supporters to see the primary election as a contest among brothers and sisters in one family seeking to make the family better as candidate of the party in the November, 2024 Governorship election in Ondo State.
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