Politics
Kashim Shettima: When the Vice President-Elect Votes in Maiduguri
Kashim Shettima: When the Vice President-Elect Votes in Maiduguri
By: James Bwala
There was so much crowd, young and old with beaming faces that welcomes the Vice President elect, Senator Kashim Shettima when he casts his vote at the Kukawa Polling Unit – PU 23 as a demonstration of his franchise in the gubernatorial and state assembly elections in Maiduguri. The VP elect, who drove himself to the polling unit became centre of attraction along the routes he took as people realizing it was the vice president elect rushed to block the road to cheer and celebrate him.
Shettima will go into history book as the first to break the jinx to become vice president elect in Borno state. At Kukawa unit, it took the strength and tactical monuever by the security operatives to clear the road from people who wants to catch a glimpse of the vice president elect. Indeed, as the people say it was different Shettima from the governor and senator they know. This is the vice president elect of the federal republic.
After the vice president elect voted at his unit, he took time to go round on assessment of the election generally in the state, which he described as satisfying during a chat with the media. Shettima expresses confident that votes cast from the results coming in will return APC to clinching the state Governorship and state assembly. He told journalists that APC administration will continue to ensure good governance as it’s watch word.
Speaking on the election, a leading observer group, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) lauded the peaceful and orderly conduct in which the exercise was carried throughout the period with the team coordinate, Mr. Ibrahim Muhammad describing the manner in which the exercise was conducted as impressive excerpt for the low turnout of voters, who perhaps have traveled to their villages to vote in displaying their rights as citizens to do so.
“The exercise is generally peaceful, the low turnout we saw is in Bulumkuttu ward of Maiduguri. So far there is no case of violence, intimidation or harassment. We have deployed our members across local governments to monitor the governorship and House of Assembly election.” He said.
Also residents who came out to vote said officials of the INEC have come out in time. “We have our voters card and the election officials are also on ground but we are still hanging out still checking the situation around to see whether there is the possibility of having our chance to vote again. We believe that this time around Borno people would not waste their time and energy to wait in queues for hours for accreditation. From all indication they are getting it right and we will not loose our franchise.” Ibrahim Usman, a resident of Bullumkuttu Abuja said.
Another resident of Maiduguri, Mohammed Kaloi said he is hopeful that the election will end peacefully in Maiduguri and the people will demonstrate their rights in picking a leader for another four years. ” I pray for anyone that may emerge to continue in the steps of development that we are witnessing in the state. I also hope that with the state having the vice president elect, we can have the eyes and ears of the federal government here to speed up development.”
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It was also observed that the elections officials and security are available even earlier before voters started casting their votes. An adyhoc staff of INEC at the Bulumkutu Kasuwa Area polling unit said: “We actually don’t have any problem here for now. We have all our election materials ready and collected. We have the BVAS machine and security. We also have our back up configuration facilities. The internet service is also ok and available unlike during the last election.
While expressing confidence in INEC and the general outcome of the election during an interview with journalists in Maiduguri, the vice president elect reiterated commitment of his party and government in ensuring that the game is played according to the rules. And when asked to assess the accomplishment of the administration on the winning scale he said if by measurements and evaluation the Borno state governor has been placed far above any other governor in the country. He therefore said he is confident that Zulum is returning to continue with the good work he started in the last four years of his administration in Borno.
Speaking on the victory of the APC in the February 25 general elections, Kashim Shettima judged the 2023 presidential elections as the best in the history of Nigeria. He stated that, it would remain a point of reference that Benue state, which is a Christian dominated state gave APC a distancing numbers ahead of other parties to clinched the presidential ticket.
According to Shettima, in a game where the president lost the elections in his state and the presidential candidate of the APC also lost the elections at his doorsteps there can never be a fair game as it is. “We have beaten religious and regional politics on a level playing field. We are going to hit the ground running as representative of the Nigerian people by ensuring fairness and justice to all.”
Kashim Shettima: When the Vice President-Elect Votes in Maiduguri
Senator Lawan condoles APC Northeast Youth Forum chairman over the demise of his father
By: Yahaya Wakili
President of the Ninth Senate, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan PhD, GCON, Sardaunan Bade, Yobe North Senatorial District, has paid a condolence visit to the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Northeast Youth Forum, Haruna Adamu Sardaunan, over the passing of his beloved father, Mallam Adamu Isa Bulama, at Potiskum.
During the visit, President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan, prayed for the repose of his soul.
Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, PhD, GCON, urged his son, Haruna, to draw strength from his father’s memory and continue along the path of dedicated services to our people.
Mallam Adamu Isa Bulama, until his demise, was the chairman of the Yobe State Hunters Association.
Senator Lawan extended his deepest condolences to Haruna and his family and prayed that Allah (SWT) grants them the fortitude to bear this great loss.
“May the soul of Mallam Adamu Isa Bulama rest in Aljannatul Firdaus Amin, Sardaunan prays.
Senator Lawan condoles APC Northeast Youth Forum chairman over the demise of his father
Edo Election: ActionAid Nigeria Calls for Prosecution of those involved in Electoral Fraud
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria has called for the prosecution of those that were involved in electoral fraud in the just concluded gubernatorial election in Edo State
A statement on Thursday by the NGO Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, said:
“it is important that those responsible for undermining the will of the people are held accountable. The government must be unequivocally reminded that its foremost duty is to serve the interests of the citizens, not to facilitate or condone actions that silence their voices.”
Mamedu said: “For over 15 years, ActionAid Nigeria has been consistent in her work around electoral processes in Nigeria including observing elections in the 36 states and FCT, although not physically present to observe the just concluded Edo State governorship election, we stand firmly in solidarity with our fellow Civil Society organisations and partners who have reported significant irregularities throughout the electoral process. This election has been marred by serious allegations of manipulation and rigging, as thoroughly documented by multiple civil society groups within the state. Disturbing accounts of disruptions at collation centers, including intimidation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and attempts to manipulate results contrary to established electoral provisions, have raised profound concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
“We recognise that INEC has acknowledged reports of result tampering and has pledged to investigate any proven violations but their track record in conducting free, fair, and transparent elections has been severely undermined by persistent accusations of inefficiency, manipulation, and undue political influence. While the investigation is a step in the right direction, it is important that these investigations translate into swift and effective action.
“Also, beyond the investigation, it is important that those responsible for undermining the will of the people are held accountable.”
He added that: “The time has also come to critically reassess INEC’s role in our electoral system. When an institution entrusted with safeguarding democracy continuously falters, we must explore alternatives. Nigerians deserve an electoral body that is genuinely independent, transparent, and accountable. There is a need to reform INEC as a commission in order to make it more efficient, effective and accountable in carrying out its mandate as an electoral umpire.”
Mamedu said: “A comprehensive electoral reform in Nigeria is urgently needed. First, there must be a complete overhaul of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create a more transparent, accountable, and independent body, free from political influence and led by individuals of proven integrity.”
He called for more roles for civil society organisations and international observers in Nigeria’s electoral process, stating that: “Civil society organisations and international observers should play a more significant role in observing elections, ensuring that their recommendations are taken seriously, with mechanisms in place for swift action against misconduct.”
He added that: “The adoption of more robust electoral technologies, such as biometric voting systems and real-time result transmission, is crucial to minimizing fraud.
“Security personnel must also be deployed impartially to prevent violence and intimidation, ensuring that party agents, the media, and observers have full access to maintain electoral integrity. It is essential to incorporate technologies like the BVAs and IREV into the Electoral Act.
“The judiciary must uphold its role as the guardian of democracy, prioritising electoral cases with swift, evidence-based verdicts. Any officials found complicit in electoral fraud must be held accountable, necessitating comprehensive reforms in the judicial sector to ensure just outcomes.”
Edo Election: ActionAid Nigeria Calls for Prosecution of those involved in Electoral Fraud
Ize-Iyamu congratulates Edo deputy governor-elect Dennis Idahosa
By: Michael Mike
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has extended his warm congratulations to Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa on his election as the Deputy Governor of Edo State. In a congratulatory message, Ize-Iyamu praised Idahosa’s victory as a reflection of his dedication to public service, noting that the people of Ugboko in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Idahosa’s maternal hometown, are particularly proud of his achievement.
Ize-Iyamu highlighted that Idahosa’s success represents not only his hard work but also his deep connection with the aspirations of the people of Edo State. He expressed confidence in Idahosa’s ability, alongside Governor-elect Sen. Monday Okpebholo, to drive significant progress in the state, given his wealth of experience and passion for development.
He further prayed for wisdom, strength, and courage for the newly elected leaders as they take on the challenges ahead, emphasizing the hope that Edo State would experience peace, unity, and prosperity under their leadership. Ize-Iyamu also expressed optimism about the positive impact the duo would have on the advancement of Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
Ize-Iyamu wished Idahosa success in his tenure as Deputy Governor and looked forward to the transformative leadership he would bring to Edo State.
Ize-Iyamu congratulates Edo deputy governor-elect Dennis Idahosa
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