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Edo Election: ActionAid Nigeria Calls for Prosecution of those involved in Electoral Fraud

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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

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Zulum Says Borno Government Will Supports Plan to Upgrade Maiduguri Airport to International Status

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Zulum Says Borno Government Will Supports Plan to Upgrade Maiduguri Airport to International Status

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has assured the minister of aviation and aerospace, Mr Festus Keyamo, of his administration’s support as the ministry announced a plan to upgrade the Muhammadu Buhari Airport, Maiduguri to international status.

Zulum gave the assurance on Monday during a visit to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

He said: “As the chairman of northeast governor’s and this is our first International Airport, I want to assure of the political will needed to ensure the implementation of this laudable stride.”

The governor emphasised that Maiduguri being a gateway for most countries around Lake Chad and Central Africa, would stimulate economic development in the northeast region by upgrading the airport.

Speaking earlier, the aviation minister assured that Muhammadu Buhari Airport would take off as a full International Airport on January 1, 2025, noting that all the takeoff preparations have been concluded and that relevant government agencies have been notified of the development.

The minister expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the upgrade of Muhammadu Buhari Airport, Maiduguri, stressing that of all the geopolitical zones, only the northeast has no full International airport in the country.

Zulum was accompanied on the visit by senators Mohammed Ali Ndume, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and Kaka Shehu Lawan, who represent Borno South, North and Central, respectively.

Borno APC Chairman Hon. Bello Ayuba, Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Engr Abdullahi Musa Askira and other senior government officials were also present on the visit.

Zulum Says Borno Government Will Supports Plan to Upgrade Maiduguri Airport to International Status

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Black with Nigerian Root Seek Citizenship

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Black with Nigerian Root Seek Citizenship
…Promise to invest trillion dollars in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

Black men across the globe whose forefathers were taken as slaves from the African continent but recent DNA test have shown to be Nigerians have pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to offer them Nigerian citizenship

They have equally expressed their willingness to bring investment worth trillions of dollars into the Nigerian economy.

Speaking at pre-event briefing in Abuja on Monday, the President of the African Diaspora Union, Archbishop Chidiebere Ogbu, gave the disclosure.

Ogbu, who spoke to journalists ahead of the International Gathering in Honor of the Africans in Diaspora scheduled for between October 18 to 27, 2024 in Abuja and other parts of the country, revealed that the event
organised by AFRIDU in partnership with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), would bring together African descendants from around the world with the aim to reconnect with their ancestral homeland.

Ogbu, while stating that President Bola Tinubu is expected to address the gathering during the event in Abuja,said a passionate appeal has already been made to him to address the request of granting Nigerian citizenship to those that have traced their roots to the country.

He said: “For clarity purposes, the Historic African Diaspora are indigenous Africans
whose ancestors were forcefully carried away through conspiracy, manipulation, and coercions into slavery over 500 years ago, and who are dispersed in Europe, North America, South America, Caribbean and the
Oceania.”

He advised Nigeria leader to emulate other African countries who have already established the legal framework for those who had traced their root through DNA to those countries to be granted citizenship.

He added that this would further enhance the drive for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country, noting that these group of people are willing to invest trillion of dollars in Nigeria’s economy.

The AFRIDU President therefore said for many of the participants, the event represents a long-awaited opportunity to return to Africa, not just as visitors, but as people reclaiming a deep personal and historical connection.

Nigeria, which was a central hub in the transatlantic slave trade, holds particular significance for those whose ancestors were forcibly taken from its shores more than 500 years ago.

He said: “The gathering will give all the
Black peoples of the world outside Africa the opportunity to visit Africa especially
Nigeria, with most of them visiting different states where they believe is their ancestry home which will usher in a great mass movement of the African Diaspora Experts, Investors, Professionals, Scientists, Entertainers, Academia, and people with diverse skills to Nigeria in the actualization of the Africans in Diaspora integration,” he said.

Black with Nigerian Root Seek Citizenship

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Nigerian Government Says Super Eagles Was Placed in Detention

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Nigerian Government Says Super Eagles Was Placed in Detention

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian government has described the incident with the National team, the Super Eagles in Libya as a detention.

The government in a statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe said it received with dismay the news of the unfortunate detention of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials and the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Al Abraq International Airport several hours after arriving ahead of Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya.

The statement said: “To resolve the incident, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, initiated a phone call to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Eastern Government, Dr. Abdulhadi Lahweej. This spawned a series of actions, culminating in steps taken to assuage the officials and reassure the players of their safety. Subsequently, the contingent departed for Nigeria.

“In ending the phone conversation, Amb. Tuggar commended the authorities’ actions in resolving the incident, and both Ministers appreciated the amicable resolution of the unfortunate situation in the spirit of African brotherhood.”

Nigerian Government Says Super Eagles Was Placed in Detention

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