Politics

HISTORY OF SENATORIAL ELECTIONS IN SOUTHERN BORNO

Published

2 years ago

December 14, 2021

News Net Global

HISTORY OF SENATORIAL ELECTIONS IN SOUTHERN BORNO

By: Ibrahim Gwamna Mshelizza

The present Presidential system in Nigeria has made provision for each state to have three Senators who will represent them at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly.

Borno just like any other state has three Senatorial Districts of NORTH, CENTRAL and SOUTHERN senatorial Districts. In this write-up, I shall be dwelling on Southern Borno to remind my people that it is the right of all of them to aspire to the position of Senator if such person is constitutionally qualified to do so.

It becomes necessary to make this reminder because some people have been erroneously made to believe that the position of Senator can only be contested by people from a particular Local Government Area to the exclusion of all others.

This is false and those who desire to contest for the position should get set to do so as soon as the whistle is blown for such a contest.

To buttress this position, let us go down memory lane and examine the various contests and those that vied for the position.

During the Second Republic late Senator Jafaru Mangga from Askira- Uba represented the area at the hallowed Senate between 1979- 1983.

During the short-lived Third Republic under General Ibrahim Babangida who hoisted the Diarchy system of Government on the country where a Military President was at the Head with Civilians at the National Assembly between 1992-1993 , Senator Abubakar Mahdi from Gwoza held sway.

His party the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had defeated Major Bukar Haruna of the National Republican Convention (NRC). Senator Mahdi is from Gwoza while Major Haruna is from Biu.

During the first elections conducted within the Third Republic, Senator Abubakar Mahdi from Gwoza was again re-elected to represent Southern Borno between 1999-2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In 2003 senator Mahdi of the (PDP) from Gwoza and Barrister Charles Uba from Uba of Askira-Uba local Government Area of Alliance for Democracy (AD) lost to Umar Abubakar Hambagda (late) of the ANPP . Hambagda was also from Gwoza and served two terms from 2003-2011.

Also Read: Potiskum, over a century stood as a beacon of Islamic and…

In 2011 Hon. Ishaku Joshua Shara contested from Askira-Uba lost to Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume from Gwoza local government area.

In 2015 Senator Mohamed Ali Ndume from Gwoza recontested against Mr. Nicholas Mshelizza from Hawul of the PDP where Senator Ndume won the majority votes cast to be declared winner and has ever since been at the Senate.

From this brief account therefore it is clear that people from any of the Local government areas of the zone had at one point or another exercised their right and aspired for the position.

Southern Borno is an area which is politically enlightened and the recent campaigns by some individuals to dissuade aspirants from other local governments from contesting should stop as Democracy should be allowed to be practiced in its true form.

Southern Borno believes in the sanctity of freedom of choice because we are true democrats and shall practice Democracy for the advancement of society.

It is our belief that as we get set to elect our next Senator, all aspirants should come with full force so the best person will be elected no matter from which area he comes from. No local government area should think it is their preserve or no area should be excluded as some people think political considerations are based on Emirates.

*Mshelizza writes from Maiduguri

HISTORY OF SENATORIAL ELECTIONS IN SOUTHERN BORNO

Politics

Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission

Published

3 weeks ago

April 28, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission

By: Michael Mike

The President of the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has deployed an Election Observation Mission of 40 observers to Togo to monitor the legislative and regional elections scheduled for 29 April 2024

According to a statement at the weekend, the mission is in line with the provisions of Article 12 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and constitutes support from the regional organisation to its Member States for the conduct of their elections.

The mission is led by the former Vice-President of The Gambia, Mrs Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang.

According to the statement, the mission is made up of Ambassadors from Member States accredited to ECOWAS; representatives of the ECOWAS Court of Justice and Parliament; Civil Society Organisations; media professionals and election observation specialists from the West African region.

It revealed that: “This observation mission is being deployed following the recommendations of a pre-election fact-finding mission that visited Togo from 15 to 20 April 2024 to assess the preparatory phases of the elections.

“During its stay in Togo, the observation mission will hold consultations with the main stakeholders in the electoral process and monitor the voting process up to 29 April 2024.”

Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission

Politics

Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande

Published

3 months ago

February 22, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande

By: Bodunrin Kayode

A Plateau elder Ambassador Yahaya Kwande has described the just concluded re-run election into the national assembly as a Triumph of Democracy.

In a release titled Congratulations to the Winners of Plateau State Bye Elections of February 3, 2024, he noted that the entire exercise was a victory to the people of the state.

“With great joy and profound gratitude, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected Senator, (Plateau North Senatorial District), Prince Pam Mwadkwon Dachungyang, and the Member of the House of Representatives, (Jos North/Bassa Constituency), Hon. Daniel Asama, on their resounding victory in the recently concluded bye election held in Plateau State.

“Your triumph is a testament to the true spirit of democracy and the unwavering support of the people.

“I have no doubt that both Prince Pam Mwadkon and Hon. Daniel Asama will live up to the aspirations and expectations of the voters, as they embark on this noble responsibility of representing their constituents. May your tenure be marked by dedication, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of progress for our beloved state and nation.

“As we celebrate this momentous milestone, let us not forget the challenges we faced during the post-2023 elections period. It is my sincere hope that Plateau State will swiftly recover from the divisions and tussles that marred our unity. Let us unite as one, for the strength of our state lies in our togetherness.

“It is essential for the government and the people to undertake immediate measures to reconcile and bridge the gaps that have emerged. We must never forget that every citizen, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, is entitled to their fundamental rights. The use of religion as a tool of disfranchisement must cease; we must affirm that citizenship rights are not conditional on faith.

“Let us also strive to recapture the lost glory of our state, when Jos was hailed as the political Mecca of Nigeria, attracting momentous political events and embracing politicians from all shades and ideologies. We can revive this legacy by nurturing an environment that exudes peace, openness, and security for all. Together, we can restore Plateau State as a beacon of democratic excellence.

“In conclusion, I express my utmost optimism for the future of Plateau State. I extend my deepest appreciation to all who peacefully participated in the bye election, be it as candidates or enthusiastic supporters. Our journey towards progress and development continues, and I am confident that we will stand united, empowered by the unwavering spirit of our people.” said Kwande.

Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande

Politics

APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.

Published

3 months ago

February 13, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.

By: Jabiru Hassan

The National President of the APC Initiative for Good Governance (APC-IGG), Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervening to ease the hardships affecting Nigerians.

In a message he issued to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Ambassador Tsoken described President Tinubu as a leader with listening war by giving a marching order for the release of different food items to ease hardships for the people of Nigeria, which is a good initiative.

”APC-IGG has recognized what Mr. President has done in order to ease the hardship affecting the people on the food price hike, which is very good foresight from our leader. We therefore thank all those who have helped with the implementation of the process to release the food items from the federal government reserves across the country for their well-deserved thought.” The statement was added.

Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken reassured the people of Nigeria that the APC Initiative for Good Governance would continue to work selflessly in order to ensure that Nigeria is progressive under the present democratic dispensation without bias.

Amb Tsoken emphasizes that the emergence of His Excellency Sen. Dr. George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation depicts the fact that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu has reliable and credible individuals who have verse experience in governance from all ramifications; therefore, the deliverance of democratic dividends is something that Nigerians should believe in its workability and full efficacy in the near future, considering the fact that some of the policies and programs of the Renewed Hope Agenda have started gaining sway in the lives of the citizenry, he concluded.

APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.