Politics
Senate Presidency: Stop Employing Blackmail for Zoning to the Southeast, Group Advises
Senate Presidency: Stop Employing Blackmail for Zoning to the Southeast, Group Advises
By: Michael Mike
The people of the Southeast have been asked to stop blackmailing the rest of the country that the non-inclusivity of the their region was the reason for the agitation of Biafra State and the insecurity in the area.
In a press statement on Saturday titled: “The Senate Presidency: How not to Clamour for the Southeast,” a political group, The Godswill Project, noted that politicians from the Southeast geopolitical zone have been using unacceptable and underhand tactics to sway the decision of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to support their agitation for Senate Presidency.
In the press statement signed by the convener of the group, Femi Odere, the leadership of the APC was advised not to sway to such tactics.
The statement read: “Our attention has once again been drawn to a letter written to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Sen. Abdullahi Adamu and his National Working Committee (NWC) by a group known as the Coalition of APC Support Groups (CASG) in their attempt to sway the ruling party to zone the Senate Presidency in the coming 10th National Assembly to the Southeast.
“In the letter, signed by the Coalition’s National Secretary Mazi Peter Okoroafor, he said, “It behooves on the NWC to lean on the balance of justice and equity, and insecurity challenges to concede the senate president position to the South East geo-political zone” to achieve “national cohesion and integration, and for peace to be pursued and delivered in the South-East political zone.”
Odere added that: “For emphasis, Mazi Okoroafor, in the letter, wanted Nigerians to know, if not to be reminded, that, “the South East political zone has been overheated by non-inclusivity in principal elective appointments which the NWC can redress by taking proper and judicious decisions on the South-East Senate Presidency” with a specific recommendation for Senator Osita Izunaso “as most suitable for the office of the Senate President” being “the most senior ranking senator” from the region.”
He said: “While no harm, whatsoever, has been done by the Coalition in its support for the Senate Presidency to be conceded to the Southeast geopolitical region, it’s disingenuous, mischievous, and an attempt at subtle blackmail by the Coalition to have been emphatic in its submission that the insecurity challenges in the Southeast were the result of “non-inclusivity in principal elective appointments” of people from the region since the birth of this political dispensation. This is nothing but a crass misrepresentation of the facts.
“We must remind Mazi Okoroafor and his Coalition, in case they have forgotten, or they chose to have selective amnesia, that the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and its sister Eastern Security Network (ESN) are up in arms against the Nigerian state not because of “non-inclusivity in principal elective appointments” but because they desire to secede from the federation with the independent Republic of Biafra.
“The so-called “non-inclusivity” of the Igbo in political appointments cannot also pass muster as it can even be argued that they have more than their fair share of political appointments while they’re also predominant in the commanding heights of the federal civil service since the beginning of the Fourth Republic.
“It’s perhaps safe to conclude at this juncture that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than the Nigerian state to meet the inexhaustible political and domineering appetite of the Southeast, considering the unprecedented infrastructural developments that accrued to the region under the APC government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Whereas hate rage has been the party’s reward in every election cycle.
“The “insecurity challenges” in the Southeast cited by the Coalition as one of its reasons for the Senate President’s ticket to be zoned to the region is an attempt to be clever by half. It’s therefore counter-productive as well as counter-intuitive.
“What must be said to the Coalition, however, and without equivocation, is that Nigerians from all the geopolitical zones—-save the Southeast—-heavily disfavor the Senate President to emerge from the Southeast region.”
Senate Presidency: Stop Employing Blackmail for Zoning to the Southeast, Group Advises
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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