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INEC, political parties meet this week over unsigned electoral bill

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INEC chairman, Prof Yakubu Mahmood

The leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission will, this week, hold a crucial meeting with the leaders of political parties towards the coming 2019 General Elections.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to withhold assent to the Electoral Act (Amended) Bill 2018, it was learnt, would top the agenda of the meeting.

The PUNCH gathered on Sunday that despite threats by some federal lawmakers to override Buhari on the rejected bill, opposition political parties feared that the National Assembly as currently constituted might not get the required number of members to do so.

They have therefore resolved to look beyond the parliament in finding a way out.

The first national spokesperson for the Coalition of United Political Parties, Imo Ugochinyere, confirmed these in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday.

He said, “The leadership of political parties will be meeting with INEC this week and top on the agenda of the meeting is that now that the President has refused to sign, it is now left for the electoral commission.

“There are some powers given to the commission under the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act to ensure free and fair conduct of elections.

“There are some provisions that INEC can amend the election guidelines with or without the President signing the law. Some of them include the use of card readers like the commission did in Ekiti and Osun states. You can see that the number of voters did not skyrocket in those states because INEC did not use incident forms.”

He added, “INEC can also allow agents to have access to electoral materials, verify them and even do video recording of the materials without any law.

“The issue of ensuring that no result is announced without agents of political parties being present at the spot, stopping the police and soldiers from chasing away party agents so that they can doctor the results, the issue of ensuring that results are announced at every polling unit, the issue of collecting electronic results by INEC to compare, issue of serialising ballot papers for each polling unit, all these the INEC can do with or without the President.

“The first thing the INEC chairman must do, or else all political parties will pull out of the election, is that he has to announce to Nigerians that there will be no use of incident forms.”

He claimed the non-use of incident forms was important to avoid a repeat of what allegedly happened in 2015, when “out of the over seven million votes he (Buhari) got from the North-West, over five million came from incident forms.”  He claimed that most of the people that voted for Buhari in the North-West were not accredited.

Ugochinyere added that another area of concern for the opposition parties ahead of the elections was the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

He said opposition parties were not comfortable with the information that the present administration might extend Idris’ tenure which he said would expire by January.

“Another important aspect is the position of the IG whose tenure is expiring in January. Going by the public service rule, he ought to have proceeded on terminal leave.

“But the two people who have hijacked the President want him re-appointed. Once that happens, what we will be having is no longer an IG but a man who will be willing to deploy security forces to achieve the dastardly act they are planning,” he alleged.

Ugochinyere said one of the steps that would be taken by opposition parties was to mobilise the people to perform the police function of arresting people who had committed electoral offence.

He said such people would be encouraged to resist and disarm political thugs.

That, he said, would be the option left for the opposition.

He said securing two-thirds in the House of Assembly to override the President would be impossible.

“So, we are looking beyond that to engage INEC to make promises and commitments to Nigerians on how the forthcoming elections can be free and fair,” he said.

He said the outcome of the meeting with INEC would go a long way in deciding whether the opposition parties would take part in the elections or not.

‘National Assembly can’t override Buhari’

Also, the National President of the Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Democracy, Igbini Emmanuel, has said the National Assembly cannot override Buhari on the bill.

In an interview with our correspondent, Emmanuel said the bill was dead on arrival just like the desire of the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, to have the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, removed.

He said, “The President has withheld his assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill 2018 and appealed that if it would be eventually passed, its date of commencement should be after 2019 General Elections.

“Recall I made my position very clear months ago that any proposed amendment to our Electoral Act be suspended till after the 2019 General Elections or be considered dead on arrival the same way the plot to impeach Saraki was dead on arrival.

“The National Assembly cannot override Buhari on this bill for the same reason Oshiomhole cannot mobilise to remove Saraki and recover the ‘crown.’

APC senators will block veto – Ashafa

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Lagos-East, Gbenga Ashafa, has stated that the APC senators in the 8th Assembly will oppose any plan by the National Assembly to veto the President’s refusal to sign the recent amendments to the Electoral Act.

Ashafa stated this in an interview with journalists after a stakeholders’ meeting of the Lagos-East chapter of the All Progressives Congress in Epe on Saturday.

Ashafa stated that he had studied the reasons given by Buhari for not signing the amended act and that he agreed with the President.

He said, “Both the President and the National Assembly have shown good faith in the back and forth caused principally by drafting inconsistencies that have delayed the bill till now. We must all understand that both sides must be dispassionately and painstakingly disposed to ensuring that there is no loophole in the final result of the proposed amendments, considering the sensitive nature of the Electoral Act and overarching effect of same on National security and stability of the polity.

“It cannot be in tandem with any standard democratic ethos to introduce new rules to the field of politics less than two months to general elections, we must be fair to all concerned.”

On the threat by some members to veto the bill, he said, “It is a game of numbers and to conduct a successful veto of the President’s position, the National Assembly would require two-thirds majority of both houses. I am certain that the progressive block of senators who have already seen reason with the President would not be in support of such a veto.”

Buhari’s refusal to sign unpatriotic – IYC

But the Ijaw Youth Council berated Buhari over his refusal to assent to the amended Electoral Act.

IYC, however, charged the National Assembly to immediately override the President’s assent in line with relevant provisions to enact the amended act into law ahead of the 2019 General Elections.

Speaking on Sunday through its National President, Mr Eric Omare, the group observed that the reasons advanced by President Buhari for not signing the bill were self-serving and lacked patriotism.

Omare stated that the President’s action after three attempts by the National Assembly was unpatriotic and amounted to elevating personal interest above national interest.

He said, “The IYC completely rejects the reasons advanced by President Buhari for refusing to assent to the amendment because they are weak and unjustifiable.

“Contrary to President Buhari’s claim that signing the Electoral Act now would cause confusion in the electoral process; in actual fact, it is the refusal to sign the Electoral Act amendment bill into law that has caused confusion and would cause more confusion in the days to come.”

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2027: Nsukka Leaders Endorse Gov Mbah Over Massive Projects in the Zone

…say senatorial district highest beneficiary of Mbah’s projects, reports Ikenna Oluka

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Nsukka Leaders Endorse Gov Mbah for 2027
Nsukka Leaders

Leaders of Enugu North Senatorial District, otherwise known as Nsukka Zone, have endorsed the Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, to continue in office beyond 2027, saying the governor has transformed the zone in less than two years of his administration.

The Nsukka leaders who convened at the Adada House, Nsukka, on Thursday, under the aegis of Enugu State Coalition for Progress, Enugu North Senatorial Zone Branch, comprised a cross section of socio-cultural groups, the academia, representatives of Traditional Rulers, captains of industry, businessmen and women, politicians, market men and women, farmers association, labour leaders, among other leaders drawn from the 6 council areas of the zone, expressed their unwavering support for the Mbah administration.

In an interactive session by a panel of discussants from the groups which was followed by a communique issued at the end of the discussion and signed by no fewer than 700 signatories including the former deputy governor, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, Senator Chuka Utazi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the deputy speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ezeani Ezenta, Dr. Dan Shere, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, Gen. Godwin Ugwuoke (rtd), Dr. Mike Ajogwu SAN, Chief Maxwell Ukuta, Prof Osita Ogbu, and Igwe Dr H.N Ukuta, they cited the litany of monumental infrastructural developments of the governor across the state, particularly in Nsukka Zone, as the reasons behind their endorsement.

In a resolution and vote of gratitude, the coalition commended the governor’s outstanding leadership and stellar performance since assuming office in May 2023, saying the only candidate the zone would support in 2027 is Governor Mbah.

They insisted that supporting Mbah to do 8 years in office was in the best interest of Nsukka people as his re-election would enable him finish the landmark projects initiated by his administration in the zone which were already opening Nsukka for economic development.

The coalition further praised the governor for providing peace and security in Enugu State, making it an attractive destination for investment, business, and tourism in Nigeria.

“In particular, we note with satisfaction, that the setting up of the Enugu State Command and Control Center by His Excellency at the Government House for tracking criminal activities across the state has become a model for other states of the federation. We applaud His Excellency’s holistic development agenda for Enugu State anchored on his disruptive innovation philosophy as a catalyst for positive change,” the communique read in part.

Nsukka Leaders Endorse Gov Mbah
Traditional leaders

While underscoring that the senatorial district has 102 electoral wards constituting 39.2 percent of the 260 electoral wards in the state, the elated Nsukka leaders said with 102 Smart Green Schools and 102 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the six councils, the zone has become the highest beneficiary of Mbah’s stellar performance.

On the ongoing dualization of Enugu-Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road, the coalition described it as a critical infrastructure aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting economic activities, adding that the reconstruction of the 44.8 km Ama Ngwo-Eke-Oghe-Iwollo-Umulokpa road and the new 40 km Owo-Ama Nkanu-Ubahu-Mbu-Neke dual carriageway would open up a new traffic and economic corridor to the senatorial zone.

It also noted that Mbah’s administration has transformed Enugu State from a civil service state to a fast-emerging  industrial hub, with an unimaginable  annual internally generated revenue of over N600 billion by the end of 2025. “The governor’s commitment to progress is evident in the rapid pace of development and transformation across various sectors, including roads, bridges, healthcare, security, tourism, entertainment, industries, and educational institutions.”

Throwing their weight behind the governor, Chief Ukuta said the people of the zone would not only queue behind him in the next polls, they also owed the governor apology for the herd mentality that almost led to the voting of wrong candidates.

Expressing confidence in the governor’s leadership ability, Senator Utazi said as an APC card-carrying member, he was at the meeting to particularly appreciate the good work of the governor, stressing that he deserved the unwavering support of the entire zone.

“I am a card-carrying member of APC starting from my ward in Nkpologu all the way to Abuja. I want to say that this gathering is not for PDP. It’s a gathering for every well-meaning Nsukka indigene who is appreciative of the good job the governor of Enugu State is doing in Enugu State and especially in Enugu North senatorial district. In fact, when I came back to Enugu, starting from the airport, I saw nylon roads, the type only seen in Abuja. When I visited the governor recently to discuss the police station I built there as a senator, the governor was immediately working to operationalize it, and is additionally working on the road from 9th Mile to Umulokpa. He also told me severally the things he was doing in Nsukka zone and all of them are what people can see on ground. Let’s support him to continue with his job. I want to say frankly that Nsukka people are happy with him,” the senator added.

Adding his voice, Dr. Ajogwu said the coalition had already spoken the minds of Nsukka people which was to support the governor for another term.

On his part, Hon. Ezeani, who led lawmakers from the zone, said the governor would continue to enjoy cordial relationship with the House of Assembly to ensure the continuation of the good governance in the state.

He described the Mbah administration as business unusual where new projects were springing up daily with many already completed across the state, adding that they had already declared unalloyed support and endorsement for his candidacy beyond 2027.

Lending his voice, Dr Shere lauded the governor for the transport infrastructure project which has the Nsukka Central Terminal Station, the Holy Ghost utra-modern terminal stations, Abakpa and Gariki stations in addition with the recently delivered CNG buses ordered by state government.

“You don’t need to be told that in Nsukka, we are all adopting governor Peter Mbah to complete the job he has started here. Nsukka is now looking beautiful because of what he’s contributing to our economy, infrastructure, education and transport sectors. Look at the Enugu Air, it’s a game changing moment for the state. The investment prospects will impact all the nooks and crannies of the state. Again, the International Conference Centre, the ongoing 5 star hotel, the Hotel Presidential and the 300-bed international hospital in the state will make Enugu the hub of medical tourism where robotic surgery will be conducted and thousands of jobs created,” he said.

Moving a motion for endorsement of the governor for 2027, Chief Itanyi insisted that the ongoing 43.7 km dualisation of the Penoks-Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka road was the single most costly project in the state. The motion was unanimously affirmed by voice votes by the members coalition who filled the hall.

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Breaking: ‘Welcome home,’ Gov Mbah Receives Edeoga Back to PDP

…‘You’re Enugu people’s choice,’ Edeoga tells governor

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Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State welcome Edoga back to PDP
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State welcoming Chijioke Edeoga back to PDP

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Wednesday, welcomed the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 governorship election, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, back into the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, fold, commending the ex-opposition flagbearer for demonstrating that politics is not a do-or-die affair.

Mbah said that Edeoga’s return to the PDP was in line with the party’s principle of reconciliation and making the people, not personal ambition, the focus of governance, urging him and his supporters to feel very much at home.

This was even as the former gubernatorial candidate endorsed Mbah as the popular choice of the people of Enugu State, stressing that he had fully aligned with that choice.

Receiving Edoega in his office, in the company of party leaders led by the state party chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, Mbah said, “Welcome back home. The symbolism of your action is a mark of the enduring bond that runs in our party. I am indeed very delighted to have you back to rejoin your family.

“What we are witnessing today is a result of fence-mending consistent with the philosophy of our party – the imperatives of reconciliation.

“It is also a demonstration on your part that politics is not a do-or-die affair; that what we are currently doing in Enugu State appeals to you and you believe that it is working for the interest of the people and you have taken that decision to say, ‘Look, let us join hands together and serve our people.’

“I commend you greatly for making such a courageous bold step. The lesson for us is quite profound, as it shows that the common denominator even when we express our aspirations on different political platforms, is all about the people and making them the centerpiece of our ambitions.

“So, we will embrace you with our arms wide open. You are going to be treated as a member of PDP, which we know you are indeed. We look forward to working with you in the service of our people.”

Edeoga, on his part, commended Governor Mbah for making his return possible, describing it as a paradigm shift from politics of animosity and winner takes all to politics of empathy and people-centred development.

“I thank Your Excellency for overseeing the process that has culminated in my return to the PDP and my visit to your office. It is easy to downplay what has happened. But something like this has not happened in the annals of politics in Enugu State. I commend your wisdom, I commend your empathy, I commend your mental sagacity.

“What has happened here today will effect a paradigm shift in the way politics is played in Enugu State. It will no longer be winner takes all or politics being seen as a hostile or brutal activity. It has restored politics as just a contest of ideas and visions. These contesting visions were thrown open to the public and the people of Enugu State have made their choice, which I completely align myself with.

“Politics should be played without bitterness; it should be played without animosity and as much humanely as possible. Once the victor has emerged, the next thing is governance. The governance is ongoing and it is going very well. When it is time for politics, people are free to pursue their dreams. For now, it is time for governance.

“Anyone, who feels annoyed or deeply angered that Edeoga has taken this step of faith, I believe with time, they will align with the superior wisdom of those who are their leaders. Leadership comes with responsibilities and one of these responsibilities is to take a step of faith.

“Again, thank you for making my return to the PDP possible. I recommit myself to the ideals of PDP. As much as possible, I will work to ensure that PDP becomes victorious going forward,” he said.

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Minister Commends Guards Brigade for Exceptional Service in Securing the Seat of Government

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Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle,
Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle at WASA 2024

The Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has expressed profound appreciation for the unwavering commitment and exemplary efforts of the Commander, officers, and personnel of the Guards Brigade in safeguarding the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.

In his remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2024 West African Social Activity (WASA 2024) held in Abuja, the Minister stated, “Your loyalty, sacrifice, and dedication in executing your Presidential security duties, coordinating ceremonial parades, and managing operational challenges are commendable. Your proactive approach in addressing security threats has ensured the safety of the Presidency as well as that of citizens, visitors, and diplomats alike. I urge you to continue embodying compassion and empathy in your operations, striving for excellence in all your responsibilities.”

The Minister highlighted that the WASA event serves as a vibrant testament to the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria, as showcased by the personnel and families of the Guards Brigade. “The traditional dances and local delicacies on display tonight not only enhance our appreciation of our diverse cultures but also play a crucial role in preserving our cultural heritage and distinct identity,” he added.

In conclusion, the Minister called upon the Guards Brigade to uphold the trust placed in them by consistently meeting the challenges of their duties and ensuring that the flag of the Nigerian Armed Forces continues to fly high.

Earlier, Major General Adebisi Onosayan, Commander of the Guards Brigade, delivered a welcome address expressing gratitude to the President for his unwavering support of the Brigade’s operations, training, and welfare. “Thank you, Your Excellency. I also wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff for their relentless guidance and support. We pledge our unwavering loyalty and readiness to contribute effectively to the security of lives and property in the Federal Capital Territory and its surroundings,” he emphasized.

General Onosayan further noted that the 2024 WASA highlights the social diversity, cultural identity, values, beliefs, and rich heritage of the Nigerian people, resonating with the ethos of the Nigerian Army. “This event provides an opportunity to showcase various cultural dances, traditional cuisines, languages, attire, and ethnic groups of our great nation in a relaxed atmosphere,” he stated, adding that today’s event marks the Brigade’s Grand Finale.

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