| Source | Date | Title | Summary of Report | Subject/Category | Page No/Web link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punch Online | 31st January 2023 | FG backs US visa ban on election riggers | The Minister of Information and Communication, Lai Mohammed, has described the decision of the United States to place visa restrictions on those undermining Nigeria’s democracy, as “right and justified.” The minister said this during the 20th session of the Presidential Scorecard series, held at the National Press Centre, Abuja on Monday. He reiterated that the regime will go ahead with the planned general elections, as opposed to reports of a possible postponement. He said, “Let me be clear: whatever action is taken against anyone who undermines this democracy that has been watered by the blood of many of our patriots is right and justified. “For us as a government, we are proud to say that no administration since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 has shown more fidelity to the democratic process than ours, and no president since 1999 has been as unambiguous as President Muhammadu Buhari, in word and indeed, with regards to leaving office after the constitutionally stipulated two terms. President Buhari has left no one in doubt of his dogged determination to ensure free, fair and credible elections; handover to a successor elected by Nigerians; and then return to Daura after the May 29, 2023 handover date. The President has also given unprecedented support to INEC while also signing into law the Electoral Bill 2022 that Nigerians have hailed as a reason to have confidence in the electoral process.” | Minister of Information and Communication, Lai Mohammed, Visa Restrictions | http://bit.ly/3jn4X8H | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 31st January 2023 | Why Nigerians Must Monitor Mock BVAS Accreditation – INEC Chair | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged registered voters in the 436 designated Polling Units (PUs) nationwide to participate in Saturday’s mock accreditation exercise with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the call yesterday in Abuja, when he received a delegation of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), led by its president, Mr Anthony Banbury. He also urged registered voters who had yet to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to use the opportunity of the extension of the deadline to collect them. He said INEC was committed to free, fair and credible elections and the will of Nigerians would prevail. “One of the things that we have decided to do is to ensure that we test run the device by conducting a mock accreditation exercise. We have announced that this exercise is going to happen on Saturday, February 4, meaning it is going to happen this weekend"". So once again, I seize the opportunity of this visit to appeal to Nigerians to please go to the designated polling units. We have 436 of them, 12 PUs in each state of the federation and four in the FCT so that they can test run this device. In the unlikely event of challenges, we have time between the conclusion of the exercise and the general elections to respond to the challenges. But we are very happy with the functionality of the machines so far, particularly the tests carried out on the number of machines received in preparation for the general elections,” Yakubu said. He urged civil society organisations (CSOs), the media, political parties and Nigerians across the board to observe where they wished in the deployment of the BVAS for the mock exercise on Saturday. | Mock Accreditation, INEC, BVAS | Page 14 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 31st January 2023 | INEC Should Conduct Presidential, Gov’ship Other Polls Same Day – Shari’ah Council | The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has asked all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold the presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and other elections on the same day in the country. The council said political violence might stop the second phase of the election, stressing that some desperate politicians were already warming up to cause crisis. Addressing newsmen in Kaduna, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Shari’a in Nigeria, Nafi’u Baba-Ahmed, flanked by other members of the council, said, “There is a high probability of the second election not holding because of violence from the first election. It is not going to be feasible. The first election is the presidential and National Assembly elections. “Our fear is that, in light of the precarious security situation in the country and the fact of the admission by security agencies that they are overstretched, it is quite possible, in fact, highly probable that some desperate politicians who might lose the election will trigger political violence to the extent that the subsequent elections may not hold. In light of this, we engage all those that matter. We met with some of the key security chiefs, who expressed their understanding of the situation who agreed with us that their manpower is already overstretched. And it is going to be a situation and an uphill task to cope with political violence. We, therefore, advise that INEC should be prevailed upon to hold all the elections on the same day. This way we will avoid a situation where some desperate politicians that are about to lose cannot create chaos in the country such that we will be left with elections half held, half on hold.” | Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, SCSN, Advocacy to hold all elections in one day, 2023 General Elections | Page 14 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 31st January 2023 | PDP PCC: Atiku’ll Grant Nnamdi Kanu Unconditional Release If Elected President | Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February election, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday stated that he plans to grant detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, unconditional release if he emerges as Nigeria’s leader. Kanu has been in the detention facility of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021 when he was intercepted and ‘renditioned’ to Nigeria from Kenya by the federal government. Confirming Atiku’s plan, Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of Atiku/Okowa campaign in Anambra State, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, said the PDP candidate will rely on the Appeal Court judgement to release the Biafra agitator. According to Okonkwo, the appellate court was very explicit that Kanu should be a free man and no court can try him again for the alleged offence. The PDP chieftain also disclosed that one of Atiku’s key programmes would be to ‘instil permanent peace’ in parts of the country especially the South-east region. To achieve this, he said Atiku would release all South-east agitators in detention and ensure that the tension in the region is doused. He, therefore, urged the people of the zone to throw their weight behind the PDP candidate to win the February 25 poll, knowing that he has in mind the best interest of the region. “I am saying this with every sense of responsibility that Atiku will grant Nnamdi Kanu unconditional release. That is in Atiku’s agenda for permanent peace in the South-east. In addition, he will also apply political solution to release all those genuine IPOB agitators in detention without trial. Atiku’s government will have serious talks with the group and others, with the view to restoring their faith in the country, and make them part of the effort for better Nigeria. However, the criminal elements will be dealt with decisively. What we are now therefore saying is for this to happen, peace must reign for election in the South-east, and the need for the South Easterners to fall behind PDP,”he said. | Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, of Atiku/Okowa campaign in Anambra State, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Nnamdi Kanu, Campaign promises | Page 1 & 10 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 31st January 2023 | INEC: We Plan to Declare Election Results Swiftly | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it planned to declare election results swiftly as decided by Nigerians. Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this yesterday when International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES) delegation paid a visit to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, during which the IFES said Nigeria’s improvement in electoral integrity since 1999 was significant. Yakubu said the delegation came at a very auspicious time, just three weeks to the seventh general election in Nigeria since the restoration of democracy in 1999. Having released the timetable for the election in February 2022 and having identified 14 activities, Yakubu noted that yesterday’s meeting held when the commission was implementing the 12th activity, which was the publication of the notice of poll. The INEC chairman said what it meant was that the commission had successfully implemented 12 out of the 14 activities on schedule, saying there were only two activities outstanding – campaign by political parties, and the election day. He told the delegation that the commission, last Saturday, announced an extension for the collection of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by registered voters. He further reassured the people of the commission’s commitment to free, fair and credible election, saying the will of Nigerians would prevail. Yakubu, who noted that the commission has made tremendous progress in terms of the delivery and acquisition of materials for the elections, said the largest chunk of materials required for the election – both sensitive and non-sensitive, were already at various locations. “I think we’re lucky. The preparation has gone on very well. And then with the benefit of the new Electoral Act, we have more time to prepare than our predecessors had in the past. “We are working with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to make sure that we get logistics right; so that we deploy personnel and materials to locations early enough, so that we can open the polling units conclude the processes at the polling units and quickly the declare outcome of the elections, as decided by Nigerians swiftly. “The earlier we conclude the processes, the speedier we also declare winners and to conclude the processes earlier, we need to get to locations in good time. And tomorrow (today), we are going to meet with the National Union of Road Transport Workers. We have invited their officials from all the states of the federation. They are holding a meeting here in Abuja, we are going to speak to them. We are good to go, basically on this.” Yakubu explained that on February 9, the commission would commence the training of election duty staff, adding that the electoral body would also engage a large number of ad hoc staff for the election. | Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Meeting with NURTW, Swift declearation of results, INEC, INEC's preparations towards 2023 General Elections | Page 8 | |
| Punch Online | 31st January 2023 | Election: UN warns politicians, says Nigeria must not fail | The United Nations on Monday advised that Nigeria get it right with the 2023 general elections and must not fail. The global organisation also stated that the only path for a nation to succeed was through sustainable development which it had been advocating. The UN Deputy Secretary-General and chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, Amina Mohammed, stated these in a keynote speech she presented at the Nigerian Bar Association state of the national dialogue, with the theme, ‘Security, economy and administration of justice.’ “As Africa’s leading economy, with the biggest port of views, and security anchor for our neighbours, Nigeria cannot simply afford to fail”, Mohammed said and reminded the judiciary that as members of the Bar, “You have a key role to play to advance the country’s aspiration towards 2023 general elections.” Mohammed said that the UN would support any process that would lead to credible, all-inclusive, free and fair general elections. The UN is committed to accompanying Nigeria on this journey”, she said. Mohammed also expressed the optimism that “things will be turned around to a more inclusive, equal and just society where we will embrace the best of our traditions with open minds and build trust that will allow us to build a better future together.” The UN top official said that the increase in the number of registered voters from 84 million to 93 million was encouraging, adding that it had suggested that Nigerians were enthusiastic about the electoral process. She slammed politicians and candidates engaging themselves in politics of bitterness, rancour and acrimony. | UN Deputy Secretary-General and chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, Amina Mohammed, 2023 Generak Elections | http://bit.ly/3XRujuA | |
| This Day Newspaper | 31st January 2023 | Osinbajo Backs Push for Cashless Economy, Says It Will Curb Illicit Election Financing | The vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has declared that the drive for a cashless policy in the country would go a long way to curb illicit election financing in the country. Osinbajo’s remarks came just as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) appealed to banks and members of the public to cooperate with the apex bank to enhance the cash swap policy ahead of the fresh deadline for the return of the old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes. This was just as the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Group, Ms. Amina Mohammed, yesterday charged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to ensure the success of the 2023 general elections. Osinbajo submitted that when fully operational, the cashless policy being introduced in Nigeria could help stem the surge of illicit election financing by making it possible to track funds. Speaking yesterday, while playing host to a delegation of the European Union Election Observation Mission led by Andrews, who is also a member of the European Parliament, at the State House, Abuja, Osinbajo noted that so much money could be spent without it being tracked under the current election financing system in the country. According to him: “I think that what we should be looking at is to provide more infrastructure. The cashless thing has been really advantageous and helps with tracking. That sort of infrastructure is useful for more financial inclusion and the more financial inclusion you have, the easier it is to track.” While noting the serious difficulty in controlling election financing because of cash transactions, the vice president stated that there were still infrastructure issues required to be in place to ensure an efficient cashless system in the country. He observed that with cash transactions, it was still difficult to seriously control election financing. On the issue of electoral offences, Osinbajo pointed out that there was the Electoral Offences Commission Bill at the National Assembly and, “we hope that it will begin a new regime of dealing with electoral offences which would be helpful.” He emphasised that by and large, one shouldn’t expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be the investigator of electoral offences. “I think that law enforcement agencies should be responsible for arresting and prosecuting offenders, state by state". | Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Cashless policy, Election finance, Electoral Offences Commission Bill | Page 1 & 10 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 31st January 2023 | Senatorial Race: S/Court Affirms Aliero, Abdullahi As PDP Candidates In Kebbi | The Supreme Court has affirmed Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Kebbi Central Senatorial District ahead of the February 25 poll. A five-member panel of justices led by Justice Chima Centus Nweze, yesterday set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which earlier refused Aliero’s appeal challenging a Federal High Court ruling on the primaries of the party on May 24 and June 9, 2022, which he won. In the majority judgement by Justice Amina Augie, the panel held that Aliero’s appeal challenging the declaration of Haruna Dandio Saidu as the PDP candidate for the senatorial district, had merit. The apex court held that the decisions of the lower courts were done without jurisdiction as the nomination of a candidate was an internal affair of a political party. Similarly, the apex court validated the election of Dr Abubakar Yahaya Abdullahi as the PDP candidate for Kebbi North Senatorial District for the February 25 senatorial election. Citing Section 84 of the Electoral Act, Justice Augie stated that Senator Abdullahi’s case bordered on substituting a candidate who had earlier withdrawn from the race. Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept the replacement of a senatorial candidate in Rivers State for the February 25 poll. ustice Emeka Nwite, yesterday, directed INEC to publish the name of Fred Atteng in place of Gokana Geoffrey as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for Rivers South-East Senatorial District. He held that INEC’s refusal to accept Atteng was a breach of Section 29 of the Electoral Act, 2022. The court also disregarded a counter affidavit by INEC dated December 10, 2022, which was filed outside the 10 days required to do so. The suit was brought by SDP and Atteng Fred challenging INEC’s refusal to accept his candidature after the withdrawal of Gokana Geoffrey as the candidate of the party for Rivers South-East Senatorial District. | PDP Candidate for Kebbi Senatorial District, Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero, Court Judgement, Dr Abubakar Yahaya Abdullahi, PDP candidate for Kebbi North Senatorial District | Page 15 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 31st January 2023 | Wike kicks as A’Court grants national PDP’s request to stop Rivers suits against other parties | Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, has granted a request by the national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to debrief counsel representing the party from Okala’s Associate chambers from all cases pending at the appellate court. The request to stop the suits was read by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Johnson Usman, from a letter by the national leadership of the party asking the Appeal Court to debrief all counsels representing their party in the cases before the court. The state PDP had appealed the judgment of the lower court against them, which bordered on non-compliance with the amended Electoral Act, 2022 by other parties in the state. When the appeal filed by PDP against the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Accord and its governorship candidate, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, and his deputy came up, one of the counsel representing PDP from Okala’s Associates Chambers, Dike Udenna, requested and applied that the court should debrief them since the appellant in the case asked them to hands off the case. Udenna also requested and appealed that they should be debriefed in an appeal filed by PDP against INEC, All Progressives Congress (APC) and its National Assembly candidates. Other counsel in the case did not oppose the request and the new legal representation from PDP, Johnson Usman, requested that the court gives him time to study the cases. The lead presiding Judge, Justice Joseph Shangbai, granted the request to debrief state PDP counsel and adjourned till February 3, 2023 for hearing. Reacting, however, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, said it was an anti-party action for the national leadership of the party (PDP) to instruct lawyers handling legal suits on behalf of the PDP in the state to dissociate themselves from the cases. A statement, yesterday, by Special Assistant to the governor, Mr. Kelvin Ebiri, said the PDP in the state had taken some political parties in the state to court over noncompliance with regulations and laws of INEC in the conduct of their various primaries. The statement disclosed that Wike flayed the national leadership of the party, when he spoke at State School Premises, Okehi 1, venue of the Rivers State PDP campaign flag-off in Etche Council. Wike said instead of the PDP national leadership to support the suits by the PDP in Rivers, it has asked lawyers handling the various legal matters to withdraw legal representations. The Rivers State governor stated that anti-party activities would beget anti-party actions and since the PDP national has started the anti-party game, it will get anti-party action in return. | Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Court Suit | Page 8 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 30th January 2023 | Plateau Gov’ship Peace Pact: CP Storms Out Of Venue | The Plateau State Commissioner of Police (CP), Bartholomew Onyeka, yesterday stormed out of a peace pact signing by the governorship candidates of political parties in the state. Onyeka expressed disappointment when he was invited to give a goodwill message at the Dialogue Reconciliation and Peace (DREP) Centre, Jos, but saw only two governorship candidates in attendance. He expressed anger that he had abandoned other engagements for the event only to find that just two of the candidates were in attendance while three others sent representatives. He stormed out of the venue, saying he would only give his goodwill message when all the candidates were in attendance and requested that the event be postponed. The event, however, continued after a plea from the DREP Director, Rev Fr Blaise Agwom, who said the event should be allowed to continue in order to be fair to those who were in attendance. Those in attendance were candidates of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda and Mohammed Abdullahi Danbaba of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). | Plateau State Commissioner of Police (CP), Bartholomew Onyeka, Governorship Peace Pact in Plateau State, APM, APC, APC Plateau State Governorship Candidate, Nentawe Yilwatda, Mohammed Abdullahi Danbaba, APM Plateau State Governorship Candidate | Page 10 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 30th January 2023 | PDP’s Nnamani, Kwara Gov Back Tinubu | A former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq have endorsed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ahead of the February 25 polls. Nnamani said he was backing Tinubu despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Nnamani, a serving senator, has been suspended by his party over alleged anti-party activities. The lawmaker, in a statement yesterday, said with the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as PDP presidential flagbearer, the opposition party breached its own constitution and denied the South the opportunity to run for the presidency. The statement reads in part: “Having critically examined the situation, I found Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the preferred candidate from the South to foot the bill in 2023.” Similarly, Gov AbdulRasaq said he was passionate about Tinubu becoming the next President of Nigeria because of his belief in him to deliver the impactful projects he promised the state. Speaking in Lagos while interacting with Kwara professionals based in the Centre of Excellence, the governor said, “It is important we have a president we can sit with. I am passionate about him doing what he promised us. He will deliver highly impactful projects for us.” | Former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani,Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, Endorsement, Support for APC Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu | Page 10 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 30th January 2023 | SERAP Urges Buhari to Probe Attack on Obi, Other Cases of Election-related Harassment | The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Inspector-General of Police Usman Baba to investigate reported attack on the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, after a rally in Katsina state, and other cases of election-related intimidation, harassment and violence across the country. Obi was reportedly attacked after a rally in Katsina with heavy stones while on his way to the airport. The attack came on the heels of reported 339 incidents of election-related intimidation, harassment and violence across the country in 2022. SERAP also urged Buhari to direct the IG and Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to name and shame politicians and other perpetrators involved in violent attacks. SERAP further urged him to caution state governors to end reported suppression of campaigns by opposition parties within their states, and to ensure the security and safety of opposition candidates, members and supporters. In the letter dated January, 28, 2023, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, escalating cases of election-related intimidation, harassment, and violence were fundamentally inconsistent with the principle of free and fair elections. According to SERAP, investigating and prosecuting such cases and bringing perpetrators to justice would stop further violence, facilitate free and fair elections, and encourage Nigerians to freely exercise their right to vote. | Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, Inspector-General of Police Usman Baba, President Muhammadu Buhari, Call to probe election- related intimidation, harassment and violence | Page 12 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 30th January 2023 | 10,000 Defect to APC in Kano | The Kano State All Progressive Congress (APC) has received over 10 thousand supporters who decamped from various political parties in the state to the APC. The parties that lost their supporters to the APC include NNPP, PDP, and APGA among others. The Convener of the occasion, Hajiya Ummu Salma Isiyaku Rabiu, said the purpose of the gathering was to receive political supporters from various parties, who have decamped to APC. She said: “Today, we gathered here to celebrate these 10,000 people, who decided to leave their various political parties for our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). As you can see, these people are here today to delineate the unity and progress of the APC as the only party in Nigeria. The party that has the interest of the people, the party that wants to keep making Nigeria better, and the party that loves Nigeria and Nigerians.” Rabiu explained that without the slightest doubt, Bola Tinubu’s antecedents as a freedom fighter (for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria), which culminated in his founding role in the APC’s formation, makes his choice very unique for the APC. She maintained that Tinubu is very presidential and has a track record that nobody can beat. “When they asked me why I am so sure that Tinubu is the best presidential candidate, I also asked them who is contesting with him because I don’t know. In the light of the above, I wish to urge all the good people of Kano State to join hands with other well-meaning Nigerians to massively vote for Tinubu and Hon Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who has shown by his antecedents, track records and boundless capabilities that he will deliver good governance to the state,” she said. | Party Defectors, NNPP, PDP, and APGA, Kano State APC chapter | Page 38 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 30th January 2023 | Lawyer alleges violation of manifestoes, INEC’s 2014 guidelines for registration of political parties | A lawyer and public interest advocate, Theodore Jnr. Ezeobi, has prevailed on a Federal High Court for proper explanation of the sense in the provision contained in guidelines for registration of political parties (2014). The contentious matter states that the manifesto of a political party, upon submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration, must contain “a provision showing that its constitution and manifesto conform with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2010 and the guidelines.” He asked the court to determine whether “in the course of its programme and political campaign, a registered political party, its members or sponsored candidates at the elections, may issue concurrently and/or interchangeably use any other document, howsoever called, which neither was submitted to the defendant (INEC) nor contained a provision showing that it conforms with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, but purports to be in the form, substance, semblance of promises (affecting fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy) to the electorate, referenced and associated with such political party and passed off as “manifesto” (in the context of the guidelines under review), other than its registered manifesto, submitted, verified for conformity with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and thereafter, published by INEC via its website, to the general public.” He also wants the court to declare that he has the constitutional right to maintain the application for himself, and in the overall interest of the general public who, according to him, share a reciprocal want for the interpretation of his summons. | Party manifestoes, INEC, Guidelines for registration of political parties 2014 | Page 3 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 30th January 2023 | Polls: NANS warns FG against disenfranchising students | National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has warned the Federal Government against disenfranchising Nigerian students in the forthcoming polls, urging it to shut down schools to allow students vote. This was contained in a statement signed by NANS Vice President (External Affairs), Babatunde Akinteye, and made available to The Guardian, in Ibadan, yesterday. Following the extension of deadline for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to Sunday, February 5, 2023, and considering that the general elections will commence in few weeks’ time, the NANS chief called on the Federal Government to immediately close all tertiary institutions temporarily to afford students the opportunity to collect their PVCs from their polling units and vote in the coming elections. Akinteye said, in time past, the lack of flexibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the managements of tertiary institutions made it difficult, and almost impossible, for students to participate in the electoral process. The case is different for the 2023 elections, he said, adding: “This is because during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), students were in their various homes due to the prolonged Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike and about four million (according to statistics) of us registered newly for our PVCs. Now that we have registered for our PVCs and they have been processed and our tertiary institutions are not considering academic breaks for students during the general elections, despite having knowledge that most students registered outside their campuses, to go and collect our PVCs and have the opportunity to vote.” He called on the Federal Government to mandate the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), through the Federal Ministry of Education, to shut down all tertiary institutions temporarily until after the general elections. “This is to allow students (who constitute 40.8 per cent of the newly registered voters across the 774 local councils of Nigeria) have access to their PVCs and vote for the candidates of their choice in fulfilment of their civic responsibility as patriotic citizens of Nigeria,” he explained. | NANS, National Association of Nigerian Students, Calls for schools to be shut for students to vote, NANS Vice President (External Affairs), Babatunde Akinteye, 2023 Elections | Page 5 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 30th January 2023 | Lagos APC condemns political violence, urges law enforcement to investigate Surulere fracas | Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, condemned the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jide Adediran, for violence allegedly unleashed by his supporters in Surulere area of the state. Reacting to a viral video showing armed supporters in campaign vehicles of the Lagos PDP governorship candidate ‘Jandor’ engaging in gun battle with political opponents in Surulere, the Party’sPublicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, in a statement, said the attack is a ploy to instil fear in the hearts of voters and cause apathy. “Our attention has been drawn to the terror unleashed on innocent and law abiding citizens of Lagos State by the gubernatorial candidate, Jide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, in the course of his campaign in Surulere Council. The incident left in its wake, several people injured and three reportedly died. We condemn in strong terms, the unwarranted and unprovoked resort to violence on the citizens of the state in the name of electioneering campaign. In broad daylight, Jandor’s thugs fired guns at their hapless victims, who ran for dear lives. Lagos cherishes its enviable status as the safest state in the country – a result of long running and painstaking investment in security"". “We view this attack as a ploy to instil fear in the hearts of would-be voters as we count down to the elections. It’s pathetic to note that a candidate seeking to govern the state could be seen actively promoting violence to disrupt the peace of the citizens. We call on the law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident, bring the culprits to book and beef security across the state to forestall a reoccurrence. We urge Lagosians to remain calm and law abiding as the state government remains irrevocably committed to its onerous duty of ensuring the safety of lives and properties of all and sundry.” | APC Lagos state Chapter, Electoral Violence, Accusations of Electoral violence, PDP Lagos State Governorship Candidate, Jide Adediran | Page 24 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 24th January 2023 | INEC Partners ICPC, EFCC To Check Vote-Buying | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is partnering with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Matters Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to check vote-buying in Rivers State. INEC said it has sensitised youths in various villages in the country to monitor and report anyone involved in electoral malpractices during the elections. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers State, Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, spoke on Monday in Port Harcourt during the opening ceremony of the 2023 Correspondents’ Week organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).Sinikiem, who was represented by the Head, Voter Education and Publicity, Mark Usulo, said with the new Electoral Act, anyone found with a permanent voter’s card (PVC) that did not belong to him or her risked jail term. He said security agencies, especially the police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been briefed to watch for people in possession of PVCs that are not theirs. | INEC Rivers State, Vote Buying, ICPC, EFCC | Page 13 | |
| Leadership Online | 24th January 2023 | Appeal Court Nullifies Benue APC Gov’ship Primary, Orders Fresh Election | The Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) to conduct a fresh primary in eleven out of the 23 LGAs of Benue State within 14 days for the nomination of its gubernatorial candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections. Delivering judgement in the appeal filed by one of the aspirants on the platform of the APC, justice Gabriel Abraham Georgewill agreed with Prof. Terhemba Shija in his assertion that there was no valid primary election held on 27th May, 2022 by the APC for the nomination of its gubernatorial candidate which Fr. Alia was declared winner. The court said, “so after evaluating evidence submitted by Shija which among many is the Appeal panel report that sat after the primaries to hear issues of concern from the aspirants in Makurdi and made recommendations that the primary election was not valid.” However, the court agreed with APC on the rerun of 9th June, 2022 which took part in 12 local governments of the states, saying it was very valid and still stands. “Yes, I have seen that APC did not conduct a valid primary election on 27th May, 2022 reasons why the appeal panel ordered a fresh election that was conducted on 9th June, 2022 in some local governments. In the interest of justice, I cannot allow those voters in the remaining 11 local government to be disenfranchised, therefore, APC should go back and conduct elections in eleven local government within 14 days and INEC should recognise the winner after adding both election results as the gubernatorial candidate of the party,” Georgewill stated. LEADERSHIP gathered that the local government where the court ordered for the conduct of fresh primary election, includes Gboko, Gwer- East, Gwer-west Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo, Makurdi, Otukpo, Ukum,Tarka and Vandeikya. | Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, Order for fresh APC primaries, Benue State | http://bit.ly/3kBTCly | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 24th January 2023 | Ogun: Court Reinstates Otegbeye As ADC Gov’ship Candidate | The Court of Appeal has reinstated ‘Biyi Otegbeye as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State. The Ibadan division of the appellate court, on Monday, upheld the candidature of Otegbeye and all 26 House of Assembly candidates of the party. This followed an appeal filed by Otegbeye and others against a judgement of an Abeokuta Federal High Court that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to delist Otegbeye and 23 others from the list of candidates contesting the 2023 elections in the state. Labour Party and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had separately challenged the candidature of Otegbeye and 23 others, over alleged violation of the Electoral Act. Reacting to the judgement, Otegbeye in a statement in Abeokuta, on Monday, described the development as victory for the people of Ogun State. | Court of Appeal, Ogun State, Biyi Otegbeye, Ogun State ADC Governorship Candidate | Page 13 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 24th January 2023 | Najaatu Mohammed: Tinubu Induced Govs to Emerge APC Presidential Candidate | A former member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Hajia Najaatu Mohammed, yesterday, alleged that the candidate of the party, Bola Tinubu, shared money to the party’s governors to influence his emergence as the presidential standard bearer of the party, a situation she described as “shameful”. Mohammed said the gaffes and blunders trailing Tinubu’s campaign appearances were an indication of ill health, and the fact that he was incapable of presiding over the affairs of the nation. The former APC member, who said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo would have been a better choice given Tinubu’s poor health, however, dismissed supporters of the presidential hopeful as greedy and interested only in his money. But the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the APC, has said, contrary to claim of quitting the party out of her freewill, Mohammed was sacked for her incompetence, quarrelsomeness and after being uncovered to be a mole planted in the campaign. In a no-holds-barred interview with THISDAY, Mohammed said she was shell-shocked, when Tinubu told her he didn’t have a blueprint for the North but instead, asked her to itemise what she thought should be the needs of the north. Disclosing that the party primary election was a cash and carry exercise, she said, “You see, there is nothing like democracy in this democratic system. The whole thing is a hoax. I will tell you for instance what happened in their primary election. People were given ballot papers with Asiwaju written on it. That was what happened and we saw a clip in which governors were collecting money. It’s so shameful. It’s a disgrace"". The APC campaign stressed that as a conclusive proof of her unstable and unreliable character, Mohammed said in her pre-emptive “resignation letter” that she was quitting party politics as the political parties have no ideological differences and her values and beliefs no longer aligned with party politics. It further noted, however, that, “Within a day, pictures surfaced in the media showing her meeting with the PDP presidential candidate and declaring her support for him. All Nigerians must be wondering what kind of “values and beliefs” she has apart from opportunism, selfishness and greed.” The ruling party said it was least surprised about her dramatic exit, coming after she went on TV to disparage the party and President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that, “Only a mole could behave in such a manner.” | Former member of the All Progressives Congress, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Hajia Najaatu Mohammed, Bola Tinubu, APC Presidential Candidate | Page 1 & 32 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 24th January 2023 | DSS Assures Nigerians on Peaceful National Elections | The Department of State Services (DSS), yesterday, said it would collaborate with other security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the conduct of peaceful elections. The DSS made the pledge at a four-day strategic workshop for its state directors of security and heads of institutions in Abuja. A statement issued by the spokesman of DSS, Peter Afunanya, stated that the Director-General of the agency, Yusuf Bichi, reiterated the need for professionalism and neutrality of operatives in the discharge of their duties before, during, and after the 2023 general election. He also assured INEC of the service’s support, which he said was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s pronouncement to the world to bequeath a free and fair general election on the nation. Also, speaking at the event, the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, assured the DSS of the commission’s determination to deliver free, fair and credible election. In his remarks, the electoral umpire, through its Director of Legal, Oluwatoyin Babalola, educated participants on the Electoral Act 2022 and its implications for security agencies. | Department of State Services, DSS, Pledge for peaceful elections, security agencies | Page 35 | |
| ThIs Day Newspaper | 24th January 2023 | INEC Urged to Investigate Alleged Withholding of PVCs in Lagos | Political Economist, Prof. Pat Utomi yesterday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)to investigate allegations of witholding/non issuance of permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) to electorate in Lagos State. Utomi, the Convener and Chairman of the Big Tent Coalition for Obi-Datti presidency, urged the commission to look into allegations of deliberate plan to disefranchise people by making collecting the PVC difficult for some group of people in the State. ""INEC must consider this alleged abuse as a violation of the electoral Act and act in an accountable manner on the matter and tackle it headlong.” He lamented the destruction of campaign materials of Labour Party candidates saying: “Tearing up the posters of others and beating up citizens for wearing vests of other parties is far from civilised conduct and unbecoming of people who claimed to be progressives and enlightened. “The use of area boys and thugs to intimidate and threaten voters in Lagos state is said to reach proportions of taking some people to the international criminal court. A modern Lagos state ought to be an arena of democratic freedom.” | Political Economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, PVC Collection | Page 37 | |
| The Guardian Online | 24th January 2023 | PSC denies supporting elongation of IGP’s tenure | Police Service Commission (PSC) headquarters has denied it supports elongation of the tenure of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Alkali Baba. In a statement, PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, notes: “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to an online publication where the Commission was said to have endorsed tenure elongation of the current IGP Usman Alkali Baba. “The publication, in a supposed interview with AIG Lawal Bawa (rtd), Commissioner at the Police Service Commission (representing the Police), stated that Bawa confirmed that the Commission ‘is not against the extension of the tenure of the IGP’. It went further to quote the Commissioner (as saying), ‘if the IGP feels that it will affect effective monitoring of the elections, let him write to the President for their extension. We (PSC) have no objection.’ The Commissioner has since denied making such statement, stressing that he was obviously misquoted. “The Commission, therefore, wishes to state that it has not endorsed any tenure elongation for the current IGP. As a matter of fact, the Commission was never contacted on this subject at any time. It notes that it will always commit itself to the letters and spirit of the laws of the land and will not, at any time, support or encourage any attempt to subvert these laws. The Commission wishes to appeal to the media to avoid unnecessary sensationalism in an attempt to attract huge readership. The Commission will also continue to work to ensure an effective and efficient Nigeria Police rooted in the rules and regulations governing its operations.” Meanwhile, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Maxwell Opara, has asked the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, to restrain President Muhammadu Buhari from allowing Alkali to continue in office as from March 1, 2023, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice on whether a person can stay in office as IGP after he is no longer a serving police officer. Opara is saying by March 1, 2023, the tenure of the current IGP would expire and he would cease to be a serving police officer. He is praying the court to prevail on the President to rescind the decision to extend Alkali’s tenure, as whatever documents the IGP signs after March 1 would be a nullity. | Police Service Commission, PSC, Extension of IGP's tenure | http://bit.ly/3wwtgnz" | |
| The Guardian Online | 24th January 2023 | INEC vows to replicate Osun, Ekiti success story next month | Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, assured Nigerians that it would replicate the Osun and Ekiti gubernatorial election success story come next month. The assurance was given at the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) Amber Zone Implementers Workshop for 2023 General Elections, organised by INEC in collaboration with Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) and European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN). In his address, Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Olusegun Agbaje, stressed that the EMSC remains a proactive measure to reducing challenges during elections. He explained that notwithstanding the fact that the constitutional responsibility and obligation of INEC were to conduct free, fair, credible and hitch-free polls, the commission must demonstrate its ingenuity, capability, commitment and determination to undertake a credible exercise next year. “It’s crystal clear that all eyes are on INEC, Nigeria’s electoral umpire, concerning the conduct of the much-anticipated 2023 general elections. It is, therefore, imperative that all hands must be on deck to support and avail preparations that are on top gear for a resounding success in the forthcoming general elections. The commission cannot just afford to fail because the consequences would be too grave to contemplate,” Agbaje added. | INEC, Ekiti and Osun States Governorship Elections | Page 5 | |
| The Guardian Online | 24th January 2023 | Umahi declares Thursday, Friday public holidays for PVC collection | Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, yesterday, declared Thursday and Friday public holidays to enable civil and public servants in all primary and secondary schools to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). In a statement, in Abakaliki, by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Uchenna Orji, the governor said the holidays are necessary to enable those that have not collected their PVCs to do so. He directed them to proceed to their respective councils’ Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collection centres to collect their PVCs, bearing in mind that deadline for collection is January 29. The statement reads: “In consideration of INEC’s deadline for collection of PVCs nationwide, Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi has declared two days public holiday from Thursday 26 to Friday 27 January, 2023, for all civil and public servants, as well as those working in primary and secondary schools.” | Governor David Umahi, Ebonyi State, PVC Collection | Page 7 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 23rd January 2023 | Atiku Campaign Wants NDLEA, EFCC to Arrest, Prosecute Tinubu over Drugs, Allegations of Money Laundering | As the campaigns gather momentum, the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, yesterday called on the National As the campaigns gather momentum, the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, yesterday called on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and prosecute the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), over drug peddling and money laundering allegations. But in a swift reaction, the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday restated that the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar lacks the character to be the president of Nigeria. The PDP presidential campaign organisation also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to protect the integrity of the Nigerian military as the commander-in-chief and the sovereignty of the nation by summoning a meeting of the National Security Council over the establishment of a parallel army (Jagaban Army) set up by Tinubu. While calling for his arrest at a media briefing in Abuja, addressed by Director, Strategic Communication, Bashorun Dele Momodu; Media Adviser to Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe; Spokesperson Presidential Campaign Council, Daniel Bwala; Special Assistant, Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shaibu and Spokesperson of the Presidential Campaign Council, Charles Aniagwu, the campaign council alleged that the APC candidate’s public and private life reeked of corruption and criminality. It said Nigerians have been concerned since the public outcry over the exposed design by the APC and its presidential candidate to use a parallel army, code-named the Jagaban Army, to undermine allegedly national security. It said the outfit was an affront on the Nigeria Army designed to cause confusion, disrupt the 2023 election and derail the democratic process, noting that neither the APC campaign or Tinubu had disowned the formation or its nefarious plans. Meanwhile, the PCC of the APC has restated that Atiku lacks the character to be the president of Nigeria. The Director, Media and Publicity, APC PCC, Bayo Onanuga in a statement issued yesterday said it was obvious that the PDP and its presidential candidate were yet to recover from the bombshell released last week by APC campaign which questioned the morality of Atiku to remain in the race, following his own damaging self-confession. He said since the scandal broke out, along with legal action to compel anti-graft agencies to perform their role, Atiku and his party have laboured in vain to deflect and cover-up with their series of ad hominem arguments. The ruling party insisted that Atiku in deeds and words have shown that he cannot be trusted to manage the resources of Nigeria. | Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, EFCC, NDLEA, APC, PDP, | Page 1 & 5 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 23rd January 2023 | Tonye Cole to Buhari: Declare State of Emergency in Rivers | The governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Mr. Tonye Cole, yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to halt the current chaos in the state by declaring a state of emergency. In a statement signed by spokesman of the Rivers APC 2023 Campaign Council, Sogbeye Eli, Cole blamed the signing of Executive Orders 21 and 22 by Governor Nyesom Wike for the violence that has recently bedevilled the state. Cole said the opposition political parties in Rivers State were presently under siege with unrelenting spate of violent attacks by thugs and hoodlums allegedly working for Wike’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He stated that the deadly attacks began with a road blockade mounted by thugs en route Egberu community, hometown of Rivers State PDP Chairman, Desmond Akawor, in Ward 3 of Oyigbo Local Government Area to deny Senator Magnus Abe access to the community for a party meeting. He also said the attacks had since spread to other parts of the state and become more audacious, targeting campaigns by the opposition parties and their candidates. Last week alone, Cole pointed out that his party and Accord Party had the governorship campaigns of their respective candidates disrupted. He stressed that during the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area rally of the APC, which held at the Rumuwoji traditional grounds in the Mile 1 Diobu area of the capital on Thursday, January 19, 2023, the venue came under attack with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Cole added, “This dastardly attack left five members of the APC injured with shrapnel extracted from their bodies while receiving emergency medical attention. “The Executive Orders also imposed a non-refundable cautionary deposit of N5 million on political parties for use of the facilities in each local government area, in contravention of limitations imposed on campaign financing by political parties and politicians in the Electoral Act 2022.” Cole said, “We, therefore, reiterate our earlier call on security agencies, particularly the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command and Director of Department of State Services (DSS) to call the governor to order. “Let Wike call off the urge to use his supporters to fight in the state thereby disrupting a peaceful transition of power after the general election. “Rivers people deserve a right to elect a government of their own choice and no one should be seen abusing his office to thwart the people’s rights which the constitution guarantees because he has a selfish agenda to impose his successor on the state.” | Rivers State APC Governorship Candidate, Tonye Cole, Call for State of Emergency in Rivers State, Rivers State | Page 1 & 5 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 23rd January 2023 | PVC Collection: Ikpeazu declares today, tomorrow public holidays in Abia | Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, yesterday, approved today and tomorrow as public holidays in the state to compel/enable registered voters collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in readiness to vote in the forthcoming general elections. The governors’ approval, announced by the Secretary to the State government (SSG), Chris Ezem, directed all public institutions, offices and markets to be closed on the two days, except banks and persons on essential duties. The state government enjoined registered voters without PVCs to use the two days to visit INEC offices or collection centres, where they registered, to collect their PVCs ahead of January 29 deadline set by INEC for closure of PVC collection. “Executives of various markets in the state are directed to ensure strict compliance on the closure of markets or be prepared to face appropriate sanctions. Banks and those on essential duties are not affected by this directive,” the SSG stated. However, the directive has been criticiced in some quarters accusing the state government of deliberately imposing the two days holidays to scuttle the scheduled All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Umuahia, the state capital. | Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, Public holiday for PVC Collection in Abia State | Page 7 | |
| Premium Times | 23rd January 2023 | Atiku’s campaign asks Buhari to sack Keyamo | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo. The party said Mr Keyamo should be sacked for allegedly abusing office. The spokesperson for the Atiku-Okowa (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Daniel Bwala, made the call at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday. Mr Keyamo, he said, is using the official privilege and powers of his office to intimidate the agencies of the government including going to court and filing a case against the agents of the same branch of government to which he belongs. Mr Bwala’s comment was in reaction to Keyamo’s call for the probe of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, over alleged corruption cases. Addressing journalists, Mr Bwala said the minister was using his office to intimidate the agencies of the federal government and called on the president to sack him. “We are calling on the president, because we believe that he is committed to a free and fair process (election), to immediately sack the minister…for abusing the office that he has, because that office is being paid for by taxpayers’ money…”. Mr Bwala also said he and some members of the PDP have received “threats to life” by people from the campaign team of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu. He urged the federal government to “look into it.” | Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, Call for sack, PDP, Alleged abuse of office | Page 10 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 23rd January 2023 | Kwankwaso’s Ally Dumps NNPP For PDP In Gombe | Dr Babayo Liman, the North-East Zonal Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and a member of the Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential campaign council have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Dr Liman announced his defection from NNPP alongside hundreds of supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement in Gombe State and declared their support for Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate. Briefing reporters in Gombe, Dr Liman said he resigned from NNPP and joined PDP to support its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. “We registered more than 3.6 million people in the North East region under NNPP and Gombe is one of the states in my zone, hence the need for me to go round and inform my supporters that I have defected to PDP. “I have resigned my appointment as the Northeast zonal secretary of the NNPP and as a member of the presidential campaign council of the NNPP, as well as the coordinator of the Kwankwasiyya movement in the zone,” Liman said. | Dr Babayo Liman, North-East Zonal Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party,NNPP, Defection, NNPP to PDP | Page 10 | |
| Vanguard Online | 23rd January 2023 | APC BoT member dumps Tinubu, drums support for Peter Obi | A strong man of Abia politics and Board of Trustees, BoT, member of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Prince Benjamin Apugo, has solicited support for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, saying that his integrity, competence and proven track record of achievements have put him ahead of other contenders of the seat. The APC chieftain who addressed newsmen yesterday in his Ibeku Umuahia country home, also drummed support for the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Dr Alex Otti, saying he has the capital to rebuild Abia. Prince Apugo debunked media reports that he had endorsed the Abia APC governorship candidate, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, dismissing the report as misleading. He said he never gave his blessings to the governorship ambition of Emenike, and cautioned against any attempt to use him for political glory. Apugo accused the APC-led Federal Government of neglecting Abia State, saying there is no federal presence in the state. ”APC has not done anything for Umuahia and Abia State where I come from”, he regretted. He also said that the APC had not done much for Ndigbo, and urged voters to vote based on the competence and integrity of candidates and not for the party logo in the forthcoming polls. Apugo took a clean sweep of the Igbo political elite making uncomplimentary remarks on Obi, describing them as myopic and self-centred saboteurs. He urged Igbo voters not to be discouraged because of the unpatriotic activities of such elements who he said could rarely visit their communities. According to him, Obi’s presidential ambition and candidature have brought respect and honour to the Igbo race. He recalled that this would be the first time Nigerians from different ethnic, religious and political backgrounds would be rallying behind a presidential candidate of South East extraction. Apugo urged Ndigbo home and abroad to come out en mass and vote for credible candidates of their choice in the forthcoming elections. | Defection, APC to LP,APC Abia State, Board of Trustees, BOT, Prince Benjamin Apugo, Campaign | https://bit.ly/3kCErbX | |
| This Day Newspaper | 23rd January 2023 | PSC: IG Posting Commissioners Without Our Clearance is Unconstitutional | The crisis of confidence between the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, which has been simmering for quite some time now, has been exacerbated by the recent redeployment of Commissioners of Police (CPs), with the commission warning that the IGP lacks power to do such posting. THISDAY exclusively gathered that the commission expressed concern about a likely collusion between the IGP and state governors to post preferred CPs to their states ahead of the general election. It feared the situation might promote violence or jeopardise the poll. In a letter to the IGP, which was exclusively obtained by THISDAY, PSC also frowned on the recent posting of the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory to the command without notification of the commission, as was the practice. The letter, dated January 19, 2023, was signed by Director, Recruitment/Postings, for the Board of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Ferdinand Ekpe. It stated that the posting was illegal, unconstitutional, and contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and Police Act 2020. The letter, titled, “Re- posting of Commissioners of Police to State Commands,” read, “Posting of Commissioners of Police is presently carried out by the Office of the IGP with mere information to the PSC. A case in hand is the recent posting of a CP for FCT where the IGP ordered the posting and resumption of the officer even before the commission was informed “Note that the powers of posting of CPs to state is exclusively that of the PSC. This is a constitutional matter as enshrined in Section 215, sub- section 1B, which states that: ‘there shall be a Commissioner of Police for each state of the Federation who shall be appointed by the Police Service Commission.’ This has been emphasised in Section 12, sub-section 1 and 2 of the Police Act 2020 recently signed by the President Muhammadu Buhari. The communication to the IG further outlined the constitutional provisions in that regard. It cited Sub-section (1) of the constitution which states that, “The Police Service Commission shall appoint such numbers of Commissioners of Police as required for efficient performance of the functions of the Police Force.” “Sub-section (2), The Police Service Commission shall from among the Commissioners of Police appointed under Sub-section 1 assign a Commissioner of Police to a State or to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.” The commission, headed by a retired Supreme Court Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, warned that the IGP had violated the constitution by his action. It told the IGP, “Your action is, therefore, totally unconstitutional, illegal and a violation of both the Constitution and the Police Act 2020. “The commission once again draws your attention to this illegality. The commission is all the more concerned by this act of illegality as the 2023 general election approaches wherein state governors may want postings of commissioners of police of their choices to their states, which can lead to political violence and crisis during the elections. | Police Service Commission, PSC, Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba Alkali, Redeployment of Comissioners of Police | Page 1 & 5 | |
| The Cable | 20th January 2023 | Tinubu: I’ll encourage states to build metro systems if elected president | Bola Tinubu, standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has asked the Federation of Construction Industry in Nigeria (FOCI) to support his target of providing massive infrastructure when elected. Tinubu spoke at a consultative session with FOCI in Abuja on Thursday. The presidential candidate said he has plans to continue the developmental feats achieved by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in terms of infrastructure. Therefore, the former Lagos governor asked the FOCI for support to achieve his target of massively developing the country’s infrastructure, if he is elected president. Tinubu told FOCI that he would focus on transportation infrastructure: building more roads, and rails, and improving water transport for easier movement of humans and goods. “We must work together and collaborate to look at the bottlenecks impeding the realisation of the full potential of the construction industry and make realistic efforts to address them,” he said. “God willing, as we assume the mantle of leadership, we shall build an even more prosperous economy. This means additional investment in relevant infrastructure: roads, bridges, rail, airports, schools, power facilities, hospitals, and more. These will enhance efficiency, support industrial growth, spur trade and investment, and improve the ease of doing business. Speaking further on rail infrastructure, Tinubu said his government would enhance the use of railways to reduce the cost of moving goods and services across the nation. If elected, he promised to sustain the investments already made by the Buhari administration and deepen ongoing reforms in the sector. | Bola Tinubu, Federation of Construction Industry in Nigeria, FOCI, Campaign Promises | http://bit.ly/3wkDqYB | |
| Punch Online | 20th January 2023 | Atiku under fire over ‘no vote, no contracts’ remarks | "The All Progressives Congress and the Social Democratic Party on Thursday knocked the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, over his vote-for-appointments comments in Abeokuta. The PUNCH reports that Atiku, during a town hall meeting with stakeholders of the PDP in Ogun State on Wednesday, said members who wish to get appointments and contracts in his administration must ensure the party wins in their polling units. The former vice president said the PDP can only win the presidential election if members work for the party’s victory in their various polling units. He was quoted to have said, “You are all members of the PDP and supporters of the PDP. You want the PDP to return to power; please, I beg of you, make sure you win your polling booths. “The fact that you are following the governorship candidate or the senatorial candidate or the House of Representatives candidate or the presidential candidate to campaign is not a qualification that you will get an appointment. “It is not a qualification that you will get a contract, whether at the local government level, state level, or federal level.” Reacting to Atiku’s comments, the spokesperson of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council Festus Keyamo (SAN), said Atiku was already promising people contracts in disregarding the Public Procurement Act. Keyamo, who spoke to The PUNCH, said, “A leopard cannot change its skin. He is already promising contracts to political allies, forgetting that there is a law called the Public Procurement Act.” Similarly, the SDP spokesperson, Rufus Ayenigba, said, “I will leave the decision to the electorate to determine what is best for them. All the leading candidates have relatable histories; there is nothing about Atiku and Tinubu that Nigerians don’t know. For us to move forward, everything is pointing in the direction of a new lease on life. The imperative of a fresh breath to sanitise the system cannot be overemphasised.” Meanwhile, the Director of the Transition Monitoring Group, Auwal Rafsanjani, said, “There are legal frameworks guiding the appointment and issuance of contracts in Nigeria. Appointments in the civil service are made based on the federal character, for example, every state must have at least one minister, and the same is true of ambassadors. “If he is referring to the appointment of aides, it is up to him to ensure that he moves the country forward without being accused of lopsidedness. It is in the best interest of the candidates to ensure that whatever they do is in line with the law.” | PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Ogun State, Appointments and contracts | http://bit.ly/3R08Yws | |
| Punch Online | 20th January 2023 | Explosions rock South-South APC, PDP rallies | The All Progressives Congress rally in Rivers State was on Thursday disrupted following the twin explosions which rocked the Rumu-Woji venue in the Mile One axis of Port Harcourt. A similar event held by the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State ended in disarray after unknown men fired gunshots at the campaign ground. The campaign rally was going on peacefully in ward seven of the Edo Central Local Government Area when the sounds of gunshots fired by suspected political thugs suddenly filled the air, forcing the party faithful to scamper in fear. The police have, however, launched investigations into the two incidents in which several persons were injured. The PUNCH gathered that the Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Tonye Cole and the other candidates vying for various positions were present at the Rumu-Woji rally when the blast occurred. Eyewitnesses said the explosions were preceded by shootings at about 1:20pm. Three persons, including two women were injured in the ensuing chaos. Earlier, the gate leading to the venue popularly known as Ojukwu Field was locked against the party members and supporters by youths of the area. The gate was subsequently opened when the party chieftains, including former APC acting National Chairman, Chief Victor Giadom, and their supporters arrived at the venue. Our correspondent also gathered that the angry youths who locked the gate accused some community members of embezzling the money the APC paid for the venue. But some APC supporters accused the PDP in the state of allegedly masterminding the incident. Meanwhile, the state APC Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, has described the incident as another black day for democracy in the state. “The National Security Adviser, retired General Monguno, the DG of DSS and IGP Usman Alkali must zero in on Rivers State and stamp out politically sponsored violence. No single opposition politician is safe. We have also intercepted credible intelligence of plans to attack key opposition politicians in Rivers state.” During the shooting incident in Edo, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Marcus Onobun and other PDP leaders were evacuated to safety, while others ran for dear lives. | APC Rally in Rivers State, Political Thugs, Edo State, PDP Rally in Edo State, Campaign Violence | http://bit.ly/3iS7CHm | |
| The Nation Online | 20th January 2023 | Lagos declares four days holiday for PVC collection | Lagos State has declared four days as work-free for civil servants so they can get their Permanent Voter Card (PVCs). A statement yesterday by the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said the work-free day would be from January 24 to 27, 2023, for workers on different grade levels. The dates include Grade levels 01, 03, 07, and 15 (January 24); levels 02, 04, 08 and 13 (January 25); levels 05, 09, 12, and 17 (January 26); and levels 06, 10, 14 and 16 (January 27). Muri-Okunola added that the work-free days were approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu so public servants can participate actively in the elections. He added: “Consequent upon the extension of the collection of PVCs by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it is hereby notified for the general information that all public servants who are yet to collect their PVCs are encouraged to do so before Sunday, January 29, as it is a civic responsibility to vote.” | Lagos State, Work-free day for PVC Collection | https://bit.ly/3WroZfZ | |
| The Nation Online | 20th January 2023 | Makinde, Ayu’s deputy shun Atiku’s rally in Ibadan | Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and his deputy, Bayo Lawal, yesterday shunned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential rally held for the candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Oyo was the first state controlled by G-5 governors that hosted the PDP presidential campaign train. The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who was a senator between 1999 and 2003, urged the PDP candidate to reconcile with the governor. However, a member of G-5, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, explained why the five governors cannot join the Atiku campaign. Speaking in Abuja, he accused the PDP leadership of arrogance, impunity and mischief in handling the rift between Atiku and the aggrieved governors. Ayu, who fired salvos at the G-5, said some individuals will not be allowed to control the party. Makinde’s absence at the Ibadan rally robbed it of the usual huge crowd. Although, Atiku and his team hailed the governor for allowing the rally to hold and mobilising supporters, the crowd fell short of what is usually experienced at Mapo Hall during campaigns. Supporters usually storm the hall and its environs, creating traffic snarl for motorist. But yesterday’s crowd only filled the frontage of the hall while residents were going about their normal businesses around the hall. At the rally were Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto State), Ademola Adeleke (Osun State), Godwin Obaseki (Edo State), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa State) and Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom State), former National Chairman Uche Secondus, Dino Melaye and Sule Lamido. A former vice president Namadi Sambo; former governors Achike Udenwa (Imo), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Idris Wada (Kogi) and former Senate President Adolphus Wabara were also at the campaign. Makinde’s absence confirmed that the protracted crisis in the party has not been resolved, five weeks to the election. The G5 governors are demanding the resignation of Ayu, to allow a Southerner take over to foster inclusion. Apart from Makinde, other members of the group are Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuayi (Enugu). | Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, PDP Rally in Oyo State, PDP Crisis | https://bit.ly/3J1JZ9S | |
| This Day Live | 20th January 2023 | A’Ibom Guber Tussle: A’Court Reverses Nullification of APC Pry | The Court of Appeal, Abuja, yesterday reversed a judgment of a Federal High Court in Uyo, which nullified the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the selection of its governorship election in Akwa Ibom State. The appellate court, in a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris, voided the trial court’s decision on the grounds that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit since it bordered on the internal issues of a political party. Justice Agatha Okeke had on November 14 2022, nullified the primary election of the APC in Akwa Ibom State, on the grounds of alleged irregularities and non-compliance with the law. Her judgment was in respect of a suit filed by a former Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly, Senator Ita Enang, who cited breach of the electoral guidelines and prayed the court to void the pry election, which had produced Mr Akanimo Udofia. After agreeing with the submission of the plaintiff, the court nullified the election and ordered the APC to conduct a fresh governorship primary within two weeks and barred Udofia from participating in the fresh primary. Dissatisfied, the APC and Udofia approached the appellate court to set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court and affirmed the nomination of Udofia as the candidate of the APC in the March 11, 2023 governorship election in Akwa-Ibom State. Delivering judgment yesterday, the appellate court held that the Federal High Court acted without jurisdiction, when it nullified the APC primary election. In a unanimous decision, the court held that the primary election being an internal affairs of the APC ought not to have been adjudicated upon by the High Court. Consequently, the appeal filed by APC was allowed for being meritorious while the arguments of Enang were dismissed for being unmeritorious. | Court Judgement, Court of Appeal, APC Akwa Ibom State Governorship Candidate, Senator Ita Enang, Akanimo Udofia | http://bit.ly/3XIaVQ3 | |
| Daily Trust Online | 20th January 2023 | I’ll Restructure Nigeria, Industrialise S/West – Atiku | The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has told the people of the South West that their agitations for restructuring will be a thing of the past if he is elected on February 25. Recall that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu is from the South West. Addressing supporters and party chieftains of the PDP during his presidential rally in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital yesterday, Atiku said restructuring was one of the five pillars of his programme and promised that more money and power would be devolved to the regions. In a statement he personally signed after the rally, Atiku said he was committed to working for the good of Nigerians and would not descend to personal attacks perpetrated by other presidential candidates. Part of the statement reads, “The South West is known to be also a business centre. That is why in our economic programme, we are committed to making sure that the industrialisation of the South West is achieved in support of the federal government.” | PDP Campaign Rally IN Oyo State, PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar | http://bit.ly/3GRQwRX | |
| The Guardian Online | 20th January 2023 | PDP protests, seeks disbandment of Ebubeagu in Imo | Thousands of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithful, yesterday, in Imo State, stormed the headquarters of the state Police Command in protest against alleged threats to life of its candidates, leaders and members by suspected operatives of Ebubeagu security outfit, which was created by the state government to complement efforts of security agencies to combat insecurity in the state. In a letter dated January 18, 2023, signed by the party’s state Chairman, Charles Ugwuh, and addressed to the Police Commissioner, CP Mohammed Barde, the party called for immediate disbandment of Ebubeagu in the interest of people of the state. The party said that the outfit, rather than operate to address security challenges in the state, has been abused and positioned as an instrument of suppression and vengeance against perceived enemies of the state government. According to him: “Ebubeagu has been currently positioned as a hit-squad under the Department of State Services (DSS), and has become the worse nightmare to the people of Imo. “It is no longer an organised security network, established to combat bandits and kidnappers in the state.” The letter reads in part: “Indeed, since the deployment of Ebubeagu against separatists groups and agitators, there has been a spike in insecurity, characterised by vicious cycle of extra-judicial killings and reprisal attacks. “The result is that the state has been transformed into a theatre of war and butchery, where daily extra-judicial murders have become common that incidents no longer merit media attention.” Our concern, therefore, is that under the current state of terror and public anxiety for safety, it will be foolhardy to further undertake any form of voter mobilisation and vote canvassing in the state. Faced with preparations for the coming general elections in an atmosphere of widespread insecurity and fear, we wish to request your urgent intervention to adequately secure the state.”Aware that members of the outfit, who now bear arms, are not trained, Imo PDP, therefore, called for immediate disbandment of Ebubeagu in the state". | Ebubeagu security outfit, Imo State, PDP in Imo State | http://bit.ly/3ZSb1GX | |
| This Day Newspaper | 19th January 2023 | Ahead of National Elections, Buhari Extends IG Baba’s Tenure | President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the tenure of the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Usman Alkali Baba. The extension, which was contained in a letter to the relevant authorities, put paid to speculations about his likely retirement before the general election, starting February 25. Speculations had been rife that Baba might retire before the elections, but Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, clarified the issues yesterday while speaking to newsmen after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at State House, Abuja. Dingyadi said the IG would not be retiring midway into the general election, as earlier expected, as his tenure had already been extended by Buhari. The minister explained that the Police Act 2020 had changed the rules for the IG’s retirement. Answering questions from newsmen on whether or not the IG would retire after clocking the mandatory retirement age of 60 years on March 1, 2023, Dingyadi said, “I don’t know where you got your record, but let me say that by the provisions of the Police Act 2020, the IG is now supposed to have a kind of four-year period and Mr. President has already given him letter of appointment in that regard. So, the issue of IG going out during this election period does not arise.” Buhari appointed the then Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Baba as the acting Inspector General of Police on April 6, 2021, while the Police Council confirmed him as the substantive Inspector General of Police in June 2021. There had been concerns over the expected retirement of the IG, three Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), many Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), Commissioners of Police (CPs), and 290 other policemen in the first quarter of this year. The minister also affirmed that the level of corruption within the rank and file of Nigeria Police had reduced drastically as a result of the reforms initiated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) federal administration. | Tenure extension for Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba | Page 1 & 10 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 19th January 2023 | I am More Qualified Than Peter Obi, Says Kwankwaso at Chatham House | The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) yesterday said he was more qualified than the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi. Speaking at Chatham House in London, yesterday, also said he withdrew from a previous discussion on a possible alliance with the Labour Party because the party was “carried away by media hype,” and built on “ethnicity and religion.” Kwankwaso while citing his qualifications also said he was ready for a discussion with any presidential candidate who has better qualifications than him. “I’m a PhD holder in civil engineering. Check your candidate for what he has. I have been in the system for over 30 years now. I was a civil servant for 17 years. I wasn’t a trader. I was deputy speaker of the house in 1992, I was in the constitutional conference elected delegates. I was governor of Kano state for eight years. I was in the senate. If anyone wants Kwankwaso to withdraw, let’s bring criteria and select the best,” he said. Speaking further, he said: “If you have a party which is based on ethnicity and religion — that is the difference between the Labour Party and our party, which is a national party.” However, many believed the alliance between Kwankwaso who has a large followership in the northern part of the country and Obi who is largely supported by the youth would have been a game changer in the coming general election. | NNPP Presidential Candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Chatham House London | Page 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 19th January 2023 | Kano Gov’ship Candidates Sign Peace Accord, Demand Proper Implementation | Governorship candidates in Kano State yesterday signed a peace accord, with the promise to maintain peace during the elections. The event was organised by the Kano Peace Committee (KPC) in collaboration with the National Peace Committee (NPC), United Nations and the Kukah Centre. The candidates pledged to conduct themselves peacefully during the electoral process. They also called for proper implementation of the peace accord processes. The governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, said the last peace accord was not implemented properly, alleging that there were instances where peace was disrupted but nothing was done. He urged the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain neutral and perform their duties professionally. Speaking to Daily Trust on pockets of violence being recorded during the campaign season, Bashir I. Bashir, the candidate of the Labour Party, said for his commitment to peace, his children followed him to campaign rallies. He said electoral violence is mostly caused by desperate politicians, urging Nigerians to avoid them and make the right choice. A representative of the United Nations, Giovanie Biha, urged the candidates to caution their supporters against violence. “Election violence continues to undermine inclusive electoral processes, especially with regards to women participation and the respect for human rights and the rule of law. Hence, we are expected to be more proactive in identifying ways to peaceful electoral processes and take the necessary measures to either address them or mitigate their impact both in Kano State and Nigeria,” Biha said. The state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Dauda, represented by DCP Mu’azu Muhammad, assured that the police would be fair to all candidates and parties. “We have all what it takes to provide adequate security for each party in the state during elections. But we want the candidates and their parties to caution their supporters against disrupting the process,” he said. | Peace Accord, Governorship candidates in Kano State, Kukah Centre | Page 13 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 19th January 2023 | Reject my husband after 4yrs if he underperforms-Tinubu’s wife | Wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has asked Nigerians to “drive out” her husband after four years if he is elected and fails to perform. She spoke at the South-East women rally for Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign in Owerri, Imo State capital. She said, “Let’s leave religion aside; I am a Christian. Have you ever thought that one day a Christian-Christian candidate would emerge? What would be the reference point? We have tried the Muslim-Christian ticket, let us try this one too and after four years if they don’t do well, you can drive them out,” she said. She said Nigeria’s election should not be about faith but about voting for a candidate who has the fear of God. “When you have a person who fears God, not a person who is a Christian or Catholic or Muslim, but a God fearing person. When a man who fears God is in power, he will treat you right,” she said. Noting that she had served Nigeria as a governor’s wife and senator, she said: “This is work time for Nigeria. We are not playing games. Women, we’ll remember you and I can assure that Asiwaju for sure will remember you. “The Tinubu/Shettima have a big package for our youth. We will sit down and work with every region on their needs,” she further assured the women. She stressed that the election was about a renewed hope of a country that is safe, progressive and possible, with investment in entrepreneurship and human capital. Tinubu, who noted that she had served Nigeria as a governor’s wife and senator, assured the women that they would form a major percentage of the Tinubu/Shettima administration. | Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Imo State, Campaign, Campaign promises | Page 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 19th January 2023 | Benchers Chair Asks N/Assembly To Remove INEC Power To Review Results | The Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has asked the National Assembly to remove section 65 of the Electoral Act, which empowers chief returning officers to review their decisions after returning winners in elections. He said the power to do and undo granted a returning officer and by extension, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was very dangerous to the electoral system. “To me, it is a very dangerous section, so novel in the sense that, here you have a section that empowers a returning officer after returning to review his decision within a period of seven days. The returning officer is not a court of law; not a tribunal; not vested with jurisdiction to exercise quasi-decision or to assume jurisdiction over any matter that is judicial in nature,” he said. Olanipekun spoke when he paid a courtesy visit on the Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, in his office in Ado-Ekiti yesterday. He pointed out that he was not aware of any similar section in previous electoral acts or the electoral act of any country in the world. “The Chief Returning Officer is the chairman of INEC, meaning he can return someone as president today, and when there are agitations here and there tomorrow, he may withdraw his decision and return somebody else.” The former Nigerian Bar Association president urged the National Assembly to remove the proviso and called on all stakeholders, particularly the political parties to “shine their eyes” by monitoring INEC and returning officers. | Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022, Returning officers, INEC | Page 6 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 19th January 2023 | Why There Is Low PVC Collection In Some States – INEC | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why some states are witnessing low turnout of prospective voters for the collection of the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) in some states. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Outreach and Partnership Committee (OPC), Prof Kunle Ajayi, told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja that the off-season elections held in 2022 contributed to low PVC collection in the affected states. Prof Ajayi spoke in an interview with newsmen during a national dialogue with Nigerian women groups and candidates with the theme: “2023 Elections: Women’s Participation in PVC Collection and Election Day Processes”, organised by INEC’s gender and inclusivity department in collaboration with IFES. He explained that, “There are states where elections were held in 2022. In states like Ekiti, Osun and Anambra, voters have already collected their PVCs because of off-season elections. So, you don’t expect much from there. But we are appealing to voters nationwide not to wait till the last minute. Collect your PVCs now. “Women are a major power bloc and a voting force to contend with in the forthcoming general elections. With the power of your PVCs and the opportunity of the coming elections, there is an avenue for women to change the narrative, speak with one voice and grasp the mantle of leadership in their favour.” On her part, INEC’s acting Director, Gender and Inclusivity, Lakunuya Dorothy Bello, said the dialogue was aimed at encouraging women participation in politics and ensuring they collected their PVCs to enable them vote on February 25 and March 11. | INEC, Low PVC Collection, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Outreach and Partnership Committee (OPC), Prof Kunle Ajayi | Page 12 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 19th January 2023 | Diri, Okowa back BVAS, constitutional role for monarchs | Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, and his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa, have restated their support for the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) into the Nigerian electoral system. This is contained in a statement by Daniel Alabrah, the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor. They also canvassed constitutionally defined roles for traditional rulers to ensure peace in the country. The governors spoke in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday, during the South South Monarchs Forum Extraordinary General Assembly with the theme: “Entrenching Grassroots Security and Peace in the South-South Region during and after 2023 General Election.” Diri said the importance of BVAS could not be over-emphasised as it would go a long way in reducing electoral fraud. He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his insistence on free and fair elections, saying the country is relying on him to match words with action and deliver a credible 2023 general election. While advocating constitutional role for monarchs as custodians of culture, the Bayelsa helmsman cautioned politicians against the use of youths for violence and called on all hands to be on deck to ensure violence-free election. On his part, Okowa, who is also the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said it is crucial for all stakeholders to find ways to ensure peaceful elections. Okowa stated that traditional rulers play a very important role as custodians of culture and needed to be empowered to play more active roles in ensuring peace in the country. Okowa also hailed the introduction of BVAS and wondered why some persons and political parties were against a technology that will promote credible elections and improve the image of Nigeria even in the international community. | Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, Support for BVAS, BVAS | Page 36 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 19th January 2023 | Senior Advocates question legal framework of 2023 elections | A senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba, is seeking the clarification of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Section 134 of the Nigeria Constitution. In a letter dated January 17, Agbakoba questioned the clarity of Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides requirements to be met by a candidate seeking the office of Nigeria’s president. “The Constitution describes the winner in two different languages. One, the winner must score the majority of votes. And the other, the winner must score the highest number of votes. This is confusing,” he said. Agbakoba noted that the Section reads: “A candidate for an election to the office of president shall be deemed to have been duly elected, where, there being only two candidates for the election, he has the majority of votes cast at the election; and “he has not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the states in the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. THE lawyer said, having reviewed the Section carefully, specifically, Sub-sections 134 (1) (b) and (2) (b), he wondered if “two-thirds of all the states in the federation and the FCT, Abuja” means: “That a presidential candidate must score not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the states in the federation, which means 24 states, the 24 states will include the FCT as a “state” or; “That a presidential candidate must score not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the states in the federation, which means 24 states, and in addition to meeting the one-quarter requirement in 24 states, a candidate must also win one-quarter of the votes cast in the FCT. “In this sense, a presidential candidate must have one-quarter of the votes cast in the FCT, in addition to scoring not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in 24 states of the federation, to be duly elected.” Agbakoba added: “Finally, Section 134(1)(a) provides that a candidate for an election to the office of president shall be deemed to have been duly elected, where, there being only two candidates for the election, the candidate has the majority of votes cast at the election. “But Section 134(2) provides that a candidate for an election to the office of president shall be deemed to have been duly elected where, there being more than two candidates for the election, the candidate has the highest number of votes cast at the election. “The Constitution describes the winner in two different languages. One, the winner must score the majority of votes. And the other, the winner must score the highest number of votes. This is confusing.” | Section 134 of 1999 Nigerian Constitution, Olisa Agbakoba SAN, Presidential Candidate, 2023 General Elections | Page 36 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 18th January 2023 | UN, ECOWAS Warn Nigeria Against Election Violence | The United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Tuesday warned Nigeria against violence in this year’s general elections. While the UN cautioned that if things go wrong in Nigeria, there would be serious consequences for the peace and stability of the entire region; the ECOWAS said if violence occurs in Nigeria, no other nation in the sub-region could accommodate Nigerian refugees. They gave the warning in Jos, Plateau State Capital, at a mediation training and interactive engagement with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and other stakeholders, drawn from the North-Central and the North-East, on non-violence 2023 elections. Over 30 persons have been reportedly killed and many others injured in the 2023 general election-related violence in parts of the country. There have also been a series of attacks on offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission in parts of the country, especially the South-East, many of which were linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), leading to the killing of several INEC staffers and security personnel. Speaking at the session with IPAC, Sa’adatu Sha’abu, who represented the United Nations Office for West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS), said: “If things go wrong in Nigeria, there’ll be negative consequences for the peace and stability of the entire region.” Brown Odigie, ECOWAS Programme Officer, Mediation, charged all stakeholders on the peaceful conduct of the 2023 elections. Odigie, represented by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abel Fatau, urged all candidates and their parties to uphold the signed peace accord and the electoral guidelines. | ECOWAS, UN, INEC, Warning against Violence | Page 5 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 18th January 2023 | INEC To Conduct ‘Mock Accreditation’ Ahead Of Polls | Ahead of this year’s general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will conduct a nationwide mock accreditation to strengthen the technologies that would be deployed for the elections. The INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this on Tuesday at The Royal Institute of International Affairs, also known as Chatham House, London, United Kingdom. Yakubu who spoke on, ‘Nigeria’s 2023 Elections: Preparations and Priorities for Electoral Integrity and Inclusion’ also responded to questions with regard to the commission’s plans for the conduct of this year’s general elections. He said the mock accreditation would be carried out across selected polling units (PUs) to ascertain the integrity of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), before the main elections, less than 40 days away. The INEC boss, however, said every BVAS machine deployed across the 774 local governments had been tested, assuring that the functionality of the machines was impressive. He added that back-up BVAS machines have been readily provided in case of system glitches. “We have the machines for the 2023 elections but we didn’t want to take chances. Each and every machine has been tested and confirmed functional. For the last two weeks, our officials were in the 36 states of the federation testing these machines, and the functionality is simply encouraging. The second thing we are going to do, and pretty soon, is to conduct a mock accreditation exercise nationwide ahead of the elections. We won’t wait until the main elections come. We will test the integrity of these machines with real life voters in selected polling units across the country. We did so in Ekiti and Osun; it was fantastic and we’re going to do so nationwide,” Yakubu said. | Mock Accreditation, INEC, BVAS, Test, Back up BVAS | Page 12 | |
| This Day Live | 18th January 2023 | Gbajabiamila Seeks Unity to Douse Political Tension, Insists Lawmakers Must Work Despite Campaigns | The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday called for unity to ensure the dangerous trend and marked increase in incidents of insecurity and vicious attacks on political actors in parts of the country does not lead to circumstances that threaten the forthcoming elections. Gbajabiamila who made the call while delivering his welcome address to the lawmakers at the commencement of the 2023 legislative session, tasked lawmakers to continue to do the ‘people’s’ work despite the obligations and distractions of the political campaign season. “The quality of the political conversations in society, particularly in the lead-up to elections, is a determining factor in the electoral outcomes and the quality of governance that will result therefrom. When political discourse seeks to unite the people behind an agenda of shared prosperity, social development, and respect for the humanity of persons, governance will also reflect these priorities. The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’. With these words, the constitution obligates all of us who swear to serve in government to do everything to protect the lives and property of all citizens and promote their well-being above all else. “This obligation is central to the governing contract between the government and the citizenry. As leaders in our various communities and constituencies, we must adopt a politics of accommodation and brotherhood. And we must ensure that no insecurity threatening our country’s peace can be attributed to our actions or utterances. This is our constitutional obligation and a moral duty from which we must not deviate,” he said. Speaking further, Gbajabiamila enjoined the legislators to resume with renewed determination to achieve better oversight of government spending priorities through a collaborative effort with the executive arm of government and civil society. | Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Lawmakers | http://bit.ly/3IS1A49 | |
| Leadership Online | 18th January 2023 | At Chatham House, INEC Says Presidential Runoff Possible | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said a presidential run-off is possible after voters cast their ballot on February 25, 2023 for their preferred candidates. Chairman of the commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, who stated this yesterday while delivering a lecture at London-based Chatham House, however, stressed that INEC is prepared to conduct the run-off in the event where no winner emerges after the polls. Speaking on the topic, ‘Nigeria’s 2023 Elections: Preparations and Priorities for Electoral Integrity and Inclusion’, Yakubu stated that INEC had over the years prepared for the possibility of a presidential run-off in the last three elections and this year’s presidential election won’t be an exception. He said, “The truth of the matter is that for every general election, the commission prepares. At least for some time now in the last three electoral cycles, we also prepare for that possibility. The reason is until the constitution was amended, there was only one week for a presidential run-off in case it happens. With the number of registered voters we have, it is almost impossible to print the ballot papers required and the result sheet and deliver them to locations and conduct the elections as required. So, every election since the last three electoral cycles, we also make provisions for the possibility of a presidential run-off in case it happens. If it happens, then we’ll have no issues, and this year is no exception.” He said with the amendment of the constitution, INEC now has three weeks between the presidential election date and the run-off date. He dismissed any speculation of plans to put off the elections scheduled for February 25 and March 11, saying INEC is not contemplating, let alone planning, to postpone the 2023 general election. He stressed that the commission is not considering the postponement of the presidential poll amid attacks on its offices nationwide. | Chatham House, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman, Possibility of a Presidential Run-off | https://bit.ly/3XFlzY4 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 18th January 2023 | Declare Public Holiday for PVC Collection, Ohanaeze Tells South-east Governors | The apex socio-political Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on governors of the South-east states to declare public holidays to enable residents collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement made available to journalists by its Secretary-General, Worldwide, Mr. Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said stringent strategies should be put in place to compel Igbos to collect their PVCs within the stipulated time ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections. It added: “The South-east governors should arrange mobilisation strategies and awareness campaigns through party leaders at the ward levels and elected or appointed councillors before the expiration date of 29th January, 2023. “Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges the South-east governors to put up strict regulations in place to ensure that all Igbo parents must present their PVCs before registering their children in schools and all workers should not earn their salaries without showing their PVCs. We call on state governors to declare work-free days and public holidays for civil and public servants to go and collect their PVCs.” The group added that traders must also be made to show their PVCs before gaining access to markets.Ndigbo should not allow this opportunity to pass by without doing the needful. This is a wake-up call to all eligible Igbo voters across the country to rise and pick up their PVCs wherever they are. We are collaborating with the governors to make sure that uncollected PVCs get to the owners before the elections and we are ready to take extra measures through special arrangements to ensure that PVCs are shared to all eligible voters across the 95 LGAs of the South-east,” it added. | socio-political Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, PVC Collection, Public Holiday, Igbos | Page 42 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 18th January 2023 | Accord Party Presidential Candidate Promises to Run All-inclusive Govt | Ahead of next month general election, the presidential candidate of Accord Party (AP), Prof Christopher Imumolen, has declared that the Labour Party (LP) is the same as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), “if not even worse than the two others put together.” Imumolen made the assertion during a Twitter Spaces session hosted by Japheth Omojuwa recently. Imumolen, who described the presidential candidate of the LP, Peter Obi, a fine man who has done well for himself, regretted that the party on which he is contesting has done even worse than APC and PDP. The AP presidential candidate, rather, promised to run an all-inclusive government, adding that he’s the one man “to change the country and make Nigeria the giant of the world. I possess the desire, value and mindset to change the Nigerian narrative.” On the Labour Party, he urged the party to review its philosophy, saying LP is a more corrupt, rudderless, and problematic political party than the duo of APC and PDP–which have shared federal power for 24 years. According to him, “We don’t buy the ideologies of APC or PDP. Anyone who is in either of these parties can’t change the country because they are a part of the problem as it were. Peter Obi of the Labour Party is a fine man who has done well for himself. But he is in a party that has done even worse than APC and PDP. That is the problem. The Labour Party is even worse than the aforementioned two. That is why the party is having a series of issues. So, you have a fine man in a bad political party. Mention one party that is having issues of suspension…suspending their youth leader. “Peter Obi is a man that is okay, but he’s in a political party that is not okay. Labour Party as we speak now, is more corrupt and has more problems than APC and PDP.” | Presidential candidate of Accord Party, AP, Prof Christopher Imumolen, Campaign | Page 45 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 18th January 2023 | CNPP asks Tinubu, Atiku to withdraw from presidential race over alleged misdeeds | Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has demanded that the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, immediately withdraw from the February 2023 contest over alleged vices. In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, CNPP said latest revelations and counter allegations against both presidential candidates have brought to the front burner urgent need to ensure corrupt politicians and persons with connections to illicit businesses are not allowed to emerge as political parties’ flag bearers in elections at all levels. The CNPP said: “While we agree with the APC presidential campaign council that security agencies should immediately arrest Atiku for prosecution over his Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) systems, as against open corruption, we also call for Tinubu to subject himself to security screening over alleged illicit business ventures and corruption allegation bordering on the use of SPV, like the Alpha Beta.” According to the group, “for the CNPP, both APC and PDP are right in their calls and counter calls for their respective presidential candidates to step aside for thorough investigation, as the allegations made by a whistleblower, Mr. Michael Achimugu, against Atiku and the revelations equally made by award-winning journalist and researcher, David Hundeyin, bordering on international crime, specifically, trafficking in narcotics and taking proceeds of narcotics are all germane. These are serious allegations that impact negatively on corruption, national security and trans-border criminal activities. Crime prevention is part of the fundamental duties of the security agencies anywhere in the world and Nigeria is not an exception.” MEANWHILE, Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) has knocked both candidates for waging “infantile campaigns of calumny against each other.” National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, said: “The case of APC and PDP is very laughable. HURIWA demands immediate cessation of the deployment of childish and provocative diversionary methods as political campaigns. We demand that candidates for elective offices should face Nigerians and debate at town halls, village squares, TV stations, radio stations on issues and aspects of blueprints on how to reverse the bad state of the economy, defeat terrorists, provide opportunities for wealth creation, eradicate child poverty and gender-based violence and protect our environment from pollution and degradation.” | Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, Human Rights Writers Association, HURIWA, Presidential Candidates, Alleged Vices, Advice to withdraw | Page 3 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 18th January 2023 | 2023: I’ll Sweep Away Corruption, Money Laundering – Tinubu | Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday said his administration will tackle the menace of money laundering and other forms of corruption if elected. The APC candidate said this during the party’s presidential campaign rally held in Ilorin, Kwara State capital. He said, “Let me congratulate you for your freedom four years ago which we are reasserting today. If you’re ready to cement that freedom to democracy, go and get your PVC to return the party and all its candidates. The broom is the symbol of freedom and with that, we have swept and will continue to sweep corruption, money laundering, and all other vices away including insecurity if elected"". “You heard that this will not happen yesterday but you are seeing it now live”, he noted. Tinubu who told the crowd at the Metropolitan Square, venue of the programme, not to “vote for anybody else, but me and all other candidates of the party across board in all the elections.” He said the party believes in Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who has been in a heated battle with Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information. | APC Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu, Campaign Promises, Kwara State | Page 12 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 18th January 2023 | We’ll soon name our preferred presidential candidate, Wike declares | Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has hinted that talks with his political allies on the presidential candidate to support in the February 25 election will soon be concluded. Wike spoke at St. Martin’s Anglican Church, Omagwa town, venue of the flag-off of Local Government Campaign of Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ikwerre Council yesterday. This is contained in a statement by Special Assistant on Media to Wike, Kelvin Ebiri. He said Rivers people have been duly sensitised and told to vote for the PDP governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly candidates. He said the beauty of the coming election is that it will leave no room for any form of electoral manipulation and intimidation from security personnel. The governor, urged the people to remain calm, saying when the final decision on the presidential candidate is taken, the Rivers electorate will be notified. “As we finish from here now, you’ll go home and start working towards the appropriate time when we will ring the bell. When you hear the bell, know that the decision has been taken.” He said the success of his administration is what the consolidation team, to be headed by the PDP governorship candidate, Siminialayi Fubara, will consolidate on. According to him, members of the consolidation team are men and women with capacity to continue good governance and will certainly not disappoint them. | Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Preferred Presidential Candidate to be announced | Page 29 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 17th January 2023 | At Chatham House, Obi Vows to Destroy Structure Holding Nigerians Captive | The presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, yesterday said Nigeria’s Presidency with him and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, in charge would dismantle inefficiency and eliminate transactional policies that breed corruption in government. He once more appealed to Nigerians to give him the opportunity to set the country on the path of progress and unity. The former Anambra State Governor, who spoke at Chatham House in the United Kingdom, also hinted on how he would address the high level of poverty in country, especially northern part of the country where it is more prevalent. Fielding questions from Nigerians at the session, Obi said equity, justice and fairness would solve the problem of agitations in the country, noting that his administration would prioritise securing Nigeria by first engaging all aggrieved groups in the country for talks. He noted that improving security, agriculture and education would be some of his top targets for the region. He said: “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come. I am asking you to give us an opportunity to have a better Nigeria. The presidential candidate of the Labour Party also vowed to dismantle the structure holding Nigeria captive and preventing the nation from advancing. According to Obi, the, “structure currently in Nigeria is that of criminality and it has impoverished the West African country.” He said: “You have heard them say we don’t have structure; that is the structure we are trying to destroy, structure of criminality that Nigeria is being held captive; that structure is the structure that has impoverished Nigeria. We will dismantle it. It will not be there. I assure of you.” Addressing the issue of foreign direct investment in the country, Obi asserted that he would do everything to reduce corruption to the barest minimum so that even Nigerian youths who had migrated due to a lack of opportunities would all return home. He promised to revamp Nigeria’s economy, fight insecurity and corruption, and place the country on the path of rapid economic growth and recovery, adding that he would ensure borrowing in future would only be for investment. Worried about the level of poverty in the country, especially in the north where insecurity has ravaged the land and left millions displaced and consequently affected agricultural activities in the region, Obi said he would utilise the millions of hectares of arable lands in the region to provide millions of job and generate revenue for the country and the region. | LP Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, Interview at Chatham House, Campaign Promises | Page 5 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 17th January 2023 | Court Decides Fate of Registered Voters’ without PVCs January 30 | Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned till January 30, a suit to decide whether to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow registered voters without Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) participate in the forthcoming general elections. Justice Nyako fixed the date for judgment shortly after lawyers representing parties in the matter ended their submissions for and against the case. In the event that the plaintiffs’ case succeeds, the court was expected to either order INEC to ensure all registered voters get their PVCs before the general elections which commences with presidential and National Assembly elections or in the alternative allow the use of Temporary Voters Card or Voters Identification Number (VIN). The Incorporated Trustees of International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, Mr. Emmanuel Chukwuka and Mr. Bruno Okeahialam had, in their suit asked the court to determine whether INEC could as a consequence of its own contraption, bottleneck, compromise or negligence disenfranchise or deprive Nigerians the right or opportunity to vote in the forthcoming general election, having regard to the true intention of Section 47(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022. In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2022, plaintiffs asked the court to declare that, having duly registered and captured in the INEC register of voters and electronic database of registered voters, they, and the persons they represent in the suit are entitled to vote in the general election. Plaintiffs’ lawyer, Mr. Max Uzoaka, in his argument urged the court to declare that all persons who have duly registered with INEC as voters and whose names are contained in its register of voters and, or electronic data base of registered voters should not be deprived the right to vote in the forthcoming elections. The lawyer claimed that the cause of action was triggered by a statement attributed to INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, where-in he acknowledged that INEC facilities were attacked and razed down. Uzoaka said, INEC’s concept of “no PVC, no vote” will deprive eligible voters whose PVCs were burnt during the attacks on INEC’s offices the opportunity of voting during the election. He told the court that the BVAS machine introduced by INEC can accept the last six digits on the Temporary Voter Card to display the biometrics of people who are registered for the purpose of voting. INEC, he said, has the responsibility of ensuring the safety of PVCS which are sensitive materials used during election. In a counter affidavit, INEC, through its counsel, Abdulaziz Sani, prayed the court to dismiss the case of the plaintiffs for being frivolous, because it was based on a newspaper report, which the Supreme Court had cautioned against relying upon. He said the memorandum of the first plaintiff did not show whether their mandates include the case they brought before the court. According to him, the BVAS machine do not require the last six digits to work, saying that, it is the PVC that enable the machine to recognise a voter. | Voting without PVC, Justice Binta Nyako of Federal High Court, INEC, Court Suit | Page 10 | |
| Vanguard Online | 17th January 2023 | Gunmen attack INEC Enugu office again, kill policeman, injure another | Gunmen, Sunday night, attacked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, killing a police officer, and injuring another. INEC National Commissioner, Mr Festus Okoye, who disclosed this in a statement, yesterday, said: “The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu, has reported that our office in Enugu South LGA was attacked by gunmen. The incident occurred around 9.12 p.m., January 15, 2023. “The security gatehouse was razed. Fortunately, the attackers could not gain access to the main building as a result of the rapid response from the police and army personnel from the 82 Division. “The state Commissioner of Police and the REC were personally at the scene immediately after they received information about the attack. Of the two policemen deployed to protect the facility, one of them lost his life while the other sustained injuries and is receiving treatment.” He said the incident was under investigation by security agencies, adding that the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, in Enugu State, co-chaired by the REC and the Commissioner of Police, has been convened to discuss the latest incident and map out strategies to better protect INEC offices, personnel, and materials. “Meanwhile, the destroyed gatehouse will be rebuilt, and the commission is proceeding with its preparations for the general election in Enugu State and the entire country as scheduled,” Okoye noted. The incident is the latest in the series of assaults on INEC offices in the South-East. | Enugu South INEC LGA Office, Arson, INEC, Enugu State | Page 8 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 17th January 2023 | Tinubu, Atiku Trade Words Over ‘Corruption’, ‘Conviction’ | Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday expressed concern over the trend in the polity as the general elections draw nearer. Jonathan said he was worried over the negative energy that the forthcoming elections have generated. His concern came as the presidential campaign councils of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continued to engage in a war of words and smear campaign against each other. The APC campaign council yesterday demanded the arrest and prosecution Atiku Abubakar, PDP’s presidential flagbearer, alleging that the former vice president, between 1999 and 2007, colluded with his then principal, President Olusegun Obasanjo, to “fleece the country and steal public funds using what it termed Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).” The PDP fired back, describing Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC presidential candidate, as a convict, and asked him to immediately withdraw from the presidential race. The former president said politics of bitterness hindered development, and called on politicians to market their politics with ideas, rather than fight, insult and abuse their opponents. He spoke at the commissioning of the Afi-Uko Nteghe Uda bridge on Etebi-Enwang road, in Mbo LGA of Akwa Ibom State, on Monday. Jonathan said, “I’m a bit worried by the negative energy generated ahead of the 2023 elections. We have noticed a level of bitterness in our politics that does not bring development and I plead with politicians that marketing is about marketing your ideas. Politics is not about fighting, is not insulting, is not about abusing.” | Goodluck Jonathan, APC, PDP, Allegations and accusations | Page 10 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 17th January 2023 | Atiku: It’s Risky To Hand Over Nigeria To Tinubu Or Obi | The presidential candidate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said it is too risky for Nigerians to hand over their future to his main rivals in the 2023 presidential election. Political pundits have narrowed the race to Atiku, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Speaking at the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) Presidential Dialogue on the Economy in Lagos on Monday, Atiku said he has a good understanding of the challenges bedeviling Nigeria. Atiku described Obi as a greenhorn and alleged that the APC-led government brought Nigerians to “this sorry situation.” He said, “Experience is important and we must avoid the mistakes of the recent past. It is too risky for Nigerians to hand over their future to a green horn or to the National Leader of the very party that brought us to this sorry situation. This is election season. So, you will see and hear from snake-oil salespeople, false prophets and purveyors of false hope and misleading statistics. There is, therefore, need for caution. We must also remember that we cannot trust the doctor that poisoned and continues to poison the patient to be the one who provides the curative treatment. The stakes are too high, so we must get it right. This may well be our last chance to do so"". ""The Nigerian economy is barely growing. Per capita income, a measure of citizens’ well-being, has progressively fallen since 2015 because of declining output and a fast-growing population. Our people are worse-off today than they were in 2015. The oil and gas sector, which is the country’s main foreign exchange earner has declined for most of the period since 2014. For many economic sectors and for the ordinary citizens it still feels like we are in a recession. Under the current administration our people are not working. More than 23 million people are out of jobs. In just 5 years between 2015 and 2020, the number of fully employed people dropped by 54%, from 68 million to 31 million people. This is frightening in a country of 200 million people". | Nigeria Economic Summit Group, NESG, PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Campaign | Page 11 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 17th January 2023 | Zulum declares holidays in Borno for elections | Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has declared eight days holiday for schools to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) use the schools as collation centres of the general elections. The Commissioner for Education, Lawan Wakilbe, stated, yesterday, in Maiduguri: “I’m directed to release an addendum to the 2022/2023 school calendar by directing eight days of holidays during the forthcoming general elections.” According to him, the holidays slated between Thursday, February 23 and Wednesday, March 1, 2023 will also enable staff and eligible students to exercise their civic rights in the Presidential and National Assembly elections. The holidays, he added, will continue from March 9 to 15 for the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections. | Governor Babagana Zulum, Borno State, Holiday for Election, 2023 GeneralElections | Page 29 | |
| The Cable | 17th January 2023 | Saraki: Why Nigerians won’t see desired change if Obi wins presidential election | Bukola Saraki, former senate president, says if Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), is elected, Nigerians will not see the change they desire. Saraki said the party’s lack of national spread is a “recipe for disaster”. The former Kwara governor spoke in a chat with Arise TV on Monday. He said LP “does not have parliamentary seats” required to give a president the necessary backing. He said the issues Nigerians are concerned about “need constitutional review and having a majority in the national assembly”. “With great respect to the individuals particularly Peter [Obi]. Do not forget that what we run in Nigeria is a presidential system of government. When you go to that ballot box on the day of the election, you are voting for the party. You do not see individuals but parties,” Saraki said. “But for a party that does not have parliamentary seats from day one, there is a recipe for disaster because you know that the executive and the legislature are not going to the majority. And the issues of restructuring and other important issues are things that need constitutional review and having a majority in the national assembly. Investors are no longer satisfied with executive orders, they want to see legislation to support the investment. A small party that does not spread across the country even if it produced a president, we are not going to see the changes Nigerians want to see.” Saraki added that Nigerians should look beyond “small parties selling dreams,” adding that Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is the “safest hands”. | Bukola Saraki, former Senate President, Peter Obi, Structure, National Assembly | http://bit.ly/3GJoCaJ | |
| This Day Live | 16th January 2023 | Elections: Address Security Concerns, Situation Room Urges Buhari | The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently convene a meeting with the Service Chiefs to address security concerns. Situation Room, in a statement signed by its Convener, Ene Obi, while commending the extension of the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), however, expressed worry that security agencies were yet to sufficiently dispel security concerns across the country. Obi, therefore, called on the federal government and Buhari to call together the service chiefs and deliberate on providing security, to keep its promise of conducting the elections, as scheduled. The group said, “Taking into cognisance the statement of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that the position of the federal government remains that the 2023 general election will be held as planned, Situation Room, therefore, calls on President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Service Chiefs to urgently convene to address these security concerns. “This will assure Nigerians that they are up to the task of their mandate to ensure the safety of lives and property across the country and that there will also be no interference with the 2023 elections as scheduled, as Nigerians will not accept any attempt to scuttle the conduct of the general election. The group also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intensify its training of ad hoc staff, particularly in the use of the Bi-Modial Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), adding that INEC must also continue voter education and awareness to discourage vote buying and selling, as was observed during the Ekiti and Osun elections in 2022. Citing complaints of Nigerians on the strenuous collection processes in some Ward collection centres, Situation Room called on INEC to further extend the Ward level collection until February 23, 2023, to enable more people to collect their PVCs with ease and deploy more staff to the ward centres to ease the distribution of PVCs and fasten the process. The group also urged INEC to do everything in its power to ensure the smooth conduct of elections, while also urging registered voters to go and collect their PVCs ahead of the general elections. | Situation Room, Call for PVC Collection Extension, Press Statement, BVAS, INEC, Training of ad hoc staff | http://bit.ly/3klYKKA | |
| This Day Live | 16th January 2023 | Democracy Has Come to Stay in Nigeria, Irabor Declares | The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, yesterday declared that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria, pledging the military’s readiness to give the necessary support to the Nigeria Police and other internal security agencies to ensure a crisis-free general election in the country this year. Clerics also offered prayers for the fallen heroes and veterans, just as the widow of a fallen soldier, Cynthia Ubah, also called for speedy processing of the life insurance benefits and other entitlements due their grieving families. Also, as President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday reviewed the last Armed Forces Remembrance Day as his eight-year tenure as President ends on May 29, 2023, state governors, who also spoke in commemoration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, pledged to continue to give the necessary support to the military. Speaking after laying the wreath at the National Arcade, Abuja, to mark the celebration, Irabor said: “Be rest assured that the armed forces will remain solidly behind the police to give them all the support as required for the 2023 general election.” Fielding questions from journalists about the military’s readiness for the forthcoming polls, the CDS said although the police would remain the frontline security outfit during the elections, the armed forces would support it from the rear. “I’m sure you know that the police are on the lead. I have been discussing with the IG (Inspector-General of Police) and of course, we’ve also made contingencies should we be required to give support to the police as the election is conducted. “I think for Nigerians, be rest assured that the armed forces remain solidly behind the police to be able to give them all the support as required.” He also assured Nigerians that the country’s democracy faces no threat from a military coup as witnessed recently in some West African states. “Democracy has come to stay. Government of the people, by the people and for the people in Nigeria has come to stay. That is an assurance,” he added. Irabor also described the ceremony as an occasion of gratitude that some Nigerians deemed their country as worth dying for. | Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Lucky Irabor, Democracy | Page 1 & 6 | |
| The Guardian Online | 15th January 2023 | Nigerians won’t accept any attempt to scuttle general elections, situation room tells Buhari | The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently convene a meeting with service chiefs to address security concerns ahead of the general election. The Situation Room, in a statement, yesterday, in Abuja, by its convener, Ene Obi, said that Nigerians will not accept any attempt to scuttle the conduct of the general elections, warning against interference with the elections as scheduled. She explained that the meeting between the president and the service chiefs would assure Nigerians that the political class is capable of ensuring the safety of lives and property across the country. Obi also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do everything within its power to ensure that preparations and processes for a smooth conduct of the general elections remain seamless. She said: “The Situation Room is worried that security agencies have not sufficiently dispelled the concerns that gave rise to insecurity across the country. “Any threat to the conduct of the 2023 General Elections could similarly pose serious national security concerns and a threat to the peace and stability of the country. “Nigerians are waiting to cast their votes for a new government that would hopefully address the disappointments and failures of past electoral promises, and set the country on the path to national unity and development.” | Press Statement, Situation Room, Security Concerns ahead of the Elections | http://bit.ly/3INGjZr | |
| The Guardian Online | 16th January 2023 | Tinubu meets APC guber, National Assembly candidates, proffers plan for collective victory | Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, offered insight on why he, alongside other stalwarts, formed the party in 2014. Speaking at the start of a closed-door parley with governorship and National Assembly candidates of the party in Abuja, he claimed the party was formed to reposition the country for sustainable growth and development. Tinubu said it is incumbent on the candidates to strive towards sweeping the poll to achieve the desired goal of the party. He said: “We formed the APC, not just to be another political party. We formed it as a champion of the people to rescue democracy from the ravages of the PDP, which boasted of ruling the nation for 60 years. We have the mandate to deliver the party to victory, so that we may protect Nigeria from those who would devour all of its fruits. The party has placed its trust in us. Democratic victory in the coming elections is a task we must accomplish.” Tinubu urged the party’s candidates to go to the polls with a united front. According to him, everyone must collectively work for the party’s victory in all elections and ensure that the party’s project of growth and development for the nation is assured. He promised to continue to work for every one of them, even as he also desires to become Nigeria’s president. | APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Closed door meeting with APC National Assembly and Governorship Candidates | Page 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 16th January 2023 | Northern Female Candidates Pledge Better Governance | Female candidates vying for positions on the platforms of the different political parties in the North have expressed their readiness to change the trend of governance in the country if elected. The candidates, who lamented the absence of good governance in the region, said they are out to address the governance deficit in the respective constituencies if given the mandate to lead. The candidates made the resolution in Jos, the Plateau State capital during a 2-day capacity building training organised by the Word Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in collaboration with the European Union. Speaking at the training, Head of Abuja office, WARDC, Emmanuela Azu, said that based on their research, Nigerian women have all the requisite qualifications to favourable contest in any elective position, with their men counterparts, but things were still not as they should be. She said funding and other cultural leaning and belief systems had continued to portray women in politics in a bad light. | Northern female candidates, WARD C, 2023 General elections, Campaign promises | Page 11 | |
| The Guardian Online | 16th January 2023 | Declare public holiday for PVC collection, Ohanaeze advises S’East governors | A faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by Chief Chidi Ibe, yesterday, called on South East governors to take advantage of the extended period for collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and declared public holiday in the zone to enable people collect their PVCs. In a statement in Abakaliki, the Secretary General of the Ibe-led Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, further pleaded with governors to put stringent strategies that will compel Igbo to go to their wards and collect their PVCs. The group said: “This is a clarion call to all eligible Igbo voters to go out and collect their PVCs from their wards in the 774 councils of the country where they are resident. This is a rare prospect to re-launch the South East back to the centre and get their desired dividends of democracy.” The statement reads: “The South East governors should initiate strategies to mobilise and enlighten the people, through party leaders at the ward level, as well as elected or appointed councillors to persuade Ndigbo to go and collect their PVCs before the expiration date of January 29. We urged South East governors to put up strict regulations in place to ensure that Igbo parents present their PVCs before registering their children back to schools, and for workers to earn their salaries. We call on state governors to declare work-free days and public holidays for civil and public servants to go and collect their PVCs. Meanwhile, Igbo traders and motorists must show their PVCs before they gain access to the markets and motor parks. This is the only way to get Igbo to go collect their PVCs.” | faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Chidi Ibe, | Page 28 | |
| This Day Live | 16th January 2023 | Anxiety Mounts as Mass Retirement Looms in Police | The effective monitoring of the general election commencing on February 25, 2023, is being threatened by the imminent retirement of over 300 senior police officers. The president and national assembly elections are slated for February 25, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on March 11, 2023. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is doing everything possible to deliver free and fair elections. However, provision of adequate security that will engender effective monitory of the polls is being threatened by manpower shortage that may hit the Police Force due to imminent mass retirement of officers including the Inspector General of Police (IG), Usman Alkali Baba. It was gathered that apart from the IG whose statutorily retirement day is for March, 15, about 16 Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs); 12 Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Deputy Commissioners of Police DCPs, and 30 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) are slated for retirement between February 1 and March 31, 2023. Also to retire within that period are more than 35 Chief Superintended of Police (CSPs); 47 Superintended of Police (SPs), 55 Deputy Superintended of Police (DSPs) and over 70 Assistant Superintended of Police (ASPs). Already, two DIGs are expected to statutory retire at the end of January, 2023. Their letters of retirement were said to have been forwarded to Police Service Commission (PSC) for processing. Sources hinted that about 15 of the ACPs are Mobile Squadron Commanders and Area Commanders, while most of the CSPs and SPs are Divisional Police Officers (DPOs). It was gathered that ironically, the names of some of the officers had been submitted to the Force Headquarters Abuja for strategic postings for the elections. Some top retired security personnel, who spoke to THISDAY, said the imminent retirement of the officers could have a negative impact of elections and therefore advised President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the retirement of these officers till after the elections. However, a source at the Police Service Commission (PSC) assured Nigerians that the police have enough manpower to perform their statutory role during and after the elections. “We just injected 10,000 recruits into the force, who will participate in the election. Another 10,000 are expected in the next batch of recruitment. We have received applications. So for now we have enough manpower for the election,” the source said. Speaking on the extension of tenure for the personnel, the source stated: “In the case of IG, only President Buhari has the power to extend the IG’s tenure. His tenure ends March 1 and at that point, only the presidential election would have been conducted but if he is to go, there other capable successors.” | Retirement of some police personnel, 2023 General Elections | Page 10 | |
| This Day Live | 16th January 2023 | Supreme Court Halts Elections in Three Warri LGAs Until Fresh Delineation | The Supreme Court has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting any election in Warri South West, Warri South and Warri North Local Government Areas of Delta State, until a fresh delineation is done in the electoral wards and units in the areas. The order was in respect of the appeal marked SC/413/2016 and filed by Hon. George Timinimi and nine others against INEC. In the judgment delivered by Justice Uwani Musa Abba-Aji, on December 2, 2022, a copy of which was obtained by THISDAY, the Supreme Court stated inter-alia: “By virtue of Section 22 of the Supreme Court Act, I grant relief 3 (a) of the appellants’ claim which is: ‘An order of this court compelling the defendant, its agents, servants, privies and assigns to conduct a fresh delineation of all that electoral wards/polling units for Warri South West, Warri North and Warri South Local Government Areas of Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State for the purpose of future elections.” The suit which gave birth to the judgment commenced at the Federal High Court, Asaba Judicial Division on March 28, 2011. The appellants/plaintiffs had sued INEC on behalf of themselves and the Ijaws of Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State, claiming that INEC did not properly delineate wards and units in Warri South West, Warri South and Warri North Local Government Areas of Delta State in tandem with the existing population of the areas. They further claimed that there were fictitious wards and units in existence in the three Warri councils hence the need for a fresh delineation. In their arguments, they submitted that such wards and units were being used as instrument of electoral manipulation and fraud, lamenting that in some cases, areas with high population had less wards and units, while sparsely populated areas had undeserved number of wards and units. They therefore asked the court to declare “that the Warri South West, Warri North and Warri South Local Government Areas of Warri Federal Constituency are not yet properly delineated into electoral wards and units by the defendant, its agents, servants, privies and assigns since 1999 till date for the purpose of registration of eligible voters with clearly identifiable wards and units in Delta State. However, the Federal High Court, in Asaba and the Court of Appeal, Benin Judicial Division, dismissed the case of the appellants. Dissatisfied, the appellants through their counsel, Mr. Eric Omare, appealed to the Supreme Court which in its verdict upturned the judgments of the two lower courts and ordered INEC to carry out fresh delineation of electoral wards and units in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State for the conduct of future elections. | Supreme Court, Prohibition of INEC from conducting election in Warri South West, Warri South and Warri North Local Government Areas of Delta State, Calld for fresh delineation | Page 43 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 11th January 2023 | Atiku Meets UK Officials On Economy, Security, Others | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), yesterday, said the United Kingdom (UK) invited its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to discuss issues of common interest. Chief Dele Momodu, the Director Strategic Communication of the PDP campaign, in a statement, said the UK is also seeking to improve its trade relationship with Nigeria. ""An internal poll by the British government shows Atiku Abubakar as the leading candidate and the possibility of working together for a more effective post-BREXIT world which promises to be a win-win for both countries. This is especially imperative as the UK seeks to improve and increase trade partnership with Nigeria,” Momodu said. | PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, UK Government, Dele Momodu, Director Strategic Communication of the PDP campaign | Page 12 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 11th January 2023 | Insecurity: Knocks Trail INEC’s Statement On Elections Postponement, Cancellation | The country’s political atmosphere was charged Tuesday following the statement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that this year’s general elections face the threat of cancellation and postponement if the waves of insecurity in parts of the country are not addressed. Opposition political parties, civil society organisations and regional groups, Tuesday, expressed mixed feelings over the statement of the electoral body. This is just as the federal government allayed the fears being expressed by stakeholders saying there is no cause for alarm. On Monday, INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, represented by the chairman of the Board of Electoral Institute (BEI), Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, gave the warning that elections might not hold during the Validation of Election Security Training Resources in Abuja. Already, candidates and their political parties have gone far on the campaigns, which began on September 28, last year. Daily Trust reports that from February 3, 2019, the country’s electoral body had recorded 53 attacks on its offices and facilities with the South East geopolitical zone topping the chart. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the whole world and Nigerians will hold President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) responsible if the election is cancelled or postponed. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP told Daily Trust that they were already seeing the signs that the APC might scuttle the polls. Similarly, the Labour Party (LP) has warned INEC not to cave in. A spokesperson for the LP Presidential Campaign Committee, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said, “The attacks are targeted at weakening their resolve to organise free and fair elections. And it is high time security agencies explained to Nigerians how they would stop the incessant attacks on INEC facilities. “For Nigerians, we should not cave into those who want to hold us to ransom not to have free and fair elections. So, INEC should be resolute to conduct a free and fair election. Speaking on the matter, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Victor Ike Oye, said that the 2023 general election will hold, despite the prevailing trepidation. “The current hullabaloo about the election is the handiwork of scaremongers and fifth columnists bent on truncating the process. I expect INEC to be determined and focused in its avowed commitment to deliver a flawless and credible election,” Oye said. On his part, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, said that he understood the concerns of INEC, as the insecurity in the land and the fact that INEC facilities have become targets of daily attacks and destruction say much. The APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka neither answered his phone calls nor responded to a text message sent to his phone. Similarly, the Director of Public Affairs and Chief Spokesman for the APC Presidential Campaign Council who is also the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN) did not answer a WhatsApp message nor SMS sent to his phone for comment on the matter. | INEC Statement on Insecurity and its possible effection the 2023 General Elections, Chairman of The Board of Electoral Institute, TBEI, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, Insecurity | Page 4 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 11th January 2023 | 2023 elections: As insecurity stokes fear, FG allays concern over cancellation | The Conflict Research Network, West Africa (CORN West Africa), yesterday, warned Federal Government and security agencies that terrorism could threaten conduct of the general elections in the northeast, unless a proactive context-specific security plan is designed for the zone. This was disclosed as part of recommendations at the Conflict CORN West Africa Research Colloquium webinar, themed, ‘Nigeria Decides 2023: Conducting Elections in Context of Political Violence and State Fragility’. Dr. Babayo Sule of the Department of International Relations, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, and member, Conflict Research Network, West Africa, said improved security of life and property before elections in the northeast would encourage people to come out and vote. Speaking on the topic, ‘Election Amid Terror: Terrorism and the 2023 Elections in Nigeria’s North East’, Sule said terrorism remained a major threat, arguing that polls may not hold in areas under the control of terror groups, except counter-terrorism campaign is stepped up to clear the way. He said government must “significantly reduce the areas that are under the control and influence of Boko Haram before the elections. Extra security personnel should be deployed to ensure the safety of life, property, INEC officials, and electoral materials.” Federal Government, however, reassured Nigerians that the elections would go on as planned. Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed, gave the assurance as he debunked fears of cancellation over high rate of insecurity across the country. The minister, who spoke at the continued presentation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s scorecard, was reacting to a report credited to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the elections risk cancellation due to insecurity. An INEC official had warned: “If the insecurity is not monitored and dealt with decisively, it could ultimately culminate in cancellation and or postponement of elections in sufficient constituencies to hinder declaration of elections results and precipitate constitutional crisis.” The minister, however, insisted: “There is no cause for alarm,” adding that the Federal Government is working with relevant agencies to ensure hitch-free polls. He said: “The position of the Federal Government remains that the 2023 elections would be held as planned. Nothing has happened to change that position. We are aware that INEC is working with security agencies to ensure that the elections are successfully held across the country. The security agencies have also continued to assure Nigerians that they are working tirelessly to ensure the elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere. Therefore, there is no cause for alarm.” | CORN West Africa, insecurity and the 2023 General Elections, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed, Possible cancellation or postponement of election | Page 3 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 11th January 2023 | Obi links Nigeria’s problems to insecurity, unemployment, others | The presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has expressed worry over the situation where almost everybody in Nigeria is complaining about the socio-economic and political problems bedeviling the country. Obi, who addressed members of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council in Awka, yesterday, linked the problems to youth unemployment, insecurity, corruption etc.He, however, assured that building a new Nigeria is possible. Obi added that building a country where people would enjoy equal opportunities, irrespective of social status, is possible. He was accompanied by top LP chieftains, including the party’s three senatorial candidates in the state, Victor Umeh, Godwin Uzor, and Dr. Tony Nwoye, as well as former commissioners during his tenure as governor of the state. He noted that many people are suffering in Nigeria due to bad leadership, lack of accountability, dependence on sharing, among other ills, arguing that LP will work to solve these problems. Obi said: “Nigeria’s population is about 200 million; but over 133 million are living in poverty. We have the highest number of drug peddlers among our youth population, and they are unemployed. With these problems, there is no way we cannot have insecurity.” On solution to tackle insecurity and produce enough food for the people, he said that Nigeria should go back to agriculture by cultivating vast arable and fertile areas, especially in states like Bornu, Taraba and Niger. He said: “We will encourage agrarian revolution. Nigeria has vast land. People would be employed in farms to cultivate flowers, coffee and so on to earn revenue. We need to increase production and drive export.” He equally condemned problems of fuel scarcity, saying oil subsidy is an organised crime. | LP, Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, Insecurity, Campaign Promises, Campaign | Page 7 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 11th January 2023 | Buhari: Tinubu will Continue My Legacy to Rebuild Nigeria | The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally moved to Damaturu, the Yobe State capital yesterday, with the Presidential Campaign Council Chairman, President Muhammadu Buhari, calling on eligible voters in the state and the North-eastern part of the country to ensure that his party’s presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was elected in the forthcoming general election. Buhari assured Nigerians that Tinubu would continue to build on his legacy to rebuild Nigeria if elected. The president said a vote for Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, would guarantee the sustenance of progress made in the security, economy and education sectors of the country. Buhari, according to a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, vowed that following the victory against terrorists in the region, the APC-led government was more than ever before energised to defeat whoever threatens the unity of Nigeria. The president, who addressed the teeming crowd in Hausa language, recalled how Boko Haram inflicted damage on the people, their property and the economy, before their decimation by Nigeria Armed Forces and security agencies. Buhari challenged all the APC flagbearers in the forthcoming general elections, to ensure good governance when elected and not to disappoint the electorate. He declared that the governing party had done its best in the last eight years at the federal level and would continue to ensure the progress, prosperity and stability of Nigeria. According to Buhari, the former Lagos governor has the capacity to continue the work of rebuilding Nigeria he started over seven years ago. He said, “I accompany Asiwaju here to tell you to vote for him so that he can continue with my legacy of rebuilding Nigeria.” Tinubu also commended Buhari for ensuring the people of the state can now move freely without fear, promising to build on this. According to him, ‘‘This government is a government of progress, integrity and honesty”. Tinubu also promised to make the perennial ASUU strike history, adding that undergraduates would not need to spend extra years in the university beyond the standard duration of course of study. | APC, Bola Tinubu, President Buhari, Endorsement, Yobe State, PMB's Legacy | Page 5 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 11th January 2023 | Judiciary Under My Watch will Not Be Whipped into Silence, CJN Warns Politicians, Others | The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, yesterday warned politicians and others who were in the habit of disregarding the rule of law and contempt of the judiciary that it would no longer be business as usual under his watch. Ariwoola, who sounded out the warning at the Conference of Attorneys General which held in Abuja, advised that the silence of the judiciary must not be mistaken for weakness or vulnerability. While stating that the rule of law had been assailed from all fronts especially by those who were supposed to uphold and guard it jealously, the CJN who was represented by a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, lamented that judicial officers and court facilities had been variously attacked, molested, harassed and desecrated across the country. “I wish to let whoever cares to listen know that nobody no matter his or her position in society should mistake our golden silence for weakness or vulnerability. The judiciary under my watch will not sit by the sidelines to watch the temple of Justice and Ministers of Justice being flagrantly chastised and whipped into silence. No one in this country is permitted under any guise to take the law into his or her hands simply because he or she has the guns to wield”, the CJN said. While stressing that the earlier judicial officers and the courts were respected, the better for all Nigerians, the CJN charged stakeholders in the justice sector to ensure fairness, equity and the Rule of Law prevail at all times. The CJN specifically called on the Attorneys General to begin to live up to their callings by repositioning the Judiciary in their respective states through the manner they conduct their affairs. While he warned that, “Oppression and suppression of perceived enemies must not have a bearing on your conduct”, he stressed that, “judicial officers must not suffer intimidation and chastisement and Chief Justices must not go cap -in-hand to beg for funds to run their courts.” | Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Judiciary and Elections, Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun | Page 41 | |
| Punch Online | 11th January 2023 | Last lap: Tinubu campaign mulls alliance with smaller parties | Ahead of the February 25 presidential election, the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council is planning an alliance with smaller parties in a bid to boost the chances of its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The PUNCH gathered that the PCC and the party had been making overtures to the parties to adopt Tinubu as their standard bearer. Findings indicated the APC governors and Tinubu met on Monday night following fears expressed by some members on the need to address inadequacies in the party’s presidential campaign. It was learnt that APC Presidential Campaign Council, comprising governors and the candidate, was of the view that the alliance with other parties would assist the party in getting the highest number of votes and the required national spread in the presidential poll. A member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Adesoji Akanbi confirmed to The PUNCH on Tuesday that the APC was looking beyond the Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Labour Party, noting that deals could be reached with the smaller parties to adopt Tinubu. Recall that Tinubu had been wooing the Peoples Democratic Party G-5 governors comprising Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu). But despite holding several meetings with them, the PDP governors have failed to endorse the ex-Lagos State governor amid the threat of sanctions by their party. Also, the apathy exhibited by many APC chieftains, former presidential aspirants and ministers to Tinubu’s ambition which was reflected in their refusal to participate in his campaigns, is also reportedly causing apprehension in the ruling party. But in a move to rejig his campaigns and bolster his prospect, the presidential candidate held a meeting with some APC governors in Abuja on Tuesday. Speaking about their plan to prevail on several parties to adopt the APC standard bearer, Akanbi, a member of the Election Planning and Monitoring Committee of the APC-PPC and its coordinator in the South-West, said the negotiations were already ongoing in Oyo State, urging APC leaders in other states to adopt the strategy. The former lawmaker, who is also the Chairman, Strategy and Policy, Tinubu-Shettima Independent Campaign Council said, “We are reaching out to Accord (Party) members, Social Democratic Party and other political parties to vote for Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the presidential election. Seeking defectors (to the APC) is too late now; that will not work, that is like time-wasting. That can happen voluntarily. What we are selling to them is the product – Bola Ahmed Tinubu – for president. They should come out and support him for this reason and that reason so that they can have a president that can deliver.’’ | APC's Plans for alliance with smaller Political Parties | https://bit.ly/3IDYBw0 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 10th January 2023 | INEC denies releasing new ‘final list’ of candidates | Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied releasing a new final list of candidates for the 2023 general elections on Sunday January 8, 2023. National Commissioner and Chairman (Information and Voter Education Committee), Festus Okoye, said this in Abuja, yesterday. Okoye said a report claiming the Commission released a final list for the elections on its website on Sunday was false and misleading. “The Commission wishes to state categorically that no new publication of the final list of candidates was released as reported. The public should, therefore, discountenance the story. “For the record, the final list of candidates for the 2023 general elections was published, at least, 150 days before the day of election, in compliance with the provision of Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022. Accordingly, the final list for presidential and National Assembly elections was published on September 20, 2022, while that of governorship and state Assembly elections was published two weeks later on October 4, 2022. These are clearly indicated as Item Eight on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election, released by the Commission on February 26, 2022,” Okoye said. He said there could not be a final list of candidates 46 days to the polls, except names published as substitutions for candidates nominated earlier, in compliance with court order. “Moreover, some of the candidates that allegedly made the new ‘final’ list are still in court and the matter is, therefore, subjudice. Political parties, litigants and the public should be guided accordingly. | INEC, Alleged final list of candidates, National Commissioner and Chairman (Information and Voter Education Committee), Festus Okoye, | Page 3 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 10th January 2023 | Election riggers behind plot to remove Yakubu, IPAC alleges | Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has accused desperate politicians hell-bent on rigging the 2023 general elections of being behind plot to remove Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. The umbrella body of the 18 registered political parties, therefore, passed a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s chief electoral umpire. Addressing journalists, yesterday, in Abuja, IPAC’s National Secretary, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, maintained that Nigerians would not tolerate a repeat of the June 12, 1993 presidential election impasse. Recall that a Federal High Court had stopped an application seeking to remove Yakubu from office over alleged false asset declaration. The ruling followed an originating summons marked FCT/HC/GAR/CV/47/2022 by Somadina Uzoabaka against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami and Yakubu, seeking among others things, an order of mandatory injunction directing and compelling the INEC Chairman to recuse, excuse and exclude himself and or step down as head of the Commission pending investigation and consideration of the various allegations against him by the various law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the complainant asked the judge to issue a 10-year ban on Yakubu from holding or assuming any public position. But the INEC boss refuted the claim by providing the court with several exhibits to demonstrate the sources of funding for the acquisition of the properties that the plaintiff claimed were illegally acquired, arguing that his asset declaration was legitimately completed. While backing INEC on the deployment of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other technologies for the upcoming polls, IPAC warned “reactionary forces to desist from their plots to truncate the nation’s emerging democracy.” Dantalle vowed that that his organisation would resist any attempt to jeopardise the ongoing electoral process geared at deepening the nation’s civil rule. He continued: “INEC’s position on deployment of technology for the conduct of the 2023 general elections is in tandem with the stance of IPAC.” | Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, IPAC National Secretary, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, INEC, Alleged plot to remove INEC Chairman, Vote of Confidence for INEC Chairman | Page 4 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 10th January 2023 | Again, INEC Raises the Alarm, Says Insecurity May Force Cancellation of Elections | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday expressed concerns over the forthcoming general election due to the rising threats of insecurity, warning that the forthcoming polls face threat of cancellation if the level of insecurity across the country continues. This was just as the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), during a media briefing yesterday, alleged that some state governors were using touts to intimidate their opponents and destroy campaign materials of opposition parties. The commission also warned that a cancellation and/or postponement of elections in sufficient constituencies due to the prevailing security situation in the areas may not only hinder the declaration of elections results, but also precipitate a constitutional crisis. Yakubu, who was represented by the Chairman, Board of Electoral Institute (BEI), Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, issued the warning at the validation of election security training resources held in Abuja yesterday. However, Yakubu pointed out that the commission was doing everything possible to ensure that adequate security was provided for election personnel, materials and processes. The INEC Chairman explained: “We all appreciate the fact that election security is vital to democratic consolidation through provision of an enabling environment for the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections and thus strengthening the electoral process. Consequently, in preparations for the 2023 general elections, the commission is not leaving anything to chance in ensuring that intensive and extensive security is provided for election personnel, materials and processes. This is particularly significant to the commission given the current insecurity challenges in various parts of the country and the fact that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members constitute the core of the Polling Unit Election officials. “Moreover, if the insecurity is not monitored and dealt with decisively, it could ultimately culminate in the cancellation and/or postponement of elections in sufficient constituencies to hinder declaration of elections results and precipitate constitutional crisis. This must not be allowed to happen and shall not be allowed to happen.” Therefore, he stressed that security personnel in particular and all election officials in general must be security conscious and alert to unusual activities in their environment and must be fully equipped to deal with any challenge at all times. | INEC, Possible effect of insecurity on the 2023 General Elections | Page 1 & 32 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 10th January 2023 | Buhari in Yola, Canvasses Support for Tinubu, Binani, Other APC Candidates | Four months after flagging off the presidential campaign of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jos, Plateau State capital, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday returned to the rostrum as he stormed Yola, the Adamawa State capital to canvass for votes for the party’s flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other candidates of the party contesting for elective positions ahead of the February and March, 2023 general elections in the country. Adamawa was last week listed by the APC Presidential Campaign Council as one of the 10 states where President Buhari will openly campaign for Tinubu before the February 25 presidential poll. President Buhari while thanking Adamawa State APC members for their unflinching support to him since 2015 also advised them to remain committed to the party and support its candidates at all levels during the February and March, 2023 polls. He specifically told the crowd that Tinubu/ Shettima candidates of the party for presidency can be trusted to deliver at all times. His words: “I wish specially to thank you for reposing your trust in me and giving me your support during the last two presidential elections. I want you to continue with this spirit and remain loyal to our party the APC. I want you to support our candidates at all levels in the state and federal elections. You can trust Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu, our party’s flag-bearer and presidential candidate, together with his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima. I am delighted to be here today in Yola, Adamawa State, to be part of the campaign of our candidates for different offices in the country, starting from presidential, to gubernatorial, national and state assemblies. It is All Progressives Congress (APC) from top to bottom. “APC for President! APC for Governor! APC for Senate! APC for House of Representatives! APC for Assembly Members!,’’ the President noted. President Buhari also called on Adamawa voters to shun sentiments, and make history by electing the first female Governor in the country in 2023, Senator Aisha Dahiru Ahmed-Binani, saying her track record of dedication to duty and service will improve the livelihood of citizens. He said: “Let me remind you of the good fortune that is awaiting your State in 2023 after returning the APC to power at the federal level and electing the party’s candidate as your incoming governor. You have been given the opportunity to set a record in the history of Nigeria and the annals of democracy and politics in our country by electing the first ever female chief executive of a state in Nigeria. You cannot afford that such a significant opportunity would slip through your fingers. I am, therefore, calling on all the men, women and youth of Adamawa State, the northeast and indeed the entire country, to support the candidature of Senator Aisha Binani and ensure her victory in March, 2023″. | President Buhari's support to APC Presidential Candidate and Vice, Governorship, National and State Assembly Canddiates, Campaigns | Page 1 & 32 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 10th January 2023 | Why Elections Still Have Disputes In Nigeria— PCA | The President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has identified some hitches and shortcomings as the reason for continuing disputes in Nigeria’s electoral process. Justice Dongban-Mensem said the need to correct the problems in the electoral process gave birth to the election tribunal which has been adequately provided for in the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended). Speaking at the opening of a two-day capacity building workshop for the secretariat of the election tribunal yesterday in Abuja, she explained that the tribunals were established to determine disputes arising from the conduct of elections into the various elective positions. While commending the registrars for being worthy to be chosen for the assignment, she said, “The Court of Appeal being the penultimate court is empowered to establish such tribunals and have the registries opened at least seven days before the election. The registry is saddled with the administrative responsibilities of the tribunal and is headed by a secretary who is the principal administrative staff. “The registry is a very important organ of an election petition tribunal and its administrative duties include the receipt of the petition and other court processes for filing, service of court processes timeously on parties, issuance of hearing notices, preparation of court proceedings and orders, custody and safekeeping of the tribunals’ documents, compilation of records among various other duties and responsibilities.” | President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Election Tribunals | Page 30 | |
| Vanguard Newspaper | 10th January 2023 | 2023 polls: Beware of elements out to blackmail DSS DG, key officials – DSS alerts Nigerians | The Department of State Services said on Tuesday morning it had uncovered plans by some politicians and disgruntled elements within and outside the government to sponsor smear campaigns against the DGSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi and his key officials over the service’s uncompromising stance on some critical governance and policy issues. A statement by the DSS Spokesman,Dr Peter Afunanya, accused those behind the evil plot of recruiting unnamed Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations to not only sustain but stage further rallies, road-shows and press conferences and use the occasions to discredit Bichi. Afunanya said: “Also, sections of the media have been briefed to implement the strategy through sponsored articles, commentaries and features to malign the DG, his family and select officials of the Service. The Service is monitoring developments and will allow the plotters to either exhaust themselves or rescind the plan of action. Otherwise, no amount of intimidation, harassment and blackmail will deter it from discharging its duties. However, it would not idly watch a group of dissatisfied gang to undermine the Service and its highly dedicated leadership and management"". “The DSS, therefore, wishes to inform the public to be wary of these tendencies and ignore the antics of dark forces out to impugn the character of the DG. ” It restates its unalloyed support to the President on his resolve to continue to confront head-on, threats to national security as well as create the enabling environment necessary for the 2023 general elections to hold". | Department of State Services, DSS, Smear Campaign, DGSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, 2023 General Elections | https://bit.ly/3ZogkNW | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 10th January 2023 | PVC collection: Group bemoans low turnout in S’East | Youth and Students Advocates for Development Initiative (YSAD) has bemoaned poor turnout of valid registered voters in the ongoing Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise in the South East. In a statement signed by the group’s leader, Obinna Nwagbara, the civil society group attributed the development mainly on inability of political parties and other stakeholders to intensively sensitise, encourage party members, as well as the electorate to participate actively in the exercise. The group said it regretted that some registrants were not able to obtain their PVCs due to error in the process of revalidation of lost PVCs, which, according to it, should have been replaced during the last Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. YSAD expressed worry that over 10 million new registrants were captured by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in addition to those who replaced, revalidated or renewed their voter cards due to change in status, data or other personal information during the last CVR exercise, yet, so far, turnout for collection has been abysmally poor. The group said: “From monitoring and fieldwork carried out by YSAD between January 6 and 7 at Aba North and South councils of Abia State, it is obvious that the exercise is not impressive so far. There are still many uncollected PVCs left at INEC’s vault at Aba, where YSAD monitored the ongoing exercise in over six wards in Aba North and South councils. Only a few persons were seen in places like Abia State Polytechnic; Okigwe Road Primary School; Market Road Primary School and other centres where the collection exercise is going on. YSAD urges government agencies, civil society groups, political parties, media houses and practitioners, as well as other stakeholders to begin sensitisation to boost PVC collection. Traditional rulers, local authorities, political and religious leaders are enjoined to also do the needful by encouraging their subjects, as well as their members to perform their civic duties as the PVC is the only criterion for voting during the coming elections.” | Youth and Students Advocates for Development Initiative, YSAD, Low PVC Collection, South East | Page 7 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 9th January 2023 | Over 60% Of Tinubu, Atiku, Obi’s Campaigns Based On Irrelevant Issues – Report | Ahead of the February 25 election, irrelevant issues outside the key governance policies have dominated the presidential campaigns in the last two months, pro-democracy groups said Sunday. According to the groups, irrelevant issues outside of the key policy and campaign issues dominated the campaign sphere representing 60.22% of the entire campaign messages in the last two months, while issues relating to the economy, education and security were represented in the campaign discourse at 10.44%, 8.01%, and 7.51% respectively. The Centre for Research on Development of African Media and Society (CEREDEMS-Africa) and Positive Agenda Nigeria (PAN) said this in a report of its two months of monitoring the presidential election campaign ahead of the elections. The groups said the report indicated that the election campaign atmosphere within the last eight weeks have “a mix of both positive and negative outcomes” as the campaign landscape is dominated by issues that do not focus on issues of national importance. They expressed worry that “Conversations on the campaign terrain largely focused on candidates’ personality and competence disparagement at the expense of major socio-economic issues ravaging the country. | Report, The Centre for Research on Development of African Media and Society (CEREDEMS-Africa), Positive Agenda Nigeria (PAN), presidential campaigns | Page 14 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 9th January 2023 | AA Threatens Protest Against INEC Over Candidates’ ‘Exclusion’ | The Action Alliance (AA) has threatened to stage a peaceful protest at the National Assembly in Abuja, over the alleged exclusion of its candidates from the INEC’s list ahead of the general elections. The National Chairman of AA, Dr. Adekunle Omo-Aje, during a press conference at the party’s national headquarters Sunday in Abuja, said INEC’s alleged failure to upload the names of all the candidates presented to it by his leadership despite various court orders against the recognition of the list of candidates submitted by the sacked national chairman of the party, Mr. Kenneth Udeze, might jeopardise the forthcoming elections. “We shall move to the National Assembly on a protest and to submit our protest letter and to inform our lawmakers that if the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, is not called to order, there will be negative consequential effects on the outcome of 2023 elections. We shall use all legal channels to ensure we get justice against any form of exclusion from presenting our candidates for elections and every such election stands the chances of annulment by the law,” he said. When contacted, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said political parties should learn how to use their internal constitutional and regulatory mechanisms to resolve their internal disputes and challenges. “The commission is focused on delivering a good election. The commission is busy putting finishing touches to preparations for the conduct of the 2023 general election. The commission will not be distracted by negative comments and actions by mischief makers and fifth columnists. We urge political parties to put their houses in order and brace up for the conduct of the 2023 general elections,” Okoye said. | Action Alliance AA, INEC, Alleged exclusion of AA candidates from INEC's list | Page 13 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 9th January 2023 | Obi Replies Tinubu, Says No One Has Ever Accused Him of Corruption | The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday replied the recent comments by his opponent in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Bola Tinubu that mocked him as ‘Mr Stingy,’ Tinubu had during a campaign at the weekend, alleged that the former Anambra governor watched his people suffer and saved the state’s funds rather than save the people. But Obi, who alongside his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed appeared yesterday, on the Channels TV Presidential Town Hall Meeting, stressed that no one could fault him for refusing to steal public funds. Obi who was asked to react to a statement made by Tinubu about his attitude of saving and starving the people, challenged the former Lagos State governor that it would be better if the conversation was centred around corruption and accountability. He said: “It’s good when my opponents talk. Let us talk about corruption. One of the things killing this country today is Corruption Perception Index, which is measured by how you manage public assets, nepotism, how you share the land, how you manage your money, and everything"". ""I’ve challenged everyone to go and see whether there is anywhere a kobo of Anambra State money is missing.’ Saving has now become an issue. When people have stolen all the money and impoverished the country and you are now questioning a man who left the money without anybody telling me to leave it and go.” Obi also vowed to dismantle what he described as “confusion” at the Nigeria Port Authority through genuine partnership with the private sector. He also spoke about how he intends to end militancy, banditry and agitation by different groups in the country, reiterating that if elected, his government would not hesitate to bring all aggrieved groups, including Boko Haram and IPOB to the table for talks. | Peter Obi, Labour Party Presidential Candidate, #ThePeoplesTownHall | Page 41 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 9th January 2023 | INEC Releases Final List of Presidential, National Assembly Candidates for Polls | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, released the final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates of all the political parties contesting the February 25 elections. The publication of the final list of candidates for national elections (presidential, senatorial and federal constituencies) was pursuant to section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and item 8 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election. The publication of the full names and addresses of all nominated candidates followed the conduct of primaries and completion of the nomination exercise by political parties’. It was also sequel to the display of the personal particulars of all nominated candidates in their constituencies nationwide as provided by section 29(3) of the Electoral Act. INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Chairman, Voter Education, Festus Okoye, had earlier said validly nominated candidates had the opportunity to voluntarily withdraw their candidature by notice in writing and personally deliver such notices to the political parties that nominated them for the election. Okoye said, “Thereafter, political parties substituted such candidates under section 31 of the Electoral Act for which the last day was 15th July 2022 for national elections and 12th August, 2022, for state elections as clearly provided in item 6 of the Commission’s Timetable and Schedule of Activities. “Thereafter, no withdrawal or substitution of candidates is allowed except in the event of death as provided in section 34(1) of the Electoral Act or pursuant to an order of a Court of competent jurisdiction.” The list published contains the names of candidates validly nominated for national elections at the close of the parties’ primaries and the period earmarked for withdrawal and substitution of candidates. The presidential candidates of PDP, Atiku Abubakar; APC, Bola Tinubu; Labour Party, Peter Obi; and New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, were on the final list. Similarly on the presidential list were Oluwafemi Adenuga, presidential candidate of Boot Party (BP) and the running mate Turaku Mustapha; Daberechukwu Nwanyanwu, presidential candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and the running mate, Ramalan Abubakar; Dumebi Kachikwu presidential candidate, African Democratic Congress (ADC) and his running mate, Ahmed Mani; Hamsa Almustafa, presidential candidate, Action Aliance (AA) and his running mate, Chukwuka Johnson, among others. The list published contained the names of Senator Goodwill Akoabio from Akwa Ibom state and Senator Peter Nwaobishi of Delta State as well as Bashir Machina, who replaced the senate president, Ahmed Lawam. Akpabio replaced former retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ekpuudom, while Nwaoboshi, who was convicted for seven years by the Court of appeal in Lagos, is also on the list. | INEC, Final List of presidential and National Assembly candidates of all the political parties | Page 1 & 5 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 9th January 2023 | Again, Tinubu pledges to honour campaign promises to Nigerians | The presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has pledged to honour all his campaign promises to Nigerians. Tinubu spoke in Lagos, yesterday, at an endorsement rally, organised by the Arewa Community, ahead of next month’s presidential election. The APC presidential candidate promised that under his leadership, Nigerians would live in peace regardless of ethnicity and religious differences. He said: “My respect for this country will continue to increase, and I will honour all my pledges that we all will live in harmony. We belong in each other’s hearts.” In his speech, the former Lagos State governor also assured that his government would be for all Nigerians, not favouring any religion or tribe. He said a testament to this was when he, as Lagos State governor, appointed people into the state cabinet from other regions of the country. “From the moment I enlisted in politics, I have always been nationalistic and detribalised in my approach. I do not operate on the basis of ethnicity, region or religion. I have friends and associates in all corners of this country. As governor of Lagos State, I constituted a cabinet, comprising competent people from all parts of Nigeria. We had the Yoruba, as we had the Igbo and Arewa. What was important to me was not your ethnicity or creed, it was your competence and the value you would bring to governance and people"". “To replicate this feat for the country is why I have offered myself for the presidency,” he said. On his plans for the country, most especially for the north, Tinubu promised to tackle the security situation being experienced across the country, stating that the economy cannot thrive in an insecure environment. He added, “If elected president, my highest priorities shall be the protection of our land and prosperity of its people. I shall tackle this nation’s problems with a commitment to solving them. I will give priority to confronting security, making the economy one of widely shared prosperity and paying special attention to agriculture, like the current government of President Muhammadu Buhari. On security, my policy is not artificial, created to sound good for this campaign. Our security policy is based on dedicated study and long conversations with experts in this field". | APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Campaign Promises | Page 3 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 9th January 2023 | Over 7.28m registered voters are young, says INEC commissioner | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that the youth population constitutes the greatest number of registered voters for the 2023 general elections in Nigeria. Speaking at a workshop, organised by INEC in Awka, at the weekend, with the theme: ‘Zonal Engagement With Youth Focused Groups Ahead Of The 2023 General Elections,’ the National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, explained that analysis of registered voters from June 28, 2021, to July 31, 2022, by INEC, indicates dominance of young voters, stressing that the youth have numerical potentials to drive the electoral process to decide election contests. Noting that Nigeria is a country with a growing youth population, Okoye stated: “Of more than 9.5 million Nigerians, who completed their registration process, 7.28 million or 76 per cent of new registrants, who are within 18 to 34 years of age, are young people. “Similarly, the youth constitute 51 per cent of 84 million Nigerians, who registered for 2019 general elections. The young men and women with these statistics constitute a critical mass whose participation in public life vis-a-vis electoral space cannot be ignored.” Okoye noted that since the demography of Nigeria has changed, and youths constitute a formidable block of this demography, politically engaged and conscious youths must assist others with lax disposition to national issues to become more focused. He regretted that some youths are involved in election violence and election related malfeasance, insisting that election violence comes with a great socio-economic and political cost to the nation, as well as to the lives and future of youths. Okoye also said that the 2023 general election would be technology driven, since current Electoral Act 2022 has comprehensively incorporated the use of technology in the electoral process. He said: “Let me emphasise that the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for accreditation of voters is mandatory.” | INEC, Young population of voters, Registered voters | Page 7 | |
| Vanguard Online | 9th January 2023 | I’ll make Tinubu special envoy, Peter Obi trade minister if elected President, says Accord’s Imumolen | Accord party’s presidential candidate, Professor Christopher Imumolen says he would adopt the principle of all-inclusiveness in selecting his cabinet if he becomes the country’s president in next month’s eagerly awaited general election. According to him, the task of rebuilding a nation like Nigeria, battered by years of poor leadership and corruption, needed the input of all Nigerians, including those of his co-aspirants like Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Peter Obi now also vying for the coveted office of president. In his attempt to build an economically sound country where every Nigerian would feel loved and wanted, he says he would solicit the help of the best brains in whatever fields of human endeavour to come and contribute their quota. “The task of rebuilding our country is an onerous one. It is not going to be a one-man show. Everyone who has the idea, and capacity to add value to governance, no matter their background or party affiliations, shall be called upon to do so,” Professor Imumolen said on Sunday. “For his adeptness and aptitude as a businessman of no mean standing, I will be appointing Peter Obi, the current Labour Party presidential candidate as my minister of trade and commerce, while Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will serve as an adviser, most probably on the political front for obvious reasons. You will agree with me that these men will most be suitable in the roles I have earlier mentioned because of their track records in both their private and public lives. As I have said, the move is meant to demonstrate that we are all partners in progress in our desire to see our country regain its lost glory, as well as deliver to its millions of citizens the true dividends of democracy. The move is also meant to send the message that appointments will only be given to those who merit it in the kind of reformist government we are planning to run. The concept of square pegs in square holes shall be the guiding principles of our government under the umbrella of Accord — the party that preaches oneness and togetherness,” he said. | Accord party's presidential candidate, Professor Christopher Imumolen, campaigns, campaign promises | https://bit.ly/3VVtbEr | |