| Source | Date | Title | Summary of Report | Subject/Category | Page No/Web link | |
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| Nigerian Tribune | 31st March 2023 | PDP quashes suspension order on Shema, Fayose, Ayim, others | In what signals its direction in a post-Iyorchia Ayu dispensation, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has reversed the referral of Benue State Governor, Sam Ortom, to its disciplinary committee. Similarly, it has quashed the suspension of former governors Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) and Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) as well as that of former Senate President, Sen. Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State), Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State) and Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State). The decision was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the party. It said it was the outcome of the committee’s meeting Thursday, where it “extensively discussed recent developments in the party.” The statement affirmed: “The NWC recognized the imperativeness of a total reconciliation among Party leaders and critical stakeholders for a more cohesive Party in the overall interest of our teeming members and Nigerians in general. Consequent upon the above, the NWC reverses the referral of the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Dr. Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee. According to the statement, “This decision is without prejudice to the powers of the NWC to take necessary disciplinary action against any member of the Party at any time pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017). he NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party across the country to be guided by the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) as well as the new spirit and necessity of reconciliation, unity and harmony in our Party at this critical time". | PDP NWC, Reversal of suspension, Benue State Governor, Sam Ortom, Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), former Senate President, Sen. Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State), Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State), Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State) | http://bit.ly/3Kor0XA | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 31st March 2023 | Name Interim Govt Plotters, CDD Tells DSS | The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) yesterday challenged the Department of State Services (DSS) to name those it claimed were plotting to truncate the May 29 inauguration of the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and enthrone an interim government. The DSS had, in a statement on Wednesday by its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, said it had identified politicians behind the plot. In a chat with Daily Trust on Thursday, CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, asked the DSS not to heighten tension in the country. “It’s worrying to see citizens calling for interim national government, especially close to 24 years of uninterrupted democracy. Actors need to be patient and ensure the full course of the law is served by exhausting all legal remedies. The DSS should go ahead to calm tension and avoid heightening tension,” she said. | Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, Department of State Services, DSS, Interim Government | Page 26 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 31st March 2023 | Many Things Wrong With Nigeria’s Democracy — Kwankwaso | The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the February 25, 2023 general elections, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said that many things are wrong with Nigeria’s democracy. Kwankwaso, who spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, said this year’s elections were marred by violence and vote buying. Kwankwaso, a former Governor of Kano State, said, “There are so many things wrong with our democracy, and unfortunately, those hitting the system hard are those benefiting from it. But maybe because they have lost touch with the people, the people no longer love them, they have resorted to subverting the system. If the people love you, you won’t need money to buy them over and they will celebrate your victory when you are declared winner.” He, however, expressed his satisfaction with the conduct of security agents in Kano during the polls. He said, “This is an opportunity to say that we are not happy with the way and manner our logo was presented on our ballot papers. It was so bad that the international observers led by former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, could not relate with the logo or what it means. I know that under a free and fair election, NNPP could have done so much more than what we have seen. My advice to my colleagues and friends in politics is please, go softly, try and be popular, try and earn the support of your people.” | New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Post election | Page 11 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 31st March 2023 | Agbakoba: No Constitutional Provision for Interim Government, It’s Nonsense! | A former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Olisa Agbakoba, yesterday, declared that there was no constitutional provision for an interim government in Nigeria, and therefore dismissed the idea as total hogwash. Agbakoba’s comments come a day after the Department of State Services (DSS) alerted the nation to plots by some political actors to bring an interim government into power and stop Bola Tinubu from being inaugurated as President of Nigeria. In a communique, Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who declared that saying those behind the plot must be handed the “gravest possible consequences” for their treasonable intent, also said though the general election might have held under the most challenging circumstance, still, a president-elect has emerged and that fact must be respected and accepted. The SAN called on all Nigerians to reject the alleged move, which he termed as “nonsense” adding that citizens must respect the nation’s Constitution, “which has no provision for interim arrangements.” Agbakoba was of the opinion that if the other presidential candidates had accepted the democratic process by lodging petitions before the courts, then, it is very difficult to understand upon what basis anyone considered that an interim government was a viable and legal alternative. His words: “It is shocking to learn from the Department of State Services that secret plans are underway to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process and transition, by arrangements of what is described as an interim government. This will be a major set-back and we must all resist. “I suggest that the gravest possible consequences must be applied to all who are associated with this treasonable intent. The general election has held, albeit under the most challenging circumstance. | Chief Olisa Agbakoba, Interim Government, DSS | Page 1 & 5 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 31st March 2023 | INEC Has Acquitted Itself Honourably, Says Mutfwang | Plateau State Governor-elect, Caleb Mutfwang, yesterday, applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for for honourably conducting itself well during the general election. He also expressed gratitude to the people of the state over his election, promising that he and his team would provide inclusive leadership to the people. “INEC on the Plateau had acquitted itself honourably. While it is true that along the line,some of the ad-hoc staff tried to provide room for the process to be sabotaged in one way or the other, the leadership of INEC on the Plateau stood its ground and followed the due process of law, and that is why today, it has concluded the process that has led to rejoicing across the land,” he said. The governor-elected, who noted this in Jos while receiving Certificate of Return, alongside his deputy governor-elect, Ngo Josephine Piyo, called on his opponents to join him in serving the Plateau people and to avoid wasting time and energy on litigations. | Plateau State Governor-elect, Caleb Mutfwang, INEC, 2023 Governorship Election | Page 43 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 31st March 2023 | Ebonyi Guber: NNPP Candidate Heads To Court | The governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ebonyi State, Prophet Adol Awam has vowed to challenge the declaration of Chief Francis Nwifuru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the state gubernatorial election. Awam said he will be approaching the governorship election petition tribunal to cancel the election for alleged irregularities in the election. At a press conference in Abakaliki, the state capital, Awam alleged that the election was characterized by vote-buying, manipulation, killings, intimidation and harassment of voters. He further alleged that in Igbeagu ward 2 polling unit 009, Izzi local government area, the NNPP agent was killed during the governorship election by political thugs while protecting votes cast by the electorate. He also alleged that one Fred Alobu, the party supporter was abducted in Ekpaomaka, Ikwo local government area at 8:am on the day of the election and taken to a forest where he was held hostage by political thugs and released at 11:pm of that day. ” I must address the shameful pettiness exhibited by the ruling party during the electioneering period. It is highly disheartening to hear that they spread baseless and unfounded propaganda that I, Prophet Dr Adol Awam of the NNPP, had stepped down from the gubernatorial race. Let me state categorically that such falsehood was inconceivable and never an option for us"". “Unfortunately, the election was an absolute sham as it was plagued with irregularities, such as failure to use BVAS to upload election results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IRE) in real-time, disenfranchisement of voters, rigging, vote buying, violence and intimidation, manipulation of election results, under-supply of voting materials, over-voting, ballot box stuffing and others are issues of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act. It is on this premise that the NNPP sternly rejects the outcome of the election since it is apparently glaring that the process was flawed. Consequently, a flawed process will eventually produce a flawed outcome. Therefore we call on INEC to cancel the gubernatorial elections in Ebonyi State. We are not alone in this as several other parties have also rejected the results and are in tune with our position. | Governorship candidate, New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, Ebonyi State, Prophet Adol Awam | http://bit.ly/40sLZOk | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 31st March 2023 | APC: S/Court Dismisses Nwajiuba’s Appeal | The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by a former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, seeking to nullify the participation of Bola Tinubu in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary. A five-member panel of justices led by Justice Inyang Okoro yesterday held that the appeal was filed outside the time required by law and therefore was statute barred. Earlier, Nwajiuba’s lawyers, who had among them, Kingdom Okere Esq, withdrew the appeal on the advice of the panel which insisted that it was filed outside the time provided by law. The Incorporated Trustees of Rights for All International brought the appeal alleging that the June 8, 2022, primary was marred by corruption and massive vote buying, insisting that the majority of the delegates were bought over with dollars. The NGO had at the Federal High Court in Abuja sought a declaration that the 3rd defendant (Tinubu) “who had previously sworn an affidavit in the INEC nomination form declaring that he lost his primary and secondary school documents and benefitted therefrom cannot in a later affidavit deny and abandon same facts deposed in the previous affidavit and thus falsely contradict his academic qualifications.” | Former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Supreme Court, Dismissal of Appeal, President-elect Bola Tinubu | Page 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 30th March 2023 | Governors-Elect Pledge Better Deals, Receive Certificates Of Return | Newly elected governors yesterday listed their areas of priority as they received certificates of return. While some pledged to tackle insecurity, poverty and unemployment, others said they would instil transparency and accountability in governance. Daily Trust reports that the governorship elections were conducted in 28 of the country’s 36 states. While winners have been declared in 26 states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the governorship elections in Adamawa and Kebbi states inconclusive. The electoral body had fixed April 15 for the conduct of supplementary polls in the two states. The All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 15 states, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nine and Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) won one each. APC had seven governors re-elected: Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara) and Babagana Zulum (Borno). The ruling party also secured wins for eight new candidates: Uba Sani (Kaduna), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Mohammed Bago (Niger), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Dikko Radda (Katsina), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), and Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi). Two PDP governors – Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) – secured re-election. Seven first-term governors were elected on the platform of the PDP. They are: Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Siminialayi Fubara (Rivers) and Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta). Also, PDP’s Dauda Lawal unseated Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, while Abba Kabir of the NNPP defeated Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, candidate of the APC in Kano State. | Governors' swearing in, Certificate of Return | Page 4 | |
| Vanguard Online | 30th March 2023 | Interim Government: Name, arrest those behind plot, IPAC chairman charges DSS | The Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yabagi Sani, has asked the Department of State Service (DSS) to name and apprehend those it said are behind plans to install an interim government in the country. The DSS had in a statement earlier on Wednesday said it discovered a plot by “misguided” political actors to set aside the constitution and install an interim government in the country. However, in a swift reaction on Wednesday, Sani said it is not enough for the DSS to announce a plot for interim government, charging them to go further and name the plotters as well as take action against them. To say the least, it is an embarrassment because I believe that the DSS, the agency that is in charge of gathering intelligence and then passing intelligence to other agencies, are supposed to take action. And I don’t think it serves the purpose of this country for the DSS to come and make this pronouncement in the manner they are making it. What would have made sense to us is that so person is involved, so person has been arrested or is under interrogation or whatever action has been taken. Okay, what do we do as politicians or citizens of this country? We can’t do nothing,” Sani said during his appearance on a monitored Channels Television programme. He said that law enforcement agencies should not fail to demonstrate that nobody is above the law to serve as deterrent to others who might have other plans to scuttle democracy in the country. Yabagi, who was the presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the February 25 presidential election, added that democracy is too precious and must be protected by the security agencies. | Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Yabagi Sani, Interim Government, DSS, Interview | https://bit.ly/42QxHIS | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 30th March 2023 | Elections: Tribunal Receives 15 Petitions In A/Ibom, 12 In Plateau | The election tribunal sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has said it has so far received 15 petitions. Secretary of the 2023 Election Petition Tribunal in the state, Mr Ibrahim Usman, yesterday said that the petitions were filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Young Progressives Party (YPP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Labour Party (LP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Usman explained that 11 of the 15 petitions were for the House of Representatives, while four were for the senate, adding that two motions filed by the YPP for the inspection of election materials had been granted. He said, “Similarly, application by the APC in respect to the governorship election for inspection of election materials was received and petition granted. We are in the process of effecting service on the petitioners and respondents.” The secretary disclosed that the senatorial petitions were received from Akwa Ibom North East and Akwa Ibom South, noting that no petition was received from Akwa Ibom North West. He noted that the Electoral Act allowed 21 days for the petitioner to file a petition from the date of declaration and 21 days for the respondent to file their response after receiving it. Similarly, the election petition tribunal in Plateau State has confirmed receipt of 12 petitions. Eleven of the petitions emanated from the National Assembly elections, while the governorship election attracted one submitted by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr Nentawe Yilwatda. Yilwatda, in his ex parte application before the tribunal, is seeking the leave of the tribunal to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow him access to all the electoral materials used in the governorship election. | Election Petition Tribunal, Akwa Ibom State, Plateau State, NNPP, LP, APC, APM, YPP | Page 11 | |
| Arise News | 30th March 2023 | Obi: Attempt to Ascribe Ethnic, Religious Motives to ‘Obidient’ Movement Will Fail | The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has stressed that every attempt by his traducers to ascribe religious or ethnic colouration to the ‘Obidient’ movement would not see the light of the day. Obi, in series of tweets on his verified Twitter handle, on Wednesday, said there was no going back on the movement’s goal of repositioning Nigeria. He wrote: “In the life of every nation, there is a turning point. For Nigeria, that time is now; a time to save Nigeria, save our democracy, and give the Nigerian youths hope. “The OBIdient Movement has been the arrowhead in the take-back Nigeria mission,” adding this his role in the movement would be to provide leadership. He continued: “My role in the movement is that of a focal point. As I’ve always stressed, Nigeria remains a secular state. As such, the movement is not about my tribe or my religion, and it is not an Igbo agenda or in any way to christianise Nigeria. My aspiration is for a new Nigeria, where the children of a nobody will become somebody. A nation anchored on national interests, and not sectional interests; where the entire youths from the six geopolitical zones will have a sense of belonging in the affairs of their country.” According to him, his ambition to provide leadership for Nigeria was borne out of a desire to build a united and indivisible country. Citing the happenings in Scotland where “a 37-year-old, Humza Yousaf is set to become Scotland’s first minister, having won the keenly contested SNP’s leadership contest, born to Pakistani parents, who emigrated to Scotland in the 60s, he said “Yousaf is from the ethnic minority and a Muslim. “I have always maintained that Nigerians must rise above ethnicity, religion, and sectarian politics in matters of governance; and that the leadership selection process must be strictly based on character, competence, capacity and compassion, only then shall our democracy flourish, and our society progress. Contextually, the Scottish reality is instructive and presents us with some lessons learned and missed opportunities.” | LP Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, Obidient Movement, 2023 General Elections | http://bit.ly/3lMvu0J | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 30th March 2023 | Punish those behind 450 cases of poll violation, NHRC, CSOs insist | The Federal Government has been tasked to arrest and probe perpetrators of various acts of electoral violence during the just concluded general elections before it’s too late. This is after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), yesterday, disclosed that it received 450 complaints of human rights abuses and violations during the polls. According to the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu (SAN), while 300 complaints of human rights violations were received during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, 150 cases were recorded during the governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls. Ojukwu stated these in an interview with journalists in Abuja, during the launch of the e-rights project by the Avocats Sans Frontières France, popularly known as Lawyers Without Borders. The project, which was funded by the European Union (EU), is aimed at promoting the rights of Nigerians in the digital sphere, harnessing opportunities and addressing challenges provided by new technologies. Recall that over 700 offenders were arrested by men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for violation of electoral laws during the elections. Disclosing this on Tuesday, Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, said the exact figure of those arrested currently stands at 781. Giving more details regarding the arrest, IGP Baba said 185 cases of electoral infractions were recorded during the presidential election with 203 arrests made. For the governorship and State Assembly elections, the police chief stated that 304 electoral breaches were recorded with 578 offenders arrested. The NHRC boss stated that the Commission closely monitored activities of law enforcement and security agencies during the elections.He said: “Of the 450 complaints received, I cannot say exactly the categorisation. This is because some were about violence, vote buying, voter suppression, intimidation and hate speech. Don’t forget, we had a situation room, which was able to harness the complaints of Nigerians across board of the violations that happened during the elections. The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) has asked the Federal Government to arrest and probe those who perpetrated various acts of electoral violence during the polls. The group warned that should authorities fail to take action against perpetrators of all the criminal acts, which were committed on the election days, citizens would take action in the form of sending petitions to national and international bodies, especially where perpetrators of such acts have been properly identified. | Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education, CHRICED, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, NHRC Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu SAN, Electoral Violence, Human Rights Abuse | Page 1 & 6 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 30th March 2023 | Enugu guber: PRP candidate faults INEC, says he scored over 57,000 votes | Governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Chris Agu, yesterday, faulted the number of votes allocated to him in the governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He stated that contrary to over 800 votes announced in his favour by the Commission, he actually polled over 57,000 votes and asked the Commission to right the wrongs against his party or face lawsuit.Agu also stated that INEC was wrong in the way it bandied figures in the election against political parties that participated in the election. In a statement by his Director of Research and Publicity, Obiechina Ezeofor, he stated that the result of the governorship election, as published by INEC in the state, “is a betrayal of peoples trust,” and, therefore, rejected the outcome in its entirety. Agu, who further stated that records available to him showed different result from what INEC published, condemned alleged financial inducement, intimidation and threats by the Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state during the election. He said: “Some community and religious leaders in my community, Ngwo, were threatened by party supporters". | Governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Chris Agu, Enugu State, INEC, Alloacted votes, Election Result, Voter Intimidation | Page 7 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 30th March 2023 | Polls: Ayu’s resignation won’t have changed PDP’s fate, says Sani | Former Senator for Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has said the outcome of the presidential election would not have favoured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), even if the erstwhile national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, had resigned before the polls. The civil rights activist stated this, yesterday, following the controversy surrounding the removal of Ayu and the leadership crisis rocking the opposition party. Five governors elected under the PDP had pushed for the removal of Ayu before the presidential election. They had specifically demanded his resignation as the only condition to work for the party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Ayu’s refusal to resign led to the formation of the G5, the group of five governors, who worked for candidates of other parties during the poll. Leader of the G5, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, had commended his team’s effort for ensuring that Atiku was defeated in the elections in which Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner. Sani, in the tweet, explained that nothing would have changed, if the G5 had worked for Atiku, citing their inability to win elections in their various states. He remarked: “The fact is that even if Ayu had stepped down before the election, nothing much could have changed because those opposed to him were also struggling to survive and, in the end, could not help themselves much. | Former Senator for Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, PDP Crisis | Page 30 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 30th March 2023 | Bauchi APC chieftains demand chairman’s resignation over anti-party activities | A group of chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the aegis of Bauchi State APC Patriotic Support Group, has called for resignation of the party Chairman, Babayo Misau, over alleged gross anti-party activities before and during the elections. While addressing a press briefing, yesterday, in Bauchi, the group’s leader Almustapha Zubairu, said: “Most disturbing is the nonchalant and lack of capacity of our state Chairman, who, on his own volition, abandoned his responsibility just to satisfy his ‘pay master.’ This is totally undemocratic and the height of betrayal of trust. We call on him to honourably resign as the chairman of our party in the interest of justice, and for the rebuilding process of our party to succeed. We do not wish to dwell on numerous anti-party activities that have been levelled against him, including financial recklessness, which is already in the public domain"". “Worst still, he decided to openly display his ballot paper without voting for the governorship candidate of his party. To say the least, this is the height of betrayal of trust. The truth of the matter is that he has eroded the trust, confidence and loyalty of members of the party; hence, the call for his immediate resignation.” Speaking with The Guardian on phone, Misau said he was not bothered about the allegations, and that he would not resign. He also said that the group did not elect him as the party’s chairman. Hear him: “That’s their problem; I can’t say anything about that. Let them take me to court.” When asked about the alleged disloyalty to his party, he said: “Please, I don’t want to listen to this.” When sought for his reaction over the call for his resignation, he said: “I will not resign. Are they the ones who voted me in? I don’t want a long argument, please! Forget about them.” | Bauchi State APC Patriotic Support Group, State Party Chairman, Babayo Misau, Bauchi State | Page 30 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 29th March 2023 | LP Slashes Gov’ship Form Fee To N15m | The Labour Party (LP) said it has slashed the fee of its nomination form for off-season gubernatorial elections from N25million to N15million. LP’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at a meeting with the party’s elected members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. He urged them not to leave the party or succumb to infiltration. The meeting was attended by LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Abure vowed that the party would retrieve its stolen mandate in the court. He said, “We will continue to provide quality leadership because our members-elect are men of integrity. They rode on the part of the people and the LP is the party of the people. They have the capacity to resist infiltration. We will build on the successes recorded by the party and we will continue to build on this engagement. They have no choice than to continue to provide leadership to the people"". ""Today, I can announce to you that we have 8 Senators and 34 House of Representatives seats. As of today, we do not control the majority but we will watch and see what other parties will do before we take a stand.” | LP, LP Governorship nomination form | Page 6 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 29th March 2023 | 2023 Polls: Blame Politicians, Not INEC For Setbacks — Sen Adeyeye | The National Chairman of the South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA), a pro-president-elect group, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, has cautioned the opposition against blaming the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the setbacks recorded in the 2023 general elections. Election observers and the media reported that violence, voter suppression, vote buying and ballot box snatching characterised the March 18, governorship and state assembly elections. Adeyeye, in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, said politicians, not the electoral body, should be blamed for the electoral malpractices. He said, “INEC should be commended, not blamed. Whatever problems we had in these elections were not caused by INEC, though it has its own little challenges, but the large chunk of the problem was caused by the politicians"". It was the politicians who prevented others from voting. It was the politicians and their agents who destroyed the ballot boxes at the polling units; not INEC. How do you blame INEC for the violence recorded in some places?” He also cautioned anyone nursing the thought of an interim government to bury it. | National Chairman of the South West Agenda for Asiwaju, SWAGA, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, INEC, Election setbacks | Page 3 | |
| Business Day | 29th March 2023 | Tinubu nominates Atiku Bagudu, Wale Edun into transition council | President-elect, Bola Tinubu has nominated Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu and Wale Edun, a financial expert – who many are touting to play a prominent role in the incoming administration – into the Presidential Transition Council (PTC). Wale Edun, a former Finance Commissioner in Lagos State, while Tinubu, was governor of the state, has years of experience in the banking sector.Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Boss Mustapha, disclosed that the President-elect, is also expected to nominate 13 other members into the main organising committee, ahead of the May 29 inauguration. Presidential Transition Council which was inaugurated on February 14, 2023 is made up of 24 members which includes two persons from the President-Elect’s team. “After the declaration of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the president-elect, the PTC requested him to nominate his representatives on the council as provided in the Executive Order. The President-elect nominated His Excellency Atiku Bagudu, the Governor of Kebbi State and Chief Olawale Edun both of whom have since joined the process actively,” Mustapha said. | Presidential Transition Council, PTC, Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu and Wale Edun, | http://bit.ly/40Ek79E | |
| This Day Newspaper | 29th March 2023 | Election Petition: PENGASSAN Vows to Hold Judiciary Accountable | The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has said it would work collaboratively with other labour unions and civil society groups in the country to ensure that the various tribunals deliver justice on the election petitions to the satisfaction of all. Speaking at the meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of PENGASSAN, its President, Festus Osifo, said the union was disappointed with the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to live up to the expectations of Nigerians. He said despite the billions of taxpayers’ money budgeted for the conduct of the general election, INEC failed in meeting the expectations of Nigerians. Osifoh, who is also the President of the Trade Union Congress, said one of the major flaws of the 2023 general election was the failure to use the BVAS in uploading results into IRev. “Nigerians hailed the introduction of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as the game changer. Despite all the sacrifices made by ordinary Nigerians to go out and wait in long queues to obtain their PVCs, strenuously cast their votes and the billions of taxpayers’ money budgeted for the conduct of this election, INEC failed in meeting the expectations of Nigerians. This failure on the part of INEC to upload results from polling units to IReV portal, climaxed an election that was challenged by late arrival of INEC personnel and materials in some areas, by pass of BVAS in some cases, suppression of results, outright voters’ intimidation and coercion in many instances.” “Despite the shortcomings, we hereby appeal to all those aggrieved by the election to follow the provision of the law in seeking redress. The various tribunals must be charged to deliver justice to the satisfaction of all as the last hope of the teeming masses of the country,” he said. | Election Petition Tribunals, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, INEC, 2023 General Election | Page 37 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 29th March 2023 | Falana: It’s Disturbing That Nigeria Has Highest Election Matters in Court Globally | A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Femi Falana, yesterday described as ‘disturbing’ the incessant overburdening of Nigerian courts with election matters, stressing that all over the world, the country has the highest number of such cases before the judiciary. The renowned constitutional lawyer argued that it was an anomaly that Nigerians say ‘elections have now moved to the courts’ after going through the ballots, maintaining that such utterances were a confirmation that the country’s electoral system was yet to fully develop. Falana stressed that Nigerians cannot relinquish the function of the electorate who should ordinarily choose their representatives to the judiciary, pointing out that he was looking forward to such a time that Nigerians can choose their leaders without judicial interference thereafter. The human rights activist who spoke on Arise Television, THISDAY’s broadcast arm, contended that there was nothing complimentary in a nation’s electoral processes always ending in court, explaining that all lovers of democracy must be genuinely concerned about the challenge. “For me, it is extremely disturbing, and I’ve made the point that we cannot continue to involve the judiciary in the election of the representatives of our people. We must put an end to it. We had thought that with enough reforms of the electoral system that by now we should be taking the court out of the electoral system. I’m disturbed as a lawyer that Nigerians are now saying that the elections have moved to the courts. That’s not very complimentary. Nigeria has the highest number of pre-election cases and the highest number of election petitions in the world. It should be a matter of concern to all genuine forces of democracy and all stakeholders,” he contended. According to the senior lawyer, the authorities need to revisit the Uwais panel which sought to take care of many of the knotty issues in the electoral system, including the conclusion of all election matters before the inauguration of a new government and the setting up of an elections offences commission. | Femi Falana SAN, Election matters, Electoral Offences Commission, Uwais panel | Page 12 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 29th March 2023 | Borno PDP Senatorial Candidate Petitions INEC Over Alleged Tampering of Electoral Materials | The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Borno Central Senatorial candidate in the last election, Hon. Mohammed Kumalia has petitioned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu over alleged tampering of electoral materials in the custody of Borno State office of the electoral body a month after the conduct of the Presidential/National Assembly elections. Kumaila in the petition he personally signed, noted that: “Based on the outcome of the elections, I have filed a petition before the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Maiduguri. We obtained a court order to inspect materials used for the elections which included the ballot boxes used and unused ballot papers as well as obtain Certified True Copies of the result and collation sheets among others. “I wish to draw your attention to the commission of electoral offence by some Ad – Hoc staff of the Borno State INEC in collaboration with the electoral officer in charge of Mafa Local Government, who were caught thumb printing and stuffing ballot boxes within the premises of the Maiduguri INEC Headquarters on Tuesday 22nd March, 2023, almost a month after the Presidential and National Assembly elections that was held on 25th February, 2023, in order to tamper and distort evidence to be presented before the Election Petitions Tribunal.” | PDP Borno Central Senatorial candidate, Hon. Mohammed Kumalia, Petition, INEC, Tampering of electoral materials | Page 37 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 29th March 2023 | Another same faith N’Assembly leadership ominous, APC chieftain warns | Ahead of inauguration of the 10th Assembly, National Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Salihu Lukman, has warned against emergence of a Muslim -Muslim Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives. Lukman, in a statement titled “APC and Tasks of Negotiating 10th NASS Leadership,” called on the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee (NWC) to be more aggressive in driving the process of negotiating leadership of the 10th National Assembly. The Kaduna-born politician said his position was informed by the deluge of aspirants eyeing the two presiding seats, which he noted if left unregulated, could throw up unexpected people in the leadership of the federal legislature. He warned that emergence of same faith leadership might destroy electoral viability of the ruling party in future elections. Calling on stakeholders to take a cue from the power sharing formula adopted in 1999 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo held sway, Lukman opposed ongoing clamour to cede the Senate presidency to his North West geo-political zone. | National Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Salihu Lukman, 10th National Assembly, Muslim -Muslim Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives | Page 3 | |
| The Cable | 28th March 2023 | Voter intimidation: MC Oluomo must pay if he truly broke the law, says Obafemi Hamzat | Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor of Lagos, says Musiliu Akinsanya, chairman of the Lagos parks and garages, should be made to “pay” if he “broke the law” during the elections. On the eve of the Lagos gubernatorial election, Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, was spotted in a viral video saying that Igbo people who would not vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) should stay at home. However, MC Oluomo recanted his comment, saying it was a playful remark addressed to his friend, “Iya Chukwudi”, adding that he was not referring to Igbo people residing in Lagos. In spite of his clarification, the remark elicited criticism on and off social media, with many Nigerians asking security operatives to arrest him. Reacting to the situation, Hamzat said the case can be re-examined and justice should be served if there was a violation. The Lagos deputy governor spoke in a chat with Channels TV on Tuesday. “In the case of MC Oluomo, he has come out to say that he was referring to one Mama Chinedu or something. And there is a video of the woman saying he was talking to her and MC has been her customer for years,” he said. So I do not know the facts. But people should re-examine the facts and if he had truly broken the law, then of course, he must pay for it.” | Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, MC Oluomo, Hate Speech, Hate Speech | http://bit.ly/3LWUrks | |
| Punch Online | 28th March 2023 | Vacate office immediately, Nnamani tells Ayu | The senator representing Enugu East and former Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, has asked Senator Iyorchia Ayu to vacate office as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party forthwith saying “his deception and abysmal performance are unmitigated”. According to Nnamani, Ayu’s leadership style has brought misfortune to the PDP. He said, “Ayu is just an unmitigated disaster. His leadership is an evil that befell the PDP. The only option left is to show him the exit door. Section 57(7) of the PDP constitution stipulates that “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no executive committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly.” He recalled that the Ayu-led NWC relied on the aforementioned section to expel him when it lacked the power to do so pointing out that Ayu’s case now is “akin to the evil that men do lives with them.”“How can Ayu be relying on the PDP constitution Section 57 (7) to seek refuge when he had flagrantly subverted the same section to sack key stakeholders of the party including me?”. Nnamani further said Ayu lacked the moral right to stay a day longer in office as National Chairman. “If he still has any modicum of honour, he should quit immediately. Look at the shame he has brought on the PDP. Look at the array of key stakeholders Ayu has sacked or forced to leave the party, Nnamani said.” Nnamani, therefore, urged the NEC and the Board of Trustees of the party to wade in to show Ayu the exit door to save the party from complete extinction. | senator representing Enugu East and former Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, National Chairman PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, Vacation of office | http://bit.ly/42OVetK | |
| Punch Online | 28th March 2023 | BREAKING: PDP appoints acting National Chairman to replace Ayu | The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has appointed Umar Damagum, to oversee the affairs of the party in acting capacity. National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, announced this at a press conference on Tuesday, at the party’s secretariat. Details later… | PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, breaking news | http://bit.ly/3JQkA1N | |
| Vanguard Online | 28th March 2023 | I’ll win third term in Adamawa if constitution permits – Fintiri | Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa state said he is confident of winning if the Nigerian constitution allows a third term in office as governor of the state. Fintiri stated this in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics. Recall that Fintiri is seeking re-election under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the governorship poll in the state inconclusive last week. According to INEC, the cancelled votes were more than the margin of victory between Fintiri and Senator Aishatu Dahiru aka Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Prior to when the poll was declared inconclusive, final results counted by INEC showed that Fintiri scored the highest with 421,524 votes, while APC’s Aishatu Dahiru, popular as Binani, scored 390,275 votes. But, Fintiri said if the people did not want him, he would not have been leading in the election, winning 16 local governments out of 21. He said, “If the opportunity would be provided for a governor to contest for the third time, I think I am one of those that can win election three times in that state,” he stated. “I am one of the most performing governors in the country. Go and carry out your survey. I am one governor that has developed the infrastructure excellently across all the local government areas. I have turned around the state that now looks like Abuja.” Meanwhile, INEC, on Monday, has fixed Saturday, April 15 for the governorship, national and state assembly supplementary elections, which also includes Adamawa and Kebbi states. | Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, Supplementary election, APC Governorship Candidate, Aishatu Dahiru aka Binani | https://bit.ly/3zggUl7 | |
| Vanguard Online | 28th March 2023 | Tinubu will run effective government – Buhari | President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will run an effective government when he takes over the administration of the country. The President gave this asssurance in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina on Tuesday. According to Buhari, Nigeria would experience effective governance under the administration of Tinubu. He noted that Tinubu had the political pedigree and experience to achieve this by May 29 when he would take over the leadership of the country. Buhari said, “As the President-elect prepares to take over mantle of leadership at 71, the President affirms that his political pedigree from the 90’s, active role in party politics, being elected Senator and later Governor of Lagos State, and diligent involvement in structure of leadership at the Executive and Legislative levels for many years, will serve as asset for good and effective governance. President Buhari believes Asiwaju’s warmth, friendliness and generosity has set the pace for a network of friends, home and abroad, that will shape his presidency with requisite expertise to guide the economy, and consolidate on the investments of past leaders, particularly in people-first development and infrastructure.” Buhari also felicitated with the President-elect for clocking 71 on Wednesday. | President Muhammadu Buhari, President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu | https://bit.ly/3ZCz4bD> | |
| Daily Post Online | 28th March 2023 | Tribunal grants NNPP’s request to inspect BVAS, other election materials in Ogun | The elections petition tribunal sitting in Ogun State has granted the request of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to inspect the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines and other sensitive materials used for 2023 gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in the state. The request was granted following a petition written by the NNPP and its gubernatorial candidate in the state, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, over the omission of the party’s name on the ballot papers used for the election. Our correspondent recalls that NNPP was omitted on the ballot papers during the elections held on 18th March across the state. Governor Dapo Abiodun of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner of the gubernatorial election. The party described the omission as a plot to disenfranchise its members, loyalists, supporters and the masses from voting during the elections. The party, in its argument, alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which conducted the elections, did not print the party’s name on the governorship ballot papers, as prescribed by the Electoral Act. The party asked the tribunal to allow it to make photocopies, scan and record all sensitive materials used by INEC. | Ogun State Election petition tribunal, NNPP, Inspections of BVAS and sensitive materials, 2023 Governorship/State Assembly election, Ogun State NNPP Governorship Candidate, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo | http://bit.ly/3nm8d61 | |
| Daily Trust Online | 28th March 2023 | Supplementary Poll: PDP Calls For Removal Of Adamawa REC | Ahead of the supplementary election in Adamawa State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Hudu Yunusa. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Abuja on Monday, Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the party, alleged that Yunusa attempted to alter the result of the last governorship election in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He said the PDP has evidence against the REC, whom he claimed was in favour of the APC governorship candidate, Aisha Binani. The PDP Spokesman said from the final tabulation of results from the Polling Units across Adamawa State, the PDP Candidate, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, is in clear lead with 31,299 lawful votes above the candidate of the APC. He also said the PDP had earlier alerted Nigerians of how the APC and some compromised INEC officials attempted to move the collation of results of the Adamawa State Governorship election from Yola to Abuja to enable the INEC Returning Officer declare the APC candidate the winner; a move which he said was firmly resisted by the people of Adamawa. | Calls for removal of INEC REC, Adamawa State, Mallam Hudu Yunusa, Supplementary Election | http://bit.ly/40q55ou | |
| Daily Trust Online | 28th March 2023 | Adamawa, Kebbi, Other Supplementary Polls Hold April 15 — INEC | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed April 15, for the conduct of supplementary elections in Adamawa and Kebbi states. The commission on Monday in a statement also said that supplementary elections in five senatorial districts, 31 federal and 58 state assembly constituencies would also be held on April 15. The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Festus Okoye, who signed the statement, urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to see the exercise as election and not war. The statement reads in part: “The commission met today (yesterday) Monday, 27th March, 2023, and reviewed the areas where supplementary elections are required to conclude the outstanding governorship, national and state assembly elections across the country. “It will be recalled that 26 state governorship, 104 senatorial, 329 federal and 935 state constituency elections have been concluded and winners declared. Consequently, supplementary governorship elections will be held in Adamawa and Kebbi states, five senatorial districts, 31 federal and 58 state assembly constituencies.” He explained that owing to the competitive nature of the elections, especially for legislative seats, supplementary elections would be held in just a few polling units in some constituencies. He also said that a comprehensive list of the polling by state, local government, registration area, registered voters and PVCs collected would be published on INEC’s website on or before Wednesday, March 29, 2023. He further said, “We appeal to all political parties, candidates and stakeholders to note the date and locations of the supplementary elections. The earlier accreditation for polling and collation agents, observers and the media still subsists for the supplementary elections. | supplementary elections in 5 senatorial districts, 31 federal and 58 state assembly constituencies, INEC, 15th April 2023 | http://bit.ly/ | |
| This Day Newspaper | 24th March 2023 | Naira Scarcity: NECA Urges NLC to Shelve Planned Strike | The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) yesterday advised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to shelve its planned strike against the prevailing naira scarcity in order to avoid dragging the economy into a deeper crisis. The Director General of NECA, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, gave this warning yesterday, in a press statement titled, “Nigeria Labour Congress Nationwide Planned Strike: NECA Calls for Caution, Urges Social Dialogue.” However, in a bid to stave off an impending protest by the NLC against the central bank, some officials of the apex bank, including its deputy governors, yesterday met with the leadership of the congress in Abuja. Speaking further, Oyerinde cautioned that embarking on the planned strike at this time would be counter-productive. Oyerinde said: “While we had expressed our deep concern as regards the mismanaged and dreadful implementation of the naira redesign policy, and in fact, some other policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria, it is our strong believe that the planned strike by the NLC could further drag the economy into a deeper hole, leading to rapid business closures, job losses and other socio-economic challenges. “While we affirm emphatically our displeasure with government’s loud silence and seeming inactivity in resolving the self-inflicted quagmire, the planned strike, at this time, could be counter-productive. “We, hereby, urge the maximum use of the instrumentality of social dialogue in resolving all issues associated with industrial and social-economic disputes. Actions by government and indeed social partners that could compromise the fragile economic state of the nation should be avoided. We urge the CBN and indeed, the federal government to immediately address the genuine concern of Nigerians in view of the ongoing socio-economic difficulties.” | Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, NLC, Naira Scarcity, Planned strike action | Page 1 & 5 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 24th March 2023 | PDP Bares Its Fangs, Suspends Fayose, Anyim, Others for Anti-party Activities | The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, suspended a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose and a former President of the Senate, Senator Pius Anyim. Also hit by the PDP big stick were Prof. Dennis Ityavyar from Benue State and Dr. Aslam Aliyu from Zamfara State, over alleged anti-party activities, believed to have translated into the PDP defeat on Saturday, February 25. In addition, the NWC has also dragged some prominent members of the party in Benue State, including the governor, Samuel Ortom, before a disciplinary committee, while at the same time set up a caretaker committee for the party in Katsina State. But Fayose, who reacted to the news of his suspension, has described the action as the last kick of a dead horse, saying while the PDP lost the presidential election as a result of the fragmentation within the party, a majority of the leaders of the party also worked against the party. Also, Ortom has warned that the NWC of the PDP was acting in contempt of a subsisting court order by referring him to the disciplinary committee of the party for alleged anti-party activities. On his part, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has berated the PDP leadership for the suspension of Fayose and others over alleged involvement in anti-party activities, saying the party should have suspended its National Chairman, Dr. Iyiorcha Ayu, instead. In a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said, the NWC has approved the suspension of the following from the party with effect from today, Thursday, March 23, 2023. Those suspended are Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State), Senator Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State), Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State) and Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State). Further, the PDP said, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has after very extensive review of the affairs of our party in the country and pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) referred the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.” The PDP urged all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of party across the country to remain united and focused at this critical time. | PDP NWC, Suspension for anti-party activities, former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, former President of the Senate, Senator Pius Anyim, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, Dr. Aslam Aliyu, Samuel Ortom | Page 5 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 24th March 2023 | Keyamo Petitions DSS, Wants Political Opponents Charged with Treason | Minister of State for Labour and Employment, and one of the Spokespersons of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, APC PCC, Mr Festus Keyamo, has called for the arrest of the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and his running mate, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, for allegedly making incendiary comments and claims capable of causing an insurrection against the government. But the LP Presidential Campaign Council dismissed the allegations against the party’s candidates. It accused Keyamo of selfishness, saying he felt content to look the other way when his party, All Progressives Congress (APC), and its supporters moved against non-Yoruba nationalities in Lagos State with hateful speeches and acts during the last elections. A civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), also slammed Keyamo for saying the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal would clear Tinubu of all allegations brought against him by Obi and Atiku, insisting it amounts to pre-empting the panel. Keyamo, who was also the spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), in a petition addressed to the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), dated March 23, 2023, called on the secret police to charge Obi and Baba-Ahmed to court for their conducts, which he said was akin to incitement and treasonable felony. The minister said in the petition, “I write this petition with the full realisation that in a post-election period such as this, there is a need to soothe frayed nerves, lower the temperature and begin the healing process. The president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has issued a statement to this effect a few days ago.” Keyamo said it appeared Obi and Baba-Ahmed were not prepared to toe the conciliatory path for the sake of peace and national cohesion, while exercising their rights to pursue duly laid down constitutional means of addressing their grievances. | Minister of State for Labour and Employment, spokesperson for APC PCC, Mr Festus Keyamo, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, LP Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, Post election, alleged treason, DSS | Page 1 & 5 | |
| Daily Trust Online | 24th March 2023 | NNPP Sues INEC Over FCT Senatorial Poll | The FCT chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has rejected the outcome of the National Assembly election in Abuja and has proceeded to the tribunal to seek redress. The NNPP senatorial candidate for the FCT, Ahmad Tijani, disclosed this yesterday in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. He, however, urged his supporters to remain calm while the party was prosecuting the case in court. He said, “All our efforts were sabotaged and undermined. I’m not trying to levy allegations, but it is clear to everybody in the FCT that the Labour Party (LP) and the INEC played some roles in sabotaging our efforts in the NNPP. “Our logo was changed on the ballot paper and this made the NNPP lose massive votes. That is why I am challenging the result that led to the emergence of Ireti Kingibe as the senator-elect.We are challenging the outcome of the election at the election petition tribunal and we will make sure we don’t relent until justice is served.” | NNPP FCT Chapter, NNPP senatorial candidate for the FCT, Ahmad Tijani, Rejection of Result, Election tribunal | http://bit.ly/3 | |
| Guardian Newspaper | 24th March 2023 | Ebonyi PDP, Abia APC, Edeoga reject guber results, vow to reclaim mandates | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State chapter, has rejected the result of the governorship election in The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State chapter, has rejected the result of the governorship election in the state, noting that results in its possession show clearly that its candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Odii, won the governorship poll. Briefing journalists at press briefing in Abakaliki, the Acting Chairman of the party, Ifeanyi Nworie, vowed that with the evidence they have, the party will challenge the result of the election in court. The party claimed that its candidate scored the highest lawful votes cast and not Francis Nwifuru, the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He alleged that the election was marred by intimidation of voters and other electoral fraud. Meanwhile, the Abia State All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the results of last Saturday’s governorship election in the state, saying it is reviewing the results critically and carefully to take necessary measures in due course. The state Returning Officer for the governorship and state Assembly poll, Prof. Nnenna Oti, had announced the Labour Party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Alex Otti, who polled 175,467 votes, as winner, followed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Okey Ahiwe, with 88,529 votes. The APC rejected the result, yesterday, in a statement jointly signed by its state Chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, state Secretary, Chidi Avajah and the Director General of Ikechi Emenike Campaign Organisation, Uche Ogboso. The APC argued that the election results did not reflect real votes cast or the preferences of Abians, adding that results being circulated are unsustainable; hence, it rejected the election outcome in its entirety. Also, the Labour Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chijioke Edeoga, yesterday, claimed he won the governorship election, held last Saturday, and vowed he would explore every legal means to retrieve his mandate. The PDP candidate, Dr. Peter Mbah, was, on Wednesday, announced by INEC, as winner of the election after he polled 160,895 votes against Edeoga’s 157,552 votes. Reacting to the declaration, Edeoga stated that it was not in consonance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Enugu State and their democratic intentions. | Rejection of Governorship results, Enugu State, Abia State, Ebonyi State, Election Petition tribunal | Page 28 | |
| Daily Post Online | 24th March 2023 | Judgement Day: Tension in Osun as Adeleke, Oyetola know fate | A 3-man panel of the Appeal Court will today, Friday, deliver judgement in the legal battle between Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola. DAILY POST reports that tension and anxiety is building up in the state, with supporters of the various interests uncertain of the pendulum the judgement would swing. Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was declared winner of the July 16, 2022 governorship election in Osun, but his victory was immediately challenged by the Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who alleged over-voting in some polling units. The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday announced that judgement in the legal battle would be handed down for the two warring parties. The Court had on March 14 reserved judgments in three appeals and a cross-appeal filed on the dispute over the governorship election. The substantive appeals, filed by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), are against the January 27 judgement of the Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal, which voided Adeleke’s victory at the July 16, 2022 election. The cross-appeal, jointly filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in the election, Adegboyega Oyetola, is against a portion of the tribunal’s judgement. DAILY POST reports that the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had sacked Governor Adeleke on the ground that he did not score the majority of lawful votes cast during the July 16 governorship election in the state. Two out of the three-member panel of the tribunal held that Oyetola could prove that there was indeed over-voting in some of the polling units. Adeleke had immediately condemned the judgement, vowing to challenge it at the appellate court. However, Adeleke is before the appellate court, praying it upturn the earlier judgement. He insists that he won the majority of votes cast during the guber polls. At the time of this report, DAILY POST gathered that tension is high in the state, even as chieftains of the PDP and the APC, as well as associates, are said to have arrived in Abuja to witness the delivery of the judgement. | Appeal Court, Court Judgement, Osun 2022 Governorship Election, Governor Election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola | http://bit.ly/40eLwiF | |
| This Day Newspaper | 24th March 2023 | Abe: Rivers Guber Poll Was Marred By Violence | The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State in the March 18 election, Senator Magnus Abe, yesterday declared that the governorship election in the state was marred by violence. He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies were compromised and described the election as a charade and a sham. Speaking during an interview on Arise News Channel, Abe condemned the ignoble role of INEC and the security agencies. The senator alleged that they supported the injustice and violence that occurred during the gubernatorial polls, saying the security agencies were complicit and stood by while people were threatened. He also accused INEC of reporting results with suspicious figures for Ahoada West Local Government Area where he claimed the collation exercise was marred by violence. The SDP candidate also condemned the traditional rulers in the state whom he alleged threatened those in their communities through the use of town criers. He alleged that such communities were told that if they wouldn’t vote for a certain candidate, they should stay at home. “People were intimidated,” he said, while noting that businesses were threatened as well. He denied allegations of vote buying levelled against the SDP, saying the party did not send out any amount of money to that effect. He said the state government instead of conducting investigations into the violence and killings during the election, focused instead on how the SDP got tags for the election. | SDP Rivers State Governorship candidate, Senator Magnus Abe, Post election, Election violence | Page 16 | |
| Daily Post Online | 23rd March 2023 | 2023 elections: APC suspends SGF Boss Mustapha | Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, has been suspended from his political party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. The SGF was suspended by the APC in his Gwadabawa Ward in Adamawa State. Muazu Kabiri, an official of the party in the Ward said that hardly did Mustapha contribute to the last general election. The SGF’s letter of suspension also noted that he lost his polling unit to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at both the presidential and the governorship polls. However, the Adamawa State chapter of the APC has kicked against the action, saying the ward has no right to suspend Mustapha. | Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Suspension | http://bit.ly/42CE42n | |
| This Day Newspaper | 23rd March 2023 | Non-compliance with Electoral Act Invalidates Tinubu’s Election, Atiku Tells Tribunal | The candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has told the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) sitting in Abuja that the non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rendered invalid the election of Bola Tinubu as president-elect. Atiku said this in a petition he filed, alongside his party, PDP, challenging the declaration of Tinubu as winner of the February 25, 2023, presidential election. INEC had declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the presidential election, Tinubu, winner and, thus, president-elect. INEC said Tinubu scored a total of 8, 794, 726 votes to emerge winner, while the petitioner, Atiku, scored 6,984, 520 to emerge first runner up. However, Atiku and PDP, in their petition dated March 21, 2023, and filed by a team of 26 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), among others, claimed that Tinubu’s victory was as a result of alleged malpractices and other irregularities, upon which they were seeking the nullification of his win. Besides, the petitioners maintained that for any of the candidates in the February 25 poll to be declared winner, he or she must score 25 per cent of votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They added that Tinubu’s failure to meet the said constitutional requirement invalidated his election. Respondents in the petition, marked: CA/PEPC/05/2023, are INEC, Tinubu, and APC as First, Second, and Third, respectively. The petition was based on four major grounds, among which were that (a) The election of the second respondent was invalid by reason of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022; (b) the election of the second respondent was invalid by reason of corrupt practices; (c) the second respondent was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election, and the second respondent was at the time of the poll not qualified to contest the election. Arguing the petition, lead counsel to the petitioners, Joe Gadzama, SAN, pointed out, “The non-compliance substantially affected the result of the election, in that the second respondent ought not to have been declared or returned as the winner of the election.” They recalled that INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, had repeatedly assured the general public that the February 2023 general election would be the best election ever. The assurance was based on the guaranteed use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and real-time and direct uploading of the polling unit results to INEC’s electronic collation system and Results Viewing Portal (IReV), which were technological innovations in the electoral system that would ensure the transparency of the elections against all forms of manipulation. The petitioners stated that contrary to the undertakings, representations and assurances made by the first respondent, the first respondent proceeded on March 1, 2023 to wrongly return the second respondent as the winner of the election, “when the outcome (herein being challenged) and the results from the polling units, including the total number of accredited voters in the respective polling units, were yet to be transmitted to the 1st Respondent’s Electronic Collation System and the 1st Respondent’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as stipulated by the Electoral Act, 2022 and the INEC Guidelines and Manuals and expressly guaranteed to the electorate by the 1st Respondent.” | Court Suit, PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, INEC, Presidential Election Petition Court PEPC, Presiden-elect, Bola Tinubu, Post election, Electoral Act 2022 | Page 1 & 12 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 23rd March 2023 | CBN Orders Banks to Immediately Collect Old Banknotes from its Branches to Ease Scarcity | The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed commercial banks to collect the old N500 and N1,000 they had previously deposited at its branches nationwide in order to further ease the scarcity of the currency nationwide. A reliable source at the CBN who disclosed this to THISDAY, yesterday, expressed optimism that the directive would help end the naira scarcity before the end of the week and the country would be awash with naira notes. The directive from the apex bank came just as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), yesterday, directed all workers to picket all the offices of CBN nationwide starting from next week over current cash crunch in the country. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, who gave the directive while addressing journalists at Abuja, said the directive became imperative following the expiration of a one-week ultimatum given to the apex bank to make cash available to Nigerians. He said workers decided to take their destiny in their hands, adding that mobilisation would commence immediately. He said the protest action from next Wednesday, would be total until further notice. Ajaero said: “Last week at the end of our CWC meeting, we gave a one-week ultimatum for the federal government to address immediately, among other issues, issue of cash crunch that was caused by the policy. As at this morning when the CWC met again to review the situation, we discovered that not much, improvement has been made. “The situation is still almost the same. People are still buying our currency with our currencies. People can no longer can still not assess the currency and the government seems to be very adamant on this. No moves have been made to reduce the suffering of Nigerians. Consequently, the CWC-in-session resolved to go into the process of actualising the one-week notice.From Friday, there will be mobilisation of all state councils through a NEC meeting. All unions have already been directed to mobilise all their organs and their branches. By Wednesday, next week, all Central Bank of Nigeria offices nationwide will be picketed. All central bank from the CBN headquarters will be shut till further notice. Workers are directed to stay at home and join in the picketing exercise.” | CBN, NLC, Proposed nationwide strike, protest, Naira Scarcity | Page 34 | |
| The Sun | 23rd March 2023 | There can’t be healing without justice -Rhodes-Vivour | Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, yesterday, told President-elect, Bola Tinubu, that there cannot be healing without justice to victims of violence and disenfranchisement in last Saturday’s election in the state. He spoke against the backdrop of Tinubu’s condemnation of cases of infractions, ethnic slurs and violence that trailed the 2023 general elections, declaring that elections were now over and that healing process should begin. Rhodes-Vivour in a statement, alleged the All Progressives Congress (APC) unleashed “evil on Lagosians, with their fetish rites and curses during the day, and physical violence, yet want the peace of a graveyard.” He claimed that actions of leaders of the APC could lead to genocide like what happened in Rwanda in 1994. He said he visited victims of Saturday’s “state-backed terrorism and violence from Abule Ado to Surulere, Apapa to Ikeja” and met with young men and women in pain due to bullets lodged in their body or deep cuts which have fractured their legs. He alleged the APC had stoked ethnic strife “for the ambition of one man and his cult,” and rubbished the credibility the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) built over the years. In a direct response to the call by Tinubu for healing, Rhodes-Vivour said: “Healing cannot happen without justice. “We saw our traditional institutions reduced to pawns, tools. Oro rites that are done at night were done during the day, invoking the spell that Senator Tinubu and his cult have used to keep Lagos bound. This was no election, it was violence on multiple levels, diabolically and physically. On this ambition, they sowed seeds that could potentially lead to outcome like the Rwandan genocide,” he said. | Lagos State LP Candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour,, Post election, Call for justice, President-Elect, Bola Tinubu, Governorship and State Assembly election | http://bit.ly/3ZhIrgI | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 23rd March 2023 | Election violence: Police arrest 47 suspects in Jigawa, Abia, C’ River, others | Though the February 11 and March 18 General elections have come and gone, it left scars in the hearts and bodies of many, as a result of violence recorded across the country. So far, 50 suspects have been arrested in six states for assaulting and destroying electoral materials. In Cross River State, 16 suspects were arrested for various election offences. According to the State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Abubakar Garba, 16 suspected political thugs were arrested in Ogoja and Obudu in Northern Cross River Senatorial District with six guns and live ammunition, during the presidential election. The CP, who spoke through the Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, said the suspects were recruited by top politicians in the Northern Senatorial District to disrupt the election. On Friday evening before the election, there was a violent situation in the Okoyong community of Odukpani Local Council, as five vehicles in the convoy of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart were destroyed. In Boki, a youth was shot by as youths tried to burn down the INEC office for alleged irregularities. INEC had asked them to put their protest in writing, they declined and made attempts to burn down the INEC office, but were stopped by the soldiers and in the process one of them was shot. He however survived as he was rushed to the hospital. In Bakassi, Miss Glory Essien, an ad-hoc staff of INEC was shot during the governorship election. Essien, who is currently receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), was shot by suspected militants while in a speedboat on her way for election duty. Also, Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest and detention for questioning of 22 suspects in connection with various electoral offences during the March 18 governorship and State House of Assembly elections in the State. The offences include: ballot box snatching, destruction of INEC materials, violence and disruption of voting process. Although Abia State Police Command, yesterday, could not give the number of those arrested in the election, investigation showed that arrests were made during the build up to the election. The Command also said no human life was lost and no property was destroyed in the state during the election. But a medical doctor and polling agent of the Labour Party (LP) in Obingwa Local Council, whose name was given as Dr. George Chimezie , was attacked and dealt machete cuts in his neck by hoodlums alleged to be agents of another party. It was also reported that about two INEC staff and some Ad Hoc workers involved in the election in that same Obingwa were attacked and held hostage for three days. In Niger State, military officials attacked some journalists covering the just concluded governorship and House of assembly elections in Kontagora Local council of the state. The military officials, who mounted road blocks at the front of Landmark FM Station in Kontagora, threatened to shoot journalists for passing through the blocked portion of the road. | Electoral Violence, Delta, Abia, Cross River, Niger State, Jigawa | Page 8 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 23rd March 2023 | Barau Joins Senate Presidency Race, Says ‘I’m The Most Experienced’ | The Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Barau Jibrin, has joined the race for the senate presidency in the 10th National Assembly. APC’s Barau declared interest to contest for the position while briefing reporters at the National Assembly in Abuja yesterday. He said, “I intend to be the president of the 10th senate by the grace of God. I will, in a few days or weeks, make a formal declaration.” The Kano North senator said he was the most experienced among those who were seeking to occupy the coveted office in the 10th assembly. He said the North West should be considered for the position having voted massively for the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Barau dismissed the calls in some quarters for a Christian senate president to balance APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying competence should not be sacrificed for religious sentiment. He said, “Among those who are seeking to occupy that office, I have the highest ranking and most experience. The issue is that of competence. You need to be grounded in procedures of legislation and other activities of the parliament before becoming the senate president. Will you now relegate competence for other sentiments? There was a time we had a Christian Senate President, David Mark, and the Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, a Christian, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh, a Christian. They were the most experienced and ranking at that time. Competence was not relegated for sentiment then.” | Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Barau Jibrin, 10th National Assembly, Contest for Senate Presidency | Page 11 | |
| The Nation Online | 23rd March 2023 | LP wins Abia, PDP takes Enugu | Top banker Alex Otti and oil magnate Peter Mbah were last night declared winners of the governorship elections in Abia and Enugu states by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Otti’s hard-won victory makes him Labour Party’s (LP’s) only governor-elect. He polled 175, 467 votes to defeat his closest rival, Okey Ahiwe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 88, 529 votes. Mbah of the PDP was declared Enugu governor-elect with 160,895 votes to defeat his LP contender Chijioke Edeoga who garnered 157,552 votes. The INEC State Returning Officer for Abia, Prof Nnenna Oti, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri, Imo State, said Otti and Ahiwe were trailed by Enyinnaya Nwafor of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) with 28, 972 votes. In Enugu yesterday, Mbah and Edeoga were trailed by Frank Nweke Jnr of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). He got 17,983 votes. Chief Uche Nnaji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 14,575 votes to come a distant fourth. INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, declared Mbah the winner Wednesday evening at the resumption of the final collation of governorship election results in Enugu, 48 hours after INEC suspended the exercise. | Abia State Governor-elect, Alex Otti, Enugu State Governor-elect, Peter Mbah | https://bit.ly/40v6FEW | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 23rd March 2023 | APC Leaders Demand Kano REC’s Removal | The leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State yesterday staged a protest to the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano demanding the immediate removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner. They hinged their demand on the REC’s alleged “partisanship, favouritism and conniving with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to rig elections.” The protesters, led by their legal counsel, Barrister Abdu Fagge, said they were not satisfied with the conduct of the REC during the 2023 general elections. Fagge said, “It may be recalled that before now the APC and several other parties had written various petitions against the Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner for his partisanship, favouritism and conniving with the NNPP to rig elections. We once again register our loss of confidence in the Kano REC and demand his immediate removal in line with the dictate of the law, impartiality, respect for due process and the rule of law.” The Head of Department, Administration, INEC, Lawal Sani, received the petition on behalf of the REC with the promise to deliver. Daily Trust observed that thugs tried to take advantage of the situation, forcing traders to suspend business activities for the day. Abba Kabir Yusuf of NNPP was declared winner of last Saturday’s governorship election in Kano, polling 1,019,602 votes against his closest rival, APC’s Nasir Gawuna, who secured 890,705 votes. | APC protest in Kano State, NNPP, INEC, Calls for removal of Kano INEC REC | Page 11 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 23rd March 2023 | Pantami: Nigeria Recorded 3.9m Cyberattacks Before, During, After Guber Elections | The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami has drawn the attention of the digital economy stakeholders and the general public to the ministry’s activities before, during, and after the 2023 gubernatorial and states’ houses of assembly elections. Pantami said the committee, which he inaugurated to monitor Nigeria’s cyberspace, recorded a total of 3,834,244 attacks, originating from both within and outside Nigeria, before, during and after the gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections across the country. According to a statement released yesterday by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and signed by the Senior Technical Assistant (Research and Development) to the Minister, Dr. Femi Adelusi, the daily breakdown of the attacks showed that on Friday 17th March, 2023, there were 1,046,896 cyberattacks; On Saturday 18th March, 2023, there were 1,481,847 Cyberattacks; On Sunday 19th March, 2023, there were 327,718 Cyberattacks and on Monday 20th March, 2023, there were 977,783 Cyberattacks. The statement further stated that activities on the Nigerian cyberspace during the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, we’re much lower than those during the Presidential and National Assembly elections. “This is neither surprising nor unexpected as, Nigeria being Africa’s largest democracy, the Presidential and National Assembly elections are bound to attract much attention of everyone, including cyberthreat actors than during the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections. The Minister is confident that the implementation of some recommendations as well as measures taken to fortify our cyber defence mechanisms might have helped in this,” the statement further said. | Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, Cyber attacks, Governorship and State Assembly election | Page 34 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 22nd March 2023 | Tinubu: Physical, Verbal Assault During the March 18 Governorship, States Assembly Elections, Unacceptable | President-elect, Bola Tinubu, yesterday, condemned the physical and verbal assaults meted out to voters in some states of the federation during last Saturday’s governorship and Houses of Assembly elections. Tinubu also called for reconciliation and healing with the elections over. But in a swift reaction, yesterday, the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, dismissed Tinubu’s call for healing after a violent election as the height of hypocrisy. Tinubu, in a statement he personally signed, yesterday, expressed sadness about the reported infractions during the elections and its aftermath in some states. The president-elect said, in the statement titled, “Elections Are Over: Healing Process Must Begin,” noted that election was pivotal to the growth and sustenance of democracy and democratic governance at the state level. He added that consolidating democratic governance at the sub-national level would bring more development and improved quality of life to the masses. According to him, “The more we entrench and consolidate the gains of our democratic venture across the length and breadth of our country, the more our people benefit in terms of dividends of democracy and good governance. Tinubu added, “However, I’m saddened by the reported isolated infractions during the elections and its aftermath in some states. I strongly condemn it. Also, the report of arson after the announcement of governorship results in one state did not represent who we truly are: peace-loving people. “The physical and verbal assaults committed are unacceptable and antithetical to democratic ethos. Elections should be a celebration of our maturing democracy and freedom of choice and ought not to be moments of grief. I am particularly pained by cases of ethnic slurs, which are capable of creating needless mis-characterisation reported in some locations.” The president elect appealed to all Nigerians to rise above individual differences, “which, in reality, are fewer than the valued strings that bind the nation together as a people irrespective of the circumstances of birth.” Tinubu noted that as former governor of Lagos State, he could attest to the strength of the country’s diversity and togetherness. He stated, “As your president-elect, it is that spirit of inclusiveness we engendered in Lagos that I intend to bring into national governance so that together we can attain our full potential. “I will give priority to expanding the civic space and safeguarding citizens’ freedom to exercise their rights within the bounds of the law.” | President-elect, Bola Tinubu, Post Election, Reconciliation and healing | 1 & 10 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 22nd March 2023 | Buhari: I’m Happy Nigerians Now Realise Their Voting Power | President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said he was unhappy that some candidates lost out in the just concluded general election, but took solace in the fact that the people have now realised the power in their votes. The president, who described the election as evidence of voters’ vibrancy and maturity, said he personally told voters at different instances to take money when given but vote their conscience, stressing that, given the chance of a free and fair election as well as non-interference in elections, Nigerians had proven capable of deciding their leaders without prodding. Buhari, who hinted at some of his retirement considerations, said he planned to be a “big landlord” back at home, working on his farms and tending his more than 300 animals, adding also that he was eager to leave office. But, this is as the outgoing United States Ambassador, Mary Beth Leonard, has advised Buhari to remove fuel subsidy before leaving office, adding that there were a few more things he needed to do before leaving office. Buhari, who spoke yesterday at a farewell meeting with Leonard at the State House in Abuja, expressed satisfaction with remarkable passion towards democracy exhibited by Nigerians through the choices they made in the presidential, national assembly, governorship and state houses of assembly elections, adding that Nigeria’s democracy has truly matured. According to him: “People are realising their power. Given the chance of a free and fair vote, nobody can tell them what to do. I am unhappy that some candidates lost in the election. But I am inspired by the fact that voters were able to make their own decision, to decide who won and who lost. “With the currency change, there was no money to spread around but even then, I told voters to take the money and vote according to their consciences,” adding that he was completely satisfied with his own role in the election process, staying above it, without meddlesomeness or any form of interference. | President Muhammadu Buhari, Post election, Voting power | 1 & 10 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 22nd March 2023 | Obi, Atiku, Two Others Want Tribunal to Void Tinubu’s Declaration as President-elect | As the curtain falls on the time frame for filing of petitions against the outcome of the February 25 presidential election, the presidential candidates of Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Action Alliance (AA), Solomon Okangbuan; and Allied People’s Movement (APM), Chichi Ojei, have filed for the nullification of the declaration of Bola Tinubu of All Progressives Congress (APC) as president-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). AA’s petition was contained in suit number CA/PEPC/01/2023, while that of APM was CA/PEPC/03/2023, and that of LP was marked CA/PEPC/04/2023. Atiku swelled the list with his petition filed on Tuesday in Abuja. Although details of the application by PDP Candidate were yet to be made available in the petition marked: /PEPC/05/2023, Atiku and his party had since faulted the entire process that led to the emergence of Tinubu as president-elect. Atiku’s petition filed last night came exactly 21 days after INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, declared Tinubu president-elect, saying his party scored majority of votes cast at the poll. Meanwhile, Obi, yesterday, asked the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) to declare him as the authentic winner of the February 25 presidential election. In the petition filed by his team of lawyers, including 13 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), among who are Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, Away Kalu, Onyechi Ikpeazu, Chief Sebastian Hon, and Jibrin Okutepa, Obi hinged his request on the grounds that he, and not Tinubu, scored majority of lawful votes cast at the presidential poll. Obi insisted that Tinubu and his vice president-elect, Kashim Shettima, ought not to be on the presidential ballot on the grounds that they were not lawfully nominated by their party. The INEC chairman had on March 1 declared Tinubu as the president-elect. In the results announced, Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes to emerge victorious. Atiku, who came second, scored 6,984,520 votes, while Obi scored 6,101,533 votes. | Election tribunal, post election, court suit, LP, APM, PDP, AA | Page 10 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 22nd March 2023 | 2023 polls: Observer group wants INEC unbundled | An observer group, Connected Development (CODE), has said the manner in which the 2023 general elections were conducted suggests the need for quick unbundling of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The organisation said after a thorough review of the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and House of Assembly elections, INEC, as presently constituted, cannot deliver a credible election. Chief Executive Officer of CODE, Hamzat Lawal, stated this, yesterday, during the organisation’s post-election briefing in Abuja. He said: “Nigerian people will not enjoy the dividends of democracy until the unbundling of INEC as an institution. First, how do the chairman and national commissioners emerge? Most importantly, how do the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) also emerge? Who exactly are they answerable to? Today, what we have seen is that the institution as a whole and the people there have been compromised. “The RECs are more of placeholders for corrupt politicians and mischief-makers. So, for us to get it right, we must unbundle this institution and make it truly independent.” On the governorship polls across the country, the organisation reportedly recorded 30 incidents of ballot box hijacking and 50 cases of vote-buying. According to Lawal, data from the 20,000 election observers deployed by the organisation through its ‘Uzabe’ platform to monitor the polls, also indicated 27 per cent voter turnout on election day due to issues of intimidation, violence and voter suppression. | Connected Development, CODE, Calls to unbundle INEC, Post election | Page 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 22nd March 2023 | Gov’ship Polls: Defeated Candidates Reject Results In Kano, Lagos, Bauchi, Delta, Others | Defeated governorship candidates and their parties in some states have rejected the outcome of Saturday’s elections with some vowing to seek legal action. While some of them said they would challenge the outcome in courts, others asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review the outcomes. In Kano, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has given INEC a seven-day ultimatum to review the declaration of the results. Daily Trust reports that the returning officer for Kano, Professor Ahmad Doko Ibrahim, had on Monday declared Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) as the winner of the election. However, addressing a world press conference on Tuesday, the party, through its legal adviser for the state chapter, Abdul Fagge, said the INEC returning officer erred in law and acted ultra vires of the Electoral Act by distinguishing cancellations due to violence and over-voting and deciding only to consider the latter in the final consideration of the margin of lead. In Borno, the NNPP candidate, Mohammed Mustapha, said he would challenge the election on the ground that his party’s name and logo were missing on the ballot paper. Similarly, the APC in Bauchi State rejected the results of the governorship election in the state, saying, “We consider the figures that were released as totally unacceptable.” In Taraba State, the NNPP candidate, Sani Muhammed Yahaya, rejected the governorship election results declared by INEC even as the APC candidate, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, congratulated Agbu Kefas of PDP who was declared winner by INEC. Yahaya, at a press conference in Jalingo, said the results were not what were actually recorded in the field. He said he won the election, but the result was manipulated. In Delta State, the APC and its governorship candidate, Senator James Omo-Agege and the Young Progressive Party (YPP) presidential candidate, Sunny Ofehe, at a press conference, rejected the results of the governorship election in the state. However, the governorship candidate of APGA, Great Ovedje Ogboru and that of the NNPP, Goodnews Agbi, congratulated the governor-elect, Sheriff Oborevwori. A petition signed by Godwin Anaughe, director, election and strategy of APC Governorship Campaign Council, accused the returning officer of collating the results in complete breach of provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. In Plateau, the governorship candidate of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, rejected the outcome of the election. Yilwatda disclosed this on Monday evening while addressing party supporters in Jos, alleging that the election was rigged in some areas, which he believed could be upturned by the court. In Lagos State, Labour Party’s Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, said he was convinced that he won the election, vowing to go to court to challenge the declaration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the exercise. In Akwa Ibom State, the YPP said it would challenge the results of the governorship election in which the PDP candidate, Pastor Umo Eno emerged as winner. The secretary of the party, Kelvin Umoh, cited rigging and violence, which resulted in the death of party supporters and destruction of materials as reasons for the rejection. In Katsina, Lado Danmarke of the PDP rejected the result and condemned the declaration, saying the party would reclaim its mandate through legal means. In Jigawa, Mustapha Sule Lamido of the (PDP) said he would consult with the elders of the party and communicate his decision. Meanwhile, the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Jonathan Asake, in a statement, said he was making consultations and reviewing the entire exercise and would soon make his position known to the public. | Rejection of Govenorship results, Akwa Ibom State, Lagos State, Delta State, Borno State, Taraba State, Plateau, Jigawa State | Page 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 22nd March 2023 | Electoral Violence: 6 Suspects To Face Prosecution In Lagos | Lagos State Police Command, on Tuesday, said that six out of the 19 suspects arrested during the last Saturday’s governorship and state house of assembly elections in the state would soon be prosecuted for alleged electoral offences. The police said it also recovered large numbers of permanent voter cards (PVCs) dumped by suspected political thugs in different locations of the state. It said the thugs dumped the recovered PVCs and bolted away to avoid arrest. Parading the suspects yesterday at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti Street, Yaba, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said those arrested were involved in 21 cases which included attacks on INEC officials, vandalism and ballot box snatching. He said the suspects would also be prosecuted for being in possession of fake Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) identity cards, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, assault occasioning harm, and illegal possession of firearms. He said that four of the suspects would be prosecuted by the INEC while two found with arms and involved in other criminal acts would be prosecuted by the police. Hundeyin added that three persons among those paraded also confessed to having allegedly kidnapped and collected about N20.7 million ransom from victims. | Electoral Offences, INEC, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos State | Page 8 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 22nd March 2023 | APC Gives INEC 7 Days to Declare Kano Guber Poll Inconclusive | The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, has rejected the announcement of Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as the winner of the March 18 governorship election and gave the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to declare the election inconclusive. At a press conference in Kano, yesterday, the APC Legal Adviser, Abdul Adamu Fagge, said the election should have been declared inconclusive because the canceled votes, which are more than 270,000 was higher than the 128,897 margin between the winner and runner up. While further disputing the election outcome, the party hinged its argument to the cancellation of sixteen House of Assembly elections in the state due to violence and over-voting as the reason, adding that, “While the same votes were considered in collating the governorship election, as the two elections took place same day, same time, same places and under the same circumstances. “Based on Section 65 of the Electoral Laws 2022, we have written to INEC to revisit and cancel the hasty, wrong and selfish declaration of the NNPP as winner of the elections, and declare the conduct inconclusive.” In his remarks, Deputy Governor of the state, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, admitted that power comes from God, but that would not stop the party from following legal process to challenge the outcome of the hard-fought election. According to him, even though he had said several times during his campaign that he would accept whatever God has destined for him in the election, it was expedient for him to follow any legal means to challenge attempts to subvert the people’s mandate. | Kano APC, INEC, Rejection of Kano Govenorship result, NNPP, Legal actions | Page 41 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 22nd March 2023 | Polls: US Condemns Violence, Voters’ Intimidation in Lagos, Kano, Others | The United States has expressed displeasure over the disturbing acts of violent voters’ intimidation and suppression that took place during last Saturday’s polls in Lagos, Kano and other states. In a statement made available to THISDAY, it noted that members of the United States diplomatic mission observed the elections in Lagos and elsewhere and witnessed some of the incidents of the electoral violence first-hand. The statement also noted that the use of ethnically charged rhetoric before, during, and after the gubernatorial election in Lagos was particularly concerning. The statement added: “We commend all Nigerian political actors, religious and community leaders, youth, and citizens who have chosen to reject and speak out against such violence and inflammatory language, affirming Nigerians’ commitment to and respect for the democratic process.” The United States called on Nigerian authorities to hold accountable and bring to justice any individuals found to have ordered or carried out efforts to intimidate voters and suppress voting during the election process. The statement noted that the United States likewise would consider all available actions, including additional visa restrictions, on individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Nigeria.The statement added: “Following the February 25, national elections, the United States joined other international observers in urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve voting processes and technical elements that experienced flaws in that voting round. “The March 18 elections appear to have had significant operational improvements, as polling stations generally opened on time and most results were visible on an electronic viewing platform in a timely manner. “The United States renews its call for any challenges to election results to go through established legal processes, which must not be interfered with. We further call for Nigeria’s people to work together as they participate in and continue to strengthen the country’s vibrant democracy.” | United States, Voter intimidation and suppression | Page 10 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 22nd March 2023 | Electoral Offences Act: We Must Act Fast To Sustain Democracy – Gbajabiamila | The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said the house must act fast on the passage of the Electoral Offences Bill to effectively implement penalties against individuals, groups and institutions that violate electoral laws and pose threat to Nigeria’s democracy. He made the remark in an opening address at the resumed plenary yesterday in Abuja. He said, “The Electoral Offences Act is one area where we must take action before the culmination of the 9th House of Representatives. “The act is necessary to ensure effective enforcement against individuals and organisations whose violations of our electoral laws undermine our constitution and threaten our democracy. “A system of vigorous prosecution and punishment of electoral offenders will serve as a deterrent to others in the future and help build confidence in our elections"". “When we began the constitutional review process in the 9th House of Representatives, I said this was an opportunity to achieve a constitution that resolves many issues that fracture our nation and hinder our progress. As a necessary first step, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should collaborate with stakeholders to conduct a meticulous assessment of the election process. This is necessary to inform further reforms and improvements.” | Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Electoral Offences Bill, INEC | Page 12 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 22nd March 2023 | 26 People Arrested For Electoral Offences In Benue | The police in Benue State have arrested 26 people for various electoral offences during the just concluded governorship and House of Assembly elections. Police spokesperson in the state, SP Catherine Anene, in a statement, said that despite a series of engagements and warnings to members of the public on the dangers of electoral offences, some recalcitrant persons still engaged in violence during the elections held on March 18. She said, “26 suspects were arrested across the state for various offences including political thuggery, illegal possession of firearms, snatching of ballot boxes and intimidation of voters. “Exhibits recovered from them include three locally made pistols, cutlasses, knives and wraps of weed suspected to be Indian hemp.” | Benue State, Electoral Offences | Page 20 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 14th March 2023 | 10th Assembly leadership: I’ve no preferred candidates, says Tinubu | President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has declared that he does not have preferred candidates for incoming leadership of the 10th National Assembly. He made declaration yesterday in Abuja, while addressing new members-elect at a meeting, organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC). Also, the ruling party has charged its legislators-elect not to rest yet on their electoral victories, urging them to work harder for another round of impressive outcome at this weekend’s governorship and legislative polls. Tinubu’s stance was communicated by Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, during the closed-door parley. There had been speculations that the gathering may have been informed by the need to sort out distribution of leadership offices in the two chambers to avert a repeat of the 2015 scenario when the party lost control of the legislature despite having the most seats in both hallowed chambers. Fielding questions after the meeting, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, observed: “The meeting was to bring members-elect, both Senate and the House together to assure members that in spite of all the odds against the party, we were able to overcome.” He confirmed that the forum did discuss issue of zoning, which had dominated discussions recently. | President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, 10th National Assembly | Page 3 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 14th March 2023 | Buhari absolves self as CBN finally obeys Supreme Court order | Ten days after Supreme Court ruling directing continued use of old N500 and N1,000 notes till December 31, 2023, the Presidency, yesterday, clarified that President Muhammadu Buhari did not direct the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), and governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, not to obey the apex court’s ruling on naira redesign policy. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement, said the President never told Malami and Emefiele to disobey any court orders involving the government and other parties, and as such, the duo have no reason not to comply with the Supreme Court order on naira redesign on the excuse of waiting for directives from President Buhari. But going by his public support of the policy as encapsulated in a national broadcast on February 16, President Buhari, yesterday, refused to take the bold step to end the suffering of millions of Nigerians, who are experiencing difficulties because of the naira redesign policy. In his first public remarks to criticisms by Nigerians of his government’s disobedience to an order of the Supreme Court, President Buhari refused to categorically make an order or give the go ahead to the CBN to issue directives to the banks on the status of the old notes. Instead, he said he did not instruct anybody to disobey any court orders. Despite the ruling, banks and other businesses have continued to reject the old N500 and N1,000 notes, saying the President and CBN governor have not given them the go ahead. According to Shehu, the President is not a micromanager and will not, therefore, stop the AGF and the CBN governor from performing the details of their duties in accordance with the law. The media aide said, in any case, it is debatable at this time, if there is proof of willful denial by the two of them on the orders of the apex court. He said the directive of the President, following the meeting of the Council of State, is that the CBN must make available for circulation, all the money that is needed and nothing has happened to change the position. | Presidenti Buhari on Naira Redesign policy, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu | Page 1 & 6 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 14th March 2023 | Election materials: We have nothing to hide, INEC chair tells LP legal team | Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has declared that the electoral umpire has nothing to hide when it comes to making materials and documents used in the February 25 presidential elections available to political parties. Yakubu stated this, yesterday, when he received the Labour Party (LP) legal team, led by Livy Uzoukwu, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The legal team made up of about 60 lawyers were at INEC to discuss modalities for obtaining key documents that will assist LP in prosecuting its case at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC). At the parley, Yakubu assured the lawyers that the Commission would provide all the documents it requested for them to prosecute their case. He said: “We were served notice that the LP team will be here to inspect the materials, but more specifically, the letter requested us to get in touch with our Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) across the 36 states, including FCT, to make the documents and information available for the prosecution of their petition. “A meeting has been scheduled with all the RECs today, which we will discuss among other issues, this matter of providing Certified True Copies (CTCs) not only to LP, but to all other litigants as well.I want to assure you that the Commission will not hide any document from anybody and will make available any document that they have been requested.” According to Yakubu, there are two categories of documents in INEC’s possession at the Commission’s headquarters. He said while some documents could be given out almost immediately, others would be made available at INEC offices in states. | INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, presidential elections, Labour Party, LP, Inspection of presidential elections materials | Page 6 | |
| Vanguard Online | 14th March 2023 | Guber poll: Enugu PDP tackles LP over alleged planned violent attacks | Enugu State Campaign Council of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has reacted to LP’s allegations of a planned violence and rigging by the PDP in the March 18 gubernatorial election. According to the Campaign Council, Enugu Labour Party is a wicked lot who run when no man is pursuing them. The PDP, however, thanked the LP for letting out and confirming to the world their neferious plot to unleash violence on the people of Enugu State, as was declared by the LP Senator-elect for Enugu North Senatorial District, Chief Okey Ezea. The PDP also said it was instructive that the LP was yet to condemn the “do-or-die” threat by its mouthpiece several weeks after. The Campaign Council, which spoke through its Director of Public Communications/Spokesman, Nana Ogbodo, yesterday, said the fever, which had come over the LP since it recorded some unexpected and fleeting victories in the National Assembly elections through a bandwagon effect of the presidential election, would be cured by the discerning Enugu State electorate on March 18. “We won’t condescend to join issues with the Enugu Labour Party, which has been understandably unable to manage its unexpected success at the February 25 National Assembly election. It is a fact that whatever victories they scored were not predicated on the strength or popularity of their candidates, most of whom are either perennial losers or unknown quantities, but rather on the popularity of one man, who will not be on the ballot on March 18. In any case, we thank the Enugu LP for letting us into their grand designs to unleash terror on Enugu people and massively rig the electoral process as announced by the LP Senator-elect for Enugu North senatorial district, Okey Ezea, who declared the forthcoming governorship election in the state as “a do-or-die” affair"". “However, we are to assure them that we have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over that deadly threat by Ezea and that Enugu people will come out en masse to vote for Dr. Peter Mbah and the PDP in a peaceful atmosphere and that their votes will count. Enugu people will never surrender to their threats and evil designs,” the PDP stated. | Allegations, PDP Enugu State Campaign Council of Peoples Democratic Party, Enugu Labour Party, Director of Public Communications/Spokesman of Enugu State PDP Campaign Council, Nana Ogbodo | https://bit.ly/3Lm7StR | |
| This Day Newspaper | 14th March 2023 | Obi Replies Church Leaders, Elder Statesmen, Says Tinubu Not God’s Will in Presidential Poll | The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday responded to calls from church leaders and some elder statesmen that he should not contest the outcome of the 2023 presidential election as it was God’s will for Bola Tinubu to emerge. Also, after days of pressure from LP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday granted the party’s legal team the opportunity to review materials that were used for last month’s presidential election. INEC had declared Tinubu, winner of the presidential election held on February 25, proclaiming he scored the highest number of votes cast in the election. Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor had polled a total of 8,794,726 votes to defeat his closest rival and presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku, who scored 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi of LP, who polled 6,101,533 votes. But the LP which is challenging the outcome, had last week asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to compel INEC to grant it access to the materials used for the presidential and National Assembly elections. Speaking during an interview on Arise News Channel’s ‘The Morning Show,’ Obi said one of the problems with Nigeria was accepting what was wrong and unacceptable as God’s wish for the country. He also pointed out that he had no personal grudges against the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tinubu, saying he was in court to challenge the procedure and process that led to the declaration of Tinubu as president-elect by INEC. Obi also denounced attempts to ethnicise the voting pattern during the February 25 presidential poll, saying that he got votes across ethnic boundaries in the same way former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former President Goodluck Jonathan respectively got over 90 per cent votes from the South-east in past elections. Commenting on pleas by church leaders and elder-statesmen that he should take the outcome of the election that produced Tinubu as God’s will, Obi said: “I am very respectful to them and I think that they should be respected for what they represent to the society. But I disagree with them. What they are actually preaching is the problem of Nigeria. The problem of Nigeria is accepting wrongdoing, accepting what is unacceptable, that is using God’s name in vain. That’s not what God said. God said do not use my name in vain. What they are saying is not God’s wish". | Presidential polls, LP, LP Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, Church leaders, Elder Statemen, Results of the Presidential Election | Page 5 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 14th March 2023 | Presidency: Feb 25 Presidential Poll Better Than Past Elections in Nigeria | The Presidency, yesterday, rated the February 25 presidential election, which produced the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, as president-elect, as the best the country had seen in recent times despite all the controversies that have trailed the exercise. Many foreign and local observers have reported that the conduct of the election failed to meet the expectations of Nigeria and that INEC failed to follow the Electoral Act and even its own guidelines in the conduct of the poll. However, Presidential spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, in a release, declared that the APC victory in the presidential election, underscored by the nationwide wave of support in the National Assembly results, was a clear mandate for the party to retain power for another term of four years. “This election is an improvement on past elections and due credit should be given to the government and people of this country,” Shehu stated. The Presidency thanked former ambassadors Mark Green and Johnnie Carson, along with other foreign observers, for their concerns over the logistics of the general election in Nigeria and their work as observers on the National Democratic Institute/International Republican Institute Election Observation Missions. The statement said, “It is worth setting their comments in context. No one has disputed the result of the election, except the candidates that fell short. The biggest and the most competitive presidential election in the history of Nigeria has been won by one man: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. | President - elect, Bola Tinubu2023 Presidential elections, Presidential Spokesperson, Garba Shehu | Page 1 & 10 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 14th March 2023 | Nine Lagos Guber Candidates Step Down, Declare Support for Sanwo-Olu | Barely five days to the gubernatorial election, nine governorship candidates and the leadership of their political parties in Lagos State have stepped and declared support for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The candidates under the auspices of Alliance of Registered Political Parties, formally endorsed and declared their support for the re-election bid of Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat in the March 18 governorship election in the state in view of his achievements in the last four years. The political parties included the Young Progressive Party, (YPP), APP, Action Democratic Party (ADP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), NRM and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), at an event held in Lagos.According to them, Lagos State was best in the hands of a competent and experienced leader like Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Speaking on behalf of the political parties, governorship candidate of YPP in Lagos state, Adebayo Ajayi, said “We are here to make known our minds on the forthcoming election in Lagos state. “I wish to welcome you to all this gathering convened by the Alliance of Registered Political Parties (ARPP) comprising nine registered political parties namely APP, ADP, APM, NRM, YPP, NNPP, ZLP, SDP and PRP, to formally declare our support for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for another term of office. ARPP is a group of nine committed and patriotic registered political parties in Lagos State that is interested in the good works of the state government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and desire continuity and realisation of the dream Lagos of this administration. “We reached this decision sequence to our thorough analysis of all the good works and rapid development in Lagos. We cannot sacrifice the various landmark achievements of the present administration scattered in the state on the altar of the bitter politicking. The governor’s consistency as a progressive democrat is worthy of commendation and continuity. He has delivered on his social contract to the good people of Lagos state". | Lagos State Governorship election, Alliance of Registered Political Parties, Step Down for APC | Page 8 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 14th March 2023 | PDP guber candidate mourns slain party chieftain, tasks police to arrest killers | The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyi Odii, has paid a condolence visit to the family of one of the party’s chieftains, Ozoemena Nkwuda, who was shot dead by unknown gunmen. Nkwuda, a father of three, was killed during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. The deceased was a cousin to the Director General of the Campaign Council of PDP in the state, Chief Austin Edeze. The 42-year-old Nkwuda was murdered by suspected political thugs in Ndiogbu-Ndieze, Inyimagu, in Izzi Council of Ebonyi State, on the day the presidential and National Assembly polls were conducted. Odii, represented by his running mate, Igwe Nwagu, described the deceased as a man of peace. He urged the family to be strong and uphold their late father’s principles of peace and love. Responding, the Senator representing Ebonyi North District, Sam Egwu, called on the deceased’s family to take heart and prayed God to accept his soul. Egwu expressed confidence that those involved in the killing would be brought to book. | PDP Ebonyi State Party chieftain, Ozoemena Nkwuda, Assassination | Page 7 | |
| The Punch Online | 14th March 2023 | BREAKING: Gunmen kidnap Accord Rivers Assembly candidate | Gunmen have kidnapped the Accord Party candidate for the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Constituency 2 in the Rivers State House of Assembly for the March 18 election, Chukwudi Ogbonna. Mr. Ogbonna was reportedly kidnaped while driving in his car at Rumuigbo, near Port Harcourt on Monday night when the gunmen forced him to stop and whisked him away with his car. The candidate’s cousin’s brother, Ifeaka Nwakiri confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Tuesday morning, saying “They took him with his Mercedes car. We have reported the matter at the Kala Police station.” Details later… | Election Violence, Accord Party candidate for the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Constituency 2, Rivers State House of Assembly, Chukwudi Ogbonna, Kidnap, Rivers State | http://bit.ly/42dBPCs | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 14th March 2023 | Violence: 7 States To Watch Ahead Of Gov’ship Polls | Seven states have been identified as potential hotspots of violence ahead of Saturday’s rescheduled governorship and state assembly elections. Following the pre-election violence occasioned by clashes between supporters of the major political parties in the seven states, fear has enveloped residents. People in the states say they are gripped by fear given the wave of clashes between supporters of the main contenders and political parties, especially in the build-up and aftermath of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly polls. The states, according to reports and analyses by this paper, included Kaduna, Zamfara, Lagos, Kano, Gombe, Rivers and Bauchi. Calls are being made by stakeholders to the security agencies to strengthen the security apparatus in the states ahead of the elections. In Kano, residents say they are afraid of witnessing a repeat of what happened in some LGAs during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, as well as the violence that broke out during and after the 2019 gubernatorial elections in the state. Another state that is on the radar is Lagos. There is tension across the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, as many residents say they are apprehensive over possible violence as thugs of the ruling APC slug it out with those of the opposition LP and PDP. Residents of Zamfara State have equally expressed fears of violence ahead of the polls, even as the candidates have been trading blame over attacks and counter-attacks largely perpetrated by their supporters. In Bauchi State, there was a tense political atmosphere that resulted in violent clashes between supporters of the incumbent governor, Bala Mohammed of the PDP and the candidate of the main opposition party, APC, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (rtd). In Sokoto, there is palpable fear among the residents over the forthcoming governorship election in the state due to inciting utterances by some political leaders. Residents of Gombe State are also worried over the threat of violence and heightened political thuggery being witnessed in some parts of the state. Before the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, at least five people were injured when suspected thugs attacked the residence of a stalwart of the PDP, Alhaji Salisu Abdul’aziz. | Electoral Violence, Governorship Elections, State prone to election violence | Page 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 14th March 2023 | Yobe: LP, SDP, 3 Others Endorse Buni | Five political parties have endorsed Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, for a second term. Buni, the APC candidate in Saturday’s governorship poll, is seeking a second and final term in office. The parties are the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP), Action Alliance (AA), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Accord Party (AP). Abdullahi Bello, the Chairman of SDP in Yobe, who spoke on behalf of the other parties, disclosed this at a press briefing yesterday in Damaturu. He said they took the decision in the interest of the entire people of the state because Buni’s administration had restored peaceful coexistence among the communities and executed people-oriented projects. | Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, Endorsement, Political parties step down in Yobe | Page 11 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 10th March 2023 | INEC Kicks As Court Okays Use Of Temporary Voter Card For Voting | The Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the use of Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) in the March 18 governorship and state houses of assembly elections. Justice Obiora Egwuatu made the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed by two aggrieved Nigerians seeking the use of TVCs in the general elections in the absence of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). The plaintiffs, Kofoworola Olusegun and Wilson Allwell in the suit filed on February 8 and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/180/2023, had asked the court, among others, to determine “Whether a person whose name appears in the electronic format in INEC’s central database and manual, printed paper based record or hard copy format of the register of voters and has been assigned a Voter’s Identification Number (VIN), can be said to be entitled to be accredited to vote with his/her TVC in the general election to be conducted by the defendant.” Justice Egwuatu said that the order was made on the grounds that the plaintiffs were duly registered and captured in INEC’s database. The court held that there was no portion of the law, both the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act that states that it is only PVCs that could be used, but that the law under Section 47 provided for a voter’s card. The judge, however, said that he was unable to grant prayer three which was to allow every eligible voter with a TVC to vote because the suit was not filed in a representative capacity. “This suit having not been brought in a representative capacity, I find myself unable to grant any relief pursuant to prayer three of the plaintiffs’ application,” he declared. Meanwhile, the INEC has said that it would appeal against the judgement. The Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said this on Thursday night in Abuja. “INEC has been served a copy of the judgement delivered today (Thursday) by the Federal High Court, Abuja Division which ordered it to allow two plaintiffs to vote with their Temporary Voter Cards (TVC). The commission is taking immediate steps to appeal against the judgement of the trial court,” he said. | Court, TVC, Temporary Voter Cards, INEC, Voting with TVC, 1999 Constitution | Page 6 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 10th March 2023 | 1 Killed, 14 Injured As APC, PDP Clash In Bauchi | Barely less than 24 hours after the signing of a peace accord by governorship candidates in Bauchi State, one person has been confirmed dead and 14 others injured in a violent clash between supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) during the APC gubernatorial campaign rally in Duguri, the hometown of Governor Bala Mohammed. Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmed Wakil, who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust in a telephone interview, said that one Muhammad Abdullahi has been confirmed dead at the General Hospital Alkaleri while 14 others are injured. Wakil said, “We just came back from Duguri for an on-the-spot assessment visit led by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Alhassan Aminu, where the incident happened and visited the District Head of Yuli to commiserate with the family of the one who died in the incident. “As of yesterday (Wednesday) when I spoke with journalists on the incident, no death was recorded; but today, one of the injured died in Alkaleri general hospital. Wakil explained that the Commissioner of Police directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to commence a discreet investigation, adding that IPOs were presently on the ground investigating the root cause of the matter, saying “Our team of investigators led by the CP himself are in Duguri to fully investigate the matter.” In a statement signed by Salisu A. Barau, the Director, Media and Publicity of the APC, it was alleged that PDP thugs opened fire on their governorship campaign entourage in Duguri. “Suspected hired thugs, using dane guns opened fire on the convoy of the Bauchi state gubernatorial candidate of APC, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (rtd), in Duguri the birthplace of the incumbent Bauchi state, Sen. Bala Mohammed.”Barau explained that eyewitness accounts said they heard sounds of sporadic shootings around the premises where the campaign rally was being held, which made security operatives at the venue rush to the scene of the shootings where, in an attempt to disarm the thugs and retrieve the guns from them, shot three people. He said, “Among the casualties were one Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; a member of the local vigilance group and one from the hunters union. However, the NSCDC operatives succeeded in recovering two dane guns from the thugs while others escaped with their own guns,” he said. On their part, the Director-General of the Bala Mohammed PDP Gubernatorial Campaign Council, Farouk Mustapha, alleged that the attack was carried out by thugs and members of the APC in Bauchi State. Mustapha, who addressed journalists, claimed that trouble started when the gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Amb Sadique Baba Abubakar, went to Duguri Town in Alkaleri LGA for the last rush campaign accompanied by many notable politicians from across the country.Mustapha also accused the APC of allegedly engaging the supporters of the Governor in a fracas, leading to the death of one person, scores of injured members of the community and the destruction of all PDP billboards and offices in the village. “In all our campaigns, we have never killed even a chicken. Our Governor has always been a proponent of peace and politics without bitterness. That was why he was in the vanguard of signing the peace accord organized by the police command of which the APC gubernatorial candidate failed to show up,” Mustapha added. | Peace Accord in Bauchi State, Electoral Violence, APC and PDP Clash, Bauchi State | Page 7 | |
| Leadership Online | 10th March 2023 | Accord Party Sacks Oyo Exco For Endorsing Makinde | Ahead of the March 18 governorship and State Assembly elections, the National Working Committee (NWC) of Accord Party has dissolved its Oyo State executive members for endorsing the state governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Seyi Makinde, instead of the party’s candidate, Adebayo Adelabu. Addressing journalists after a two-hour emergency meeting, the national chairman, Muhammad Lawal Nalado, listed those relieved of their offices to include the state chairman of Accord, Prince Kolade Ojo; Yinka Dairo, who is the Oyo State Accord secretary, and the entire executive committee members of the party in the state. Nalado said the NWC also resolved to constitute a five-man caretaker committee to steer the party to victory and also manage the affairs of the party in the build up to the governorship and State Assembly elections. He listed the five-man caretaker committee members to include Alhaji Isiaka Salami, who will serve as Oyo State caretaker chairman, Bashiru Ayobami, who will serve as secretary; Fatai Salawu, Bimpe Martins, and Ayodele Oyajide, all members of the caretaker committee. Nalado who explained that the decisions were resolutions of the NWC of the Party also directed those affected to hand over all party properties and documents in their possession to the new caretaker executive members with immediate effect. | Accord Party in Oyo State, Dissolution of Oyo State executive members of Accord Party | http://bit.ly/3JvwAXm | |
| Arise News | 10th March 2023 | Oyo SDP Adopts APC’s Folarin as Guber Candidate | The Oyo State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), on Thursday, adopted the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Teslim Folarin, as its candidate for the gubernatorial election on March 18. The party made the disclosure after an emergency state Congress which held on Thursday, in Ibadan, the state capital. The meeting which reviewed the performances of the party in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections saw members of the party from across the 33 local government areas agreeing to a coalition. The state Chairman of the party, Mr. Micheal Okunlade, lamented that in the last 46 months governance has become something else in the state, noting that Governor Makinde has succeeded in rolling back the achievements of past governments and returned the state to the locust years. He maintained that to right the wrongs inflicted on the state by Makinde, the party decided to form a virile coalition with a party that can dislodge an administration which he described as showing itself to be lacking in development, disclosing that after many meetings involving major stakeholders the party decided to adopt Folarin, as the candidate to support during the March 18 election. Okunlade however said candidates of the party in the House of Assembly election are still in the race and must be supported by members of the party, stating that the party is still intact in the state with all its structure as it has no plan to dissolve into the APC or any other party. | Oyo State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adoption of APC Governorship Candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin | http://bit.ly/3ZRQIbK | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 10th March 2023 | Feb 25 Polls: IReV Glitches Didn’t Affect BVAS’ Functionality — INEC | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the technical hitches experienced with its Results Viewing Portal (IReV) in the February 25, presidential and National Assembly elections did not impact negatively on the functionality of its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). There were mixed reactions on the failure of INEC to transmit real-time the polling units results from the BVAS to the iReV days after the February 25 elections, with some suggesting internal sabotage or external cyber-attacks. But Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi, spokesman to INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday in Abuja, said the two technologies were separate entities and exclusively independent of each other. He argued that the only point of convergence between both technologies had to do with the BVAS transmitting polling units’ election results to the IReV at the conclusion of polls. The commission also said the transfer of its former Director of ICT, Mr Chidi Nwafor, and his promotion had nothing to do with the glitches experienced with the uploading of the election results. Oyekanmi explained that, “The BVAS cannot be described as an invention of one staff member of INEC. Rather, it is the commission’s idea and invention, just as the now rested Smart Card Reader (SCR). Having decided to invent the BVAS, the commission gave the assignment to the most relevant department within the commission, the ICT, to bring the idea into fruition. The ICT department is populated by a sizable number of brilliant engineers and IT experts who worked very hard as a team for several months to successfully actualise the commission’s dream"". INEC also said its Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, was not responsible for the reshuffling of ad hoc staff for the March 18, governorship and state assembly elections. Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi, spokesman to INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, made the clarification yesterday in Abuja. There were media reports that some Resident Electoral Commissioners were reviewing or reshuffling the posting of ad hoc staff for the coming elections on ethnic or religious biases. But Oyekanmi said that the reason for postponing the elections earlier scheduled to hold on 11th March, 2023, was in the public domain and well captured in the press statement that the commission issued on Wednesday. | Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi, spokesman to INEC Chairman, BVAS, ireV Portal, Reshuffling of ad hoc staff | Page 11 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 10th March 2023 | Akeredolu warns against rejection of old naira notes in Ondo | Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, yesterday, decried continued rejection of old naira notes by traders and business owners in various parts of the state. He said the rejection of the old N1,000, N500 and N200 notes was a flagrant disobedience to the law, particularly since the apex court had ruled that the old currency notes must remain as legal tender in exchange of goods and services in the country till December 31, 2023. In a statewide broadcast to de-escalate the tension in the state over the development, the governor said that rejecting the old naira notes would further inflict and sustain a needless pain on the people and businesses. He appealed to the people to embrace and accept the old notes alongside the new notes as stipulated by law. The governor, who also commended commercial banks within the state for receiving and paying with the old notes, urged the financial institutions to increase the circulation of all currencies at their disposals and devise a more effective way to decongest the banks, especially at the Automated Teller Machines (ATM) cash points. | Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Old Naira Notes | Page 26 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 10th March 2023 | Labour Party’s Legal Head Declares Dissolution of Rivers Exco Illegal | The National Legal Adviser of Labour Party, Akingbade Oyelekan has described the dissolution of the party’s executive council in Rivers State as illegal. Oyelekan who claimed he was not aware of the sanction, explained that the dissolution as announced by the national headquarters of the party did not follow due process. The leadership of the party had on March 7, announced the dissolution of executive members of the Rivers State chapter of the party on allegations of corruption and anti-party activities. But in a press briefing with newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, Oyelekan faulted the decision, saying the process for announcing the dissolution of the River State executives was not in line with the party’s constitution. He said while leadership of the party failed to act in accordance with the dictates of the party’s constitution, it was also wrong for the spokesperson of the Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, to issue a statement announcing the sacking of a state executives. This, he said only amounted to usurping the powers of “the National Secretary of the National Working Committee (NWC) or National Publicity Secretary who were constitutionally allowed to make such announcement.” He said: “I want to make this clarification because it’s expedient and very important that we need this clarification so that we don’t continue to fall into error. “We discovered and read in some news platform that the River State executive was dissolved by my friend, Kenneth Okonkwo and I felt that was out of place. Why? There are constitutional procedures for taking such action. Our party’s constitution has laid down procedures to dissolve executives or a member of the party executive that erred. “The process encompasses, first setting up a disciplinary committee that will listen to the issue. Vis a viz the allegations and the response from such a person or the group of persons. “Now, the disciplinary committee will recommend to NWC the appropriate measure or punishment to be taken or a punitive measure to be imposed on such a person or executives. But, this time around there was nothing like that and with due respect, Kenneth Okonkwo is not a member of the NWC of the party. He is not an executive with any of the structures of the party- state, local government, or even national so he cannot speak for the NWC.” | National Legal Adviser of Labour Party, Akingbade Oyelekan, dissolution of executive members of the Rivers State chapter | Page 9 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 10th March 2023 | Presidential Poll: Reno Omokri, Others Protest Alleged Breach of Electoral Act in London | A former presidential spokesman, Mr Reno Omokri, along with other Nigerians, yesterday protested what the author described as the contravention of the electoral act by the Independent National Electoral Commission A former presidential spokesman, Mr Reno Omokri, along with other Nigerians, yesterday protested what the(INEC) in the February 25 presidential poll in Nigeria. Specifically, the demonstration which took place in the United Kingdom between 11 in the morning and about noonday saw the group air their grievances in front of the Nigerian High Commission, located on Northumberland Avenue, London, SW1. The crowd expressed disappointment over the conduct of the election by the electoral umpire, stressing that INEC erred by failing to adhere strictly to the letters of the electoral guidelines and the law. Speaking at the event, Omokri alleged that from the INEC’s IREV portal, over-voting was observed in almost 14,000 polling units, which affected 4.3 million votes. According to him, manual accreditation was carried out in those areas and other polling units, in contravention of Sector 47 (2) and (3) of the electoral act, stating that by virtue of those portions of the act, elections in those areas ought to have been cancelled and held on a latter date. While calling for a more credible poll, Omokri said that it was obvious that INEC was not ready for the presidential election and yet went ahead with it. He added that the election held with ‘blind spots’ that allowed the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use underhand practices to rig the election. He contended that the INEC postponed the gubernatorial election because they were ill-prepared, which was what they ought to have done with the presidential election if they had no hidden agenda. While addressing the group of protestors, Omokri said the protest was not about any political party but a united cause to demand free and fair election from INEC for all Nigerians. | Reno Omokri, Sector 47 (2) and (3) of the Electoral Act 2022, Protest of the result of presidential polls in London | Page 12 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 10th March 2023 | Makarfi Condemns Arrest of PDP Members in Kaduna, Alleges Plans to Arrest 80 Others | A former governor of Kaduna State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has raised the alarm over alleged plots by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to arrest and detain 80 members of the PDP ahead of the governorship and state assembly elections. The former governor also condemned Tuesday’s arrest of Saidu Adamu, a former information commissioner and a deputy director in the PDP governorship campaign council, alongside two youth leaders of the party by the Department of State Services (DSS). Adamu and the PDP youth leaders – El Abbas Mohammed and Talib Mohammed – were arrested for allegedly making comments on the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC in the state which was considered inciting. He said beside the arrest of the trio, a list of 80 field officers of the PDP had been drawn by the state government for arrest and detention. “Our attention has been drawn to a list of 80 of our field officers, drawn up by the government to be arrested and detained until after the elections. This has grievous implications,” Makarfi said. According to him, those pencilled down for arrest, were drawn from Kudan, Sanga, Igabi, Lere, Kachia, Jaba and Kaduna North Local Government Areas of the state, which are believed to be strongholds of the PDP. Makarfi warned the ruling APC in the state against against arbitrary arrest of members of the opposition party, saying it is undemocratic,” even as he added that, “Adamu is still in detention and we don’t know the alleged offenses. He has also not been charged to court, it is a very sad development.” | Former governor of Kaduna State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Arrests of PDP members | Page 17 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 10th March 2023 | APC to INEC: Address Hitches Identified During Presidential, N’Assembly Elections | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address glitches identified during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, ahead of the now postponed governorship and House of Assembly elections. National Publicity Secretary of APC, Felix Morka, in a statement yesterday, said the party respected the decision of INEC to postpone the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from March 11 to March 18 March, following a ruling by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on the reconfiguration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) used for the presidential election. “Further, we enjoin INEC to use the opportunity presented by the election postponement to address any gaps or hitches identified in the presidential election in order to avoid a reoccurrence in the March 18 election,” Morka said. While noting INEC’s reassurance that data from the presidential and National Assembly elections would be properly backed up on its cloud facilities, Morka urged the commission to do everything within its power to preserve and protect the integrity of the extracted data from BVAS as it had committed to do before the court. | National Publicity Secretary of APC, Felix Morka, Marcch 18 Polls, INEC | Page 17 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 10th March 2023 | Court Orders INEC to List Udofia as APC Guber Candidate in A’Ibom | "The Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to list the name of Akanimo Udofia as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the governorship election. The order came a day after the electoral umpire shifted by one week, the governorship and state houses of assembly’s election initially slated for March 11. Udofia and former presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang, had been in long legal battle over who was the authentic candidate of the APC in the Akwa-Ibom Governorship race. Although the battle was rested on Tuesday, with the apex court dismissing Enang’s appeal against the judgment of the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, which nullified the judgment of a Federal High Court that sacked Udofia as candidate of the APC, due to the absence of a consequential order, Udofia approached the trial court for an order of mandamus compelling INEC to list him as the authentic candidate of the APC for the now March 18 governorship election in Akwa-Ibom. Although the battle was rested on Tuesday, with the apex court dismissing Enang’s appeal against the judgment of the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, which nullified the judgment of a Federal High Court that sacked Udofia as candidate of the APC, due to the absence of a consequential order, Udofia approached the trial court for an order of mandamus compelling INEC to list him as the authentic candidate of the APC for the now March 18 governorship election in Akwa-Ibom. The motion for order of mandamus, with suit number was argued by his lawyer, Chief Emeka Etiaba, SAN, stated that the apex court’s decision which upheld the process through which Udofia emerged as candidate was not enough, hence the need for the court to direct INEC to list his client as a candidate in the Akwa-Ibom governorship election having been declared as lawfully nominated by his party. Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho, held that the case of the plaintiff was justiciable and subsequently granted the prayers and ordered INEC to list Udofia as candidate of the APC in Akwa-Ibom governorship election. | Court Order, Akanimo Udofia, Akwa Ibom State, Governorship Election, | http://bit.ly/3TcjwK0 | |
| Radio Nigeria | 2nd March 2023 | INEC must conduct audit of polling units – CSOs | The Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide details of the process leading up to the results it collated in the just-concluded Presidential and National Assembly Elections. The Convener of the Situation Room, Ene Obi, made the call in Abuja during the presentation of the third interim report. Ms Obi said the process was marred by various factors, as a result of which it “cannot be considered to have been credible”. “The process cannot be considered to have been credible, given the lack of transparency, particularly in the result collation process,” she insisted. “There can be no confidence in the results of these elections,” she said. It was expected, she continued, that the “innovative reforms” introduced by INEC, in furtherance of the new Electoral Act, 2022, would lead to “efficient and accountable election management”. “In addition, there was very poor communication from INEC on election day and on its challenges with its processes,” Ms Obi said. “Its citizens contact numbers did not work, even when there were challenges with uploads to the INEC Results Viewing (iReV) Portal.” The group, in view of the irregularities observed during the polls, urged INEC to conduct an audit of polling units where elections did not take place, in order to ascertain the reasons for the challenges. The observations and analysis of the Situation Room concerning the Presidential and National Assembly Elections indicate that the process fell short of the “credibility threshold” set out by INEC as the basis for evaluating the elections, she added. | Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, INEC, Interim Statement, iReV, Situation Room, Press Conference on the National Assembly and Presidential Elections | http://bit.ly/3YfBhsL | |
| Tribune Online | 2nd March 2023 | CSOs demand audit report of 2023 presidential, NASS elections | Coalition of Civil Society Organisations working on credible elections in Nigeria under the aegis of Situation Room on Wednesday passed a vote of no confidence in the process adopted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections. The Convener of Situation Room, Ms. Ene Obi who spoke on behalf of the coalition during a press briefing held in Abuja, however, demanded the audit report of the Presidential and National Assembly election with a view to ascertaining polling units where elections did not take place. She said: “The Situation Room expected that the innovative reforms introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, in furtherance of the new Electoral Act 2022, will lead to efficient and accountable election management, including improved access to polling units, hitch-free accreditation and voting, accurate and transparent results collation, and effective violence mitigation. “Contrary to the above expectations, the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections were marred by very poor organization, severe logistical and operational failure, lack of essential electoral transparency, substantial disruption of voting, and several incidents of violence. “As a result, the process cannot be considered to have been credible. Given the lack of transparency, particularly in the result collation process, there can be no confidence in the results of these elections. In his remarks, Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Dr. Clement Nwankwo who reiterated the Coalition’s position maintained that the just concluded election lacks the credibility in all ramifications. Also venting his view, Founder/CEO of Albino Foundation, Mr. Jakes Epelle who aligned with the Coalition, argued that “it’s unfortunate the level of efforts, preparedness and resources that was invested even from our own segment of this election which is inclusivity, is almost eroded. | Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Situation Room, Press Conference on the Presidential and National Assembly Elections. | http://bit.ly/3YcrovY | |
| This Day Newspaper | 2nd March 2023 | Senators Fault Lawan’s Claims on Electronic Results Transmission | Two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators, Gershom Bassey (Cross River South) and Abba Moro (Benue South), yesterday, faulted the arguments by the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, on the provisions of the Electoral Act regarding the electronic transmission of results. The senators insisted that the two chambers of the National Assembly duly passed the provision in the Electoral Act, which mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit election results electronically from polling units to its central server. Lawan had during plenary on Tuesday, said there was no provision for the electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Act 2022, that the senate he led passed. According to him, the National Assembly only made provision for the transfer of results from the polling units to INEC’s server. “In the Electoral Act that we passed, there is nothing like the election transmission. What we passed is to transfer after all the paper works that we normally do while the agents and everybody there have the papers. INEC will scan or snap the result sheets and transfer them. We urge INEC to follow the Electoral Act and other laws on their guidelines,” Lawan had stated. But speaking with journalists, yesterday, Senator Moro lamented that the INEC went ahead to announce the results despite local and foreign outcry due to substantial non-conformity with the electoral act regarding the electronic transmission of results. Moro said, “By the passage of the electoral act, it is expected that BVAS was supposed to be used. It is supposed to provide information about the numbers of people that were accredited, and the eventual voters. What it means is that BVAS should be able to transmit electronically from the polling unit to the server in the INEC office. On his part, Senator Bassey, who corroborated the submission by Moro, said, “Results were not uploaded to the server and we began to realise that it was a widespread issue through out the country. The key element of the process is that when the results are collated at the unit level, they should be uploaded to the server which must be accessible to everyone. “That’s the whole essence of the new amendment to the law. Voter verification and verification of results. The verification from the server is the key plank of the process. It is the leg upon which the transparency of the INEC stands. We are saying that the process has been compromised, because many polling units have not been uploaded and it’s a major flaw of the election. | Electronic Transmission of Result, Senator Gershom Bassey, Senator Abba Moro, Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, INEC | Page 10 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 2nd March 2023 | Bassey Rejects Presidential Election Result, Seeks Its Review | The Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District, Mr. Gershom Bassey, has disagreed with the result of the presidential election announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the February 25, 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections. According to Bassey who served as the coordinator of the Cross River State wing of the PCC of the Atiku/Okowa said the result announced by the INEC was unacceptable. He argued that the electoral body clearly violated the law and processes for the announcement of the results of the elections. Speaking in Calabar, yesterday, he stressed that INEC clearly violated the electoral law in announcing the result, just as he called for its reviewed or outright cancellation and a fresh one conducted. “I do not have confidence in the results declared so far by INEC, and the reason is very simple. We are the people that passed that electoral law and it is very clear in the law that there are three stages of the process when you get to the polling unit. The first stage is the verification stage where you use BVAS, the second is when you thumbprint and vote after you have been verified and the third stage is uploading of the results after they have been announced at the polling unit. “In a situation where you vote, result is declared at the polling unit but it is not uploaded, which is part of the process, it means that the process is immediately fatally flawed. Uploading the results 24-48 hours later is unacceptable because the essence of uploading immediately which is transparency, is completely gone,” Bassey said. Continuing, Bassey said: “So nobody can tell me it is a transparent election because at the very least, it has not complied with the law which is a problem immediately. So INEC has a very big issue, that is why you find a lot of people calling for the cancellation of the election or a complete overview of every result, and the only way to do that is by bringing every point unit’s result, put it against what the returning officers had brought from the states and compare. So I do not accept the results of the presidential election in any way, shape or form as it is presently constituted.” | Senator Mr. Gershom Bassey, INEC, Presidential Results of the Elections, bvas | Page 5 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 2nd March 2023 | NLC to Aggrieved Political Parties: Challenge Your Defeat in Court | The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has urged aggrieved political parties in the just concluded presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections to challenge their cases in the court. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, stated this yesterday when he led national executives of the congress on a visit to the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) office in Lagos. He said losers in the elections have the right to seek redress in court or even protest if they think that the contest was not transparent, free and fair. The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, had yesterday, announced Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as Nigeria’s president-elect from the February 25, polls. Some political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) had rejected the outcome of the election. The political parties alleged that the poll was rigged in favour of Tinubu, who secured 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku Abubakar (PDP), and Peter Obi (LP), who garnered 6,984,520, and 6,101,533 votes to place second and third positions, respectively. Speaking further, Ajaero said: “The elections have come and gone. If you ask me, the courts are there for people to take their grievances to. People can equally protest if they don’t like what is happening, they can adopt any legal measure.” | NLC President, Joe Ajaero, Court Redress, National Assembly and Presidential Elections | Page 33 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 2nd March 2023 | Abia South: Ikpeazu Kicks against Abaribe’s Victory | The governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for declaring the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA), Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe as the winner of the Abia South senatorial poll. INEC had initially declared the Abia South senatorial election held on February 25, 2023 inconclusive but allegedly, later declared the results on Tuesday, at the Constitution Crescent Primary School, Aba. The returning officer, Prof. Georgina Ugwuanyi, had said Abaribe, the incumbent Abia South Senator scored 49,692 while the Labour Party candidate, Chinedu Onyeizu took the second position with 43,903 votes. According to the returning officer, Ikpeazu came a distant third after scoring 28,422 votes. But the Abia State Governor, who spoke through the PDP senatorial collation agent, Charles Esonu, described the declared poll result as “a charade and brazen display of partiality”. Ikpeazu expressed shock that INEC which had earlier confirmed that elections were not conducted in 108 polling units in Obingwa, Aba South and Abia North local governments, still went ahead to award victory despite protests from party agents. He said the 108 polling units where election did not hold have total voting population of over 200, 000 which is more than the votes scored by the parties. According to him, over 50,000 supporters of the PDP could not cast their votes due to the non-provision and late arrival of electoral materials in most of the polling units in the six local governments of the constituency. Ikpeazu further alleged that the PDP agents vehemently complained over, “the manipulation of election results and bypass of BVAS,” but were ignored by INEC officials. | Abia State, Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senatorial Polls | Page 33 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 2nd March 2023 | Former Ekiti Governor, Fayose, Resigns from PDP | A former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has announced his resignation from the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Fayose announced his resignation from the PDP yesterday while appearing as a guest on a programme on ARISE News. Fayose served as Governor of Ekiti State from 2003 to 2007 and 2011 to 2015 on PDP’s ticket. However, his decision to quit the party appears to be connected with perceived irreconcilable differences in the PDP, which according to him, has fractured the party. He said: “Let me say this, from today(yesterday) I stay off PDP. In party politics there are certain facts you must be able to speak. I am 62 and I can’t, at this age, begin lying. When something is wrong with your family, confess.” The former governor, who claimed to have fought for the interest of the party over the years, blamed the loss of the PDP in the presidential election on the leadership of the party. According to him, PDP was already fractured before the election, with so many aggrieved aspirants whom were allegedly swindled by the leadership of the party on one hand and the inability of the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar to reach an agreement with the G-5 governors. Fayose traced the problem of the PDP to the North-west zonal congress which he said was rigged against Rabiu Kwankwaso in favour of Aminu Tambuwal that led to the latter leaving theparty. “I warned Atiku that the problem will consume PDP. I told him there was danger ahead,” he said, adding that the G-5 governors demanded that Atiku make an official announcement to run for only one term and hand over to any member in the south but “Ayu was leading Atiku to Golgotha.” Fayose warned Labour Party’s candidate and second runner up in the presidential polls, Peter Obi to “run away from the PDP” as the current ovation for the opposition has nothing to do with the PDP.According to him, if the PDP had believed in Obi, they should have given him the party’s ticket. | Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, Resignation from PDP, Presidential and National Assembly Elections | Page 37 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 2nd March 2023 | Presidential Poll: Atiku, Obi Head To Court As Tinubu Pledges Fairness | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, said they will seek redress in court. They all spoke Sunday after the declaration of Tinubu as president-elect on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP described Tinubu’s victory as “a grave injustice which will not stand.” Senator Dino Melaye, spokesman and Director Public Affairs of the PDP Presidential Campaign Committee, in a terse statement on Wednesday evening, said there will be no going back on the battle to retrieve the mandate which he called a “stolen one.” Obi on the other hand, has said he would contest Tinubu’s victory through legal and peaceful means.He said this on Wednesday in Abuja at a press conference addressed by his running mate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed. “On behalf of our presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, I address you all and indeed all Nigerians on the current situation in the country following the announcement of the purported result of the presidential election held on Saturday, February 25th 2023. Please be assured of our determination to fight the injustice that has been perpetrated on Nigerians through all legal and peaceful means. It is our position that the purported result did not meet the minimum criteria of a transparent, free and fair election,” Baba-Ahmed said. | PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, LP Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, Senator Dino Melaye, Spokesman and Director Public Affairs of the PDP Presidential Campaign Committee, Court Redress, Presidential and National Assembly Elections | Page 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 2nd March 2023 | I Have Reasons To Sue INEC Over Election Results – Ex-Minister | A former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, has said he has enough reasons to sue the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the results of last Saturday’s elections in Plateau State. Dalung, who addressed newsmen in Jos, on Wednesday, said he contested and lost the Langtang North/Langtang South federal constituency election in the state due to the alleged failure of INEC to fully comply with the Electoral Act. He said, “I contested for Langtang North/Langtang South Federal Constituency, and Iost the election. But the circumstances that characterised my losing the election have compelled me to seek legal redress at the competent court of law. In the first place, the results declared by INEC are in total contrast with the ones my agents have. That means the results were tampered with along the line. But if the Electoral Act was complied with, and the results uploaded as expected, it would have been difficult for anyone to tamper with it. Again, on the eve of the election, 600 ballot papers meant for the House of Representatives election in my constituency were declared missing by INEC. “I mean INEC failed to account for 600 ballot papers. That of the Senate and presidential were intact, but that of the House of Representatives which I am contesting was short by 600. I allowed the election to go on for the sake of peace, but at the end of the voting, INEC noticed overvoting and had to cancel some votes. The question is, “Where did the ballot used for over-voting come from?”. | Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, Langtang North/Langtang South federal constituency, Plateau State, INEC, Missing ballot papers | Page 13 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 2nd March 2023 | Groups flay INEC over result management | Community Life Project (CLP)/Reclaim Naija and Justice Development and Peace Centre (JDPC) have flayed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over result management and transmission. The groups said polling officers deviated from laid-down guidelines by failing to enter outcomes in Form EC60E and transmit immediately as required by the Electoral Act 2022. In a presentation of interim report on the 2023 general elections, yesterday, in Lagos, they stated: “In none of the units observed was the result of the poll pasted on the wall. In Lagos, polling staff confirmed that Form EC60E was not brought to the polling unit. “The result sheet (Form EC8A) was duly scanned with the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in all the units observed and the results were not uploaded to the IReV in real time as required. In places where polling staff were held hostage by voters until the results were uploaded, they ended up uploading the results offline. In such units only the results for the senatorial and House of Representative elections were uploaded. The presidential election result was not uploaded.” Executive Director of JDPC, Fr. Raymond Anoliefo, advised the electoral body to redeem its integrity through diligence and restore confidence of Nigerians in elections.The groups commended Nigerians for actively participating in the entire electoral process. They submitted that the high expectations for credible, free and fair elections have not been met going by handling of last weekend’s polls. | Community Life Project, CLP, Reclaim Naija, Justice Development and Peace Centre, JDPC, INEC, Presidential and National Assembly Elections | Page 4 | |