oloniruha.emmanuel

News Agency Of Nigeria

<h2>Since return to democratic government in 1999, Nigeria has continued to witness successfully transition of power from one administration to another. </h2>

From President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) to his successor, Umaru Musa Yar’adua (2007-2010), to Dr Goodluck Jonathan (20102015), Muhammadu Buhari (2015-2023) and now President Bola Tinubu on May 29.

Following the peaceful conduct of 2023 general elections and successful transition of power on May 29, political analysts believed Nigeria democracy is becoming sustainable.

Although, litigations challenging the outcome of the 2023 president election are ongoing at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, lovers of democracy believed that Nigeria deserves some commendations for not allowing its democracy to be truncated, for whatever reason.

It is an indisputable fact that each time Nigeria goes to poll at every general election circle, global attention shifts to the country.

This is not just because the election offers Nigerians the opportunity to elect their leaders, it also offers pivotal opportunity for the Africa most populous country and largest economy to solidify its place as a democratic leader in the continent.

According to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria needs a stable and reliable democracy for her leaders to meet the expectations of the people and adequately address present challenges facing the country.

&nbsp;“The world looks up to us to get our democracy right and become a force to be reckoned with in the leadership recruitment and governance process.

“We need peaceful elections to give democracy a boost on the continent, especially in our subregion where civil rule is threatened by a wave of unconstitutional change of government.”

In line with the global interest, no fewer than 33 international organisations, including the international observer the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) were accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe the 2023 general election.

Like every other foreign election observation mission, WAEF deployed a pre-election mediation team to Nigeria to interface with major political actors and key stakeholders on the need for credible and peaceful election.

The mission, led by a former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, met with relevant stakeholders including INEC, leaders and candidates of political parties before the elections to ensure credible and peaceful election.

The mission delegates also stayed back after the poll and dialogued with stakeholders including major presidential candidates on challenges witnessed during the election to avoid post-election violence.

The WAEF in a statement jointly signed by its leader for the 2023 Election Mission to Nigeria, who is former President of Ghana, John Mahama; and the Convener of the Forum, ex-President Jonathan urged all stakeholders to exercise their constitutional responsibilities in a manner that would promote peace and protect the integrity of the Nigeria electoral process.

&nbsp;“We reiterate our earlier statement made after the Presidential and National Assembly elections that Nigeria is a major stakeholder in the sustainability of democracy in West Africa.

“The responsibility of maintaining the nation’s thriving democracy and the general peace of our subregion rests on all our shoulders, especially on the credibility of INEC and other election management bodies in West Africa, during elections.”

The forum also urged Nigerians to be law-abiding and desist from acts that could threaten the peace of the country and the West Africa sub-region.

The elections have come and gone with diverse views on the outcome and performance of INEC in the conduct of the polls. Some analysts argued that the elections were below expectations, others argued that it was fair.

Without prejudice to the awaited decision of the judiciary on the subject matter, elder statesmen and stakeholders have continue to mobilise Nigerians for peace, especially the youth and aggrieved candidates in the election, who are presently seeking redress at the tribunal.

They also beckoned on Nigerians to allow the judiciary to perform its constitutional role on the various litigations and the judiciary to be diligent and firm in handling the cases.

The former President Muhammadu Buhari in his farewell broadcast on May 27 urged Nigerians that irrespective of the outcome of the various cases, all parties involved should accept the decision of the courts and join hands to build a better Nigeria.

Buhari said that as a nation, Nigeria must improve and sustain gains made in the electoral process, on an incremental basis for the country to take its rightful place among Nations.

The immediate past president commended the doggedness and resilience of all the presidential candidates and their political parties for believing in Nigeria judicial system by taking their grievances to court.

“In the course of the campaigns, we had argued and disagreed on how to make Nigeria better but we never disagreed or had any doubts that Nigeria has to be better.

“I call on all of us to bring to bear the strength of our individualism, the power of our unity, the convictions of our beliefs to make Nigeria work better and together with one spirit and one purpose,’’ Buhari said.

The former Military Head of State, Gen.Yakubu Gowon (retired), also urged Nigerians, especially aggrieved candidates to allow the judiciary perform it constitutional responsibility as well accept the outcome from the courts.

Gowon speaking at the 15th edition of Punuka annual lecture 2023 in honour of Chukwunweike Idigbe, a late Supreme Court Justice, in Abuja, said the judiciary played a vital role in nation-building.

He said that as a former military leader, he had seen and know first-hand the importance of the judiciary in maintaining stability and order in the society.

&nbsp;“As such, we need to allow the apex court, their deliberations, come up with their decisions and as the public to be humble enough to accept their decision as final in order to maintain the sanctity of the judiciary as individuals and institutions.

“The litigation tribunals that are now ongoing, let us give the judiciary the opportunity to do their work and let us accept their decisions as it is,” Gowon said.

Also speaking during a condolence visit to Gov. Douye Diri over the loss of his father, Pa Abraham Diri in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Jonathan on March 17 urged Nigerians to maintain peace, irrespective of the challenges including those encountered in the collation and transmission of results during the election.

“Notwithstanding all these, we are pleased and encouraged by the mature attitudes of the candidates who contested the presidential elections.

“We are encouraged by the restraint they have exhibited and their commitment to seek justice through due process. This is in keeping with the spirit of the Peace Accord.

“We, therefore, appeal to the supporters of all parties and our citizens to please follow the good example of their leaders and remain law abiding till the process is brought to an end,’’ Jonathan said.

Jonathan, who has always been a vanguard of peace, appealed to Nigerians not to allow elections to be a source of violence and anarchy.

Similarly, Prof. Anthony Igyuve in the Department of Mass Communications, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, advised youths not to make themselves as available tools for violence on the outcome of the elections.

Igyuve in a keynote address at “The Peace For Free Lecture Series” in Abuja, with the theme “Sustainable Peace Beyond Elections” commended the candidates in the election for towing the path of peace by seeking redress in the court.

He also commended Nigerian youths for their uncommon courage, enthusiasm and active participation in the general election in spite of the challenges, which he described as the demonstration of the commitment to make Nigeria better.

Igyuve tasked young Nigerians to emulate former President Jonathan who sacrificed his ambition for the peace of the country when he lost the 2015 presidential election to Buhari.

He urged youths to maintain peace in the country, saying their dream of a better Nigeria would not be possible if there was no peace.

&nbsp;“Let no one make himself easily available for politicians to manipulate by causing unnecessary unrest because those who are manipulating you don’t have good intentions for you.

“They are not doing it because they love you. They are doing it because they want to benefit from you,” he said.

To the founder of Peace for Free Advocacy Initiative, Chris Kalu, said that peace, unity, tolerance and dialogue remained the critical ingredients for a healthy democracy without which no progress could be realised in a country.

Kalu said no doubt 2023 general election, unlike previous elections, so far have generated a lot of public attention and increasing youth’s participation in the collective struggle for good governance, hence the need to properly mobilise Nigerians for peace.

“Election is an important part of democracy, which in itself is a process involving human and technological elements not absolutely immune from errors.

“Like all processes, democracy needs to be allowed to grow, to develop to maturity for most of the population to enjoy the promises and gains thereof,” Kalu said.

To the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, said there was need for all to be committed to peace, even after the general election.

He said the quest for peace transcends the boundaries of elections: ”it is a journey that must be undertaken each day, in every aspect of human lives.’’

Ojukwu called on all Nigerians to embrace the virtues of democracy – equality, justice, and freedom, as well as allow them to guide their thoughts, decisions, and interactions.

&nbsp;“Individually and collectively, we have a role to play to nurture the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria otherwise we will be adversely affected one way or another.

“The ethnic and religious tensions in some parts of Northern and Southern Nigeria respectively are clear testimonies that peace pays, while war, violence and conflicts bring destruction in terms of human and material resources.

“We can create a world where sustainable peace becomes the cornerstone of our collective existence, transcending elections and permeating all aspects of our lives,’’ he said.

Experts opined that though Nigeria still has a lot to do to make its elections more credible and more transparent, the peace Nigeria enjoyed after the 2023 general election is evidence that democracy is taking its roots in the country.

This they say is something worthy of emulation by other Africa countries to sustain democracy and it gains in the continent.

While Nigerians await the decision of the judiciary, they must not fail the expectations of the world, especially West African countries including those presently under military rule, looking to her to set the pace for a sustained democracy in the Africa continent.

While Nigerians await the decision of the judiciary, they must not fail the expectations of the world, especially West African countries including those presently under military rule.

Why Nigeria must succeed in its democratic journey

The party made the call in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan on Thursday in Abuja.

Ologbondiyan said there had been reports alleging that DSS operatives were involved in the abduction of Idris, popularly known as Abu Dadiyata, since last Friday.

He said that Idris, who was PDP new media personality was known for his fierce criticism of anti-people policies.

He added that there were already public insinuations that Idris’s abduction to an unknown destination was not unconnected with plan to intimidate, suppress and silence public opinion and free speech in Nigeria.

He said, “The PDP therefore demands the DSS high command to speak out as well as take urgent steps to secure the release of Idris from his abductors before it is too late.

“This is especially because the polity is already overheated’’ he added that any delay in the release of Idris would not be at the interest of the country.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Department of Security Services (DSS) to speak out and take urgent steps to secure the release of a Social Activist, Abubakar Idris.

PDP urges DSS to secure release of Abu Dadiyata

By Emmanuel Oloniruha and Success Ehimen

Abuja, July 24, 2019 (NAN) Dr Idris Omede, an aspirant in the Nov. 16 governorship poll in Kogi and member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday announced that he had dumped the party.

Omede, a former President, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), said that a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, that consultation was ongoing on the alternative political party for him to pursue the ambition.

He said that he was dumping the party because the process toward its primary election to pick the candidate had been compromised.

Omede said that it was evident that PDP in the state had not learnt from previous experience that brought it to its current status where its genuine members gnash their teeth.

According to him, it is obvious that certain things are fundamentally wrong with the party, and the party has not made deliberate plans to correct them, paying lip service or outright neglect of such.

The aspirant accused delegates of warming up to make big financial catch from all aspirants before and during the forthcoming governorship primary of the party.

He said that unfolding events wherethe entire state executive of the party was returned in its recent congress in the state speak volume of the problems in the party.

I joined the race to contest for the gubernatorial election on the platform of PDP many months ago, after a long period of being member of the party and supportive of the party.

I had widespread consultation with the high and low stakeholders within the party at various levels, with convincing and evolving acceptability, encouragement, selling and marketable points.

Arising from a detailed and painstaking analysis and scrutiny of events unfolding as the primary elections draws near, with many new entrants into the race, I have carried out wide consultation.

I have, in consultation with my numerous supporters, working committees, who believe in the possibility of a new Kogi, decided not to pursue my gubernatorial aspiration any longer under the platform of PDP.

The party is currently set for self-destruction in the state, and I cannot realize my aspiration through it. The electorate will make their choice in the larger field in the days ahead.

This decision is to ensure that the good people of Kogi do not miss the opportunity of electing me as their Governor, come November, 2019, he said.

It is evident that another opportunity has come for the people of Kogi to elect a governor among her people based on competence, character, capability, antecedence and experience to right the wrongs.

It is an opportunity to bring the state out of its current sordid and pathetic state into a state of reckoning in peace and security, he added.

Omede alleged that certainindividuals, families and godfathers wanted to deprive people of Kogi an opportunity to access dividends of democracy through people-driven andpurposeful leadership, and not by inducement.

He also accused some political godfathers of plots to buy delegates and party officers in a bazaar-like fashion, with the governorship seat being for the highest financial bidder.

These, according to him, must be brought to an end for enough is enough. Let it be re-echoed far and near and reaffirmed that Kogi is not for sale.

Omede said that hisaspiration to govern Kogi came from the strength and support of the common man and woman, helpless women, children, orphans and focused youths.

He added that hispassion wasto liberate Kogi and reduce poverty level in the state through the implementation of a well-designed developmental programmes and projects.

Omede assured hissupporters across the state to remain calm and steadfast for the public declaration that would unfold shortly.

What is important and key is for us to give Kogi good leadership. We will pursue that with the strength and voice of you, the people.

To all that believe in my ability and have shown love, commitment, support, assist and advice accordingly, please keep hope alive.

I remain fully in the race for governorship seat of Kogi, to free our people from some personal self-acclaimed ownership of the Kogi enterprise, which is our collective patrimony.

We remain confident and believe that our efforts will not be in vain, he said. (NAN)

Aspirant

Kogi 2019: Aspirant dumps PDP

<h1>The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged Senators-elect to commence and conclude work on the review of the electoral legal framework early, ahead of the 2023 General Elections.</h1>

INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the call on Thursday at a ceremony for the Issuance of Certificate of Return to Senators-elect at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Yakubu said that late conclusion of the review of the electoral law would affect the commission’s implementation of the framework.

He said that as a matter of urgency, the commission would begin work on post 2019 elections review and road map to 2023.

“There is a lot of work but very little time available. As a process governed by law, the success of election in Nigeria depends to a large extent on the electoral legal framework and most importantly, in ensuring adherence to the law.

“I want to assure you that we will continue to work with the National Assembly to review and strengthen our Electoral Law.

“But I want to appeal to the Senators-elect to please start work early and conclude work on the electoral framework in good time well ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“The tendency to delay electoral reform, particularly the review of the electoral framework, until it is too close to the elections, leaves the commission with little time to develop processes including regulations and guidelines, make required consultation with stakeholders, embark on effective voter education including sensitisation, train staff and organise deployment for the elections.

“I am glad that among the senators-elect are senators that we have worked very closely with and some of them have taken initiative or even sponsoring private member bills to advance the cause of electoral reform,” he said.

The chairman said that the commission looked forward to working very closely with the senators-elect in deepening the country’s electoral process.

He congratulated the lawmakers for their election victory to serve the nation.

Among those issued the certificate of return are: Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, Enugu West (PDP); Mohammed Sabo, Jigawa South West (APC); Philip Aduda, FCT(PDP) and Sen. Dino Malaiye Kogi West (PDP).

Others are: Baba Kaita, Kastina North (APC); Omo-Agege Ovie Delta Central(APC); Ibrahim Gaidam, Yobe North (APC); Abdul’Aziz Yari Zamfara North (APC); Kaura Yahaya, Zamfara West(APC) and Ifeanyi Uba, Anambra South (YPP).

The issuance of Certificate of return to the members of the House of Representatives will commence at 2 p.m.

Yakubu said that late conclusion of the review of the electoral law would affect the commission’s implementation of the framework.

INEC issues Certificate of Return to senators-elect, urges them to begin early review of electoral laws

<h1>The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday refused to sign the result sheet of the Presidential election which was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.</h1>

INEC declared President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) re-elected having won the highest votes of 15,191, 847 votes to defeat his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP who polled 11,262,978 votes.

Buhari won in 19 states while Atiku won in 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PDP Agent, Mr Osita Chidoka, left the hall at the National Collation Centre when the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu started calling on party agents to come forward to sign the result sheet.

Chidoka, who was a former Minister of Aviation, in an interview with journalists on his way out said that the party does not accept the election result as representing the valid votes of Nigerians, due to three issues he earlier raised by the party.

He said that the party that expected INEC would have projected the result of what the Smart Card Readers card readers used for accreditation of voters.

“The second one is the issues we raised about the number of registered vis-à-vis if what the chairman now calls collated voters means that 1.6 million people are missing in the voter register.

“We think that the issue is substantial enough to require a resolution.

“We also believed that difference between the accredited voters and the total votes cast which came to about 750,000 votes, requires an issue to be looked at.

“Finally, we believe that INEC needs to look at the cancellations that took place in the election impacting 2.7 million.

“So, in our view, this election needs to looked at again and possibly we would have had a re-run, more importantly.

“We think that INEC should have looked consciously to the use of the card reader, the absence of card reader is a major violation in the elections, it renders that election null and void, and that is what the chairman promised us.

“So, for us in the PDP, we believe that this is a new law in Nigeria’s electoral history.’’

Chidoka, however, said that the PDP remained a very lawful party, saying “we believe in the law, we believe in the constitution of Nigeria.

“We are committed democrat. The PDP is a party that entrenched democracy in Nigeria. The PDP is the party that made it possible for Nigeria to enjoy the fruit and dividend of democracy.

“We will continue to support democracy in Nigeria, we will continue to promote democracy in Nigeria but we have a good message for Nigerians.

“We want them to remnants peaceful, we will explore all our options, including the believe that the legal process in Nigeria is one of the way to resolve issues.’’

Chidoka had earlier raise a concern about the not usage of card readers for the election in some places, while calling on INEC to provide the details of number of accredited voters with card readers.

He also expressed concern in disparity in the number of registered voters for states, while also calling on INEC to restore votes of the party alleged to have been cancelled.

Meanwhile, Yakubu, responding before the announcement of the result said that the difference in the valid votes and cancellation were insignificant to impact on the general outcome of the election.

He said that observations raised party agents PDP would be useful for the future, elections, including those of 2023.

Yakubu said that while the commission notice the figures of accredited voters in relation to the vote cast were not adding up in one or two instances, preliminary investigation revealed the disparity cumulatively was actually less than two per cent.

“Secondly, we also very strongly believe that the wide spread incidents of ballot box snatching, particularly in many areas after voting means that you have data on the smart card reader but not backed up by actual ballot because the ballot was either hijacked, burnt down or destroyed.

“Therefore the information on the smart card reader is slightly to be higher than the actual ballot, meaning the vote cast but this is only by way of preliminary investigation.

“Yes, we believed that there have been cancellations; however in the case of presidential election the cancellations do not affected the conclusion of the process.‘’

Yakubu added that disparity in the figure of did not also affect the total number of thousands who voted in the election, as they are well below the number of PVCs collected.

“The voter turnout for the 2019 general elections from the analysis we just concluded is 35.66 per cent.’’

Buhari won in 19 states while Atiku won in 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

PDP refuses to sign presidential election’s result

<h1>The Kano State Youth Organisation in Abuja (KAYOAB) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in what it described as rising political tension in the state.</h1>

KAYOAB made the call in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Alhassan Bala on Wednesday in Abuja.

Bala urged the president, the Inspector General of Police, Muhammad Adamu; and the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II to call the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and Sen. Rabi’u Kwankwaso to order.

“The call is against the backdrop of increasing political clashes among supporters leading to the death of many innocent citizens, destroying public property and causing tension in the state,’’ it said.

The group expressed concerns that the political class in the state seemed comfortable with the trend as youths kept killing and injuring one another because of differences in political parties.

The youths expressed worry that such politicians, on whose behalf the youths continued to cause havoc were surprisingly keeping their family members out of politics.

“As elections approach, there is heightening tension in the state as clashes between political groups have became the order of the day, which if not looked into, will lead to serious breakdown of law and order in the state.

“His Royal Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II should as a matter of urgency, do something about it so as not to cripple the commercial activities that are gradually coming back after the serious setback between 2014 and 2015 when Boko Haram insurgents attacks heightened.

“The IG also has to look into the current trend in the state so as to ensure politicians do not use Kano to create tension for their own interests.

“Kano being the commercial centre with people from different parts of the country is very crucial to peace of Nigeria, as in the past whenever the state is in crisis all northern states normally follow suit, ‘’ the group said.

They also commended the posting of Muhammad Wakil as Kano Police Commissioner, saying that they believed this could reduce drug abuse in the state, which would subsequently help in reducing political thuggery.

The group also urged parents, guardians, and clerics to call their wards and followers to order and shun anything that would entice them to cause violence in the state.

KAYOAB made the call in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Alhassan Bala on Wednesday in Abuja.

Group seeks Buhari’s intervention in rising political tension in Kano

<h1>The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is committed to learning from international best practices to improve the country’s electoral processes.</h1>

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the assurance when he received the Commonwealth Observer Group led by former Tanzanian President, Dr Jakaya Kikwete, at the commission’s headquarters on Monday in Abuja.

Yakubu said observation by international observation groups had helped the commission to improve on its elections.

“I want to reassure the international community that we will always learn lessons from international best practices in ensuring that our elections meet not only national expectations but international best practices.

“We always welcome your observations on how elections are being conducted. Your reports actually strengthened the commission in terms of our processes and procedures.

“I am confidence that at the end of your observation this time around there will be new set of powerful recommendations similar to what you did in 2015,” he said.

Yakubu disclosed that the Commonwealth in its report on the 2015 general election made 32 recommendations including the adoption of Simultaneous Accreditation and Voting System.

He said the commission had looked into the recommendations and implemented those within its power, while those requiring amendment of the Constitution and Electoral Act had been sent to the appropriate authorities.

Yakubu said INEC had conducted 194 off season elections with simultaneously accreditation and voting system, which is now part of election guidelines issued by the commission.

He also reassure Nigerians that the election of Feb. 16 and March 2 would be free, fair and credible.

“We are committed to this processes. The only thing the commission derives joy in is ensuring that votes count and that the citizens will determine the leaders of the country at various levels,” he said.

Kikwete said they are in Nigeria to hear from INEC its preparations for election.

The former Tanzanian President said the group would thereafter deploy its members to all parts of the country.

“After the observation the group will come up with its interim report after that we will present out comprehensive report,” he said.

Yakubu said observation by international observation groups had helped the commission to improve on its elections.

INEC will always learn  from international best practices -Chairman

<h1>The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the fate of owners of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) lost in its Abia office fire would be decided after investigations.</h1>

It said that it has directed its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Abia to investigate and ascertain the level of damage at its office in Isiala-Ngwa South Local Government Area.

Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

Okoye said that the eligibility of the owners of the burnt PVCs to participate in the forthcoming elections would be determined after the investigation.

“The REC for Abia in conjunction with the security agency has been asked to ascertain the extent of the damage done to that office. He has also been asked to compile the list of PVCs burnt and other equipment that are inside that office.

“It is when we get the comprehensive report in relation to the damage that was done that we will take a decision on what has happened.

“On the issue of PVCs collection, you know we have taken a decison that it will end in Feb. 8, which is already here.

“But when we get the report, maybe tomorrow or next, we will take a decision on what to do in relation to PVCs that were burnt.

“On whether we have the capacity to replace the PVCs before the election, it is when we get the report from the REC that we will take a decision on those PVCs that were affected.”

Okoye said that if there was still time, INEC would reprint the affected PVCs after the damage was ascertained, “but whether it is possible for them to collect them within the short period remaining is another thing.

“We have taken a decision that PVCs collection will end in Feb. 8 and after that we will retrieve all remaining PVCs and deposits them with CBN until the elections are over.

“The moment we get the report we will take a decision,” Okoye said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Abia command, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, on Sunday confirmed to NAN the burning down of the INEC office in Isiala-Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia.

Ogbonna said that the fire occurred on Saturday night, adding that information available to the police showed that the fire started from the toilet and extended to where the PVCs were stored.

The police spokesman said that some of the PVCs were already destroyed before the fire was eventually put out on Sunday morning.

Speaking further, the Head of Public Affairs of the commission in Abia, Mr Bamidele Oyetunji, said that police had taken over the investigation of the incident.

Oyetunji said that the police were in a better position to find the perpetrators of the act and that the commission was not suspecting any politician or its member of staff.

Fire engulfs INEC office in Abia destroying over 10,000 thousand PVCs

Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

INEC to decide fate of owners of PVC’s lost in Abia office fire

<h1>The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday refuted allegation of disagreements in the party over the handling of its presidential campaign funds.</h1>

The party made the denial in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja.

It described the insinuation as laughable, infantile and diversionary, and accused its opponents of sponsoring the allegation.

It stated that it was aware that its opponents were uncomfortable with the growing popularity of its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and were attempting to inject crisis into its campaign.

The party that Abubakar’s campaign was owned and driven by the Nigerian public and would never have the kind of rift ravaging campaigns of some of its opponents.

According to it, Abubakar has been running a transparent and people-driven campaign, anchored on volunteered support of overwhelming majority of Nigerians.

It pointed that in spite of the resort to smeared campaign against the party, Nigerians would not be distracted from their collective resolve to vote in its candidate.

It added that Abubakar had proven capacity and would return “our country to the path of national cohesion and economic prosperity’’.

Abubakar, from the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is expected closely to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari, from the ruling All Progressives Congress party

oloniruha.emmanuel

Articles written by the author

Why Nigeria must succeed in its democratic journey

PDP urges DSS to secure release of Abu Dadiyata

Kogi 2019: Aspirant dumps PDP

INEC issues Certificate of Return to senators-elect, urges them to begin early review of electoral laws

PDP refuses to sign presidential election’s result

Group seeks Buhari’s intervention in rising political tension in Kano

INEC will always learn from international best practices -Chairman

INEC to decide fate of owners of PVC’s lost in Abia office fire

PDP denies alleged rift over campaign funds

INEC releases final list of candidates for state elections

Atiku is an exemplary democrat, PDP says

Ekiti election: PDP confident of victory at Court of Appeal

INEC accredits 144 observer groups for general elections

PDP tells INEC to be transparent in Electoral Officers appointment