Connect with us

Politics

Police To Edo Voters: Don’t Wait At Polling Units After Voting

Published

on

#EndSARS: Again, Police Deploy Personnel To More Locations In Lagos

The Nigeria Police Force has asked the people of Edo State to return home immediately after voting rather than wait for the counting of the ballot.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Research and Planning, Adeleye Oyebade, who is to coordinate election in Edo State, said this on ‘Good Morning Nigeria’ programme on NTA on Friday.

He said, “It is better to come, do what you want to do, and go home; because some people will be kept behind bars and we will do proper investigation and diligent prosecution of offenders that we will apprehend.”

Oyebade said aides to VIPs had been withdrawn until after the poll.

He said the police would remain neutral during the exercise and vowed to arrest any political thugs.

Oyebade said movement remained restricted and advised any traveler planning to pass through Edo State to take an alternative route.

The DIG urged the candidates who signed the peace accord to make sure that they abide by the terms of the agreement.

However, the Manager, Training, YIAGA Africa, Paul James; said people were free to remain within the polling units to monitor their votes, adding that this would ensure the integrity of the election.

He, therefore, urged the police to let people remain within the polling units after voting.

Usually, voters wait at polling units after casting their ballots and take part in the counting of votes to ensure that there is no rigging.

Contributing to the debate on the programme, the Director, Voter Education and Publicity, INEC, Nick Dazang, said the commission had introduced a dedicated online portal known as ‘INEC Result Viewing’ that will enable Nigerians to view results from polling units in real-time on election days.

He said the system was tested during the Nasarawa Central state constituency bye-election last month and it worked fine.

The INEC director said, “But what we have done is that you can do that (monitor) electronically. We have set up a portal that will be open tomorrow. All you need to do is to log into that portal and you can view real-time the outcome of the voting of all the polling units in Edo State.

“In Edo, we have made provision for not less than two million people to view it simultaneously without any glitches.”

The INEC official said voters must come to polling units with their face masks.

He, however, warned persons wearing face masks that bear the logos of political parties not to come to polling units.

Dazang stated that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, card readers would be disinfected after each use.

He further stated that provisions had been made for voters to wash their hands before and after casting their ballot.

Loading

Headline

Rivers APC Faults State Assembly Over Fubara Impeachment Move

Published

on

A camp in the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted the Rivers State House of Assembly for proceeding with impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, warning that the action could destabilise both the party and the state.

In a press statement issued on Friday, and signed by its spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, the APC said it had reviewed the developments at the Assembly and expressed concern over what it described as a “choreographed legislative coup d’état”.

“We have painstakingly analysed the issues leading up to the latest step taken today by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by electing to proceed with the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Prof Ngozi Odu.

“Regrettably, we note that honourable members who trumpeted loyalty to our party and Mr President can give themselves to the unfolding choreographed legislative coup d’état against the collective interest, growth, and development of our party in the state,” the statement said.

The party warned that Rivers State could not afford actions that threaten political stability, accusing some lawmakers, including APC members, of acting against the party’s interests.

It added that although the Assembly has constitutional powers to begin impeachment, the process remains largely subjective, as what qualifies as “gross misconduct” under Section 188 is open to political interpretation by lawmakers.

“Thus, no matter how beautifully crafted the allegations against the Governor and his Deputy are, they are still very subjective in the court of public opinion,” the statement added.

The APC cautioned that the path chosen by the Assembly could have long-term consequences for the party’s health and survival in Rivers State, describing the development as a dangerous precedent.

“This unfortunate path chosen by the legislative arm, therefore, serves as a dangerous footnote to the health and survival of the APC in Rivers State,” it said.

The party also called on the Chief Judge of Rivers State to comply with an interim injunction, which restrains him from receiving or acting on resolutions from the House of Assembly relating to the impeachment process.

“Meanwhile, we call on the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State to respect yesterday’s interim injunction in Suit No. OYHC/7/CS/2026 that restrained him from receiving or acting on the resolutions of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” the statement said.

It further appealed to the national leadership of the APC to urgently intervene by activating internal mechanisms available to the National Working Committee under Article 21(b)(iii) of the party’s 2022 Constitution (as amended).

“Finally, we call on the national leadership of the party to immediately activate internal mechanisms available to the National Working Committee under Article 21(b)(iii) of the 2022 Constitution (as amended) to save our dear party from an embarrassing situation,” it added.

Loading

Continue Reading

Politics

ADC not vehicle for Atiku’s presidential ambition – Bolaji Abdullahi

Published

on

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has restated that it is a self-governing political party, insisting it is not controlled by any single person.

The party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC remains accessible to all Nigerians, including prominent political figures such as former presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

He maintained that no individual can claim ownership of the party.

Abdullahi made the clarification during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, Friday, where he dismissed claims that the ADC is being groomed to advance the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

According to him, such claims are unfounded and largely driven by individuals who lack a proper understanding of the party’s internal structure.

He explained that ADC members are fully aware that the party operates on collective ownership, a principle that allows it to welcome influential politicians from different backgrounds.

“Those of us within the ADC know that the party does not belong to any one person. That is why someone like Peter Obi can join, and why Rotimi Amaechi is already a member,” he said.

He further alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is behind the growing speculation, accusing it of attempting to interfere in the ADC’s internal affairs.

The ADC spokesperson also assured that the party’s presidential candidate would be chosen through due process, stressing that the outcome is not prearranged.

“Whoever eventually becomes our presidential candidate, whether Atiku or any other aspirant, will emerge through a transparent and credible process,” Abdullahi stated, reaffirming that the ADC is not the personal platform of any individual.

Loading

Continue Reading

Headline

PDP Dismisses Rumours Of 2027 Election Exit, Says Litigations Pose No Threat

Published

on

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed rumours suggesting that it might not participate in the 2027 general election following ongoing litigations within the party, particularly those linked to the post-Ibadan convention.

The party’s national publicity secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, described the speculation as unfounded and a deliberate attempt by mischief makers to drag the name of the party into disrepute.

Speaking in an interview, Ememobong said there is no legal or institutional impediment preventing the PDP from contesting the 2027 general election.

“I do not know where this rumour is coming from because, as far as I know, there has been no hindrance to our participation in the 2027 election,” he said.

He pointed to the party’s recent activities as proof of its legal standing, noting that the PDP had successfully submitted the names of its candidates for the Abuja Area Councils election, which were duly rectified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“We have submitted the names of our candidates for the Abuja local council election, and INEC has rectified them,” he stated.

Ememobong also addressed concerns surrounding the removal of the PDP’s Ekiti State governorship candidate, clarifying that the development was a result of litigation arising from the conduct of the party’s primary election, not from any question about the PDP’s eligibility to field candidates.

According to him, the matter has progressed to the Court of Appeal, and the affected candidate is awaiting the outcome of the legal process.

Recall that a Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti nullified the PDP governorship primary election that produced Dr Wole Oluyede as the party’s candidate. The court held that the primary election did not comply with the provisions of the PDP constitution and the Electoral Act.

Specifically, the court ruled that the PDP failed to submit an original and authentic list of statutory and ad hoc delegates, a requirement under the law. Consequently, the court ordered the party to conduct a fresh governorship primary election that must include all eligible aspirants.

Loading

Continue Reading

Recent Posts

 


<im




JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

Trending