Politics
Group Urges INEC To Be Firm With Parties
A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to put in place mechanism to ensure that political parties adhere strictly to rule of law to avoid litigations after elections.
The convener of the coalition Dr Nwambu Gabriel, made the call at a CSO round table titled “The Role of INEC and the Judiciary in our Electoral System’’ in Abuja.
Gabriel said that ensuring that the rule of law was obeyed by political parties from primary election for the selection of candidates would save INEC from litigations after every election.
He said that the coalition was committed to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy by ensuring adherence to laid down principles and the rule of law.
“It is onerous on us to analyse the role of INEC and the judiciary in our elections,this is with a view for proper appraisal in terms of stipulated rules and laws enacted for the purpose of conducting elections in Nigeria.
“ This essentially is targeted at the degree of compliance of the electoral management body and other stakeholders towards progressively attaining a more transparent, free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
“By- elections were conducted in some states of the federation to fill the vacant positions in state Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate on December 5, 2020.
“But the events that followed the Cross River North Senatorial District by- election from the primary election are rather embarrassing because the template seem to be reversing Nigeria 40 years backward,” he said.
He said that the coalition wanted INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to use his impeccable integrity to ensure transparent, free, fair and credible elections as well as ensure adherence to rule of engagement in subsequent elections.
He said that the call became imperative because the template that played out at the Cross River North Senatorial by-election did not depict fairness.
He advised INEC Chairman to continue his good works, urging him to be weary of some desperate politicians whose target was to win elections at all cost.
This ,he said was because the entire situation in the Cross River North by-election raised lots of questions.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
-
Maritime16 hours agoCustoms Hands Over Seized Cannabis Worths N4.7bn To NDLEA
-
News18 hours agoNLC Threatens Nationwide Protest Over Electoral Act Amendment
-
Maritime17 hours agoOver 6,223 Seafarers Abandoned In 2025 – Says ITF
-
Sports15 hours agoArsenal Women End Man City’s Invincibility
-
Politics16 hours agoI DEFECTED OUT OF CONVICTION …NO ONE COULD’VE IMPEACHED MY LATE DEPUTY ~ DIRI
-
Environment14 hours agoRivers State Government Suspend Fire Service Collection Levies
-
Sports15 hours agoU-20 WWC: Falconets claim qualifier win
-
Politics16 hours agoWe’ve Not Recognized Any PDP Faction — INEC