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Feb Polls: To Be Or Not To Be?

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The recent call by the
National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), for a postponement of the February polls has brought Nigeria to another phase of electioneering. For all the intrigues it has offered so far, one certainty it has proved is the preparedness of key stakeholders, particularly the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP,  and the main opposition, All Progressives Congress, APC, to ensure free, fair and acceptable 2015 general elections. At least going by what they say they stand for.
To an extent, the modus operandi adopted by all concerned may have ended up opening a can of worms, but all are hell bent on holding their own in their conviction of what the Nigerian populace either desire, or need. In their bid to push forth their stand, some pertinent questions are ostensibly raised. An example is the reason given by Dasuki for postponement of the elections,
Speaking at the London think-tank Chatham House, during a lecture entitled, “Nigeria’s Insecurity: Insurgency, Corruption, Elections and the Management of Multiple Threats”, Dasuki said “INEC had distributed 30 million cards in the past year but had another 30 million to hand out.”
He said INEC had assured him it would achieve this on time for the February elections, but he thought it would make more sense to take more time, as there is a 90-day window during which the election could legally take place.
“It costs you nothing; it’s still within the law”, he said.
While supporting this stand, the highly respected pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, said, holding credible poll is not feasible considering that majority of voters are yet to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs).
In a communiqué issued after a meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, chaired by the leader of the group, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, and read by the Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, the group emphasized that as far as postponing the election would still meet the May 29 handover date, the sacrifice would be worth the trouble.
“The constitution says election should hold not earlier than 150 days to handover date and not later than 30 days. INEC has chosen February 14. For us, May 29 is sacrosanct; there is no controversy over this.
“Within those days, between February 14 and 30 days to May 29, INEC has a window to make sure that most voters are not disenfranchised. If  INEC can give all registered voters their PVCs before February 14, all well and good.
Moreover, they added, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has not demonstrated enough determination to conduct free and fair elections.
“The meeting viewed with seriousness the sheer incompetence on the part of INEC. The INEC that wanted to create 30,000 polling units few weeks to the election has yet to distribute almost 30 million voter’s cards. When you look at the table INEC has given, what they tell us is that in each state, this is the PVC received, hiding the total number of registered voters.
“As at today, over 15 million voters out of the ones collected have not received their cards. This is 54 million. There are 14 million voter’s cards that have not arrived in the country. If we put them together, almost half of the total electorate is yet to collect their voter’s cards.
“The assurance by the INEC chairman that he will distribute cards a day to the election is not reassuring. If you have failed to do it before now, what is the assurance that he is going to do it now?
“We want to warn that any election conducted on the basis of disenfranchising almost half of the electorate, the outcome will not be credible or acceptable”, Odumakin said.
One argument that has been put forth against the postponement is that at no point in the history of elections the world over that all registered voters had voted in an election. In the words of the House of Representatives spokesperson, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, “there is nowhere in the world where 100 per cent of registered voters vote in an election”.
Stating the stand of the Lower House, Mohammed said “the call for postponement of the elections is a decoy for third term agenda and as a House of the Nigerian people, we will resist it”. The reason, as he puts it, is that “It will be a breach of the constitution to postpone the polls by whatever guise. This is a ploy and we know where it is coming from.”
Another strong opposition to the postponement came from the 26 registered political parties in the country. They recently met in Abuja with the electoral body and asked INEC not to postpone the elections.
Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the body of the registered parties, Yunusa Tanko, said all the registered political parties were already on the field canvassing for votes.
Speaking with journalists at the quarterly meeting of INEC with the leadership of the registered political parties ahead of the general elections, Tanko declared that all the political parties  were ready and fully prepared for the polls.
He added that a lot of human and material resources had been committed towards having successful elections in the country.
Meanwhile, Tanko noted, INEC, as the electoral umpire, has not said the February 14 and 28 dates for the general elections cannot be met “As we speak, INEC has not come out to tell us that the elections will be shifted; INEC has been carrying the registered political parties along in all the preparations for the February polls.
“Though there may be challenges in the distribution of the PVCs, this is not enough to postpone the elections. To us, it remains agitation and we are not in support of the idea.”
Noting the importance of not disenfranchising qualified voters, he urged INEC to approach the Federal Government for possible declaration of public holidays to enable all eligible voters who are yet to collect their PVCs to do so before the elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, had during the meeting with IPAC, agreed on certain salient points aimed at ensuring free and fair elections. Such points include relocation of some polling units that are located at areas where undue influence could affect voting.
The meeting, Jega said, was an opportunity not only for INEC to brief the political parties but also to listen to their concerns and observations so as to take them into account in the final preparations for the elections.
“I want to also assure you that we are committed to ensuring that the elections will be much better than the elections we conducted in 2011,” he stated.
The crux of agitations for and against the postponement is registered voters taking possession of their PVCs, which is genuine. But the opposition’s stance is based on the timing and who is calling for the postponement. They express the belief that there is more to the call for postponement than meets the eye. Accussing fingers are being pointed at the ruling PDP seeking to maneuver the polls shift to its advantage.
Moreover, the opposition reasoned that such call for postponement should come from the umpire, INEC, not a partisan in the fold of Dasuki. And since INEC had emphasized on the feasibility of the February 14 and 28 dates for the elections, based on which so much has been invested, such postponement, the opposition fear is  capable of fueling crisis.
Going by the intrigues, all stakeholders have proven to know their onions in the country’s political arena. The basic concern now is the extent to which these agitations are powered by a genuine concern to build a better and united Nigeria, noting that anything less than that could spell doom for the country.
As the former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, recently put it, “the outcome of the election would affect the fortunes of the country. Getting the election right would unlock the country’s potentials, while getting it wrong would mean hard times ahead.
“We are at crossroads: we do it right, we’ll get our country perfect, peaceful (and) united. We do it wrong, it may not be the end of Nigeria, (but) difficult times will be ahead”.
From the perspective of the spokesman of Afenifere, Odumakin, one way to get it right is not just to clamour for change, but to do so knowing that the most important change that Nigeria desires this time is one that would restructure governance.
“Most of the issues that are confronting us – insecurity and corruption – have their link with the faulty constitution that we have and to change the constitution is the most important change that we need”, hence “the change that ignores the restructuring of Nigeria is not a change”.

 

Soibi Max-Alalibo

INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega

INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega

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Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

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Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.

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10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement

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Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”

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Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome

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The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.

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