News
Ogun Polls: APM Alleges Infractions, Rejects Collated Results
The Allied People’s Movement (APM) in Ogun State has called on INEC to defer announcement of result of last Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.
The Chairman of the APM Campaign Organisation in Ogun, Alhaji Sarafa Isola, made the call yesterday at a press conference in Abeokuta.
Isola alleged that some hoodlums and unidentified uniform men disrupted the vote counting process at various centres and went ahead to falsify the result sheets in many council areas.
The affected council areas, according to Isola, are Abeokuta-South, Abeokuta- North, Odeda,Ifo, Obafemi-Owode and all council areas in the Ogun East Senatorial District.
“In local governments areas like Sagamu, Odogbolu and Ogun Waterside that were won by the APM, the results were changed to deny our party its well deserved victory.
“In other local governments won by the APC, the figures were altered to increase the margin between the APC and the APM.
“The disruptions were clearly designed to ensure that the APM does not meet the required constitutional requirement of 25 per cent of votes in the council areas of the Ogun East Senatorial District.
“It was also designed to suppress the electoral strength of the APM in Ogun Central Senatorial District where the party clearly enjoys superior strength,” he said.
The chairman said the suspension had become necessary to enable INEC investigate the infractions.
“I hereby on behalf of the APM formally reject the collation process that was hijacked and compromised because it did not reflect the wishes of the people of Ogun as freely expresse during the March 9 polls,’’ he said.
Isola said the APM had made a formal protest to INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, saying they were against the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“The APM wishes to put INEC on notice that we shall explore every means within the provisions of the constitution and the laws of the country to challenge this miscarriage of justice.
“We shall also ensure that the wishes of the people of Ogun as freely expressed at the polls are protected,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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