Politics
Nigerians Must Elect Their Choice -Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, vowed to support Nigerians to elect their choice in the 2023 general elections.
The President made this declaration while speaking at the Police Conference three-day retreat with the theme ‘Imperative of the Nigeria Police Strategy for a Peaceful Election’ in Owerri.
He said he was interested in an election Nigerians would accept and be happy with the outcome.
At the same event, the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, insisted that the commission would abide strictly by the transmission of election results from the polling units to the INEC headquarters.
According to Buhari, “I am delighted to be at the conference. This conference will enable us to discuss the role and strategy of the Police as the lead agency in the 2023 election.
“It provides an opportunity to discuss the best way to achieve the 2023 election. I want to reaffirm that as the President, one of the legacies I will leave is the conduct of a credible and acceptable election and that Nigerians must be allowed to elect the President of their choice.
“That is the reason I signed the amended Electoral Bill.
“For us, the time is now for reform. That is why we are giving support to the Police; that is why I signed the Police Trust Fund, and police academy to give the police a legal framework to work effectively, as well as the approval of a new welfare for police officers and approval and release of funds for recruitment of police officers as part of the way to address the issue of unemployment in the country.
“We want the police to remain apolitical. This is how our election can be credible. I charge the police to deliver the nation during the 2023 general election.
“Police should sustain their standards so that the outcome of the 2023 election will be the reflection of the people’s choices,” Buhari said.
Earlier, in his remark, the chief host and the Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, said: “My support to the Nigeria Police Force is because of the support I have been getting from my President, Muhammadu Buhari.
“I want to say this: the coming of our President is further assurance that will convince our people and Nigerians of the level of security of lives and properties we have achieved in our state.”
The governor said he learned some of the reasons the police chose Imo State was because of the “Successful containment of insecurity in the state and my continued support for the unity of this country.
INEC. The commission will work with the police to conduct this election for credible and inclusive elections in Nigeria.”
Also, in his remark, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, said: “The focus of this theme is the 2023 general election is particularly significant for the security of our country.
“This retreat will unveil the strategic plan for the 2023 election. Our plans for the election will produce a credible election in 2023 that will be acceptable to Nigerians.
“The countdown to the 2023 general elections may present new security threats.
“However, we will provide the needed intelligence to make the election work.”
He thanked the President for strengthening the laws for effective policing.
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.
-
Sports2 days agoArsenal Women End Man City’s Invincibility
-
Sports2 days agoU-20 WWC: Falconets claim qualifier win
-
Sports2 days agoInsurance Deepen Enyimba’s Trouble
-
Sports2 days agoYouth Olympics preparation Gears up
-
Sports2 days agoCologne Youth Team Set Crowd Record
-
Sports2 days agoTornadoes Set For NPFL exit over Stadium Ban
-
Sports2 days agoPalmer Stars As Chelsea Compound Wolves Woes
-
Sports2 days agoBarca Pull Out Of Super League Project