Politics
Peace Committee, Others Move To Manage Election Fallout
Apparently wary of probable post-election crisis following the violence that trailed the presidential and National Assembly elections, the National Peace Committee, on Saturday, moved to manage the situation.
Accordingly, the committee appealed to Nigerians to maintain peaceful conduct after the elections.
Chairman of the Committee and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), who made the appeal after casting his vote at the hilltop polling unit in Minna, Niger State, however, commended the relative peaceful conduct of the exercise in the state and country.
He said, “I have been able to perform my civic responsibility, I am happy we have peace in the country during the elections. From what I have seen here, it is very comfortable, the moment they see you, the BVAS captures you and gives you your ballot papers for you to cast your vote.
“From all that has been going on, everything is going on smoothly and peacefully. We thank God for how things are going on in Nigeria and Niger State”.
The Arewa Consultative Forum and Ohanaeze Ndigbo have given indications they will accept and work with whoever emerges president while Afenifere has deferred from making such a commitment.
National Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu, told our source that he has been cautioned not to make any comment on the polls.
But the apex northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), said it would accept the outcome of the presidential election and support whoever emerges the winner.
Secretary-general of the forum, Aloyi Murtala, said whatever candidates and their supporters would wish, the final verdict will be determined by the votes Nigerians cast.
He stated: “There will definitely be winners and losers, so whichever way it goes, no one should attempt to disrespect the decision of Nigerians by condemning, or even worse, rejecting the outcome.
“That will be a cruel attack on our democracy and Nigerians will regard such conduct as unacceptable. Leaders in all climes must take all steps to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Citizens and foreigners in their domains.
“The media too must play a responsible role in reporting to douse any tension that may arise as a consequence of the elections and results. Governments at all levels must ensure a smooth transition to the next crop of leadership.
“But most importantly, Nigerians should come out and vote for the candidates of their choice on Saturday, 25th February, 2023, and two weeks later on Saturday, 11th March, 2023. Remember, not coming out to vote is allowing yourself to be ruled by your inferiors! God bless and save the Federal Republic of Nigeria” he said.
Similarly, the Ohanaeze Youth Council declared on Saturday that they were ready to accept the outcome of the presidential election.
President of the council, Okwu Nnabuike Okwu, disclosed this in an interview with The Tide source in Enugu.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council president said they were against people with the intention to truncate the electoral process.
He pointed out that they want to ensure that democracy is sustained, adding that they wouldn’t want the military to take over power.
“We are ready to accept it, we want to continue with the electoral process”, he stated.
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.
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