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Inconclusive Polls: Third Force Plans Anti-INEC Protest
Proponents of “Third Force” under the aegis of Nigeria Intervention Movement, yesterday, expressed concerns over the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare governorship elections in some states as inconclusive.
It described the development as “brazen corruption of our electoral system.”
The movement’s position was contained in a statement made available to journalists by its Director, Media and Publicity Bureau, Mr Debo Adeniyi.
Adeniyi said NIM had decided to resist the development with everything at its members’ disposal.
He said the electoral body’s strategy was meant to put machinery in place for eventual rigging of the elections as allegedly seen in the case of Osun State governorship election in 2018.
He said, “The political Third Force in Nigeria under the umbrella of Nigeria Intervention Movement wishes to warn the Independent National Electoral Commission to desist from the antics of declaring elections almost won inconclusive to enable its ‘favoured’ political parties to put machinery in place for eventual rigging of the elections as cleverly invented during the Osun State governorship elections last year
“We wish to alert the entire country that we of the Third Force are already exhausted by this disingenuous antics of INEC officials and have decided to resist this with everything at our disposal as it is brazen corruption of our electoral system by INEC in collusion with parties in power.
“We note that this style of mandate manipulation is again about to happen in the governorship elections in some states like Kano, which shall be resisted with a nationwide mass action in Nigeria to express our principled grievances against the obvious lapses in the 2019 elections.”
Adeniyi added that the movement will on April 3 announce a day of national mass action against all lapses observed in the 2019 elections.
He asked all allied movements, parties and stakeholders to be on the alert.
Meanwhile, the movement has congratulated Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State and Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State on their winning the governorship elections in their states.
It recalled that NIM went into alliance with both Abiodun and Makinde ahead of the governorship elections.
The statement added, “From the modest records and statistics of NIM’s national situation room, the Third Force’s support for Dapo Abiodun in Ogun accounted for more than 95,000 votes of the over 241, 000 votes received by him in Ogun.
“The alliance also amounted to over 237, 000 of the over 515,000 scored by Seyi Makinde in Oyo State.
“This is especially given the fact that NIM leader in Oyo State, Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), who doubles as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, as well as flagbearers of other allied political parties stepped down for Makinde before the elections.
“Also, 14 allied political parties, including NIM’s adopted party, People’s Trust of Lanre Banjo in Ogun, stepped down to back Dapo Abiodun in Ogun State.
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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