Politics
Foreign Observers Group Vows To Expose Malpractices In Edo, Ondo Governorship Elections
The Edo State governorship election has been scheduled to be held on 21 September 2024, while that of Ondo State would be held on Saturday, 16 November 2024.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has shortlisted the International Police Chaplain Sustainable Development and Law Enforcement Inc. as one of its foreign election observers ahead of Ondo and Edo states governorship elections.
The Africa Director of the observer group, Ambassador Blessing Akinlosotu in a statement signed on Saturday and sent to SaharaReporters, assured INEC and the respective states of upholding the organisational integrity to report with all sense of prudence during the elections.
He urged the citizens to be law-abiding, while urging security agencies to continually focus on their job just as always during elections.
“In 2023 general elections, we observed the elections across the federation, and our report was objective. We will do same in these state elections as well, and Nigerians would be proud we observed the elections,” he added.
While speaking on the importance of election observation, he noted, “Election observation is of great importance in Nigeria due to several reasons: Ensuring transparency and credibility: Election observation plays a crucial role in promoting transparency and credibility in the electoral process. Observers, both domestic and international, monitor different stages of the election, such as voter registration, campaign activities, voting, and vote counting.
“This helps to identify any irregularities or malpractices, thereby reassuring the public of the fairness and integrity of the elections.
“Detecting and preventing electoral fraud: Election observation helps in detecting and preventing electoral fraud, including voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, multiple voting, and other forms of misconduct Observers can raise alarms and report such incidents, which can lead to investigations and appropriate actions to rectify the situation.
“Promoting accountability: Election observation encourages electoral stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, and election management bodies, to perform their roles responsibly. Knowing that their actions are being closely watched, these stakeholders are more likely to adhere to ethical standards and follow the prescribed electoral laws and regulations.
“Building public confidence: By providing credible and independent assessments of the electoral process, election observers enhance public confidence in the outcome of elections. This is particularly important in Nigeria, where there have been past instances of disputed and violence-prone elections. By mitigating electoral disputes and ensuring transparency, election observation contributes to peace, stability, and public trust in the democratic process.
“Strengthening democracy: Through election observation, Nigeria can strengthen its democratic institutions and processes. Observation reports often provide recommendations for improving future elections, such as reforms in electoral laws, increased training for electoral officials, and voter education efforts. Implementing these recommendations can lead to more inclusive and representative democratic systems.
“Overall, election observation is crucial in Nigeria as it promotes transparency, prevents electoral fraud, enhances accountability, builds public confidence, and strengthens democracy. Its significance lies in ensuring that the will of the people is effectively and fairly represented through the electoral process.”
Politics
Obi Urges Nigerian Graduates to Seek Opportunities Overseas if Needed, Vows to Fix Nigeria for Their Return
Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 election, has encouraged Nigerian students to seek better opportunities abroad if local conditions don’t meet their needs.
Obi shared this advice during his visit to Anambra State, where he made donations to Peter University in Achina/Onneh and the College of Nursing Sciences in Adazi-Nnukwu. Addressing nursing students, he reaffirmed his commitment to supporting institutions that nurture skills, professionalism, and character.
Obi advised students that, if career opportunities are limited locally, they should feel free to explore options abroad.
“If things aren’t working here, go where they will work for you,” he said, expressing optimism that, with efforts to improve the country, Nigerians working abroad would eventually return.
Speaking at Peter University, Obi urged students to dedicate themselves to their studies, highlighting education as a transformative force essential for national development.
Emphasizing that investment in education is an investment in the future, he encouraged them to aim for excellence, assuring that a stronger Nigeria would await them.
Politics
Parliamentary system better option for Nigeria -Aregbesola
Politics
2027: Kwankwaso’s visit to Otti sparks possible alliance
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State at the weekend played host to the former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Nvosi country home in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area(LGA).
Speaker of the House of Assembly Emmanuel Emeruwa, some aides of the governor, and members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement were present.
Although Kwankwaso said he was in the state to condole with Otti on the passing of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the first governor of old Abia State, rumours of a possible political alliance between him and Otti, the only Labour Party(LP) governor in the country, spread.
Onu was buried in Uburu, his hometown in Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State on Friday.
Kwankwaso’s visit coincided with a reception held by the governor for 15 Abia indigenes who recently graduated from the Nigeria Police Academy in Kano.
Shortly after he departed the state, political analysts said they were sure that the visit was partly informed by efforts of the Peter Obi-led LP faction to align with other opposition parties ahead of 2027.
‘’Don’t forget that 2027 is near. Do you think the two men would meet like they did now with talking about the next presidential election? That is impossible,’’ one of them told The Nation.
Another said Kwankwaso and Otti were ‘’very much aware that the only way to oust President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progress Congress (APC) from the centre is a formidable alliance.
‘’They know that now is the best time to start talking about how to defeat those in Aso Rock. And that, I believe is the core reason for the visit.”
Last month’s local government poll in the state produced a stunning result with candidates loyal to Otti winning nearly all the chairmanship positions on the platform of the Zenith Labour Party(ZLP)
The governor backed the winners because of court cases on the authentic leadership of the leadership of the LP.
One faction of the party is led by Julius Abure while the other supported by Obi and Otti is headed by Nenadi Usman, a former Finance minister.
Political analysts argued that if Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Obi, and Kwankwaso fail to put their political differences behind and field an acceptable presidential candidate in 2027, they might end up not making a significant impact.
Otti had while welcoming Kwankwaso recalled how he offered him a ‘’platform in May 2022 to run ’’ as a governorship candidate.
He thanked Kwankwaso for his guidance and patriotism.
His words: “Thank you for your guidance, for your patriotism, for everything that you have done for this country.
“I want to thank you for encouraging me in 2022 not to lose faith, though we were in different parties, and it appeared as if everything was going to be lost.
“That call that you made about the 20th of May 2022, for also making your platform available for me to run if I had wanted to use the platform, the rest is now history.”
Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, congratulated Otti on his emergence as governor. He also lauded his achievements in the state
“For the little time I have been here, I have had the opportunity of talking to a few people who confirmed to me that you are doing very well. We have seen your project everywhere” he said.
The governor and his visitor urged the new Police officers to work hard, contribute to the security of the country, and be good ambassadors of the state.
“The challenge is for you to now work very hard, knowing fully well that in this society, the son of a nobody can be the father of somebody,” said Otti.
“If people like us who grew up here without any hope at that time can be here, there is no reason why you can’t get here. But I am challenging you to be the best you can be.
“Always do things right and do the right things. You can always get to where you are headed. Cutting corners does not take you too far, “ the governor added.
Kwankwaso charged the new police officers to be professional in the discharge of their duties.
“Let me take this opportunity, based on my experience, to advise you to first and foremost fear God.
“Two, you need to be professionals. Now you are fresh, just coming out of the prestigious institute.stay there as professionals,” he said.
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