Politics

Low turnout, late arrival of materials mar Enugu LG elections

Published

2 weeks ago

September 22, 2024

…as Gov Mbah hails peaceful process

The Local Government Election in Enugu on Saturday was marred by low turnout of voters and late arrival of voting materials at various polling units and wards.

According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), there was low turnout in most wards, particularly in Igbariam Primary School Ward 7 and the Union Boys Secondary School Ward 8 respectively.

Meanwhile, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has hailed the peaceful outcome of the local government elections held on Saturday across the state, describing the exercise as the most peaceful.

Reports said there was the presence of security personnel at the wards visited even as people were going about their normal duties.

At Igbariam Primary School and Union Boys Secondary School, voting materials had not arrived as of 10 am.

A Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) agent at Ward 8 Unit 7, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the low turnout to the experience of the 2023 general election.

“There is low turnout of voters as you can see, people are not coming out to vote because the last general election has discouraged everyone from coming out to cast their votes,” he said.

Also speaking at lgbariam Primary School Ward 7 Unit 2, one of the electorate, Mrs. Chika Eze said that despite security presence at the ward, only a few people turned out to cast their votes.

The roads were almost empty as there were few vehicular movements while some shops were open for businesses.

Mbah hails peaceful process

The Enugu governor while hailing the peaceful outcome of the local government elections described the exercise as the most peaceful.

The governor gave the commendation shortly after casting his vote at polling unit 007 Mbaguzo, Ashishi Owo in Nkanu East Local Government Area.

Describing the exercise as democracy in action, the governor who waited patiently for his turn in the queue to cast his vote, expressed his administration’s readiness to support those who would emerge winners irrespective of political party affiliation.

He reassured support for local government autonomy, saying that the process would help bring governance closer to the people.

Mbah said: “The exercise is very peaceful. It started on time.

”This is democracy and it is a very important exercise because we are trying to elect people who will lead our people at the grassroots.

“The local government had always operated as an autonomous arm of the government. Our mandate is to ensure that our people are lifted from the level of poverty.

“We are going to support the local government to allow their programmes.”

On the turnout of voters at his polling unit, Mbah said, “The voters’ turn out showed that people believe that the government’s decision will touch their lives.

“People are becoming increasingly aware that the government will touch their lives.

”People have resolved to choose those that will lead them. It must be done in a democratic way, and we won’t take it for granted.

“So, if it’s a democracy, we must allow it to run as a democracy. This is a level

Politics

Abure Reacts To Court’s Ruling Affirming Him As Labour Party Chairman

Published

2 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Labour Party Chairman, Julius Abure, has issued a statement following the Federal High Court’s ruling affirming his leadership.

Abure expressed gratitude and forgiveness, calling the victory “a triumph for justice and democracy.”

“This victory is not just mine, but a victory for justice and democracy,” he said.

According to Abure, he will forgive those who attempted to undermine the party and engaged in character assassination.

He extended appreciation to the judiciary, particularly Justice Emeka Nwite, for upholding justice.

Abure urged Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, to help unite the party.

The Labour Party chairman emphasized the party’s commitment to fighting for the common man and Nigeria’s betterment. “With collective efforts, we will continue to work for a Labour Party that truly represents the hopes and aspirations of every Nigerian,” he said.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday declared Abure as the substantive Chairman of the Labour Party.

The judgement was pronounced by Justice Emeka Nwite on Tuesday, affirming the Abure-led leadership and the March 2024 Nnewi convention that produced the national leadership.

The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Abure as the legitimate chairman, overriding INEC’s earlier stance that Abure’s leadership was invalid.

Politics

LP Caretaker Committee To Appeal Judgement Affirming Abure As Party Chairman

Published

3 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Chairman, Labour Party Caretaker Committee, Senator Nenadi Usman, on Tuesday said her committee would appeal the judgement of the Federal High Court Abuja which upheld the Julius Abure-led leadership.

Usman in a statement she personally signed said she met with the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Abia State Governor, Governor Alex Otti, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha (Secretary, LP Caretaker Committee) and deliberated on the judgment.

The former finance minister admitted that the judgement which upheld the Nnewi Convention of the party preceded the formation of the Caretaker Committee, said the leaders resolved to challenge in the judgement.

The LP caretaker committee chairman called on all party members to remain calm and maintain peace as they continue reconciliation efforts.

“This evening, I met with His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha (Secretary, LP Caretaker Committee). We deliberated on the judgment passed today.

“The case actually preceded the formation of the Caretaker Committee. However, after being briefed, the Caretaker Committee decided to join the case. Consequently, we have resolved to appeal the judgment accordingly.

“I, therefore, call on all party members to remain calm and maintain peace as we continue our reconciliation efforts,” she said.

Politics

Rivers crisis: Fubara is the brain behind massive violence after rejecting police protection -Wike

Published

11 hours ago

October 8, 2024

Austin Ojomah

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of being the brain behind the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

Wike made this disclosure on Tuesday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

The minister said the governor was wrong to go ahead with the local government election.

He said: “No person who believes in peace and stability of any nation will say he supports violence, will say he wants to support destruction, will say he doesn’t want people to live in harmony.

But what’s important is that when there’s violence, when there’s instability, it’s for you to ask questions: what has led to the violence, what has led to the instability, what has led to destruction?

“I was a governor and I have always obeyed the rule of law. You heard the governor say the state is turning into anarchy. You must respect the rule of law, the judgement of the court. It doesn’t matter how you see that judgement. The moment you don’t obey judgement you’re inviting anarchy and violence.

A governor came out on national television and said he won’t obey court judgement. He went as far as to say he doesn’t need police and protection of lives and property.

“When someone says he doesn’t need police and protection of lives and property, he’s inviting anarchy. The governor is the architect of the violence.”