Politics
#EdoDecides: AAC Accuses INEC Of Result Manipulation, Calls For Protests
The African Action Congress (AAC) has noted that the 2024 Edo State governorship election has failed to meet democratic standards.
The party in a statement by its spokesperson, Femi Adeyeye, lamented that though the election witnessed voter apathy at a disappointing scale, more numbers appear on the Independent National Electoral Commission Results Viewing (IReV) portal.
“This election we participated in as party, witnessed worse voter apathy (observers have put it at 22.45 percent voter turnout) but big numbers are now seen on iRev portal Example –
https://iresults.incportals.com/cached/express/results/2798/12/232/2679/34895/f8518dab-5008-41b1-8d1f-82eaabe9a1dd_thumb.jpg.”
The party also observed that more persons voted than accredited number for the election based on IReV uploads.
It said, “On this polling unit result uploaded on INEC’s portal (meaning it’s official), 213 persons were “accredited” but 352 “voted” APC. What a magic!
“INEC’s failure to offer a fair ground for all parties is condemned. In a particular video that surfaced online. the Governor of the state was whisked out of the collation centre by Police officers but an APC supporter known as Tony Kabaka, a militant with his men, was at same collation centre.
“We also condemn political parties that engaged in patronage politics, exploiting failures in public institutions for political gain and eroding public trust in the democratic process. This practice not only compromises the integrity of elections but also deepens corruption and weakens governance in Nigeria.”
The party called for protests to reject the election process, noting that actions that encourage transparency in the electoral process should start now.
“AAC calls for immediate actions, including protests to reject the process. Actions that restore transparency and fairness to the electoral system must start now,” the party said.
A number of contentious issues has surrounded the ongoing electoral process, as INEC persists in declaring results that decidedly favour the APC. Meanwhile, members of the Peoples Democratic Party have dismissed the announced outcomes, sparking further dispute and tension.
Many PDP supporters have taken to the streets to protest against the results declared by INEC so far.
Politics
PDP Govs Say Party Reviewing Ondo Poll, Fault Edo Election
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reviewing the outcome of the Ondo governorship election.
This is according to the PDP Governors’ Forum which met in Jos, the Plateau State capital on Saturday.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had won the election by a landslide to earn a four-year ticket to the Government House in Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State.
But governors of the PDP in a resolution reached after its meeting accused the APC of manipulation during the exercise which took place last weekend with the party taking a distant second.
“Meanwhile, we are still examining the documents on the Ondo elections where the APC manipulated results after openly buying votes,” Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state who is the chairman of the forum said.
“The forum calls on the judiciary to save Nigerian democracy and the National Assembly to look into our electoral laws to make it difficult for institutional sabotage of the will of the people.”
Last weekend’s poll in Ondo came about two months after the governorship election in neighbouring Edo State which the PDP governors described as a “rape of democracy”.
“The forum notes with concern the rape of democracy in the Edo governorship elections. It is clear to everyone with a conscience that INEC manipulated results in favour of the APC candidate, when in fact, the majority of the lawful votes were won by PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo,” he said.
The governors also advocated that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party should call for a NEC meeting by the first week of February 2025.
This, the PDP governors said, is to allow for more consultations with stakeholders of the party towards addressing the lingering leadership crisis in the main opposition ruling party.
Politics
Hardship: PDP Governors seek review of governance policies
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has sought a review of the economic policies of the Federal Government, to ameliorate the current economic hardship in the country.
This was part of its 8-point communique issued at the end of its deliberations during its forum, held on Saturday in Jos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau hosted the governors with party executives and other stakeholders in attendance.
Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the Forum and governor of Bauchi State, who read out the points, empathised with the masses over the current economic crunch.
Mr Mohammed called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, find ways of cushioning the effects of its policies or have a review.
“The forum expresses empathy for Nigerians suffering from economic difficulties and calls for a review of Federal Government’s policies to improve citizens’ welfare,” he said.
Similarly, the party addressed issues confronting its unity and called for more collaboration among members.
“The forum has emphasised the need for unity within the party, addressing concerns about divisions among its members.
“It expresses a commitment to maintaining the party as a trusted platform for democratic governance.
“The forum’s discussions reflect a strong commitment to party unity and addressing internal divisions while also focusing on the broader socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians.
“The forum aims to position the PDP as a proactive and responsive political entity in Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
“The party is also making a clear call for action regarding electoral integrity and governance, emphasising the need for reforms to ensure fair representation and accountability
“The party acknowledged recent tragedies such as the demise of the First Lady of Akwai-Ibom, and also expressed gratitude for local hospitality reinforcing the party’s connection to the electorate.
Politics
INEC Announces Date To Resume Nationwide Voter Registration
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will commence nationwide continuous voter registration (CVR) in the first quarter of 2025.
The electoral body said the exercise will commence at the LGA level and later extend to registration areas.
In a memo dated November 20, 2024, sighted by TheCable, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the commission’s secretary, asked resident electoral commissioners to make some arrangements for the exercise.
“Kindly provide the following information for adequate preparation for the exercise: Status of INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) and accessories in the state,” the memo reads.
“Status of both coloured and black/white heavy-duty printers and availability of CVR Forms/materials.
“The commission is considering commencing the exercise at Local Government Area (LGA) level and later devolve to Registration Area (RA) level.
“The state offices are expected to identify and select staff that will work as voter registration officials.
“You are to please prepare the information of uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to facilitate the printing of the Register of uncollected PVCs for display during the exercise.”
In July 2022, the electoral body suspended the CVR exercise ahead of the 2023 general election.
However, INEC conducted voter registration exercises in states in which off-cycle elections took place.
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