Politics
US issues voting guide for citizens in Nigeria ahead of elections
By Francesca Hangeior
The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a comprehensive guide to assist American citizens residing in Nigeria in voting in the upcoming November 5, 2024 elections.
In a statement shared by the mission on its X handle on Monday, It outlined the steps U.S. citizens must take to ensure their votes are counted.
The statement reads, “Attention U.S. citizens residing in Nigeria! To vote in the November 2024 elections, U.S. citizens overseas must complete three steps:
“(1) Request a ballot. Visit http://FVAP.gov for instructions. (2) Receive and complete your ballot. (3) Return your ballot.
“You may drop off your completed ballot in a postage-paid envelope at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the Consulate General in Lagos, or you may mail it yourself.”
According to the guide, the voting process for Us citizens living in Nigeria involves three key steps:
1. Request a Ballot: U.S. citizens must first request their ballots by visiting the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at [FVAP.gov](http://FVAP.gov). The site provides detailed instructions on how to request a ballot and other resources for overseas voters.
2. Complete the Ballot: Once the ballot is received, voters should fill it out according to the provided instructions.
3. Return the Ballot: Completed ballots can be returned in two ways—either dropped off in a postage-paid envelope at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos or mailed directly by the voter.
The US Mission advised citizens to complete these steps promptly to avoid delays that could affect their ability to participate in the election.
The U.S. general elections, set for Tuesday, November 5, 2024, will feature the presidential race, congressional elections, and numerous state and local contests.
The presidential race is a key battle between former president Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
Meanwhile, the first early voters began casting their ballots on Friday for the closely contested U.S. presidential election in November, as Democratic candidate Kamala Harris attended a campaign event focused on the controversial issue of abortion.
Early voting kicked off in three states—Virginia, Minnesota, and South Dakota—a practice that Republican nominee Donald Trump has previously criticized, following his false claims of victory in the 2020 election.
The Labour Party (LP) has cautioned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against interfering in its affairs, insisting that the union has no authority to dictate the party’s direction or leadership.
The opposition party also dismissed the possibility of a merger with any political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.
“While the party is not considering a merger, it remains open to collaborations aimed at strengthening its position ahead of future elections,” Ifoh stated.
The statement was in response to the NLC’s call for a rebranding of the Labour Party, which included the possibility of a merger or coalition with like-minded parties.
Following its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, the NLC, in a communique signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, insisted that urgent steps must be taken to reclaim the party and restore its ideological foundation.
The NLC directed its National Administrative Council to initiate processes for a restructuring, coalition, or merger that would strengthen the interests of workers within the LP.
The Labour Party and the NLC remain at odds over the union’s refusal to recognize Julius Abure as the party’s National Chairman, despite his re-election at the LP convention in Anambra
The lingering dispute underscores ongoing power struggles within the party as it seeks to position itself ahead of the next election cycle.
A fresh crisis has engulfed the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) with the suspension of its governorship candidate in the November 16 off-cycle governorship election in Ondo state, Olugbenga Edema.
Mr Edema was suspended on Monday along with his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi, and another party chieftain, Israel Ayeni, over alleged anti-party activities.
The three men were suspended from the party at a meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) held in Akure, the state capital.
Announcing their suspension during a press conference, the state chairman of the NNPP, Peter Olagookun, said Mr Edema and the other party chieftains were sanctioned for alleged anti-party activities.
Flanked by 12 other members of the SWC, Mr Olagookun said the men were also suspended for violating the party’s constitution.
“We, the State Working Committee of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Ondo State Chapter, hereby announce the indefinite suspension of the following party members: Hon. Olugbenga Edema, the governorship candidate in the just concluded Ondo State governorship election; Barrister Rotimi Adeyemi, the deputy governorship candidate; and Mr. Isreal Oluwatosin Ayeni,” he said.
The chairman added that the trio were suspended on two other grounds: “suing in the name of the party without recourse to the appropriate stakeholders at both the state and national levels, according to our party constitution.
“Suing the party without exhausting internal resolution mechanisms as provided by the party’s constitution, and involving in anti-party activities.”
Peoples Gazette could not immediately get Mr Edema’s reaction as of the time of this report.
However, one of his aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak, said his principal would respond appropriately to the suspension.
“We have read the suspension letter, but Oga (Edema) will react to it when he’s ready. I’m sure those who claimed they suspended him are just jesters. He gave NNPP a name in the state. How many people knew the party in the state before the election?” he told the Gazette.
Mr Edema lost the governorship election to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr. Olajide Adediran, popularly known as JANDOR, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The 2023 Lagos governorship candidate made the announcement on Monday during a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos.
While he did not disclose his next political move, JANDOR assured that he would make his intentions known in the coming months.
His departure from the PDP comes with the backing of his supporters across the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of Lagos State.
Details to follow…
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