Politics
Edo 2024: 51 INEC accredited CSOs want Gov Fintiri arrested for usurping INEC’s power in 2027 (+photos)
51 Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s accredited Civil Society Organisations, CSOs want Adamawa Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri arrested immediately he hands over on May 29th, 2027 for usurping powers of Nigeria’s apex electoral body.
This was disclosed in a post election press briefing by the coalition on Wednesday in Benin City, Edo State capital.
In a statement jointly signed by the coalition’s convener, Director General of of Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, CCLCA, Dr Gabriel Nwambu and its Secretary, Osaretin Omoh, recommended among others that:
“Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintri should be arrested on May 29th, 2027 immediately he hands over to his successor over his role in the just concluded Edo governorship election.
Hear the coalition:
“We strongly recommend that Mr. Fintiri be held accountable for usurping the powers of INEC, and appropriate legal actions should be taken. He has to be prosecuted in 2027 as the immunity is lifted.
Read full address below:
“Good morning gentlemen of the Press and welcome to this post election press conference by our coalition.
“We stand before you today as a coalition of 51 accredited observer organizations under the aegis of the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness. Our mission has been to observe the Edo State Governorship Election held on September 21, 2024, and to provide an unbiased report of our findings.
OVERVIEW OF OBSERVATIONS:
“We observed the distribution of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria in Benin City to the Local Government offices of INEC. The subsequent distribution to various Registration Area Centres (RAC) was executed under tight security. We noted that the election materials were ultimately moved to the 4,518 polling units by INEC ad hoc staff, predominantly National Youth Service Corps members.
“Voting commenced between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM in most observed polling units. The delay in some areas was due primarily to heavy rainfall, with a few instances of logistical challenges noted. In certain RAC centres, electoral materials and staff were prepared for movement but lacked police escorts. Although these instances were minimal, they warrant attention.
ELECTION INTEGRITY AND CHALLENGES:
“Vote buying was observed in some polling units, notably more sophisticated than in previous elections. An incident of concern involved military personnel denying access to accredited observers, despite proper identification.
“We were relieved to report that the election concluded without violence, despite the inflammatory remarks made by some politicians, including the outgoing governor, who referred to the election as a “do or die” affair. The collation of results was conducted meticulously, adhering to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 Amended and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
CONDEMNATION OF UNAUTHORIZED DECLARATION OF ELECTION RESULTS:
“We are compelled to address a severe violation that occurred post-election. The Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Ahmadu Fintiri, held a press conference declaring the candidate of his party as the winner of the Edo State governorship election. This action blatantly contravenes Sections 178 and 179 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and undermines the authority of INEC. Such behavior is unbecoming of a public office holder and could erode public trust in our democratic processes.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. We strongly recommend that Mr. Fintiri be held accountable for usurping the powers of INEC, and appropriate legal actions should be taken. He has to be prosecuted in 2027 as the immunity is lifted.
2. Further investigations into the logistics failures witnessed, including the absence of police escort and delays caused by transport workers, should be conducted to ensure future elections run smoothly.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
In conclusion, we acknowledge the relatively low voter turnout of 22%, largely attributable to adverse weather conditions. However, we assert that the Edo State Governorship Election of September 21, 2024, was conducted in line with the Electoral Act, 2022, and the 1999 Constitution as amended.
We as 51 INEC Accredited observer organizations hereby unequivocally declare that this election was transparent, free, fair, and credible. Importantly, we report no loss of life on election day, which reflects positively on the overall conduct.
We commend the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police for the professionalism exhibited by officers in the discharge of their duties, as well as INEC for overseeing a credible election. Lastly, we applaud the people of Edo State for their peaceful disposition, demonstrating their unwavering love for peace.
Thank you.
Co-signed by:
Dr. Nwambu Gabriel
Convener
Osaretin Omoh
Secretary
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
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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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