Politics

Ondo 2024: INEC pledges to improve on logistics distribution, result management

Published

3 weeks ago

November 5, 2024

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, said on Monday that the commission would need to improve on two critical areas of logistics and results management, in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.

He said the commission had learned some lessons from the shortcomings in the Edo State election, and that correction would be made in the coming election.

Mr Yakubu, a professor, spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital, while assessing the state of readiness for the election.

He said: “We are here, essentially, to observe what is happening and to acknowledge the good work that the office has done.

“Over the next few days, we will be meeting with political parties, civil society organisations, the media, and security agencies.”

He said one of the planned activities ahead of the poll is the conduct of mock accreditation of voters, “which will take place in 16 polling units across six local government areas within the three senatorial zones of the state.”

“This is primarily why we are here. Additionally, as part of the activities already outlined, we will hold a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday, and the following day, the National Peace Committee will invite all stakeholders to participate in the signing of the National Peace Accord. This is the essence of our visit,” he added.

On the lessons learned from the Edo State governorship election and previous elections, Mr Yakubu said, ” I have learned valuable lessons, not only from the last election but also from previous ones. Essentially, there are two key challenges.

“The first is logistics — ensuring that polling units open promptly on election day. The second challenge is result management. My assurance to voters in Ondo State is that they will witness significant improvements in these areas.”

He added that one of the activities he would also observe is the mock accreditation of voters.

A peace accord is also expected to be signed among political parties and their candidates.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Agboola Ajayi, had earlier called for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Toyin Babalola, saying she would not be fair during the election because of her birthplace.

But INEC dispelled the allegations, saying Mrs Babalola is not from Ondo State and would not be partial in the polls.

Politics

Party Crisis Escalates: PDP NEC Meeting Delayed for the Fourth Time

Published

23 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has once again postponed its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which was scheduled for November 28, 2024.

This marks the fourth delay in holding the party’s 99th NEC session, raising questions about the party’s internal coordination amid its ongoing crisis.

The announcement came through a public notice signed by PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, in Abuja. According to Anyanwu, the rescheduling is to allow party leaders to attend the funeral of the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, wife of Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno. The funeral will run from November 27 to 29, 2024.

“At its meeting on Wednesday, the National Working Committee (NWC) considered the funeral programme of Mrs. Eno, which coincides with the scheduled NEC meeting. Recognizing the importance of commiserating with Governor Eno, the 99th NEC meeting will now be held on a date to be announced later,” the notice stated.

This latest delay follows a series of postponements since August, with the meeting initially rescheduled for September, then October 2, and subsequently November 28. The repeated deferrals have fueled speculation about deeper challenges within the party.

The NWC expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the change, urging NEC members to stay informed of the new date. As the PDP navigates these turbulent times, party stakeholders are closely watching to see how the leadership addresses the lingering crises.

Politics

PDP Govs Say Party Reviewing Ondo Poll, Fault Edo Election

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

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

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

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.