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Reps Call For Comprehensive Data On IDPs In Nigeria

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By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has called for a comprehensive report on the statistics of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria as well as those in the neighbouring countries who were displaced by natural disasters.
The Deputy Speaker stated this during a courtesy call by the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and IDPs, Ahmed Tijani Ahmed on Wednesday in Abuja.
Attributing some of the displacements to the impact of natural disasters such as flooding and erosion mainly occasioned by climate change, Kalu said, the parliament was interested in the data on the total national NEEDS analysis on IDPs.
According to him, some Nigerians forced to migrate across the borders by the effect of the natural occurrences on their villages and communities are eager to be resettled, but that adequate legislative interventions are necessary to achieve the objective.
The Deputy Speaker also noted the huge effects of erosion in Abia, Anambra, Enugu and other States in the South East, and said that the menace of ecological challenges needed urgent attention of the federal government.
He emphasised that the House recently suspended plenary sessions to embark on massive oversight engagements to ascertain the performance of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the government on budget implementation, and noted that it falls within the jurisdiction of the parliament to review the budgetary allocations of the agencies for the good of the people.
He said: “Your mandate includes refugees and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). You can’t be internally displaced only through war or crisis. You can be internally displaced through climate induced displacement and that’s what we are experiencing now.
“The climate is at war with us. So, the issue of mitigation, adaptation is something that as government, we must take seriously but in doing that, agencies like you who manage the consequences of these climate impacts need to be aware that it’s beyond the visibility we are seeing that’s given to it currently.
“We heard of what happened in Maiduguri. I mentioned it even before the African Union (AU). Beyond Maiduguri, a lot more is happening around the country.
“Those people are chased out of their homes and when they are chased out who handles them? It’s your Commission. Then how prepared are you? I checked your budget last year, I was wondering if that budget, in view of what we are seeing now, the impact of this climate change, if a budget of N1.6 billion or thereabout will be able to handle that across the country.
“And I have not heard your agency bring it to the fore both in the parliament and also to Nigerians maybe through a documentary to show us the volume of the NEEDS analysis, showcasing the plight of Nigerians.
“There are so many people suffering due to climate change. The parliament needs to hear from you on the total national NEEDS analysis on internally displaced persons. And the impact of climate induced displacement.  We need to get a document on that.
“We are charging your Commission to give us the total report on the plight of  Nigerians currently all across the country. So, let the Commission have an intervention fund dedicated to do the proper NEEDS analysis so that as we do the budget, we look into it. This is part of oversight function. So, get us a report on that.
“Having said that, it is still our responsibility and that of your agency to know that Nigerians who were displaced and found themselves across the boarders especially our nearby countries and became refugees in those countries, they fall into your core mandate. Now, these people who are in those countries. Our last finding is that they want to come back home, because they fall under your mandate, you need to bring them home.
“These are some of the conversations that the parliament is interested in with your office and I hope by the time we meet again, you will able to feed us more details we can work with.
“We are giving you two weeks to bring the report because we want it to guide us as we make our budget. Also a copy of that will be sent to the Budget Office of the federation so they will understand the enormous nature of your mandate.”
In his remarks, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and IDPs, Ahmed Tijani Ahmed expressed gratitude to the Deputy Speaker, pledging to make the report available to the parliament within the given two weeks deadline even as he appealed for more funding of the Commission.
“We thank you for giving us this audience today and I have listened carefully. We will ensure that these individuals who are our own are returned. We will put the reports together, both the refugees and displaced persons, to show the parliament and for you to also see the plight of the commission in area of funding. I’m sure Mr. President and the National Assembly will look into the plight of the commission and see that these issues are resolved”, Ahmed said.
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Senate mandates military to free LGs under B’Haram control

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The Senate, on Thursday, called on the Nigerian military to deploy sufficient personnel to reclaim Abadam and Marte Local Government Areas in Borno State, reportedly under the control of Boko Haram insurgents.

During Thursday’s plenary, the Senate acknowledged the significant sacrifices made by the military in combating insurgency but expressed concern over the lingering presence of Boko Haram in the two LGs.

This resolution followed a motion presented by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC – Borno North), titled “Need to Deploy Adequate Security Personnel to Endangered Local Government Areas in Borno State.”

Senator Monguno highlighted the challenges Borno State had faced due to prolonged insurgency, commending the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces in restoring relative peace.

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However, he raised concerns about the lack of civil authority and military presence in Guzamala, Abadam, and Marte LGAs, which are predominantly agricultural communities.

Marte, in particular, is known for large-scale wheat and rice production.

Monguno stressed that the insecurity in these areas had caused severe hardship, disrupted local economies, and hindered infrastructure development.

He warned that the absence of security personnel might embolden insurgents to target surrounding communities, potentially reversing the gains made in securing the state.

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Backing the motion, Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP – Delta North) emphasised the need for a national dialogue, led by the National Assembly, to understand the root causes of insecurity.

He argued that relying solely on military hardware like attack helicopters was insufficient, urging the government to create platforms for inclusive discussions involving all Nigerians.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC – Edo North) highlighted the need for effective legislative oversight, particularly concerning defence procurements.

He criticised the purchase of Tucano jets instead of attack helicopters, attributing the oversight failure to a lack of scrutiny.

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Senator Ali Ndume (APC – Borno South) pointed out that while there was a task force operating in the Chad region, low morale among personnel remained a significant challenge.

He emphasised the importance of motivating security operatives and criticised the allocation of funds to non-critical areas amid the insecurity crisis.

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, thanked Senator Monguno for the motion and commended the military for their sacrifices.

He called on security forces to restore peace to the affected areas, noting the international dimension of insecurity. Barau also praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address the issue on the global stage.

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In its resolution, the Senate mandated its Committees on Army and Air Force to ensure the implementation of its call for reinforced security in Abadam and Marte LGAs.

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ACF suspends chairman Osuman over comments on 2027 presidency

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The Arewa Consultative Forum has suspended its national chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, for making what it describes as an authorised statement concerning the 2027 presidency.

Osuman was quoted as saying during the ACF National Executive Council meeting on Wednesday that the North would support a northern candidate for the presidency in the 2027 general elections.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday, the forum, through its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Bashir Dalhatu and Secretary General, Murtala Aliyu, said Osuman made the statements without consulting or discussing with other leaders and members of the ACF, adding that the statements made only reflected his personal opinion.

ACF, therefore, announced the suspension of Osuman as Chairman with immediate effect and also constituted a Committee to investigate the infractions.

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“ACF rejects Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman’s statements in their entirety. For this reason, the leadership of the ACF’s Board of Trustees (BOT) and that of its NEC has decided to place Mamman Mike Osuman on suspension with immediate effect,” the statement read.

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2027: Obasanjo’s knock on INEC reopens push for electoral reform

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Last week, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo harped on the urgent need for reform and strengthening of the nation’s electoral process.

Obasanjo specifically called for the dismissal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, and officials of the commission at all levels for electoral integrity.

The erstwhile President spoke at the weekend via a recorded video address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States, saying the electoral system reform is now among the top targets for change in Nigeria.

Obasanjo stressed that Nigerians must ensure that the INEC chairman and his staff were thoroughly vetted, adding that the vetting exercise should yield dispassionate, non-partisan, actors with impeccable reputations.

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“As a matter of urgency, we must make sure the INEC chairperson and his or her staff are thoroughly vetted. The vetting exercise should yield dispassionate, non-partisan, actors with impeccable reputations.

“Nigeria must ensure the appointment of new credible INEC leadership at the federal, state, local government and municipal – city, town, and village levels – with short tenures – to prevent undesirable political influence and corruption, and re-establish trust in the electoral systems by its citizens.

“The INEC chairperson must not only be absolutely above board, he must also be transparently independent and incorruptible,” he said.

Obasanjo pointed out that INEC failed to implement the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and INEC Election Result Viewing Portal during the 2023.

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“These technologies were touted by the INEC chairman himself. In the end, these technologies did not fail.

“INEC wilfully failed to use or implement them which resulted in widespread voting irregularities. It was a case of inviting the fox into the hen house,” Obasanjo stated.

However, the Presidency took issue with Obasanjo’s critique of the INEC.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy in a statement on Monday accused him of hypocrisy given his administration’s alleged role in organising what it described as the “most fraudulent election held in Nigeria since 1960.”

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“It is hypocrisy writ large when a man who presided over the worst election in Nigeria demands the sack of the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission,” Onanuga wrote

DAILY POST reports that the call is a renewal of the controversies that trailed the outcome of the 2023 general elections, including the recently held off-cycle elections in Kogi, Imo and Edo states.

DAILY POST also recalls that the alleged non-compliance with the 2022 electoral law by INEC was one of the grounds on which the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and that of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, challenged the declaration of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election.

Although Atiku and Obi lost their petitions at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) and the Supreme Court, they had argued that INEC did not follow the provisions of the 2022 electoral act and its own rules in conducting the election.

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The duo maintained that INEC breached its regulations and guidelines by not deploying technological devices for voter accreditation, verification, continuation, and authentication as required.

However, DAILY POST reported that the Supreme Court particularly acknowledged that the non-functioning of the Result Viewing (IReV) portal of the Electoral Commission may reduce the confidence of the voting public in the electoral process.

“Truth must be told, the non-functioning of the IReV may also reduce the confidence of the voting public in the electoral process,” Justice John Okoro said while delivering the lead judgment in the appeal by the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku.

Recently, Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, said the “gross flaws” and “manipulations” in the Edo governorship election were sufficient reasons for the country to have radical and comprehensive electoral reforms.

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Amadi had earlier in a post on X suggested that anyone dreaming of becoming president in 2027 is not serious without disbanding INEC.

“Anyone thinking of being the President of Nigeria in 2027 and not thinking of disbanding this @inecnigeria is not serious,” he posted on X.

Also speaking further at a press conference recently in Abuja, he stated that the performance of the INEC in Edo did not inspire confidence that it would do better in the then forthcoming Ondo election.

“There were allegations that election results were manipulated.

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“The INEC leadership has assured that they will avoid the mistakes of Edo,” he said.

“There is no reason to trust that they would act honestly to uphold electoral integrity in Ondo.

“The second issue is the procedure of result collation in Edo. We have read reports of forensic reviews of observer groups. We see clearly that the result declared by INEC differs materially from the results uploaded in the IREV.

“This inconsistency is damaging to the integrity of the elections. Furthermore, INEC is issuing certified copies of results that are different from what it has uploaded on the IREV.

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“This is alarming. It does not assure us of the integrity of future elections,” he said.

Speaking to DAILY POST, a Public Affairs Analyst and Communication Scholar at Peaceland University, Enugu, Nduka Odo, said the manipulation of results and lack of accountability among INEC officials were serious concerns that needed to be addressed.

Odo opined that the electoral body’s excuses about national infrastructure and readiness were unconvincing.

He stressed that INEC must get its act together and demonstrate strong commitment to free and fair elections.

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“INEC’s integrity is once again under fire, and I’m fed up with their constant failures.

“Like former President Obasanjo’s criticism, I agree that INEC’s lack of integrity, especially in electronic transmission of results, is alarming.

“The recent governorship election in Edo State was a critical test for INEC, and from what I’ve seen, they’ve failed miserably.

“Their inability to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process is appalling. The manipulation of results and lack of accountability among INEC officials are serious concerns that need to be addressed.

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“The fact that some parties didn’t even submit polling and collation agents, yet they’re participating in the election, is a joke.

“The electronic transmission of results is not rocket science, but INEC has made it seem like an insurmountable task.

“Their excuses about national infrastructure and readiness are tired and unconvincing. It’s time for INEC to take responsibility for their failures and ensure that future elections are credible and transparent.

“INEC must get its act together: No more excuses, no more failures. INEC needs to demonstrate its commitment to free and fair elections.

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“Accountability is key: INEC officials involved in electoral malpractices must be held accountable. Transparency is essential: Electronic transmission of results must be implemented effectively to prevent manipulation.

“It’s time for INEC to redeem its integrity and ensure that the people’s votes count. Anything less is unacceptable.”

On his part, Onyebuchi Igboke, the Project Manager of Advocacy Partnership for Good Governance and Convener, Office of the Citizens, told DAILY POST that the electoral commission should be for persons of integrity.

Igboke particularly noted that the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu dashed the hope of many Nigerians contrary to his promise to transmit presidential election results in real time.

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According to him, the electoral system in Nigeria should be reformed, suggesting that the power of the President to appoint the INEC chairman be removed.

He said: “INEC as an institution should be manned only by persons who have integrity. From what was observed from the last election, the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu dashed the hope of Nigerians, especially young Nigerians.

“He made a promise severally before the 2023 presidential election to transmit results electronically, not just the transmission of results but in real time.

“However, everyone was disappointed how the results for the presidential election weren’t transmitted as he promised.

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“I totally agree with what the former President Olusegun Obasanjo said about the institution lacking in integrity. In a sane clime, the INEC chairman should have resigned after the event of the 2022 general election.

“In the recent off-cycle elections in Kogi, Imo, Ondo, and Edo states, we saw what happened. Is that what we wish to have as an election?

“Election is a serious business because it gives people the opportunity to recruit individuals who will manage their resources, lead them into prosperity, and solve their problems.

“Electioneering in Nigeria should be reformed. This should begin by removing the power of the President to even appoint the INEC chairman.”

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Last week, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo harped on the urgent need for reform and strengthening of the nation’s electoral process.

Obasanjo specifically called for the dismissal of the Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, and officials of the commission at all levels the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, at all levels for electoral integrity.

The erstwhile President spoke at the weekend via a recorded video address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States, saying the electoral system reform is now among the top targets for change in Nigeria.

Obasanjo stressed that Nigerians must ensure that the INEC chairman and his staff were thoroughly vetted, adding that the vetting exercise should yield dispassionate, non-partisan, actors with impeccable reputations.

Advertisement

“As a matter of urgency, we must make sure the INEC chairperson and his or her staff are thoroughly vetted. The vetting exercise should yield dispassionate, non-partisan, actors with impeccable reputations.

“Nigeria must ensure the appointment of new credible INEC leadership at the federal, state, local government and municipal – city, town, and village levels – with short tenures – to prevent undesirable political influence and corruption, and re-establish trust in the electoral systems by its citizens.

“The INEC chairperson must not only be absolutely above board, he must also be transparently independent and incorruptible,” he said.

Obasanjo pointed that INEC failed to implement the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and INEC Election Result Viewing Portal during the 2023.

Advertisement

“These technologies were touted by the INEC chairman himself. In the end, these technologies did not fail. INEC wilfully failed to use or implement them which resulted in widespread voting irregularities. It was a case of inviting the fox into the hen house,” Obasanjo stated.

However, the Presidency took issue with Obasanjo’s critique of the INEC.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy in a statement on Monday accused him of hypocrisy given his administration’s alleged role in organising what it described as the “most fraudulent election held in Nigeria since 1960.”

“It is hypocrisy writ large when a man who presided over the worst election in Nigeria demands the sack of the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission,” Onanuga wrote

Advertisement

DAILY POST reports that the call comes fresh from the divided opinions and controversies that trailed the outcome of the 2023 general elections, including the recently held off cycle elections in Kogi and Edo states.

DAILY POST also recalls that the alleged non-compliance with the 2022 electoral law by INEC was one of the grounds on which the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and that of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, challenged the declaration of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election.

Although Atiku and Obi lost their petitions at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) and the Supreme Court, respectively, they had argued that INEC did not follow the provisions of the 2022 electoral act and its own rules in conducting the election.

The duo maintained that INEC breached its regulations and guidelines by not prescribing and deploying technological devices for voter accreditation, verification, continuation, and authentication as required.

Advertisement

However, DAILY POST reported that the Supreme Court particularly acknowledged that the non-functioning of the Result Viewing (IReV) portal of the Electoral Commission may reduce the confidence of the voting public in the electoral process.

“Truth must be told, the non-functioning of the IReV may also reduce the confidence of the voting public in the electoral process,” Justice John Okoro said while delivering the lead judgment in the appeal by the PDP presidential candidate Atiku.

Recently, Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, said the “gross flaws” and “manipulations” in the Edo governorship election were sufficient reason for the country to have radical and comprehensive electoral reforms.

Amadi had earlier in post on X suggested that anyone dreaming of becoming president in 2027 is not serious without disbanding INEC.

Advertisement

Amadi’s statement comes after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared the All Progressives Congress, APC’s Monday Okpebholo as winner of the Edo State governorship election last September.

“Anyone thinking of being the President of Nigeria in 2027 and not thinking of disbanding this @inecnigeria is not serious,” he posted on X.

But speaking further at a press conference recently in Abuja, he stated that the performance of the INEC in Edo did not inspire confidence that it would do better in the then forthcoming Ondo election.

“There were allegations election results were manipulated.

Advertisement

“The INEC leadership has assured that they will avoid the mistakes of Edo,” he said.

“There is no reason to trust that they would act honestly to uphold electoral integrity in Ondo.

“The second issue is the procedure of result collation in Edo. We have read reports of forensic reviews of observer groups. We see clearly that the result declared by INEC differs materially from the results uploaded in the IREV.

“This inconsistency is damaging to the integrity of the elections. Furthermore, INEC is issuing certified copies of results that are different from what it has uploaded on the IREV.

Advertisement

“This is alarming. It does not assure us of the integrity of future elections,” he said.

Speaking to DAILY POST, a Public Affairs Analyst and Communication Scholar at Peaceland University, Enugu, Nduka Odo, said the manipulation of results and lack of accountability among INEC officials are serious concerns that need to be addressed.

Odo opined that the electoral body’s excuses about national infrastructure and readiness are tired and unconvincing.

He stressed that INEC must get its act together and demonstrate strong commitment to free and fair elections.

Advertisement

“INEC’s integrity is once again under fire, and I’m fed up with their constant failures. Like former President Obasanjo’s criticism, I agree that INEC’s lack of integrity, especially in electronic transmission of results, is alarming.

“The recent governorship election in Edo State was a critical test for INEC, and from what I’ve seen, they’ve failed miserably.

“Their inability to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process is appalling. The manipulation of results and lack of accountability among INEC officials are serious concerns that need to be addressed.

“The fact that some parties didn’t even submit polling and collation agents, yet they’re participating in the election, is a joke.

Advertisement

“The electronic transmission of results is not rocket science, but INEC has made it seem like an insurmountable task. Their excuses about national infrastructure and readiness are tired and unconvincing. It’s time for INEC to take responsibility for their failures and ensure that future elections are credible and transparent.

“INEC must get its act together: No more excuses, no more failures. INEC needs to demonstrate its commitment to free and fair elections.

“Accountability is key: INEC officials involved in electoral malpractices must be held accountable. Transparency is essential: Electronic transmission of results must be implemented effectively to prevent manipulation.

“It’s time for INEC to redeem its integrity and ensure that the people’s votes count. Anything less is unacceptable.”

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Credit: DAILY POST

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