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2023 Elections

Presidential Election: EFCC Uncovers New Ways Politicians Are Planning to Buy Votes

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has uncovered new tactics politicians are planning to use to buy votes during Saturday’s presidential election.
Chairman, Abdulrasheed Baw, who spoke on Channels Television on Wednesday, said intelligence at its disposal has shown that some politicians are planning to buy votes in kind rather than with cash.
This is following the scarcity of the new naira notes experienced by Nigerians nationwide.
Bawa advised the electorate to cooperate with the EFCC in its efforts in tackling vote-buying during the Saturday’s polls.
Bawa said that Nigerians should get it right this time by voting into power people with integrity and ethical standards.
“We have intel that a lot of people have bought some items that they want [to use] to buy votes in kind, not in cash. Some of these things are out there,” he stated.
“Politicians are also Nigerians. We too have a way of doing our own things. We have our own experiences in this as well.”
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2023 Elections

Labour Party Senatorial Candidate, Oyibo Chukwu Murdered

Barrister Oyibo Chukwu, the Labour Party candidate for Enugu East Senatorial district, has been killed.

The trained lawyer was reportedly shot and killed in Enugu while returning from a campaign trip and the vehicle he was in was set ablaze.

Video shows his vehicle burning with him inside on Wednesday evening, Feb. 22.

Three persons were suspected to be with him in the vehicle but it was not yet known if any of the occupants survived.

A top member of Labour Party has confirmed the fatal attack but said he should not be quoted until the family speaks, Vanguard reports.

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2023 Elections

INEC Distributes Sensitive Materials To LGAs In Ekiti

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has distributed sensitive materials for the poll to the sixteen local governments in Ekiti State, ahead of Saturday’s election.

During the distribution of the materials at the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Ado-Ekiti, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Prof Ayobami Salami said the early distribution was to avoid lateness of the materials to the polling units on election day.

He pointed out that everything needed for the smooth conduct of the poll was ready, saying the election would hold as scheduled, as against rumours in some quarters that it would be postponed.

The REC reassured Nigerians that their votes would count, calling on them to come out to exercise their franchise during the election.

Speaking on behalf of other political parties, the chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, in Ekiti State, Mr Owoola Daramola expressed satisfaction with the distribution process of the materials and expressed optimism that the election would be transparent.

Earlier during the briefing of observer groups that will participate in the election in Ekiti State, Prof Salami urged them to be transparent and neutral, and also avoid partisanship in the discharge of their duties.

He told them not to be judgemental in their reports, saying the legitimacy of the 2023 elections could be affected by their reports, hence they must be factual while giving the reports.

“We expect a final report that will guide us in future elections and the report should look at the entire electoral process, rather than concentrating only on the proceedings of just one day,” he stated.

In his remark, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr Moronkeji Adesina said the police in conjunction with other security agencies in the state are prepared to ensure the safety of voters during the polls.

Represented by Mr Olu-Victor Babayemi, the Commissioner of Police, noted that a control centre has been created where observations and complaints could be forwarded for quick response.

The materials were distributed in the presence of stakeholders including security agents and party representatives.

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Uncategorized

Just In: Supreme Court adjourns Naira redesign case till March 3

The Supreme Court has adjourned a case by the state governments against the Federal Government challenging the naira redesign.

The Supreme Court, after hearing from dozens of lawyers on both governor’s and federal government’s sides, said a judgment would be delivered on the matter next month. The judgment date will be after the presidential election on February 25. The court had previously issued an order saying the old notes should remain in circulation.

Arguments during today’s hearing focused on a contempt decision against Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, who had failed to implement the court’s decision for old notes to keep circulating until a substantive ruling on the matter.

The states, including Kaduna and Lagos, sued the Buhari regime earlier this month, arguing that implementing a change of banknotes at this time would harm citizens.

Recall that Banks have not been able to make available new notes to Nigerians, which has caused economic hardships. The Central Bank of Nigeria, which introduced the new notes on Mr. Buhari’s directive, said it would try to make available the much-sought N500 and N1,000 notes.

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News

Fire Guts 17 Shops In Anambra Market

Over 17 shops were razed as fire gutted Timber Market, Umuokpu, Awka, Anambra State, on Tuesday.

Although there was no loss of life, it was gathered that the fire started at about 10:16 pm and burnt till the men of the state firefighters came to the scene.

The cause of the fire could not be ascertained, but eyewitnesses and victims of the fire said the inferno destroyed multi-million naira worth of goods.

Confirming the incident, the state fire service chief, Martin Agbili, said his personnel fought the fire to a standstill and prevented it from escalating further.

He said, “At about 10.16 pm on Tuesday, the Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of a heavy fire outbreak at Timber Market, Umuokpu Awka.

“Immediately, we deployed our fire truck and brave firefighters to the fire scene. The heavy fire was later fought to a standstill.

“The cause of the fire is unknown and no life was lost. About 17 shops were badly affected but we were able to control the fire from spreading to many other shops.

“Time of withdrawal from the fire scene was 01.06 am. We are still at the peak of harmattan, please avoid anything which can cause a fire outbreak. Always remember that time of the fire call, will determine the time of response to the fire incident.”

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2023 Elections

2023: No Postponement, We Are Ready For Election – INEC Declares

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is ready to conduct the 2023 presidential election on the 25th of Saturday, 2023.
The assurance was given by INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
The INEC chairman gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja at the signing of the national peace accord by presidential candidates
According to Prof. Yakubu, the electoral umpire is ready to conduct a free and fair election and Nigerians should be rest assured that their votes will count.
The INEC boss further gave assurances that the commission is neutral and has no preferred candidate in the forthcoming general elections.
In his words, “I want to, first of all, appreciate the untiring efforts of the National Peace Committee for convening this important event.
 
“This is the third peace accord to be signed by political parties and candidates on the eve of a general election in Nigeria since 2015, and the ninth overall, if we include the accord signed before the commencement of electioneering campaign in September last year and ahead of five off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo in 2020, Anambra in 2021, Ekiti and Osun states in 2022.
 
“The signing of the peace accord today comes at a critical moment in the electoral calendar. Campaign for presidential and national assembly elections ends at midnight tomorrow, Thursday, 23rd February, 2023. Election will hold on Saturday this week. INEC is ready.
 
“This morning, we commenced the movement of sensitive materials to the various local government areas nationwide. By Friday, we will activate the registration area centres, so that at first light on Saturday, polling units will open on time.
 
“The commission is committed to free, fair, and credible elections in compliance with the electoral framework and the spirit of the peace accord.
 
“All political parties and candidates are hereby reassured of the commission’s neutrality. INEC is not a political party. We have no candidate in the election. Our allegiance is to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and our loyalty is to Nigerians. Therefore, Nigerians should feel confident that their votes will count.”
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2023 Elections

2023: Nigerians Not Ready For Igbo President – Orji Kalu

Senate Chief Whip and former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu has said that Nigerians are not ready for an Igbo President.

Kalu stated this while speaking Channels Television’s programme, “The 2023 Verdict” on Wednesday.

According to Kalu, the February 25 presidential election is not the best outing for the Igbo people, because the people of the South-East need the support of five other regions for one of their own to be President.

He said, “It is not the best outing for us (Igbo people) because for you to become the President of Nigeria, you need other regions.”

One of the contestants of Igbo extractions among the 18 presidential candidates for the Saturday election is Labour Party’s Peter Obi.

Kalu, a senatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC for Abia North Senatorial District had dismissed the chances of Obi.

He said, “I’m well-experienced; I ran for President in 2007 and I’m not sure Nigerians are yet ready for a President of Igbo extraction. I’m not sure because I have tried to nose around that. We have five other regions to come up with and I am not sure.”

According to Kalu, the people of the South-East are the best professionals but not the best politicians.

He said, “We do politics with emotions and I want Igbos to stop doing politics with emotions; I want Igbos to do practical politics.”

Kalu expressed confidence that APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will win in Abia State and the South-East zone.

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2023 Elections

PDP To Sanction G-5 Governors After Polls

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party of the Peoples Democratic Party has decided to deal with the Governor Nyesom Wike-led Integrity Group after the elections for their alleged anti-party activities, according to the Punch.

Wike of Rivers State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) pulled out of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council last year, insisting that except the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, quits his position, they wouldn’t have anything to do with the campaigns.

Following Ayu’s refusal to go and the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s apparent non-interest in the sacking of the former Senate President, the governors have since pitched their tents with their preferred presidential candidates.

While Makinde and Wike were said to be allegedly working for the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Tinubu, Ortom has openly endorsed the candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, even as Ikpeazu and Ugwuanyi are reportedly torn between Atiku and Obi.

Findings, however, revealed that Ayu would wield the big stick after the polls to demonstrate the supremacy of the party in line with the PDP constitution.

A member of the PDP National Executive Committee and former governor of a North-West state disclosed that the action of the aggrieved governors infuriated party stakeholders across the board, warning that failure to call them to order would raise a lot of questions from loyal members of the party.

The NEC member said, “We watched every day how these leaders ridiculed the party. Nobody said they had no reasons to be aggrieved, but we generally agreed that there were other ways to speak on the issues than the way they did.

“When the elders (Board of Trustees) intervened, we all thought the crisis was over, but it only got worse. We expect some sanctions, although the leadership of the party will set in motion what to do with them.

“At the NEC, it was nothing short of a disgrace to wake up to see governors dancing not in solidarity with their party, but with rival parties to cast aspersions on the same PDP that catapulted them to national prominence.

“It’s a good thing that Ayu is focused on the elections, but we would like to see what happens after that.”

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News

President Buhari Holds National Security Council Meeting

Ahead of the February 25th polls, President Muhammadu Buhari has convened a National security council meeting at the State House.

The meeting which has all security chiefs in attendance is expected to review the current security situation in Nigeria.

Before the meeting, the President presided over the launch of security equipment donated by the Coalition Against Covid-19 (CACOVID) at the Council Chambers.

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2023 Elections

Presidential Polls: I’m Not Desperate For Power – Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has said that he is not desperate to be Nigeria’s president.

Atiku said contrary to what some people think, he is contesting for the presidency to make Nigeria a better place.

He spoke in Abuja when the Council of National Students Presidents of Nigeria, endorsed him as their presidential candidate, ahead of Saturday’s election.

Represented by a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Atiku said: “I’m not desperate for office. I’m running to change things. Under my watch, so many things will change. I’ve made a covenant with the Nigerian people.

“We need to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for insisting elections must be free and fair. We need to appreciate that move.”

On the issue of the redesigned Naira, Atiku warned that Nigerians would suffer more if they allow “fraudsters” to takeover power.

Atiku has been vying for the presidency since 1993 when he stepped down for the late MKO Abiola.

In 1999, former President Olusegun Obasanjo picked him as his Vice, and they ruled for eight years.

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