Television Nigerian

The Centre for Development Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria, a civil society organization, has stated that the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election did not meet international standards.

Patrick Usman, the Team Lead, made this observation during a press conference in Osogbo on Monday, describing the election as “full of irregularities.” He recommended that the APC’s national secretariat investigate the irregularities reported during the election.

They also recommended that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) be strengthened to address operational and logistical issues, as well as reforms in the National Assembly to better guide party primaries.
Usman observed that the primary election was grossly marred by electoral violence, issues of electoral irregularities, lack of sensitive materials, operational and logistic challenges, security issues, among others.

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The Team Lead, who noted that there were cases of overvoting and many members being defranchised in some wards, added that there were no accreditation in most wards where the election held and there were non-availability of results in most of the wards they visited.

Usman alleged that many party members also complained that government officials, who were allegedly appointed by the State Governor, were used as Returning Officers.

While commending the security agencies for the professional and civilised approach to handling situations at the wards visited, the CSO lamented the spate of violence recorded.

“Party primaries are to be free, fair and credible as it is the basis for good governance. The election is a mockery of democracy and a suppression of people’s will. The primary election cannot stand the scrutiny of parameters for a free and fair election.

“Our observers were present in 23 local governments to observe the election, which took place at collation centres of every ward across the State. The 23 local governments are Osogbo, Olorunda, Egbedore, Ede North, Ede South, Ifelodun, Boripe, Odo-Otin, Iwo, Ife Central, Ife East, Oriade, Ife North, Irewole, Isokan, Ayedaade, Ola-Oluwa, Boluwaduro, Orolu, Irepodun, Ilesa East, Ilesa West and Ejigbo.

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“Violence was recorded in some voting centres in some of the wards. In Osogbo, Boripe, Ede, Ilesa East and Oriade local government areas, thugs were stationed at every ward and the electorates were chased away from the voting centres,” it concluded.

In the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja’s February 12th council election, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will challenge the All Progressives Congress, APC’s victory in three council areas: Kwali, Abaji, and Gwagwalada.

Governor Samuel Ortom, who served as chairman of the PDP Campaign Committee Council for the FCT election, made the announcement on Monday, February 21st, 2022, at the Benue Peoples House in Makurdi, when he hosted the Jemgbagh PDP Elders’ Forum, which was led by Barrister Samuel Tsumba.

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The Governor told the delegation that a son of Jemgbagh, Chief Sabastine Hon, SAN, had been engaged as lead counsel for the PDP to reclaim the mandate of the party in the other three council areas whose results were fraught with high level irregularities.

He explained that the PDP’s victory in the three council areas, including Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Bwari and Kuje – in addition to 44 councilorship slots against APC’s 18 councilorship, was a clear indication that the opposition manipulated the council election.

Governor Ortom was particularly happy that a son of Jemgbagh and National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu led the party to victory in the seat of power, describing him as a round peg in a round hole.

The Governor described Jemgbagh as his second home, having been born and brought up in Gboko, pointing out that he had to reclaim his late father’s landed property in the area to serve as a mark of honour to those who raised him.

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Earlier, Chairman of the Jemgbagh PDP Elders’ Forum, Barrister Samuel Tsumba said their visit was to appreciate the Governor for the many good things he had done for Jemgbagh, including projects’ execution and appointments.

He said the recent support of Governor Samuel Ortom to the emergence of their son, Dr Iyorchia Ayu as the National Chairman of the PDP was also greatly appreciated.

Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President, has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari will sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill soon.

This could happen in a matter of hours, he said.

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Nigerians have been waiting for the President to sign the reworked Bill for a long time, as the country approaches the next round of elections in 2023.

On Tuesday, Adesina stated on the Channels Television Morning Show that “he (Buhari) will sign it (the bill) any moment now.”
He however was not specific on when this would happen, as he further said, “it could be today, it could be tomorrow, it could be anytime. But within the 30 days”.

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When probed further, he said “it could be in hours, it could be 30, it could be 45”.

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State have accused Blyden Amajirionwu, the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of funding thugs to attack the party’s campaign train at Ntu in the state’s Ngor Okpala Local Government Area.

Comrade Collins Opurozor, the PDP’s Director General of New Media, told media on Monday that party supporters were ambushed and attacked by hoodlums with various weapons.

“Members and supporters of the party incurred varied degrees of injuries, and campaign cars were broken,” according to the party. This comes just days before the byelection for the Ngor Okpala State Constituency, which will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022.
“The show of shame, which is a further confirmation that democracy in Imo State is seriously jeopardized under Hope Uzodinma, is deeply troubling, and it must be condemned by all and sundry.

“The Inspector-General of Police should, therefore, immediately arrest Blyden Amajirionwu and subject him to painstaking interrogation, investigation and arraignment to stem the tide of violence in Ngor Okpala.

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“Every patriotic Nigerian must now speak up and should never sit back and watch Ngor Okpala become another killing field which some parts of Imo have since become.

“One way to decisively tackle this and nip the emerging insecurity in Ngor Okpala in the bud, is by ensuring that this most audacious mayhem unleashed on innocent PDP supporters is never allowed to go unpunished. Blyden Amajirionwu has become a national security threat, and must immediately be arrested!

“In the last two years, Imo has been plagued by very many anti-democratic realities. Private citizens, journalists and critics have been arrested and detained. Protesting workers and pensioners have been rounded up and beaten like beasts. All democratic institutions, including the parliament, have been dismantled, and the worst form of dictatorial fascism foisted on the state by Uzodinma.

“What is really bizarre and unacceptable too is that the attackers, as the victims and eyewitnesses alleged, openly spoke of their membership of the APC and affinity with one Blyden Amajirionwu, who happens to be the factional candidate of the APC in Saturday’s bye-election. This issue must therefore never be treated with levity.

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“If the APC in Imo State and its candidate in Ngor Okpala could be caught in the act, aiding and abetting violence, what other evidence is required to conclude that the party and its chieftains have questions to answer over the festering violence in Imo? Thousands of innocent citizens, as well as law enforcement agents, have lost their lives in this orgy of insecurity. It is a heartbreaking situation in Imo. The bestial attacks on PDP members today in Ngor Okpala have thankfully offered a befitting clue into the perplexing insecurity in the state.”

When contacted for reaction, Hon. Blyden Amajirionwu, debunked the claims that he was responsible for the attack on PDP campaign train, describing it as fallacy.

He said, “I am seriously pained that some ungodly insinuations in some quarters have linked me with the unfortunate saga, but I want the PDP to prove their allegation beyond mere words.”