Television Nigerian

Yiaga Africa is concerned about the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s recently announced extra guidelines for reviewing election result announcements.

On Thursday, INEC issued further norms and procedures for the review of election results, as authorized by Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022.

Yiaga Africa applauded INEC’s move as “a positive step towards ensuring administrative safeguards for electoral integrity” in a statement issued by its executive director, Samson Itodo.

However, the agency warned that several aspects in the new rules could undermine the reforms it hopes to implement.

Yiaga Africa highlighted worries about inclusivity, pointing out that the criteria only allow resident electoral commissioners, returning officers, and national commissioners to submit reports for election result review.

The group termed this as a “exclusionary provision” that essentially excludes political parties, candidates, accredited observers, and their agents, even if they have strong evidence of manipulated or illegal disclosures.

“By restricting the activation of the power of review to reports filed by INEC officials, some of whom may be complicit in the very infractions that warrant review, is counterproductive,” according to the release.

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“Evidence from recent elections revealed instances where electoral officers acted in blatant defiance of INEC’s directives, engaged in the manipulation of results, or abdicated their duties, thereby undermining the integrity of electoral process.”

Yiaga Africa has consequently called on INEC to quickly revise the criteria to increase the scope of eligible persons or institutions entitled to submit reports that may trigger the review process.

“The scope should include political parties, candidates, accredited party agents, and observers present during the collation process. “This will improve transparency, promote electoral justice, and reaffirm INEC’s commitment to credible elections,” the statement continues.

Party members in the opposition alliance led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have been targeted by Bode George, the former deputy national chairman of the Democrats.

George stated during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Friday that it was intolerable for PDP members, including Atiku Abubakar, to continue to be affiliated with the coalition movement while still being members of the party.

As the Bible says, you cannot serve two masters. Serving A or serving B is your option. It is a misconception, however, to claim that you are in A and B, George stated.

He charged Atiku and former Senate President and ADC coalition leader David Mark with being central to the internal disputes plaguing the PDP.

According to George, the alliance led by the ADC lacked the unity and organization necessary to be a legitimate opposition force.

He claimed that it is nothing more than existential imbecility, or occasionally existential docility.

What is the reason behind their attendance? Your father lives here. The mansion elevated you to the spotlight. This same house gave you all the honors and recognition you deserve.

“Is quitting the cultural thing to do when there is a small crisis? But you remain there. When a leak occurs in your home, do you run out? You’re the landlord, not them.

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Have they have an idea? Could you tell me their plan? That tactic is classless.

The PDP chieftain also recalled the circumstances that led to the party’s presidential primary in advance of the general election in 2023, characterizing them as the crisis’s origin.

“General Buhari had just finished his eighth year when we held the last convention. After eight years, a Northerner had just ended, thus we turned down Atiku Abubakar’s request to compete,” he stated.

Peter Obi was in the South. This was where the problem started.

George stated that Iyorchia Ayu, the party’s national chairman at the time, and Mark, the convention’s chair, ought to be held responsible for the consequences.

Naturally, you can’t get away with doing such things. Then I cautioned against it,” he continued.

Members of the coalition declared the ADC as their 2027 electoral platform on Wednesday.

A number of prominent PDP members attended the event, including former Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Kogi senator Dino Melaye, Ovation magazine editor Dele Momodu, former Benue governor Gabriel Suswam, and former PDP national chairman Uche Secondus.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso would stay with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in spite of increasing pressure from rival political factions attempting to entice him to leave, according to Buba Galadima, a party chieftain.

Arise Television’s “The Morning Show” featured an interview with Galadima on Friday.

Kwankwaso’s intention to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been the subject of recent reports; some have connected this development to Abdullahi Ganduje’s eventual departure as NPC chairman.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), APC, and coalition members have all made attempts to court Kwankwaso, according to Galadima, a close acquaintance of the former NNPP presidential contender.

As others try to entice Kwankwaso to join their ranks, he claims that by sticking with the NNPP, he has demonstrated discipline and loyalty.

“Until the political scandal is exposed, we will strategically stay in the NNPP,” Galadima declared.

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Our political party, the NNPP, is recognized by INEC and registered under Nigerian law.

“We occupy our current position. There have been several reports in the media and on social media, of course, but that only serves to highlight Rabiu Kwankwaso’s status as the politician this nation needs and ought to emulate.

Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano state, was referred to by the NNPP chieftain as “a strategic politician,” whose credibility has only increased due to his quiet.

He continued by saying that Kwankwaso’s worth seems to be recognized by all of the nation’s major groups.

“People are running free campaigns for him, but he has chosen to remain silent,” Galadima stated.

People are claiming that he is capable, competent, and capable of leading the nation instead of spending money on public relations. What more could a politician possibly provide?

All Nigerians require him. He is an essential member of all political parties. Why not back him to win the presidency of Nigeria so he may apply democracy’s benefits?

Although the PDP, APC, and coalition made genuine political advances, Galadima emphasized that Kwankwaso remained “steadfast and strategic.”

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Act of 2007 stipulates a 5% user charge on gasoline products and diesel. The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to working toward its full implementation.

The House emphasized that the 10th Assembly’s efforts to meet Nigeria’s urgent road development needs continue to prioritize enforcing the provision.

The ad-hoc committee’s chairman, Francis Waive, explained during a technical meeting called by the committee looking into the collection and remittance of a five percent user charge that the purpose of the user charge is to ensure sustainable road maintenance across the country for the benefit of all Nigerians, including the petroleum industry, rather than to raise the price of petroleum products at the pump.

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The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), FERMA, and other important stakeholders agreed to form two subcommittees in order to expedite the process.

Waive urged the members of the subcommittee to provide realistic, actionable suggestions that go beyond formalities, emphasizing that tangible results are essential for both the welfare of Nigerian road users and the country’s development.

The subcommittees will be sworn in on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, according to a release.

“The House of Representatives is steadfast in its efforts to guarantee accountability and transparency in the collection and application of the five percent user fee, with the ultimate objective of repairing and maintaining roads throughout the nation,” Waive stated.

The management team of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) as well as other pertinent stakeholders from the road and petroleum industries attended the conference.

Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, better known as Charly Boy, a popular singer and activist, has dismissed the opposition leaders’ agreement to build a coalition to unseat President Tinubu in 2027.

According to reports, a coalition of political heavyweights from the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, Social Democratic Party, and disgruntled members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has formed ahead of the 2027 election.

The opposition leaders, led by former Senate President David Mark, had chosen the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their formal platform for ousting Tinubu in 2027.

While the announcement sparked celebration across the country as opposition regrouped, several Nigerians remain dubious of the opposition figures’ aim.

Omoyele Sowore, a well-known Nigerian activist, separated himself from the movement on Wednesday, accusing opposition leaders of corruption.

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Similarly, Charly Boy wrote in a post on his official Facebook page on Thursday night that members of the coalition are the same ones that “sank this country” and are now singing redemption songs.

According to the entertainer, the objective is not about Nigeria, but about their selfish thirst for power, emphasizing that “it’s just old wolves in the new agbada”

“Coalitions are forming, but let us not pretend that every coalition is making progress.
It’s not uncommon to see ancient wolves in fresh clothes.

“Are they fighting for you, or for the right to sit where their opponents once did?

“Are they shouting “enough is enough” because they’ve changed…” Or because they are no longer reaping the benefits?

“We don’t only want new names. We need new ideals, new visions, and individuals who are willing to live them. 2027 is not about retribution. “It’s all about rescue,” he wrote.