Television Nigerian

NDLEA intercepts Europe-bound drug barons

Metro

admin

-

November 18, 2024

NDLEA intercepts Europe-bound drug barons

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have thwarted attempts by drug syndicates to export large consignments of cocaine, methamphetamine and opioids through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey and Qatar.

A total of 13 parcels of cocaine weighing 4.40kg going to the United Kingdom via Frankfurt on a Lufthansa Airlines flight were intercepted by the NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Lagos airport on November 5, 2024.

A statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said a businessman linked to the consignment, Ekeocha Nelson, was tracked and arrested on November 8.

Babafemi also said another businessman identified as Adegbite Solomon, who tried to export 7,800 pills of tramadol, among others, was arrested, and the drugs recovered from him.

He said, “The bid by another businessman, Adegbite Solomon (aka Obama), to export 7,800 pills of tramadol, 180 tablets of Rohypnol, and 60 bottles of codeine to Italy was also foiled at the departure hall of the Lagos airport on Monday, November 11, when the NDLEA operatives arrested him after recovering the opioids concealed in food and other items while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Italy. He claimed to have travelled to Europe through the Mediterranean Sea and earned a living as a street beggar before delving into the logistics business.”

Babafemi noted that another businessman, Anoke Roomy, was arrested with 1,100 pills of tramadol 225mg hidden in his luggage while attempting to board his Ethiopian Airlines flight going to Istanbul, Turkey, at the Lagos airport on November 15.

He added, “Following credible intelligence, the NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, and their counterparts from the FCT Command of the agency on Friday, November 15, raided a hotel room at the Federal Housing Authority estate, Lugbe, Abuja, where they arrested two suspects: Omeh Uchenna Jude, 36, and Anene Valentine Chigozie, 34. Recovered from them was 1.8kg methamphetamine, which they were preparing to travel with to Qatar.”

In another intelligence-led operation, Babafemi said a trans-border drug trafficker, Emmanuel Okeke, was arrested during an attempt to smuggle drugs to Ghana.

He said there were drugs concealed in the body compartments of a Toyota Hummer Bus belonging to GUO Transport Company, driven by the suspect.

Babafemi said, “Officers of an NDLEA task force on Saturday, November 16, foiled the attempt by a trans-border trafficker, Emmanuel Okechukwu Okeke, to smuggle 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg from Ghana into Lagos. The pills were concealed in the body compartments of a Toyota Hummer Bus belonging to the GUO Transport Company, driven by the suspect. The vehicle was intercepted at the Ijanikin area of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway while coming from Ghana.”

In Edo State, Babafemi said no fewer than 997kg of cannabis was recovered during raids in parts of the state.

“While 680kg cannabis and a Sienna bus marked FST-320 AE were seized at a bush path to the Oghada forest in Oghada, Orhionmwan LGA, 180.5kg of the same substance was recovered from a suspect, Cecilia Ibe, 31, at the Ofosu forest, Ovia South West LGA and 136.5kg evacuated from a building in Otuo community, Owan East LGA on Thursday November 14,” he added.

In Kwara State, he said the NDLEA operatives arrested a suspect Adio Sulaiman with 120.8kg cannabis and some litres of codeine at Gaa Odota in Ilorin West LGA.

“While Kelechi Obichere, 42, was nabbed with 75kg cannabis at Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, Imo State on Thursday, November 14. A total of 563.74 kilograms of the same psychoactive substance were recovered from a 60-year-old suspect Anthony Anakabi, following his arrest at Iyalode, Iyana church area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital,” he concluded.

Unite party leaders in North-Central, APC group tells Akume

Politics

admin

-

November 17, 2024

0

Unite party leaders in North-Central, APC group tells Akume

The All Progressives Congress North Central Forum has asked the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, to unite the party and party leaders in the North Central.

The Forum, in a statement issued on Sunday by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, after a meeting of the Forum in Abuja, also called on the SGF to stand as the leader of the party in the North-Central by ensuring that the people of the zone feel the impact of the Bola Tinubu administration.

The APC Forum warned that it will mobilise protests against the SGF if he fails to take urgent steps to correct the imbalance in his appointments, and also address lapses in his approach to leadership

According to the Forum, the SGF should carry the entire North-Central zone along in appointments made by his office.

It stated that the North-Central has not benefited from Akume’s position as SGF, adding that his recent appointments have been lopsided.

Parts of the statement read, “The North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC, Forum notes with concern, the failure of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to carry the entire North-Central zone along since his appointment as SGF by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023.

“Rather than carry the North-Central along, Senator Akume has been favouring his Tiv people of Benue State in the lopsided appointments he has made in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF.

“This is unacceptable and we, the North-Central APC Forum, condemn this attitude and ask the SGF to correct the imbalance in appointments or face protests by the people of the North-Central.

“It is on the record that the position of SGF was given to the North-Central in line with the zoning arrangement within the APC and as such, the current occupant of the Office, Senator George Akume, is the one representing the North-Central in the top echelon of the Federal Government.

“However, and unfortunately, Senator Akume is only appointing people of the Tiv extraction of Benue State to positions within the Office of the SGF.”

“We, the North-Central APC Forum, are calling the SGF’s attention to these lopsided appointments, and we are also asking him to balance the appointments and carry the entire people of the North-Central along.

“We are equally urging Senator Akume to immediately make necessary appointments to fill up vacant positions in the Office of the SGF. We are aware that there are vacant positions of SAs in the Office of the SGF which are yet to be filled.

“We are issuing a timely reminder to Senator Akume to use those outstanding positions to balance the appointments in the Office of the SGF. This will not only correct the imbalance in the spread of appointments in the establishment, but also boost the efficiency of the Office of the SGF by bringing in competent individuals from diverse backgrounds to man key vacant positions within the OSGF.

“Also, besides the call to balance appointments in the Office of the SGF, the North-Central APC Forum is also putting it on the record that the North-Central zone is not benefiting from Senator Akume’s leadership.

“As the SGF, Senator Akume is the leader of the North-Central in both the party, APC, and the Federal Government, but his impact in this exalted position is not being felt by loyal party members, and the entire people of the zone.”

The Forum called on Akume to unite the ruling party in the North-Central and ensure that the zone benefits from the dividend of democracy.

“We are calling on the SGF to reconsider his leadership approach to ensure that the zone benefits from the Office.

“The North-Central APC Forum is urging the SGF to address these lapses by carrying the entire North-Central, and the natives of the North, along in his appointments and his approach to leadership.

“We urge Senator Akume to correct these issues immediately, or we will start agitations against him. Senator Akume should stand as the leader of the APC in the North-Central. The people of the North-Central should benefit from the position which was zoned to the region.

“We are asking Senator Akume to unite the party in the North-Central and balance the appointments or face protests. We will call for his removal and we will release evidence of the imbalanced appointments made by the Office of the SGF under Senator Akume.

“The imbalanced appointments made by the SGF is undermining the unity of the APC, especially in the North-Central. This situation can have a negative impact on the fortunes of the APC in future elections.”

PDP rejects Ondo gov election result, APC kicks

Politics

admin

-

November 17, 2024

0

PDP rejects Ondo gov election result, APC kicks

The Peoples Democratic Party has rejected the re-election of incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, describing the victory recorded by the All Progressives Congress candidate in Saturday’s governorship election as a sham.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

However, the ruling APC said the opposition party has developed a reputation for lashing out at the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission every time it loses an election.

Aiyedatiwa was declared the winner by the electoral umpire after winning the 18 local government areas in the state..

Declaring the result, the State Returning Officer, Prof Olayemi Akinwumi, said APC’s Ayedatiwa polled 366,781 votes to defeat Agboola Ajayi of the PDP, who got 117,845 votes.

However, Ologunagba kicked, alleging that the result was skewed by the electoral umpire in favour of the governor.

According to him, the poll was marred by vote-buying and intimidation from certain quarters, an act he said is capable of disrupting the country’s democracy if it goes unchecked.

He said, “The PDP and indeed all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and across the world have just witnessed the worst election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The November 16 governorship election runs short of all expectations and requirements of a free, fair and credible election as it witnessed the height of electoral swindle, deceit and manipulation by the APC.

“This election witnessed widespread election merchandising, monetisation and barefaced vote buying by the APC and its apparatus in government to suppress the genuine aspiration of the people. This devious practice by the APC was rampant and pervasive because the APC have utterly impoverished Nigerians and turned poverty into a weapon of mass subjugation which enabled it to manipulate the election and its outcome.

“We call the attention of all Nigerians and the International Community to this reprehensible practice by the APC as widely witnessed in Ondo State and we demand that a serious action be taken to stem such if Nigeria’s democracy must survive. In the meantime, the National Working Committee of the PDP will be having a more detailed review of the election outcome and take appropriate action in the defence of our Democracy.”

Reacting, the National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, faulted the PDP’s claim.

Ibrahim said the ruling party wasn’t surprised that the allegation was coming from the PDP that Nigerians have allegedly vowed not to have anything to do with again.

He said, “If there is an eclipse of the sun or moon in Nigeria, the PDP will blame it on the APC. Even if there is drought, flood or any natural disaster, they will hold the APC responsible. They are failing to understand that times have changed. Nigerians are now conscious of their votes and value of democracy.

“They have now realised that they made a grave mistake by entrusting the PDP to rule the country for 16 years, which resulted in misrule, mismanagement and total disruption of values of the country.

“So, if there is going to be any election, no matter where and time, the PDP will emerge closer because Nigerians have lost confidence in them. Why is that it is only in state they lose that they always lose confidence in INEC?

“But in states they win, they will come out with ovation and applause for the commission. How csn you say an election the governor won by over 200,000 votes was skewed in APC favour? If it is an election of 10 to 50 votes, yes, we could have call for a conversation. Not one with over 200,000. The PDP better wake up and smell the coffee.”

Police kill notorious cultist in Rivers, recover gun, ammunitions

Metro

admin

-

November 17, 2024

0

Police kill notorious cultist in Rivers, recover gun, ammunitions

The Rivers State Police Command has announced that its operatives neutralised a suspected kidnapper and cultist, identified as Gbarani Bume, in the Luawii Community of Khana Local Government Area.

Bume, also known as Pelele, was a member of the infamous Iceland cult group, which has been terrorising the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA along with his gang.

Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Iringe-Koko said that Pelele and his gang attempted to kidnap a site engineer working in Luawii when the police, acting on a tip-off, swooped in. Upon sighting the police, the suspects opened fire, but Pelele was fatally wounded after a fierce exchange of gunfire and later died.

The statement reads: “The Rivers State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat crime, neutralising a notorious cultist and kidnapper, Gbarani Bume, a.k.a. Pelele, a native of Bere Community in Khana LGA.

“He was a member of the Iceland Cult Group, which has been terrorising the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA.

“On the 15th of November 2024, operatives from the Bori Division, acting on a tip-off, were mobilised to Luawii Community where Pelele and his gang were attempting to kidnap a site engineer.

“Upon sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a fierce crossfire, during which Pelele was fatally wounded. His accomplices escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds.

“Items recovered from the suspect include one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 10 rounds of live ammunition.”

She added, “An investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend the other fleeing gang members and bring them to justice.”

The state police spokesperson stated that this operation underscores the Command’s commitment to tackling crime and ensuring public safety in the state.

NDLEA foils major drug export attempts to UK, Italy, others

Metro

admin

-

November 17, 2024

0

NDLEA foils major drug export attempts to UK, Italy, others

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have thwarted attempts by drug syndicates to export large consignments of cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids through Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar.

On November 5, 2024, NDLEA officers intercepted 13 parcels of cocaine weighing 4.40kg destined for the UK via Frankfurt on a Lufthansa Airlines flight at the export shed of the Lagos airport.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, a businessman linked to the consignment, Ekeocha Nelson, was tracked and arrested on November 8.

Babafemi also disclosed the arrest of another businessman, identified as Adegbite Solomon, who attempted to export 7,800 pills of tramadol along with other drugs.

He said, “The bid by another businessman, Adegbite Solomon (aka Obama), to export 7,800 pills of tramadol, 180 tablets of Rohypnol, and 60 bottles of codeine to Italy was foiled at the departure hall of the Lagos airport on Monday, November 11. NDLEA operatives arrested him after recovering the opioids concealed in food and other items while he attempted to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Italy.

“He claimed to have travelled to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea and earned a living as a street beggar before venturing into the logistics business.”

In another operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a businessman, Anoke Roomy, with 1,100 pills of 225mg tramadol hidden in his luggage while he attempted to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Istanbul, Turkey, at the Lagos airport on November 15.

Babafemi added, “Following credible intelligence, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, alongside their counterparts from the FCT Command, raided a hotel room at the Federal Housing Authority Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, on Friday, November 15. Two suspects, Omeh Uchenna Jude, 36, and Anene Valentine Chigozie, 34, were arrested with 1.8kg of methamphetamine, which they were preparing to take to Qatar.”

In another intelligence-led operation, a trans-border drug trafficker, Emmanuel Okeke, was arrested during an attempt to smuggle drugs into Ghana.

Babafemi stated, “Officers of an NDLEA task force on Saturday, November 16, foiled an attempt by a trans-border trafficker, Emmanuel Okechukwu Okeke, to smuggle 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg from Ghana into Lagos. The pills were concealed in the body compartments of a Toyota Hummer Bus belonging to GUO Transport Company, driven by the suspect. The vehicle was intercepted in the Ijanikin area of the Lagos-Badagry expressway while coming from Ghana.”

The NDLEA spokesperson further revealed that operatives also arrested other drug dealers and seized their consignments in Edo and Kwara states.

Senegal heads to polls

Politics

admin

-

November 17, 2024

0

Senegal votes in parliamentary elections on Sunday, with the new leaders aiming for a resounding majority to see through the promise of ambitious reform that swept them to power eight months ago.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye secured victory in March, pledging economic transformation, social justice, and a fight against corruption –- raising hopes among a largely youthful population facing high inflation and widespread unemployment.

Faye appointed his firebrand mentor Ousmane Sonko as prime minister after Sonko’s bid to run for president was blocked following a three-year deadly standoff with the former authorities.

The pair promised a leftist pan-African agenda — vowing to diversify political and economic partnerships, review hydrocarbon and fishing contracts, and re-establish Senegal’s sovereignty, which they claimed had been sold abroad.

However, an opposition-led parliament hampered the government’s first months in power, leading Faye to dissolve the chamber in September and call snap elections as soon as the constitution allowed him to do so.

Polling stations in the West African country will open at 8:00 am (0800 GMT), with the roughly 7.3 million registered voters electing 165 MPs for five-year terms.

Voters will continue a long democratic tradition in Senegal, widely seen as a stable outlier in a coup-plagued region.

Analysts say Senegalese voters have historically confirmed their presidential choice during parliamentary elections, and the ruling Pastef party is the favourite to win.

Prime Minister Sonko spent three weeks on the campaign trail promising projects and investment in the regions he visited, while applauding patriotism and national sovereignty.

Reminiscent of his years as a fiery opposition leader, he called for vengeance after attacks against his supporters during the election campaign but later urged calm.

Despite the heated tone, clashes were sporadic in the run-up to the vote.

– Bleak picture –

Though some agreements have been reached between coalitions, the opposition remains scattered.

Former president Macky Sall is leading an opposition grouping from abroad, breaking with the political restraint normally adopted by ex-leaders in Senegal.

He left power in April after triggering one of the worst crises in decades with a last-minute postponement of the presidential election.

Former prime minister and presidential runner-up Amadou Ba is also heading his coalition.

The capital Dakar’s mayor, Barthelemy Dias, has caught some of the limelight with his animated exchanges with Sonko.

The opposition has accused the new government of inaction, amateurism, and a desire to settle scores with the previous administration.

Unemployment stands at more than 20 percent and scores continue to risk their lives every month in a bid to reach Europe by boat.

The government said an audit of public finances revealed a wider budget deficit than previously announced, with the International Monetary Fund suspending an aid programme pending the audit’s review.

Moody’s downgraded Senegal’s credit rating following the conclusions of the audit and placed the country under observation.

Since taking office, the authorities have lowered the price of household goods such as rice, oil, and sugar and launched a series of reviews.

They have initiated justice system reform and, in October, presented an ambitious 25-year development plan aimed at transforming the economy and public policy.

Polling stations close at 6:00 pm.

Reliable projections of the new parliament’s makeup could be available from Monday morning.

AFP

NAFDAC approves QNET’s EDG3 supplement, toothpaste, face serum

News

coic

-

November 16, 2024

0

NAFDAC approves QNET’s EDG3 supplement, toothpaste, face serum

QNET, a global wellness and direct selling company, has revealed that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has certified its newest line of goods, which includes the EDG3, Prospark toothpaste, and Physioradiance face serum.

On Friday, November 15, 2024, the company made the disclosure at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, during a workshop that was organized to give attendees a valuable opportunity to learn about QNET, its business operations, and its commitment to providing outstanding products that improve lives.

“I am happy to announce that several of our products, including EDG3, Prospark toothpaste, and Physioradiance face serum, have been certified by NAFDAC in Nigeria,” said Biram Fall, Regional General Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa.

We are thrilled to announce that the Amezcua range, which includes the Bio-Disc 3 and the Amezcua Chi-Pendant 4, will be the subject of another product workshop. The purpose of these products is to stimulate and balance the body. Fall added, “We will also talk about the Amezcua E-Guard X for protection against electronic radiation.”

Fall claimed that QNET, a global direct-selling business with an emphasis on wellness and lifestyle, has been doing business in Nigeria for the past two years through a variety of channels in more than 25 nations while abiding by the law and ethical norms.

Our creative business strategy blends e-commerce with direct selling, allowing us to cater to a wide range of clients and offering chances for financial independence for entrepreneurs. We provide a large selection of goods on our website that are intended to improve lives and encourage wellbeing.

He revealed the fiercely competitive worldwide direct-selling market, which is expected to grow from its estimated $167.7 billion in 2023 to $204.9 billion by 2032.

Fall claims that these noteworthy numbers serve as a stimulant for the Nigerian direct-selling business, which is anticipated to increase significantly and contribute to the nation’s economic progress.

He revealed that QNET’s business strategy, which promotes financial independence and enterprise development, has empowered millions of people globally.

“The expo will showcase QNET’s lifestyle and wellness products and provide insights into our business model and commitment to quality,” Fall said, utilizing the occasion to invite the globe to the second Product exhibition in Lagos, which will begin on November 16, 2024, at the Anchor Events Place in Ikeja.

He declared, “We are committed to becoming a premier worldwide direct-selling company with a lifestyle and wellness focus.”

The goal of the workshop, according to Mr. Akeem Ajisafe, Chief Executive Office of Transblue Ltd., Legal Representatives of QNET in Nigeria, was to promote a better comprehension of QNET’s direct selling activities in Nigeria.

Speaking about the effects of the relationship between QNET and Transblue in Nigeria, Ajisafe revealed that Transblue is a logistics company that complies with customer service standards and recognized the country’s logistical issues prior to entering the logistics industry. “Our goal was to close this gap and provide a solution by entering the market with first-rate services and logistics.”

He stated that Transblue has continued to serve as QNET’s legal representatives in Nigeria since QNET’s formal entry into the country and the two companies’ partnership was formed in April 2022. “This collaboration has been essential in empowering our youth and connecting Nigerians to the QNET global network.”

Read Also: CSOs slam vote buying, blame parties, candidates

Since they collaborate with QNET, he listed a few of the initiatives. In order to increase awareness of the dangers of fake job offers used by scammers to entice victims into human trafficking in Nigeria, Senegal, and Boukina Faso, QNET started the “Say No Campaign” in November 2023, he added.

He said that the campaign emphasized the importance of preventing young people from falling for dishonest people and organizations, and that the business recognizes the pressing need to empower and educate people to defend themselves.

According to Ajisafe, his company worked with government organizations including the Lagos State consumer protection agency earlier this year as part of the “say no” campaign. “As the event demonstrated, our partnership is based on a shared commitment to end detrimental market practices and promote justice and accountability for Nigerians, especially the younger generation, so they can confidently navigate the market’s complexities.”

“In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labor and Employment, we also took part in training programs for young people in Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Labor in Abuja served as the venue for the training. We brought together young people and job seekers to give them the specialized knowledge and abilities they need to successfully navigate the labor market.

The financial literacy program, which equipped 1350 young people from local communities throughout Nigeria with collaborative entrepreneurial skills to attain financial independence, is one example of the company’s impressive efforts to implement empowerment initiatives in Nigeria, he continued. “All of these initiatives demonstrated our dedication to dispelling myths about Qnet in Nigeria,” he stated. empowering young people via education and training in order to promote openness and innovation.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Humphrey Abiodun Adebayo of Covenant University Otta Ogun State was available to inform the media about a number of tests he had carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of QNET’s goods, particularly the Amezcua line.

Additionally, Category Manager and Global Trainer Bernhard Gaksch described how the various QNET product lines function and how they help the body to promote wellbeing.

Audu: Africa has tremendous potential to grow electric vehicles

News

coic

-

November 16, 2024

0

Audu: Africa has tremendous potential to grow electric vehicles

Prince Mustafa Audu, the CEO of the Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC), has voiced optimism that e-mobility will significantly contribute to Africa’s economic growth.

He told reporters at the ongoing COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, that the government’s decarbonization efforts are already paying off.

Audu urged international investors to visit Nigeria, stating that the Tinubu administration is committed to a green economy.

It’s critical that we understand that the electrification of the transportation industry is the way of the future.

As a result, we are assisting in directing and collaborating with certain government entities to ensure that e-mobility is a permanent fixture.

Read Also: Lagos disowns alleged impostor, says on-street parking scheme yet to commence

“As Nigeria’s biggest producers and manufacturers of electric vehicles, we’re here at COP 29 in Baku to highlight the progress we’re making in decarbonizing the continent’s transportation sector.”

Thus far, we have contributed to the development of policies that would encourage Nigeria to embrace e-mobility.This year alone, we have sold far over 10,000 cars and counting.

“We constructed the biggest manufacturing facility in Nigeria in Giri, Abuja. We have also assisted in training other individuals. We are the first organization to establish a polytechnic program with the Federal Polytechnic to train individuals in a course specifically designed for E-mobility training.

“We are about to start mapping out Africa’s whole EV ecosystem. We will become Africa’s largest e-mobility company. You heard it here first, and I want you to know that.

We have a lot of promise. Africa has enormous growth potential.

Additionally, our cars and batteries have an impact on three crucial industries.

the fields of transportation, electrification, and rural electrification.

CSOs slam vote buying, blame parties, candidates

Politics

admin

-

November 16, 2024

0

CSOs slam vote buying, blame parties, candidates

Three Civil Society Organisations that deployed observers for the Ondo State Governorship Election have condemned the vote trading that tainted the polls across the state.

The CSOs—Yiaga Africa, Civil Society Situation Room, and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD)—highlighted the timely arrival of voting materials at many polling centres during their post-election media briefings on Saturday in Akure.

However, they lamented the persistence of vote trading, even in the presence of security agents, and called for urgent action to address the problem.

Chairman of the 2024 Ondo Election Mission for Yiaga Africa, Ezenwa Nwagwu, stated that political parties and their candidates were responsible for the widespread practice of vote buying.

He said, “Yiaga Africa observed widespread vote buying across several polling units, which is becoming a permanent feature of our electoral process. We strongly condemn this practice as it fosters electoral corruption and political inequality.

“We commend the Department of State Security for arresting an individual allegedly involved in vote trading at the St. Stephen Polling Unit in Ward 4, Akure.

“Yiaga Africa holds political parties and their candidates accountable for this persistent issue. They cannot distance themselves from the vote buying that continues to undermine our electoral processes.”

Similarly, representatives of the Civil Society Situation Room and the CDD, Mimidoo Achakpa and Seyi Awojolugbe, shared their findings, highlighting infractions observed during the election.

Awojolugbe, presenting the CDD-Election Analysis Centre’s findings, noted several instances of vote buying.

“In Okitipupa LGA, Ward 09, Unit 003 (Irowa, Ilutitun 3), voters were solicited for their votes, with APC allegedly offering ₦10,000 per voter and PDP ₦3,000. In Odigbo LGA, Ward 01, Unit 001 (Oja Baale, Agbabu), similar allegations were made.

“Our observers also reported instances of electronic money transfers by party agents to avoid using cash. In Ese-Odo, Ward 07, Unit 013 (Tari Ama Zion Ugo Community, Arogbo Ward 2), APC was alleged to have offered ₦5,000 per voter, while PDP offered ₦3,000.

“Vote buying was also prevalent in Ward 5, PU 001, St John’s Primary School, Iba, Akoko South East. APC leaders were seen compiling names of voters who supported their candidate and issuing cards with instructions to collect cash at a designated location.”

She added that police officers were seen arguing over money allegedly distributed by a party stalwart at Ward 005, PU 001, St Barnabas Primary School, Ifon.

Awojolugbe also disclosed incidents of voter suppression, particularly at Akoko North West, Oke Agbe Ward 3, Unit 17.

Commending voters for maintaining peace during the election, she urged electoral stakeholders to adhere to the rule of law and ensure due process in future elections.

Group commends Tinubu, SGF over strategic appointments

Politics

coic

-

November 16, 2024

0

Group commends Tinubu, SGF over strategic appointments

…Pass Vote of Confidence on Dr Mathias Ibuan

The Conference of Minority Tribes and Ethic Nationalities in Benue ( COMTENB) has commended His Excellency president Bola Ahmed Tinubu over some strategic appointments made so far from Benue state in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.

The group in a press statement issued in Friday in Makurdi the state capital and signed by Dr Oduma Richard particularly thanked, Sen George Akume, the secretary to the federal government for his wisdom in headhunting for the best hands from the state to support Mr President who has trusted him with high responsibility as SGF. Dr Oduma noted that the appointment of Dr Mathias Ibuan as the executive director, Finance and Administration of the Federal Housing Authority which is a key agency by the president is a demonstration of his love for Benue people.

“We are even more proud that Dr Mathias Ibuan has lived beyond expectations since assuming the noble role as assigned by the president” this is worthy of commendation.
Dr Mathias Ibuan has so far demonstrated unflinching loyalty to the party, and unparalleled commitment to the vision of Mr President. “The executive director’s approach to the welfare of the people from across divides and his deep generosity has indeed restored hope to the ordinary people ”

The group further acknowledged the developmental strides of Dr Ibuan in his capacity as the Executive Director, Finance and Administration as he was poised to attract development to the people of the state through his multiple interventions in the state through individuals, churches and political associations.

“We particularly thank Mr President for the housing projects currently attracted to the state in view of the housing deficit in Benue ” Even as we are proud of Dr Mathias Ibuan, our appreciation goes to Send Dr George Akume who has recommended to Mr President our very best sons”

As a group of minorities in the state, we are committed to support you to deliver on your role so as to justify the confidence of Mr President and the party in your capacity to serve in future even in higher capacity. ” The group passed a resounding vote of confidence in the performance of Dr Mathias Ibuan and urged the people of Benue to rally round to support the administration of president Tinubu for greater gains to the people.