Connect with us
Advertisment

Politics

HUDU SAVED INEC FROM NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT

Published

on

HUDU SAVED INEC FROM NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT

 

Advertisment

 

 

Advertisment

 

 

 

Advertisement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That about one week now, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, attracted the news headlines for declaring the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Dahiru Binani, the winner of the supplementary governorship election.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HUDU SAVED INEC FROM NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While Hudu’s action under the circumtance is seen by many Nigerians, including lawyers, as legal and within his powers as the State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), the PDP and INEC questioned his authority.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For those who are condemning Hudu’s action, I dare say that the REC saved INEC from a repeat national embarrassment of the Commission in the 2019 governorship election of the same Adamawa state.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just like in 2023, INEC declared the 2019 governorship election inconclusive. INEC embarrassed itself when the returning officer (Prof. Andrew Haruna) in the 2019 governorship declared the election inconclusive by relying on the provision of the number of registered voters (40,988) being higher than the margin of lead(32,476 votes) by one of the candidates not to declare a winner or make a return.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the use of PVC as the only identity of a voter to be eligible to vote, INEC ought to have relied on the number of PVCs collected out of the registered voters of 40,988 in the polling units where the election did not hold or was canceled. The number of PVCs collected out of 40,988 registered voters, which INEC ought to have relied upon to arrive at the right decision in the 2019 governorship election, was 31,027.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What this means is that the 2019 governorship election should not have been declared inconclusive by INEC since the margin of lead was 32,476 while the PVCs collected for the rerun were 31,027. Yet INEC went ahead to conduct a rerun election when the number of eligible voters (with PVCs) for the election was less than the margin of lead in the election.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Commission’s flawed judgment cost the federal government human and material resources that were avoidable. A later amendment to the Electoral Act is the result of INEC’s embarrassment in handling the 2019 Adamawa governorship election.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is a repeat of this national embarrassment by INEC in the 2019 governorship in the Adamawa state that Hudu wanted to avoid in the 2023 election by being proactive and decisive. Like in 2019, there was no reason to have declared the 2023 election inconclusive if the issue of the multiple results from Fufore was courageously resolved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reports had it that the result that was used by the returning officer to declare the governorship election inconclusive was one of the multiple results from Fufore. It was the result that was allegedly declared under duress by the electoral officer. Agents of the state government along with security agents were said to have laid siege on the INEC office of the Fufore Local Government and forced the electoral officer to declare the result that was eventually used by the state returning officer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A rerun election was ordered. Hudu knew very well that a particular authentic result from Fufore that would have brought the election to a conclusion was ignored. Hudu could not have stopped the rerun election after it was pronounced by the returning officer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, the REC, as a lawyer, located his powers under Section 149 of the Electoral Act and decided to act even before the end of the collation of the results of the rerun election. He used the correct result from Fufore, which showed that Sen. Binani won the election with 428, 173 votes against her opponent’s 422,303 votes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like in 2019, if the correct thing was done, the 2023 governorship election wouldn’t have been declared inconclusive. Hudu is the hero and not the villain in the 2023 Adamawa Governorship election. We expect INEC to take a look at the role of RECs as the State Chief Returning Officer in the governorship election.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed;

Martins Yanatham Dickson.

Member, Media Committee Binani Governorship Campaign Organisation.

Advertisment

Politics

Wike’s Loyalist Nwanosike Leads Thugs To Disrupt PDP NEC Meeting

Published

on

Wike’s Loyalist Nwanosike Leads Thugs To Disrupt PDP NEC Meeting

 

Advertisment

 

 

Advertisment

Samuel Nwanosike, the chairperson of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Thursday, reportedly led thugs to disrupt the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.

Nwanosike, who is the chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, is a loyalist of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Among many other things, a potential sanction for Wike was expected to take the front burner at the party’s NEC meeting over allegations of anti-party activities.

Advertisement

However, Nwanosike reportedly tried to force his way into the venue and came along with hoodlums. His intent, it was gathered, was to create chaos and halt resolutions by the NEC.

 

Advertisment
Continue Reading

Politics

APC Vanguard condemns purported sacking of Ganduje as attempted civilian coup …recommends full investigation

Published

on

APC Vanguard condemns purported sacking of Ganduje as attempted civilian coup ...recommends full investigation

APC Vanguard condemns purported sacking of Ganduje as attempted civilian coup
…recommends full investigation

 

Advertisment

 

 

Advertisment

A political interest group in the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the purported sacking of the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Umar Ganduje.

The group under the umbrella of APC National Vanguard described the sacking as a political coup orchestrated by desperate individuals outside the party who are envious, and felt threatened by Ganduje’s rising profile.

It said that the attempt to sack Ganduje as the National Chairman of the APC is a direct assault on the democratic principles and what the party stands for.

Advertisement

The group said: “We understand that such calls and attempt to illegally sack the chairman can only be contemplated by anti-democratic forces and those who seek the fall of the APC party.

“It is most unfortunate that they are hiding behind the façade of being democrats when in reality they abhor the very tenets of democracy, which is why they are keen on using crude tactics to cause disarray, and unsettlement within our prestigious party.

“We warn those outside the APC party who desperately want to rejoin the party to do so in the most honorable and civilized manner. Resorting to devilish, demonic, and dubious means to achieve their goals is not only unacceptable but also undermines the principles of democracy and fair play.

“It Is a clear violation of our party’s constitution and an affront to the democratic principles upon which our great nation is built. We stand firmly behind Alhaji Ganduje and affirm our unwavering support for his leadership.

“His dedication, integrity, and commitment to the ideals of the APC have been instrumental in our party’s success and growth. His Excellency, Alhaji Umar Ganduje, has been an exemplary leader within the All Progressives Congress.

“Under his leadership, the party has made significant strides in advancing its agenda, promoting good governance, and delivering on its promises to the Nigerian people. His rising profile is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and commitment to the party’s ideals.”

The group called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State to call his dogs to order. It said: For those that have hired themselves out as mercenaries to threaten Nigeria’s democracy and causing strife within our noble party, you should be ready to face the sword of justice soonest.

“The governor needs to understand that oppression of the weak is the bane of Justice and Democracy in any country. We implore him to step down if he has nothing in his head other than witch-hunting, and playing divisive politics in Kano State.

“He should hand over government to a competent hands if he’s not ready to embrace following due process of justice, other than using rascality, impersonation, and manipulative tactics to fight opposition.

“We call on all members of the APC, at all levels, to rally together in support of Alhaji Umar Ganduje and to condemn this act of political sabotage.

“Our unity and solidarity are paramount in these challenging times. It is only by standing together, hand in hand, that we can overcome any attempts to divide and weaken us.

“In conclusion, we reiterate our condemnation of the purported sack of His Excellency, Alhaji Umar Ganduje, as the National Chairman of the APC. We expose the legal loophole in the alleged suspension, highlighting the fact that those who addressed the press conference are not card-carrying members of our party.

“Which in regards of this revelation makes the purported suspension null and void, and would have no any effect on the National Chairman.

“We further express our happiness at the good news that, the Ward and Local Government Executives having identified the persons involved in this unfortunate situation, have already prepared to charge them to court for impersonation and calculated attempt to embarrass and dent the image of the Party and that of the National Chairman.

“We also issue a stern warning to those outside the APC who seek to rejoin the party, urging them to do so in a manner that upholds honor, civility, and the democratic values we hold dear.”

 

APC Vanguard condemns purported sacking of Ganduje as attempted civilian coup
...recommends full investigation

Advertisment
Continue Reading

Politics

We are thinking in the same line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Agenda – Governor Fubara

Published

on

We are thinking in the same line with President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Housing Agenda - Governor Fubara ...As Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority,Hon Oyetunde Ojo visits Rivers State.

We are thinking in the same line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Agenda – Governor Fubara
…As Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority,Hon Oyetunde Ojo visits Rivers State.

 

Advertisment

 

 

Advertisment

The Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says Rivers State will fully support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).

 

 

Advertisement

We are thinking in the same line with President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Housing Agenda - Governor Fubara
...As Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority,Hon Oyetunde Ojo visits Rivers State.

He disclosed this on Wednesday, 10th April, 2024 when the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Federal Housing Authority, Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo paid him a visit in continuation of the agency’s consultation with State Governors towards the Renewed Hope Agenda programme of President Tinubu.

Hon. Ojo, in his address to the governor, commended him for the great sense of focus he has displayed in governance within the short period he assumed office.

The FHA Chief Executive listed out the Governor’s infrastructural development, timely payment of pensioners, and enhanced security in the state, among other things, as the areas he has made instant marks in the state.

The MD informed Governor Fubara that the main reason for the visit was to bring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda message on Housing to Rivers State, which is all about providing affordable houses to Nigerians, pointed out that the state is the thirteenth he is visiting with his team in under one month.

Hon. Ojo reiterated Mr. President’s determination not only to tackle the nation’s housing deficit, but giving Nigerians affordable and livable houses. According to him, “We bring you Mr President’s mandate of Renewed Hope, which is affordable housing. Right now, in Nigeria, we lack adequate shelter, which is why the President has chosen us to help tackle the issue.”

The FHA boss pointed out the strategic importance of Rivers State with its peculiar terrain to the economic life of the country and noted the need for affordable houses in the state for the good of the citizens.

The MD therefore told His Excellency, Governor Fubara, that the Authority has come to ask for land from Rivers State for the purpose of delivering the Renewed Hope Housing project.

Hon. Ojo explained to the Governor the new developmental inclusiveness policy of the FHA, where the Authority consults with the State Governments for inputs in designs before any project is sited. He said that the Authority would does not wish to stay in Abuja and design what they like for the people of Rivers.

In his words, the MD told the governor, “One of the reasons why we are here today is to solicit for land. We do not want you to just give us land. We want, like I said, to sit with your management team to come up with the right designs that will be tailored towards what the Rivers people need”.

Hon. Ojo also informed the Governor of the Authority’s Diaspora City initiative, where a certain percentage of the land given for projects would be dedicated to building for our diasporians and other privileged Nigerians. This, he said, would benefit our people in diaspora, some of whom have fallen into the hands of fraudsters in their quest to have befitting accommodation back home.

FHA, the MD told Mr Governor, is in advanced discussion with the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission and the Federal Ministry of Tourism towards this. He noted that with the Authority’s digitization, the Diasporians would have seamless transaction with FHA from the comfort of their respective locations and also be able to monitor and track their investments.

Hon. Ojo also told Governor Fubara that FHA wants to capitalise on the value chain of construction to help fight inflation in the country. He noted that by the time these sporadic massive constructions would start across the country, numerous direct and indirect jobs would be created.

The Managing Director equally informed the Governor that most of the contracts would be given to contactors from Rivers State. This, he said, apart from helping boost the state’s economy, would create a sense of ownership of the project, and the people would also know those to hold accountable.

The MD also emphasized the apolitical stand of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on this project. Mr. President, he noted, sees this as a critical Nigerian project devoid of political colouration. He noted further that the FHA team has visited 13 states that are APC, PDP, NNPP, and Labour Party controlled, pointing to the non-partisan nature of the Renewed Hope Agenda programme.

On the designs and models of delivery, Hon. Ojo told the governor that the Authority remains resolute in the decision to consider Nigerians in the lower rung of the economy by building Studio, One Bedroom apartments, and carcass. He maintained that expensive finishing would not be imposed on Nigerians. FHA would do a prototype exterior, plumbing, and electricals, while respective allottees would do the finishing according to their individual tastes and resources.

Finally, the MD informed His Excellency that the Authority has ready off – takers for the project and would also like the collaboration of the State in profiling off-takers . “We will make you proud. We will come back to sit with you once you give us land. We will call you for the ground breaking, and President Tinubu will surely be your guest”. The MD concluded.

The governor, in his response, thanked the FHA team for coming to the state to discuss such an important issue of nation building. He thanked the President for the Renewed Hope initiative and expressed great concern over the issue of housing challenges in the country. In the Governor’s words, “I am really happy this evening not minding the timing, to discuss such an important issue of nation building”.

Governor Fubara noted that the issue of housing is becoming more challenging in the country due to high cost of living, and as such, all levels of government need to come down to tackle. “In our country today, because of the high cost of living, housing has become an issue, the medium income earner can not even afford them. All levels of government need to come down to tackle it.” He opined.

The Governor noted that his government is thinking along the same line with Mr President. He said that they are thinking of making provision for all segments of the populace, including the civil servants, traders, taxi drivers etc. He said that “…receiving a delegation from FHA is cheering to us. I want to assure you that we will be part of this project.” He noted.

The Governor expressed happiness for the proactive and business oriented disposition of the Authority’s presentation, and reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to work with FHA. In his words, “your demands are very simple. We are dealing with a team that is very serious to develop. They want the contractors to come from us. They want to partner us for off- takers. I want to assure you that we will work with you.”

Governor Fubara was also pleased with the Authority’s proposal to sit with the state for input in designs. He said it shows the seriousness FHA’s Management, that has great interest in its end product meeting the desires of those it is building for.

Finally, the Governor said, “I assure you of all the support you would need. Our message to the President is that we will support the project to be a successful legacy of his administration. ” He concluded.

Advertisment
Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending