₦airaland Forum

When I tune to Television stations where I see election reporting captioned “Nigeria Decides” “Borno Decides” “Lagos Decides”, I laugh. It should actually be captioned as “ INEC and Police decide”

Let 2023 be the last time of Igbo interference in Lagos politics. Let there be no repeat in 2027. Lagos is like Anambra, Imo, any Nigerian state. It is not No Man’s Land, not Federal Capital Territory. It is Yoruba land. Mind your business.

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to electronically transmit the Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly’s election results in accordance with its regulations and guidelines.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a judgment, also ordered the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, to upload a scanned copy of the EC8A to INEC Result Viewing Portal, IReV, immediately after the completion of all the polling units voting and results’ procedures in Akwa Ibom.

The judge further directed the commission to conspicuously paste the publication of its result posters EC60(E) at polling units after completing the EC8A result sheets in the state.

He equally ordered INEC to enforce the observance and compliance of Section 27(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 in the distribution of electoral materials during the conduct of the polls in the state by engaging the services of independent, competent, and reliable logistic companies who are non-partisans or known supporters of any political for the distribution of electoral materials and personnel.

Mr Egwuatu held that since the electoral umpire averred in its filed affidavit that it was aware of its responsibilities under the law and had not failed to carry them out, granting the prayers sought by the applicants would not do any harm to the commission but instead, energise its performance.

He gave the judgment following a suit filed by the Labour Party (LP) and its governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom, Uduakobong Udoh, including 13 state’s House of Assembly candidates for the March 18 elections.

The applicants, in the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/334/2023 dated and filed on March 15 by their lawyer, Moses Usoh-Abia, had sued INEC as sole defendant.

The applicants, who sought seven reliefs, prayed the court for an order of mandamus compelling INEC and all its agents to comply with and enforce the provision of Clause 37 of the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of the Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly elections in Akwa Ibom.

They also prayed the court to mandate the presiding officers of all polling units to conspicuously paste the publication of result posters EC460(E) at the polling units after completing the EC8A result sheets.

They sought an order of mandamus compelling the commission to mandate the presiding officers of all polling units in the state to electronically transmit or transfer the result of the polling units, direct to the collation system and use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to upload a scanned copy of the EC8A to INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) immediately after the completion of all the polling units voting and results procedures.

They said this was in compliance with the provision of Clause 38 of the guidelines for the conduct of the polls.

The applicants equally prayed for an order directing INEC to enforce the observance and compliance of Section 27(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 in the distribution of electoral materials during the conduct of the polls by engaging the services of independent, competent, and reliable logistic companies who are non-partisans or known supporters of any political for the distribution of electoral materials and personnel, among other reliefs.

NAN reports that Justice Egwuatu had, on Wednesday, granted leave to the applicants to proceed with a judicial review, filed requisite motion and put INEC on notice, following an ex-parte motion moved by Usoh-Abia.

Upon resumed hearing on the matter on Friday, Usoh-Abia informed that he had complied with the earlier court order and that their motion was served on INEC same Wednesday.

The lawyer said despite the service of their process, the commission was not represented in court.

The judge, however, said that he noticed INEC:s counter affidavit and a preliminary objection to their originating summons in the court file.

He said the application was filed on Thursday.

Responding, Usoh-Abia said though they were yet to be served by the commission, he was ready to proceed with the matter due to the urgency of the case.

He said the motion, dated March 15, had 26-paragrph affidavit with nine exhibits.

The lawyer urged the court to direct the electoral umpire to comply with its regulations and guidelines of Clauses 37 and 38 on the conduct of the elections.

He said the order was necessary because the commission, in the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly polls, failed to transmit results of the elections in the state and across the country.

He argued that INEC created the regulations and guidelines pursuant to Section 148 and 60(5) of the Electoral Act, 2022 to guide the conduct of elections and collating of election result among others.

Usoh-Abia said INEC’s refusal to comply with the law had resulted in serious prejudice; and had foisted uncertainty and frustration on his clients at their various polling units and wards.

The lawyer said if the order was not granted, the same scenario would repeat itself in the Saturday’s poll.

But INEC, in its preliminary objection, said the suit was incompetent and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain it.

The commission argued that the applicants had not established a justifiable action against it.

It also said that the applicants acted in contravention of the practice direction by commencing the suit via originating summons.

Delivering judgment, Justice Egwuatu said he was satisfied that the applicants had complied with the practice direction rules in the filing of their application.

He also said that he was satisfied that a cause of action had been established against INEC in the paragraphs of the applicants’ process.

The judge, therefore, ordered INEC to direct all its presiding officers to comply with Clauses 37 and 38 of its regulations and guidelines for the conduct of tomorrow’s election in Akwa Ibom.

He held that the commission had the legal duty to act in accordance with the law.

The judge, however, refused to grant other reliefs.

Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Patrick Vieira has left his post as First Team Manager.

Three members of Patrick’s coaching staff - Osian Roberts, Kristian Wilson and Saïd Aïgoun - have also left the club.

Chairman Steve Parish said: “It is with enormous regret that this difficult decision has been made. Ultimately, results in recent months have placed us in a precarious league position and we felt a change is necessary to give us the best chance of retaining Premier League status.

"That said, Patrick’s impact since joining us in the summer of 2021 has been significant, and he is held in the highest regard by myself, and all of his colleagues. He led the team to a Wembley FA Cup semi-final and respectable 12th placed finish last season playing some exciting football, which was a challenging and crucial campaign for the club given the changes we made to the squad prior to his arrival.

"Patrick has given his all to the club, and we all thank him and his team for their service.

“We also wish Patrick, Osian, Kristian and Saïd the very best for their futures.”

The process to appoint a new manager is underway, and we will provide an update in due course. Dean Kiely will remain as goalkeeping coach.

March 16, 2023

Press Statement

Police Invitation: Fear of Ihedioha, Irona, Ikenga Ugochinyere Will Consume Your Regime - Imo PDP Berates Hope Uzodinma

- Says, Police in Imo Has Become Instrument for Political Vendetta

- Demands Immediate Sack of Imo Commissioner of Police

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has said in clear terms that the resort to use of police to harass, arrest and incarcerate PDP leaders in Imo State by Senator Hope Uzodinma shows a man who can no longer handle the phobia of his imminent loss of state power.

Our Party notes that this fear which comes from Uzodinma's unpopularity, cowardice and shame to participate in any fair electoral contest is common with all despots, and it invariably consumes their regimes. The renewed onslaughts against former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, Rt. Hon. Gerald Irona and Barr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere is therefore the end of the road for the ill-fated reign of Hope Uzodinma in Imo State.

The former Deputy Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Gerald Irona, had his residence invaded last week by armed security operatives on the orders of Uzodinma. Since then, he has been in detention, persecuted for doing no wrong.

This week, a letter from the Imo State Police Command came to our Party, requesting the State Chairman, Engr. Charles Ugwuh, to bring former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, already-detained former Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Gerald Irona, and Member-elect for Ideato Federal Constituency, Barr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, for questioning over completely insane, puerile and nonexistent cases of kidnapping, murder and arson.

This is a calculated attempt by Senator Uzodinma to arrest and keep these prominent leaders of our Party out of circulation during the House of Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, March 18th, to enable the terrified Uzodinma rig the polls and reestablish a weak and malleable APC-dominated House of Assembly in Imo which can only sing his praises. Imo people must now rise and defend democracy in the State!

Further, the plot by Uzodinma to arrest and detain former Governor Ihedioha, Rt. Hon. Irona, Barr. Ikenga Ugochinyere and nine (9) other leaders of Imo PDP is also targeted at destabilizing the PDP governorship primary election in the State which barely one month away. The jittery Uzodinma is aware that his sack at the polls by PDP is a decided issue. Falling back on police brutality can only worsen his fate.

Our Party, however, regrets that the police in Imo State has abdicated its duty of protecting lives and property, and has instead allowed itself to be so debased and abused by Senator Uzodinma, and deployed as tool for political vendetta. This is extremely dangerous.

What Imo PDP really considers mind-boggling is that this same police which has failed to investigate three consecutive armed attacks on Ikenga Ugochinyere, in which human lives were lost and assets valued in billions destroyed, has now turned around to invite Ikenga over frivolous allegations brought by Imo's rampaging dictator. This is exactly what policing should never be!

Our Party calls on the Inspector General of Police to quickly step into this matter to create a more responsible and responsive Police Command in Imo State by overhauling the highly politicized police structure in the State and removing the current Commissioner of Police. This will rekindle faith in the fairness and credibility of the Police and its capacity to secure Imo people.

Signed:

Collins Opurozor
State Publicity Secretary
Imo PDP.

Governor Abiodun had vowed to deal with "every market, trader, petrol station, banker" refusing old naira notes

But shockingly, in another video, obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, an attendant at a filling station belonging to Governor Dapo Abiodun has been captured rejecting the old N500 and N1000 notes, despite a warning by the governor against the act.

Mr Abiodun threatened to lock up stores, banks, and supermarkets among other businesses which have refused to accept the banknotes as legal tender.

The governor further asked residents to report to him directly any case of rejection of the old notes, saying he would shut down any business involved.

In February while campaigning in Abeokuta North Local Council at the popular Kampala market in Itoku, the governor told traders that he would shut down any bank that refused the old notes.

Again, while speaking to his followers in a video sighted by a PREMIUM TIMES reporter on social media, the governor re-emphasised his stance.

In the video, Mr Abiodun said: “I am hereby sounding a note of warning to every market trader, petrol station, bank that are reducing old naira notes; if you’re reported to me, I will deal with you with the fullest extent of the law.

“The Supreme Court of Nigeria is the highest court of the land. The Supreme Court has ruled that the old naira notes remain legal tender. The deadline has been moved to 31 December

“I will lock up your shop if they tell me you don’t accept old notes. Anytime you take an old note to banks and they refuse to accept it, call me. I will lock up the doors of such banks, including supermarkets.

“You transport unions and transporters, don’t reject the old money. If you take it to the bank and it was rejected, I will collect it from you and take it to the bank myself,” Mr Abiodun stated emphatically.

However, despite the governor’s threat, banks and businesses in the state have been rejecting the old naira notes.

But in a new video, the attendant at the governor’s own filling station told a motorist that the station was not accepting old naira notes.

The motorist, who spoke in Yoruba, retorted, “Why will you not take old notes? The governor has ordered that businesses should accept old notes, or is this not the governor’s fuel station? No problems, thank you.”

Efforts to speak with the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kunle Shomorin, were fruitless as he neither picked up calls put across to his phone nor responded to text messages.

My dear Lagosians, I have noted the difficulties that you have been having over the naira redesign crisis. I feel your pains.

Kindly note that commercial banks have been directed to accept the old N500 and N1,000 notes as deposits and pay them out for withdrawals.

Putting the needs of our residents above all, we successfully got a Supreme Court verdict which extends the validity of the existing Naira notes till Dec 31st, 2023.

The CBN at a Bankers Committee meeting yesterday directed Banks to resume acceptance in compliance.

I urge all businesses in Lagos to accept the old notes as it is legal tender.

Anyone rejecting these notes will be heavily sanctioned as we kick off monitoring.

If a bank refuses to accept deposits of old notes, please lodge a complaint with LASCOPA on 08124993895.

The Lagos State Government will report the bank to the CBN and immediately shut down the offending branch.

I assure you that this too shall pass as the authorities are working to ensure that the teething problems of the redesigning of our currency are resolved.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said at the weekend that it will not allow any political party access to its data base containing biometric information of all registered voters.

INEC National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education Barrister Festus Okoye stated this while speaking on Channels TV‘s politics today.

He said all the parties have already been given copies of register of voters as well as their polling units in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Okoye also said that the Commission hopes to conclude reconfiguration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by Tuesday for deployment to the polling units.

He however said that any BVAS that fails to provide a backup system for the results of the Presidential and National Assembly election will not be reconfigured for the March 18 Governorship and Assembly elections.

While dismissing a backup plan for the IREV during the governorship election, Okoye said when there are challenges with upholding polling units results during the election, the ICT department is equipped to deal with such challenges.

On the controversy surrounding the posting of the Director ICT days before the election, Okoye said all Administrative Secretaries of the Commission are Directors adding that decision was taken in the best interest of the nation.

He said the decision was taken at a time when the commission was panicky about whether there were going to be new Resident Electoral Commission while preparing for elections.

He said at that stage the Commission needed to post it’s best hands to serve as Administrative Secretaries and manage the elections in the absence of the Resident Electoral Commissioners.

On the judgement directing the Commission to allow two individuals to vote with the Temporary Voters card, he said the commission has already filed an appeal as INEC is the only body allowed by law to determine what can be used for voting.

He said the slip given to the individuals during registration was to let know that they have been registered while the information the provided are being processed.

Joe Igbokwe, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on drainages, has taunted the South East region where he belongs that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, would rule Nigeria for eight years and hand over power to a northerner.

The issue of power shift created a major rift in the buildup to the 2023 elections, with some persons arguing that it was the turn of the South East to produce Nigeria’s president.

Many of those who made this argument lined up behind Peter Obi, Labour Party Presidential Candidate, who came third in the February 25 election.

However, Obi pulled a surprise by defeating his main opponents, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Tinubu, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in their strongholds.

Obi defeated Tinubu in Lagos and that has formed a major discussion ahead of the March 18 governorship election, which Labour Party has vowed to win.

Making a case for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Igbokwe took to Facebook to appeal to Igbos in Lagos to cast their ballots for the incumbent Lagos governor.

According to him, the president-elect and former governor of the state had backed well-known Igbo businessmen in Lagos, saying that supporting Sanwo-Olu would be a way for them to repay Tinubu for his kindness over the years.

“President-Elect ASIWAJU BAT is a good friend of the Igbo and he did his best for prominent Igbo businessmen and women in Lagos including me. This is payback time and we should do this by voting for GOV SANWO OLU en-mass on March 18.”

There were a series of reactions, but a caustic remark from one Ejike Akunna apparently angered Igbokwe.

“Dash him your wife and daughters and enthrone him as your family deity. That’ll be adequate payback,” Akunna wrote.

Responding, Igbokwe said, “When I see the level of despicable abuses and calling of names coming from the South East young people I run away with the thinking that we Did not do our duties as parents. Shame has enveloped me from head to toes.

“Ejike Akunna jisieike, mark my words here: Asiwaju from 2023 to 2031 and another Northerner from 2031 to 2039. We will still be children of anger and children of hate and life goes on. We will be onlookers because we refused to play politics. Dazzol!!!”

Igbokwe, who was spokesman of the ruling APC in Lagos for a long period of time, came into political prominence after Tinubu appointed him when he was governor of Lagos.

Although Tinubu left government in 2007, every other Lagos governor till date has appointed Igbokwe into its cabinet.

LOSS OF SUPPLY IN IMO STATE

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) wishes to inform her esteemed customers in Imo State that the loss of supply currently being experienced is as a result of the industrial action by the organised labour union in Imo State. This led to the shutting down of our source of supply, leaving us with no energy to distribute.

As a result, all our customers under in Imo State are without electricity supply.

We understand the inconveniences this situation will cause our customers, and we are hopeful that the issue will be resolved within the shortest possible time so we can restore supply to our customers.

We therefore appeal to our customers to be vigilant and ensure the electricity infrastructure serving them are not attacked by vandals who might want to take advantage of the situation to attack and vandalise electricity facilities.

We remain committed and working assiduously to deliver improved services.

PRESS RELEASE

4 People Injured As Thugs Attacked LP Campaign Convoy In Jema'a LG

The Labour Party governorship campaign convoy of Hon. Jonathan Asake in Kaduna state was attacked by thugs today in Gidan Waya, Jema'a local government area.

Four youths were injured in the process, including two boys and two girls. No vehicle was damaged.

The incident happened when the campaign convoy was passing through Gidan Waya during Friday prayers on its way to Godogodo and other towns as the campaign team tour the Local Government.

After the first three vehicles in the convoy made their way through the old tyres used to demarcate the road, thugs started throwing stones, big sticks and other harmful objects at the long convoy.

It took the timely intervention of the security personnel attached to the candidate to forestall a crisis.

Signed
James Swam
Media Aide to
Jonathan Asake

10/03/2023

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering a postponement of the governorship and state assembly elections.

TheCable understands that the electoral body is expected to take a decision on the issue at a meeting of its national commissioner on Wednesday night.

Since the conclusion of the presidential and national assembly polls, the electoral body has been in court over the application seeking to extract data embedded in the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) and inspect other election materials.

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and Atiku Abubakar, standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had filed similar applications on the matter before the court of appeal.

They equally applied to obtain the certified true copy (CTC) of all the data in the BVAS.

However, the electoral body insisted that granting the request would affect its preparations for the forthcoming elections.

Tanimu Inuwa, counsel to the INEC, asked the court to vary the orders which gave permission to Obi and Atiku to inspect all the sensitive materials used in the conduct of the presidential election.

But the court refused to grant INEC’s request, saying the commission failed to specify which of the orders it wished to vary.

The court also emphasised that it never granted Obi and LP permission to access the database of INEC as misconceived by the electoral body.

It clarified that what was granted was an order giving Obi and LP permission to do electronic scanning and/or make photocopies of voter registration, and ballot papers used in the conduct of the election.

During a press conference this morning, the LP State Chairman, in the presence of some executives of Labour Party in Rivers State and Local Government Party Chairmen of the Labour Party in Rivers State, stated that the reason behind this decision is that, Sim Fubara comes from a Senatorial District that has never produced a Governor before.

"The principle of Justice, Equity and Fairness." he said.

They also withdrew their support for Beatrice Itubo, throwing their weight behind Sim Fubara.

The Rivers State Chapter of the Labour Party has adopted the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sir Siminialaye Fubara.

This is coming days before the governorship and state assembly elections slated for March 11.

The Rivers State Chairman of the Labour Party, Dienye Pepple, made the disclosure in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

The announcement was contained in a communique arising from the executive meeting of the party.

Following the development, the party has apparently abandoned its standard bearer, Mrs. Beatrice Itubo.

Dear Ebonyi voters,

Kindly disregard the callous rumours from the drowning APC that I, APGA Ebonyi State Chapter Governorship candidate, Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh has stepped down or will ever back out of this Saturday's Governorship race.

You all know that I'm the leading candidate and stones are expected to be thrown to only the trees with ripe fruits. Also be informed that I was never arrested.

Kindly tune in to 101.5 Unity FM Abakaliki and Dream FM, 92.5 , Enugu to hear me and our numerous campaign jingles!

Fact is that the APC government in Ebonyi has since ran out of ideas even before campaign take off and they are now drowning in an ocean of confusion.

Ebonyians, particularly low income earners and the civil servants they have dealt with in the last 8 years shall surely pay them back in their very own coin by rejecting them from top to bottom at the polls on Saturday 11th March!

Vote for me and my team of APGA Candidates.

May God bless you and keep you safe, Amen!

Police in Ebonyi State have declared the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Ifeanyi Odoh, wanted.

Mr Odoh and nine others were declared wanted on Monday over the murder of a monarch, Igbokwe Ewa.

Background
Some gunmen killed the monarch last Monday in his country home.

He was, until his death, the traditional ruler of the Umu-Ezekoha Community in the Ezza North Local Government Area.

Following his death last week, the All Progressive Congress (APC), which is the ruling party in the state, had accused Mr Odoh and his supporters of having a hand in the monarch’s death.

But Mr Odoh denied the allegations, stating that the monarch, who hails from the same local government as him, was like a father to him.

The police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, in a statement on Monday declared Mr Odoh and nine others wanted over the murder of the monarch.

The nine others, according to the police, are Samuel Onyekachi Aligwe, Peter Orogwu (aka one boy), Chukwudi Aliewa (aka Ezza) and Chika Ezealigbo.

Others are Nnaemeka Egede (aka Champaign), Nnabuike Okohu, Ogobuchi Agbom (aka Okiri), Nonso Obasi, and Ikechukwu Nwoba (aka Solid).

The police appealed for information from the public that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.

PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately reach Mr Odoh for his comment as he did not respond to calls from our reporter.

His media aide, Charles Otu, did not also respond to calls from our reporter.

Increase in political violence
Ebonyi State has become notorious for political violence in the lead-up to the general elections, with frequent attacks on opposition candidates in the state.

Some gunmen, late last year, attacked Mr Odoh and his convoy in Izzi Local Government Area.

Though no life was lost in that attack, one of the cars in his convoy was damaged by a gunshot fired by the assailants.

Mr Odoh was again a victim of a deadly attack in the Ishielu Local Government Area, during which his driver and a police officer were killed.

Gunmen, last month, attacked the home of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Izzi/Abakaliki Federal Constituency, Barnabas Ofoke.

Cars and other valuables in the compound, which was to be used as the campaign venue of the party’s governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Odii, were destroyed.

Gunmen, last month, killed an APC supporter when they opened fire at the party campaign ground in Íshielu Local Government Area.

Esan South-East/Esan North-East Federal Constituency (Edo State)
APC - 21764
PDP - 10007
LP - 11528

Enugu North Senatorial District

PDP 48,816 (Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi)
LP 101,430 (Barr Okey Ezea)

A PDP ward Collation agent in Mbacher ward, Katsina Ala Local Government Area, Hon. Eunoch Mson Atsehe has slump and died at a collation center in Katsina Ala town.

He is from Mbacher ward, the largest ward in Katsina Ala Local Government area , with the largest voting population.

But due to insecurity , the collation centre was moved to the main Katsina Ala town.

His uncle, a former Commissioner of Commerce and Industry Hon. Terfa Ihidan, who confirmed the incident, told The Nation on phone that late Mson went outside to ease him self and was later found dead.

Late Atsehe is from Mbacher council ward, Shitile, Katsina-Ala LG. He is survived with a wife, children and relations.

KDSG Security Update: Sunday 26th February 2023.

Protests of any kind remain prohibited.

- Announcement of all election results the exclusive preserve of INEC

As the collation of election results progresses, the Kaduna State Government hereby reminds citizens that protests of any sort remain strictly prohibited across the State.

The State Government has noted with satisfaction the largely peaceful conduct of elections across the state, and commends residents for exercising their franchise in an orderly manner.

Citizens must therefore avoid street protests over election results - or of any other kind - in order to preserve the atmosphere of calm so far experienced. Actions which may disrupt public peace will be handled decisively by security agencies.

It must be stressed that the announcement of election results is the exclusive duty of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Individuals and groups involved in unofficial publication of results should be aware that they constitute serious threats to public peace and order.

Individuals or groups who may have queries over officially announced results are strongly urged to utilize the legal instruments provided by the Electoral Act.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai continues to monitor closely the security situation in relation to the conduct of the elections, alongside security agencies in the State.

Signed

Samuel Aruwan
Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State.

Okowa's Polling Unit!!!

Eghoma primary school 1, PU 017 Ika north-east, Delta state

PRESIDENTIAL

APC 4

PDP 160

LP 6

APM 3

After standing for about 25 minutes, Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, could not be validated to cast his vote at his Polling Unit 8, Ward nine, Rumueprikon, Obio-Akpor, following the failure of the Bio-modal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS).

The Governor, accompanied by his wife, Suzzette, left the polling unit at about 11 am as the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appealed to them to wait a little while.

The officials described the failed BIVAS as a general problem in the State adding that they were waiting for technicians assigned to the unit to rectify the problem.

A crowd of voters was patiently waiting to begin accreditation at the unit.

The Governor, who left the unit, said they were disappointed with INEC.

He said: “We are highly disappointed. INEC told us they were ready for the election and that BIVAS are working. You can see the crowd here I don’t think that most people will be allowed to vote with slow working of the BIVAS.

“I have stayed about 25 minutes here and I was told to go and come back that they will rectify the BIVAS. We are highly disappointed. If a number of people are disenfranchised, what do you expect?

“People will lose their temper and anything could happen. INEC ought to have been completely ready before telling the people they are ready. There is no violence anywhere in the state”.

EFCC (@officialEFCC) officials conduct a routine check at Polling Unit 019, Ward 2 in Agulu, Anaocha LGA of Anambra State, which happens to be @PeterObi's polling unit.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo votes in his hometown, Ikenne, Ogun state

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo votes in his hometown, Ikenne, Ogun state

📽@GoldmyneTV#NigeriaElections2023 #ElectionDay #2023Elections #PulseElections2023 #NigeriaDecides pic.twitter.com/QSxfn767CG

— Pulse Nigeria (@PulseNigeria247) February 25, 2023

Buhari displays his ballot paper to the public

The Labour Party (LP) in the Southwest has collapsed its entire structure into the All Progressives Congress(APC).

Southwest LP chairman, Omotoso Banji, led the party leadership to collapse its structure in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.

Other leaders of LP that defected were Omowumi Olosola, Ondo Secretary of LP, Sola Alabi amongst others.

CHRISLAND PRESS STATEMENT

The management and staff of Chrisland Schools Limited, with a deep sense of loss, announce the death of our precious student, Whitney Adeniran; whose painful exit occurred on Thursday, February 9th, 2023.

We are heartbroken and distressed. Whitney was one of our Day students who opted not to participate in the inter-house sports match past for reasons we were not very sure of. However, on discretion, we respected her decision to err on the side of caution, because on the 20th of January, 2023, it is in our records that she had complained about a not-too-buoyant health and we immediately contacted her parents. Her father, Mr. Michael Adeniran, came to the school to take her home. We emphasized to her parents to take a critical look at her.

It is instructive to state, that Whitney slumped in public view and not under any hidden circumstances, whatsoever. Our immediate response was to take advantage of proximity to first-aid, by identifying the nearest medical facility to take her to, where the Doctor on duty, administered oxygen and every aid possible on her.

Even as her family made funeral plans for her immediate burial, we differed politely and reiterated the need to establish a scientific verification of the underlying cause of her death, as mandatorily required in circumstances like this. We immediately notified regulatory stakeholders and agencies to allow for a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of the developments.

In spite of the compelling imperatives to fill any information gaps in public space, we stopped short of making any media sensation out of this, because the deceased in question, was a minor and is deserving of our unqualified respect. We also prioritized according respect to the privacy of the family and were with them consistently, to mourn together. This is a painful loss for all of us.

As parents, we feel the deep pain of this loss and our thoughts and prayers, are continually with the family and friends of our beloved Whitney.

As we continue to uphold the sobriety of this moment, we resist any urge to join issues on her treasured memory, in media trends.

As we await the outcome of an independent post mortem process, we remain unwaveringly committed to supporting the family at this critical moment and pray fervently for the fortitude to bear her painful loss.

Signed,

Chrisland Schools Limited.

. As NDLEA intercepts 1,430kgs cannabis in LNG truck, recovers 13 motorcycles in C/River; seizes 1.10kgs crystal meth in carton walls going to London

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested the founder and General Overseer of Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly, Lagos, High Priest Nnodu Azuka Kenrick; a student of Emmanuel College of Theology, Samanta, Ibadan, Udezuka Udoka and their freight agent, Oyoyo Mary Obasi over attempt to export methamphetamine and skunk consignments concealed in kegs of palm oil through the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos to Dubai, United Arab Emirate.

High Priest Nnodu was arrested on Saturday 11th February 2023 at his Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly church located at No 1, Sabbath Close, Ijesha area of Lagos following the arrest of two suspects: Oyoyo Mary Obasi and the theology student, Udezuka Udoka on Thursday 9th February at the Lagos airport in connection with the seizure of 283 parcels of skunk weighing 14.90 kilograms and 204 grams of methamphetamine concealed in four 25-litre kegs of palm oil for export to Dubai.

In her statement Mary indicted the General Overseer of her new-found church, Nnodu and his son, Chisom Obi, who is now at large as the persons that gave her the consignments for export after being compelled to take an oath of secrecy as well as a sacrifice of chicken in the church while High Priest Nnodu prayed for her for the success of the transaction.

Spilling the beans on how she was recruited by her churchs GO, Mary said the clergyman and his son used threats to compel her to take the job after they knew she had known their secrets, adding that High Priest Nnodu was always referring to the illicit drugs as Ice and Bible, (Street names for Methamphetamine and Cannabis) in their telephone text message chats. The theology student, Udezuka was introduced to Mary to assist her because she was new in the illicit business. Udezuka said he was paid N2million for his role and had to do it because he needed the money for his education.

Another attempt to send a consignment of skunk and tramadol 225mg to the UAE by a Dubai-returnee, Nnamani Monday Innocent was also frustrated following his arrest at Trade Fair complex in Ojo area of Lagos, where he had gone in company of his friend Nwanana Emmanuel Ikechukwu with the cargo to a freight company to process the consignment for export on Tuesday 7th Feb.

In the same vein, NDLEA operatives attached to the SAHCO export shed of the Lagos airport same day intercepted a cargo going to London, United Kingdom. In the consignment containing food items packed in a carton, the four walls of the carton were used to conceal 1.10 kilograms of methamphetamine while the freight agent, Agholor Emmanuel, who presented the cargo for export was immediately arrested.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 7th Feb intercepted a consignment of 1,340 kilograms of cannabis sativa coming from Ogbese, Ondo state in a liquified natural gas truck to Okurikang Okoyong in Odukpani LGA, Cross River State. Following credible intelligence, the movement was monitored for three weeks and upon arrival, 130 bags of cannabis weighing 1.430 tons were recovered from the LNG truck and 13 motorcycles which were hired by the cartel to convey the consignment deep into the forest.

In Kano, four suspects: Ado Shuaibu; Yahaya Shuaibu; Mamman Sani and Umar Musa Yakubu were arrested in connection with the seizure of 229 blocks of skunk weighing 131.1kgs. While Umar was arrested on Tuesday 7th Feb at Tumfafi village, Kano, the trio of Ado, Yahaya and Mamman were nabbed on Saturday 11th Feb at Garin Balarabe, Maigatari, Jigawa state in a follow up operation. Another suspect, Aisha Muhammad was arrested in Koki area of Kano with 17kgs cannabis.

No fewer than four members of a syndicate using dispatch motorcycles to distribute illicit drugs in Lekki area of Lagos were arrested on Sunday 5th Feb. They include: Tijani Oladapo Hakeem; Eric Maku; Ahmed Jubril Olamide and Adobi Fortune Chris. At the time of their arrest, 1.88kgs of Loud and assorted paraphernalia were recovered from them.

While 79.1kgs skunk were seized during a raid in Patey area of Lagos Island on Tuesday 7th Feb by NDLEA operatives, a total of 2,370.06 kilograms of cannabis and two boats seized at a jetty in Lagos by men of Civil Defence Corps were handed over to the Lagos command of the Agency.

In his reaction to the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers, men and women of the MMIA, Cross River, Kano, and Lagos commands for their commitment and professionalism towards ridding Nigeria of the menace of illicit drugs. He said the Agency will continue to target anyone or group involved in the criminal trade without fear or favour while urging all NDLEA officers across the country to remain unrelenting in the pursuit of the corporate goal.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday 12th February 2023

SPOKESPERSON for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) Bayo Onanuga has said some G5 governors of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are working for Bola Tinubu.

He disclosed this during a Twitter Space held by The ICIR on Saturday, February 11.

“We are very optimistic about the coming election we are going to hold in two weeks. We are going to win, all these talk about a run-off, we are going to win at the first ballot.

“Election in this world today is almost mathematical. We have 21 governors, we have governors of the opposition G5, many of them working with our candidate,” Onanuga said.

The G5 governors, who are aggrieved members of the PDP, have withheld support for their party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar since his victory at the primaries.

Led by Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, the governors have kicked against the imbalance in the party’s leadership, resulting from the presidential candidate and national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, being from the same region.

Onanuga also noted that some other opposition governors who were yet to openly declare their support for the APC had given assurance that they would influence the elections in favour of the party.

He expressed confidence that Tinubu would win the elections, despite several online polls which have suggested otherwise.

Stating that the polls lack integrity and empirical evidence, Onanuga said the APC had conducted its own surveys, which assured of the party’s victory.