₦airaland Forum

Richtaiwo:
What about the opinion of those emergency Nigerians who suddenly develop acute patriotism, right after taking instructions from somewhere abroad, and then proceed to hide under their beds in strict obedience?

Those ones insist that if their neatly packaged fraud doesn’t clinch the presidency, then, it is perfectly fine for a Fulani man to take the seat instead.

Bentacur007:
E plenty in Abia state
Stop lying
Azikiwe Rd in Abia State

Obiedun:
You look at what your hay fever is doing to you. Jonathan has even moved on. Orubebe is no more there again but your fever is dragging you into the past. When everyone has moved on, your hay fever is dragging you backwards. Hahahahahahahaha

Obiedun:
Do you ever good government in your state? Go to your state and local government to ask for good government. You people produce the worst kind of government in the country. This is a region where nobody will want to go and settle down.

jamafa:
Who b DX??


Can DX guy pull one thousand votes??

yarimo:
Constitutionally ATIKU can contest so stop creating Senseless thread

KnowAll:
Seton u dey talk. U no respect our oro festival. If u can’t respect our festival go to Anambra.

Obiedun:
People who are suffering from Hay fever should not be allowed to post here. Last warning, if you have Hay fever step aside,go and treat yourself

Ezewuzie01:
The demented loser of the 2023 presidential election Peter Obi who deceived his supporters that he won that election but couldn't prove it in court, has started his chameleonic moves again. Just few days ago, he met with the exco of the newly registered party, NDC, for a closed door meeting. It is said that Peter Obi agreed to move to the new party with his praise singers if the ADC doesn't give him iron clad assurances that he will be selected on consensus as the party's flag bearer for the 2027 general elections.

DomPerignon:
Obi signed MOU with an obscure firm to build a light rail system for Onitsha with nothing to show for it.

Stop mistaking this government with the fraud you celebrated in Anambra

blamingthedevil:
It is evident why the ADC is in disarray when individuals like you cannot grasp a simple fact that 1 + 1 equals 2. President Bola Tinubu has been in office for only two years and ten months, yet you ignorantly refer to a four-year tenure—a milestone that is still one year and two months away.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has pledged that the 2027 general elections will be the best in Nigeria’s history, citing sweeping reforms introduced by the Electoral Act 2026.

Speaking at a Citizens’ Town Hall Meeting themed “What It Means for Your Vote and the 2027 Elections,” organised by the Civil Society Network on Electoral Integrity, the INEC chairman described the new law as a major step toward restoring public trust, enhancing transparency, and strengthening democratic legitimacy.

The Electoral Act 2026, signed into law on February 18, followed a three-year consultative process involving the National Assembly, civil society organisations, and INEC. Amupitan commended advocacy groups for helping citizens understand the provisions of the law, describing civic engagement as essential to democratic consolidation.

“Democracy — and elections in particular — is the lifeblood of democracy,” he said, quoting Abraham Lincoln: “The ballot is more powerful than the bullet,” while warning that voter ignorance poses a threat to national security.

Tackling past challenges

Addressing concerns over the technical issues that affected the 2023 presidential election results transmission, Amupitan assured Nigerians that lessons have been learned.

“Glitches have been eliminated. By God’s grace, they will not surface again,” he said, noting that while devices were tested in off-cycle state polls, they were not adequately stress-tested for nationwide transmission during the presidential election.

He disclosed that extensive testing will be conducted before 2027 to ensure seamless inter-state transmission of results.

Electronic transmission and logistics

Amupitan highlighted strengthened provisions for electronic transmission of results as one of the most significant features of the new law, revealing that INEC advocated for mandatory transmission during legislative consultations.

However, he cautioned against unrealistic expectations of real-time uploads, citing logistical and network challenges experienced even within the Federal Capital Territory. He recalled delays in result transmission from Kabir Ward in Kuje Area Council due to poor network connectivity and difficult terrain.

He compared the process to mobile banking transfers, explaining that while a transaction may be initiated instantly, confirmation may take longer due to network delays.

Despite these challenges, he assured that transmission capacity exists and will be strengthened ahead of the 2027 polls.

Focus on logistics and credibility

The INEC chairman emphasized that logistics remain the backbone of credible elections.

“Your election can only be as good as your logistics,” he said, outlining three key benchmarks for success: timely commencement, peaceful conduct, and transparent result management.

While acknowledging minor logistical lapses in recent FCT polls, he said corrective measures are already underway.

“What Nigerians desire is a perfect election. We will strive to deliver the best possible, even if perfection remains a work in progress,” he added.

Credible elections and national development


Reflecting on Nigeria’s global image, Amupitan stressed that credible elections are closely tied to national development, investor confidence, and institutional strength.

“There is a correlation between credible elections and development. When people trust INEC and their leaders, the country moves forward,” he said.

Reaffirming his commitment, he concluded: “By the grace of God, the 2027 election will be the best Nigerians will have.”

He noted that voters are now more informed and demanding, and that the Electoral Act 2026 provides a stronger legal framework to meet those expectations

WHAT could have triggered last Tuesday’s attack on the Edo State secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) shortly after the party received the 2024 Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the state, Mr Olumide Akpata, and then the residence of the National Leader of the ADC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, while he was hosting Akpata and others, including the 2023 presidential candidate of the LP, Mr Peter Obi, remains a mystery.

Barely 24 hours before the incident, a fight was reportedly averted at the residence of Odigie-Oyegun when some members of the ADC claimed they were shut out of a meeting of leaders of the party on the orders of Odigie-Oyegun.

Those allegedly shut out included former Chief Whip of the Senate, Sir Rowland Owie, a major financier of the ADC in the state, Sunny Aguebor, a leader of the party, and Douglas Iyike.

There was tension in the area such that the state Commissioner of Police had to send a squad to avert breakdown of law and order and then talked to the protesting party leaders and their followers to vacate the place.

Meanwhile, four days after the incident, the police said yesterday that no arrests had been made in connection with the attacks.

While some analysts are alleging that the attacks may have been orchestrated by the aggrieved members who, including Owie, have vehemently denied, others believed that the attacks may have come from the government in power.

Those who claimed government may have orchestrated it alleged that Governor Monday Okebholo last year did say that Obi must take permission from the state government before he visits if his safety would be guaranteed.

But last Tuesday, Obi had visited a nursing school run by the Catholic Church in the state capital where he made a financial donation to the school and from there headed to the secretariat of the ADC where he, among others, received Akpata into the party.

Suspected thugs attacked the ADC secretariat a few minutes after the rally, destroying several items.
From there they moved to the residence of Odigie-Oyegun who was attending to his guests inside his compound including Obi and Akpata.

The suspected thugs damaged about five vehicles parked outside the gate, breaking their windscreens and shooting at their tyres.

Shortly after videos of the attacks went viral, insinuations became rife that the attackers were allegedly sponsored by the state government going by the way they operated in an unmarked bus and a motorbike.

But the state government, in multiple statements, denied the allegation.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, said that APC or the state government could not be blamed for the attacks.

According to him, ADC was already divided based on the issue that took place in Odigie-Oyegun’s house on Monday when some members were shut out.

Afegbua stated that Okpebholo and some members of government were in Abuja attending a conference at the time of the incident, noting that the governor had told the Commissioner of Police to arrest the thugs.

Also, Edo APC Chairman, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, said what happened was as a result of factions within the Edo ADC.

"Did the attackers wear APC uniforms? What is happening in ADC is a factional fight. You saw Owie fighting Oyegun. They should not drag us into their fight”, Tenebe said.

The state government, while absolving itself of alleged involvement, said the internal crisis in the ADC was an issue taken too far.

Okpebholo described the incident as an internal party crisis that was taken too far.

In a statement he personally signed, the governor expressed sympathy with the affected members of ADC, noting that it was unfortunate that certain elements allegedly exploited the peaceful atmosphere of Edo State to perpetrate violence.

”As peace-loving people, the importation of thugs and miscreants from outside the state under the guise of party politics remains totally condemned and will not be tolerated going forward”, he said.

He stressed that, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, he would not stand by and allow Edo to be turned into a theatre of conflict in the name of political rivalry.

“Even though the precise motive behind this attack may not yet be fully known, I strongly believe that the ultimate objective is to discredit Edo State and undermine its reputation as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria,” he stated.

Okpebholo further declared that no amount of political blackmail would sway the people of Edo from supporting a government they hold dear.

The governor emphasized that politics should center on performance, engagement with the people, and the continuous effort to earn their trust and confidence.

"This is what we are known for, and we will remain committed to that path,” he added.

Okpebholo argued that when politicians or individuals allegedly orchestrate violence to gain political advantage, it reflects a lack of meaningful value to offer the electorate.

The governor maintained that as a leading political force in the state, his party welcomes healthy opposition and would not be intimidated by what he described as blackmail or self-inflicted attacks.

While sympathizing with members of the ADC and condemning the incident, he advised the party to refrain from directing accusations outside its fold, suggesting that the matter appeared to stem from internal disagreements.

Okpebholo appealed to residents of Edo State to remain calm and steadfast in maintaining peace, urging them not to allow the incident to create a negative impression about the state.

Okpebholo further called on the police and other security agencies to remain vigilant and closely monitor political gatherings that could potentially escalate into violence, reiterating his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.

Doubt
Odigie-Oyegun, for his part, said he was not sure that the assailants would be apprehended considering the way they operated in daylight without hindrance.

He said the intelligence they got while they were still at the ADC secretariat showed that the suspected hoodlums could have met them at the venue and that the attack could have been catastrophic.

“I am not sure there has been any arrest and I am not convinced that there will be any arrest with the nature of the events”, the former governor said.

“When thugs carry guns in broad daylight, and there is security around and nobody is arrested, what do you think of that?

“But we were lucky. Let me emphasise that at least one arm of the security agencies did tell us.
“We were at the party secretariat when they informed us that they had information that the place will be attacked and that we should please round off early and cut the event short.

“We had barely got to my house when we heard that the secretariat had been physically attacked.
“What then occurred to me was that supposed we were still there with the crowd at the event?
“It would have been catastrophic, so we commend the security agency that alerted us that an attack was imminent.”

Owie denies involvement

Owie, for his part, has distanced himself from the attack on the ADC secretariat and the residence of Odigie-Oyegun, saying that in all his political life, he has never been associated with violence.

The statement he issued read: “In all my political life since 1979, when I was first elected into the House of Representatives, I have never been involved in violent politics. “I have built a career on dialogue, legislative integrity, and service. I would not begin to tarnish a four-decade legacy now.

“To suggest I would sponsor an attack on a gathering where my own brother, Chief Oyegun, and respected colleagues like Peter Obi were present is not just a lie—it is an insult to the intelligence of the Edo people.”


Police investigation
Although the police confirmed the incident and have also increased their presence around Odigie-Oyegun’s residence, the police investigation has commenced but no arrests have been made.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said, “Investigation has already been started by the police, no arrests have been made as of now and we will communicate to you as investigation progresses”.

9jatriot:
Sorry, I do not get fooooliish things.

9jatriot:
Is Tinubu the judge that granted the bail or you do not knoow what to say?

9jatriot:
I thought terrorism charges does not come with bail?

Vision101:
Is electronic transmission of election results not in the act? Go and study the act please.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the defection of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, as an act of cowardice and a mark of an unprincipled politician.

In a statement in Abuja on Friday, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, said the move was a clear violation of political principles and morality, and a threat to multi-party democracy and democratic consolidation.

The party stressed that for a person to abandon a platform that provided political coverage for him across many election cycles, at the first sight of slight discomfort, “is unambiguously an exhibition of unrestrained cowardice, and not a mark of a principled politician.”

The PDP said the defection, though long speculated, had attracted several rebuttals from the Governor himself, even as “recent as last week, after the Presidential visit to Adamawa.”

While acknowledging that the defection is well within Fintiri’s legal rights, the party described it as violation of political principles and morality.

“For a person to abandon a platform that provided political coverage for him, across many election cycles at the sight of slight discomfort, is unambiguously an exhibition of unrestrained cowardice, and not a mark of a principled politician.”

The Statement reminded Finitri that history and posterity are the ultimate and unbiased judges of human conduct and are actively recording the actions and inactions of people.

While calling on party members in Adamawa to accept the reality with grace, Ememobong said the true test of a person is during times of inconvenience and contention.