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Aftermath of Widespread Violence: Adoji, Kogi East PDP Senatorial Candidate Calls for Outright Cancellation, Rerun

Published

2 years ago

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* Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Austin Okai also cry out

Arising from the widely-reported violence, intimidation and manipulation that attended Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in most parts of the Kogi East Senatorial District, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Dr Victor Alewo Adoji has rejected the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement personally signed by him, Adoji called for the outright cancellation and rerun of the election by the electoral body.

“Our attention has been drawn to the fraudulent manipulations of the electoral process, and invasion of numerous polling units by armed thugs of the APC in connivance with the electoral officials and security agents.
The APC thugs who were armed with dangerous weapons roaming freely unchecked invaded various polling units majorly across six LGAs in Kogi East scaring electorates, destroying ballot boxes, and carting the BVAS in some cases along with sensitive electoral materials to unknown destinations to declare fictitious results in favour of the APC.
The entire election results of Dekina LGA, 7 wards in Ofu LGA, 5 wards in Olamaboro LGA, 10 wards in Idah, 11 wards in Ankpa LGA, and 5 wards in Igalamela LGA are hugely doctored and must be cancelled.

“A good number of voters were denied their rights to vote because some of the BVAS machines showed that they had been accredited. How? Who used their PVCs? Or, were some of the BVAS machines preloaded?

“Having created ample grounds, the INEC officials in cahoot with the APC were busy throughout the night tweaking and manipulating votes to the credit of the APC. An INEC official in Ankpa who was not part of the arrangement from above naively stood his grounds and almost paid the ultimate prize. We need to see the result sheets booklets and count to reaffirm that multiple result sheets were used.

“Until the APC achieved their transient end, they intimidated PDP agents, threatened them with deaths of even family members and destruction of anything they own and were forced to sign some of the results at gun and matchete points, in the presence of some INEC officials. Even some areas where INEC announced cancellations of voting have posted results from only God knows where. This can not be said to be sane.

“The future of Kogi East and by extension Nigeria is bigger than individual or partisan interest and it is the responsibility of all Nigerians, including Governor Yahaya Bello, to make sure we do not cause a breach of the peace. The genuine votes of the people must count, no matter whose ox is gored.

“We have in our custody audio and video recordings to validate complaints of state-facilitated tempering and allegations of compromise on the parts of the military, police and INEC and we shall make them available in court. We shall name and shame the unpatriotic officials who as it stands have collected bribes that should be regarded as their gratuities or retirement (or (sack) benefits as they are not fit to protect either the common or public good.

I refuse to accept governance by fear, force and intimidation and shall fight this deploying all legitimate means possible.

For sake of emphasis, I reject the results from the areas mentioned and shall go to all and every length to seek redress and get Justice.

“I use this opportunity to extend sincere gratitude to the great Kogi Easterners who came out in the numbers and stood their grounds in some cases not minding threat to life. You have earned my respect and I shall do everything legitimately possible to recover such brazen theft of your mandate.

God bless you, God bless the good people of Kogi east, God bless Kogi State and God bless Nigeria and Nigerians of good conscience”.

Adoji is not alone in the condemnation of electoral process as played out in the state as the PDP House of Representatives candidate for the Dekina/Bassa Federal constituency, Comrade Austin Okai also issued a statement rejecting the totally of what played out in the constituency on the election day.

According to him, what played out was outright robbery, intimidation, brigandage that will not be allowed to go unchallenged.

SunriseNigeria recalls that during the elections, there were incidents of ballot box snatching and destruction by hoodlums, some of whom were nabbed by security agents in areas such as Dekina, Omala, Ofu and Idah Local Government Areas.

Similar incidents were reported in Okehi, Adavi and Okene areas of the state where the Kogi Central Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Barrister Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan also raised alarm over electoral malpractices.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

In a viral video hours before the election, Akpoti-Uduaghan had raised an alarm over state-sponsored intimidation, including the excavation of all access roads to her country home for which she accused Governor Yahaya Bello of being responsible.

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Politics

Soludo Appoints Law Mefor as Anambra Commissioner for Information

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3 months ago

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September 18, 2024

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By Elizabeth Okwe

The governor of Anambra state, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has appointed renowned media consultant and Forensic Psychologist Dr Law Mefor as the state’s commissioner for information.

In a statement on Tuesday by Christian Aburime, the chief press secretary (CPS) to the governor, Soludo expressed confidence in Mefor’s ability to foster a robust information environment in the state.

The governor also commended Nwosu for his contributions as commissioner for information during his time and wished him the best in his future endeavours.

“The governor of Anambra state, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has approved the appointment of Dr. Law Mefor, who has been sworn in as the new commissioner for information in Anambra state,” the statement reads.

“Dr. Mefor replaces Sir Paul Nwosu, who has moved on after over ten years of meritorious service to the Anambra state government.

“Dr. Law Mefor, a distinguished academic and public intellectual, brings a wealth of experience to his new position.

“With an impressive academic portfolio, he holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, alongside degrees in General and Applied Psychology from the University of Jos, Forensic Psychology from Nasarawa State University, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Calabar, and a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja.

“Over the years, Dr. Mefor has established himself as an educator and media consultant, lecturing for over a decade at the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja.

“He has also made significant contributions as a syndicated columnist, publishing thought-provoking articles in TheCable and various online and mainstream newspapers.

“Wishing him success as he assumes his new role, Governor Soludo expressed confidence in Dr. Mefor’s ability and extensive experience to strengthen the communication machinery of the state and foster a more vibrant information environment for the government’s developmental strides.

“Also, the governor commended Sir Paul Nwosu for his dedication and contributions during his tenure as Commissioner for Information, wishing him the very best in his future endeavours.”

A perfect choice 

Meanwhile,  the choice of Dr Law Mefor as the state’s commissioner for information by Governor Soludo has been described as a fit-to-type one which will raise the bar in the state’s information management.

According to Public Affairs Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Sunrise Media Limited, publishers of SunriseNigeria magazine and sunrisengr.com, Dr James Odaudu, Dr Mefor is not only a consumate academician but also a thoroughbred media professional with a wide reach who will definitely deploy his wealth of experience and professional expertise to make a difference.

In a congratulatory message to the new commissioner, Odaudu expressed the hope that he will continue in his well-documented trajectory of devoted service to his people which has been his hallmark even as a private practitioner.

The SunriseNigeria publisher assured the Commissioner of his organisation’s readiness to partner with the Anambra state government to achieve its desired goals in information dissemination and public engagement.

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International

Some Top Republicans Secretly Pray for Kamala Harris Massive Win

Published

3 months ago

on

September 5, 2024

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By Dan Ladden-Hall

It seems it’s not just Democrats who are hoping that Donald Trump will be dealt a devastating defeat in November.

Several notable Republican figures also want the former president to lose to Kamala Harris but aren’t saying so publicly, according to Politico. Some GOP lawmakers see the possibility of a new Trump term as bad news for the party, the outlet reports.

Among those concerned are proponents of free market economic policies who are concerned by Trump’s proposed import tariffs, while abortion rights opponents are also skeptical of his inconsistent messaging on that issue, according to Politico.

They’re also reportedly concerned that Trump winning in 2024 could hurt the GOP’s electoral chances in the future.

“There’s a lot of anxiety about what Trump does to Republican ability to win in 2028—and what he also may do to the party in terms of policy long term,” one anonymous conservative leader told Politico. “There is just this concern that like, ‘OK, if the party just goes in that direction, then what kind of party is it going forward? And can conservatives, then, have a home going forward?’”

The outlet also claims concerned Republicans hope Trump’s loss is by a wide margin in order to help stifle any attempts to cast doubt on the legitimacy of his hypothetical defeat.

In a separate column, Politico’s columnist Jonathan Martin claimed the best outcome for the future of the Republican Party is for Trump to “lose soundly” in November.

“For most Republicans who’ve not converted to the Church of MAGA, this scenario is barely even provocative,” Martin writes. “In fact, asking around with Republicans last week, the most fervent private debate I came across in the party was how best to accelerate Trump’s exit to the 19th Hole.”

In a statement, Trump spokesperson Brian Hughes told the outlet that Trump has “unified the GOP like never before” and “expanded his coalition of support across partisan lines to Democrats and Independents.”

“Our campaign and down-ballot Republicans are poised for a great result in November, despite a few hand-wringing, anonymous sources who are not bold enough to attach their names to this drivel,” Hughes added.

* Reuters

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Politics

Former Finance Minister, Nenadi Usman Emerges Labour Party Caretaker Chairman

Published

3 months ago

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September 4, 2024

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As part of efforts to bring the seeming intractable crisis that has bedeviled the Party since the 2023 elections, the Labour Party on Wednesday announced the composition of a 29-man caretaker committee to be chaired by former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman.

Similarly, the Immediate-past Senate Minority Deputy Leader, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, was appointed to serve as Secretary to the committee which will midwife an election of a new leadership of the party within the next 90 days.

This development effectively ended the tenure of the party’s erstwhile National Chairman, Julius Abure and members of his executive Committee.

The party reached the resolution at the end of the Party’s NEC/Extended Stakeholders meeting held at Government House Umuahia, according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor of Abia State, Ukoha Njoku,

He said that the Terms of Reference of the Committee include, ensuring the conduct of Ward, Local Government, State Congresses and National Convention as soon as possible and in accordance with the Constitution of the Labour Party.

READ ALSO: More Moles Will Be Exposed, Fumigated Out — Labour Party

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At the end of the NEC/Extended Stakeholders Meeting held in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital, a roll call was conducted and the meeting was confirmed to be duly convened that a 29-member Caretaker Committee was constituted immediately to ensure that there is no vacuum in the Leadership of the Party.

Other members representing various interest groups including NLC, TUC, Senate, House of Representatives, House of Assembly, and Gubernatorial Candidates in the last election.

The meeting equally commended Governor Alex Otti for his leadership in hosting the meeting and enjoined members of the party to support the Caretaker Committee to achieve its mandates.

The resolution named other members of the Committee to include 3 Senators, 4 members of House of Representatives, 3 members from States House of Assembly, 3 members from the Nigeria Labour Congress, 3 members from the Trade Union Congress, 3 members from the Gubernatorial Candidates in the last election among others.

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The Governor of Abia state, Alex Otti, said that the meeting was convened to deal with the existential problems confronting the party and chart a way forward for the Party.

He noted that the tenure of the National working Committee of the Party headed by Bar. Julius Abure had elapsed since 10th of June 2024 and called on all stakeholders of the party to join forces together to resolve every internal problems of the party.

Governor Otti said that the overall interest of all Labour Party Stakeholders is the survival of the party and not necessarily the composition of the NWC as far as it is constitutionally composed.

Also Speaking, the National Leader of the party and Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, said that all they are doing is to follow the guidelines established by law to save the party from total collapse.

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He noted that Labour Party being the third largest party in Nigeria has the potential of being the brightest if things are put in the right perspective and urged members of the party to give the caretaker Committee the needed support to enable it succeed in its assignments.

Responding on behalf of members of the caretaker Committee, the Chairman, Senator Usman thanked the National Leader of the party Mr. Peter Obi and other stakeholders for finding them fit for the task and assured that they will justify the confidence reposed in them.

Highlights of the meeting was the reaffirmation of the solid confidence in the leadership of the National Leader of the party Mr. Peter Obi and the resolution that all members with legal case against the party should withdraw same for the overall interest of the party.

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