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Category: Politics

  • Rhodes-Vivour Accuses INEC of Colluding with APC to Return Sanwo-Olu as Governor

    Rhodes-Vivour Accuses INEC of Colluding with APC to Return Sanwo-Olu as Governor

    Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has accused officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of colluding with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to return its candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu as governor.

    Gbadebo, who stated this via his official Twitter page on Sunday described the outcome of the election as lies and falsehood.

    Results announced by INEC so far indicate that the Lagos incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu will be declared winner of the election.

    The LP candidate, however, assured his supporters that he would defend their votes.

    He said: “Firstly, I would like to thank all Lagosians, especially our supporters, for coming out to vote yesterday for us. I’m convinced that with you in our corner, a NEW Nigeria is imminent.

    “However, I am saddened by the confirmed reports of violence and gross disenfranchisement of voters who only wished to perform their civic duty.

    “Attacks on polling units, voters, and our party agents are totally antithetical to what we stand for & what Lagos truly represents.

    “Collusion between the ruling party and electoral officials to return the candidate of the APC is a slap on the face of democracy and everyone who came out to vote for us on Saturday.

    “In the light of this, I am convinced beyond any doubt that the results being released by INEC do not represent the wishes of majority of peaceful Lagosians.

    “More so the results from our field agents and situation room indicated that we won this election. I am a champion of the people. We are far from done. Do not lose hope, do not waver.

    “This is not over, we have not come this far to accept outright lies, criminality & falsehoods. A fight for FREEDOM is never easily won.”

    “Every vote cast for me was done in the face of intimidation and risk of personal harm. Every such vote must count. Defending every one of those votes is a sacred duty. I will defend your votes – this is my vow to every LP voter

    Ismail Aniemu, Publisher of JournalNG and ghostwriter, is a maritime journalist with over two decades of practice with a multidisciplinary background. He holds a master’s degree in Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) with a bias for logistics. He is also an alumnus of the Times Journalism Institute where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in Journalism

     

  • Governor Abiodun Wins Re-election Bid in Ogun

    Governor Abiodun Wins Re-election Bid in Ogun

    The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has defeated 13 other candidates to be re-elected for a second term of four years.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, declared Abiodun winner of the governorship election held on Saturday after he polled 276,298 votes.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer defeated his closest rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, who polled 262,383 votes, with a difference of 13,915 votes.

    The returning officer of the governorship election in the state, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, declared Abiodun a winner at the collation center of the Commission in the state.

    Adebowale said that the total figure of registered voters was 2,688,305, while accredited voters were 666,406.

    A total of 645,133 votes were valid while 18,835 votes were rejected. He said that a total of 663,968 votes were cast.

    The APC won in Odeda, Egbado-North, Egbado-South, Ewekoro, Ijebu-North, Ijebu-Ode, Ipokia , Abeokuta-North. Ado-Odo/Ota, Ifo, Obafemi-Owode, and Imeko-Afon Local Government Areas of the state.

    The PDP won in Abeokuta-South, Ogun Waterside, Ijebu-North/East, Ikenne, Ijebu-East, Remo-North, Odogbolu and Sagamu.

    Ismail Aniemu, Publisher of JournalNG and ghostwriter, is a maritime journalist of over two decades of practice with a multidisciplinary background. He holds a master’s degree in Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) with a bias toward logistics. He is also an alumnus of the Times Journalism Institute where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in Journalism

  • Victory Speech: Lagosians Chose Competence, Experience, Says Sanwo-Olu, Condemns Violence, Ethnic Profiling

    Victory Speech: Lagosians Chose Competence, Experience, Says Sanwo-Olu, Condemns Violence, Ethnic Profiling

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said that his re-election for a second term has reaffirmed that residents of Lagos State has chosen competence and experience on the march to true greatness.

    Sanwo-Olu stated this at the Lagos House, Marina while giving the victory speech for his re-election, following the official announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The governor was declared the winner of the Lagos State gubernatorial election at 1.15 a.m. and scored 762,134 valid votes to LP’s 312,329 and PDP’s 62,449 votes.

    He said that elections were over now, governance must continue, and the dividends of democracy must continue to be delivered, as there must be no break and no time off.

    According to him, his government will keep all the promises made to the people of Lagos State.

    ‘‘Lagosians, you did not just vote for Babajide Sanwo-Olu. You voted for a greater Lagos. I promise that together we shall achieve this. This is a promise that shall not be broken. A greater Lagos shall be ours.

    Sanwo-Olu said that four years ago, the people of Lagos gave him cause to deliver a similar victory speech. Since then, he had been conscious of the great responsibility upon him and the administration.

    ‘‘I have worked very hard to live up to this responsibility of governing the essential subnational economy in Africa. We certainly could not have done this by ourselves. What we have achieved, both in the last four years and in the just-concluded election, could not have happened without a long list of supporters and partners.

    ”First and foremost, let me thank the Almighty God, to whom we owe our very breath and who has spared our lives to see this day. I am also very grateful to all of you, the good people of Lagos—everyone, not just those who voted for us or those registered to vote. Lagos is what it is today because of you, regardless of ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, gender, or age.

    ‘‘We are a vibrant and thriving hub of commerce, finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, and culture because of the diversity that has come to define us over the decades and the centuries. Thank you,” he said.

    Victory Speech

    The governor commended fellow contestants for their participation in the democratic process and their contribution to creating a truly competitive political space in Lagos.

    According to him, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, there is no victor, no vanquished.

    He said that during the campaign, sadly, a lot of divisive rhetoric was used, as some tried to make the elections about ethnicity and religion when they should only have been about capacity, competence, and experience.

    ‘‘We saw hateful and hurtful ethnic profiling by fellow citizens – which is totally out of place for us as Lagosians, the proud residents of West Africa’s pre-eminent melting pot. I want to recognize and salute all the multitudes of residents who refused to succumb to those who sought and still seek to divide us with their unguarded and inciting comments.

    ‘‘Unfortunately, there are reports of skirmishes in some local government areas wherein some citizens were reported to have been injured. We strongly condemn these reprehensible incidents – that is not who we are. The relevant law enforcement and security agencies have been directed to investigate these law breaches and ensure that those found guilty face the full wrath of the law.

    ”Now that the elections are over, we must reaffirm the spirit of solidarity and togetherness that binds us as Lagosians.

    ”As I said in my last pre-election address, we have a lot of work to do in working and moving past the divisive rhetoric that has shaped the course of this election cycle,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    He said it was very significant, and this could not be overemphasized that what united all as residents was far more critical and substantial than whatever differences existed.

    He said that the true Lagos spirit remained a welcoming, embracing, liberal one, not a divisive, exclusionary one.

    ”In the days and weeks and months ahead, we will continue to do everything to demonstrate and amplify this,” the governor said.

    (NAN)

    Ismail Aniemu, Publisher of JournalNG and ghostwriter, is a maritime journalist with over two decades of practice with a multidisciplinary background. He holds a master’s degree in Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) with a bias for logistics. He is also an alumnus of the Times Journalism Institute where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in Journalism
  • An Opportunity to Serve My People, Country’ll Be The Highest Honour – Barr. Morayo Lebi

    An Opportunity to Serve My People, Country’ll Be The Highest Honour – Barr. Morayo Lebi

    Barrister Morayo Lebi is a chieftain of the APC in Ondo South Senatorial District, well known in the political, business, and legal circles.

    He had contested on three occasions to represent the people of Ondo South as Senator, but all attempts have been met with controversies. He appeared to have left the public scene since the senatorial primary election in May 2023.

    In this interview on the occasion of his upcoming birthday on March 25, he opens up about service to the country and other issues.

    Excerpt.

    Q: Who is Barrister Morayo Lebi?

    A: I was born almost 60 years ago, in a place called Akotogbo (my hometown) in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State. But, I left for Lagos immediately after my primary education. I had my secondary school education at Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos. I later went to the University of Lagos, where I studied law.

    I’m a Christian and worship in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos. I am married with children and grandchildren.

    Q: After the last primary senatorial election that was held at Methodist Secondary School premises, Okitipupa, where you angrily left when Barr Jimoh Ibrahim emerged as the winner in the election, it appeared you have not been visible in the public arena.

    Therefore, when the powers that be had done their worst, what else do you expect of me? Let me use the opportunity to say this: I am a foundational member of APC, and I’m not a “come and chop” politician. I wasn’t prepared to destroy a house I helped to build. As a lawyer, I knew the sham that was done on the said day.

    Who were those who conducted the election? Were they the party representatives from the National Headquarters of the party or those who were merely selected by the state government? The pictures are everywhere, and some of us will rather keep quiet. It shouldn’t be taken as an endorsement of the electoral manipulation, or that we don’t know what to do.

    Immediately, I went back to my business and, there has been no week after the said election that I didn’t come to Ondo State, whether for party activities, political meetings with leaders and stakeholders, social engagements, etc. So, I disagree with you that I have not been present in the political scene.

    Q: What is your assessment of the national and state elections that have just been conducted?

    A: Despite some pockets of challenges, we have to appreciate the brilliant efforts of the electoral umpires, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC). If we want to be sincere with ourselves, we must commend the progress the INEC has made compared to what we used to have.

    The introduction of BVAS and IREV are the game changers! However, there still seems to be voters’ apathy when you compare the numbers of voters’ card registrations and the actual numbers of voters during the election. In summary, the election was better than the previous ones.

    Q: As a political leader and businessman, what would you suggest to the incoming government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu?

    A: Asiwaju is well known to most of us in terms of his capacity to deliver. He was a former company executive in a multinational company, a former Senator, who was in charge of the biggest committee in the National Assembly, and a former Lagos State governor, he already has a verifiable pedigree.

    The economy really needs attention, and the president-elect must hit the ground running immediately. He must assemble a great team that will help actualize his dream for the country.

    Q: It is being rumored that you are very close to the president-elect, will you be part of his team?

    A: Asiwaju is our leader, and as the elected president, he is the one to choose those to work with him. To serve one’s country is the highest honor. I think that answers your question for now

    Q: The Ondo State Governorship election is coming up next year, and we have reliably gathered that the ticket is going to your zone; Ondo South Senatorial District based on the political understanding in the state. Therefore, we would like to know: Are you running for the governorship election next year?

    A: You are right. The ticket should be graciously conceded to one of the capable persons from the zone because, “Awa loan “! ( Laughs) But, sincerely, I like to take things one after the other. National elections have just been conducted, and our party massively won, don’t you think, we should be allowed to rest, plan for the inauguration of those who have won the elections? 2024 is still very, very far away. We shall cross the bridge when we get there.

    Q: Any parting words for your supporters?

    A: Thank you for your time with me here. Please, let’s be positive and confident about our dear country.

    The future is bright. Let us shun those negative activities that could jeopardize the peace, progress, and prosperity of our country. Nigeria shall be great, and we shall all contribute our quota to its greatness.

    Ismail Aniemu, Publisher of JournalNG and ghostwriter, is a maritime journalist with over two decades of practice with a multidisciplinary background. He holds a master’s degree in Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) with a bias for logistics. He is also an alumnus of the Times Journalism Institute where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

     

  • Experts Urge Journalists To Resist Misinformation In Ondo Elections

    Experts Urge Journalists To Resist Misinformation In Ondo Elections

    To help you understand this important electoral process, Media and civil society experts have tasked journalists on their role in resisting misinformation during the Ondo State governorship bye-elections.
    They gave the charge on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at a webinar themed “Misinformation and Elections: Journalists, Public Educators, and Opinion Shapers,” organized by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) in partnership with the European Union Support For Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU SDGN) II.
    CAPPA is a Pan–African organization that works to advance human rights, challenge corporate abuse of natural resources, and build community power for inclusive development and participatory governance.
    Speakers included Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA; Ms. Joke Kujenya, Executive of the Media Mentors Journalism Centre; Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), and Timothy Bamidele, a Programme Manager at Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO).

    In his opening remarks, Oluwafemi noted the media’s critical role in reporting facts, particularly in the era of fake news, adding that “reporting should promote peace and not violence”.

    “The populace is going to turn to the media for direction, for news, for opinion, and again for perception, and it behooves on us as media practitioners to report the facts as the facts,” Oluwafemi said, adding that they should take necessary measures to ensure their safety.

    According to Oluwafemi, “We’re essentially doing this to promote nonviolent elections in Nigeria. We think we can continue to engage, and educate our people, to ensure that we vote only with our thumbs and not with guns or cutlasses. So, the media plays a very critical role in this level of engagement.”

    In her presentation, Ms. Joke Kujenya, the Executive of the Media Mentors Journalism Centre, distinguished between distinctions and misinformation and disinformation, and harped on the responsibilities of journalists in election coverage, the importance of fact-checking organizations, and strategies for monitoring social media.

    Regarding the duties of journalists in reporting, Kujenya emphasized the importance of verifying information, educating the public about media literacy, critically analyzing information, and fostering informed engagement as key responsibilities.

    She said: “Journalists should understand local issues, as well as verify claims before reporting.”

    Kujenya stressed the need for journalists to collaborate with fact-checking organizations to ensure authentic reporting and avoid spreading fake news.

    “Journalists are also encouraged to monitor elections on platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp and to be vigilant about emerging narratives propagated by trolls,” she added.

    In his presentation, Arogundade noted that “18 political parties in the state had signed a peace accord to promote a peaceful and nonviolent election”, and that the state had deployed 41,000 security personnel for public safety on election day. Nevertheless, he emphasized that journalists should take their security seriously.

    He further emphasized the need for journalists to be conflict-sensitive, while urging them to utilize I-Verify to fact-check their stories.

    Joshua Okoria is a Lagos-based multi-skilled journalist covering the maritime industry. His ICT and graphic design skills make him a resourceful person in any modern newsroom. He read mass communication at the Olabisi Onabanjo University and has sharpened his knowledge in media practice from several other short courses
  • Campaigns After Election

    Campaigns After Election

    The pre-election campaign mood that enveloped Nigeria before the February 25 and March 18 elections has shaken national unity, reconciliation, and cohesion. Three Sides Claiming Victory

    Like every other election in Nigeria, the 2023 polls featured dissenting lines at houses of assembly, governorships national assembly, and presidential elections.

    As the president-elect, Bola Tinubu prepares to assume office late next month, he faces the hurdle of retaining the office through a second victory at the Presidential Election Petition Court.

    Aside from Tinubu who is validly declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 2 other contestants claim to have won the election.

    Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and a former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi are approaching the courts praying to be declared winners of the same election.

    There has been an unprecedented sharp divide among citizens supporting different parties causing schism on social media and fanning embers of division.

    Spokesmen of political gladiators have been discovered to be at the forefront of encouraging bigotry, especially on social media. This has attracted undue international attention to the country with various sides struggling for foreign endorsement of their interests.

    Tasking The Judiciary

    Knowing that the judiciary holds the final vote after the general election, politicians and their sympathizers have shifted campaigns to the courts.

    Opinion leaders and clergymen are not left out in appealing to the judges to dispense justice in the election matters before them, especially in the presidential election.

    Speaking to the nation’s judiciary in his 2023 Easter message, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah told the judges that their reputation is threatened.

    The cleric told them that the future of the country is in the hands of the judges in a message most Nigerian politicians won’t find interesting

    “You face difficult challenges ahead and you are mortals. The future of our country hangs on your deliberations. I will not judge you. I can only pray that God gives you grace. It will be up to you to decide how you use that gift which no amount of influence or power can buy.

    “Nigerians are saddened that your sacred temples have been invaded by the political class leaving the toxic fumes that now threaten your reputation as the last hope for all citizens. Sadly, your hard-earned reputation is undergoing very severe stress and pressure from those who want justice on their terms. Nigerians are looking up to you to reclaim their trust in you as the interpreters of the spirit of our laws.

    “The future of our country is in your hands. You have only your consciences and your God to answer to when you listen to the claims and counterclaims of Nigerian lawyers you have to decide the future of our country.

    “We pray that God gives you the wisdom to see what is right and the strength of character and conscience to stand by the truth. You have no obligation to please anyone. Our future depends on how you arrive at your much-awaited judgment” the cleric said

     

    “Nigerians are saddened that your sacred temples have been invaded by the political class leaving the toxic fumes that now threaten your reputation as the last hope for all citizens. Sadly, your hard-earned reputation is undergoing very severe stress and pressure from those who want justice on their terms. Nigerians are looking up to you to reclaim their trust in you as the interpreters of the spirit of our laws.

    Drumming For International Attention

    Many believe the growth of Nigerian democracy is stunted and despite being a sovereign state, the country’s politicians, who have alternative homes abroad can best be policed by governments of their second homes.

    The incoming government and supporters of the APC have been quick to celebrate every congratulatory message from foreign governments like such messages place a stamp of legitimacy on the yet-to-be inaugurated administration.

    Chimamanda Adichie, a United States-based Nigerian writer had written to President Joe Biden faulting the election and declaration of Bola Tinubu as president-elect.

    While Adiche’s letter was greeted with mixed feelings from pro and anti-Tinubu camps, a counter letter addressed to Biden and the Canadian government has been written by a Nigerian Professor of Law.

    Prof Yemi Oke said “Chimamanda’s letter is most unbecoming” and she went below expectations to pen down a “seditious letter against the Government and people of Nigeria.”

    The teacher said he found it “most bewildering” that Ms Adichie, a “privileged Nigerian-born writer, has decided to paint her country of origin black.”

    “Chimamanda’s letter was against entire Nigeria’s Democracy that was fought and procured with patriotic blood and undeterred resolve of democrats, chief among them being Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

    With every camp attracting foreign attention to Nigeria, the 2023 Nigerian presidential election has become an international blockbuster eliciting anxiety ahead of the judicial process and its outcome.

    Closing Ranks

    Typical of Nigerian elections, the 2023 rounds came with the prejudices of ethnic, religious, and other divides setting the country backward.

    Unfortunately, a unique feature of this year’s polls is that the country got more divided and set on a dangerous path.

    Aside from the harsh economy and unabating insecurity facing the country, the incoming government is faced with the burden of knitting the Nigerian state together as ought to be.

    A dangerous trend of disenfranchising voters suspected to be from an ethnic group, attacking them and chasing them away from voting happened in Lagos.

    This has created a deep-seated anger further weakening Nigeria’s unity. More worrying is the perceived complicity of the police institutions feigning neutrality in the face of obvious crime.

    While expressing worries that the 2023 elections proved that Nigeria has gotten more divided than he thought, a former president of the country, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo called for national reconciliation and a three-pronged solution.

    Obasanjo said “One, given what we saw during the election, Nigeria is now even more divided and more corroded than we thought. This places a deep onus on any administration following the current one to urgently facilitate the process of national moral rearmament and national reconciliation that will assuage the youths.

    “This must be done in sync with the imperative of national value orientation that Nigeria requires to build a collective sense of enduring and local values and national belonging.

    “Two, governance in Nigeria now calls for thinking outside the box, in terms of development financing, this has become inevitable in the face of Nigeria’s dwindling fortune, in oil revenue, Nigeria’s huge foreign indebtedness, and the urgency of diversifying Nigeria’s neo cultural economy.

    “My experience and understanding, however, is that the money to develop and grow our economy is out there if we provide a conducive environment for it to come and stay.

    “Three, political will: Political action and administrative efforts must be invested in reforming the public service into a capability-ready institution that could enable Nigeria’s development agenda beyond 2023”

    Joshua Okoria is a Lagos-based multi-skilled journalist covering the maritime industry. His ICT and graphic design skills make him a resourceful person in any modern newsroom. He read mass communication at the Olabisi Onabanjo University and has sharpened his knowledge in media practice from several other short courses
  • Labour Party Raises Alarm Over Plot to Disrupt Supplementary Poll in Edo

    Labour Party Raises Alarm Over Plot to Disrupt Supplementary Poll in Edo

    By Gloria Afajagbe

    The Labour Party (LP) has raised the alarm over plans by opposition parties to destabilize the conduct of the national and state assembly supplementary elections scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 15 across various wards in Edo State.

    A statement signed by the publicity secretary of the Labour Party, Sam Uroupa, urged relevant agencies to be at alert and use their offices to forestall the purported disruption.

    “We have to sound the alarm on behalf of the Edo State Labour Party and all peace-loving people of the State to draw the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boss, the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police Edo State, the Brigade commander, 4 Brigade Benin City, Director State Security Services (DSS) Edo State Command and all lovers of democracy across the world that plans have reached an advanced stage by some parties to compile and smuggle in fake results at the various affected polling units and collation centers.

    “We are equally aware of the plans of some actors to mobilize violence against our candidates and the electorate to disrupt the smooth conduct of the election specifically in Orhionmwon (ward nine and 10) /Uhunmwonde (some units) Federal Constituency supplementary elections; Oredo East (ward one, two, three and 12) and Egor (Ward four and three other units) for the Houses of Assembly supplementary elections.

    “In view of the above, we sincerely request that INEC in collaboration with the security agencies should ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of the supplementary elections in Edo State,” It stated.

    JournalNG had reported that the supplementary elections will be held in some wards and units in Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde federal constituency;
    Oredo East, Ovia South West, and Egor for the state house of assembly.

    Ismail Aniemu, Publisher of JournalNG and ghostwriter, is a maritime journalist with over two decades of practice with a multidisciplinary background. He holds a master’s degree in Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) with a bias for logistics. He is also an alumnus of the Times Journalism Institute where he obtained a post-graduate diploma in Journalism

  • INEC Suspends Collation of Adamawa Guber Election Result

    INEC Suspends Collation of Adamawa Guber Election Result

    By Gloria Afajagbe

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the Collation of Results in Adamawa state Governorship Election and voided the declaration of Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani as Governor-elect.

    In a statement signed by Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner, Information and Voter’s Education Committee, the commission summons the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the state, Hudu Yunusa over the controversial declaration.

    “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a purported declaration of winner in the Adamawa Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) even when the process has clearly not been concluded.

    “The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. It is null, void, and of no effect.

    “Consequently, the collation of the result of the supplementary election held yesterday 15th April 2023 is suspended forthwith.

    “The REC for Adamawa State and all other officials involved in the process are hereby directed to report immediately to INEC headquarters in Abuja,” the statement read in part.

    The electoral body, however, said it was deeply disturbed by the harassment of two Commissioners deployed to the state to ensure a peaceful and credible supplementary election.

    It urged the security agencies to provide the officials with necessary security and ensure that nothing untoward befalls them.

    “The two National Commissioners, the Returning Officer, and other staff of the Commission must be allowed to perform their duties without let or hindrance. The Commission will not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targeted at our officials or the process,” the INEC’s statement concluded.

    Senator Binani of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are the two main candidates in the election with Fintiri leading before Saturday’s rerun election in 69 polling units.

    Ismail Aniemu, Publisher of JournalNG and ghostwriter, is a maritime journalist with over two decades of practice with a multidisciplinary background. He holds a master’s degree in Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) with a bias toward logistics. He is also an alumnus of the Times Journalism Institute where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
  • INEC Suspends Adamawa REC for Declaring Binani Winner

    INEC Suspends Adamawa REC for Declaring Binani Winner

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa, Hudu Yunusa Ari over his controversial pronouncement of Aisha Binani as the winner of the state’s governorship election.

    The governorship poll was declared inconclusive last month with the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri in the lead, and a supplementary election was conducted last Saturday.

    However, with collation still ongoing on Sunday, Ari declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Binani winner, despite only Returning Officers having the responsibility of announcing results.

    INEC in a letter dated April 17, 2023, ordered Ari to stay away from the commission’s office in Yola, the state capital.

    The letter signed by the electoral umpire’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, directed the Administrative Secretary in Adamawa to take charge.

    “I hereby convey the Commission’s decision that you (Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari), Resident Electoral Commissioner, Adamawa State should stay away from the Commission’s office immediately until further notice.

     

    “The Administrative Secretary has been directed to take full charge of INEC, Adamawa State, with immediate effect”, it further read.

    Ismail Aniemu, Publisher of JournalNG and ghostwriter, is a maritime journalist with over two decades of practice with a multidisciplinary background. He holds a master’s degree in Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) with a bias for logistics. He is also an alumnus of the Times Journalism Institute where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in Journalism

     

  • INEC Declares Fintiri Winner of Adamawa Governorship Election

    INEC Declares Fintiri Winner of Adamawa Governorship Election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the Adamawa State governorship election, after a protracted collation exercise.

    Fintiri was re-elected after polling a total of 430,861 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Aisha Binani who got 398,738 votes.

    The governorship poll was declared inconclusive last month with Fintiri in the lead, and a supplementary election was conducted on Saturday, April 15, 2023.

    However, INEC suspended the collation of results on Sunday after the controversial pronouncement of Binani as the winner by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa, Hudu Yunusa Ari, while the process was yet to be concluded.

    Ari made the pronouncement despite not having the jurisdiction to do so; an usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer who is responsible for announcing results, prompting INEC to void the declaration of Binani as governor-elect.

    Ismail Aniemu, Publisher of JournalNG and ghostwriter, is a maritime journalist with over two decades of practice with a multidisciplinary background. He holds a master’s degree in Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) with a bias for logistics. He is also an alumnus of the Times Journalism Institute where he obtained a post-graduate diploma in Journalism