Politics
Party Primaries: We’ll Stand By Reports Of Our Monitors, INEC Insists
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally clarified its stance regarding the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections in Yobe North and Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial districts for the 2023 elections, saying the Commission will only stand by the reports of its monitors sent to monitor the exercises.
The nation’s electoral body also said the Commission is currently funtus officio in the two cases.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and the immediate-past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, are reported to be angling to replace the initial winners of the Yobe North and Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial tickets respectively.
The Tide source reports that Hon. Bashir Sheriff Machina was duly announced as winner of the APC Yobe North ticket while DIG Udom Ekpoudom (rtd) was duly announced as the Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene) senatorial district ticket on the platform of APC.
In a statement signed and issued on Saturday in Abuja by the INEC national commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, titled, ‘Clarification on Issues Relating to Candidate Nomination and Release of Certified True Copies of Documents’, said the allegations of underhand dealings against INEC regarding the two senatorial tickets were intended to impugn the integrity of the Commission.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to speculations circulating online on the outcome of some of the recent primaries conducted by political parties and related issues.
“In particular, allegations intended to impugn the integrity of the Commission have been made in respect of the Akwa Ibom North West and Yobe North Senatorial Districts.
“To set the record straight, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria mandates the Commission to monitor the organisation and operation of political parties, including their finances, conventions, congresses and party primaries. In line with its constitutional and legal obligations, the Commission deployed monitors to the various constituencies and received reports of such exercise.
“In relation to the primaries for the Akwa Ibom North West and Yobe North Senatorial Districts, the Commission stands by the monitoring reports received from our State offices.”
For these reasons, Okoye said the Commission did not publish the personal particulars of any candidate for the two senatorial districts at variance with the reports, which emanated from the States.
“Right now, the Commission is funtus officio in the two cases. Aggrieved parties are at liberty to approach the Federal High Court and seek redress as provided in section 285 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and sections 29(5) and 84(14) of the Electoral Act, 2022.”
On the issuance of Certified True Copies (CTCs) of documents, he said the staff of the Commission have been working round the clock, including weekends, to meet the deluge of requests received.
As at Friday, July 8, 2022, he said the Commission had processed 433 requests involving the certification of 1,662,776 pages of documents.
He said many of them were awaiting collection at the INEC headquarters by some of the same applicants complaining of delay in issuance of the CTCs.
“Section 29 (4) of the Electoral Act provides that any person may apply to the Commission for a copy of nomination form, affidavit, and any other document submitted by a candidate at an election and the Commission shall, upon payment of a prescribed fee, issue such person with a certified copy of document within 14 days. Persons applying for CTC of documents should endeavor to act timely and within the ambit of the law.
“The Commission will continue to uphold the integrity of the electoral process, including the deepening of the deployment of technology to enhance the credibility of elections,” he added.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed a fire incident at its office in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a post on its official X handle, yesterday, the Commission stated that about 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, and other items were destroyed by the inferno.
According to the post, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Delta State, Mr. Etekamba Udo Umoren, confirmed the incident in a report.
The report explained that the incident occurred on Monday afternoon due to a sudden power surge following the restoration of the public power supply.
“The store’s section where petrol generators and other items were kept was completely razed.
“Items destroyed in the inferno include 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, three electric power generators, 140 stamps, 50 ballot box seals and assorted items such as envelopes, posters, forms and booklets.
“Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities. The incident has been reported to the security agencies and emergency services for a thorough investigation.
“The Commission appreciates the cooperation of the Nigeria Police Force and the Delta State Fire Service for their response,” INEC stated.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has impeached Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker.
Rt Hon. Obasa, who is serving his third term as Speaker, was removed from his position over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The 52-year-old lawmaker, who represents Agege State Constituency I, became Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015.
Rt Hon. Mojisola Meranda, the Deputy Speaker, was subsequently elected to lead the House.
Rt Hon. Meranda, who took her oath of office immediately, would serve as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State legislature.
Speaking to journalists after Rt Hon. Obasa’s impeachment last Monday, a member of the House said the decision was unanimous.
The legislator also confirmed that all principal positions and standing committees in the Assembly have been dissolved
“It is just a change of baton. It is only death that is constant. Change is inevitable,” the member said.
“The members of the parliament, today, have decided to change the leadership of the House. And the constitution makes it clear that the House has the power to regulate its proceedings.
“So, members of the House felt we have had enough of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; and today, we have unanimously agreed that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda becomes the Speaker.
“It was a resolution concurred to by all members of the parliament and so be it. Honourable Fatai Adebola is Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly.
“And as we speak, all the principal positions have been dissolved. All standing committees stand dissolved”, he added.
In 2023, the Assembly faced public backlash after rejecting 17 out of 39 commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
At the time, Rt Hon. Obasa denied any rift with the governor, although the issue prompted a meeting with the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
More recently, the Rt Hon. Obasa-led Assembly proposed a bill to restructure local governance in the state.
The bill sought to replace the existing 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created in 2003 by Bola Tinubu, former governor of the state, with democratically elected local governments, recognising only 20 LGAs as outlined in the 1999 Constitution.
However, in a statement seen as a counter, Cornelius Ojelabi, the APC chairman in Lagos State, insisted that elections would still hold in the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in 2025.
Rt Hon. Obasa was impeached following a motion moved under the Matter of Urgent Public Importance by Femi Saheed.
Hon. Saheed, in line with provision of section 92(2) (C) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, accused Rt Hon. Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership, which included perpetual lateness to legislative sessions and meetings; high handedness and lack of regard for members; gross abuse of office and privileges; intimidation and oppression of members by inciting them against one another, amongst others.
He mentioned that Rt Hon. Obasa also practised an authoritarian and undemocratic leadership style in discharging his duties.
He, therefore, moved the motion for impeachment.
Following the adoption of the motion, the impeachment was made by the 32 members through a voice vote.
Subsequently, Rt Hon. Meranda emerged as the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, while Fatai Mojeed emerged as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
In a related development, the House also suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko. He was replaced with Mr. Abubakar Ottun as Acting Clerk of the House.
Later, Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, while speaking with newsmen on behalf of the lawmakers, explained why the members changed the leadership of the House.
According to him, “The Lagos State House of Assembly has declared its decision to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The impeachment was a unanimous decision by the lawmakers.
“The lawmakers agreed to take this step to safeguard our image and Lagos State. Change is inevitable, and we felt it was time for a new direction.
“All standing committees and principal officer positions have been dissolved. We are determined to work together to elevate the Assembly and deliver on our responsibilities to Lagosians.”
He explained that the Constitution empowers the Assembly to regulate its proceedings, and members reached a consensus to end Obasa’s tenure.
The lawmakers assured the public of their commitment to the progress and stability of Lagos State under the new leadership.
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