Politics
2023: Yiaga Africa Activates Election Observation Structures Nationwide
A Civil Society Organisation, Yiaga Africa, Monday, declared its preparedness to monitor the 2023 general elections with activation of observation structures nationwide.
The Director Programmes of the organization, Cynthia Mbamalu, disclosed this during a National Training of Trainers on the Parallel Vote Tabulation Methodology and Pre-election Observation (PREO) held in Lagos, saying Yiaga Africa through its Watching The Vote (WTV) project has reactivated its National election observation structure consisting of 48 State Focal Persons, 42 Master Trainers and 774 Local Government Supervisors across Nigeria in preparation to provide a comprehensive oversight on the electoral process.
According to Mbamalu, the 2023 General elections is an opportunity to provide independent oversight on the electoral process with quality data to counter misinformation and to build our electoral democracy.
She said: “If people do not trust the system, the voter turnout will not increase in the 2023 elections. The WTV will play an important role in building citizens’ confidence in the process by providing accurate and timely information on the process.
She also explained that election observation remains that service, which provides the materials for Nigerians to improve the electoral process.
Meanwhile, she (Mbamalu) hailed other observers and Civil Society Organizations for their active roles to ensure passage of the 2022 Electoral Act, and pointed to progressive provisions in the Electoral Act that can rapidly boost the Nigerian electoral process.
“The only thing that will ensure the Electoral Act achieves its purpose is our ability to educate the citizens on how the law can improve the process and guarantee transparency.
“It all starts with the leadership we provide as citizen observers who are engaging in voter education in our respective communities and we must engage with utmost diligence, dedication and honesty.
“Also, it is our ability to provide oversight on the electoral process, using existing laws and electoral guidelines and provide information on the functionality of election technology amongst other electoral processes”, she added.
However, she disclosed that the Parallel Vote Tabulation, PVT, methodology would be deployed during the 2023 general election, and would serve as Yiaga Africa’s
single source of truth to provide information on the electoral process and verify the accuracy of election results.
According to her, the PVT will serve as a conflict mitigation tool which will prevent or minimize post-election violence.
“Regardless of the nature of election, PVT will serve as a single source of truth”, she said. She also maintained that Yiaga Africa’s obligation is for all Nigerians alone and not any political party or institution.
Politics
Why I Won’t Help Tinubu’s Govt Overcome Economic Challenges – Sanusi
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, says he would not help President Bola Tinubu’s administration to correct the administration’s policies affecting the citizens.
Emir Sanusi spoke on Wednesday in Lagos as the chairman of the 21st Anniversary of Fawehinmiism (Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture 2025).
The emir stated that while there were “a few points” he could offer to explain the trajectory the administration had taken and how such decisions were predictable, he chose not to do so because “they don’t behave like friends.”
He said explaining the government’s policies would help the government, but he did not intend to assist them due to the way they had treated him.
“I can give a few points that are contrary, that explain perhaps what we’re going through and how it was totally predictable, most of it, and maybe avoidable. But I am not going to do that.
“I have chosen not to speak about the economy or the reforms or to even explain anything because if I explain, it would help this government, but I don’t want to help this government,” the emir said while addressing some of the points made by speakers about the economy.
He added: “You know they’re my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I don’t behave like a friend. So I watch them being stooges. And they don’t even have people with credibility who can come and explain what they are doing. I am not going to help. I started out helping, but I am not going to help. I am not going to discuss it. Let them come and explain to Nigerians why the policies that are being pursued are being pursued.
“Meanwhile, I’m watching a very nice movie with popcorn in my hands. But I will say one thing: What we are going through today is, at least in part, not totally, but at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.
“People were told decades ago that if you continue along this path, this is where you’re going to end up, and they refused to open their eyes. Now, is everything being done today correct? No.”
Emir Sanusi, who was deposed as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2020 by then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the current national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was reinstated as the 16th Emir of Kano in 2024 by the New Nigeria People’s Party-led Kano State Government.
His emirship has faced ongoing challenges from forces believed to be backed by the federal government, including federal officials’ continued recognition of his predecessor, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
Last month, the police barricaded his palace, with the state government accusing the federal government of orchestrating the action to stir unrest in the peaceful state.
Politics
Reps Loses Deputy Chief Whip
The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga, is dead.
Also known as Ijaya, Rt Hon. Onanuga, who was the member representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, is said to have died following a brief illness.
This was confirmed in a tweet on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday night.
Rt Hon Onanuga, who was born in Hammersmith, London, to Nigerian parents on December 2, 1965, was a politician and entrepreneur. She held the position of Deputy Chief Whip in the Nigerian House of Representatives since 2023.
She contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. She also served as the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
Politics
Aiyedatiwa Dissolves Cabinet, Retains Finance Commissioner, Attorney-General
Gov. Aiyedatiwa, however, exempted two members of the cabinet from the dissolution due to the critical nature of their duties.
The two commissioners exempted include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Mr Adeniyan said in the statement that “All the affected cabinet members are to hand over all government properties in their care to the accounting officers of their respective ministries.
Gov. Aiyedatiwa thanked the executive council members “for their service and contributions to the development of Ondo State under his administration and wished them well in their future endeavours”.
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