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Bye-Election: 12 Candidates Jostle For Gbajabiamila’s Seat In Surulere
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State, says 12 candidates of different political parties will be contesting the February 3 Surulere Federal Constituency I bye-election.
The Lagos State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Prof. Ayobami Salami, disclosed this yesterday at a Stakeholders’ meeting with the leadership of political parties, religion, and security among other stakeholders.
The Tide’s source recalls that the Surulere Federal Constituency I seat became vacant due to the resignation of the former occupant, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, who after winning, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as his Chief of Staff.
The REC said the purpose of the meeting was to brief party leaders on the commission’s level of preparedness for the forthcoming bye-election, scheduled for February 3.
“The commission is required by law to conduct a bye-election in Surulere federal constituency 1 to fill the vacancy arising from resignation of Gbajabiamila.
“It is worthy of note to inform us that this category of election belongs to the class of bye-elections, which are also fresh elections.
“To this end, it goes without saying that political parties must conduct fresh primaries within the time frame provided by the enabling instruments to elect their candidates.
“In tandem with the provisions of the enabling instruments, the following electoral activities have been undertaken so far, to ensure not only the smooth conduct of the process but also demonstrate its fairness and transparency.
“Notice of election was given on January 4, while party primaries to elect candidates held from Jan. 5 to Jan. 9.
“List of 14 political parties were forwarded from the national headquarters to partake in the process but only 12 political parties eventually participated and have been submitted to the national headquarters for publication,” Salami said.
He listed the candidates to include: Akinyemi Da-Sliva (Accord) Kayode Jelili (Action Alliance) Collins Aigbokhaode (African Democratic Congress) Fuad Laguda (All Progressives Congress) Jonathan Ololade (All Progressives Grand Alliance) and Samuel Ekwuruke (Allied People’s Movement).
Others are: Yinusa Adisa (Action People’s Party) Adeola Adebanjo (Labour Party) Jerry Afemighie (Peoples Democratic Party) Muyiwa Adedeji (Social Democratic Party); Oluwole Austine Brito (Young Progressive Party) Emereole Anthony (Zenith Labour Party).
According to him, recruitment and training of ad hoc officials to take part in the bye-election are on-going through root training.
“These ad hoc staff consist of serving corps members and INEC officials.
“The non-sensitive materials meant for the election have been arranged, while we await the delivery of sensitive materials,” the INEC boss said.
He said the essence of the meeting was also to keep all stakeholders on equal page in tandem with the mission statement of the commission which was to serve as an independent and effective Election Management Body (EMB).
Salami said that INEC was committed to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections for sustainable democracy.
“I want to assure all stakeholders that on our part, we are going to adhere strictly to our guiding principles and bring to bear, our core values with a view to ensuring that we midwife a process, devoid of any rancour or acrimony.
“Being a double edged game, the commission will also profoundly appreciate that the stakeholders play the game according to the established rules. The idea of ballot snatching, vote buying and thuggery should be jettisoned.
“Let us strive together to allow our democracy grow and stand the test of time, “ the INEC boss said.
Also speaking, the INEC Administrative Secretary, Mrs Feyijimi Saseyi, who recognised past efforts of the critical stakeholders, called for more cooperation and collaboration saying: “INEC work with rules and regulations.”
Saseyi advised party stakeholders to always approach INEC for any clarification when in doubt or confused.
Addressing the stakeholders on level of preparedness, Mr Gabriel Abidakun, INEC Head of Department (HOD) Election Party Monitoring said that primary elections, if properly carried out by political parties, was to deepen internal democracy within the party.
Abidakun, who noted that the next phase of the exercise was campaign, said that public campaigns by political parties would commence on Jan. 18 and end on Feb. 1.
“Take violence out of the campaign. Eschew violence. The space is wide enough for all political parties to campaign. Do your campaign without violence.
“Take permission from constituted authority before open air rallies and processions. Adhere to the spending limits and date for the submission of the party agents.
“Avoid foul language, sell your candidate and leave them alone to make their choice,” Abidakun said.
Also speaking, Mrs Oluyemi Adeyemi -Showunmi, the HOD, Electoral Operations, said that Surulere Federal Constituency I consisted of six Registration Areas (Wards) and 258 Polling Units.
According to her, the total number of registered voters in the six wards remained the same at 140,377, while only 121, 111 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were collected.
Adeyemi-Showunmi said the commission had begun batching non sensitive materials which would soon be distributed.
Also, Mr Muyiwa Yusuf, the INEC HOD ICT explained that no fewer than 258 Bimodal Accreditation Voter Machine (BVAS) aside back up BVAS, would be deployed, adding that the configuration of the machine would soon start.
The Tide source reports that other INEC HODs also took turns to explain to the stakeholders, their level of preparations for the election.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.