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2023: Yiaga Africa Activates Election Observation Structures Nationwide

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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.

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Gov Alia Appoints TuFace As Adviser

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Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”

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Oborevwori, Okowa Dump PDP For APC

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Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Speakers Conference Tasks FG, Governors On Wanton Killings

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The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.

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