INEC Declares Fr. Hycinth Alia Winner Of Benue Governorship Seat

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INEC Declares Fr. Hycinth Alia Winner Of Benue Governorship Seat

The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Fr. Hycinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the governorship election in Benue.

This INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Farouk Kuta, who is also the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Minna, announced the result in Makurdi on Monday.

He said Alia won the election with 473,933 votes to defeat his closest rival, Titus Uba of the PDP who got 223,913 votes.

The returning officer said though election did not hold in Kwande Local Government Area, the difference in votes between Alia and the PDP candidate was 251,020 votes.

Kuta said explained that the election in Kwande LGA would not substantially affect the final vote tally even if it was held.

He added that he took the decision to announce the result in line with Section 24(2) of the Electoral Act.

Imo Governorship: Labour Party Reenforces To Sack Uzodinma Govt, Ex- Senator Joins Race

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Imo Governorship: Labour Party Reenforces To Sack Uzodinma Govt, Ex- Senator Joins Race

By Joshua Chibuzo Andrew , Owerri

The November 11, 2023 Imo State Governorship Election is becoming very interesting as Imo Ex Senator, Nneji Athan Achonu joined Governorship race with the platform of the Labour party to unseat Hope Uzodinma APC led administration.

Senator Achonu, a very close friend to the former president of Nigeria, (Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo), who represented Imo North senatorial district shortly in the 8th Assembly House.

Imo Ex Senator purchased his nomination and declaration of interest form for Imo Governorship race under the platform of labour party, to battle other seven aspirants who have already purchased gubernatorial form in the Labour party.

Recall that the labour party had issued a statement last week to Sack the incumbent Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma from the Douglas House through November 2023 Governorship Poll.

However, the movement of the LP in Imo State and southeast, according to some political analyst have out shined the peoples Democratic party (PDP) and other opposition political parties in the East.

It is however on record that Imo LP have sold gubernatorial aspiration form to over six aspirants in Imo, including Chief Humphrey Anumodu, Honourable Ike C Ibe, senator Chris Anyanwu, Gen Ogunewe(Rtd) Martin Agbaso, Basil Maduka Athan Nneji and others who are in the race to battle Govenor Uzodinma in the ballot.

Meanwhile, apart from the former Governor of Imo State, honourable Emeka Ihedioha and PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, no Imo citizen have declared interest to run Governorship with the platform of the PDP.

This is enough to say that the forces of labour party in Imo State have shadowed the PDP family and other opposition parties.

History has revealed that since the practice of Democracy in Imo State, from 1999-date, this is the first time a military General (Rtd) is declaring interest to govern Imo State (Gen. Jack Ogunewe).

Another Mentally Challenged Woman Gives Birth in Anambra, Seeks to Re-unite with Family

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Another Mentally Challenged Woman Gives Birth in Anambra, Seeks to Re-unite with Family

 

By Izunna Okafor, Onitsha

Another mentally challenged woman has been delivered of a baby girl in Onitsha commercial city of Anambra State.

The mentally challenged woman, identified as Adaora, was said to have given birth to her beautiful baby over the weekend.

According to reports trending on the social media, Adaora was assisted by some nurses who live around the area —the Woliwo Layout, Onitsha —where she gave birth. She was said to have given birth at about 8.pm on Saturday, while information about her childbirth was observed to have over the media space on Monday, following her expression of interest and intent to re-unite with her family members.

According to a concerned citizen who publicised the information on her social media handle, the mentally challenged woman said she hailed from Akaegbu Village in Akokwa, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State.

The concerned citizen, in her post, also called on people from Akokwa who may know the lady to come to Chimezie Motors, opposite Izuchukwu Transport Company, and ask of her, as she has expressed interest to re-unite with her family members.

It would be recalled that another mentally challenged woman in Onitsha had also similarly delivered a baby boy just few hours after she was rescued through the assistance of some good-spirited individuals, sometime in January 2020,

Calling a Sitting IGP to Order: The Imperative of Addressing the Hopelessness and Helplessness of PSC – By Emeka Oraetoka

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Calling a Sitting IGP to Order: The Imperative of Addressing the Hopelessness and Helplessness of PSC – By Emeka Oraetoka

It is not true that PSC has no power to recruit IGP because he, the IGP was first recruited into the police force by PSC before he rose to the rank of IGP. What the Constitution did not assign to PSC is the power to appoint IGP within the rank of qualified persons to that office. It follows that the PSC should have the power to at least recommend the suspension of the IGP to the President in council; where necessary. This will enable the Nigeria Police Force maintain the much desired professional discipline and cohesion-Nigerians for professionalism and discipline in Nigeria Police Force.

That a sitting Inspector General of Police (IGP) is not answerable to the President and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the Police Service Commission (PSC); is perhaps the greatest disservice to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). So, how does the President oversights the IGP? Or is a sitting IGP equivalent to creaser’s wife, who is above suspicion?

The1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended clearly defined the functions of PSC. Specifically, the mandate of PSC reads: The Commission is one of the Federal Executive Bodies captured in Section 153 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended;

Paragraph 29 and 30 of the third Schedule of the Constitution states that;

The Commission shall have power to –

(a) Appoint persons to offices (other than office of the Inspection-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force; and

(b) Dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding any office referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph.

Also Section 6 of the Police Service Commission (ESTABLISHMENT) ACT, 2001 holds true on the powers of PSC.

In spite of the constitutional mandate of PSC, the commission appears helpless and hopeless in discharging its function because of the fact that it has no Authority (legitimate power) over the Office of the Inspector General of Police (OIGP). The drafters of the constitution should have known that immediately you elevate someone who has been under an authority, above that authority, the institution is destroyed automatically. The constitutional elevation of IGP above PSC via the non assignment of power to the commission to call a sitting IGP to order , is not in the best interest of both the PSC and the Nigeria Police Force, in terms of discipline and cohesion. The unnecessary power tussle being witnessed almost on a daily basis, between the PSC and the IGP is clearly a direct result of the constitutional elevation of the IGP above PSC; thereby giving the IGP “above the law” status. If not so, why would the office of the IGP be in court with PSC over an issue that is clearly outside the IGP’s jurisdiction? Will this be contemplated if the PSC has constitutionally defined oversight function over the office of the IGP? At best, the relationship between the IGP’s office and PSC can be likened to what follows when the proprietor of a school, tells a class teacher, in the presence of his pupils, that the teacher must not raise his stick against anyone in the class, notwithstanding the offence committed.

It is obvious that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has no avenue of over-sighting the activity of the Inspector General of Police, and that is a big problem confronting policing in Nigeria today. Shortly after the 2015 Presidential election, the then president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) sacked the IGP, Suleiman Abba. The action of the President, clearly confirmed the absence of an established body that oversights the IGP. If there is, a recommendation for the sacking of the IGP would have emanated from that body. This practice of recommendation either for the sacking or suspension of Police Chief, where necessary, is what is obtainable in other climes.

This writer was privy to about over hundred plus (100+) letters written to IGP Ibrahim Idris in around 2015, by PSC for interaction on how to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of police in general. It is annoying and frustrating to note that Ibrahim Idris never honored nor replied any of the letters from PSC. It was this rude behavior from IGP Ibrahim Idris and the attendant helplessness of PSC that prompted the lamentation by retired IGP Mike Okiro, the then Chairman of PSC, in a newspaper article where he said that IGP Ibrahim Idris was suffering from “Non authority of hire and fire syndrome” and that is probably the primary reason for a lot of body language induced indiscipline in the Nigeria Police today. When an Inspector General of Police, refuses to honour a simple letter from PSC, he sends a dangerous message through his body language, to policemen under his command that nothing can happen to them, irrespective of the issue on ground. By that body language, the IGP thus gives policemen license to behave the way and manner they like, since their IGP cannot be sanctioned by the President via PSC, for whatever reason.

In 2017, the then IGP, Ibrahim Idris was in the eye of the storm after being accused of corruption by Senator Isah Misau, who was the Chairman of Senate Committee on Navy. The Police authorities in turn accused him of vendetta over being under investigation for alleged desertion of the Police. That show of shame would not have been contemplated, if the Police Service Commission has oversight function over the IGP. Senator Isah Misau who resigned his commission as Police officer before becoming a Senator, would have routed his accusation against the IGP through the PSC, if the commission has power to call the IGP to order. Similarly, the disgrace of the former IGP Tarfa Balogun by the EFCC would not have happened, if the PSC was empowered to oversight the office of the Inspector General of Police. Because whatever allegation(s) EFCC had against him, Tarfa, would have been reported to the President through the PSC.

The helplessness of PSC occasioned by “Non authority of hire and fire syndrome” lamentation of Sir Mike Okiro, went a step further under Musilu Smith’s PSC leadership, when Mohameed Abubaker Adamu-led police management went to court against PSC over recruitment of police constables. If not for the disrespect IGP has for PSC, why should Police under Adamu go to court with PSC over what is captured in black and white in the constitution as the function of the commission? For avoidance of doubt, here is what is in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended; Paragraph 29 and 30 of the third Schedule of the Constitution states that; The Commission shall have power to – (a) Appoint persons to offices (other than office of the Inspection-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force;—.

Nothing can be more humiliating to Police Service Commission (PSC) than the court case instituted by IGP-led Nigeria Police Force over who has the constitutional mandate to (Appoint, Hire or Recruit) persons to offices (other than office of the Inspection-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force. The lamentation of the Chairman of PSC, Rtd IGP, Musilu Smith on 29th, January 2022, as reported in many informative dallies, clearly explained the precarious situation the PSC has found itself in terms of not having power to oversight the IGP. That Nigeria Police Force took PSC to court of first instance, and got a favorable judgment against it, is enough reason for the IGP in office when the court case was instituted to be punished or even dismissed from the police force.

In a sane clime, will the establishment that has the same power as PSC and with oversight function on IGP, be explaining itself to anyone in this circumstance? If PSC has oversight power on IGP, will it be necessary to say this: “It is necessary to state unequivocally that the recruitment of police officers from the rank of constables to Cadet Inspectors and Cadet ASPs are and remains the constitutional responsibility of the commission and this was also affirmed not long ago by a judgment of the Federal Court of Appeal”?. What the PSC would have done was to recommend the suspension of IGP to the President because it was clearly an act of insubordination on the part of the IGP. To this writer, the court case instituted by the then IGP marked the peak of humiliation of PSC.

Instances of the practice of total Police oversight abound around the world. In Denmark, the equivalent of the Police Service Commission is Danish Independent Police Complaints Authority (DIPCA). The body has powers of oversight over All Police officers, including their National Police Commissioner in Denmark. For instance, among the powers vested on DIPCA is to inquire if the Police have abused their powers and this applies to their National Police Commissioner as well.

Similarly, in Fiji the Constitutional Office Commission (COC) which is equivalent to Nigeria’s PSC has oversight powers over their Police Commissioner. COC exercised this power of recommendation not too long ago, when the pacific island nation’s COC recommended to President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere the suspension of the Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho. In South Africa, the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service (CSPS) performs the same function as the PSC in Nigeria, but it has an oversight function over the South African Police Service (SAPS), including the National Police Commissioner.

Finally, the time has come for further amendment of Paragraph 29 and 30 of the third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which states that The Commission shall have power to –

(a) Appoint persons to offices (other than office of the Inspection-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force; and

(b) Dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding any office referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph. TO INCLUDE:

(c) Exercise disciplinary control, including suspension recommendation to the President and commander–in-chief of the armed forces, in the Police Council, over the (Inspector General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force. This will enable the Nigeria Police Force maintain the much desired discipline, professionalism, cohesion and sanity.

–

Emeka Oraetoka

Information Management and Research Consultant.

Wrote in from Abuja

E-mail:giltsdaimension@gmail.com

GSM: 09039094636, 08056031187.

Save Enugu from avoidable crisis now, CLO tells INEC

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Save Enugu from avoidable crisis now, CLO tells INEC

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Southeast Zone has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately rise up to the occasion and save Enugu state from avoidable crisis by resolving the logjam encountered in the governorship election held on Saturday.

Chairman of CLO South east Zone, Comrade Aloysius Attah in a statement released in Enugu Monday morning noted with dismay that INEC  State Returning Officer , Resident Electoral Commissioner  and other actors in the commission are being pressured to thwart the peoples’ will.

The CLO said incontrovertible evidence from the outcome of the polls has shown that the majority people of Enugu State spoke in loud voices with their votes on whom they want to represent them in government starting from the Presidential/ National Assembly polls till last Saturday when they re-echoed their stance once more by ensuring that Labour Party maintained the majority in House of Assembly and in various local government results for the governorship elections.

The organisation called on INEC to resist any form of pressure or inducement in accepting the evidently flawed results procured from Nkanu East local government area and therefore save the commission and its agents from public odium and disgrace with its attendant consequences which may literally set Enugu State on fire.

“Tension is building up already across different parts of the state by the restive youths who are not taking chances these days in allowing their mandate to be stolen by any political actor or parties.  The desperation to take power by hook or crook being exhibited by some forces leaves much to be desired while those who read the signs of the present times don’t need any prophet or seer to tell them that things have changed.

“It is our unshaken position that input legitimacy should not be toyed with at any time in the democratic process as the process through which a public official emerges into public office is very much vital as to also what the public person does in office after getting power.

“Subverting the peoples’ will in a brazen manner and resort to the provocative slogan “If not satisfied, go to court” will not be accepted anymore in Enugu State and henceforth in the entire Southeast region.   The people deserve the kind of a leader they gave their consent to,  through the democratic process of voting and no more shall they be deprived of this their guaranteed democratic rights.

“To do the contrary poses serious danger to the society and we implore INEC and other desperate politicians to avoid setting Enugu state on fire by their actions or inactions.  Let the outcome of the final result be a reflection of the wish of the electorates who braved all odds to come out and exercise their franchise” the CLO stated..

 

Six INEC officials missing in Kogi

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Six INEC officials missing in Kogi

BY SULE TAHIR.

No fewer than Six persons were allegedly feared missing when unknown gunmen attacked six Hummer buses carrying INEC officials in Kogi in the early hours of Sunday.

Reports from Kogi state has indicated  that the incident, which occurred around 2 a.m of March 19 at Abajana, left several officials with gun shot wounds including policemen and drivers.

The six missing persons include two serving NYSC corps members and four ex-corpers.

The injured persons are already on admission at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), now Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.

Salisu Ibrahim, one of the bus drivers, who was shot on his right leg, and recuperating at the hospital, told our reporter that the attackers took them by surprise.

“We were on our way back to Lokoja from Abujor RAC with the results of the House of Assembly election held there, when we were attacked by some people.

“All the six buses moving in a convoy were attacked and in the process many of us sustained injuries.

“Thank God, none of us died in the process but I learnt some corpers are missing during the attack on us this early morning,” Ibrahim narrated.

Dare Owofadaju, a youth corps member who was shot on his left thigh, said: “It is only God that kept us alive considering the way and manner the gunmen attacked us.”

Owofadaju said that the election was conducted peacefully and counting was completed, and “it was when we were returning to Lokoja that we were attacked at Abajana”.

“Thank God some security operatives came to our rescue and rushed those of us injured to this Federal University Teaching Hospital Lokoja for immediate treatment,” he narrated.

Impeaceble sources gathered that the Commander, Headquarters Command Army Records (CAR), Maj-Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, Kogi INEC REC, Dr Hale Longpet, and the Kogi NYSC Coordinator, Mofoluwaso Williams, have visited the injured in the hospital.

The REC and the state NYSC coordinator declined to respond to enquiries on the incident.

But the spokesman for Kogi Police Command, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, confirmed the incident, saying that the police were on top of the situation.

“We are aware of the sad incident and preparing to issue a statement on the attack,” he said.

APC director killed after being abducted in Rivers

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APC director killed after being abducted in Rivers

BY SULE TAHIR.

The Campaign Director of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ahoada-West Local Government Area of Rivers State has been killed hours after he was abducted.

The deceased was reportedly abducted by the unknown gunmen who were dressed in police uniform while he was casting his vote at Ibagwa polling unit 2, Ward 10 in Ahoada West LGA.

Lennard was exercising his franchise during the governorship and state assembly elections when the incident happened.

According to reports, the APC chieftain was making efforts to stop the gunmen from snatching election materials when he was whisked away to an unknown destination.

The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Darlington Nwauju confirmed the incident to our reporter on Sunday.

You’re a Serial Blackmailer —Soludo Replies Intersociety on Vote Buying Allegation

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You’re a Serial Blackmailer —Soludo Replies Intersociety on Vote Buying Allegation

 

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo has debunked the allegation that his administration spent a total sum of 3.5 billion naịra on vote buying in the last Saturday House of Assembly election in the state.

The Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Aburime debunked the allegation on behalf of the Governor through a statement he issued to newsmen on Monday, in which he described the allegation as baseless, untrue, despicable and illogical.

According to him, the allegation was made by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), an organisation, he said, does not serve any useful purpose to the society, while its members have a track record of blackmailing people over the years.

Aburime also faulted the allegation on the background that it is coming at a time of acute shortage of cash due to the Federal Government Naira Redesign Policy, which, he said, sadly exposes the devilish intentions of the writer(s).

While calling on members of the public to disregard the allegation as bogus, the Soludo’s spokesman said “Governor Soludo does not need to buy votes to win election. He is a democrat who enjoys the overwhelming support of the good people of Anambra State.”

“The bogus claims by the author(s) are figment of their imagination and should be disregarded by Ndi Anambra and the general public,” he said.

78m children risk water-related crisis in Nigeria–UNICEF

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78m children risk water-related crisis in Nigeria–UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says 78 million children in Nigeria are at the risk of three water-related threats.

UNICEF listed the threats to include inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); related diseases; and climate hazards.

This is contained in statement signed by UNICEF Nigeria Chief of WASH, Dr Jane Bevan, on Monday.

“In Nigeria, one-third of children do not have access to at least basic water at home, and two-thirds do not have basic sanitation services.

“Hand hygiene is also limited, with three-quarters of children unable to wash their hands due to lack of water and soap at home.

“As a result, Nigeria is one of the 10 countries that carry the heaviest burden of child deaths from diseases caused by inadequate WASH, such as diarrhea diseases, “Bevan said.

She called for an investment in climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

According to her, such move is not only a matter of protecting children’s health today, but also ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

“I believe we need to rapidly scale-up investment in the sector, including from global climate financing, strengthen climate resilience in the WASH sector and communities.

“Also, increase effective and accountable systems, coordination, and capacities to provide water and sanitation services, and implement the UN-Water SDG6 Global Acceleration Framework, “ she said.

Gov Poll: Kefas wins Taraba in a landslide, to clear off salaries backlog within 100 days

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Gov Poll: Kefas wins Taraba in a landslide, to clear off salaries backlog within 100 days

The Taraba State governorship candidate, Lt col, Agbu Kefas (retd) has been declared winner in a tightly contested race.

Kefas polled a total of 236, 712 votes with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), trailing at second and third place respectively.

A statement issued on Monday by the Spokesperson of Kefas, Emmanuel Bello, attributed the success to the doggedness of the electorate and the campaign council.

According to him, the victory was an indication of the dominance of the PDP in the state.

He also said that the youths were the real owners of the success for the role they played.

Bello said that Kefas would make the youths the centerpiece of his administration by major empowerment policies.

According to him, Kefas would achieve a lot in his first 100 days in office, including paying off salaries backlog to civil servants in the state.

Speaking on the victory too, a chieftain of the PDP in Taraba State, Hon. Nuru Dantsoho, said the victory was a vindication of the party’s performance in the state.

While congratulating Kefas, he said Taraba State would experience massive development.

A governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Dr. David Charima said Kefas emergence would usher in greater unity and peace in the state.

He said he has no doubt Kefas would perform creditably well.

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