INEC removes Doguwa’s name from Rep elect list

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INEC removes Doguwa’s name from Rep elect list

BY SULE TAHIR.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the name of the embattled majority leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, from the list of election winners.

The electoral body had declared him as the winner of the February 25 election in the Doguwa/Tudunwada constituency.

The returning officer, Professor Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai had earlier announced that Doguwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 39,732 votes to defeat his closest rival, Yushau Salisu Abdullahi of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) who polled 34,798 votes.

But in the newly released list of members-elect, Doguwa’s name was conspicuously absent.

In the remark session, INEC stated that the declaration was made under duress.

In a viral video of the returning officer declaring the results, the don from Bayero University, Kano could be seen reading out the results with a shaky voice.

Recalls that following election violence recorded in the constituency after the election, AIT reported that Doguwa was arrested by the Police for his alleged role in the killings of several persons and burning of the secretariat of the NNPP, an allegation the lawmaker has denied vehemently.

The police had confirmed that at least three persons were killed while the campaign secretariat of the NNPP in Tudunwada was set ablaze with two persons burnt to death.

Doguwa was thereafter taken before a magistrate’s court on the charges of murder, arson and unlawful possession of firearms, and was subsequently remanded in prison.

But a Federal High Court in Kano on Monday admitted the embattled lawmaker to N500million bail but barred him from his constituency during the forthcoming gubernatorial and state assembly elections.

APC Taraba Candidate, Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha Exposed In BVAS Manipulation Attempt

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APC Taraba Candidate, Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha Exposed In BVAS Manipulation Attempt

BY SULE TAHIR

The governorship candidate of the ruling APC in Taraba state, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha has been exposed in an alleged attempt to manipulate the BVAS device ahead of the governorship election which was rescheduled to Saturday, 18th Of March, 2023.

This allegation was revealed by intelligent reports from Taraba, making it known that Bwacha has stored BVAS devices in a building in Jalingo and has perfected plans to thumbprint on them before the election date.

According to reports, Senator Emmanuel has connived with staffers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make the plans work, showing his desperation to win the election.

It would be recalled that the Nigeria police force raided the home of the APC governorship candidate in Niger state over reports that he has stored BVAS machines in his house with the aim of thumb printing on them. It appears this is a strategy of the APC candidates especially in places where they know they have slim chances at winning in the governorship elections.

Although, the source didn’t reveal if Senator Emmanuel has started the process of thumb printing but anytime from now, He has planned to start with the assistance of INEC officials who have been paid millions of naira and promised appointments when he fraudulently emerges as governor of Taraba state.

Breaking News: Train Collides With Bus In Lagos [Video]

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Breaking News: Train Collides With Bus In Lagos [Video]
A number of people are feared dead with many others injured following the collision of a BRT bus with a passenger train in Lagos.
The incident occurred in Ikeja-Along area on Thursday morning.
The number of casualties or injured remains uncertain.
Stay tuned

Breaking News: Member APC Guber Campaign Team Shot Dead, Others Injured In Bauchi

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Breaking News: Member APC Guber Campaign Team Shot Dead, Others Injured In Bauchi

Information reaching 247ureports.com indicates that a member of the All Peogressive Congress [APC] gubernatorial campaign team was fatally shot dead while many others where left injured during a campaign tour in Duguri town of Alkaleri local government area council in Bauchi State.

Eye witness account indicate the incident occurred on Wednesday evening at a campaign event when some APC chieftains including the gubernatorial candidate, Air Marshall Sadique Baba who was also in attendance when members of the crowd began to chant in Hausa language ‘Bamayi’.

The chants infuriated the APC members and the chieftains. The event quickly turned violent as the APC members tried to violently silence the chanting crowd. It immediately turned bloody.

Stay turned

Police neutralise 3 suspected gunmen, recover 50 arms

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Police neutralise 3 suspected gunmen, recover 50 arms

The Police Command in Ebonyi has neutralised three and arrested two suspected gunmen in the state.

This is contained in a statement on Wednesday in Abakaliki by SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, Public Relations Officer of the command.

According to Onovwakpoyeya, Police also recovered two AK-47 riffle, one locally made pistol, one AK-47 magazine, 30 AK-47 live ammunition, among others.

He said the police also recovered 20 AK-47 expended ammunition and other incriminating items.

“On March 7, at 23.45 hours, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ivo Divisional Headquarters received a distressed call that gunmen were firing sporadically and have set ablaze two vehicles and a filling station.

“On receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer swung into action and left for the scene. While at the scene, an information revealed that unknown gunmen were sighted sitting down in a public place at Ogwor community in Ishiagu.

“While on their way, the men were ambushed and attacked, and an Assistant Superintendent of Police was shot, but the patrol team engaged the hoodlums with a superior fire power.

“During the gun duel, one of the hoodlums was neutralised and others fled with bullet wounds.

“The DPO immediately called the Headquarters for reinforcement.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Sunday Olaleye intercepted the distress call and immediately directed tactical teams to storm the place with the description of the vehicle and the route through which the hoodlums were escaping.

“On sighting the police operatives the hoodlums engaged them in a gun duel at Osso junction, where two of the hoodlums were equally neutralised and two arrested,” Onovwakpoyeya said.

Meanwhile, the CP warned the gunmen to drop their arms and relocate from the state if they wished to remain alive.

He enjoined the general public to go about their lawful businesses without fear of intimation as the command was on top gear in discharging its statutory responsibilities of protecting life and property.

Army raid kidnappers den, rescue commissioner in C/River

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Army raid kidnappers den, rescue commissioner in C/River

Troops of 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Calabar, deployed for Operation Akpakwu, have rescued the Commissioner for Women Affairs in Cross River, Mrs Gertrude Njar, from captivity.

The announcement of her rescue is contained in a statement by Capt. Dorcas Aluko, Army Public Relations Officer, 13 Brigade, Calabar on Wednesday.

The Commissioner was kidnapped on Feb. 1 in Mayne Avenue area, Calabar South.

”Acting on actionable intelligence on victim’s whereabout, troops laid a tacit ambush for the kidnappers around Peter Effiong Creek, Messembe, Jebs.

”The gallant troops tactically sprung an ambush to take the kidnappers by surprise while on search of the victim.

”In the ensuing melee, the criminals abandoned the victim and fled into the creeks,” Aluko said.

She added that the troops were on the trail of the fleeing criminals.

According to Aluko, the victim is currently receiving medical treatment, after which she will be discharged.

”The Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army commends troops for their gallantry and urges them to sustain the tempo against all criminal elements in the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.

”Members of the general public are also encouraged to continue providing timely and accurate information on criminal activities within their vicinities,” she said.

Breaking News: INEC Postpones Governorship Election Over BVAS Reconfiguration [Daily Trust]

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Breaking News: INEC Postpones Governorship Election Over BVAS Reconfiguration [Daily Trust]

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the postponement of the governorship and state house of assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, 11 March to 18 March, 2023.

It was learnt that the postponement was due to the inability of the commission to commence the re-configuration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used for the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, to enable their use for the state elections.

Authoritative sources told Daily Trust that the commission management is currently holding a meeting, where it was considering either 18 March or 25 March for the elections.

It was however learnt that 18 March was chosen.

“You know that the BVAS re-configuration would take three or four days and since they would all be moved to the headquarters in Abuja, the machines would be re-configured and deployed to the various states and finally to the polling units,” one of the officials said.

Ahead Of Gubernatorial And State Assembly Elections, DSS Cautions Political Players To Be Law Abiding

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Ahead Of Gubernatorial And State Assembly Elections, DSS Cautions Political Players To Be Law Abiding

Press Release

The Department of State Services (DSS) alerts the public of orchestrated plans by some persons to cause a total breakdown of law and order in the country shortly after the 11th March, 2023 Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections. It also wishes to draw attention to the unnecessary palpable political tension in parts of the country prior to the elections under reference. It is observed that some of the players are at daggers drawn with one another. The development holds dire consequences for national peace and stability.

It is in view of these that the Service warns politicians and their supporters to engage constructively. Everyone is advised to shun fake news, hate speech and such other utterances that may be inimical to peaceful co-existence. Election should not be seen as a do or die affair. There is no basis for anyone to take laws into their hands. This is even more so that aggrieved persons can take advantage of our courts and seek redress.  We should have faith in our institutions.

Over this election period, the Service has remained committed to providing conducive environment for a peaceful exercise. In this regard, it separately and in collaboration with sister agencies, carried out mop up operations to thwart nefarious plans and activities of undesirable elements to outrightly undermine the electoral processes. For hitch-free gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, the Service has partnered with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the required peace is maintained before, during and after the exercises.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Service will work to make sure that no person or group, no matter how highly placed, disrupts the scheduled elections in any part of the Federation. It is committed to the safety and security of citizens who may wish to go out to exercise their civic responsibility.  All and sundry are, therefore, enjoined to abide by the rules of engagement particularly the Electoral Act and extant guidelines.

Peter Afunanya, Ph.D, fsi

Public Relations Officer

Department of State Services

National Headquarters

 

Abuja.

 

2023: I Provided a Fair Playing Ground for All — Gov. Soludo

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By Izunna Okafor, Awka

Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has said he did not work against any presidential or National Assembly candidate of the in Anambra State in the just-concluded 2023 presidential and National Assembly election, against the assumption and thoughts harboured by many.

Governor Soludo stated this on Wednesday through his Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, during an interactive session with newsmen in Awka, Anambra State capital.

According to him, Soludo he gave a fair playing ground to different other political parties that contested in the state without interfering in the electioneering process. He said this fair playing ground he gave to all political parties manifested in the outcome of the election.

Furthermore, Aburime said Soludo’s administration provided a safe and secure environment that brought about a peaceful election and massive turnout of voters in the February 25 presidential election in the state.

He recalled that, prior to the election, some parts of the state were overtaken and dominated by criminal elements; but explained that, through the strategic efforts of Soludo’s government, the hoodlums were dislodged, which gave voters the confidence to come out and participate massively in the election

Aburime also harped on the need for Anambra people to come out on Saturday and vote massively for House of Assembly candidates contesting under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. According to him, retaining an APGA-dominated State House of Assembly in Anambra State will help Governor Soludo to further stabilize the state and sustain the giant developmental strides he has already recorded in different sectors of the state’s economy.

His words: “The election was Peaceful in Anambra, and you will agree with me that it was the peaceful environment that gave Obi the opportunity to garner all the votes he got in the state.

“Before now, not many people would have come out to vote, because of the security situation.

“Anambra people know that Governor Soludo is working very hard, and for them to sustain such work, they need to support the party of the governor.

“For those thinking that Soludo did not support Obi, they have to know that the governor did not interfere in the election, or even try to coerce anyone.

“He even predicted openly that Obi would win Anambra State, and the prediction came to pass. He made no move to thwart the result, and that was why Obi won about 92 percent of the votes in Anambra, despite the fact that APGA presidential candidate is from this state. This is even a time for OBIdient Movement to repay Soludo for such fairness.”

The Press Secretary emphasized that APGA has selected the best hands and competent individuals to fly the party’s flag in the 30 State Assembly constituencies across the state and pilot the affairs of the state’s legislature in a most effective and efficient way when elected. He further expressed his firm belief that ndị Anambra are very enlightened and knowledgeable to be deceived by the trending bandwagon effect that make some voters not to prioritize competence and character as what inform their choice of a particular candidate.

Aburime also expressed optimism that APGA would get massive victory in Saturday’s House of Assembly election, as the party targets to sweep all the 30 seats in Anambra State House of Assembly.

Court Of Appeal Grants INEC’s Request To Reconfigure BVAS With Conditions

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Court Of Appeal Grants INEC’s Request To Reconfigure BVAS With Conditions

The Court of Appeal has refused to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from reconfiguring the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) ahead of the governorship and state assembly elections.

The ruling was delivered on Wednesday by a three-member panel of the court of appeal led by Joseph Ikyegh.

The court held that restraining the electoral commission would constrain INEC from conducting the March 11 elections.

At the court session on Tuesday, Obi, and LP, through their team of lawyers led by Onyechi Ikpeazu, said the essence of the application was to enable them to extract data embedded in the BVAS, “which represent the actual results from polling units”.

The electoral body insisted that granting the request by Obi and LP would affect its preparations for the impending governorship and national assembly elections.

It told the court that there are about 176, 000 BVAS that were deployed to polling units during the presidential election.

In an application, Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), had sought an order of the court “restraining the 1st respondent (INEC) from tampering with the information embedded in the BVAS machines until the due inspection is conducted and certified true copies (CTC) of them issued”.

INEC had said no data would be lost while configuring BVAS ahead of the elections.

In a motion on notice filed on 4 March, the INEC’s lawyer said granting the orders would “cause a delay in the conduct of the forthcoming governorship election”.

Tanimu Inuwa, counsel to the INEC, spoke on Tuesday while moving an application seeking to vary the orders of the court which gave permission to Obi and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to inspect all the sensitive materials used in the conduct of the presidential election held on February 25.

The court had granted two different ex parte applications brought by Obi, Abubakar, and their respective political parties.

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