Tag: Elections

Former NBA President Olumide Akpata to Run for Edo State Governorship
Elections, News, Nigeria

Former NBA President Olumide Akpata to Run for Edo State Governorship

Olumide Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has officially declared his intention to run in the upcoming Edo State governorship election, slated for next year. Akpata, who recently joined the Labour Party (LP), made his aspirations known, stating that his entry into the race is driven by the desire to serve the people and that the Labour Party is the only political party he identifies as truly people-oriented. The seasoned lawyer turned politician emphasized his commitment to changing the political narrative in Edo State to ensure that the benefits of democracy reach the people. He expressed concern that, in current Nigerian politics and governance, the interests of the citizens often take a back seat, with politicians seemingly detached from the needs of ...
Opposition in Zimbabwe Demands Fresh Elections Amid Fraud Allegations
Africa, African Development, Corruption, Elections, News, Zimbabwe

Opposition in Zimbabwe Demands Fresh Elections Amid Fraud Allegations

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), the opposition party in Zimbabwe, has raised serious allegations of fraud following last week's general election. The party is calling for fresh elections and the disbandment of the electoral commission, accusing the ruling party, Zanu-PF, of manipulating the results. Deputy CCC spokesperson, Ostallos Siziba, addressed the media, stating that his party intended to appeal to the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to exert pressure on the government to organize new elections. The CCC's leader, Nelson Chamisa, secured 44% of the vote, but he maintains that the election results are inaccurate and tainted by manipulation. While Siziba did not directly reveal whether the CCC would pursue legal action to challenge th...
Army Officers Announce Coup in Gabon, Overturn Election Results
Africa, African Development, Armed Forces, Breaking News, Elections, Gabon, News, Security

Army Officers Announce Coup in Gabon, Overturn Election Results

A group of army officers in Gabon has declared a coup, claiming to have taken power and annulling the results of the recent presidential election. The military takeover was announced on national television by twelve soldiers who appeared early on Wednesday morning. The officers disclosed that the election results were being cancelled, and all institutions of the republic were being dissolved. They also revealed that the country's borders had been closed "until further notice." The move comes after the opposition alleged that Saturday's election, which declared President Ali Bongo as the winner, was fraudulent. Bongo was reported to have won just under two-thirds of the votes, an outcome that was met with skepticism from the opposition. If this coup is successful, it will bring an end t...
INEC Announces Direct Transmission of Kogi State Governorship Results from PUs
Elections, News, Nigeria

INEC Announces Direct Transmission of Kogi State Governorship Results from PUs

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed plans to transmit the results of the Kogi State Governorship Election electronically directly from polling units to its server. The decision aims to enhance transparency, eliminate rigging, and curb electoral fraud, according to Prof. Gabriel Longpet, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kogi. Prof. Longpet shared this information during a two-day media roundtable engagement organized by the Independent Press Center (IPC) in Abuja. He emphasized that electronic transmission of results would prevent irregularities and enhance credibility by maintaining the integrity of the results throughout the electoral process. He highlighted the importance of electronic transmission in addressing issues that typically occur...
National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Sacks Labour Party Representative
Elections, Judiciary, Legislature, News, Nigeria

National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Sacks Labour Party Representative

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Asaba, Delta State, has invalidated the election of Mr. Ngozi Okolie, the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Constituency at the House of Representatives. Okolie, who was declared the winner of the February 25 House of Representatives election in the federal constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been disqualified and removed from his position. The petition challenging Okolie's victory was filed by the immediate past Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ndidi Elumelu. Elumelu contested the results, arguing that Okolie was not properly sponsored by the Labour Party and that he did not resign from his position as a public office holder, ...
Femi Gbajabiamila Clashes with Deputy over Control of the House
Elections, Legislature, News, Nigeria

Femi Gbajabiamila Clashes with Deputy over Control of the House

A crisis appears to be brewing in Nigeria's House of Representatives over who presides over the 10th assembly. Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and his deputy, Ahmed Wase, clashed during the plenary session on Wednesday, leading to speculations that the race for the key position is getting messier by the day. The Guardian reported that Wase is eyeing the seat of the Speaker and is a member of the G-7, a group of aspirants who are not comfortable with the zoning arrangement of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Gbajabiamila, on the other hand, had recommended Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu for Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively, leading to their endorsement by the APC. The trouble started when Gbajabiamila asked Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Abubakar Fulat...
DSS Raises Alarm Over Plans to Disrupt Handover Ceremonies in Nigeria
Elections, News, Nigeria, Security

DSS Raises Alarm Over Plans to Disrupt Handover Ceremonies in Nigeria

The Department of State Services (DSS) has raised an alarm over plans by some subversive elements to disrupt the handover ceremonies in some parts of the country. The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, disclosed this in a statement released on Thursday, May 25, 2023. The DSS stated that these elements plan to undermine the efforts of the security agencies as well as cause panic among the citizens. The DSS has urged citizens to adhere to the laid down protocols for the events across the country to ensure a peaceful and successful ceremony. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Transition Council had announced activities for the Presidential inauguration on May 29, 2023, in Abuja. On the same date, new Governors will also be inaugurated in m...
A Word to the Dogs of Opposition – Femi Fani-Kayode
Elections, News, Nigeria

A Word to the Dogs of Opposition – Femi Fani-Kayode

Trust me when I tell you that if there is any foul play in this matter or any conspiracy to thwart the people's will we will make this nation ungovernable. - Femi Fani-Kayode As a consequence of the events of the last few days I am constrained to say that, like a rabid and mad dog that is foaming at the mouth, the Nigerian opposition, represented by the followers of Atiku Abubakar (Atikulators) and the followers of Peter Obi (Obidients), have lost control of their senses. They need to get a grip before it is too late. They are attempting to start something that they cannot finish and that they cannot possibly fathom the end of. They are beating the drums of war and are indulging in a level of irresponsible and downright dangerous behaviour that has NEVER been witnessed before i...
Opinion: The Vindication of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Biafra Question – P. Omonua
Biafra, Elections, News, Nigeria

Opinion: The Vindication of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Biafra Question – P. Omonua

"The trio of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Chief Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho) and Professor Banji Akintoye, all of whom have advocated for the creation of separate independent Nations are not eccentric nor delusional." Someone forwarded an audio recording to me few days ago which must have been preserved for more than 57 years. It was the voice of Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola (SLA), the last Premier of the Western Region and the 13th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland The voice was unmistakable, in his distinctive Ogbomosho accent. The summary of what he said, which I have transcribed from Yoruba to English as best as I could was: “…. Let us the Yorubas come together. Let the Ibos not ‘disorganize’ us with this election. We must not allow them to use this election to destroy our land, take over ...
<strong>2023Elections: Kebbi Governor Loses Senate Seat To PDP Candidate</strong>
Elections, News, Nigeria

2023Elections: Kebbi Governor Loses Senate Seat To PDP Candidate

Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State has been defeated in the Kebbi central senatorial district election by Adamu Aliero, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The returning officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Abbas Yusuf-Bazata, declared the result on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi, the capital.   According to Yusuf-Bazata, Aliero, a former governor of the state clinched the seat by polling 126,588 votes to defeat Bagudu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who scored 92,389 votes. Yusuf-Bazata said Abubakar Bello-Tilli of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, got 1,874 votes, while Umar Rufa’I of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP scored 992 votes. See Also: Gov Ishaku Loses Senatorial Election To APC Candidate He sai...