Tag: INEC

POLICE PRESS RELEASE – VERIFICATION AND CONFIRMATION OF 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS SENSITIVE MATERIALS
AZ:5250/EDS/PRD/VOL.23/212

19/02/2019

No. 004

POLICE PRESS RELEASE

VERIFICATION AND CONFIRMATION OF 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS SENSITIVE MATERIALS

The Command wishes to inform the general public following the appeal of the Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), that the Nigeria Police Force, Heads of other sister security agencies, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) member of the various registered political parties, the branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Benin City met today 19/02/2019 at the CBN for the verification and confirmation of the 2019 General Elections sensitive materials that was safe kept at the CBN office Benin

The Commissioner of Police in charge Election duty in the State, CP DanMallam Mohammed Psc, fdc, who had earlier met with all the Heads of other sister security agencies in his office at the Police Headquarters, Benin City where they further brainstorm on 2019 General Elections strategies, moved with the officers to the Central Bank of Nigeria Benin for the verification and confirmation exercise.

On arrival, the CP and other sister security agencies in company of the members of the registered political parties in the State moved to the office of the branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Benin City, whence all stakeholders moved to the CBN leading Bay room where all the INEC sensitive materials for 2019 General Elections were kept. The materials were inspected, verified and confirmed to be well secured by the CBN, Benin.

Thereafter, it was unanimously agreed by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Benin, the Commissioner of Police, other Heads of sister security agencies, members of registered political parties and the branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Benin that all the 2019 General Elections sensitive materials would on Thursday 21st February, 2019 leave the CBN for Local Government Areas of the State in readiness for the conduct of the General Elections on Saturday the 23rd February, 2019.

Commissioner of Police DanMallam Mohammed Psc, fdc assures the INEC REC and the members of registered political parties the protection of lives and the sensitive materials to the designated areas, stating that adequate security measures have been put in place. The Commander 4 Brigade Headquarters of the Nigeria Army, Benin Brig. Gen. J.O. Omorogbe supporting the Commissioner of Police stated that his men at the various L.G.A in the State will join force with other security agencies in beefing up security where the Election sensitive materials will be kept.

DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, Police Public Relations Officer

FOR: Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command
February 20, 2019
CUPP DECRIES FOUL PLAY BY APC LED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
FROM CUPP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 19, 2019 at 9 am
- Buhari orders DSS to arrest INEC Federal Commissioner in charge of Operations today.
- Buhari planning to sabotage and shift Saturday election with instruction to DSS to massively arrest all INEC top leadership who refused to be compromised.
- DSS acting Buhari script to detain Prof. Ibeanu INEC commissioner in charge of operations to give room for his sister Amina Zakari to take charge of operations or emerge acting INEC chairman if Buhari APC succeeds in sabotaging Saturday election and forcing INEC chairman out.
Buhari is planning to sabotage and shift rescheduled Feb 23rd Saturday Election and have directed DSS invite and detain the Federal Commissioner of INEC in charge of Operations Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu for refusing to help Buhari APC sabotage distribution and compromise of sensitive election materials.

The Refusal of INEC to proceed with staggered election during the aborted Feb 16 election which ruined Buhari APC rigging plan is the reason for the new offensive action against INEC to intimidate them into submission. The idea to detain the Federal Commissioner today was on the sole instigation of the former DG of the DSS Lawal Daura who still runs the agency by proxy and convinced Buhari to allow the use of the DSS to clampdown on INEC to force them to do their Bidding or sabotage the rescheduled election and stop it from holding.

We call on all Nigerians to rise up on against this ongoing leadership abuse and madness which have the potentiality to throw Nigeria into an electoral violence that will enable Buhari execute his lawless order that Security agencies should publicly start killing people under the guise of Ballot box snatching.

Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere CUPP Spokesperson
February 19, 2019
PRESS BRIEFING BY RT. HON. YAKUBU DOGARA, SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 18, 2019

1. This press briefing is to call the attention of well meaning Nigerians and the international community to the incendiary statements made by President Muhammadu Buhari, and Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the national caucus of their party, earlier today.

2. At the meeting the President said: “Anybody who decides to snatch boxes or lead thugs to disturb the election, may be that would be the last unlawful action you would take. I have given the military and police the order to be ruthless. I am going to warn anybody who thinks he would lead a body of thugs in his locality to snatch boxes or to disturb the voting system; he would do it at the expense of his/her own life.”

3. Mr. Oshiomole also claims that the PDP was given prior notice of the postponement of the elections.

4. In this context, we categorically deny these false claims and unnecessary blackmail and regard the President’s statement as a call for extra-judicial killings considering the fact that there are adequate provisions in our laws to address electoral offenses.

5. These statements clearly indicate that our democracy has become the victim of a full blown dictatorship, when one considers that a democratically elected President would give a directive that is in clear violation of the laws of the land which by his oath of office he is to defend and protect.

6. Inview of this statement by the president, it is obvious that the military has been given a central role and coopted into the conduct of the election despite the fact that they have no constitutional role in our electoral process.

7. It should be noted that our party chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, was the first to call for an inquiry into why the elections were postponed last Saturday. In reality, we support a genuine and transparent probe into why the presidential and National Assembly elections could not hold. We also hope that the president’s inflammatory statement is not a threat aimed at intimidating the electoral commission.

8. We also strongly condemn Mr. Oshiomole’s false, mischievous and inflammatory claims against our party, when he said INEC colluded with PDP to abort last week’s elections. This is a very surprising statement considering the fact that the Federal government controls every institution and agency involved in the electoral process, including the CBN, Nigerian Airforce, Aviation authorities amongst others.

9. From our position, we strongly believe that the deliberate delivery of election materials to the wrong electoral centers, cancellation of flights, and other actions that undermined the logistics arrangement of INEC were deliberately done to sabotage and manipulate the process.

10. We are also very familiar with the pressure brought on INEC by top government officials and APC leaders to go ahead with the elections despite not being adequately prepared for the election. We are also aware the APC wanted the INEC chairman to conduct elections in some states and postpone in other states so as to have staggered elections. It should also be noted that the areas that would have been affected by inadequate delivery of materials were PDP strongholds.

11. It is important to note that the APC in its usual manipulative style is now shifting the blame on INEC leadership while absolving itself and the other institutions of government under its control of any blame.That is the common strategy that super villains always employ.

12. Obvioulsy, we know they are doing everything humanly possible to discredit INEC, remove the chairman and stall the process conscious of the fact that they cannot win this election.

13. Embarrasingly, this is the first time that we have witnessed a ruling party play victim, which is a clear indication that they have lost the plot. Evidently, their recent actions and statements clearly show they are panicking and desperate to cling onto power, even when the people have rejected them.

14. Also, opinion polls conducted by the APC, and other international agencies clearly indicate that the APC will lose this election, anytime it is conducted; we believe that is why they are resorting to desperate measures of arm-twisting the electoral commission, undermining the entire process and planning to unleash terror on the country.

15. Finally, let it be known that the PDP, with the support of every well meaning Nigerian, will employ every legitimate means to resist attempts by the APC and the Federal government to undermine and compromise the electoral process and truncate our democracy.

16. The PDP believes in a united and democratic Nigeria and will continue to do all within its means to protect the country, her people and constitution from undemocratic elements.

17. We call on all Nigerians not to despair, but turn out en mass on Saturday to vote and defend their votes. We also urge the international community and their observers that are in the country to monitor the election and be vigilant because their presence as impartial arbiters is important in ensuring we have peaceful, credible, free, fair and transparent elections. The security agencies are also enjoined to be impartial and remain loquat to the constitution of the Federal Republic.

Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representives Federal Republic of Nigeria
February 19, 2019
OSHIOMHOLE’S CALL FOR INEC CHAIRMAN’S RESIGNATION: A BLACKENED POT CALLS KETTLE BLACK!
In the last couple of days, I’ve battled the urge to join issues with the erstwhile Governor of my home-state, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, on his alleged call for the resignation of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. As a well-brought up son of Edo land, and one schooled in the nuances of my culture and tradition that frowns at the unedifying pursuit of hurling insults at elders, I am indeed constrained. But as a Nigerian, a Midwesterner, and one who has in recent past, tasked our (mis)leaders to be more forthright and accountable to our people, it has become too difficult to keep quiet.

It is no longer news that the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, has called for the resignation of the INEC Chairman. Mr. Oshiomhole is not ignorant of the fact that such action will further heat up the polity, while throwing the entire election process into needless disarray, and avoidable crisis.

While not defending the inexcusable failings of INEC, and the attendant postponement of last Saturday’s election, I must plead with the perennially loquacious ex-Governor to elevate his pronouncements and diatribes, at least for once! It is shameful that Mr. Oshiomhole of all people should be the one voicing such gross demands. We all don’t have short memories. Barely a few months ago, he superintended over what was generally alleged to be the worst intra-party Election Primaries in recent history; one that prompted no less a person than the wife of the nation’s President (who is the Leader of his party) to chastise him publicly in a 6-paged tweet on her official Twitter handle! To refresh the memory of the diminutive ex-labour leader, Dr. (Mrs) Aisha Buhari berated the self-styled Comrade for duping hundreds of APC aspirants in the Primaries and she wondered why “such impunity could take place under his watch”!

It is baffling that Mr. Oshiomhole, who failed to conduct a transparent intra-party selection process within the APC, and whose monumental failure midwifed the largest ‘decamping’ exercise in the nation’s political history, could call for the INEC Chairman’s resignation. It is akin to a charred and blackened, ugly-looking and weather-beaten pot calling a kettle black! It is on record that Oshiomhole’s monumental failure robbed the APC the chance to field candidates at all levels in both Zamfara and Rivers States!

As an Edo man, I am ashamed of the continued, albeit unchecked, boisterous and Mephistophelean disposition of a man who had the rare privilege to be Governor of my home State. All Edos are a proud people with a distinguished heritage that reverberates along concave shores of the world. It beats me: what peculiar strain constitutes the ex Comrade’s DNA?

My dear Comrade Sir, since the APC continues to harbor and accommodate you as its National Chairman, please do well to remember the proud and dignified mien of the Edo people from whence you supposedly descended. Maybe (Just MAYBE) that will guard and guide your public pronouncements and vituperations going forward. I wish you a more dignifying comportment during the coming elections.

Ògbòo Sir.- Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
February 19, 2019
INEC IS RIGHT; IT IS END OF THE ROAD FOR RIVERS APC IN THE 2019 ELECTIONS
A few days ago, INEC categorically and publicly said that it will not change its decision to exclude Rivers State chapter of APC from participation in the 2019 general elections for the offices of Governor, National and Assembly membership. From the state of existing Court judgments, INEC was on firm ground.

A good point to start would be the first of the legal fireworks initiated by relevant parties.

1.     Suit No: BHC/78/2018

        Ibrahim Umah vs. APC & Ords.

This suit was commenced at the Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt. The Plaintiffs therein sought several reliefs. They include that Magnus Abe’s group were entitled to participate in the APC primaries, a declaration setting aside the purported primaries by the Ameachi group, injunction restraining APC from conducting any Local Government Congress based on the ward congress election purportedly conducted on May 5, 2018, declaration that the purported ward and Local Government and State congress conducted by APC in Rivers State on May 12^th, 19^th, 20^th and 21^st 2018 respectively and anything done there under are entitled to be set aside etc.

INTERLOCUTORY ORDER

While this case was pending, the Plaintiffs secured an interlocutory/interim order to restrain APC from proceeding with the scheduled congresses pending the determination of the matter. In spite of this order the APC went ahead with the primaries but appealed against the said interlocutory order in Appeal No: CA/PH/198/2018 to the Court of Appeal. In the cause of prosecuting this Appeal, APC applied through one of its Counsel to withdraw the Appeal by filing a Notice of withdrawal. Another Counsel of APC approached the Court of Appeal to continue with the Appeal. The Counsel to the Magnus Abe group opposed this strongly and argued that the Appeal ought to be dismissed. The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt allowed and overruled the Abe group and continued with the Appeal. Abe’s group then appealed to the Supreme Court in Appeal No. SC. 1070/2018.

CONTINUATION OF RIVERS STATE HIGH COURT TRIAL

While this appeal was pending in the Supreme Court, the Rivers State High Court presided over by Hon. Nwogu delivered judgment on 10^th October, 2018 in suit No: BHC/78/2018; Ibrahim Uma &Ords v. APC. The Court decided in favour of Ibrahim Uma & Ords restrained APC from conducting any primaries upon the ward congress which the Court found to have been conducted in contravention of extant laws and party Guidelines. The Court nullified all the nominations for election to the offices of Governor, National and State Assemblies on the ground that they were conducted in breach of extant court order restraining the conduct of same

It would appear that the only appeal lodged against the Rivers State High Court judgment is the one against the order of interlocutory injunction made by that Court. No appeal was lodged against the substantive judgment itself. For all intents and purposes the Rivers State High Court judgment remains valid and unchallenged.

SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT IN SC. 1070/2018

On 8^th February, 2019, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in the Appeal filed by the Abe group against the failure of the Court of Appeal to dismiss the Appeal filed by the Ameachi group, same having been withdrawn by the filing of Notice of withdrawal at the Registry of the Appeal Court. The Supreme Court held as follows at page 19 of its judgment

It is my considered opinion that this appeal must be given a decent burial. The appeal having been withdrawn is deemed to have been dismissed. This is what the lower Court failed or evaded for reasons stated above.

The Supreme Court’s judgment therefore strongly protected the interlocutory orders of the Rivers State High Court restraining the conduct of primaries by APC on the basis of a flawed ward congress. In any case, the said High Court gave its final judgment which eventually nullified any purported primaries for contravening valid court orders.

2.      SUIT NO: FHC/PH/CS/149/2018

        PDP vs. INEC & APC

Once PDP found out that the Rivers State High Courts had given judgment nullifying any purported primaries, by APC and further restraining the party from conducting any upon the flawed ward congress, PDP quickly approached the Federal High Court and sought several reliefs. They include; a declaration that all primaries conducted in Rivers State by APC, having been set aside by a competent Court, APC was not entitled to nominate or sponsor any candidate for 2019 General Elections. They sought injunction against INEC from according any recognition to purported APC candidates.

The Federal High Court, in a judgment delivered by Justice J.K Omotosho, found for PDP and granted the reliefs sought. The Court pointed out that it was important to obey Court orders and that the defect of non-compliance was fatal.

3.      APPEAL NO: CA/PII/38/2019

        PDP vs. INEC & APC

APC filed an appeal against the said judgment of the Federal High Court in the Court of Appeal. It also filed an application for stay of execution of the judgment of the Federal High Court. The said application is still pending but has been fixed for hearing same in February, 2019.

4.      SUIT NO: FHC/PH/CS/144/2018

        Magnus Abe & Ords vs. APC & Ords

Magnus Abe and Ords instituted the above suit against APC and Ords seeking amongst others an order of Court that they have been duly nominated to contest the various elections in 2019 general election. They also sought an order to nullify the nomination of the candidates of Ameachi’s group and an order for INEC to recognize them as the nominated candidates. In the end, the Federal High Court declared that Magnus Abe’s group were not validly nominated by APC, having failed to prove that the primaries that produced them were validly conducted. The Court held that the primaries that produced them were conducted during the pendency of Suit No BHC/78/2018, between Ibrahim Umah & Ords vs APC. The Court also held that the Magnus Abe’s group failed to show that their primaries were conducted by the national body of APC.

The Federal High Court went further to restrain INEC from recognizing any candidate of APC contesting for the various offices in the 2019 general elections. The Court nullified the nomination of any candidate by APC for election into the said offices as earlier nullified by Nwogu .J, on 10^thOctobetr, 2018 in Suit No: BHC/78/2018, Ibrahim Umah & Ords vs APC.

5.      APPEAL NO: CA/PH/39/2019

        APC V. SEN. MAGNUS ABE & ORDS

APC appealed against the said Federal High Court judgment in Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/144/2018. It also filed an application for stay of execution against the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered on 7^th January, 2019.

TWIST IN THE APPLICATION

In what appears to be a costly mix-up, APC’s counsel in their prayers for stay of execution filed on 5^th February, 2019, directed their relief against the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/PH/149/2018; PDP v. INEC & APC which was not the subject of this appeal. The subject of this appeal was Suit NO: FHC/PH/CS/144/2018, Sen. Magnus Abe & Ords v. APC & Ords. In spite of this costly mix-up which should have led to the striking out of such application, the Court of Appeal granted the application for “Stay of Execution as Prayed”. What the Court of Appeal granted in reality were prayers in connection with another appeal between APC and PDP.

REACTION TO COURT OF APPEAL’S MIXED-UP ORDERS

In reaction the mixed up order of the Court of Appeal, PDP filed an application before the Court of Appeal in Appeal NO: CA/PH/38/2019; APC V. PDP & INEC praying that the Hon. Justices should recuse themselves from further hearing the appeal or participate in the hearing and determination of the said Appeal on the basis of the mixed-up order of stay of execution and a previous application made to the president of the Court of Appeal on 30^th January, 2019 for the re-constitution of a fresh panel of Appeal. The said application filed on 6^th February, 2019 is pending before the Court.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion the judgment in suit No: BHC/78/2018; Ibrahim Umah & Ords vs. APC delivered on 10^th October, 2018 by the High Court of Rivers State nullifying the nominations by APC for 2019 elections remains valid and unchanged. The judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/CS/149/2018, PDP vs. INEC & APC delivered on 7^th January, 2019 restraining INEC from recognizing any APC candidate and also nullifying all APC nominations remain valid as it has not been set aside on appeal. In addition, no valid stay of execution has been granted to warrant INEC to act on it. The judgment in Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/144/2018; Sen. Magnus Abe & Ords vs. APC & Ords which restrained INEC from recognizing any candidate of APC for 2019 elections remains valid. No valid order for stay of execution has been made against it. In any case, for INEC to validly recognize APC candidates for all positions in 2019 elections, all existing judgments must be set aside on Appeal or validly stayed.

So far, this has not been so. It appears that nothing can be done about the Rivers State High Court judgment in Suit No: BHC/78/2018 Ibrahim Umah & Ords vs. APC which has no appeal against it and there cannot be one anymore having regards to the period allowed by law to appeal against same. It can therefore be safely concluded that the iron curtain has been closed on APC with respect to fielding candidates for 2019 general elections with respect to Rivers State.

My humble opinion

Dr. Ehiogie WEST-Idahosa
February 19, 2019
EDO STATE PEACE ACCORD AND STAKE HOLDERS MEETING
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Olusegun Odumosu held a Peace Accord and Stakeholders meeting at the Police Officers Mess in Benin City on Wednesday, 30^th January, 2019 concerning the general elections scheduled to start in February 2019.

ADDRESS

PROTOCOLS

It is my pleasure, on behalf of the Officers and Men of the Edo State Police Command, to welcome you all to this peace building and peacemaking meeting of critical Stakeholders concerning the 2019 General Elections which is around the corner. I also wish to bring to you the warm greetings of the Inspector General of Police, Ag.IGP. Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni.

There is no better time to have this strategic meeting than now considering the fact that the election we are talking about will be conducted in few days from now. This is actually the time to come together and dialogue on how to have a free and fair election devoid of any rancor and acrimony. One thing is certain, election will come and go but Edo State will continue to remain thereafter. Consequently, the blood of every Edo State citizen is more precious than the election and we definitely do not need to lose anybody or group in order to clinch to power. This is the time to get it right so that we can prove to the world that Edo State can set the pace for a peaceful, free, fair and credible election in Nigeria.

Election is no war and should not be seen as war. Always remember that in any contest, there must be losers and winners. Thus, we must prepare our minds and resolve that we shall go into this contest in the spirit of sportsmanship.

The Command under my watch will do everything humanly possible to remain neutral, apolitical, firm and professional. The Police will provide a level playing ground for all the Political Parties in the State. This is my irrevocable pledge and I promise to ensure its full realization in the forthcoming Elections.

There is no doubt that, the 2019 Elections will be a great test that will subject our professionalism and commitment to duty, to national and International scrutiny. The world is watching us and we promise not to let them down. I hereby assure the good people of Edo state in unequivocal terms that we are fully prepared for the election as every arrangement has been put in place to ensure that the Elections would be free, fair credible and most important of all, peaceful. We shall leave no stone unturned towards achieving this lofty objective.

Let me at this juncture, salute, the vision and mission of the Inspector General of Police, Ag.IGP. Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni who assumed duty as the 20th indigenous Inspector General of Police at this critical time of our Nation’s history. He has emplaced strategic action plans to police the forth coming elections. I am convinced and promise you that his strategic action plans, will not only get us out of the woods but will also reposition the Nigeria Police Force and make her the envy of all.

The Police High Command, as part of the preparation for this election has initiated Training Program on capacity building, on Democratic Policing and Election Security Management for our Officers and men. This is still up and ongoing.

The Training program and capacity building initiated at the Police High Command has been replicated at the Command level, and I have put in place, elaborate security measures aimed at entrenching and engendering a new dawn in Election and electioneering process in this command.

Recall that shortly after my assumption of duty, I paid a courtesy visit to the Oba of Benin Omon’oba n’Edo Uku akpolopolo Oba Ewuare II where I pledged to do my utmost best to make the State safe and secure. The Oba Pledged his support and I wish to tell the good people of the state that I have the royal backing and support to police the forth coming election in the most peaceful and credible manner we have ever witnessed in recent times.

The meeting of today therefore provides another unique opportunity for us all to rob mind towards this critical engagement in our collective resolve to develop an effective framework that will engender optimal performance during the forthcoming and after this onerous national assignment. We must come together and reason together.

We shall seize this moment to deploy all our human and material resources in the state to provide a conducive and crime free environment which will make the election more decent and acceptable without any rancor or acrimony. Towards achieving this, I implore all present here to individually and collectively resolve:
- As Security Agencies, we will at this meeting pledge to be neutral, a-political, decisive and professional.
- As Party leaders- we need to talk to our supporters to vote and not fight.
- As Youth leaders who are in majority, we need to impart it on our people to say NO to violence so that they will refuse and reject any attempt by anybody to use them as political thugs.
- As market Women and Traders Associations, we need to talk to ourselves, to do the right thing and not to be cajoled into vote buying and selling.
- As Royal fathers, we need to talk to our subjects to maintain a peaceful decorum throughout the period of election..
- As Political Parties, we need to play the game according to the rules.
- As Religious leaders, we need to talk to our flocks that Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace and that Islam is a religion of peace.
Security generally is the business of everybody and election security is indeed a collective assignment. We all must be involved in the spade work of sanitizing the State to make it a safe and secure space for a seamless Electoral Process.

In this meeting we should all agree to do the needful, not to give room for Electoral offences and where or when they occur, the security agencies shall deal decisively with offender(s) regardless of his or her status as nobody, I repeat NOBODY is above the law.

As the Co-Chairman of the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) comprising of all the Sister Security Agencies in the State, including the Coordinators of the National Youth Service Corps and National Orientation Agency, I will continue with the robust consultative productive and strategically focused cooperative meetings which my predecessor had had with the committee over time and by the Grace of Almighty God, we shall deliver on our mandate.

Finally, I am highly optimistic that we shall have fruitful deliberations in this meeting and we shall jointly and severally achieve the desired peaceful, credible free and fair election that we all craved for.

Conclusively, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, I want to thank you all for attending today’s meeting and for being part of the History that we are making today As we go back, I enjoin you all to put into practical use all the suggestions and series of advice that would be offered in this meeting because in doing so, we shall eventually get to our desired destination.

Thank you and God bless you all.
February 4, 2019
PROF. IWU’S DAUGHTER SUES PDP & INEC OVER FLAWED PRIMARIES FOR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEAT IN IMO STATE:
Prof. Iwu’s daughter, Mrs. Ijeoma Ann Nwafor has instituted a law suit against PDP, INEC and Hon. Nwawuba over what she described as a contravention of the PDP Constitution and Guidelines for Primaries during the conduct of the primaries of PDP for Mbaitoli/ Ikeduru Federal Constituency Seat on 6th October, 2018 at Owerri. In Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/18 filed on her behalf at the Federal High Court, Abuja, by the Lawfirm of West-Idahosa & Co, the plaintiff in an Originating Summons is asking the Court to nullify the primary election for the said Federal Constituency. In addition, the plaintiff is also seeking an order of court to restrain INEC from recognizing Hon. Nwawuba as the candidate of PDP for 2019 general elections for the said constituency.

Also contained in the reliefs sought by the plaintiff is an order to compel PDP to order fresh primaries as well as an order to compel INEC to extend the time within which PDP can conduct fresh primaries for the said constituency. The matter has been fixed for hearing on October 31st, 2018, before Hon. Justice A. Chikere.
October 27, 2018
INEC acted as Judge on PDP Matters
By Omololu Ojehomon-Ogbeni

Having read the statement made by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu as published by the Nation Newspaper, titled “Court will decide Edo PDP candidate – INEC chairman”, on August 21, 2016, I became concerned about the explanation he gave to wave off the grave error done by his establishment as it concerned the elections in Edo State based on the list it published on its website.

One thing I have understood, is that when it suits us we have selective amnesia, we choose when to acknowledge or ignore facts.

This is the statement that worries me, “We have to submit the name of a candidate by the 11th of this month. But, when we did so, we put in bracket, court order. Again, Ize-Iyamu has dragged INEC to court and was granted an interim injunction by the judge saying that we should maintain status quo. So, apart from the leadership tussle in the state, there is this one about candidacy in Edo State.”

How possible is this when there was an existing order On July 28, 2016, Federal High Court in Abuja sacked Markarfi as National Chairman and reaffirmed Sheriff as the national Chairman and held that every action the committee had taken since it emerged through a convention the party purportedly held in Port Harcourt on May 21, amounted to nullity. And that having regard to the order of the court, PDP had no lawful authority to hold the convention that led to the emergence of the Markarfi-led Committee.” It went on to say, “The convention was unlawfully held and the caretaker committee was unlawfully and illegally appointed and could not take any legal decision for the PDP in view of the subsisting order of the Lagos Division of this court. Consequently, any action taken by the Markarfi-led Committee, including the purported mandate for legal representation in this matter is hereby declared illegal. Parties have an uncompromising duty to obey court orders until it is set aside. The Lagos Division made order on May 12 and 20, forbidding the PDP from removing the Sheriff-led Caretaker Committee. That order is still subsisting.” And that Ali Modu Sheriff is the National Chairman of the PDP. Any decision NOT taken by the Sheriff-Led Committee is NOT binding on the PDP.

What Status quo? The one that originated from an illegality, and a court order no one but the INEC was served, where they failed to publish the case number and date, where such order was given and by whom. And why was the other faction of the PDP not joined.

It is true that the INEC are no police neither do they have police according to Prof. Yakubu, however, it is my belief that he found it necessary to make this statement to cover up for the error done by the INEC and to justify the action by one of their own who may have from all indication been on the take.

So my concern remains the same that if in fact a final judgement comes will the Independent National Electoral Commission decide to do the wrong thing because of corrupt influences or will Prof. Yakubu do the right thing and maintain his integrity.
August 23, 2016
Bayelsa Decides: INEC releases results
The incumbent governor and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Seriake Dickson, has emerged winner after scoring the most votes in the Bayelsa State governorship election.

Total Registered Voters: 654,493

Accredited Voters: 242,114

APC: 86, 852

PDP: 134, 998

Margin: 48,148

Sunday, January 10, 13:40: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reconvenes to continue the collation of results.

EKEREMOR

Registered voters 9, 157

Accredited voters 3,018

ACPN 1, ADC 0, APA 0, APC 257, APGA 1, CPP 0, DPC 0, DPP 1, ID 0, KOWA 0, LP 0, MPPP 0, NNPP 0, PDC 0, PDM 10, PDP 2,695, PPA 3, PPN 0, SDP 0, UPP 0

VALID VOTES 2,968

REJECTED 42

VOTES CAST 3,010

NEMBE LGA

Registered voters 4,294

Accredited voters 2,649

ACPN 0, ADC 0, APA 0, APC 1, 400, APGA 1, CPP 0, DPC 0, DPP 0, ID 0, KOWA 1, LP 0, MPPP 0, NNPP 0, PDC 0, PDM 12, PDP 1,160, PPA 0, PPN 0, SDP 0, UPP 0

VALID VOTES 2,574

REJECTED 31

TOTAL VOTES CAST 2,605

Sunday, January 10, 01:20: Collation of results begins.

OGBIA LGA

Registered voters 4,344

Accredited voters 1,551

ACPN 0, ADC 0, APA 4, APC 139, APGA 1, CPP 0, DPC 4, DPP 2, ID 0, KOWA 1, LP 0, MPPP 0, NNPP 0, PDC 1, PDM 4, PDP 1,290, PPA 2, PPN 1, SDP 0, UPP 0

VALID VOTES 1,449

REJECTED 47

TOTAL VOTES CAST 1,496

SAGBAMA LGA

One Registration area affected

Registered voters 2,005

Accredited voters 326

ACPN 1, ADC 0, APA 2, APC 119, APGA 0, CPP 0, DPC 0, DPP 0, ID 0, KOWA 0, LP 0,MPPP 0, NNPP 0, PDC 0, PDM 1, PDP 180, PPA 0, PPN 0, SDP 0, UPP 0

VALID VOTES 303

REJECTED VOTES 21

TOTAL VOTES CAST 324

BRASS LGA:

Registered voters 2,255

Accredited voters 1,703

ACPN 0, ADC 0, APA 0, APC 1679, APGA 0, CPP 0, DPC 0, DPP 0, ID 0, KOWA 0, LP 0, MPPP 0, NNPP 0, PDC 0, PDM 12, PDP 05, PPA 0, PPN 0, SDP 0, UPP 0

VALID VOTES 1696

REJECTED VOTES 7

TOTAL VOTES CAST 1703

YENAGOA LGA

Registered 9,560

Accredited Voters 1480

ACPN 0, ADC 1, APA 7, APC 448, APGA 3, CPP 1, DPP 2, ID 0, KOWA 0, LP 0, MPPP 0, NNPP 0, PDC 3, PDM 3, PDP 839, PPA 1, PPN 0, SDP 0, UPP 0

TOTAL VALID VOTES 1309

REJECTED VOTES 54

TOTAL VOTES CAST 1363
January 10, 2016