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INEC fixes February 26 for, Ondo, five other by-elections

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the conduct of six outstanding constituencies by-elections in four states for February 26.

The commission announced this in a statement issued by Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee on Friday evening in Abuja.

Okoye said that the decision was taken at the INEC regular weekly meeting held on Thursday and an extra-ordinary meeting of Friday, where issues that led to the vacancies and the rescheduling of some of the elections, as well as the security situation in some of the states, were discussed.

He said that the decision followed the declaration of vacancies by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the speakers of some state houses of assembly.

The vacancies, according to Okoye are Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency, Ondo State; Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, Plateau and Pankshin South State Constituency, Plateau.

Others are Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Cross River; Akpabuyo State Constituency, Cross River and Ngor-Okpala State Constituency, Imo.

Okoye said that the by-elections would hold on February 26 immediately after the FCT Area Council elections.

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“This will enable the commission to clear most of the by-elections, focus on the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and ongoing preparations for the 2023 general election,” Mr Okoye said.

The national commissioner said that some of the vacancies arose as a result of the death of the previous occupants; substantial disruption of the electoral process and fulfilment of constitutional and legal requirements in the electoral process.

He said that INEC decided to combine the Ekiti East 1 State Constituency election with the governorship election in Ekiti, which would hold on June 18.

Okoye also said that the commission was consulting with security agencies and the critical stakeholders relating to the vacancy in Shinkafi State Constituency of Zamfara.

He added that the speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly had not declared a vacancy in relation to Giwa State Constituency of Kaduna State.

Okoye said that the official notification for the elections would be published on January 24.

“Political Parties shall conduct their primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries, between Jan. 26 and Feb. 5,” he said.

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He added that the last day for submission of the list of nominated candidates is on February 9 at 6 p.m. and that must be done through the commission’s online nomination portal.

“Political parties shall submit the names of their polling agents for the election to the electoral officer of the local government on or before Feb. 12 and campaigns by political parties shall stop on Feb. 24.

“The access code for the nomination forms shall be available for collection from Feb. 5 at the commission’s headquarters,” he explained.

He advised parties to comply with INEC timelines and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) in conducting transparent and valid direct or indirect primaries.

He warned that any parties that present a candidate who does not meet the qualifications stipulated in the constitution and the Electoral Act shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction shall be liable to a maximum fine of N500,000.

Mr Okoye said that INEC at the meetings also reviewed its preparations for the area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) holding on February 12.

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He said that INEC was finalising all arrangements for the election.

He appealed to citizens who applied for fresh registration as well as transfers and replacement of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to immediately collect it and avoid a last-minute rush for those cards.

He said that PVC for all new registrants as well as requests for transfers and replacement of damaged cards had been printed and were available in all the six area councils of FCT for collection.

“The commission will continue to provide regular update on the preparations for these elections in the days and weeks ahead,” he said.

Okoye also noted that INEC in keeping with its tradition of engaging with stakeholders in the regular quarterly consultative meetings would meet political parties on January 18.

He said that the commission would also meet CSOs on January 19; Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) on January 20 and media organisations on January 21.

 

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Soldiers’ Killings: Army transfers surrendered Delta monarch to Abuja

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The Army has reportedly flown the Ovie of Ewu kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Clement Ikolo,  who surrendered himself to the Police in Asaba on Thursday to Abuja.

 

The Delta State Police Command handed over the king, who the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, declared wanted with seven others over the killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama on Friday morning.

 

The Commanding Officer Commanding Officer, 63 Brigade,  Nigeria Army, Asaba, the Delta State Police Commissioner,  and other senior military officers escorted the monarch to the Asaba International Airport.

 

The monarch was reported to have boarded an Air Peace airline, and the plane departed Asaba Airport tarmac at about 9.10 am to Abuja.

 

 

 

 

 

READ  Full list of 436 polling units designated for mock accreditation of voters by INEC
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Don’t condemn or curse Nigeria in your sermons — this is a beautiful land, Tinubu urges clerics

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President Bola Tinubu has appealed to religious leaders to desist from laying curses on the nation in their sermons.

The president spoke on Thursday while breaking the Ramadan fast with traditional rulers and religious leaders at the presidential villa.

Tinubu harped on the significant role of religious leaders in shaping public opinion and promoting unity in the country.

The president asked the clerics to be constructive in their criticisms of government officials, saying his administration is determined to address Nigeria’s challenges.

 

“The love of the nation is in your hands. Pray for our country. Educate our children. The sermons we preach to the members of our churches and mosques are important,” Tinubu said.

 

“Do not condemn your own nation. As a Yoruba man and as our fathers will say: ‘no matter how slippery the bottom of your child is, you must leave the beads there’.

 

“Leave the beads there. This is your country, do not condemn it in sermons, and do not abuse the nation. Leadership is meant for changes.”

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Tinubu said instead of condemning the country, “bad” leaders should be shown the exit during elections.

 

“Yes, this leader is bad, fine. Wait until the next election to change him, but do not condemn your country. Do not curse Nigeria. This is a beautiful land,” Tinubu said.

 

Also speaking, Kashim Shettima, vice-president, advised religious leaders to continue to “build bridges that transcend ethnic and religious divides”.

 

“The president means well for the nation, and he has continued to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership,” he said.

 

”For many years, fuel subsidy was an albatross. The president took a bold decision from day one, and he hit the ground running. Now the economy is turning the corner.”

 

Speaking on behalf of the Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, said the monarchs are in support of Tinubu’s administration.

 

“You are not alone, Mr. President. The prices of food items and goods are gradually coming down. You are doing your best on security, and we cannot allow you to do it alone. We will join hands to support your vision for the betterment of our nation,” Ogunwusi said.

READ  Court stops INEC from ending voter registration

 

Ahmed Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau, who spoke for the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said Ramadan is a period of reflection, empathy, and unity.

 

“I am happy to see representatives of Muslim and Christian communities in this room. I pray God Almighty blesses the president for him to do more to take the country to the Promised Land,” he said.

Samson Fatokun, general secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), commended Tinubu for fostering unity in the country.

 

”We are encouraged that your administration has shown great determination in tackling the challenges of kidnapping and banditry and bringing to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act,” he said.

”We shall continue to show our support to your administration so that you can execute your noble intention for the nation.”

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Tompolo rejects Tinubu’s wish for low-key birthday, buys out frontpage of dailies

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Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s wish for a low-key birthday celebration by buying the frontpages of a slew of national newspapers to celebrate the 72nd birthday of President.

Tompolo is the chairperson of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, an oil pipeline surveillance firm that tackles crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

 

Last Sunday, the presidency announced that Tinubu will not celebrate his 72nd birthday on March 29 “in deference to the challenging times” in the country.

The presidency said the president “does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers across the country to organise any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name”.

Tinubu also “enjoins friends and associates who may wish to place goodwill advertorials to kindly donate the money to charity organisations of their choice in his name”.


However, on Friday, Tompolo placed birthday messages for Tinubu on the frontpages of at least eight national dailies.

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TheCable understands that a frontpage newspaper advert of the size Tompolo splurged on costs an average of N10 million.

 

This is not the first time the Tantita boss will use the frontpage of dailies to celebrate Tinubu.

In October 2023, after the supreme court affirmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election, Tompolo bought the frontpages of several dailies to celebrate the judgment.

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