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Participants at a women political Summit pay tributes to slain Kogi PDP women leader

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Participants at a One-Day Women’s Political Summit have paid tributes to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s women leader, the late Salome Acheju Abu who was gruesomely murdered after the 2019 Kogi Gubernatorial election in November 2019.
The participants were drawn from Kogi Women in Local Government councils, women in Politics and Officials of Kogi Women Empowermwnt Coalition (KWEC).
The summit was Organized by Center for Women Studies and Intervention(CWSI) Supported by CAFOD Nigeria held on 19th June 2023 in Lokoja, Kogi State.
These were contained in a Communique which captured the outcome of the One-Day Political Summit and was made available to the NationalUpdate in Abuja on Tuesday.
The participants in the Communique made a clarion call for peaceful gubernatorial election in November 2023 election adding that they have noticed that the political atmosphere as the gubernatorial election in the State scheduled for the month of November approaches there abound clear warning signs of impending violence.

“As mothers, wives, sisters, aunts and nieces we are beneficiaries of peace and harmony; We pay tribute to Mrs. Salome who was gruesomely murdered during the 2019 general election by political thugs in Kogi East senatorial District as result of her participation in politics.”
Accordingly they said they are deeply concerned that the present peace is fragile and if not carefully managed will lead to violence in the on-coming election.
“We therefore call on all relevant security agencies at the State and Federal levels to closely monitor activities in Kogi State to ensure proactive measures that will guarantee a peaceful, credible, free and fair election taking place on 11th November 2023.
“On this platform we stand and demand for our rights to peacefully exist as co-stewards of a better Kogi State, better Nigeria and a better world.

“We re-echo the imperative and importance of women inclusive governance as enunciated in the United Nation’s Beijing conference of 1995.
“On this premise; we state that exclusion of women from democratic governance impedes the growth and prosperity of Kogi State and Nigeria at large.*

They expressed appreciation to the executive Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello for his deliberate effort in ensuring that Women in Kogi State are elected in to the Local Government Coucils as vice chairpersons and legislative Council Leaders.
According to them Bello has applied the principle of affirmative action by which an unprecedented number of forty-two (42) women were included in all 21 Local Government Councils of Kogi State as Vice Chairman and Legislative Council Leaders.
“We appreciate his Excellency’s contribution to elevating the political status of women through his action on women inclusive governance.
“We commend his Excellency for positive response to the multi-sectoral advocacy programs implemented by Community Based Organization, Kogi Women Empowerment Coalition (KWEC) with support from Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI) for actualization of inclusive development and equal opportunity in Kogi State.”
They raised concern that unlike Governor Bello, the male executives of the Local councils and Councilors have been marginalising the women in councils.
“We have noticed with deep concern that even though the Executive Governor of Kogi State has taken the step to create new platform of governmental visibility for women, Male Executives holding the offices of Chairman of Local Government Councils and Councilors in Local Government Areas have marginalized female members of the Councils since their inclusion in Local Government Administration.

“This practice discourages women’s aspiration for political self-actualization and opportunity to contribute to local government development. “Therefore, we call on the Chairmen and Councilors in all the Local government councils of Kogi State to emulate Governor Yahaya Bello’s recognition of women.
“They should promote cultural re-orientation, elimination of all gender biased practices in administration of public offices which produce inequalities, suppression and politically motivated violence against women.”
They celebrated the successes of the two women who contested for the Kogi State House of Assembly in the 2023 general election.
“These are Honorable Mrs. Comfort Nwuchola. She is representing Ibaji constituency and Honorable Omotayo Adeleye-Ishaya who is also currently representing Ijumu constituency.
“We recognize them as Political Amazons and commend their determination to break the jinx of total absence of female legislators from Kogi State House of Assembly since the year 2003.”
They made a passionate appeal
to all male representatives in the Assembly to give their cooperation to the elected women by creating an enabling environment for them to effectively fulfill their mandates.
“Furthermore, we applaud all the members of the Civil Society Organizations including CWSI who advocated and contributed to this. We call on all female persons in Kogi State to use the legislation as shield to defend their rights and dignity.

“We commend the executive Governor of Kogi State for signing into law The Kogi State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law

“Furthermore, we applaud all the members of the Civil Society Organizations including CWSI who advocated and contributed to this.”
They therefore called on all female persons in Kogi State to use the legislation as shield to defend their rights and dignity.

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NASS caucus assures PDP Will Bounce Back, insists Party is greater than Wike, Damagun

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Abba Moro

Senate minority Leader and key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus, Senator Abba Moro, has reiterated the party’s commitment to restructuring and regaining its electoral strength.
Speaking after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Assembly caucus meeting on Wednesday, Moro addressed concerns about the party’s recent setbacks and ongoing efforts to prepare for future electoral challenges.

Moro emphasized that the PDP remains resilient despite recent losses, including gubernatorial elections, and is strategizing to strengthen the party.

“We discussed the affairs of the party, particularly as we approach a critical meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC)to take vital decisions on the state of the PDP,” Moro said.
“We are intensifying efforts to ensure the party grows stronger and prepares for subsequent elections without distractions.”

Addressing allegations of vote buying in recent elections, Moro expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Everyone is worried about Nigeria’s democracy,” he said. “INEC has faced criticism, but every failure is a lesson. We must ensure that mandates stolen from the people, like in Edo State, are restored. Failure should become a mechanism for future success.”

Responding to criticisms of PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, Moro dismissed claims that his leadership has been detrimental to the party.

“The PDP is not just about one individual,” he stated. “Damagun is the acting chairman, but PDP is about all its members. We are working round the clock to return the PDP to its winning ways.”

He also downplayed the influence of PDP members like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has been associated with the APC.
Moro likened such political dynamics to bipartisan endorsements seen in the United States, emphasizing that PDP remains focused on rebuilding.

“Anyone working against the PDP today will have to contend with the resilience of PDP members,” he warned.
Highlighting the party’s long-standing reputation, Moro described the PDP as a resilient brand that has always bounced back from challenges.

“PDP is a brand,” he declared. “Despite temporary setbacks, we will bounce back. Once our electoral laws are strengthened, future election results will not be the same.”

When asked who should be blamed for the party’s challenges, Moro refrained from finger-pointing, stating:

“The most important thing is that something is not right. We are working to fix it, and we will get it right.”

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the PDP Senate caucus to revitalize the party and ensure better outcomes in upcoming elections.

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Prince Adewole Adebayo Condemns Ondo Election, Calls It an “Ondo Auction”

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Prince Adewole Adebayo

***Describes Process as “Victimless Crime” in Scathing Critique

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has issued a critical assessment of the recent Ondo State Governorship Election, labeling it an “Ondo Auction.”
Adebayo argued that the election was less about genuine democracy and more about transactional politics, with “willing buyers” and “willing sellers” dominating the process.

Taking to his X account, Adebayo suggested that the Ondo election could serve as a case study for the Central Bank’s foreign exchange practices, given the efficient “marketplace” nature of the vote.
He lamented what he saw as a lack of authentic voter engagement, claiming that ballots appeared to be traded as commodities rather than cast with genuine intent.

Adebayo extended his criticism to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and major media outlets, whom he accused of watching passively as the alleged auction unfolded.
Offering sarcastic congratulations to those who “purchased” the victory, he sympathized with voters, whom he felt had unknowingly relinquished their democratic power in a flawed process.

Quoting a biblical phrase, “Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do,” Adebayo expressed sadness over the state of democracy in Ondo and called for divine intervention to steer Nigeria towards a more transparent electoral future.

In his post, Adebayo remarked: “The Ondo State Governorship Election of yesterday is what criminologists would term as victim-less crimes: a spectacle of willing buyers @OfficialAPCNg meeting willing sellers in a perfect market that should be an example for @cenbank in the foreign exchange markets. Ondo Auction is smoother than the Dutch Auction. Four years sold so freely and openly that no one should lie that they were coerced or intimidated or browbeaten. And @PoliceNG and @inecnigeria @AIT_Online @ARISEtv @KAFTAN_TV @channelstv @NTANewsNow all witnessed it live.

“No one should pretend that they need someone to interview over this. It is in order to congratulate the buyers on their purchased ‘victory’ while shedding some tears for the sellers with the Calvary elegy that ‘Father Forgive Them For They Knoweth Not What They Do.’ God Bless Nigeria and may God Guide Ondo State.”

Adebayo’s post has since sparked conversation across the country, with calls for reform and a stronger commitment to electoral integrity in Nigeria.

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Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus Reinstated as LP’s Candidate for Ondo Governorship Election

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the reinstatement of Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus as the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Ondo State governorship election, replacing Olusola Ebiseni just hours before the vote.
The decision followed a Court of Appeal ruling which overturned an earlier Federal High Court judgment that had named Ebiseni as the party’s candidate.
In an official statement shared on its X handle, INEC confirmed receiving the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the appellate court’s judgment.
INEC’s statement explained that the Federal High Court in Abuja had initially directed the Commission on September 27, 2024, to recognize Ebiseni as LP’s candidate, but the Court of Appeal nullified this decision, citing jurisdictional issues.

In compliance with the appellate court’s ruling, INEC restored Festus’s candidacy, adding his name to their website as the official Labour Party nominee for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election.
This unexpected development introduces a last-minute shift for the Labour Party, which has been actively preparing for a competitive election.

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