Politics
LG Polls: Rights group faults Kogi APC’s sales of single nomination forms to ex-caretaker
***Says action violates S’Court judgment on autonomy
Rights group, Network for Truth and Justice, NTJ, based in Kogi State has raised the alarm about the dangers posed to the successful take-off of the regime of local government financial autonomy in Kogi State, allegedly by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ahead of the local government elections slated for October by the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), the group in a statement in Lokoja raised concerns about what it termed Kogi APC’s “undemocratic and unconstitutional sales of single nomination forms to selective aspirants” in outright denial of other aspirants and the people of their franchise.
According to the statement signed by NTJ spokesperson, Ajara Maimunat Ahmed, the APC leadership in the state has no plans to hold primary elections and will not be creating rooms for popular participation in the choice of its chairmanship and councillorship candidates as all elective positions aavailable allegedly have already been allocated.
The group recalled the APC stakeholders meeting held at Lokoja penultimate Tuesday, where the party’s state chairman, Abdullahi Bello declared that the legacies of Yahaya Bello, the state’s former chief executive who EFCC has declared wanted for stealing over N80bn public funds would be continued by Ododo, describing the utterances of the party chairman as insensitive and deliberately insulting to the citizens of the state.
Ahmed stated that, “Beyond treading the path of unconstitutionality in its process of selection of candidates for the upcoming local government elections in Kogi State, the ruling APC has continued on the undemocratic agenda set by Yahaya Bello. The APC state chairman, in what can be described as one of the worst undemocratic practices ever seen in the 21st century, had announced that the 239 councillorship positions of the 21 LGAs shall be shared in the ratio of 60/40 percent between men and women! This, according to the standard set by Yahaya Bello, would serve as an improvement and to consolidate on the 35 percent allotted to women in the last local council elections. This, he said, will be in addition to positions as Vice Chairpersons and Council Leaders. And we dare to say that these undemocratic steps constitute a brazen affront to the constitution.”
The group accused the APC of plotting to circumvent the Supreme Court’s ruling on Local Government Autonomy, to maintain control over local government accounts.
The statement partly read, “The constitution is very clear about the requirements of candidacy for elections. Either presidential, governorship, legislative, even local government election, the constitution stipulates a minimum of school certificate as a requirement; that’s what the law says. It is fundamentally wrong, and you cannot go out of your way as governor or as party to create a law that elective positions must be so-so number of men or women. Every man or woman has his or her right to vote and be voted for, so far they meet the requirements. For you now to be making it a law limiting participation in an election to gender considerations and percentages is alien to the constitution. You are denying both men and women their rights that the constitution has given to them.
“Based on the foregoing, the Network for Truth and Justice hereby declare as follows: that the policy of the APC in Kogi State to return all former caretaker chairmen as automatic candidates without allowing for the conduct of primaries, is suppressive and undemocratic; that the directive that councillorship positions of the 239 electoral wards be shared in the ratio of 60/40 percent between men and women, while also ordering for the positions of elective vice-chairmen and council leaders to be occupied by women, is an act of imposition and is alien to the constitution; that, nobody, no matter how highly placed, has power to determine the destiny of any electoral wards or councils or any candidates who may wish to aspire to any positions of choice; that based on the undemocratic actions of the APC in Kogi State, you have taken over the power of the people from the people, which is still part of what the Supreme Court ruled against. Who are you to impose some and deny others? Based on the Supreme Court ruling, the councils are not under the the state apparatuses. The governor recently was quoted as saying Kogi State had been running autonomy government at the local council levels since 2016, which he vowed will continue under his leadership. Is this statement not contradictory when you handpicked 21 caretaker chairmanship candidates while ordering the sale of single nomination forms per local government and electoral wards? In conclusion, it is the position of NTJ that any law that is alien to ourconstitution, including those made by the leadership of APC in Kogi State ahead of the October 2024 local government elections, is null and void. If the people decide to pick all men, so be it. If the electorate decide to pick all women as their elective representatives, so be it”.
The group maintained that Kogi APC’s actions exposed the grand plot by the ruling party to massively rig the upcoming elections to the 21 local councils. This, it noted, is part of the larger plot by the Usman Ododo led APC government in the state to continue to make the third tier of government its milk cow, as was the case during the eight-year tenure of his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.
The Labour Party has dismissed allegations of a partnership with President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The accusations were made by lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who claimed that the party’s leadership, including its National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, is collaborating with the ruling party.
In a statement issued by the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party described Adeyanju’s remarks as defamatory, baseless, and harmful to its reputation.
The party affirmed its commitment to its role as the leading opposition, citing its continuous critique of government policies and its push for reforms in Nigeria’s political system.
“The Labour Party has remained visible and vocal in interrogating system failures and proposing solutions. Our National Chairman, Barrister Abure, has been at the forefront of this effort,” the statement read.
The Labour Party highlighted key initiatives, including the formation of an Electoral Reform Committee to advocate for transparent elections and the introduction of e-membership registration to promote participatory democracy.
The party called on Adeyanju to provide evidence to substantiate his claims or withdraw his statement and issue a public apology.
It also warned against actions that could harm the party’s reputation and undermine its efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
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.
***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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