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Tag: 2023 elections

  • 2023 Elections: No Extension Of Timeline For Party Primaries – INEC

    2023 Elections: No Extension Of Timeline For Party Primaries – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday said it has no intention of extending the timeline for party primaries.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made the comment while speaking at a consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja.

    Political parties in the country had asked INEC to extend the timelines for the 2023 general elections by two months.

    Specifically, the parties want slight changes to the primaries’ timeline, as stipulated by the electoral umpire.

    But Yakubu insisted the timeline for primaries remains fixed between April 4 and June 3.

    “Twice in the last two weeks, the Commission had cause to remind political parties of the necessity for strict compliance with the timelines for party primaries,” the INEC Chairman said.

    “I hereby reiterate the position of the Commission that there will be no review of the timelines. There are so many inter-related activities that are associated with the timelines which must be carried out. Any review to extend the timeline for one activity will affect other activities and put unnecessary pressure on political parties and the Commission. This will ultimately result in more complications than what the extension seeks to achieve.

    “Therefore, the Commission will not review the timelines. Working together, we should ensure fidelity to the timelines in conducting transparent and democratic primaries for the purpose of electing candidates for the 1,491 constituencies for which elections will be held on 25th February and 11th March 2023.”

    Yakubu asked the parties to ensure their primaries make room for Women, youths and persons with disability.

    “To assure citizens that you are not paying lip service to this commitment, political parties should encourage greater involvement of all under-represented segments of the society as candidates for elections,” he said.

    “This is the only way we can change the reality of increasingly low level of representation of these critical segments of the society in legislative assemblies in particular and the governance of our country in general.”

  • 2023: I Will Continue To Fight Corruption Like Buhari – Akpabio

    2023: I Will Continue To Fight Corruption Like Buhari – Akpabio

    The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday, said he will continue to fight corruption like President Muhammadu Buhari if elected as President in 2023.

    Although the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet to conduct its presidential primary to pick its flagbearer, Akpabio is one of the presidential aspirants under the party.

    Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the minister praised the current administration’s anti-graft war, saying that corruption must be fought so that poverty will not kill the masses.

    “We must continue the fight against corruption because if we allow it, corruption can kill us. I will continue the same way the President is doing,” he said.

    “What is he doing that is right in terms of fighting corruption? Corruption has a twin brother – poverty. We cannot fight corruption without fighting poverty.”

    Akpabio, also a former governor of Akwa Ibom State as well as ex-Senate Minority Leader, identified three major issues affecting the nation.

    The issues, he stated, are insecurity, national integration, and the economy, vowing to tackle them to ensure Nigeria’s greatness in the comity of nations.

    On how to achieve that, he recalled how he was able to plunge leakages as well as embark on capital projects during his sway as governor in Akwa Ibom State.

    “In my state, I was the only governor in Nigeria that was able to do 80 per cent of capital allocation on a yearly basis and 20 per cent recurrent. I plunged the loophole of leakages in the system and that is why you have the outflow of capital projects.

    “The maydays of what you used to hear some people said uncommon transformation in Akwa Ibom State and Nigerians are not wrong urging me to come out. I am convinced within me that based on the love I have seen this current President show to Nigerians, Nigerians will go higher than where we are.”

  • 2023 Elections Will Hold Despite Insecurity – INEC

    2023 Elections Will Hold Despite Insecurity – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday maintained that the 2023 general election will hold despite the security challenges in the country.

    INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, stated this in Abuja at a public presentation of the 2022-2026 strategic plan and the 2023 election project plan.

    Yakubu explained that the documents presented were the third in the series of strategic election plans since the era of deliberate planning of elections started in 2012.

    “We are also aware of the security challenges and their impact on the electoral process. We will continue to engage early and intensely with the security agencies to ensure the safety of our personnel and materials, accredited observers and the media and, above all, the voters,” he said.

    “Clearly, these are challenging times but we are determined that election must hold in 2023. However, this is a shared responsibility. INEC plays a critical role but the commission alone cannot deliver the elections we all desire.”

    According to the INEC boss, the 2023 polls will be governed by the new Electoral Act which contains provisions that will enhance the capacity and ability of the commission to better manage the electoral process.

    While pledging to ensure the safety of electoral personnel and materials, accredited observers, media practitioners, and voters, Yakubu called for the support of all Nigerians to successfully conduct the polls.

    “We have carefully listened to the demand of Nigerians for seamless processes, particularly with regard to enhanced voter education, better distribution of voters to polling units, quality training of election personnel, the functionality of electronic devices, improved logistics, prompt commencement of polls, availability of assistive devices for persons with disability at polling units and greater transparency in result management,” Professor Yakubu noted.

    “Let once again reiterate that the dates for all activities in the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election are firm and fixed and all stakeholders are advised to take this into consideration in planning their activities.”

  • APC to commence sales of forms to aspirants for 2023 elections

    Ahead of the 2023 General elections,the All Progressive Congress (APC) is to commence the sales Expression of interest and Nomination forms to aspirants on Saturday.

    At the end of the party’s 11th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the Party’s National Publicity secretary,Mr. Felix Morka on Wednesday announced this.

    Morka said the forms for Presidential and Governorship aspirants would be sold at N100 million and N50 million respectively; aspirants for Senatorial positions would pay N20 million, House of Representatives,N10 million and house of assembly aspirants N2 million.

    He said forms for the party’s Female aspirants and Persons with disability would be free for any elective positions in the coming 2023 general elections and that youth between the ages of 25- 40 years would have to purchase the forms at a discount of 50 percent.

    The APC Scribe added that the party’s NEC had approved May 30 and June 1 for it’s special convention for it’s 2023 Presidential primary election and May 18 for it’s Governorship primary.

    The APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu,in his opening remarks accused some present and past Governors of the party of working at Cross purpose to cause disunity among the party’s rank and file.

    Adamu, a former Governor of Nassarawa state,said the party’ s former state governors were leaders in their own right, therefore incumbent governors should them respect and adviced party members to embrace unity for the party to continue winning in 2023 and years to come.

  • Nigeria’s Democracy Needs Fair Treatment Before 2023 Elections – Gambo Sallau

    Nigeria’s Democracy Needs Fair Treatment Before 2023 Elections – Gambo Sallau

    By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

    Former speaker, Kano state House of assembly Rt. Honourable Gambo Sallau opined that democracy in Nigeria in needs of fair treatment before the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

    He disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent in Kano, adding that it is important for both the political parties, the Nigerians electoral body and the stakeholders to give free treatment to democracy especially at present when the country’s political agitation is taking new dimension.

    Gambo Sallau lamented that ” it is time for all the political class, the electoral body and those aspiring for various elective positions in Nigeria to promote patriotism, unity and togetherness in order to ensure better Nigeria in 2023 and beyond”. He concluded.

    Commenting on youth in the Nigeri’s politics,the former speaker stressed that although it is time for the youths to be actively inclusive into elective positions, but it is important for them to learn the way politics is being practiced from their political instructors, where he assures that Nigeria would continue to progress in a democratic dispensation of given fair treatment.

    Speaking on the political tussle facing Kano APC, Honourable Gambo Sallau said that ” what is happening in Kano is something natural in democracy, and all of us are law abiding whatever the case might be,we are waiting for the final verdict from the supreme Court where the case would be laid to rest.

  • 2023: Atiku Formally Declares Intention To Run For President

    2023: Atiku Formally Declares Intention To Run For President

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has formally declared his intention to run for the 2023 presidency.

    The former vice-president declared his intention to contest in the 2023 presidential election at the International Conference Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Atiku said his interest in contesting the 2023 presidency and his “enduring persistence” is born out of his passion “to rekindle the Nigerian dream that I was privileged to live”.

    He said currently, Nigeria is a “sinking ship” that must be rescued urgently.

    He described Nigeria as a land of possibilities that is in dire need of a visionary leader.

    “The 2023 election is not just like the usual elections; it is a referendum to decide whether we want greatness or continuous destruction. It is a choice between two paths: the path of unity and progress or the path of division and backwardness,” Atiku said.

    “We need a new kind of leadership that will steer us to a positive path. In 2023, we want a President who has ideas on how to fix Nigeria. We want a president who understands, inspires, and is empathetic.

    “I have contested for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria a couple of times in the past. My enduring persistence is borne out of my passion to rekindle the Nigerian dream that I was privileged to live.

    “Nigeria is a land of possibility. There is no challenging background that will make any Nigerian give up. I am a living witness to what is possible in Nigeria.

    “You and I know that Nigeria is in dire need of visionary leadership. Our fundamental principles and purpose as a nation have never been challenged as it is today. Presently, Nigeria is a sinking ship; it must be rescued urgently. That is why I am happy to announce my candidacy for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    “I offer myself to rescue the sinking ship. Under my captainship, this ship will sail to a brighter course by the grace of God. However, this journey is not mine alone. It is a journey I am taking for all Nigerians. It is also a journey to a destination I planned with my late great mentor, Major General Shehu Musa Yar’adua, and with my beloved compatriot, the late, and great, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. May their souls rest in peace.”

  • 2023: I Have What It Takes To Lead Nigeria – Saraki

    2023: I Have What It Takes To Lead Nigeria – Saraki

    Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said he is capable of leading Nigeria.

    He said this during an interview on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics while responding to questions regarding his interest in the 2023 Presidential election.

    “I believe I have what it takes to lead Nigeria,” Saraki said.

    “I am not someone who shies away from taking up challenges. I am not someone who does not know the issues or someone who does not have the energy and vibrancy to address those issues.

    “More importantly, I am someone that can reach out across the political divide, based on my antecedents. I am someone who can reach out across the ethnicity divide and across the religious divide”.

    According to Saraki, those are essential qualities needed to unite the country as it is today.

    While the former Senate President has yet to officially declare his intentions to run for President, he, however, said he is currently consulting and in due course, he will make an appropriate announcement.

    When asked if there’s a strong possibility for him to run for the number one office, he said: ‘Yes, there is a strong possibility.

    Also addressing the highly-debated issue of zoning, the former Kwara Governor said although it is a great idea, a more important point of focus should be finding the best person for the job.

    “When you talk about zoning, yes, you must consider zoning but when we talk about zoning it can’t just be an issue of north/south because you cannot tell me that the southwest will say they are disenfranchised in the possibility of political office; neither can you say the south-south. But the reality is that the northeast north-central and southeast have not had Presidency or Vice Presidency. But what I’m saying is today, where the country is, with the challenges before the country, we must bring in other issues.

    “We did it when we wanted to look for the National Chairman of our party. we went seeking for who we felt was the best that would help the party.

    “There are people who can provide solutions to the problems of the country if you give them the opportunity,” Saraki added when asked for his closing words to the majority of Nigerians who believe that the All Progressives Congress and the People’s Democratic Party are both one and the same and may not be able to provide the change they seek.

    “I think it will be unfair to use one paintbrush for everybody,’ he said. “But I can speak for myself that everywhere I have been, I have always left it better than I found it and there are many people also like me”.

  • 2023: I will soon officially declare my stand on running for President – Osinbajo

    Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has said he would soon declare his stance on running for the Presidency in 2023.

    The Vice President disclosed this through his spokesman, Laolu Akande, while responding to questions from State House correspondents on Tuesday.

    Akande said the Vice President is currently committed to his job of working with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Well, like he has said up to this time, he is committed to the work that he is elected as Vice President and to support the President.

    “That is what he is focused on now; and like I have also said in my last tweet, whatever will be his activities or whatever he would do will be communicated officially soon,” he said.

  • 2023 Elections: We’ve Not Released Timetable – PDP

    2023 Elections: We’ve Not Released Timetable – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday said it was yet to release the timetable for the 2023 general elections, warning that the one in circulation did not emanate from the party.

    PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, made the clarification in a statement titled, ‘PDP Has Not Released Timetable for 2023 General Elections’.

    According to him, the letter purportedly signed and released by the National Organizing Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Umar M. Bature, as the schedule of activities and timetable of the PDP for the 2023 general elections was fake.

    “The PDP states in clear terms that it is has NOT released any timetable or any schedule of activities whatsoever for the 2022/2023 electioneering year and no such document was signed and released by the National Organizing Secretary,” the statement read.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP is a party of due process and will release a timetable and schedule of activities for the 2022/2023 electioneering year after extensive consultation and approval by critical and statutory organs of the Party at appropriate levels.

    “Clearly, the said timetable and schedule of activities being circulated in the social media is the handiwork of mischievous elements who seek to create confusion, mislead the public and distract our party at this critical point in time.

    “The PDP, therefore, calls on all members of our party and the general public to discountenance the said Timetable and Schedule of Activities as it did not emanate from the PDP.

    “At the appropriate time, the official timetable and schedule of activities of the PDP, when approved will be formally announced and published through the official communication channels of our party and not in the social media.

    “The PDP further calls on all members and Nigerians, in general, to remain focused and not allow themselves to be distracted in our determined mission to rescue and rebuild our nation from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress.”

  • INEC Announces New Dates For 2023 Elections

    INEC Announces New Dates For 2023 Elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Saturday, announced new dates for the 2023 elections.

    This was announced by the National Chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu at a news conference in Abuja, the Federal capital.

    According to him, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, February 25, 2023, while governorship and state houses of assembly elections will hold on March 11, 2023.

    Yakubu explained that the new date is to allow for conformity with the provisions of the Electoral laws which stipulates that elections notice be published at least 260 days before the elections.

    The INEC boss also said the Electoral guidelines will also be published in due course.

    From the adjusted electoral timetable distributed to journalists, all political parties are expected to conduct party primaries and resolve all disputes arising from the primaries between April 4 to June 3, 2022.

    The submission of nomination forms by political parties is scheduled as follows:

    Presidential and National Assembly: 10th June to 17th June 2022

    Governorship and state assemblies: 1st July to 15th July 2022