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Tag: 2023 General Election

  • Jonathan warns against bitterness in 2023 general election

    Jonathan warns against bitterness in 2023 general election

    By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo 

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned politicians against generating negative energies towards the 2023 general elections saying such attitude would not bring development in Nigeria. 

    Speaking during the commissioning of 1.15km Afi-Uko Ntighe  bridge in Mbo Local Council on Monday, Jonathan regretted that some politicians have already started to exhibit bitterness ahead of February elections.

    He stated that politics of bitterness hinders development, and called on politicians to market their politics with ideas, rather than fight, insult and abuse their opponents.

    “I am a bit worried by the negative energy generated ahead of the 2023 elections.We have noticed a level of bitterness in our politics that does not bring development and I plead with politicians  that marketing is about marketing your ideas. Politics is not about fighting, is not insulting, is not about abusing. 

    “We have been reading in the newspapers and social media of how billboards of Presidential candidates, governorship candidates are pulled down and I believe by hoodlums, but sometimes, they say some governments even support those kind of things. 

    “If you are a part of the team doing that, then know that you are among the unfortunate miscreants, wolvens, virus or pathogen that is really decomposing our democracy. Please stop doing that; but in all these, I believe the security services have a lot to do. 

    “I believe anybody who commits a crime should not be covered under politics. Arson is arson and is never status bound, so somebody who commits a crime, burn houses, kill people, the record must be kept, and whatever the investigation is completed, such people should be prosecuted; that is the only way people would stop doing this. 

    “But if people commit criminal offences and walk away, then, of course, other people would be encouraged to do same. So security services in Nigeria have a lot to do, they must not spare any criminal,” he stated.  

    Jonathan who was accompanied by former governor of Kogi State Capt Idris Wada(Rtd) comm nded the developments strides of Governor Udom Emmanuel pointing out that was possible through sustainable peace.

    Governor Udom Emmanuel had earlier in his speech said he has satisfied his conscience with his achievements across the state, adding that despite criticisms and the falsehood peddled against his government, he has tried not to be distracted. 

    Emmanuel commended the community for supporting the construction of the project, saying the project confirms his promise to open up the riverine areas.

    He revealed that the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Victor Attah International Airport, the first in Nigeria is awaiting commissioning, and is appreciated across the world. 

    “I said in my second term that we are going to open up the riverine areas. In Nigeria today, I think we are very few in terms of governirs who can have 31 local government areas and development touching 31 local government area simultaneously. 

    “There is no local government out of 31 which can say that this administration has not touched or there is not an ongoing life touching project going on now.

    “This is the only place a subnational is signing a signature in the sky, on the land, in the water. Today, if I had gotten the support of the Federal Government,  we would have gone far in this area. This is where the industrial hub for the future Nigeria lies. 

    “The Chairman of NNPC with Akwa Ibom and the investors signed a tripartite agreement as SSGD, the whole of this area, that is how significant this bridge is, to open up a solution hub in oil and gas, open industrial hub for Nigeria.” The Governor explained.

    State Commissioner of Works, Prof Eno Ibanga said the 1.15km bridge sits on 412 piles with a minimum depth of 30 metres each, segmented into 52 spans of 22.5metres, which sits on 408 precast beams adding that the bridge meets all engineering specifications.

  • 2023 General Election: God Has Given Nigeria A Chance To Choose Good Leaders – NCPC Boss

    2023 General Election: God Has Given Nigeria A Chance To Choose Good Leaders – NCPC Boss

    The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam has said that God had given Nigeria a chance and opportunity to choose credible leaders at all levels in the 2023 general elections.

    In a release signed by Celestine Toruka Deputy Director and Head Media and Public Relations, NCPC made this disclosure at Chugwi, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau state on 8th January, 2023 during a retirement service of the President of the New Life Gospel Church of Christ For All Nations, Rev. Emmanuel Mancha.

    He said, ” God has given to Nigeria a chance and opportunity for 2023, we will rise to change the story of this country, the chance has come.”

    He said that God would give Nigeria a chance in 2023 and we would use that chance to glorify the name of the Lord.

    Rev Pam who was the guest speaker at the service, took his Biblical references from the Book of Matthew, Chapter 25, verse 14– the Parable of the Talents.
    He urged Nigerians to make good use of every opportunity that comes their way by being productive and should use it to serve God and humanity.

    He noted that any leader without opposition would certainly not go far .

    According to him, the Lord had given us 2023 as a special year and a year for the country to conduct its general election that would move Nigeria to the next level as he as admonised Nigerians not to be afraid in doing what is right.

    He explained that Rev. Mancha has fought a good fight hence he is being celebrated.
    “If God gives you chance, stop looking at others”. He added,” be faithful to what God has committed into your hands.”

    He described the retiring President of NLGCCN as a faithful servant of God with rich knowledge of the scriptures.
    He urged Rev. Mancha to always avail himself of his services even as a retiree.

    The retirement service also featured the induction of new Administrative Committee members of the Church.

  • 2023: Peter Obi Receives Labour Party Certificate of Return

    2023: Peter Obi Receives Labour Party Certificate of Return

    The Labour Party has issued Peter Obi his certificate of return after recent victory at the LP Presidential primary.

    National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, handed over the certificate to Obi at a ceremony at its National headquarters in Abuja, on Friday.

    While handing over the certificate, Abure described the ceremony as a milestone in the life of the party.

    He said, “I said so because it is a new dawn for the people of this country. It is a new dawn because the people have been enslaved over the years and a new movement has began that will liberate them from the slavery of hunger, poverty, employment, bad governance and insecurity in the land.

    “Today we have started this movement and nothing, no amount of intimidation, no amount of pretence of factionalization, no amount if stopping us from registering or preventing us from participating in the ongoing voter registration will stop this movement.

    “Wherever I have been to people have confronted me on how Am i going to deliver Peter Obi since you have no structure and my response has always been that a people that have decided to liberate themselves you can never stop them.

    “I have also maintained that it is people that form structure. The structure belongs to the people and the people of Nigeria have made up their minds to liberate themselves and what will happen in the next few weeks will shock you what Nigeria s will do.

    “We already have structure across the country, across the states and local government as well as in the units.

    That structure will be further ventilated because Nigerians have decided to make a change and this change is inevitable. “

    In response, the presidential candidate Peter Obi while responding said, “Whenever I hear of no structure my answer to it is simple. The 100 million Nigerians living under poverty will be the structure.

    “The 35 million Nigerian youths who don’t know where the next meal will come from, will be structure.

    “The elderly, the mothers and fathers, the old ones that are dying or being owed gratuity and pension, will be the structure, ASUU, the lecturers who are being owed, the students that are not in school will be the structure since it is all about the structures of a human being.

    He also explained that in 2011 when ASUU went on Strike, though he could not meet up but he was able to strike a middle ground with ASUU.

    According to him Anambra State University is not part of the ongoing ASUU strike because the precedent he set of N5b subvention yearly is still on.

    He said the money that was in his custody was for the public hence he had the duty to utilize it judiciously for the people.

    He promised to turn Nigeria from a consumer nation to producer nation.

    “We must talk about the future of Nigeria to change the trend to ensure that our youth become productive, woth job opportunities, our aim us to move Nigeria from consumption to production.”

  • 2023: I Won’t Decline Calls to Contest for Presidency – Tinubu

    2023: I Won’t Decline Calls to Contest for Presidency – Tinubu

    Former governor of Lagos State and one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday, cleverly declared his decision to take his chances in the 2023 presidential election, saying he would not decline the many calls by supporters and admirers for him to contest.

    By this statement, Tinubu has made it clear that his resolve to contest the 2023 presidential election was no longer in the realm of speculation, but when to officially declare, after he might have consulted widely and effectively as he had stated explicitly yesterday.

    Tinubu, who hinted at this in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Northern Alliance Committee (NAC), however, insisted he would still consult widely before finally declaring his intention for the 2023 presidential poll.

    His words: “I am not going to turn them down but I will still effectively and widely consult, particularly brainstorm with my friends and find a date to come out openly and tell Nigerians.

    “But the President is still in office. I don’t want to distract him from all the challenges he might face today. So, don’t muddle the political waters. Consult, make our programme known to the people later. And the intention is clear. So, you can keep guessing.”

    Leader of the group, Mr. Lawal Munir, while endorsing Tinubu’s presidential ambition, also revealed that the meeting resolved to work towards the actualisation of his ambition in 2023 due to his superlative qualities.

    According to him, “The meeting ended very well. We are working for him. We are working for him because we know he will win the election when the time comes.”

    Despite the fact that the former Lagos governor has not formally declared his intention to run, one of his mobilisation machines, Tinubu Support Group (TSG), has already commenced mobilisation of party faithful across the country in order to ensure his 2023 presidential ambition comes to fruition.

    The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had in October inaugurated the South West Agenda 2023 (SWAGA ’23), a political movement that has been mobilising support for Tinubu to throw his hat in the 2023 presidential ring.

  • PDP has Repositioned Itself to Capture Power in 2023 General Elections – Gov Ortom

    PDP has Repositioned Itself to Capture Power in 2023 General Elections – Gov Ortom

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom says the People’s Democratic party (PDP) is on the verge of repositioning itself preparatory to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in 2023 general elections.

    The Governor who spoke to Journalists at the Makurdi Airport shortly after returning from Abuja where he attended the meeting of the PDP Governors’ Forum to resolve it’s Internal squabbles to build confidence in Nigerians.

    According to Ortom another meeting of the party is slated for tomorrow to draw up programs that would ensure the success of the national convention scheduled to hold in October this year.

    He contended that PDP has concluded arrangements to complete its Congresses in various states of the Federation before the convention, stating that at the last meeting there was an acting national Chairman of the party that presided over the meeting.

  • Towards Substantive Nigerian Electoral Reform Ahead of 2023 General Election

    Towards Substantive Nigerian Electoral Reform Ahead of 2023 General Election

    A Press Statement by TBAN

    Lagos, Nigeria, February 19, 2021 – There is broad consensus for electoral reform in Nigeria. Key stakeholder groups, including the National Assembly, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organisations (CSOs), and Nigerians in diaspora are either working on, or pushing for, functional changes to make Nigeria’s elections more credible, participatory, efficient, and serve as a framework for strengthening the country’s democracy rather than for undermining it – as it mostly remains the case.

    By some accounts, a new electoral law to serve these objectives, and more, is nearly a done deal. Even if this is the case, it is necessary to keep providing the policymakers with the support they need while also ratcheting up public advocacy until a new electoral act is passed by the legislature and assented to by the President.

    Time is also of the essence, too. At To Build A Nation (TBAN), we advocate for the new legislation to be in place by the end of the first half of 2021. This would enable the implementation of applicable new provisions of the law to be piloted in the Anambra State gubernatorial election in November this year, and in the off-main-cycle elections that would hold prior to the 2023 general election.

    TBAN supports the proposed broad amendments, including to effectively regulate campaign financing, punish electoral offenders, and make INEC financially independent. However, two reform agenda are at the core of our advocacy. One is direct electronic transmission of results from the polling units (PUs) to INEC’s computer server at its central collation centre. The other is diaspora voting.

    We acknowledge that, like in many other countries, some aspects of Nigeria’s electoral processes are already electronic. For example, voter registration has changed from manual to electronic, including the collection of biometric information of voters. Voter accreditation is also done electronically. The critical missing part in the electronic processes is electronic transmission of results. This retains the vulnerabilities to delays in the transmission of election results, falsification of the results, and physical and arsonist attacks on the manual collation centres across the country by sponsored thugs.

    The technologies for electronic transmission of results from the PUs around the country is affordable and easily implemented. They sidestep the concern of lack of education by a large part of the electorate, infrastructural deficiencies, lack of electricity power, and high costs of acquisition of voting machines and their deployment. Indeed, election results can be transmitted to INEC’s server using an app on mobile phones by INEC’s returning officers. It can be that simple, yet electronic transmission of results would be a real game-changer, helping to eliminate the aforementioned vulnerabilities of manual collation and transmission of election results.

    We assert that diaspora voting in Nigeria’s election is also an imperative, for a number of reasons. First, the clear disenfranchisement of up to 16 million Nigerians living abroad makes the country’s election one of the most exclusionary in the world. That number is higher than the population of longstanding world’s democracies, including Greece.

    Second, Nigeria needs new voting blocs that are not amenable to vote-buying. Vote buying is not only providing empirical evidence that the country’s democracy is deliberately skewed to impoverish the people so that established politicians can weaponise the mass poverty to their electoral advantage, it is also fuelling voter apathy. Nigerian diaspora, and definitely the middle class – which has all but disengaged from the democratic process – constitute important voting blocs.

    Third, Nigerians in diaspora have for decades been making key contributions to the domestic economy through remittances. Money sent to the country through the formal remittance channels by Nigerian citizens living abroad, estimated at over $20 billion annually, rivals the national budget, contributing to poverty alleviation in the country. Recently, the federal government has also issued diaspora bonds to further harness the development financing power of fellow citizens living abroad. Indeed, a more recent policy musing has considered the introduction of diaspora taxation.

    It remains axiomatic that there is no taxation without representation. But even until the possible introduction of diaspora taxation in Nigeria, the economic contributions the diaspora citizens have been making provide a good basis for their enfranchisement in the country’s election. The outlook of the country’s external earnings suggests increased dependence on diaspora financing for the economy.

    We believe the anticipated electoral reform in Nigeria should be far-sighted and truly problem solving. The expected new electoral law is rightly seen as a last-ditch effort to save the country’s democracy. The reform should enable the election of more competent people into government to undertake the other key reforms, such as a constitutional restructuring of the country and building a just, equitable and productive economy.

    It is important that Nigerian citizens should not relax in their demand for the necessary electoral reform. Our work is not done yet. After the new Electoral Bill has been passed, and signed into law by the President, citizens and groups should remain vigilant to ensure the law is implemented to the letters.

    Signed

    Jide Akintunde
    Executive Director, TBAN

    Joy Chianu
    Head, TBAN Policy Research Committee

    TBAN Policy Research Committee Members Who Developed This Statement

    1. Joy Chianu (Ontario, Canada)
    2. Dr. Uchenna Ilo (Glasgow, the UK)
    3. Dr. Gbenga Jaiyesimi (Sagamu, Nigeria)
    4. Udeme Etukeyen (Uyo, Nigeria)
    5. Temitope Alo (Abuja, Nigeria)
    6. Chimere Alim (Lagos, Nigeria)
    7. Bryant Ezeamama-Agubalu (Miami, USA)