By Emmanuel Mogbede

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi says the All Progressives Congress (APC) will triple its membership ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Bello, who is the chairman of the newly inaugurated APC Women and Youth Sensitisation and Mobilisation Committee for the membership registration and revalidation exercise, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja.

He assured that the committee would move to the field immediately, adding that it would liaise with every stakeholder within the party and across its lines.

Bello said the committee would create the desired awareness to ensure that it tripped the party’s present membership.

The Kogi governor said the future of youths and women was in the APC, urging them to take advantage of the party’s membership registration and revalidation to join its fold.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his concern for all Nigerians, especially youths and women.

According to Bello, APC will continue to win elections in the country and stand as a democratic model for other nations.

“The APC will continue to win every election in this country, by the time we are done with the registration of new members and revalidation of existing ones in the country.

“The APC will not just be the largest political party in Africa, but we are going to call on even the developed nations to come and learn from APC in Nigeria.

“We shall even teach some of our brothers who have just concluded elections that were rancorous,” he said.

Bello also commended Gov. Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) for taking up the task of rebuilding the party and restoring peace, sanity and unity among its ranks.

“We have always been saddled with the responsibility of carrying one assignment or the other for the party and we have always delivered on our mandate.

“This is yet another one and by the grace of God, with the cooperation, understanding and the support of members of the party and Nigerians, we are very confident that we are going to deliver resoundingly once again,” he said.

While inaugurating the committee, Gov. Buni said that APC was putting in place some strategic measures to properly reposition it ahead of 2023 general election.

Buni said this was in addition to the APC’s reconciliation efforts which he said had continued to yield tremendous results for the party.

“We are also embarking on this critical measure to breathe a new life into the party.

“The Sensitisation and Mobilisation committee had a crucial and critical role to play in the membership registration and revalidation exercise which will commence soon,” Buni said.

The Chairman of the APC CECPC said members of the committee were expected to mount rigorous sensitisation campaign to effectively mobilise every member of the party especially women and youth to either revalidate their membership or register afresh.

He charged members of the committee not to leave any stone unturned, but to ensure effective mobilisation for every member to take advantage of the opportunity to register.

Buni assured that the party’s leadership would provide the committee with the necessary support to ensure its success.

“You are enjoined to work as a team to achieve the desired goal with ease and within the expected time frame.

“The committee is hereby advised to liaise with all stakeholders in all the states to carry everyone on board for an all-inclusive programme,” he said.

The committee, which has Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun as its Vice Chairman, has the APC Director of Organisation, Prof. Ussiju Medaner, as its secretary. (NAN)

By Mercy Obojeghren

The Speaker of Delta House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, says he has been certified free from COVID-19 after being down with the disease in the last few weeks.

The speaker said this in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Dennis Out, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Asaba.

Oborevwori, who said that he had been down coronavirus in the last few weeks, said that she was now back on his feet, hale and hearty.

“Weeks ago, I experienced overt COVID-19-related symptoms and promptly self-isolated before opting for test. The test result came out positive and medical officials began treatment.

”After some weeks and days of treatment, another round of tests was run on me. I am grateful to God to announce that the last results came out negative.

“As it is, the symptoms are gone and I am now hale and hearty. I want to specially thank God for restoring my health through the medical personnel who are doing great job,” he said.

While narrating his experience, the speaker expressed gratitude to God, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa and the people of the state for their support and prayers, saying “COVID-19 is real and people should not joke with it because I am a living testimony.

“I want to use this opportunity to advise the people of Delta to diligently observe the protocols as prescribed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the guidelines by the state government.

“Avoid mass gatherings as much as possible; wash your hands regularly with soap and running water; wear face mask in public and keep social distancing,” he added. (NAN)

By Ibrahim Kado

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it plans to register two million members in Adamawa in the ongoing membership registration across the country.

Prof. Tahir Mamman, member, APC National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee said this at a news conference in Yola, on Saturday.

“We want to see at least two million residents of Adamawa as bonafide registered members of the APC in the ongoing membership registration..

“By God’s grace in 2023, it is going to be APC ‘SAK’ at all levels, Federal State down to Local Government Areas (LGAs),” he said.

Mamman said that the party had earlier planned Mega Rally in the state to receive prominent personalities who defected from other parties, but had to cancel the event due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Also speaking, Sen. Isiyaku Abbo, representing Yola North, who defected from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC said that his decision was based on the interest of the people, saying that he did not left out of desperation.

Abo urged security agencies in the state to distance themselves from politics, while performing their duties to ensure fairness.

Mr Ibrahim Bilal, the state APC chairman, urged party supporters and loyalists to ensure that they register in their wards across the state to ensure success of the exercise.(NAN)

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Saturday extolled Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State as he attained the age of 55, describing him as an outstanding nationalist, democrat and excellent administrator.

Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP Publicity Secretary, in a statement in Abuja said Tambuwal had continued to demonstrate an unmatched patriotism and commitment toward stability and growth of Nigeria and the party.

Tambuwal is also the Vice Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum and Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum.

Ologbondiyan said that the PDP was particularly proud of Tambuwal for his selflessness in service, leading to his excellent performance when he was the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He noted that the party was also proud of him now as governor of Sokoto State, where he had elevated the quality of life of his people through landmark infrastructural development and empowerment of citizens in all spheres of life.

“Our party appreciates Tambuwal’s loyalty, humility and sacrificial contributions to the stability, growth and success of our party.

“We particularly appreciate his performance as the Chairman, PDP Governor’s Forum, where he has brought his experience and administrative skills to bear in strengthening the unity and oneness of purpose in our fold,” he said.

The publicity secretary said that the PDP family heartily celebrated Tambuwal, on the auspicious milestone in his life

He prayed that the Almighty Allah would continue to bless him with many more years in good health and wisdom.

He added that the nation would continue to benefit from his patriotic service to his fatherland and humanity at large. (NAN)

By Deborah Coker

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Edo has congratulated Gov. Godwin Obaseki on his victory at the Federal High Court, Abuja in the alleged certificate forgery suit.

The APC and one of its chieftains, Mr Williams Edobor dragged Obaseki to court for allegedly forging the University of Ibadan degree certificate he submitted to INEC to aid his qualification for the Sept. 19, 2020 governorship election in Edo.

The plaintiffs asked the court to disqualify Obaseki and his party from the polls in the event that Obaseki was found to have forged his University of Ibadan degree certificate obtained in 1979.

However, a judgment delivered by Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Saturday, dismissed the alleged certificate forgery case.

Justice Mohammed dismissed the case on the grounds that the plaintiffs had failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.

The Edo PDP, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Chris Nehikhare, said that the judgment was proof that Obaseki’s government was elected by the Edo people and had the blessings of God.

Nehikhare called on the APC to join the government to build a society where hard work was rewarded, hate condemned and love for a prosperous state the driving spirit of every being.

According to him, it is the most honourable thing to do, it is the most noble step to take.

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commiserated with Nigeria’s civil society community on the death of Mrs Esther Uzoma, a gender rights advocate.

Uzoma was the National Coordinator of Proactive Gender Initiative and the Convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.

Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner, and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, said in a statement on Friday in Abuja that the commission received with shock the news of her death.

Okoye, who also condoned her family and friends said the death was “an irreparable loss” pointing out that Uzoma would be remembered for her commitment to a better Nigeria.

“She has worked closely with the commission (INEC) in the areas of election observation, constitutional and electoral reforms as well as in capacity building for the staff of the commission.

“Uzoma championed good causes and spent a considerable portion of her life fighting for a better society,” the INEC chief said.

He said Nigeria had lost a “courageous and vibrant civil society leader”.

“Uzoma was a known gender rights advocate, civil society activist and a tireless campaigner for credible elections in Nigeria,” Okoye said. (NAN)

By Dianabasi Effiong
Rivers State Executive Council has approved the construction of a new House of Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt at the cost of N10.1 billion.

The new legislative quarters, expected to provide global standard accommodation for the legislators, is expected to be completed within 16 months.

The approval for the construction was given on Friday during the Executive Council meeting presided over by Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

The Commissioner for Housing, Elder Chinedu Tasie, who briefed journalists on the approval, said that the new Assembly Quarters would be built within the old site.

Tasie said that the project would comprise “32 four bedroom duplexes as against the block of flats now considered to be obsolete’’.

The Commissioner added that a two-room `Boys Quarters’ would be attached to each of the duplexes.

The new legislative quarters will include a multipurpose hall, green area, security accommodation, guard office, gate houses and network of roads and underground drainage.

He said: “It has been awarded to an indigenous company to undertake the project for a period of 16 months and the contract sum approved is N10.1 billion.’’

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Paulinus Nsirim, said the approval for the construction was to ensure that the legislative arm have decent accommodation.

Nsirim also said that the project would boost the synergy that existed between the two arms of government.

“In this State, the relationship between the executive, legislature and the judiciary is one that is being celebrated across the country because of the leadership that the Governor has given in the State.

“So, we are looking forward to a global standard accommodation for our legislators, which will help them in the legislative business in the years ahead,’’ Nsirim said. (NAN)

By Naomi Sharang

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged the National Assembly to use a bipartisan approach in amending the Electoral Act to help improve conduct of elections in the country.

Yakubu made the call at the inauguration of the Joint Technical Committee on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill on Friday in Abuja.

The event was organised by the National Assembly Joint Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters with support from Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).

He was represented by Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee.

Yakubu said that the amendment was timely, saying that more fundamentally, the reforms must be impactful, approached from a bipartisan angle, devoid of divisive issues and concluded at least by the first quarter of 2021.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan had in 2020, pledged the commitment of the National Assembly to the passage of the Electoral Act amendment bill by the end of first quarter of 2021.

The INEC chairman welcomed the renewed efforts and commitment by the leadership of the National Assembly towards amending the electoral legal framework for the conduct of elections.

Yakubu said that the renewed drive by the legislature was timely and must be sustained and approached with a sense of history and urgency.

He said that the efforts must be diffused with clearly defined timelines, priority, interventions and strategic thinking.

Yakubu said that the commission was fully committed to the amendment process and would continue to offer suggestions and recommendations that would help improve the regime of elections in the country.

He further said that amending the electoral legal framework would not automatically lead to improvement in the management and conduct of elections.

“The Constitution and the Electoral Act are not self-executory, and both operate through the actions and inactions of the critical stakeholders in the electoral process,” he said.

A member of the Technical Committee, Mr Sadiq Mua’azu said that one of the advantages of the electoral reforms was to bring all amendments together in one document.

Mua’azu said that the major target of the amendment was to ensure that all political parties were gender sensitive as well as eliminate all forms of discrimination in all political parties.

“The bill mandates all political parties to ensure that women leaders are women or persons of the feminine gender and that all youth leaders are between the ages of 18 to 45 at the date of elections into such offices.

“The bill also seeks to increase maximum election expenses to be incurred by Presidential or Governorship Candidates, Senatorial or House of Representatives Candidates.

“The amount was increased for the Presidential election from N1billion to N5 billion and from N200 million to N1 billion for the governorship and for the Senate and House of Representatives it was increased to N100 million and N70 million respectively,” he said.

Sen. Kabiru Gaya, Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, said that the bill when passed and assented would tremendously change the political sphere of the nation.

“The amending of the Electoral Act would indeed positively affect the electoral process and procedures which has posed challenges and raised controversies that have put the mantra of free, fair and credible elections to question,” he said.

He said that the Technical Committee was inaugurated in order to achieve the set timeline for passing the bill by the end of the first quarter of 2021.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, pledged to work with the technical committee to ensure unhindered presidential assent to the bill.

Malami was represented by Special Assistant to the President on Justice Reform and International Relations, Mrs Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu.

“I will continue to work more closely with the National Assembly to ensure that the bill is eventually passed as scheduled.

“I recall that immediately after the 2015 elections, the President approved the inauguration of the constitutional and electoral reform committees in 2016, we have been working with the National Assembly and we came up with four bills that have been approved by the Federal Executive Council and forwarded to the National Assembly,” he said.

In a goodwill message, Head, Governance and Stability, FCDO, Mr Sam Waldock said that the UK was a proud supporter of Nigeria’s democratic process.

“In the last five years, the UK has invested more than 50 million pounds in Nigeria’s democratic process and it’s the largest democracy in Africa and it is the leading member of Commonwealth.

“We commend the National Assembly for its work to reform this legislation which will go a long way even after the next election.

“Setting up a technical sub-committee to expedite the work on this bill is a very important contribution to Nigeria’s electoral legal framework,” he said.

Also, Executive Director, PLAC, Mr Clement Nwankwo expressed optimism that the bill would be passed within the shortest possible time.

“Following the experience of the last failed attempt to sign the Electoral Act in 2018, it is quite clear that this commitment is unanimous on all sides to ensure that we do have a new Electoral Act in place.

“With the support from the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, we are able to collaborate with the National Assembly to deliver on the commitment that has been made by the assembly,” Nwankwo said. (NAN)

By Leonard Okachie

Thousands of the Peoples Democratic Party faithful in Abia on Thursday formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors, who came from Aba North Local Government Area of the state, were received by the Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Kalu, at his Camp Neya’s country home in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of the state.

Kalu said he received them on behalf of the State Chairman of the party, Chief Donatus Nwankpa, and Chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Gov. Mai Buni.

Speaking at the brief event, Kalu urged them to be of good behaviour and work conscientiously for the party’s victory in 2023.

“We are a disciplined party. We are a party that encourages people to pay workers’ salaries, pensions, build roads and take care of society.

“We have no other business than taking care of the welfare of our people.

“Our business in APC is to think and work toward the welfare of Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra people and Nigerians resident in our state.

“Today is a remarkable day and I want to welcome you to this great party, which is for all Nigerians.

“We believe that this party will make all of us proud. The party believes in the rule of law.

“It believes things should be done well and believes in all Nigerians.

“Your defection to APC shows that this party is the best for Abia and Nigeria.

“We are growing  stronger and stronger everyday and our growth will be felt in the 2023 general  elections,” he said.

Also, the APC  House of Representative’s candidate for Aba North and South in the 2019 poll, Mr Mascot Kalu, commended the defectors for their “bold decision”.

He said that the party’s doors were still open for more prospective defectors.

Earlier, spokesmen of the defectors, Bunch Adiele and Eze Agege, pledged to be law abiding and deliver Aba to APC in 2023.

They appealed to Kalu and the leadership of the party to accept them unconditionally, saying: “We are your sons and daughters residing and doing business in Aba.

“We have realised our mistake and lost our political root.

“But today, we are here to tell you we are sorry and fully back with you. Forgive us and take us back as your children.

“Today, we want to be officially accepted into APC to reunite with the father of politics in Abia.

“All the wards in Aba north are all represented here. We are resolute to return Aba North to APC,” they said.

According to them, the poor governance index in Abia shows that APC will take over the state in 2023. (NAN)