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NCF denounces Buhari’s refusal to assent to electoral amendment Bill

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***Says its a serious threat to Democracy

National Consultative Front (NCF) has unequivocally denounced President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to assent to the much expected electoral reform. 

Head Public Affairs bureau, National Consultative Front, NCFront Dr Tanko Yunusa in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday said the NCF regrets that the decision of President Buhari amounts to indiscretion and in utter disregard for the mood of the country and expectations of international community. 

“By refusing the assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill expected to empower Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the quest for electronic transmission of results, President Buhari has left no one in doubt about the ploy to undermine democratic wishes of Nigerians in 2023.

“It is unfortunate that the leadership and government of All Progressive Congress (APC) remain impervious, uncommitted and insincere to the popular clamour to consolidate on the electoral reform which paved the way for peaceful transfer of power in 2015. 

“It is indeed regrettable that President Buhari and the APC appear recalcitrant in the determination to reverse the gains recorded with the introduction of biometric system that led to the deployment of Permanent Voter Card and Card Reader Machine during the 2015 election. 

“Under President Buhari, there appears to be deliberate attempt to undermine INEC and frustrate further reforms that will invest the electoral system with transparency. 

“NCF therefore categorically decried the selfish and retrogressive agenda targeted at eroding the faith of the citizens in electoral process through deliberate orchestration of barriers against reforms by INEC.” 

He said, it is unfortunate that President Buhari anchored his refusal to assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill on the provision on direct primaries which now largely appears a booby trap activated to frustrate popular demands for electronic transmission of results. 

“It would be recalled that electronic voting was overwhelmingly canvassed by Nigerians following rejection by the both chambers of the National Assembly. 

“The conundrum of direct primaries in the Electoral Amendment Bill was therefore a smokescreen by enemies of electoral reforms deployed to frustrate electronic transmission of results. 

“It is unfortunate that President Buhari refused to assent electronic transmission of results as introduced by INEC in spite of the high level of transparency witnessed in the polls conducted recently; particularly during the November 6 Governorship Election in Anambra State.

He said, nevertheless, that Nigerians are not unaware of the deceitful antics of beneficiaries of electoral reforms playing the Ostrich with the future of electoral democracy for self-serving reasons. 

“It should be instructive that President Buhari refused to sign electoral amendment bill ahead of 2019 general election for flimsy reasons following deliberate and prevarications. 

“The refusal to sign the latest amendments as was the case in 2019 glaringly reflects the antics of monsters determined to frustrate overwhelming expectations of transparent election. “NCF however calls on well-meaning Nigerians as well as stakeholders and partners at the domestic and international fronts to remain steadfast and unbowed in demanding reforms notwithstanding the latest refusal by President Buhari to assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill.”

He said it us worrisome that President has again failed to live up to expectations in the overall desire to entrench credibility in the electoral process, “NCF calls on Nigerians through the various popular platforms to immediately begin consultations on the next line of actions to either compel presidential assent or demand that the National Assembly take the necessary constitutional steps to override the President. “The decision by President Buhari to withhold assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill offends the sensibilities of Nigerians and must therefore be resisted by all legitimate means necessary. 

“Refusal by Mr. President to sign the Electoral Amendment Bill is insensitive and constitutes assault on democracy. 

“This is yet a demonstration of autocracy and abuse of privilege that is antithetical to overriding national interest.

“Once again Mr President has destroyed his legacy and  rubbished a system he benefited from.”

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Obi did received N850m from Abure, Tanko clarifies

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***describes claim as malicious

The Obi – Datti Chief Spokesman, Dr Yunusa Tanko has clarriffied insinuation by one Mr Calistus Okafofor that the National Chairman of Labour Party Barrester Julius Abure, gave the Presidential Candidate of the party, Peter Obi eight hundred and fifty million Naira, (N850million) to prosecute the 2023 election.

Dr Tanko while debunking the clai said Obi did not collect any funds from the party describing the claim as false, adding that the reverse is the case.

He noted that it was Obi who actually gave money to the party severally.
He challenged Okafor to produce evidence, if actually the chairman told him that he gave Obi money for the purpose of campaign during the election.

“His Exellency has been exemplary in his financial conduct in both his private and public life.

“infact he always matain and always demand for Accountability and Transparency from anybody around
him.

He maintaned that anybody around him should not collect any money from anyone that he or she can not account for.

Dr Tanko declared that he was in the forefront of the campaign and privy to most of the expenses during the campaign and to the best of his knowledge, the party never provided any money directly to Obi to support his campaign rallies across the country.

The Campaign spokesman further stressed that Obi and his supporters were quite aware of all the campaign of calumny being orchestrated of recent from various quarters against the LP leader just to paint him in bad faith by those scared of his rising acceptance by the Nigerian people.

“We are aware that people are already scheming for 2027 and it is unfortunate that certain individuals have chosen to divert attention from the high rate of insecurity and poverty that are currently threatening the very existence of our nation by constantly attacking the personality of Peter Obi.

“Those are the enemy of Nigeria and Nigerians but l know that God will disappoint them and rescue our country from their grips whether they believe it or not’.

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Ondo 2024: Over 250 political structures join forces with Omoluabi Coalition Group

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Some political groups and structures of governorship aspirants in Ondo State numbering over 250 have joined forces with the Omoluabi Coalition Group ahead of November Governorship elections in Ondo State.
This took place on Monday 27th of May 2024 at an expanded Exco’ meeting held in Ore, where the President of the Yoruba Council- YCW; the apex umbrella body for all Yoruba socio cultural groups Aare Barr. Oladotun Hassan received the groups executives from all the 18 local governments across the sunshine state.

Aare Hassan in his welcome address admonished them to remain steadfast, and always imbibe Omoluabi ethos in their conducts.
He stressed the need for the remaining political structures in the state to join forces with Omoluabi Coalition to decide who will govern the State for the next four years, as this governorship election “is not about political party but the candidates”.

The DG Omoluabi Coalition Group Tunji Balogun emphasized the importance of voters card, as he urged those yet to collect theirs to go to INEC offices in their respective local governments for collections.

He said the groups’ target across the state is 200,000 votes. whereas the compilation of registered voters cards at the moment is still 124,678 which is far below target.
He therefore mandated the new members to register their voters cards on the group’s portal for proper documentation.

The woman leader, Yeye Atunluse Oodua Alhaja Tawakalitu while welcoming the new affiliated groups explained that Omoluabi Coalition Group is an independent apolitical and sociocultural group in Yoruba land committed to good governance, aimed at strengthening the democratic process.
She also gave her admonition and assurances that come November governorship election in Ondo state, the choice of Omoluabi Coalition would emerged as governor.

Other speakers included the youth leaders, and state commanders who also corroborated the statements earlier made by the group leaders.

In his closing remarks, the DG Omoluabi coalition advised all members to remain focused and loyal, stressing that the leaders are in consultation with leaders of thought and stakeholders in the State with assurances that “we shall come up with the right choice in the interest of our dear state”.

Omoluabi souvenirs were freely distributed to new members, while the inauguration of streets captains in all 203 wards would come up at a later date.

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I withdrew suit against APC, Aiyedatiwa after Tinubu’s intervention, says Jimoh Ibrahim

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The Senator Jimoh Ibrahim representing Ondo South said he has withdrawn his suit against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa after President Bola Tinubu intervened.

Senator Ibrahim had dragged the APC candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in the State Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the party before the Federal High Court Abuja where he challenged the gubernatorial primary election of the APC held recently in Ondo state.

Ibrahim had alleged that there was no voting in his Senatorial district and a larger part of the State.

Following the suit, the executives of the APC in Igbotako Ward II, Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State, suspended Ibrahim from the party over alleged anti-party activities and insubordination.

However, Ibrahim at a briefing at the Senate on Tuesday, said he withdrew the suit in deference to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who waded in the issue.

Ibrahim in his statement in Abuja titled: “Presidential intervention and notice of withdrawal suit No.

FHC /ABJ/ CS/588/2024,”said: “The suit is now withdrawn due to the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The President called me, had a meeting with me, and assured me that he will as the leader of the party improve on internal democracy within our party, and i will need to withdraw the case to enable him to chart a way forward.

“The Governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, earlier visited my Asokoro residence for several hours after another unsuccessful visit to my hotel room in Akure.

“I cannot disobey the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because the issue am fighting for is not personal.

“It is simply to improve internal democracy to which the President has promised improvement. My respect for the President is absolute!

“Let me use this opportunity to thank Mr. President for the words of wisdom and encouragement during my meeting with him which lasted over one hour and his various interactions with me on the telephone during which he emphasized his commitment to internal democracy over and over again. Thank you, Mr. President.

“The withdrawal of this legendary suit coincides  with the first anniversary of Mr. President’s incredible performance in office, and this is my gift of the ‘cake’ of the first anniversary”

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