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Tinubu’s order on military to retaliate soldiers’ killing against Igbo  – IPOB

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By Our Reporter
Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB),
revealed on wednesday, that President Bola Tinubu’s order to retaliate the killing of soldiers in Aba, Abia State, was a reckless order, describing it as giving approval for another genocide against Ndigbo.
In a statement by IPOB spokesman, Mr Emma Powerful, IPOB reiterated that it was not responsible for the attack and the killing of the soldiers even as it condemned the barbaric murder of the soldiers on the sacred day of  Biafra Heroes Day.
The statement reads in parts,”The hasty manner in which the Nigerian government and its murderous military pinned the killing of the soldiers on IPOB without any investigation shows that it was a premeditated plan to blackmail IPOB and Ndigbo. It is obvious that the killing of the soldiers was sponsored to blackmail IPOB and perhaps use  the opportunity to scuttle the development strides being made in Abia State by their governor in Aba and around the state.
“IPOB demands open and independent investigation into the murder of the soldiers to fish out the real culprits. The statement credited to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordering the Nigeria Military to invade Abia State to kill innocent IPOB members and to go after innocent people without setting up an investigation panel shows a deep seated level of hatred and bigotry against Ndigbo. It is pathetic that a president of a country will encourage genocide of an ethnic group whom he has sworn an oath to protect.
” President Bola Tinubu has not hidden his hatred against Ndigbo. His government discontinued the case against Oduduwa Republic Activist Sunday Ighoho, dropped a case against Omoyele Sowore, dropped charges against confirmed drug dealer and fraudster ASP Abba Kyari, and lastly has dropped charges against a confirmed Fulani Miyetti Allah terrorists leader, Bello Bodejo.
“President Tinubu dropped charges and freed Yorubas and Fulanis without publicizing them, but have vehemently refused to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu even after the Appeal Court has discharged and acquitted our leader. President Tinubu has encouraged the economic sabotage of Igbo businesses in Lagos State and Abuja since he assumed office.
The latest order from President Tinubu to the Nigerian Army to slaughter Ndigbo in retaliation in what could be likened to a State masterminded attack and assassination of soldiers at Aba is a ploy to distract attention from the illegal and unjust detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“The Nigerian government doesn’t want people to question the rationale behind the continuous detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu after discharging other similar high-profile cases in Nigeria.
The hatred and hidden evil agenda against the East /Ndi Igbo by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his APC government of Nigerian state has become very clear through what happened in Aba on the 30th May, 2024 which is an orchestrated, designed, and intended to create an avenue to slow down the progress of development in Abia state.
“We are informing the Abia state governor to make sure there is an absolute vigilance over the power station as it will be targeted for destruction to frustrate the influx of foreign investors and weaken the rapidity of development in Abia State.
“Gov. Otti’s achievement in just one year is a serious threat to the enemies of the East/ Ndi Igbo, including other governors in the Eastern Region, both past and present. It is, therefore, not a surprise that this scenario is unfolding.
“IPOB will not be deterred by the genocidal order from  President Tinubu because we already know that Ndigbo is no longer wanted in Nigeria. We want President Tinubu to understand that no amount of blackmail or intimidation can change IPOB’s resolve in pursuing self-determination and Independence of Biafra Nation from their hateful country, Nigeria.
‘The past murderous Fulani governments of Buhari spent billions of dollars to blackmail and to try to destroy IPOB but failed. The hatred and hidden evil agenda against the East /Ndi Igbo by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his APC government of Nigerian has become very clear through what happened in Aba on the 30th May, 2024 which is an orchestrated intention to create an avenue to slow down the progress of development in Abia state.
“We are informing the Abia state governor to make sure there should be absolute vigilance over the power station as   it is not a surprise that this scenario is unfolding from Tinubu’s government. IPOB is not against Nigeria unity, but we want a negotiated disintegration that will only happen through a referendum. IPOB wants a referendum date for Biafrans to decide whether to stay in Nigeria or not. No amount of threat, sponsored killings, or arrest can stop IPOB.
“How could the president dish out reckless order to known ethnic biased murderous soldiers to slaughter Ndigbo and IPOB for an uninvestigated killing of soldiers? President Tinubu has never issued such an order to the soldiers in the North where soldiers, police officers, and the people are being decimated by the terrorists and bandits. As long as we in IPOB are concerned, we are innocent of the accusations against us by the Nigeria government and her murderous military.”

Politics

IPU cannot consider Natasha’s petition – Jimoh Ibrahim

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Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman of the Senate Inter-parliamentary Committee, remarked that the purported petition from the suspended Senator Natasha is “dead on arrival.”

He emphasised that Nigeria, rather than Senator Natasha, is the member of the IPU.

A petition can only be lodged against another member state by a member state.

This implies that the IPU cannot consider petitions from individuals who are not members.

The suspended Senator Natasha is not a member of the IPU, but Nigeria is!
Additionally, the suspended Senator cannot represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I served as the interim president of the IPU in Geneva in 2023, and I am familiar with how the IPU operates after presiding over its proceedings.

Furthermore, as Chairman of the Inter- parliamentary Committee in the Nigerian Senate, I did not approve or authorise the suspended Senator Natasha to attend the IPU on behalf of Nigeria to the Senate President.”

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Senate moves to establish Early Voting for Nigerians on essential duties during elections …..As Bill scales 2nd reading 

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By George Mgbeleke
The Senate on Thursday passed to second reading a Bill to amend the Electoral Act to provide opportunity for Nigerians on essential duties to perform their civic duties.
The Bill sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz zMusa Yar’adua seeks to amend the Electoral Act tagged “Electoral Act(Amendment -Early Voting Bill) 2024.

Senate in session in the chamber

In his lead debate Senator Yar’adua noted that the Bill seeks to enfranchise a significant group of Nigerians who, due to the nature of their duties on election days, are denied the opportunity to exercise their most fundamental democratic right; the right to vote.
He said,”This very important bill seeking to introduce early voting in the Electoral Act 2022 to enhance the inclusion, participation and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, and for related matters, was read for the first time on Wednesday, the 15th day of May  2024.
“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, due to the far-reaching nature of this Bill, let me crave your indulgence to extensively highlight the background, which I believe will not only provide a proper context for this legislative initiative but also motivate this hallowed chamber to accelerate the legislative process in enacting the Bill.
“Background and Rationale
In any democratic process, equal opportunity must be given to all citizens to participate in elections regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, occupation or socioeconomic status. This ensures the true reflection of the will of the people thereby enhancing the stability of the democratic process. Unfortunately, a huge number of Nigerians who are involved in making Nigeria’s elections a success are excluded from the crucial decision-making of choosing their leaders through the ballot.”
The lawmaker further observed that,”Over one million citizens who play critical roles in ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections are disenfranchised.
” These include INEC officials, including ad-hoc staff, the security personnel, journalists, observers and others who work on election day to uphold the integrity of the process are effectively denied their right to vote because they are deployed to polling units far from where they registered. This is an irony that should not be lost on us, and this bill seeks to correct that by making provision for early voting for such citizens.
“Mr President, Distinguished Colleagues, this exclusion has characterised all elections in the Fourth Republic and became more alarming in the 2023 General Elections with over 1 million ad-hoc staff, 310,973 police personnel, 93,495 military and Department of State Service (DSS) personnel, 51,000 personnel from the National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), 21,000 from the Federal Road Safety Corps, 11,336 from the Nigeria Correctional Service, 9,447 from the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and 350 personnel from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who were actively engaged in election activities were disenfranchised. Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission reported that 144,800 observers were deployed by 196 national and domestic organisations, with the implication that those citizens were also unable to vote. This is in addition to journalists and others involved in elections in various capacities. The number of those excluded from voting could change the outcomes of election results.”
Continuing he said,”Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, the figures highlighted above makes this bill a necessity to address the ‘disenfranchisement’ of eligible voters. As lawmakers, it is our duty to ensure that every Nigerian citizen, regardless of their profession or duty on election day, has the opportunity to participate fully in the electoral process. Incorporating early voting in our electoral legal framework shall strengthen universal adult suffrage as our Constitution guarantees every eligible Nigerian the right to vote.
” Furthermore, this Bill strengthens democratic values as democracy thrives when participation is broad, inclusive, and representative. By preventing those on election duty from voting, we are limiting the breadth of participation and undermining the very principles of democracy.
“Distinguished Colleagues, here are the highlights of the bill:
Provision for eligibility and registration of early voters:  Political parties will receive a list of registered early voters to ensure transparency.
Eligible individuals include security personnel, electoral officials and those deemed eligible by the commission who must apply 30 days before the early voting date (Clause 44A (2)-(6)).
“Implementation and Voting Procedure.
A designated early voting date will be set, not more than 7 days before the general election (Section 44A (1)).
Voting centers will be established in every ward, with early votes counted on the official election day (Section 44A (10)-(17))Cross-Country Survey.”
The Lawmaker noted  that early voting has been part of the electoral legal frameworks in other jurisdictions with its attendant huge success stories in promoting voter participation, reducing election day pressure, and increasing accessibility.
” In the United States, early voting varies by State, with some states allowing a few days to several weeks (up to 45 days) in advance of election day. In Australia, early voting starts about 2-3 weeks before the election, with the 2019 federal election recording 40% of voters that cast their ballots early. In Canada, early voting takes place 12 days before election day allowing voters greater flexibility. In Germany, Postal voting is initiated four to six weeks before the election, enabling voters to participate ahead of time.
“Distinguished Colleagues, it is interesting to note that early voting has also gained traction in several African countries as a tool to improve electoral efficiency, increase voter turnout, and enhance inclusivity, especially for marginalized groups. In South Africa, the Independent Electoral Commission allows early voting 2 days before the general election for individuals such as the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, security forces, and those working on Election Day.
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No Individual Bigger Than PDP, Says Diri

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PDP zonal caretaker C'ttee members with Gov Douye Diri (2nd from the Rt)

By David Owei ,Bayelsa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was bigger than any individual and that its internal challenges would be fixed once the members resolve to tackle them.

Speaking to journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday after the inauguration of the party’s South-South zonal caretaker committee led by Elder Emma Ogidi, the Bayelsa Governor said the political will to confront those fomenting trouble in the party resided with the members and not solely on the leadership.

Diri, who is also Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, stated that for the party to be competitive as the oldest in the country, it must look inwards and fix its internal issues.

He said: “For me, we have to look inwards before accusing those outside our party. We have to first fix our internal issues.

“It is very easy to point accusing fingers. But the PDP has to sit back and tackle its internal challenges. That is only when we can stand to compete with others.

“I want the PDP to be competitive with other political parties. We are the oldest political party in Nigeria. So we have no reason to be accusing outsiders.”

On whether the party’s leadership had the political will to discipline those fomenting trouble, Governor Diri averred that such will resided with the members.

“We are all members of the party. The moment we all resolve that we need to fix our party, there cannot be any one person that is bigger than the party.”

He stressed that the newly inaugurated zonal caretaker committee had the mandate of the National Working Committee to look into every issue affecting the party in the South-South.

The Bayelsa helmsman expressed the hope that the event was a step forward for the party.

“In our zone, which is the only area in the country you have four governors of the party, we have all resolved and are together on this. You can see the deputy governor of Delta State, who represented the governor. I have also received messages from the governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers. It shows that we are together and what we need to do is to show leadership and work with the zonal committee so that our zone will again become safe and strong for the PDP.”

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