Politics
Edo/Ondo Polls: INEC threatens to withdraw accreditation for election observers who violate Rules

By George Mgbeleke (Abuja )
Ahead of the forthcoming Edo/Ondo Guber election,the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has threaten to withdrawn accreditation from, any election monitoring Observers who violate the established Code of Conduct during Edo and Ondo forthcoming governorship election.
Mr Sam Olumekun, who is the National Commissioner and Chairman, Election and Party Monitoring Committee (EPMC), gave the warning during a workshop organized for Edo and Ondo Election Observers at the Commission’s headquarters, Abuja on Thursday.
According to the Commissioner, “your accreditation may be withdrawn at any stage of the election process, if it is established that your organization is violating the Code of Conduct for observers as contained in the Guidelines for Election Observation available on INEC websites
Another serious issue with election observation which has been of concern to the Commission is the issue of integrity in Election observation. While there are trust worthy, honest, and hardworking observers, there are others who displays laxity about election.
“However, as accredited Observer Groups, you will be allowed access to observe all the election processes as outlined in the Commission’s Reviewed Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of elections (available at INEC website: www.inecnigeria.org).
“Your organization is required to obtain access code (Accreditation Number) and number of field observers to be deployed from Election and Party Monitoring (EPM) Department, to enable you process the online submission of your field observers on LGA-by-LGA basis by completing the required Forms online.
“You are to do this by uploading the names and passport photographs of your field observers to enable the Commission issue them with Identity Cards.
Hon. Sam Olumekun told them that, the training is to enable Observers, ‘accredited observer groups’, to be well acquainted with the online processes of uploading field observations, the functionality of BVAS, codes of conduct of election observation, election day processes and procedures as well as other operations, innovations and preparations of the Commission towards the forthcoming elections.
“The Commission appreciates your role as very important stakeholders in the electoral process and acknowledges your contributions in enhancing democratic principles in Nigeria.
“Therefore, we urge you to endeavour to submit credible reports within the stipulated time line. It is also the Commission’s expectation that the outcome of your observation will consolidate democratic principles in the years ahead”, he said.
Politics
IPU cannot consider Natasha’s petition – Jimoh Ibrahim

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


Senate in session in the chamber
Politics
No Individual Bigger Than PDP, Says Diri

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.”
-
Entertainment8 months ago
Jubilation galore as Parishioners of CKC Kurudu celebrate their cultural heritage ….FG should exploit our Cultural heritage to unite Nigerians-Rev Fr Dim
-
General News8 months ago
Celebration galore as UDA Successfully Elected New Exco ……I will digitalize processes that will raise UDA to greater height -Comr. Okejiri
-
General News10 months ago
Reps hold public hearing on FMC Ugwuaji Awkunanaw
-
General News1 month ago
Ex – Agitators Warned PAP Beneficiaries Against Protest, pipeline Vandalism – Urge Fifth Columnists To Desist From Attacks On PAP,Dr Denis Otuaro
-
Uncategorized1 month ago
Benue govt drags NDIC to Federal High Court over illegal sell of shares …Demands N2.6billion damages
-
General News9 months ago
Kugbo Hill Tragedy: Trailer Crushes Car, Kills Four and Injures Several Others in Abuja
-
Politics9 months ago
10th Senate @1: Akpabio’s Leadership Pedigree as Senate President in Focus
-
General News8 months ago
FG bars JAMB from granting admission to under 18 candidates …….As Education stakeholders reject FG’s 18-yrs Admission age limit