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Mass defection hits opposition parties in Benue

Published

2 months ago

on

Benue state governor, Rev Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormen Alia
By our Reporter
There are strong indications that major opposition parties  comprising  the PDP, SDP, APGA, PRP in Mbadim council Ward, Mbatiav, Gboko local government area of Benue State have dumped their various political parties to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The event took place separately at Dim-Shin as  well as   Mbaayev, Mbaanambe and Ukough kindreds vwhile the other one took place at Dim -Sha,  Luga market square, Mbazaka kindred respectively.
 Following the unprecedented and uncommon leadership disposition of Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormen Alia, the Governor of the State and Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly being experienced at the nooks and crannies of the State.
Receiving  the decampees into the APC recently, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly and the vice chairman North Central, conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh accompanied by the APC chairman Gboko local government area, Hon. Terfa Iorgilim, assured them of equal opportunities in the party.
Represented by her amiable wife Chief Mrs. Cynthia Kundamiyol Dajoh, described their decision as apt and timely coming at the time that their services were mostly needed for the overall development of their constituency and the State at large.
Dajoh acknowledged the unwavering support of Mbadim during and after his election in 2023, while urging them to remain supportive to the Governor Alia led administration and the 10th assembly under his leadership to succeed.
He thanked Dajoh mothers from Mbadim  axis under the able leadership of the women leader, Mrs. Oraza Grace Mwuese,  promised to accord them the desired support at all times.
He enjoined Mbatiav women not to pull down the lather they have used to support him to the Speakership position rather, they should redouble the strength of the lather to enable him ensure the deliverance of  more democracy dividends at their door steps.
Responding on behalf of the decampees, Hon. Patrick Tema and Hon. Dooiyol Hiimkpe  explained that they were dumping their political parties because of the unprecedented strides  recorded by the Governor Alia led government and  the uncommon leadership disposition in the 10th Benue Assembly, stressed that their defection to APC marks the end of the opposition parties in Mbatiav clan.
They pledged their 100 percent loyalty and support to the governor, the Speaker and APC family.
Similarly, at DIM SHA, Mbazaka kindred, Hon. Vincent Akombo,leader of the defectors enumerated three reasons that informed and catalyzed his defection decision to include; Being his brother’s keeper, Doing the wishes of the masses in his community and above all the exceptional performance and the peoples oriented leadership style of Governor Alia and the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly
In their separate remarks, Youth leaders representing Dim Shin and Dim Sha,  appealed to the Speaker to drill boreholes  in their communities to address the issue of water shortage   in their respective communities as well as provide job opportunities for the teaming population.
Hon. Bar. Torseer Yina, Gboko local government council Chairman thanked his immediate constituents for their support to the Speaker and Governor of the State, promised to follow their footsteps emulate  by bringing development at their door steps especially drilling of boreholes to address the shortage of water in the area.
Hon. John Ihyembe in a good will message, described Mbataiv people as the luckiest people for having the Speaker as their son who is representing them well and charged them not to compromise his second term ambition.
Wife of the Speaker was accompanied to both events by Hon. Raphael Kasha, Chief of Staff to the Speaker, the Executive Chairman of Gboko local government area, Hon. Bar. Torseer Yina, Hon. Terfa Iorgilim, APC chairman Gboko local government area, Hon. Solomon Ishi, zone B APC chairman, Hon. John Ihyembe, Hon. Mnyam Bam SSA on Political Affairs to the Speaker, Hon. Avar Verlumun, former caretaker chairman Gboko LGA, Hon. Moses Detso, among other Speaker’s Aides.
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Politics

IPU cannot consider Natasha’s petition – Jimoh Ibrahim

Published

21 hours ago

on

March 14, 2025

By

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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Politics

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

Published

21 hours ago

on

March 14, 2025

By

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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Politics

No Individual Bigger Than PDP, Says Diri

Published

2 days ago

on

March 13, 2025

By

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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