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Entrench Supremacy of party leadership in Constitution-Gen Abdulsalami …..there is need for Internal party democracy- INEC chairman

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Former Head of state, Gen.Abdulsalami Abubakar

 

By George Mgbeleke,Abuja

Former Head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar has called on political parties to entrench supremacy of party leadership in their constitutions.

This is even as the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to the leadership of political parties in the country to imbibe the doctrine of internal democracy in their activities.

Speaking at a book launch organized by the inter-party Advisory council with the Theme, “100 Years of Political Parties Evolution in Nigeria – The Imperative of Nigeria’s Political Stability: Issues and Solutions,” in Abuja on Thursday,General Abdulsalami Abubakar noted that the major root cause of crisis in most political parties in Nigeria arises from lack of respect for supremacy of party leadership.

The former Head of state who doubled as the chairman of the Book Launch observed that past practices in party democracy which are currently being downplayed by political players include:Supremacy of the party leadership, Adherence to party manifestos and Formation of party and membership based on ideology.

According to him,”Despite military interventions, democracy has come to stay in Nigeria. There is no substitute to the government of the people, by the people and for the people, which democracy represents as sovereignty resides with the people.

“This year will also make it 26 years of unbroken democracy in Nigeria, the longest period of constitutional governance since 1st

“October 1960, when the country got Independence from the British colonial masters.”

Continuing he said,”I am happy that my government, as the then military Head of State ushered in this era of democracy when I handed over power to the elected President on 29th May 1999.

“My government laid this solid foundation for democratic governance. It also shows that when leaders are patriotic, passionate, resolute and unwavering in building strong democratic structures and institutions, democracy could flourish and yield its dividends to citizens.

“We should therefore keep watering and nurturing the tree of democracy as there is no alternative to civil rule. Our democracy has been tested and shaken by reactionary forces and survived. It is a testament to citizen’s belief and resilience in representative governance.

“It has become expedient to explore political parties’ development priorities so as to consolidate the nation’s democracy and ensure an environment conducive for successful elections and political stability which is in tandem with the IPAC mandate.

“We have all learned a lot in this longest period of democracy in Nigeria, as we continue the ongoing Constitution and Electoral Act Amendments to correct obvious flaws in the electoral process and imbibe democratic ideals, ethics and values, the nation will yet again witness sustainable democracy and development.

“Since knowledge is power, I have no doubt that we will all be enriched with this book and deliberations on it and chart the way forward in our political process.”
Also National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mahmood Yakubu urged political parties to make internal party democracy key to their success, adding that one of the key responsibilities of political parties is the conduct of credible primary elections.

” Internal party democracy is the foundation upon which credible general elections are built. Effective leadership recruitment is made possible only when eligible persons with capacity are selected through duly conducted party primaries and put up
for elections.

“When political parties uphold democratic principles in their internal
processes.it enhances public confidence in the electoral system and strengthens
democratic governance.

“Unfortunately, we have witnessed instances where lack of internal democracy has led to disputes, litigations, and disruptions in the electoral process. It is, therefore,
imperative that political parties remain committed to transparent, fair, and credible primaries. ”

He further noted that,”As we move towards future elections, I urge all political parties to strengthen
their internal governance mechanisms and ensure that their processes reflect the will
of their members.

“A democratic society begins with democratic political parties.
Political parties must invest in building strong and law-abiding institutions with distinct
ideological leanings, rather than in installing behemoths.

“The Need for Electoral Reforms
No democracy is perfect; it is a continuous journey of reform and improvement. As an electoral management body, INEC is committed to ensuring that our electoral processes
remain credible, transparent, and inclusive.

“However, certain areas of our electoral
framework require urgent reforms to enhance the integrity of our elections and address emerging challenges.
To this end, the Commission is already in consultation with the National Assembly
Committee’s on Electoral Matters to organize a retreat where areas requiring urgent reforms will be deliberated upon.

We recognize that electoral reforms are not the sole
responsibility of INEC or the National Assembly alone. Political parties, civil society organizations, and all well-meaning Nigerians must actively support and advocate for necessary legislative amendments that will strengthen our democracy and make it.”

Politics

Governor Adeleke is not Joining ADC Nor Aligning with Anyone in ADC- Spokesperson

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Gov Ademola Adeleke of Osun state

By David Owei, Bayelsa

Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.

Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.

The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.

“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.

“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.

“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.

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Politics

INC rejects bill granting exclusive co-chairmanship to Ooni, Sultan

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Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.

The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.

The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James (OON) said, in a statement on Sunday in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, the proposal is a continuos infringement on Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.

Alabo Nengi James describes the provision of the Bill as unacceptable and against the Rights of the indigenous People across tribes, Religion, Culture and Customs.

He said the Bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as No permanent Chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the ongoing bill being discussed in the Senate.

He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationaly and based on Federal Character.

“Include the Role of Traditional Rulers into the Constitutio and No Traditional Ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”

“The National Assembly should Step down the Provocative and dehumanizing offensive Bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”

Chief James called the attention of the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”

He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.

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Politics

Alleged Deportation of Nigerians in Ghana: Sen Aniekan urges Nigerians to remain 

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Senate in session in the chamber
By George Mgbeleke
The attention of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)  has been drawn to a disturbing video on social media showing a protest by some Ghanaians calling on the authority to send Nigerians back to Nigeria alleging that their behaviours and attitudes were not in conformity with the norms of Ghana.
In a statement,Chairman Senate Committee on Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Senator Bassey Aniekan, “the widespread indignation against Nigerians living in Ghana and branding them as criminals should be condemned by all.”
He reiterated that Nigerians are hardworking people and not criminals as purported  and are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves.
He added that while not denying the fact that there may be some bad individuals amongst them, the generality of Nigerians he stressed, are peaceful and law abiding people.
Furthermore, he pointed out the long standing relationship and partnership, the two countries have had over the years emphasizing that Ghana and Nigeria are brothers and  in the spirit of ECOWAS and regional integration, should continue to live in peace, stressing that dialogue has proven countless times to be a tool for peace and should be deployed.
The Senate Committee Chair on Diaspora and NGOs appealed for calm and urged Nigerians living in Ghana to exercise restraint, avoid provocation restraint, of any sort and to resist reprisal attacks as the issue is being handled.
Senator Aniekan confirmed that he had received reports that the issue is being addressed at the diplomatic level by the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
He cautioned against the use of inciteful words by individuals on both sides, as  such statements are capable of aggravating the problem and further putting pressure on an already tensed atmosphere.
Senator Bassey Aniekan, also advised Nigerians to disregard the videos trending on line that Nigerians’ shops and properties are being destroyed by Ghanaians as there is no evidence to buttress such claims.
The Chairman applauded Ghanaian and  Nigerian High  Commissioners for their efforts to control the situation, adding that the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs , has also been in touch with Ghanaian authorities and had taken some pro- active measures to put the situation under control.
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