Politics
Adamawa: INEC Action Ridiculously Shambolic – Says Timi Frank
A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and political activist, Timi Frank, on Monday pounded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the illegal declaration of the governorship election in Adamawa State as a coup against democracy by the fascist elements in APC.
According to him, the drama unfolding in the wake of the Adamawa State governorship supplementary elections on Saturday has confirmed that the independence of the INEC has been greatly compromised.
Frank in a statement obtained in Abuja titled, “Adamawa: Illegal declaration of result a coup against democracy by APC fascist elements”, said the bizarre manner and affront exhibited and displayed by the Adamawa state Resident Electoral Commissioner ((REC, Hudu Yunusa-Ari), proved that the electioneering process has been greatly hampered by no other than INEC itself, as demonstrated in the Presidential elections several weeks ago.
He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, despite all the assurances of credible elections, after receiving an approval of over N350 billion for the conduct of the 2023 general elections, the INEC chairman had consistently deceived Nigerians and their representatives in the National Assembly, as to the conduct and credibility of the 2023 National Elections.
“The overall assessment, however, has been a ridiculously shambolic and utter distasteful narrative for many Nigerians. The haphazard declarations of election results and display of absolute unpreparedness suggest that only an internal coup d’etat perpetrated by fascist elements of the ruling party planted as INEC officials are responsible for the many disenchantment experienced in the 2023 general elections.
“This broad daylight robbery of the people’s will, orchestrated over and over again by the electoral umpire without recourse to it’s own rules and guidelines only confirms that the commission has set itself as a conduit for perpetrating electoral fraud.
“The result of Sunday’s action by the REC should be condemned by all peace loving Nigerians especially the Adamawa people, who should stop at nothing to be vigilant at this time and frustrate the efforts of criminals intending to steal their mandate under this grand conspiracy from the APC led INEC and the Presidency in collaboration with the security agencies.
“Nigerians must take note of the gross injustice being perpetrated by INEC, not just as evident in Adamawa but as shown in several other states and must resist any further attempt to allow Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu oversee any further upcoming elections as he’s unfit to follow and respect the rules of democracy to deliver credible elections in Nigerian.
“We are aware of their consistency in advising parties to proceed to the courts for legal redress rather than carrying out their constitutional duties seamlessly. The arrogance of INEC to the Nigerian electorate after connivance in stealing several mandates must stop forthwith. The idea of making public statements with video evidence on Free and credible elections, only to reverse itself by defending illegality is shameless to say the least.”
Frank, Ambassador of United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) in East Africa and Middle East, warned INEC to be wary of its actions and must ensure the commission do not set the country on a dangerous path.
“INEC should be wary of it’s actions and must ensure they don’t set the country on a dangerous path. The youths are agitated and the electoral umpire must take heed whilst the voice of reasons is still available. In hindsight INEC must as a matter of urgency declare the original results of the supplementary elections and declare the rightful winner (Governor Fintiri) who has evidently won the elections”, Frank said.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday nominated Mr Jude Ezenwafor as its candidate for the Nov. 8 governorship election in Anambra.
Dr Cornell Onwubuya, Chairman of the Anambra Governorship Election Congress Committee, said Ezenwafor was the sole aspirant and secured 798 ‘yes’ votes.
He added that 26 votes were declared invalid, while 853 delegates were accredited out of 999 listed for the congress.
The congress took place at the Women’s Development Centre, Awka.
Onwubuya said the process followed the PDP constitution and electoral guidelines.
“By the power vested in me and in line with PDP rules, I hereby declare Jude Ezenwafor our candidate,” he stated.
In his remarks, Ezenwafor said the PDP was on a rescue mission in Anambra and urged voters to support their bid to reclaim leadership.
He said he joined the race to return the PDP to the Anambra Government House.
“If you support me, the dream will come true. They say PDP is dead, but I will prove them wrong.
“All LGA and Ward Chairmen are now automatic coordinators in their areas. Our journey to Government House has begun,” he added.
Mr Chidi Chidebe, PDP Chairman in Anambra, said the party was heading into the election rejuvenated, united and strong.
He said Anambra regretted rejecting the PDP in the past and was ready to make amends.
According to him, many who left the PDP returned after discovering worse conditions in other parties.
Chidebe said PDP remains Nigeria’s most liberal party and had built the core governance structures in place today.
“We are the strongest party in Anambra. Only PDP can defeat the ruling party here. Let’s unite and make it happen,” he said. (NAN)
Politics
Labour Party: Return to founding ideals of inclusivety and worker solidarity or perish- LPPMC opines
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The National Coordinator of Liberal Progressive and Patriotic Members Congress (LPPMC), Dr. Kingsley Okundaye, has called on the Labour Party (LP) to return to its founding ideals of inclusivity and worker solidarity, or perish as a relic of one man’s ambition following the leadership crisis the party has found itself.
According to him, “The ball is now in Senator Nenadi Usman’s court and the hands of Labour Party members ready to reclaim their party’s soul.”
A statement he issued and made available to Daily Post, said, “The Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria has been embroiled in a leadership crisis that encapsulates the tension between democratic principles and autocratic maneuvering. At the heart of this turmoil is Julius Abure, whose controversial rise to power, legal battles, and eventual judicial rebuke by the Supreme Court offer a stark lesson in the consequences of constitutional disregard and judicial overreach.
He alleged that “Abure’s scheming, a blend of legal loopholes and political coercion collapsed under judicial scrutiny”, saying that the Supreme Court’s judgment reaffirms that legitimacy flows from democratic processes, not court rulings.
Okundaye lamented that under Abure’s leadership, LP was crippled in the sense that 12 House of Representatives members, 4 senators, and 21 state legislators defected, saying that the LP scored less than 2% in the Ondo governorship election and lost all 23 chairmanship seats in Edo LG polls while members deserted to the PDP and APC, citing Abure’s “toxic unilateralism”.
According to the National Coordinator, “The verdict affirmed INEC’s stance: Abure’s tenure expired in March 2024, and his convention was illegitimate. For Usman, this was vindication, though the apex court stopped short of installing her, urging the LP to resolve its crisis internally.”
He explained that the Supreme Court’s ruling offers the Labour Party a lifeline, pointing out that Senator Usman’s leadership must quikly convene a legitimate convention that adhere to the NLC’s consent judgment and LP Constitution, ensuring worker unions and NEC members participate.
Okundaye stated that the party should
reintegrate fractured blocs, mend ties with Peter Obi’s base, youth groups, and the Obidient Movement as well as ebrand for 2027 and prioritize internal democracy, credible candidates, and grassroots mobilization.
He explained that Julius Abure’s path to the LP’s national chairmanship began with a brazen political coup in Edo State, as National Secretary, he exploited factional divisions to orchestrate the removal of Maria Labeki, the constitutional successor of the late chairman, saying that Abure installed himself as chairman, violating the LP Constitution, as the move set a precedent for his subsequent power consolidation.
By 2023, he noted that Abure’s leadership faced legal scrutiny, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), a critical stakeholder, sued him for sidelining workers’ unions in party decisions, stressing that the case (NLC v. LP & Anor, Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1626/2023) culminated in a consent judgment on March 15, 2024 where Abure agreed to conduct an “all-inclusive, expansive national convention” within one year as well collaborate with the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to reorganize the party.
“Instead of complying, Abure staged a sham national convention on March 27, 2024. INEC flagged irregularities, noting the LP failed to provide the mandatory 21-day notice under Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022,” he explained.
He opined, “The LP’s survival hinges on heeding the lessons learned and ensuring no future leader becomes a second Abure.”
The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has cautioned Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Alex Otti, governor of Abia state, over alleged anti-party activities.
In a statement released after a national executive council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Monday, the faction cautioned Obi against any actions that could undermine the unity and integrity of the party.
“NEC in session in exercise of its duties, hereby caution the former presidential candidate of our great party not to participate in any action capable of undermining the peace, unity, and integrity of the party as the NEC will not hesitate to issue stiffer penalties if found culpable,” the statement reads.
The party also took aim at Otti, accusing him of engaging in conduct contrary to the interests of the LP, including holding “unauthorised” stakeholder meetings and conducting LG elections using another political party.
According to NEC, Otti has been attempting to factionalise the party by convening what it described as an “illegal NEC” meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
The faction further alleged that the governor is plotting to destabilise the LP before defecting to another party ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
“NEC in session notes the various anti-party activities of Gov. Alex Otti, including calling of unauthorized stakeholders meeting and usurping the powers of NEC,” the statement reads.
“He also conducted LGA elections using another political party. The governor has also intensified his effort to factionalize the party leadership by calling an illegal NEC schedule to hold on Wednesday.
“The leadership of the Labour Party is also aware of the governor’s plot to cripple our party before moving to another political party where he hopes to contest the 2027 governorship election.
“His anti-party activities are unbecoming of a highly respected personality and can no longer be acceptable. NEC stated that it will not hesitate to discipline him in line with Article 19 of the Party’s Constitution.
“NEC in session noted that it would not hesitate to discipline any other erring member who violates the party constitution regardless of how big or powerful such individuals may be.”
On Monday, Obi and Otti announced a stakeholders’ summit set for Wednesday, April 9.