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Debate: Yiaga engages youths on critical thinking for national development

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Yiaga Africa, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), says it will continue to engage the Nigerian youths especially those in tertiary institutions on critical thinking, to proffer solutions to developmental challenges in the country.

The Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, said this at the grand finale of  a debate competition it organised for students in tertiary institutions across the country on Monday in Abuja.

Itodo said the organisation would regularly use the platform of debate to engage youths in proffering solutions to the country’s challenges.

“Nigerians  are unhappy with the state of things in the country but where will the solution come from if not from Nigerians,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the theme of the debate is “My Nigeria, Our Nigeria” and the topic for the debate is “Electioneering at local government level, who should be responsible, INEC or State Electoral Commissions.

The Yiaga boss listed the University of Ilorin, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Imo State University (IMSU) and Veritas University, as the institutions taking part in the debate.

Itodo said that the country was going through a turbulent time and needed Nigerians to tackle it.

“Nigerians  are unhappy with the state of things in the country but where will the solution come from if not from Nigerians.

“We felt that it is important that the young ones share their ideas about how to solve the problems of Nigeria; that is what citizenship is all about.

“That is why we came up with this debate competition to engage the students’ critical thinking to proffer solutions to our numerous challenges especially around governance,” Itodo said.

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He said that the organisation collaborated with All Nigerian Universities Debating Council (ANUDC), the body that handles debates, to help with the organisation of the debate.

Mr Franklin Ubi, member, ANUDC, said the aim of the debate was to give students  tools to engage in governance, democracy and development.

Speaking on the impact of the debate on national development, Ubi said that not having enough citizen engagement in governance was the major problem with governance.

“There has been a lack of debate in our electoral processes; you don’t see critical debates during elections, so it gives birth to leaders who just consider the electoral offices or the political offices.

“They get to the office without understanding what they are supposed to do.

“That is why at the National Assembly, you see a lot of legislators without quality in their expressions when defending or supporting a bill.

“Government agencies in national standards should support programmes like this and as well utilise the opportunity of learning, so we can have a better National Assembly.

”This is because the National Assembly is about debate.”

Mr Olaniyan Sanusi, Programme Officer, Citizens Engagement Unit, Yiaga Africa, said the debate was to rekindle hope and trust amongst young people.

“Through the debates we have seen more young people debate topics around citizenship, governance, democracy and national values.

“They share their ideas on what an ideal Nigeria should look like.

“We want them to start thinking about what the Nigerian future should look like and when they start thinking like that, they also start thinking about what to contribute to bring that future to reality,” Sanusi said.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Veritas University won the competition with a prize of N1.5m.

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) placed second, while Imo State University finished in third place. (NAN

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Ighodalo vows to Appeal tribunal verdict upholding Okpebholo’s election victory

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 19 September governorship election in Edo, Mr Asue Ighodalo, has said he will challenge the tribunal’s judgment at the Court of Appeal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirmed Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s victory and dismissed the petitions from the PDP and Ighodalo.

Ighodalo, in a statement in Benin, said his decision to challenge the judgment aimed to protect Edo people’s collective rights and ensure they freely determine their future.

“Today, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered its judgment on our petition challenging the outcome of the Sept. 21, 2024 election in our dear state.

“While we may not all agree with the verdict, we remain steadfast in our belief that the rule of law must continue as democracy’s foundational bedrock.

“Our pursuit of justice affirms our firm belief that Edo people’s right to freely choose their leaders through credible, free, and fair elections must always prevail.

“As a committed democrat, I respect the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and urge all Edo people to remain peaceful, calm, and law-abiding,” he stated.

Ighodalo said this was not the end of their journey but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate.

He commended the people for their massive support, sincere love, and belief in their shared vision for a prosperous Edo, which had fuelled their journey.

“For us, this has never been about personal ambition but about our conviction to create a clear ‘Pathway to Prosperity’ for Edo while upholding democracy’s core values.

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“I have, therefore, instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision, which we consider a serious miscarriage of justice.

“This is not about me or any single individual; it is about democracy’s essence, our collective right to determine our future, and our legacy for generations unborn.

“We remain resolute. We remain committed. We shall not waver in our pursuit of truth and justice,” Ighodalo said. (NAN)

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Reactions trail Edo tribunal judgement

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Mixed reactions have continued to trail the tribunal’s judgment affirming the election of Gov. Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the Sept. 19 governorship election in Edo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirmed Okpebholo’s victory.

It dismissed the petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

Reacting to the judgment, the Edo chapter of the PDP expressed disappointment with the ruling delivered by the three-man election petition tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi.

Chris Nehikhare, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, said the party was waiting to receive the Certified True Copy of the judgment before making further decisions.

“PDP is disappointed with the judgment of the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led panel.

“As a party, we are waiting for the Certified True Copy. We will study it and decide on our next course of action,” Nehikhare said.

Mr Aslem Ojezua, a former PDP chieftain who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he was unsurprised by the tribunal’s decision, as the petition lacked merit.

“What I expect now is for Ighodalo to congratulate Okpebholo and join hands in solving the problems confronting our people and communities,” Ojezua said.

He added that the verdict was clear, highlighting the distinction between legal and sensational issues.

Chief Dan Orbih, PDP National Vice Chairman (South-South), said the tribunal had spoken, and they could not question its ruling.

Orbih stated that PDP would now focus on bringing back members who left during the primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate.

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He emphasised that efforts would commence to rebuild the party in Edo State following the election setback.

Orbih blamed the PDP’s struggles on former Gov. Godwin Obaseki, accusing him of driving members away from the party.

“Unfortunately, the former governor brought distress, division, and disaster to the PDP.

“Today, I did not see his face among those at the tribunal, waiting for the judgment outcome.

“As it stands, lawyers will study the verdict and make a decision after a careful review of the well-established ruling,” he said. (NAN)

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Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Confirms Monday Okpebholo as Governor

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The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has officially recognized Monday Okpebholo as the legitimate governor of Edo State.

In a series of three judgments, the tribunal rejected petitions submitted by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Action Alliance, and Accord Party.

The tribunal determined that the PDP did not present any witnesses to substantiate its claims of overvoting.

Specifically, the PDP failed to bring forth polling unit agents from the locations where they alleged electoral discrepancies occurred.

Furthermore, the tribunal noted that among the 19 witnesses presented by the petitioners, 14 were ward and local government agents, while the primary witness, who claimed to be a director of strategy for the PDP, had no involvement in the election’s execution.

Additionally, the tribunal remarked that the BVAS evidence submitted by the petitioners was inadequately presented.

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