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2024 Ghana General Election, Uphold The Culture Of Respecting Democracy Yaiga Africa Urges Nigeria INEC
Ghana 2024 elections showcased a transparent and efficient electoral process admired by experts across Africa. Nigeria is urged to adopt similar practices to strengthen its electoral system and democracy.
Following its accreditation by the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC), Yaiga Africa dispatched an Election Study and Observation Mission (ESOM) from 3rd to 10th December 2024. The mission’s goal was to observe Ghana’s electoral governance system, with a keen focus on the election result management process.
The 12-member delegation, was led by Dr Aisha Abdullahi, former African Union Commissioner of Political Affairs, presented its findings during a press conference held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. The event aimed to highlight the positive lessons Nigeria and other West African nations can learn from Ghana’s electoral practices.
During the press conference, Dr Aisha Abdullahi commended Ghana’s electoral commission for its commitment to transparency and the successful execution of the 2024 general elections.
She noted that the culture of respect for democratic institutions among stakeholders significantly strengthened Ghana’s democracy and promoted active citizenship.
Dr. Abdullahi called on Nigeria political actors to uphold democratic values such as patriotism, integrity, and public interest. “Political stakeholders must show unwavering commitment to democracy and nation-building,” she urged.
When addressing the media, she commended Ghana’s electoral body for its transparency and adherence to democratic principles during the 2024 general elections.
She noted that the culture of respecting democratic institutions among various stakeholders had strengthened Ghana democracy, fostering active citizenship.
“Political stakeholders must show unwavering commitment to democracy and national development,” she remarked.
She further urged Political leaders to uphold values like patriotism, integrity, and the public interest, which are essential for credible elections and national unity.
Also Speaking at the event, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, Chairman of the Nigerian Senate Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters, emphasised the importance of such observation missions for improving Nigeria’s electoral systems.
He stressed that learning from Ghana’s success would enhance electoral transparency across West Africa.
“Announcing results directly at polling units can significantly reduce result manipulation,” Senator Alli asserted.
He recommended implementing advanced electoral technologies, including artificial intelligence, to ensure accuracy and trust in the electoral process.
Additionally Barrister Afam Osigwe (SAN), President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), echoed the call for greater transparency from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, electoral credibility is vital for building public confidence in Nigeria’s voting process.
“We need electoral laws that promote transparency and accountability to achieve better outcomes,” Osigwe stated.
A Journalist with Premium Newspaper, Majeed Bakare, highlighted the role of the media in ensuring fair elections.
He urged INEC to allow journalists to perform their duties without interference, as was observed in Ghana.
He also praised the Ghanaian electoral body for enabling media professionals and pressonals to vote during the elections in Ghana, a gesture that underscores inclusiveness and democratic fairness.
“Free media participation contributes to effective and credible election results,” Bakare added.
One of the Election observer,Cynthia Mbamalu, a prominent democracy advocate, applauded Ghana for its mature and transparent electoral process.
She celebrated the election of Ghana’s first female vice president, describing it as a historic milestone that signifies progress in gender inclusion.
“This is a significant step for Ghana and a lesson for Nigeria on empowering women in leadership,” she stated
Mbamalu also called on Nigerian stakeholders, including INEC and political parties, to prioritise voter education. She stressed the need to equip citizens with knowledge on how to vote correctly to avoid electoral crises and manipulation.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.