News
Allegations of BVAS smuggling in Edo baseless, unsubstantiated – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked the allegations of BVAS machine smuggling in Edo, describing it as baseless, unsubstantiated and without merit.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had, in a petition to INEC on Oct. 10, alleged that PDP members had smuggled BVAS machines and voter registers into INEC’s office in Benin.
However, in a statement in Benin on Friday, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Anugbum Onuoha, said that the commission had completed its investigation into the allegations and found it to be baseless, unsubstantiated and without merit.
Onuoha reassured the public that at no time were BVAS machines or voter registers compromised or unlawfully accessed by any political party or external party.
He said that INEC remained fully committed to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
“Recognising the seriousness of these claims, the commission conducted its investigation with the highest level of rigour, professionalism and impartiality.
“As an institution tasked with ensuring free, fair and credible elections, INEC will not tolerate any form of malpractice.
“The integrity of all electoral materials, including BVAS, remains fully intact and secure,” he said.
Onuoha stated that in compliance with a recent court order, INEC was ready to facilitate the inspection of election materials and would ensure transparency in the handling of the BVAS machines and adherence to the rule of law.
He urged all political parties to cooperate during the inspection process.
The REC also advised political actors to focus on strengthening democratic principles and avoid actions that could erode public confidence in the electoral system.
He said that the commission remained steadfast in its commitment to neutrality and excellence in electoral administration, and ensuring credible outcomes in all elections. (NAN)
…Matawalle Bolsters Military Ties With U.S. AFRICOM To Crush Insurgency
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening military cooperation with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) to enhance counterinsurgency operations and promote regional stability.
In a statement released by his Personal Assistant for Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, on Wednesday, Matawalle hosted a delegation from AFRICOM, led by Major General Garrick M. Harmon, Director of Strategy, Plans, and Programs, at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
The meeting focused on addressing insurgent and terrorist threats in Nigeria and across the African continent.
According to the statement,Matawalle highlighted key areas where strategic assistance from the United States is critical, particularly in sustaining pressure on insurgent groups.
He praised AFRICOM’s role in supporting Nigeria’s security efforts and described the Nigeria-US defence relationship as a “critical pillar” for national security and regional peace.
The discussions underscored Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with insurgent groups, including Boko Haram and other terrorist elements, which have destabilised parts of the country and the wider region.
The minister’s remarks signal a renewed push to deepen bilateral military ties to tackle these challenges.
The Confederation of All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Group (CASG) and Concerned Nigerian Citizens for Justice and Sovereignty have condemned what they describe as a coordinated campaign by US federal agencies targeting President Bola Tinubu, warning that such actions threaten Nigeria’s sovereignty and democratic integrity.
Engr Muhammed Kailani, Director General of the groups in a statement
issued on Wednesday, accusing the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of orchestrating a “politically engineered witch-hunt” against Tinubu.
He described the actions as an affront to Nigeria’s democracy.
“President Tinubu was elected to lead, not to be distracted by foreign conspiracies or trial by media,” Kailani said.
“The world must respect our sovereignty and our right to choose our leaders without external intimidation.”
The groups pointed to the recent release of decades-old documents by US agencies as evidence of a deliberate attempt to tarnish Tinubu’s reputation and undermine the will of Nigerians, who elected him in the 2023 presidential election.
The vote, widely regarded as free and fair, saw Tinubu emerge as the country’s leader despite longstanding allegations that have never been substantiated in court.
“This sudden rush to dredge up old documents is nothing short of a politically motivated attack,” Kailani added.
“Nigeria is a sovereign nation, not a satellite state to be dictated to by foreign intelligence bodies acting on behalf of interest groups.”
He called on the FBI and associated agencies to “immediately halt this charade,” warning that continued actions could be interpreted as foreign interference in Nigeria’s domestic politics.
The groups also raised concerns about the timing of the allegations, suggesting they were fuelled by “politically biased actors” seeking to destabilise the country.
The brand new magnificent Enugu State International Conference Centre was the venue of the 14th Chief Emeka Anyaoku Lecture Series on Good Governance with the theme “The Imperative Of Good Governance: Nigeria in a Global Comparative Perspective”, and organised by the Board of Youth Affairs International Foundation.
The event was a Spectacle of immense didactic importance with great minds in attendance. The Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku was the Star of the day, the former Military Governor of the Old Imo State, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Major General Ike Nwachukwu was the Chairman of the event, and Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari was the Guest Speaker at the event where the Performing Governor of Enugu State Dr Peter Mbah amongst other Esteemed Guests stood in honour of a nonagenarian whose life is a testament of dignity, integrity and discipline.
At the event, the Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, described Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State as an epitome of good governance, noting that the Governor was genuinely and quietly transforming Enugu State.
Chief Emeka Anyaoku was clear and unambiguous in his appraisal of the Enugu State Governor as a visionary, and that Peter Mbah’s leadership style works for the speedy development of the State. Anyaoku was emphatic that the spate of development in Enugu State under Governor Peter Mbah, would become the norm should Nigeria have a genuine Federal Constitution that engenders True Fiscal Federalism.
The Super Diplomat whilst speaking at the 14th Chief Emeka Anyaoku Lecture Series on Good Governance hosted in his honour at the Enugu State International Conference Centre on Tuesday, was unequivocal in his praise of the Enugu State Governor, hear him, “Allow me the privilege of describing him (Governor Peter Mbah) as a truly performing Governor. Yesterday, I was given glimpses of projects that have either been completed or in active progress towards completion. I saw, for example, this magnificent International Conference Centre. I saw an array of CNG Buses at Okpara Square. I saw the Smart Green Schools, which I gather that the Governor’s plan is to replicate in every Electoral Constituency (Wards), and I learnt that there are as many as 260 of them. I was also able to visit a state-of-the-art Bus station, the Holy Ghost Terminal. So, I would say that Governor Peter Mbah is genuinely transforming Enugu State, which used to be described as a Civil Service State. He is transforming it into an Industrial, Educational Hub and Agricultural Innovation.”
Chief Anyaoku continues, “The surprising thing is that all these developments are going on with little publicity. I had expected, as my experience visiting many other States in this country has shown, that in places where you have two to three projects going, you will have massive publicity of them. But not so in Enugu. So, Governor Peter Mbah is not just a performing Governor, but he is also a quiet and noiseless Governor”, he noted.
In a few days, the Enugu State Government will be hosting the National Convention of the Nigerian Bar Association NBA, another testament to the beauty, the peace, the Security, the Industry and the camaraderie that attends the Enugu space, thanks to the ebullient Servant Leader, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
We, the Concerned Professionals For Good Governance (A Good Leadership Advocacy Group) are committed to a private sector driven appraisal of leadership any and everywhere in Nigeria. We shall praise, applaud and celebrate PERFORMERS whilst profusely lampooning all underperforming Political operators across the nation, such is our creed. And in furtherance to this creed of ours, we hereby adopt the salient and unequivocal words of the 92 years old Elder Statesman, Chief Emeka Anyaoku to wit that Peter Mbah is genuinely quietly transforming Enugu State… And such is the unassailable TRUTH.
Okechukwu Nwafor
Concerned Professionals For Good Governance. (A Good Leadership Advocacy Group).