Connect with us

Politics

Motion to name INEC headquarters after Humphrey Nwosu suffers setback in Senate

Published

on

A motion to name the headquarters of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the late former Chairman of National Electoral Commission, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, on Thursday, suffered set back in the Senate.

This followed the senate’s consideration of the motion titled, “Motion to Immortalise Prof. Humphrey Nwosu”, sponsored by Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe (APGA-Abia) during plenary.

Abaribe said that the motion was supported by all the senators from South-East as well as the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro, Sen. Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta ) and Sen. Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi), among others.

He had urged the senate to immortalise the late Nwosu by naming the INEC headquarters after him and to posthumously honour him with a national award.

The senator also said that official condolences should be extended to Nwosu’s family in recognition of their sacrifice in supporting his work for a better Nigeria.

“Mr President, I propose that we observe a minute of silence in honour of Prof. Nwosu, given that his burial is tomorrow (Friday),” he said.

When the motion was put to a voice vote by Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, it was, however, greeted with a resounding ‘Nay’ by some of the senators.

The only prayer that was observed was a minute silence in honour of the late NEC chairman.

Earlier in the motion, Abaribe noted that the late Nwosu was the NEC chairman from 1989 to 1993.

“He was responsible for supervising the 1993 presidential election.

“We recognise that his courageous defence of the democratic electoral process during the 1993 elections led to the famous June 12 event, which ultimately confirmed MKO Abiola as the winner.

ALSO READ:  Edo Governorship: Why I Didn't Support Shaibu - Obaseki

“His unwavering commitment to electoral integrity played a key role in establishing June 12 as Nigeria’s official Democracy Day.

“Additionally, we note that Nwosu laid a strong foundation for the present day Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Sadly, he passed away on Oct. 20, 2024 at the age of 83 and will be buried tomorrow (Friday) in his hometown in Anambra,” he said.

Contributing, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo), expressed the regret that when it mattered most, Nwosu’s courage failed him.

“We cannot distort history in this unit. We must be seen to have sentiments that reflect the average feeling of the average Nigerian.

“Prof. Nwosu, when it mattered most, his courage failed him,” he said.

Sen. Osita Izunaso (APC-Imo) said: “Mr President, it is important that we will not sit here to distort history. We are legislators and we are representing the people.

“Get a cross section of Nigerians and ask them what they think about Prof. Nwosu, they will tell you he was a hero.

“So for us to sit here now and begin to distort history is not fair for our democracy.”

Also speaking Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun) said: “This is one issue I have tried as much as possible to avoid.

“Mr President, many of my colleagues have pulled up here and said he conducted the freest and fairest election.

“There are three different meanings and three different expectations that we should look at.

“Conducting elections, releasing results and announcing results. Yes, he conducted the election; yes, Prof. Nwosu released the result. But you and I know, releasing results is not the same thing as announcing results.

ALSO READ:  SOKOTO IGR YESTERDAY VS TODAY: PUTTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT

“He failed at the critical moment when he was supposed to save this democracy”.

In his remarks, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, commended his colleagues on the manner in which the debate was conducted.

“You did very well. You marshaled your points. You said your views. And no rancour at all. This is how debates should be in an august institution like the senate.

“I subscribe to all these. I have my view. But I try not to be partial. I believe in June 12,” he said. (NAN)

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Politics

I Can Sacrifice My 2027 Ambition For Better Candidate, Says SDP’s Adebayo

Published

on

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, says he is willing to step down his presidential ambition in the 2027 elections for a better politician to emerge as the flag bearer of his party.

The lawyer stated this on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.

“Everybody knows that I have an aspiration. I’m working on it but God is the author of tomorrow; we don’t even know who is going to be around in 2027,” Adebayo said.

“It is my prayer to God that if there is a person who God thinks is better than me to fix the problem of Nigeria, my ambition should not stop that person because we want a country that works. That is the kind of thing we are working on at this time.”

Adebayo said the SDP would give Nigerians a candidate that all citizens would be proud of and be ready to give a chance to unseat President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.

The politician said the SDP won’t divide Nigerians along the delicate lines of religion and ethnicity.

He said, “What used to be an easy discussion – with religion and ethnicity – has become explosive now. So, we will not use the SDP forum to try to bifurcate our people into different zones.

“What we are looking for now is a system where when we make a choice in the SDP, there will be resounding joy outside the SDP and Nigerians will say: ‘Okay, finally, this platform has given the country a chance’.”

ALSO READ:  Yahaya Bello: EFCC Didn’t Breach Kogi State High Court Order – Falana
Continue Reading

Politics

I Am Glad President Trust Me—Wike

Published

on

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for publicly acknowledging his efforts and calling him “Mr Infrastructure.”

Speaking to State House correspondents after the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr homage at the Presidential Villa, Wike described the President’s praise as a strong vote of confidence and a motivation to keep delivering results for residents of the FCT.

“I feel very happy that my boss has confidence in me,” Wike said. “If your boss, in public, says you are doing well, that, of course, is an encouragement for you to continue doing the job you’ve been assigned.”

The Minister, who has spearheaded a series of infrastructure and service delivery reforms across Abuja, said he remains committed to meeting the expectations of both the President and the people of the territory.

“For us, we’re happy to be identified in this administration, and we’ll continue to do what Abuja people will be happy with,” he said. “So I’m happy each time Mr. President talks about us and tries to say the little we have done. That means he’s watching, and we will not disappoint him.”

When asked about the next wave of infrastructure projects expected as the Tinubu administration approaches its second anniversary, Wike confirmed that a fresh round of projects is already in the works.

“The committee is working,” he revealed. “You can be assured it can’t be less than what we did last time.”

ALSO READ:  Yahaya Bello: EFCC Didn’t Breach Kogi State High Court Order – Falana
Continue Reading

News

2027: Shehu Sani Declares Interest In Kaduna Central Senatorial Seat

Published

on

The Senator who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, Shehu Sani has declared interest for re-election in the 2027 general elections.

Shehu Sani made the declaration on Sunday while delivering his Eid-el-Fitr message at his residence in Kaduna.

He said, “any politician who is going to contest election will be dependent on political equation which will determine what position is going to contest. I would say that if the conditions are rights and equations favourable, I will offer myself to contest but specifically on the central senatorial district”.

“If the people of Kaduna central want us to provide our own kind of leadership and representation at the NASS, you should expect me back to Senate in 2027”.

According to him, his ambition is secondary while that of re-electing governor Sani for second term is primary.

He reiterated that his priority is to see governor Uba Sani re-elected in 2027.

“For now, we want to see that incumbent governor, Uba Sani is re-elected. We are going to do it with all our mights and strengths, we know that they are going to be challenges and opposition but we are well prepared for all the forces”.

Shehu Sani however, urged Muslims to pray for peace and unity of Nigeria during the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.

Sani who also reacted to killing of hunters in Edo State condemned the act and urged security agencies to fish-out the perpetrators.

He said, “If any citizen of this country cannot move from one part of the country to another, then we are not a nation.

ALSO READ:  Edo Governorship: Why I Didn't Support Shaibu - Obaseki

“If someone will use one reason or another to take laws into his/her hand then it means there is no government or authority”.

He added that Nigerians who desire good for the country should work for peace and unity for the preservation of our democracy in the phase of challenges that is being experienced by our people, he said.

Sani however, called on government to save Nigeria, saying that there should be respect for fundamental rights and most importantly is respect to right to life, he added.

Continue Reading