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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 12 political parties nominated candidates to vie for the governorship seat in the 2023 general election in Ebonyi.
Dr Joseph Chukwu, INEC’s Residential Electoral Commissioner disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Abakaliki.
He added that 16 registered political parties also fielded candidates for the 24 House of Assembly seats in the 2023 election.
He said that the list of participating political parties and their candidates would be pasted at the various Local Government Area (LGA) offices of the commission in line with the Electoral law.
The REC urged candidates for the election to verify their names at their respective LGAs. He listed the names of the political parties that nominated governorship candidates in Ebonyi to include; Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), African Democratic Party (ADP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA).
Others include; People’s Democratic (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) among others.
Chukwu also listed the 16 political parties that nominated candidates for Ebonyi State House of Assembly seats as follows: AA (24 candidates), ADC (23 Candidates), ADP ( 24 Candidates), APC (24 Candidates), APGA (24 Candidates).
Others are APM (three Candidates), All People’s Party (four Candidates), BP (1 Candidate), LP (24 Candidates), and NNPP (24 Candidates).
Other political parties are NRM (24 Candidates), PDP (24 Candidates), PRP (1 Candidate), PSDP (6 Candidates), and Zenith Labour Party (14 candidates) among others.
The REC further explained that a total of 245 State House of Assembly candidates would participate in the 2023 general elections in Ebonyi.
On the ongoing registration, the REC urged eligible residents of Ebonyi yet to register or update their voter registration to use the window period to do so, as there might not be any further extension after the July 31, deadline.
Chukwu also disclosed that online registration in Ebonyi tentatively stood at 274, 376, while complete registration stood at 336,412 as of July 18, 2022.
The REC said the final number of registered voters would soon be published by the Commission.
“Collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) is ongoing at the various INEC LGA offices in Ebonyi.
“Those who are yet to collect theirs are equally advised to visit our LGA offices where they registered to collect theirs personally as there is no collection by proxy,” Chukwu said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Senate, on Wednesday at plenary, passed a bill to establish the National Social Security Commission. The bill sought to put in place a National Social Security protection funding to take care of the needs of the unemployed, old-aged and underaged children below 18 years from broken marriages. Also covered in the bill were survivors resulting from the death of the family’s bread winner. The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters. Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau (NNPP – Kano), in his presentation, said the bill sought to provide the Legal and Institutional framework for the establishment of the National Social Security Commission for the regulation, management and administration of various social services and benefits to Nigerian citizens. “Ultimately, the bill Seeks to provide a comprehensive Legal and Governance framework for the proper administration and management of all-inclusive, integrated, preventive, promotive and transformative National Social Security regime. “The bill will provides flexible sustainable periodic social benefits and grants to eligible indigent Nigerian Citizens that are within the scope of the Social Security (Minimum standards) Convention, 1952 (NO 102) of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and particularly Contingencies arising therefrom,” he said. He said the proposed Social Security Commission under the bill shall provide indigent Nigerians citizens with comprehensive preventive curative Medicare, from sicknesses resulting from any morbid condition of whatever cause. “Specifically, the Commission when established by the leave of this senate shall provide a well-structured impactful, and sustainable social interventions to eligible unemployed Nigerians, old-aged Nigerians, underage children below 18 years resulting from broken marriages and survivors resulting from loss of family’s bread winner,” he said. The bill was passed after a clause-by-clause consideration. NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Sen.
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Monday unveiled Bishop Isaac Idahosa, as his running mate for 2023 poll.
Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, Kwankwaso said that Idahosa was chosen based on his credentials “Our party, the NNPP, in choosing our candidates for the 2023 general elections-from the State House of Assembly candidates to governorship to National Assembly up to the president was guided, among other things.
“Guided by competence, courage, acceptability, credibility and the all important desire to heal the country of the severe wounds that are threatening its very existence,” he said.
The presidential candidate said that Idahosa was considered as his running mate after scrutinising over 20 prospective candidates considering critical factors.
“After painstakingly vetting and scrutinising over 20 prospective candidates all of whom were eminently qualified to be the vice-president of Nigeria,” he said.
Kwankwaso added: “Considering the severity of the wounds that are inflicted on the country in recent years and the necessity of healing them.
“Given the necessary desire to carefully balance all sensibilities, sensitivities, and differences in order to have an all inclusive government that will be fair and just to all Nigerians.
“Also bearing in mind that the country requires competent, credible, empathetic, courageous, and God-fearing leaders, I came to the conclusion and therefore present to you a rare Nigerian that very fit these requirements.
“Fellow compatriots, I present to you this 57 year-old man-of God who hails from Oredo Local Government Area of Edo; a trained automobile engineer, a highly educated Nigerian with Bachelor and Masters degrees in theology.” He also described Idahosa as a united a self-made achiever whose lifetime work was improving the lots of Nigerians.
“A Doctor of Divinity and a Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Education; a man of unimpeachable integrity and credibility; a unique Nigerian with outstanding record; a patriot with clear understanding of the country’s contemporary challenges,” he said.
Kwankwaso said that Idahosa also believed that a new and better Nigeria was possible if Nigerians could work together with sincerity to heal the wounds inflicted on the country and its citizens.
“I present to you this Nigerian man-of-God; this Archbishop-designate and Senior Pastor of the God First Ministry; the man together with whom we shall pursue the agenda of saving Nigeria from the current drift and healing it of the wounds inflicted on her.
“I present to you the man with whom we shall, with the help of God, and with the support of all of you, build a New Nigeria where justice, equity, fairness, unity, security and development are assured.
“Fellow Compatriots, I present to you the next Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bishop Isaac Idahosa,” he said.
Kwankwaso said that healing wounds inflicted on Nigeria was the first step toward putting the country on the path of security, sustainable development and global respect.
He said that Nigeria was bleeding from severe and several wounds inflicted as a result of incompetence and insincerity of leadership.
This according to him is also causing insecurity, inflation, rise in unemployment amongst the youth, affecting the tertiary education system, and social services.
“We in the NNPP believe that healing these wounds is the first step towards putting Nigeria on the path of security, prosperity, enduring unity, sustainable development, and global respect,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Idahosa, said that Nigeria deserved a fresh start and fresh deal that would take it out of its challenges.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the African Action Congress (AAC) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), are yet to submit any nomination for 2023 state elections, with just three days to the deadline for the submission of nomination.
The commission in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye in Abuja on Wednesday, disclosed that 16 out of 18 registered political parties had so far submitted 6,995 nomination forms (EC9) for the elections.
“As provided for in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election released by the Commission on Feb. 26, all political parties that conducted valid primaries are required to nominate their candidates for Governorship, Deputy Governorship and State Assembly elections.
“The nominations are expected to be done via the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP) from July 1 to July 15.
“So far, the Commission has processed 6,995 nomination forms (EC9) uploaded by 16 out of 18 political parties for the constituencies where they intend to sponsor candidates.
“However, two political parties, the AAC and NNPP, are yet to upload a single nomination to the portal,” it stated.
INEC reminded all political parties that they have three days left to upload their list of candidates to the ICNP.
The commission which reiterated that the deadline remained Friday, said that the portal would automatically shut down at 6 p.m. on that date.
INEC also called on prospective litigants, who applied for the issuance of Certified True Copies (CTCs) to come forward and collect the certifed copies of the documents.
The commission said it had continuously responded to requests for the issuance of CTCs of documents mainly arising from the conduct of party congresses, primaries and nomination of candidates.
“The number of requests processed has now risen to 1,662,987 pages of documents.
“Sadly, in spite of the Commission’s effort, 147 out of 476 requests processed as at today involving 5,646 pages are yet to be collected by applicants.” (NAN
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has urged Nigerians to pray for peace, unity, justice, equity, progress and prosperity of Nigeria.
This it said was as the country grappled with building a strong, virile, stable and just democratic society.
The party made the call in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Agbo Major in Abuja on Saturday to mark the 2022 Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
Major who enjoined Muslims to imbibe the virtues of love, sacrifice and tolerance which the occasion signified, said the state of the nation called for patriotism by all Nigerians to confront multifarious challenges bedeviling the country.
He added that the 2023 general elections also provided another opportunity for Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands and elect competent, credible leaders.
“Vibrant, resourceful, purposeful, visionary and God-fearing leaders who will deliver dividends of democracy that will uplift the people’s standards of living.”
He urged eligible voters to take advantage of the extension of the INEC voter registration to register and obtain their Permanent Voter’s Cards, and ensure they voted for the party’s candidates in all elections.
“This is the first step in actualising a new Nigeria we all desire and deserve in accordance with Section 14(2)b of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999, as amended, which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
Major said the situation of the country called for a new Nigeria which the NNPP was ready to provide if voted into office in 2023 elections.
He said that as preparations for 2023 general elections continued, NNPP held all Nigerians and all geopolitical zones in high esteem as fellow compatriots in the task of building a better society.
Major said the party would canvass votes from all geopolitical zones to win the 2023 presidential election, as the party had millions of supporters across the country.
He described the NNPP National Leader and Presidential Candidate, Sen. Rabiu Musa kwankwaso as a great patriot, a detribalised Nigerian who had served the nation creditably in various capacities as governor, minister and senator.
“A man of indefatigable endeavour, he is an embodiment of patriotism and frank in addressing national issues as he has no hidden agenda.
“The very reason millions of Nigerians identify with him and NNPP in our collective efforts to make Nigeria great again.
“ He has high regard for Ndigbo, NNPP was founded by an illustrious son of Ndigbo, Dr Boniface Aniebunam, pioneer National Chairman and currently its Board of Trustees Chairman.
“ It’s a grassroots party well rooted in all zones reflecting Federal Character as envisioned in the 1999 Constitution as amended.”
The national publicity secretary also made clarification on Kwankwaso’s recent comments “on the good people of South East” saying the comments were misunderstood and taken out of context.
He described Kwankwaso as a man of honour who loves all Nigerians passionately and desired to serve them as president if voted into office.
He said that Kwankwaso would not in anyway malign any zone or any individual, saying we believe that in NNPP, we desire the votes of all the zones and all the electorate to govern Nigeria.
“The leadership of the party is impressed by the overwhelming number of members and supporters of NNPP in the South East.
“It shows the people’s desire for a new Nigeria that treats all citizens equal.”
Major said the NNPP party was optimistic that various agitations in all zones in Nigeria would be a thing of the past when a progressive and transformative leader such Kwankwaso is elected president of Nigeria.
“This is our chance to correct the mistakes made in previous elections. A new Nigeria beckons.
“Together, we will restore the nation’s glory and prosperity as the great arsenal of democracy in Africa.”
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), on Saturday, said accepting to be the running mate to any presidential candidate would lead to the collapse of NNPP. Kwankwaso, a former Governor of Kano State, who was in Gombe State to inaugurate the state office of NNPP and meet with elected members of the party stated this in an interview with newsmen. He said his political profile built over the years and his wealth of experience having served in various capacities in the country had helped in bringing NNPP to the limelight within a short time. He stated that with the fame the NNPP had achieved within the short time, anything short of his presidency under the party would mean the collapse of the NNPP. Kwankwaso confirmed that his party had been in talks with the Labour Party for a possible merger but the main issue that hindered progress was the issue of who becomes the presidential candidate. “From the discussion with Labour Party, the main issue was who becomes the president if the parties merge. “At the end of the day, some of our representatives thought that there should be a criterion in terms of age, qualification, offices held, performance, and so on. “Of course, the other side wouldn’t want that. Most of the people from there believe that the president has to go there (South East). “If now I decide to be vice presidential candidate to anybody in this country; NNPP will collapse because the party is based on what we have built in the last 30 years. “I served for 17 years as a civil servant; we are talking of 47 years of very serious hard work that is what is rarely holding NNPP now,” he said. The national leader of the NNPP said he was not against the presidency going to any part of the country but it must be done based on “strategy, political calculation and equation.” According to him, the South East is good in business and are well talented but they should learn politics, “in politics, they are at the bottom line.” He stated that the zone had lost out on the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but had a chance with the NNPP. He stated that those saying “even if my friend (Peter Obi) wants to accept vice presidential candidate, some people in the South East will not accept, that is not strategic.” He said Bola Tinubu was strategic to have supported the APC in 2015 and “today he is the presidential candidate of the APC.” Kwankwaso said the best option for the South East was for the zone to partner with NNPP, “this is a golden opportunity, if they lose it, it will be a disaster.” On the choice of his running mate, Kwankwaso said “we have options in the NNPP in the South to pick a good vice president and one of them is the Labour Party man you are talking about.” On the chances of NNPP in the 2023 elections, Kwankwaso said his party had the structure, organisation, and population across the country to contest and win elections. He said if elected president in 2023, his vision would be to create opportunities for the youths of Nigeria to get employed, achieve their dreams, and be empowered educationally and economically. NewsSourceCredit: NAN
NNPP adopts ex-VC as Kwara guber candidate NNPP adopts ex-VC as Kwara guber candidate By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo Politics Ilorin, June 27, 2020 The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kwara has adopted former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Shuaib AbdulRaheem, as its gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 general elections. The state Chairman of NNPP, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Abdulsalam, made this known in Ilorin, shortly after a meeting of stakeholders of the party with AbdulRaheem in attendance. “We have picked Prof. AbdulRaheem as our governorship candidate. He’s now a full fledge member of NNPP,” he declared. Responding, AbdulRaheem said he has fully joined the NNPP. He expressed his preparedness to join hands with other eminent Nigerians and Kwarans to take the party to greater height. In his remarks, a Senatorial Candidate of the NNPP, Dr Kolo Jiya, said the party would form government in the state come 2023. He expressed confidence in the ability of AbdulRaheem to lead the party to victory in the elections and as well return Kwara to path of progress and greatness. Kolo added that a more elaborate event would be held where the party’s governorship candidate would be presented to the general public.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Unprecedented numbers of enthusiastic voters on Saturday thronged various polling units in different towns, villages and hamlets in Ekiti to perform their civic rights in the ongoing governorship election.
Also, there were combined security personnel on the ground to protect the lives and property in different parts of the state and as well their presence was noticed at both far and near the polling centres.
At the Ekiti office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), there was heavy presence of security agents to forestall any eventuality.
The News Agency of Nigeria , while on monitoring of the polling units, report that security agents arrived many polling units as early as 7.20 a.m.
Aside the police, other security agencies and outfits providing security, include Civil Defence Corps, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
At some of the border towns linking Ekiti with other states, military men were strategically stationed with officers and men, keeping vigil and conducting search on vehicle owners and occupants.
The restriction placed on human and vehicular movement during election was strictly obeyed by residents and travellers alike, as most inter-township roads were empty.
This development compelled many voters to trek long distances to their polling units, as there were no taxi or commercial motorcycle operators to convey them.
Besides, all markets, shops and eateries were under lock and key.
Some of the places visited included Ado-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti, Efon-Alaaye, in Efon Local Government area Ifaki-Ekiti, the home town of Mr Segun Oni, the Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Other areas were Ise-Ekiti, the home town of former Minister of State for Works, Dayo Adeyeye, Emure-Ekiti, Ido-Ekiti and Omuo-Ekiti, hometown of Sen. Biodun Olujimi of the PDP and Rep. Femi Bamisile of the APC.
In many of the places visited, scores of voters were seen already on queues, waiting for the attention of the electoral officers.
Those sighted among the crowd of the enthusiastic voters, include students and artisans of between 18 and 20 years bracket, old people and a handful of expectant mothers.
It was observed that in most of the places, officials including ad hoc staff, deployed by INEC arrived only few minutes after 8.00 a.m, while some of them have no chairs to sit on.
NAN reports that 16 candidates from different political parties are slugging it out in today’s election, with only a female candidate, Mrs Kemi Elebute-Halle of ADP.
Others include candidates of ACCORD, AAC, ADC, APC, APGA, APM, APO, LO, NNPP, NRM, PDP, PRP, SDP, YPP and ZLP.
According to statistics at the disposal of NAN, over 17,000 policemen were deployed for the election, with NSCDC deploying 9,747, while the army and others also deployed appreciable figures.
When contacted, Mrs Morolake Odebunmi, the Public Relations Officer of INEC, told NAN that there was nothing much to do at the INEC office this morning.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The 2023 Presidential election is still some months away, though what is clear to all became clearer after the APC and PDP presidential primary elections. The PDP and the APC were unsure of, from which region of the country to field their presidential candidates, the urge to also win the 2023 election also trumped all other considerations. While the strongest APC aspirants were from the south, the PDP's strongest aspirants were mostly from the north. Just exactly a reversal of role between PDP and APC in 2015, the only constant there is that the larger chunk of the votes are domiciled in the north, all parties have their eyes on it as against what some people called a consideration for justice and equity or fairness. What most people still find hard to believe is that Zoning is dead, it was killed and buried by President Goodluck Jonathan, and even if zoning were to still be alive, the most equitable zone to produce the next President under PDP was the North; in the north it should be North-east or North-central. The North-west has already produced Yar'adua in PDP and Buhari in APC. Of the 16 years of PDP Obasanjo from the South had Presidency for 8 years, Goodluck Jonathan hard it for 5 years another southerner, totaling 13 years while the north had it for just 2 years and a few months. Jonathan insisted on vying for a second term against Zoning and lost to Buhari of the APC. That said, the major political parties now have their candidates, PDP has Atiku Abubakar from the Northeast while APC has Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Southwest. The two presidential candidates are more similar than they are different.
This is an opinion article by Yahaya Mohammed Usman, Twitter: @boyemdee
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has paid tribute to the heroes and heroines of Nigeria democracy, particularly those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle to enthrone democracy in the country.
The party paid the tribute in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Agbo Major, in Abuja on Sunday.
Major saluted Nigerians on the occasion of the occasion of 2022 Democracy Day.
He said that Nigeria was irrevocably placed on the path of democratic governance after years of military dictatorship, civil war and political upheavals that threatened the nation’s corporate existence.
He, however, said that the 2022 Democracy Day called for sober reflection, prayers and collective action to terminate social injustice.
He said that it also called for collective efforts to end marginalisation, terrorism, insurgency, militancy, kidnapping, hunger, unemployment, poor infrastructure and resolution of issues that led to the elongated ASUU strike.
He, however, said that the forthcoming general election provided citizens an opportunity to take their corporate destiny into their hands and massive vote for a new, better, greater and prosperous Nigeria, whoch he said NNPP symbolised.
“It is time for action. All eligible voters should quickly go and register and obtain their permanent voter cards, ensure they vote and their votes count in the overall result as power belongs to the people.
“This is the only way to restore the nation’s unity, greatness, prosperity and dignity in the comity of nations.
“We are all in it together to usher in a New Nigeria citizens will be proud of,” Major said.
(NAN)
