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Media Group Refutes Allegations of Threat on Vanguard Correspondent by Kaduna Governor-Elect

Media Group Refutes Allegations of Threat on Vanguard Correspondent by Kaduna Governor-Elect

Kaduna Political writers Association (KAPWA) refutes allegations against Uba Sani, made by Hassan Mahmoud vanguard correspondent that his life was threatened.

The kaduna Political writers Association (KAPWA) on Wednesday refuted the allegation against Senator Uba Sani Governor-elect of Kaduna State, that he is threatening Hassan Mahmoud vanguard correspondent life.

In a press statement, issued by the Chairman of KAPWA Comrade Musa Mohammed made available to newsmen.

The group ‘KAPWA’ strongly refutes the allegations.

The group said the allegations against Sen. Uba Sani presented to NUJ in bad light without giving any chance to respond to the allegations raised by the Vanguard correspondent.

The NUJ as an umbrella of Professional journalists, editors, and news organizations, are always expected to provide credible reporting and promote informed civic engagement.

And they should know that disinformation is disrupting the practice of journalism.

The public should know that Hassan Mahmoud vanguard correspondent only misinterpreted simple advice to all journalists by Sen. Uba Sani.

Uba Sani offered an advisory to all media practitioners, to verify their reports before publishing because of the volatile nature of Kaduna State and the need for the media practitioners to sustain the fragile peace, rather than set the state on fire through their reportage.

“Hassan Mahmoud misinterpreted to mean personal attack or threat on his person”.

Many journalists witnessed what transpired between the Governor-elect and journalists on Sunday (March 26) at the APC Campaign office in Kaduna.

Journalists from both print and electronic media were invited to cover the meeting of the Governor-elect with 10 political parties and their candidates, as well as, Progressive Pastors Forum, who were on a congratulatory and solidarity visit to Senator Uba Sani. After which the Governor-elect thought it wise to fraternise with the journalists around.

During the off-record session with Senator Uba Sani, all the journalists present introduced themselves, and just like he acknowledged the presence of almost every journalist when it was the turn of Hassan Mahmoud, Sen. Uba Sani interjected by saying that, there is a report he read on Vanguard newspaper recently that he didn’t like.

And when Hassan probed to know the particular report, the Governor-elect could not recall.

As we all know, it is the media that communities can expect to access reliable information and understand the debates that shape their societies,

therefore, the general public are hereby advised to disregard this virulent false and embarrassing press briefing by the nigerian union of journalists NUJ.

The Kaduna Political writers Association KAPWA therefore demand an unreserved apology to the governor elect Senator Uba Sani, over the false allegations against him.

Yakawada Congratulates Uba Sani On Kaduna Guber Victory

Yakawada Congratulate Uba Sani On Kaduna Guber Victory

By Comrade Musa Mohammed

The former Secretary to kaduna state government, Alhaji Lawal Samaila Yakawada has congratulated the kaduna State governor-elect, His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani, on his victory at the just-concluded governorship election in the State.

Yakawada wishes Uba Sani and his deputy governor elect success as he takes up the challenges that await him in his exalted office in Kaduna State.

“The victory was a triumph for democracy and the kaduna people”.

He assures the governor elect his full support.

“As you embark on this new journey towards elevating your state to a higher level”.

Kashim meets Haruna,Ngilari Girei, Balla others as North east leaders of thought

Kashim meets Haruna,Ngilari Girei, Balla others as North east leaders of thought

….says Nigerians expecting more from their govt

The incoming administration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, will leave no stone unturned in meeting the aspiration of Nigerians given the explanations of majority of Nigerians.

Vice President- elect, Senator Kashim Shettima stated this on Wednesday at a meeting with the North East Leaders of Thought, NELT, when the group paid him a congratulatory visit at his Asokoro office.

Led by Maj. Gen. I.B.M. Haruna (rtd) OFR, Walin Garkida, the Group’s visit was basically a congratulatory visit to the VP- Elect over recent victories in the Presidential, National Assembly, Gubernatorial, and State House of Assembly elections.

Senator Kashim Shettima while thanking the delegation for the visit, expressed how success is a humbling experience, adding that to him, power remained an ephemeral gift to humanity.

He stated that the NELT remains a platform for value addition, especially as the North East as a whole is poorer than Niger Republic, Chad, or even Afghanistan based on indices.

“By 2050, Nigeria would be the third most populous country on earth, with
numerous challenges. The most frightening aspect of the statistics is that by 2050, 70% of Nigerians will live in the North, with desertification, deforestation, endemic poverty, and pervasive illiteracy

“It is a recipe for disaster unless we wear our thinking caps as leaders, unless we coalesce as a single force and come out with robust platforms to transform the anticipated demographic dividends, it will be demographic disaster that will consume all of us.

“This is why I want to appeal to you, let us work as a team, let us work as a family, I want to even get the similar North West groups to form a think tank sort of for the betterment of the region as I and my boss are commited to meeting the expectations of Nigerians,” Shettima assured.

In his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Gen. Ibrahim Bala Malgwi Haruna (rtd), OFR, congratulated Sen. Shettima, and thanked him for agreeing to meet with them despite his tight schedules.

He said: “We wish to appreciate His Excellency for creating time and for giving us audience for this congratulatory visit. We wish to also congratulate you and the President – Elect for winning an election that is termed the most complex and difficult since Nigeria’s journey to democracy”.

He also expressed hope on the success of the Tinubu/Shetima administration while presenting some of the Group’s identified challenges of the zone;

“We have high hopes that your administration will despense Justice, Fairness, and provide good governance. We the people of the North East expect that your administration will address the challenges of the zone which you are fully aware of. However it is pertinent to mention a few which include the Mambilla Dam Project and other dams in the zone, the Chad Basin Restoration, in all its ramification, intensification of the exploration and development of oil and gas within the North East zone, and the restoration and reactivation of the tourism activities and potentials of the North East, to mention a few, General IBM stated.

The delegation which cut across the Northeast included HE James Bala Ngilari, Senator Abubakar Girei, Alhaji (Dr.) Bawa Garba, Amb. Fatima Ballah, Alhaji Muazu Hassan Raji, Chief David Garnvwa, and Alhaji Ahmed Iya. Others were Alhaji Aliko Mohammed (Dan Iyan Misau), Hon. Adamu Gamawa, Prof. Andrew Haruna (Shettima Ilmuye of Borno), Hajiya Kuburat Umar, Alh. Yayale Ahmed CFR (Ajiyan Kataugum), Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa, HE M.A. Abubakar SAN, Amb. Baba Ahmed Jidda OFR, Arc. Hon. Ibrahim Bunu, Dr. Shettima Aji Ali (Secretary of the Delegation), Prof. Dilly Dogo, Hajiya Ammuna Lawan, Alh. Bala Mandara, Alh. Ahmed Kuru and Barr. Bashir Maidugu.

Also were Sen. Umar U. Dukku, Hon. Aishatu Dukku, Murtala Aliyu, Dr. Modibbo Aliyu, Chief David Kente, Prof. Ummu Ahmed Jalingo, Senator Bala Adamu, Prof. Yoroms Joses, Engr. Abubukar Gambo Umar, and Amb. Goni Modu Bura, Hon. Dr. Almajiri Gaidam, Dr. Garba Abari and Prof. Maimuna Waziri.

Group decries Maina’s indulgent lifestyle in prison

Group decries Maina’s indulgent lifestyle in prison

Maina lives like a King in Kuje Prison

The Federal Government has been called upon to take immediate action to reprimand the Nigerian Correctional Center for allowing the former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, serving his sentence in Kuje prison, to live like a king with the help of the prison staff.

A non-governmental organization (NGO) called Youth Network Against Corruption made this call, asking the Federal Government to keep a close eye on Maina, who has spent more than two years in Kuje Prison in Abuja.

According to the NGO, Maina is allowed to do whatever he wants in the correctional center. The General Secretary of the association, Mr Silas Iliya, disclosed this to the press in Abuja.

He said, because Abdulrasheed Maina gives the prison staff financial inducements, they let him use up to three phones. He makes calls whenever he wants.

Mr Silas said Maina is using his newfound privileged status from prison to continue harming Nigeria by continuing to control illegal money in his hands.

Therefore, the secretary of the group called on the authorities concerned, especially the EFCC, ICPC, and the Nigeria Police Force to pay close attention to the way the Kuje Prison Authority gave Maina the opportunity to do whatever he wanted while serving his sentence in prison.

Silas said that apart from the large room where Maina is staying, which is luxurious and fitted with the latest air conditioning gadgets, the prison administration has given him the liberty of visitation whenever he wants.

“Our finding has confirmed that even women visit him whenever they want. That is wrong because he is a criminal and is taken to the detention center as a punishment so as to change his behaviour, not that he should be made a king, and be given preferential treatment over other detainees,” he said.

Since Maina was taken to prison, he has never known what a cell room is like. He first stayed in the prison hospital. Then later he was moved to a room in the hospital which has modern luxury. “This man is living like a king in prison. Even though there are important people in the prison like the former Member of Parliament Faruk Lawal and Mr Abba Kyari, they are living in a cell, while Maina is treated as a privileged person with absolute rights,” said Silas.

He also called on the prison authority to immediately return Maina to a cell like any prison inmate, and also take over the phones he uses as the correctional service guidelines demand.

Abdulrasheed Maina, who now lives in Kuje correctional center, was convicted after the Federal High Court found him guilty of laundering pension funds. Justice Okon Abang found Maina guilty on all the 12-count money laundering chargse the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him and his company, Common Input Property and Investment Limited, and sentenced him to eight-year jail term.

Guber poll:Adamawa support groups directorate thanks PDP supporters, condemns REC’s abysmal attitude

Guber poll:Adamawa support groups directorate thanks PDP supporters, condemns REC’s abysmal attitude

Adamawa Governorship Election continued to generate negative comments from all works of life, especially the two leading parties of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC).

In a Press Statement again, the Directorates of support groups for Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council (PGCC) have condemned in strong terms the action and inaction of the Adamawa Residence Commissioner (REC), Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari.

Political Adviser to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Hon. Abdulraman Bobboi who is the Director, Support Groups, PGCC in a Press statement said Barr Hudu scandalous leaked audio conversing with the Collation Officer of Fufore LGA how to alter election results in favor of the APC Governorship candidate is totally condemnable.

Describing Hudu’s action as abysmal attitude that should never be heard of or link to an electoral officer.

“While the peace-loving people of Adamawa are waiting for the Governorship re run election for the State in 69 Polling Units as declared by INEC, the PDP will win with great margin, theDirectorate PGCC condemn in totality the action of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, especially the leaked scandalous conversation between the REC and the Collation Officer in Fufore LGA.

“The actions and inactions of the REC and his cohorts have heated up the polity, causing tension in the state that could have spark election violence if not for the usual peaceful approach of the PDP.” The statement stated

While calling on all the PDP supporters to remain calm and steadfast as the party is vigilant, ensuring that no one steal its mandate, It’s supporters in all the 69 Polling Units (PU) that the re run governorship election will be conducted as declared by INEC should turn out to vote for the PDP candidate, Rt Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.

Bobboi in the statement expressed the Directorate profound gratitude to all the over 200 supports groups in Adamawa who gave their unflinching supports to all the Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State during the 2023 General Elections.

“The Directorate is not unaware of the sacrifices made by the Support Groups which gave the PDP overwhelming victory at the polls.

“The victory which the Support Groups also champion its course, will go a long way in consolidating on the gigantic developmental stride of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in the State with the backing of the PDP House of Assembly Members, while the NASS members will work for the interest of the State at both the Red and Green Chambers.

“The Directorate is optimistic that the PDP will be declared winner of the 2023 Presidential Election at the court, having there are substantive evidence that its candidate, the former Vice President of Nigeria, Alh. Atiku Abubakar win the race.” Said the statement

BINANI: HOW THE DESIRE AND POWER OF A WOMAN BECKONS BLOODBATH IN ADAMAWA

BINANI: HOW THE DESIRE AND POWER OF A WOMAN BECKONS BLOODBATH IN ADAMAWA

By:
Mu’azu Aliyu Isa

The 2023 Governorship election of Adamawa state has become a world centre of attraction. It is now a debacle of power tussle between the incumbent Governor, Rt Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and Senator Aishatu Ahmed Dahiru (Binani), Senator Representing Adamawa Central whose gross desire is to become the next Governor of the state.

Ahmadu is facing the blue ruin battle with a fierce desperation of Binani who seems to be powerful influencing the conduct and the process of the governorship election. The 18th March Governorship polls during Local Government results collation was the beginning of brewed political uproar when opponents discovered chances of winning or losing out of the contest.
Binani began to fly a kite by concocting believe to be a ballots boxes stuffing using unsubmitted Fofure Local Government results where over thirty one thousands votes was recorded in her favor. The imaginary votes threw confusion in the election process as people from all works of life began to congratulate Binani as the first female Governor in the history of Nigeria, including the international community.
How can Binani being a contestant be given the contract to print INEC sensitive papers in the same Adamawa State by so doing Binani has clearly indicated that she has no moral standing to lead the State.

On declaring an inconclusive election announcing the results from the twenty one local government by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer, professor Mohammed Mele who said that the winner could not emerge because the number of collected Permanent Voter Cards PVC in 69 polling units elections were not hold and the canceled figures are higher than the winning margin of 31,250 polled by Fintiri.

INEC released official documents on the affected 69 polling units which is a total of 41,796 registered voters, but that only 37,016 collected their PVCs which is more than the margin between Fintiri and Binnani. The result properly indicated that Governor Fintiri scored 421,524 votes, senator Binnani got 390,274 votes in the 21 local governments of Adamawa state. It shows Fintiri is leading with over 31,250.
The question is that why Binani’s penchant desperation to be the next Governor of Adamawa State? Why changing the facts and figures? Why the noise and the feminine support by women outside Adamawa state? What is the interest of women like Paulen Tallen? Are tenets of democracy no longer sacrosanct of the winner through the popular majority or minority gets it all?
We speaking as concerned Nigerians who are indigenes of Adamawa State and followed the political trend of event. My eagle and sparrows eyes on the two leading contestants (Fintiri and Binani) one can easily understand that Binani’s disposition and penchant desire to be the next Governor of Adamawa has placed the state to sit on a time bomb. She is wielding out power, influence and affluence by making it to look as if she must be the Governor of Adamawa state at all cost.

Adamawa is sitting on a gun powder because the Binani ungodly desire is infuriating the common Man whose votes have already counted for a winner to emerge. The state is known to be a peaceful and labeled as the Land of Beauty. If care is not taken and urgent attention is not given to peace. It is going to be first in history that most likely a massive destruction of lives and properties will befall the people of Adamawa state because of the desire and power of a Woman.

One of the annoying part of her game is the fact that Pauline Kedem Tallen the supposed Minister of Women affairs and social development ought to be neutral and play the role of a Mother to everyone, but has failed woefully.
We in Adamawa cannot allowed someone from Plateau State to come and ruin our beautiful state. This same Woman that her own state of origin, Plateau was a Female Deputy Governor in 2007 who was removed from office. If was that good, she couldn’t have been removed as the female deputy Governor of her state and when she contested as the governor of Plateau State, she failed in totality.

Probably Mrs Tallen attention should be drawn on few issues that her desires for Binani to be Governor by crook way it is the cancer cropping her morality. Is she aware that Binani never won the election? Why is she shouting victory and congratulating her? Why is Tallen, been a former deputy Governor and present Minister of Women Affairs of the Federal Republic be preaching what is capable of shedding blood in Adamawa State? We advise Tallen to go back to the drawing board and allow morality to be her guide.

Tallen wishful thoughts for Binani by giving her graveyard courage is now boiling our dear state. Adamawa is sitting on time bomb and on gun powder which will explore in a sooner moment if stakeholders on political peace and violence have turn to be onlookers without meddling into the current situation of Adamawa politics.
Their firmed decision to push Binani by all means is geared toward carnage of destruction. Is it bloodbath that Binani and Tallen desire for the people of Adamawa State? Why can’t she strength the capacity of women to win elective positions in Nigeria. May we draw the attention of our honourable minister that under her watch the position of the women in National Assembly dropped drastically.

What we are saying here today is that only Fairness and justice are what will save Adamawa state from the claws of crisis. Because of the simple fact that Binani didn’t win the election, Tallen is using the APC might of leadership to impose her own people. INEC through the Binani’s influence want to compromise and perfect rigging plans for Binani by changing the canceled units to favor her.

The desperation signs displayed by Binani is to the hearing and seeing of all. In her Fulfulde native language, she reiterated the word “Wujja Wujja”. Meaning she will battle the seat of power even if it means her to steal. This portends grave danger especially to democracy and good governance.
The leaked audio conversation where the REC, Barrister Hudu Yunusa coerced the Fufore Collation Officer to manipulate the outcome of the elections was admitted by the REC, it is a crime that no sane society should overlook or remain silent. Also in clarity terms Binani displayed contempt for the people of Adamawa State and their democratic rights, further shows her contempt for INEC, which she feels she has in her hand bag.

Worsening the situation, Binani got INEC to dance to her tune as rumour has it that the units to conduct a rerun election have increased from 69 to 77 polling units spread across affected Local Government areas. This is something we believe is against the electoral act and violate the entire electoral process.
May we plead with some of our female activists to please concentrate more on developing strategies that will encourage and aid women to win elective positions.

May we draw the attention of the local and international community that Binani is never the winner of Adamawa Governorship election according to the results announced by INEC. She has never win and can never win even on the coming rerun because the anger of the electorate have been candled against her, by using the power of APC agenda to win the election. To impose her, will no doubt lead to stiff resistance because the end will not be palatable.

May I also put it on record Binani can’t win the election because she falled out with the electorates. Let it be known, in her unit, Kofar Mahmud Ribadu (06) she lost out to PDP. Her Bamoi ward of Yola South Local Government she also woefully failed. Then one will want to ask why is her political strength? She can’t control her political base talk more of winning the rerun election. However they choose to play the game in her favor

May we also say Women all over the world should not believe the wrong the narrative propagating around, that their fellow woman has won the election. Yes if truly Binani is the winner or she is even close to winning the polls is a fact base context that all should support. For God sake, she is not the winner, no one was declared to have won. The only fact of the matter is that Fintiri is leading with over 31, 250 votes.

As it stand, it’s a fight to finish, a dogma clash of interest between the two hefty Lion and Lioness that will end up in destruction of innocent people if care is not taken.

It is a clarion call to all gladiators, men and women who God has placed in the position of authority to please join hands in saving Adamawa state because the desire and the power of woman is about rocking down the state as carnage and bloodbath beckons.

Mu’azu Aliyu Isa, an indigene of Fofure LGA wrote this piece from Ajiya Ward, Yola North LG Adamawa State.

Uba Sani will surprise the people of the state and those underratingh him with good governance.

Uba Sani will surprise the people of the state and those underratingh him with good governance.

BY COMRADE MUSA MOHAMMED

The newly Governor-Elect was already a made man and was not coming to office to look for money or goodies of office but to sustain on the legacies of Malam Nasiru El-Rufai dynasty in the state.

The entire APC family in Kaduna state was already in joyful mood and looking forward for the Messiah they have been waiting for.

We thank the Almighty Allah for giving us another Nasiru El-Rufai in Kaduna State, we the APC members in Kaduna State are in a very joyous mood. They are very happy and appreciative of what the Almighty Allah has done in their lives because we have been in darkness in the last 16 years of PDP Maladministration.

Senator Uba Sani believes in people. And APC as a party is imbued with members with huge capacity in all fields. And he is a listening person. He listens to advice and counselling. You can see the outburst of the caliber of people in his support. So he is a man that would shock people.

He is a man who has been underrated by those people who do not know him. But we are very close to him and know his capacity. You see when you allow a successful person to govern, he will deliver, because he is not looking for food to eat. In my discussion with him, he has his plans. If you see someone who is talking about education, security, health, agriculture, housing, he knows what he is doing.

The entire people of Kaduna state should pray for a successful inauguration and successful tenure.

My advice to the people of the state is to pray for the successful inauguration and to support the governor. You support the governor and behave in a manner that the law permits. Act in a lawful manner. Pay your taxes, support the government and pray for the governor and his team, and that is what we need for kaduna to grow.

You will see shortly as he mounts leadership, there will be a rapid development in Kaduna and the economy will be boost, people will be coming in and out. Many people will come and increase their investment in Kaduna, because he is going to give you a peaceful and enabling environment. And these are the prerequisite requirements for growth and development.

I am saying it with all the confidence that the APC and Uba Sani will govern the State successfully again, APC in Kaduna State, go and find out what APC has done in Kaduna State. There is nothing you can point to in Kaduna State today that is not done by the Party under the able leadership of Malam Nasiru El-Rufai.

Senate President: Amalgamated APC Support Groups Root for Fmr. Zamfara Governor, Yari

Amalgamated All Progressives Congress (APC) support groups have thrown its weight of support behind the former Zamfara Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari from the North-west zone to become the President of the 10th Senate .

According to the groups , the massive votes APC got from northwest, no doubt gave the President- elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima the deserved victory at the polls .

The Director-General of the Amalgamated APC support groups , Engineer Kailani,who also the National Coordinator of Tinubu Shettima Network (TSN) stated this during a visit by the former Governor of Zamafara State , Alhaji Abdula’ziz Abubakar Yari to his office in Abuja to inform the support groups about his interest to vie for the position of the Senate President, reiterated the call by members of the party from Zamfara State and party across the Northwest zone to consider ceding the Senate Presidency to northwest, especially to Yari for his experience and capacity .

Kailani explained: Yorubas have taken the president; the northeast ,the Vice President and so it’s incumbent on the President-elect to give the northwest zone , the seat of the Senate President in appreciation of the invaluable contributions of the zone to his overwhelming victory.

He reiterated,” It’s the turn of the Northwest to become the Senate President , considering the massive vote given to the zone gave APC , during the just concluded 2023 general elections.”

He however, urged former Zamfara Governor, Abdula’ziz Yari to ensure good rapport between the Executive arm of government and members of the National Assembly for speedy delivery and passage of bills sent to the National Assembly that have direct bearing on development of the people and country.

Former Governor Yari,who was at the APC support groups office to express his interest to become the President of the 10th Senate assured Nigerians of enhanced and quality legislative process for sustainable development across the country.

Yari who overtly signified his interest to become President of the 10th Senate,said the Northwest zone deserved it for several reasons , amongst which he said are issues of loyalty and support base for the ruling Party .

Speaking on his ability ,Yari said ,” I am the most qualified for the position of Senate President considering my capacity to put everyone together for purpose of APC government succeeding from 2023 to 2027.

“My relationship with the President elect ,my relationship with the senators ,my relationship with the governors and former Governors cannot be in question”.he said.

Reaction to the question of having Muslims 3 heads of government ,Yari said if Nigerians are practicing true democracy it shouldn’t matter.

He explained ,” The presidential election should be an eye opener that religion and ethnicity cannot be used as yard stick for electing leaders .

“If it is to be ethnicity,Obi can’t win Lagos a predominantly Yoruba state and if it is by religion Asiwaju can’t win Zamfara ,a predominantly Hausa State.”

2023 polls: Group urges APC to reward Kano Central candidate

2023 polls: Group urges APC to reward Kano Central candidate

…Roots for Senator Jibril as Senate President

A group under the aegis of Kano Progressives Forum has called on the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress(APC) to consider rewarding its Kano Central Senatorial Zone candidate, Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura, for what described as his ” legendary support and generosity to the party since 2019″.

A statement signed by the group Director of Publicity, Malam Aminu Abubakar noted that Zaura “has donated 50 vehicles to the APC and ensured the establishment of functional Local Governments party offices in the entire Kano State” adding that ” this commitment to the party’s victory is almost unbeatable in the recent history of the party”.

“We urge the national leadership of the APC to do all within its democratic powers to give special recognition to A. A Zaura, and we make thus call without prejudice to the possibility of reclaiming his mandate in court,” the statement further noted.

Turning to the winner of APC Kano North, currently contesting for the slot of Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibril (Maliya), the group called on ” both the party and distinguished members of the 10th Senate to give him massive support, on grounds of competence and in the spirit of accepted democratic principles”

AKWA IBOM GUBER POLLS MEETS INTERNATIONAL ELECTORAL STANDARDS– FOREIGN OBSERVERS COMMEND INEC

AKWA IBOM GUBER POLLS MEETS INTERNATIONAL ELECTORAL STANDARDS
– FOREIGN OBSERVERS COMMEND INEC

International election observers under the aegis of Pan African Women Projects, have stated that the March 18, 2023 governorship and state house of assembly elections held in Akwa Ibom state have met the international commendations of free, transparent, and peaceful conduct of the electoral process.

They made this statement at a press conference held on the 21st of March, 2023 in Uyo with the theme, “Strengthening Democracy”.

The Pan African Women Projects which is an international non-governmental organisation comprised of women from all 54 countries in Africa has observed several elections in over 15 African countries including Nigeria.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Uyo on Tuesday, the non-governmental organisation said it deployed over 150 trained elections observers to the 31 local government areas, and made their observations and submissions in the areas of logistics, INEC ad-hoc staff, turnout of voters, security, vote-buying/lobbying, technology (BIVAS), etc.

The organisation’s spokesperson, Ms. Candice Solomon at the press conference commended the Independent Electoral Commission, citizens of Akwa Ibom, and security personnel for organising a free, transparent and peaceful election which prompted them to adjudge it as having met international standards.

“We use this medium to appreciate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the opportunity to serve in this election as one of the accredited FOREIGN OBSERVER GROUPS.

“We want to sincerely and greatly appreciate Professor Mahmud Yakubu and the entire department of gender and inclusivity of the commission, especially for the unwavering supports that made our work very easy.

“We also appreciate the various security agencies that worked tirelessly to ensure our safety by providing all the intelligence and protection needed to carry out our onerous duties.

“The 18th March 2023 Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections in Akwa Ibom State meets International commendations of a free, transparent and peaceful conduct of electoral process.”

The observers however called on security agents to “address all security lapses in the 2023 election and employ more personnel into the system to improve on a more effective security network during elections in Nigeria.”

They also noted general low turnout of voters in the exercise and submitted that “INEC’s performance at the Presidential elections especially as results were seen not to be transmitted to the IREV across the State had altered people’s trust in the electoral system.

Pastor Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP won the Governorship elections ahead of Senator Bassey Albert and Mr Akan Udofia of the YPP and APC respectively.