latest
House Of Reps Acts To Stop SIECs From Overseeing Local Government Elections
House Of Reps Acts To Stop SIECs From Overseeing Local Government Elections....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The House of Representatives has taken preliminary steps to strip State Independent Electoral Commissions of the power to conduct local government elections.
A bill to that effect passed its first reading on the floor of the House last Thursday.
It was titled, “A Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act, 2022 to vest INEC with the power to conduct Local Government Council Elections and for Related Matters.”
Sponsored by the member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, alongside 24 others, the bill seeks to delete Section 98 (1) of the Electoral Act and replace it with a new sub-section.
Section 98 (1), Part VI (Procedure for Election to Area Council) of the Electoral Act currently states: “The conduct of elections into the offices of Chairman, Vice Chairman, and a member of an Area Council and the recall of a member of an Area Council shall be under the direction and supervision of the commission (INEC) in accordance with the provisions of this Act.”
The new sub-section, cited as the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2024, reads: “The conduct of elections into the offices of Chairman, Vice Chairman, and a member of an Area Council and the recall of a member of an Area Council shall be conducted solely by the commission in accordance with the provisions of this Act.”
According to the explanatory memorandum, the bill “seeks to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to vest the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the power to conduct Local Government Area Council elections for all the Local Government Areas across the country.”
Prominent groups and eminent Nigerians, including federal lawmakers, have been vocal in their demand for INEC to take over the conduct of council elections, citing the influence and control of state governors over local governments.
INEC has consistently reiterated its readiness to assume the responsibility of conducting local government elections if the National Assembly amends the relevant laws governing the country’s electoral processes.
During an appearance before a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters in July 2024, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated: “The same Constitution that created INEC also created the State’s Electoral Commissions. So, it is up to the National Assembly to amend the law to transfer that responsibility to INEC.
“If the responsibility for the conduct of local government elections is transferred to INEC, can INEC cope with it? The answer is yes! INEC can cope. What are we? By definition, INEC is the Independent National Electoral Commission, but right now, we handle only national and state elections—not local government elections.
“A national electoral commission may be expected to handle only the presidential and National Assembly elections, but we also oversee gubernatorial elections, state Assembly elections, and the Area Councils elections in the Federal Capital Territory, the only part of the country where INEC currently conducts local government elections.
“Broadly speaking, if you ask us if we can handle local government elections, yes, we can. When will this happen? When you amend the law and empower the commission to do so,” Yakubu said.
A new dimension has been added to the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as factional figure Nafiu Bala has accused former party national chairman Ralph Nwosu of allegedly deceiving him into attending a major party gathering.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking in an interview on AIT on Monday, Bala said he was invited under the impression that the meeting was a routine event meant to welcome new entrants into the party. However, he claimed he later discovered that the gathering was actually organised to unveil a new leadership structure reportedly headed by David Mark.
He explained that the true nature of the event only became clear after proceedings had already commenced, adding that it coincided with the resignation of Nwosu and the announcement of a new set of party executives.
According to Bala, the development represented a significant turning point in the internal crisis within the ADC, noting that the emergence of a leadership bloc associated with David Mark and other figures deepened existing divisions in the party.
Bala alleged that he was initially told the event was a simple adoption of new members, but later realized it was a formal handover involving the new coalition leadership. He also said that on the same day, Nwosu announced his resignation while unveiling new party officials, including names such as David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
He added that the situation further escalated tensions within the party, as different factions continued to contest control of the ADC structure.
Following the event, Bala said he moved to address the developments through internal party channels, including convening consultations and a National Executive Council meeting about a week later.
He further stated that after the consultations, he notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of his position as deputy national chairman and declared himself acting national chairman of the party.
Bala also alleged that the crisis worsened after he discovered what he described as irregularities, including claims that his signature was forged on documents linked to the resignation of some party officials. He said the disputed documents were used to facilitate the emergence of a new leadership team.
He concluded by saying he had taken legal steps against the faction aligned with David Mark and also made his position public through media channels.
Former federal lawmaker, Ishaku Abbo, has officially left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and is expected to announce his new political platform later this week.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Abbo announced his departure on Monday morning, attributing the decision to the ongoing internal crisis within the ADC in Adamawa State. His exit comes just 48 hours after another major faction within the party, aligned with Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, also known as Binani, withdrew from the party.
Reports indicate that the ADC in Adamawa has been experiencing deep divisions, with a bloc loyal to Binani recently announcing a mass resignation following a stakeholders’ meeting held at the residence of Hon. Mijiyewa Umaru Kugama.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the group, drawn from all three senatorial districts in the state, accused the party leadership of weakening internal democracy and violating key principles guiding party operations.
They further argued that recent congresses conducted within the party were flawed and no longer reflected the will of members, describing the current structure in Adamawa as unacceptable and lacking legitimacy.
The developments highlight escalating tensions within the ADC in the state, as more prominent members continue to exit amid leadership disputes.
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has begun moves to resolve out of court a legal case he filed against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and other respondents over allegations surrounding his academic records.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
-
latest8 months ago“Social Media Erupts As Jim Iyke Declares Rita Dominic Nollywood’s Most Beautiful”
-
latest2 years agoEdo Political Showdown: Oshiomhole Appears At Presidential Villa As Tinubu Hands APC Gubernatorial Flag To Okpebholo (Photos & Video)
-
entertainment2 years agoLove Knows No Age American Woman Defends Marriage To Young Nigerian Man “I’m Not 70”
-
latest2 years agoOlumide Akpata Strikes Again: Drops Killer Track, Sends Edo State Into Frenzy!(Video)
-
Politics2 years agoNigerians React As Pastor Adeboye Foresees Passing Away On A Sunday After Enjoying A Satisfying Meal Of Pounded Yam
-
latest2 years agoFG Identifies 31 States At Risk Of Heavy Flooding In 2024: See Full List
-
Politics2 years agoBREAKING: Inspector-General Of Police Summons Top Police Commanders For Crucial-Security Challenges
-
latest2 years ago5 NYSC Corpers Perish In Fatal Road Accident Returning From Camp