Politics
Naira Crisis: Parties Urge INEC To hold Elections As Scheduled
Political parties have expressed concern that the 2023 general elections may be postponed due to challenges posed by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s new naira policy, as raised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In exclusive interviews with The PUNCH on Wednesday, major political parties urged INEC to maintain the previously scheduled election dates of February 25 and March 11.
Despite INEC’s concerns over the new policy and its potential impact on logistical arrangements and worker mobilization, political parties hope that the elections can be held as planned.
Yahaya Bello, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Federal Capital Territory, has raised concerns about the potential challenges that the ongoing naira crisis could present for the upcoming 2023 general elections.
He expressed his worries during the North-Central Stakeholders Round-table meeting, which was organized by the Centre for Transparency Advocate. Bello shared his apprehensions on Wednesday during the event.
The statement made by Yahaya Bello regarding the possible impact of the naira crisis on the 2023 general elections has sparked a heated debate among top political parties.
These parties have firmly rejected the idea of adjusting the election schedule. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, acknowledged that the cash shortage could potentially impact the planning for the elections.
However, they have ruled out the possibility of postponing the exercise due to this issue.
“This has the tendency to affect planning and logistics, but postponement would not be logical for INEC because it is a critical government institution that has inexhaustible avenues for mobilising cash resources for an election,” Abdullahi said.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Oye, has expressed his confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would always find ways to obtain the necessary funding to fulfill its responsibilities.
Yunusa Tanko, a member of the Labour Party(LP) Presidential Campaign Council, has suggested that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should utilize bank transfers to pay ad hoc workers for logistics and mobilization to address concerns about accountability.
“I don’t think it should be a problem. It should be done in such a way that people can access the transfer. That, for me, is the most important thing. If it is a transfer you are doing, let it be traceable. I don’t think the new naira policy should stop the election; rather, it should make the election more credible. Of course, we know the liquid cash cannot be accounted for,” he said.
Ladipo Johnson, the Chief Spokesman of the New Nigerian Peoples Party(NNPP), has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to exercise restraint and consider alternatives to giving cash.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), through its Director of Media, Bala Ibrahim, has reiterated its confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its ability to carry out the 2023 general elections as scheduled.
Ibrahim noted that it would be premature for anyone to call for a shift in the election calendar at this time.
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party(SDP), Shehu Gabam, has called on the public to hold the Federal Government accountable for not doing enough to find solutions to the challenges posed by the shortage of cash in the country’s credit system.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the Ondo State governorship election held on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
Aiyedatiwa secured a decisive victory, polling 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr. Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes.
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The APC swept all 18 local government areas of the state in a dominant performance that underscored its stronghold in Ondo.
The results were announced at INEC’s State Headquarters in Akure by the collation officer, Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi.
“Having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the APC is hereby declared the winner of the Ondo State governorship election,” Prof. Akinwunmi stated.
Breakdown of Results by Local Government Areas:
1. Akure North: APC 14,451 | PDP 5,787
2. Akure South: APC 32,969 | PDP 17,926
3. Okitipupa: APC 26,811 | PDP 10,233
4. Ose: APC 16,555 | PDP 4,472
5. Owo: APC 31,914 | PDP 4,740
6. Akoko Northeast: APC 25,657 | PDP 5,072
7. Akoko Northwest: APC 25,010 | PDP 5,502
8. Akoko Southeast: APC 12,140 | PDP 2,692
9. Akoko Southwest: APC 29,700 | PDP 5,517
10. Ondo West: APC 20,755 | PDP 6,387
11. Ondo East: APC 8,163 | PDP 2,843
12. Ile Oluji/Oke-Igbo: APC 16,600 | PDP 4,442
13. Idanre: APC 9,114 | PDP 8,940
14. Irele: APC 17,117 | PDP 6,601
15. Ifedore: APC 14,157 | PDP 5,897
16. Ilaje: APC 24,474 | PDP 3,623 | LP 176
17. Ese Odo: APC 14,511 | PDP 7,814
18. Odigbo: APC 26,683 | PDP 9,348
The Labour Party (LP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) trailed far behind, with LP securing 1,162 votes and ZLP 2,692 votes across the state.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s victory cements the APC’s grip on Ondo State politics.
The governor-elect has promised to focus on economic development, improved infrastructure, and youth empowerment.
“This victory is not just for the APC but for every citizen of Ondo State. Together, we will build a brighter future,” Aiyedatiwa said in his acceptance speech.
The election, which was monitored by domestic and international observers, was largely peaceful, with only minor logistical challenges reported.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has swept all 18 local government areas in the Ondo State Governorship Election, maintaining a significant lead over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) resumed collation of results after a recess to allow the arrival of results from the remaining local governments, Ilaje and Ese Odo.
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Collation Officer Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi explained, “I think we can just adjourn till 12 noon please. Two remaining local governments are not here yet, so we adjourn till 12 noon. The local governments, Ilaje and Ese Odo, are very far, so we need to give them time to arrive.”
While APC recorded victories across all announced results, the collation process faced a brief dispute in Idanre Local Government.
The PDP’s agent alleged issues of vote-buying, ballot box snatching, and the absence of elections in some areas.
He urged the returning officer to reject the results from Idanre, but no resolution was immediately provided.
INEC National Commissioner Prof. Kunle Ajayi, speaking earlier in Akure, reassured citizens that the results would be concluded and announced without delay.
“I can assure you that until we declare the winner, we won’t leave here. We will wait until the last local government before we leave. I don’t have any fear that even by 6 am, maybe everything would have been over,” Prof. Ajayi stated.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged victorious in Ogun State’s Local Government elections, sweeping all 20 chairmanship seats in the polls held on Saturday.
The Chairman of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Babatunde Osibodu, confirmed the results at the commission’s headquarters in Abeokuta, declaring that the APC also secured wins in all 236 wards across the state.
According to Osibodu, a total of 613,156 votes were cast during the chairmanship elections across the 20 local government areas.
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However, the outcome has sparked strong opposition.
The Labour Party (LP), along with other opposition groups, has rejected the election results, accusing OGSIEC of misconduct and irregularities.
In a press briefing, Ogun State Labour Party Chairman, Biodun Jagun, called for the cancellation of the entire election, alleging widespread malpractices.
“There was no election in most polling units in Ogun State,” Jagun claimed, citing the absence of OGSIEC officials and electoral materials in over 90% of polling stations by 1:30 pm.
“In the few polling units where materials arrived, they were incomplete and came much later than the scheduled 8 am start time.”
Jagun emphasized that the party and its supporters would not accept the results and vowed to challenge the election in court if OGSIEC did not annul the exercise.
“We reject the results of this flawed election and call on OGSIEC to cancel it,” he stated. “Failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to pursue legal action.”
Despite the controversy, the elections saw participation from 19 political parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Young Progressive Party (YPP).
Nevertheless, it was the APC that dominated the election, further solidifying its control in Ogun State.
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