Politics
Imo Gov Poll: Opposition Parties Call For Cancellation
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and other opposition political parties have collectively demanded a reassessment and annulment of the Imo State governorship election results from Saturday.
Their unified stance was expressed on Monday in Owerri, at joint media briefing through individual statements from the political parties.
The LPs candidate, Senator Athan Achonu, described the electoral process as “a complete sham and a rape of democracy.”
He emphatically called for a thorough reassessment and cancellation of the election results, highlighting gaps such as faulty voter accreditation, vote buying, and voter-intimidation.
He also expressed disappointment in the security personnel’s inability to safeguard the integrity of the ballot.
He said: “I am calling on all lovers of democracy as well as Igbo sons and the INEC to save our democracy by carrying out a holistic review of the election to satisfy the curiosity of Imo people and Nigerians at large.’’
On his part, the PDP’s candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu expressed gratitude to the residents of Imo for casting their votes despite reported intimidation.
However, he voiced concern and disappointment over the purported compromise of security agents, as evidenced in viral videos.
Sen Anyanwu highlighted that due to faulty accreditation, over-voting became prevalent, disregarding both conscience and the rule of law.
“In the full glare of security operatives, polling units were overrun with vote buying and hijacking of election materials. We therefore call for a review and cancellation of the poll,’’ he stated.
The APGA’s candidate, Tony Ejiogu, pointed out that the election was characterized by irregularities and described it as “a bad precedence to set” and emphasized the imperative for a review of both the process and its results.
He expressed concern that the extensive campaigns conducted by his party, both on and off social media, would be futile if the electoral commission didn’t reassess the election and the underlying processes leading to the declaration of a winner.
Similarly, candidate of the YPP, Dr. Kemdi Opara expressed disbelief at the announced result, particularly noting his inability to secure victory in his Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
He said, “Unbelievable that according to the announced result, he could not win his Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
“INEC must redeem its image. We need a paradigm shift because the INEC result is not a reflection of the true situation.”
A PDP chieftain, Mike Ikokwu, expressed concern about evidence of over-voting in certain areas of the state. He urged INEC to adhere to the electoral guidelines, specifically calling for a review of the results within seven days.
The Imo State Chairman, LP, Callistus Ihejiagwa, raised issues about results being uploaded for locations where elections did not take place, contributing to unchecked over-voting. He insisted that a thorough review of the poll was necessary.
He said, “A total of 500,000 votes were cast for APC alone as announced by INEC. Yet, only about 300,000 persons were duly accredited as evidenced in the server. This charade has to be reviewed.”
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has warned against attempts to destabilize the peace and security of Igbajo by some group of people led by Prince Gboyega Famodun through conflicting Oroke festival days.
He directed security agencies to deal decisively with any trouble maker.
According to a government statement, issued in Osogbo, reports at the disposal of the government indicated an attempt by a faction belonging to Famodun to create conflict at Igbajo by fixing a different festival date from the one officially announced by the legal and officially crowned king of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Makinde.
An effort, it noted was designed to create violence and crisis in the peaceful town of Igbajo.
As a government, the statement added, we reiterate that the Monarch of Igbajo today is Oba Ademola Makinde and the May 23rd already fixed for the Oroke Day Festival remains the sacrosanct date for the popular cultural and traditionally significant event.
“We note further that the Head of Igbajo traditional institution remains the present Owa of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Makinde and he is therefore empowered and entitled to fix the day for the Oroke festival. Actions of the Famodun faction is therefore against tradition and law and is therefore a nullity.
“In a bid to forestall breakdown of law and order and in line with my responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of Osun state, I direct security agencies to enforce the holding of the Oroke festival on the official date of May 23rd and to ensure no gathering is held on May 19th set by any other faction.
“The above directive and actions are taken to maintain peace and protect the ancient town from those hell-bent on manipulating the traditional institution to destabilize the state”, the Governor was quoted as saying,” he cautioned.
Adamawa State High Court’s Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan has issue an arrest warrant for suspended INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari.
The court instructed the Inspector General of Police to promptly apprehend Barrister Ari and present him in court to face trial on three charges.
This directive followed an application filed by the Adamawa State Government on April 16, 2024.
During the proceedings, Chief L. D. Nzadon, representing the complainant, informed the court that they were seeking an arrest warrant against the defendant.
Referring to Section 20, Subsection (1j) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2018, Chief Nzadon urged the court to utilize its authority and instruct the Inspector General of Police to apprehend the defendant, regardless of his location.
He explained that attempts to serve the defendant were unsuccessful, as the court’s bailiff had been in Bauchi State from May 2nd to May 4th, 2024, but couldn’t locate him.
In his ruling on the application, the judge noted that this was the third instance the case had been mentioned without the defendant present in court.
He acknowledged the complainant’s counsels’ explanation regarding their inability to serve Ari, suggesting that it seemed he was deliberately avoiding
The executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Igbotako Ward II, Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State, have officially suspended Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who represents Ondo South, citing alleged anti-party activities and insubordination.
The suspension notice was jointly signed by several ward executive members, including Omotoye Olusola, Bakere Usuf, Tore Obwoselu, Oloyinmi Idowu, Borewaye Louyomi, Oladipupo Bose, Alkimbobola Seyi, Lawal-Babatunde, Aritawe-Ademole, Akinkuoju Olarewaju, and Fabioye Ajoke.
Ibrahim’s suspension follows the recent APC governorship primary election in the state, where he faced defeat. Citing Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution, the party executives justified their decision to suspend Senator Ibrahim.
The 16-member Executive Committee made this decision during a meeting held on Monday, May 13, 2024.
Additionally, the party recalled a prior meeting in Abuja, convened by the APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, where all governorship aspirants were urged to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent governor of the state, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Despite the suspension, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proceeded to file a lawsuit against the governor and the APC, disregarding the party’s directives.
The letter, made public in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday, states: “We, the members of the APC Executive Committee of Igbotako Ward II in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, convened a meeting on Monday, May 13th, 2024.”
“During our meeting, we deliberated extensively on various issues affecting the progress and development of our party, notably indiscipline and insubordination among some members.
“We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions and activities to violate the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party as well as his anti-party activities.
“As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the party’s constitution. Senator Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities By Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution.
“It is worth recalling that the National Party Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, met with all Ondo State governorship aspirants on April 25th, 2024, in Abuja
“During the meeting, he urged them to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Honorable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. Despite this, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso proceeded to sue the Governor and APC, blatantly disregarding party instructions.
“Additionally, he has engaged in anti-party activities by urging his supporters in Igbotako and Ondo State to join NNPP, claiming he will soon receive the gubernatorial ticket from them.
“Senator Jimoh has openly declared his intent to disrupt APC before leaving the party, as evidenced by his actions in the Federal High Court in Abuja and his derogatory remarks about APC in various media outlets.
“For emphasis, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso has been suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect, and he is hereby prohibited from participating in any APC activities nationwide.” the letter added
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