Politics
How INEC Can Prevent Post-Election Violence – CSO
Yiaga Africa, a civil society organization, has issued a statement urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take proactive measures to prevent post-election violence.
The organization emphasized the importance of eliminating favouritism, nepotism, and mediocrity in the electoral process to restore the trust of Nigerians and ensure a fair and credible election across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Yiaga Africa emphasized the need for INEC to act quickly in the next 23 days. The group called for INEC to collaborate with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria in the various districts across the states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The goal of this collaboration is to train INEC’s temporary staff in completing the results sheets at polling stations and ward collation centers to minimize bureaucracy. The organization suggested that this collaboration could take place between the districts and the Resident Electoral Commissioners in each state.
Yiaga Africa pointed out that this collaboration would allow ICAN to mobilize its members across its districts.
The objective is to simplify the recording of results on Form EC8A so that the temporary staff, particularly the presiding officers, can fully understand how to accurately calculate the eight essential elements on the form.
These elements include: the number of registered voters, the number of accredited voters, the number of ballot papers distributed at the polling station, the number of unused ballot papers, the number of spoiled ballot papers, the number of rejected ballots, the total number of votes, and the total number of used ballot papers.
Additionally, Yiaga Africa stated that the outcome of the election tribunal in Osun should serve as a demonstration to INEC of what could be expected in the election results from the 176,846 polling stations throughout the country.
According to a pre-election report by the Administrative and Finance Officer, Daniel Mkpume, titled “2023: Exploring Professional Training on Election Results Collation,” obtained by a correspondent in Abuja, noted that since the launch of the INEC Result Viewing Portal, a total of 128,994 accounts have been opened by IReV users.
The report predicted that these numbers will continue to grow in 2023 as more Nigerians show interest in the election results from each polling station. The report highlights the importance of ensuring accuracy and fairness in the collation of election results.
It partly read, “There is no doubt that election is basically a game of numbers determined by eligible citizens who turn out to vote on election day and thus any act either by omission or commission that leads to the slightest mistake in collation of election results could potentially jeopardise the process.
“As a matter of fact, even an honourable mistake by electoral officials especially in the imputing and collation of election results could have an impact on the overall outcome of the elections.
“In this vein, any effort to ensure effective training of electoral officers on a simplified and accurate collation process will go a long way in boosting citizens’ confidence and promoting accountability in the process.
“Public trust is essential for any successful deployment of electoral technologies. The introduction of the IREV into the framework for election result management has transformed public perception of the accuracy and credibility of election results.
“INEC must try to achieve 100% or nothing in the quality of results that will be uploaded from the 176,846 polling units across the federation.” He added.
Politics
Accord Supporter Allegedly Banished From Osun Community Over Political Affiliation
The campaign organisation of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has raised the alarm over the alleged banishment of an Accord Party supporter from Ilase community in Obokun Local Government Area of the state over her political affiliation.
The spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, made the allegation in a statement shared on Facebook on Wednesday.
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Olajengbesi identified the affected supporter as Adeola Adegoke and alleged that her shop was looted before she and her mother were summoned and subsequently ordered to leave the community.
According to him, Adegoke was allegedly asked to support Senator Fadahunsi and campaign for Wole Oke.
He claimed that while she agreed to support Fadahunsi, she declined to campaign for Wole Oke, after which she was allegedly ordered to leave Ilase.
Condemning the alleged treatment, Olajengbesi said political differences should never be used to intimidate citizens or deprive them of their means of livelihood.
“We must never use political power or influence to intimidate, punish or destroy the livelihood of any citizen because of political differences,” he said.
The campaign spokesperson also called on Fadahunsi and Wole Oke to respond to the allegations, noting that their names had been mentioned in connection with the incident.
He said that if the alleged actions were carried out without their knowledge or authority, they should immediately call those responsible to order.
Olajengbesi further stressed that no citizen should be intimidated, banished or deprived of their livelihood because of their political choice.
“Politics must never descend to this level,” he added.
The allegations have not been independently verified, while there was no immediate response from Fadahunsi or Wole Oke to the claims at the time of the report.
Olajengbesi urged political actors to respect citizens’ rights and ensure that political disagreements do not degenerate into harassment or persecution.
Politics
Enugu Threatens N50m Fine Over Illegal Political Posters Ahead of 2027
The Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency has warned politicians, political parties and campaign organisations against the unauthorised pasting and display of posters across the state.
The agency said violators could face fines of up to N50 million, as political activities intensify ahead of the Enugu State local government elections scheduled for September 26, 2026, and the 2027 general elections.
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In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its General Manager, Hon. Francis Aninwike, the agency said the ban covers all posters bearing the names, photographs, logos, slogans or messages of political parties, candidates and aspirants.
According to the agency, no individual, political party, candidate, aspirant, campaign organisation or supporter is permitted to paste, affix or display posters on buildings, walls, fences, bridges, electricity poles, road infrastructure, public facilities or any public or private surface in the state.
ENSSAA said the restriction was aimed at preventing the indiscriminate defacement of public and private property while preserving the environmental and aesthetic quality of cities, towns and communities across Enugu State.
The agency said the ban was backed by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency Law No. 12 of 2016, particularly Sections 4(1)(g), 33 and 34(4)(9), which provide for the regulation and control of outdoor advertising and the display of posters and other advertising materials.
ENSSAA also extended its warning to printers and printing establishments, cautioning them against producing or facilitating posters intended for unauthorised display or pasting.
“Where any such poster is traced to a printer, the printer may be subject to investigation and appropriate sanctions where its involvement in the violation is established in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
The agency further warned that anyone caught violating the ban would face applicable financial penalties and other sanctions prescribed by law.
It advised political parties, candidates, aspirants and campaign organisations to use radio, television, print and digital media platforms, as well as approved billboards, for their campaigns.
ENSSAA stressed that the restriction would be enforced “equally and without fear or favour” against all persons, political parties, candidates, aspirants, organisations and individuals, regardless of political affiliation or status.
“The ban remains in force. All are hereby advised to comply accordingly,” the agency said.
Politics
2027: ‘I Can Improve Nigeria the Way I Did in Anambra’ — Obi Hits Back at Datti
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 election, has hit back at his former running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, insisting that he has the experience and capacity to improve Nigeria.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, said his record in the state demonstrated what he could achieve at the national level if elected president.
Baba-Ahmed, who was Obi’s running mate on the Labour Party ticket in the 2023 presidential election, had recently said that none of the politicians challenging President Bola Tinubu in 2027, including Obi, could improve the country.
SEE MORE: 2027: ‘Nobody Owns Rivers Votes’ — ADC Fires Back at Wike
However, speaking in an interview previewed by Arise Television on Monday, Obi rejected the assessment, saying, “I passed through Anambra State, and I improved the state in critical areas of development. And I can do the same thing in Nigeria.”
The former Anambra governor said his administration would prioritise good governance, reduce waste and tackle corruption if given the opportunity to lead the country.
“I am sure that if given the opportunity, first I will bring civility and order in governance, and I will be able to cut costs of governance, which is irresponsible today. I will be able to do quite a number of things that will bring honour and respect to the country,” Obi said.
He also outlined some of the measures he intends to pursue, including fighting corruption, reducing waste, strengthening law and order and ensuring credible elections.
“I will fight corruption; I will deal with issues of waste, law and order, and rigging won’t take place under my watch; political parties will function, and things will be done properly,” he said.
According to Obi, national unity and security would also be among his major priorities, alongside investments in healthcare and education and efforts to reduce poverty.
“I will focus on our priorities to unite the country, as it’s not united today, and secure the country. Secondly, secure the country.
Thirdly, to ensure we prioritise critical areas of development, like health, education and pulling people out of poverty,” Obi added.
Datti’s Position
Baba-Ahmed made his comments during an interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye and posted on Saturday.
“I will simply advise Uncle (Tinubu) to please prepare to hand over and move away, but not to the people contesting against him because none of them will improve Nigeria,” he said.
When asked whether he was referring to all
the opposition candidates, Baba-Ahmed replied, “Tinubu should leave the stage. All those people contesting against him, too—they were all in bed together at some point or another.”
Asked specifically whether he was referring to Peter Obi, Baba-Ahmed said, “Including Peter Obi, I’m sorry to say.”





