Politics
#NigeriaDecides2023: CDD Called On INEC To Extend Voting Period
On Saturday, a political think-tank called the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to extend the voting period for eligible voters.
The organization cited data from its observers, which indicated that there was at least one Bimodal Voter Accreditation System device available in 98.8 percent of polling units.
However, there were also reports of glitches during the accreditation process, particularly in Borno State, which caused delays in the voting process. As a result, the organization is urging the commission to extend the voting period to allow all eligible voters to cast their ballots.
Prof Adele Jinadu, the chairman of the CDD Election Analysis Centre, has recommended an extension of the voting period for eligible voters to cast their ballots during the presidential and National Assembly elections.
This recommendation was made in the preliminary statement released by the organization, which provides an overview of its findings on the conduct of the elections based on observer data received and analyzed as at 1pm.
The statement focused on two of the five ‘I’s that were identified in the EAC launch report: insecurity and institutions.
Jinadu said, “There have been some reports of violence and voter suppression in some parts of the country. We have asked our observers in the field to gather more information about the issues. On the whole, we commend Nigerians on their participation and peaceful conduct so far, though we note growing reports of voters frustrated by the speed of the voting process.
“We commend Nigerians on their determination to vote and encourage them to remain patient as they cast their ballot and to prevent people who want to try and disrupt the process.
“Where voting has started late or where the process has yet started, we encourage INEC to extend the voting period to enable all who want to do so to cast their ballot. We urge the security agencies to ensure that they remain neutral in their election day activities and actions. We commend INEC on their continued responsive communication with voters and all key stakeholders.
“Our observer data indicated late arrival of poll officials to their respective polling units across the country on election day. Across the country almost 50 per cent of INEC poll officials arrived on time for the commencement of the process. However, the South-East and South-South recorded the lowest percentage of poll officials arriving on time.
“In the South-East, only 10 per cent of poll officials arrived at their respective polling units on time and in the South-South it was 27 per cent. In the North-East, 42 per cent of poll officials got to their polling units on time whilst in the North-West, North- Central and South-West the figure was over 50 per cent.
However, Lagos, the state with the highest number of registered voters recorded just 18 per cent in terms of timely arrival of INEC officials. The average opening time across the country was 9:25am; that is a clear one hour after polling was scheduled to start. “
“On average, CDD-EAC observation showed INEC officials arrived for set up and commencement of the process between 9:30am and 10:30am in the polling units observed. In the South-East, the average time for opening of polls was 10:56am; CDD-EAC observers have also been reporting several instances of polls not opening, even at 12:30pm. In several cases, observer findings reported security officials arriving at the polling stations, while INEC officials had not arrived to open the polls.”
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced the appointment of six new officials to pivotal positions within his administration, effective from November 15, 2024.
The announcement was made public on Friday in a communiqué signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor.
The newly appointed officials bring a wealth of experience to their roles and include: Dr. Emmanuel Iyamu as Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
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Dr. Iyamu, an accomplished academic and business leader, holds a Doctorate in Petroleum Resources and an MBA. Prior to his appointment, he served as the CEO of Gabbem Integrated Services Ltd.
Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi as Managing Director of the State Waste Management Board. Enehita-Inegbenehi is a seasoned professional with expertise in human resources and leadership.
He previously led multiple businesses, including JEI Visions Service Apartments and JEI Visions Iron Metals.
CP Friday Ibadin (retd.) as Corps Commander of the Edo State Security Corps Governance. A former Commissioner of Police with international experience, including an assignment with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, Ibadin is renowned for his security expertise.
Stainless Ijeghede as Managing Director of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency. Ijeghede, a mechanical engineer, previously worked in the petroleum sector with Shell Petroleum, focusing on well engineering and safety.
Lucky Eseigbe as Managing Director of the Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency. A legal expert with an LL.B and LL.M from Ambrose Alli University, Eseigbe has vast experience in legislative consulting and legal advising.
Emmanuel Ehidiamen Okoebor as Commissioner for Finance-designate. With over 25 years in the banking industry, Okoebor has held senior roles, including Assistant General Manager at United Bank for Africa (UBA).
He is also a registered member of COREN and the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
As the build up to the Ondo State’s off season gubernatorial election continues, the umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated the list of contestants by adding the Labour Party’s Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus.
The umpire made the disclosure on Friday in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, where it made it clear that it was acting in compliance with an order of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.
The statement was issued under the subject, ‘update on the list of candidates for the 2024 Ondo governorship election’.
It reads, “The Commission was yesterday 14th November 2024 served with the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement of the Court of Appeal which set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja Division. The FHC, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024 had on 27th September 2024 ordered the Commission to accept Olusola Ebiseni as the candidate of the Labour Party for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election.
“However, in the appeal with reference number CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024 filed by the Labour Party, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division struck out the judgement of the FHC for lack of jurisdiction.
“In obedience to the court order, the Commission has restored Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus, whose name was first published as the Labour Party candidate for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election and uploaded same to our website for public information.”
In the quest to ramp up the push against the negative effects of climate change, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has approved changes in the leadership of the state’s climate change team.
Consequently, Gov Adeleke directed the abolition of the office of Senior Special Assistant on Climate Change and the redeployment of the SSA on Climate Change, Prince Moruf Adedapo, out of the sub sector to the pool of SSAs.
To add bite to the changes, Gov Adeleke also directed the movement of the office of the consultant to the state on climate change and renewable energy from the Ministry of Environment to the Governor’s Office.
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Biztellers reports that with the changes, the consultant, Prof Chinwe Obuaku will henceforth be reporting to Gov Adeleke directly.
A government statement underpins these to “a strategy to give bite to the administration’s push to fast track implementation of adaptation and mitigate climate actions”.
As part of the leadership reforms, Gov Adeleke further directed that liaison between the state government and federal agencies as well as development partners on climate matters should be coordinated by the state consultant.
It was gathered that stakeholders would henceforth be relating with the state consultant on climate related matters as the office of SSA on Climate Change no longer exists.
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