NEWS
Off Season Elections: APC, PDP In War Of Words Over Fake Video
Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have spent the penultimate day to the November 11, 2023 election trading voracious salvos over, a video alleging that the former’s candidate in Imo State, Sam Anyanwu, had withdrawn from the contest.
Recall that the PDP had cried to the umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify the APC and its candidate, Gov Hope Uzodimma from the contest on the grounds of blackmailing an opponent and sponsoring a fake video against its candidate with a clear intention to mislead the electorate.
The main opposition party spoke through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in a statement on Friday in which it urged INEC to disqualify Gov Uzodimma for punching below the belt.
In a swift reaction, however, the APC took to X to fire back at the PDP.
The ruling party, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka sought to counter the PDP’s earlier statement calling on the umpire to take drastic action against it and its candidate.
The APC averred that the wide acceptance of its candidate, Gov Uzodimma was scaring the opposition.
The APC tweeted, “RE: FAKE VIDEO – YOUR FEAR OF GOVERNOR HOPE UZODINMA’S POPULARITY WON’T STOP HIS RE-ELECTION
“We are confident that no last minute antics of @OfficialPDPNig will deter the good people of Imo State who are poised to reelect our Governor to finish the good work he has started.”
Despite the cloud being cast on the election by the accusation and counteraccusations, Ologunagba maintained that Anyanwu was not deterred by the distractions but set for victory.
He described the video as fake and berated Gov Uzodimma for allegedly resorting to a last-minute underhand method to get the PDP’s candidate out of the way.
In his opinion, it was alarming that the makers of the fake video attempted to make Nigerians believe that it was a news production of the Television Continental (TVC).
The image maker applauded the courage of the management of TVC in immediately disclaiming and condemning the fraudulent use of their corporate identity (name, logo, and inscription) as well as reputation in an attempt to pool the wool over the eyes of the electorate in Imo State.
According to the PDP its candidate, Anyanwu was very much in the governorship race and urged the people of Imo State to disregard the said video.
He said, “If there is anybody that should withdraw from the race, it is Governor Uzodimma, who has amply demonstrated that he is not ready to contest in a peaceful free, fair, and transparent election.
“The PDP calls on INEC to disqualify the APC and Governor Uzodimma as their reported involvement in producing and circulating the fake video constitutes a gross violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the Nigerian Criminal Code and Cyber Crime Law.”
A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi yencountered a “hard landing” on Sunday.
According to report, the incident took place near Jolfa, a city situated on the border with Azerbaijan, within Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran.
However, details regarding the incident were not disclosed.
The Associated Press noted uncertainty regarding whether bh Raisi was onboard the helicopter during the incident.
Despite rescue efforts, adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind, have hindered access to the site, according to state TV.
Before the helicopter incident, President Ebrahim Raisi had been in Azerbaijan on Sunday to participate in the inauguration of a dam alongside Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
This dam marks the third joint construction project between the two nations on the Aras River.
Despite Iran’s diverse helicopter fleet, obtaining parts is hindered by international sanctions, with much of its military air fleet dating back to pre-1979 Islamic Revolution era.
Raisi, aged 63, is known for his hard-line stance and previously served as the country’s judiciary leader.
Considered a protégé of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, some analysts speculate that Raisi could succeed the 85-year-old leader in the event of his resignation or demise.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.
According to him, the plot, involving both foreigners and Congolese citizens, unfolded in the early hours outside the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe in the Gombe district, close to the president’s offices at the Palais de la Nation.
General Sylvain Ekenge announced on national television that the defence and security forces had successfully thwarted the coup attempt.
He said “An attempted coup d’etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces. The foreigners and Congolese…including their leader” would “all no longer cause any harm”.
Shots were heard near the Palais de la Nation during the attempted coup, as confirmed by various sources.
General Ekenge didn’t elaborate further on the incident, and AFP’s attempts to get additional information from official sources remain unanswered.
However by late morning, the city appeared calm.
Early social media reports suggested an armed attack on Kamerhe’s residence, with some assailants heading towards the Palais de la Nation.
“This morning, there was an armed attack at the residence of the economy minister,” wrote Japan’s ambassador Hidetoshi Ogawa on X.
He stated that Kamerhe “was not harmed, but two policemen and an assailant were killed according to sources.”
France’s ambassador reported hearing automatic weapons fire in the area and advised French nationals to steer clear of the location.
Videos circulating on social media depicted individuals in military attire at the Palais de la Nation, waving flags of Zaire, the former name of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the regime of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was ousted in 1997.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed all transition committee chairmen in the state’s 21 local government areas.
This decision was detailed in a letter titled “Expiration of Tenure and Handover to Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs),” dated May 17, 2024, and signed by Collins Nwabunwanne, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs.
According to the letter, the directive will be effective starting Monday, May 20, 2024.
The letter read, “Following the expiration of your tenure as Transition Committee Chairman, you are hereby directed to handover the affairs of your Local Government Council to the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), in your respective Local Government Councils.
“This directive takes effect from Monday, 20th day of May, 2024. Thank you for your service to the state. All replies to be addressed to the Honourable Commissioner.”
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