NEWS
There Is No Final Candidate List- INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), has distanced itself from a purported final list of candidates for the 2023 general elections released on Sunday.
The commission in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in Abuja on Monday, said INEC did not release any list on Sunday.
“The attention of the commission has been drawn to reports widely circulated by a section of the media today, Monday, January 9, that the final list of candidates was released on our website on Sunday, January 8.
“The commission wishes to state categorically that no new publication of the final list of candidates was released as reported. The public should therefore discountenance the story.’’
Mr Okoye said that for the record, the final list of candidates for the 2023 general elections was published, at least, 150 days before the day of the election in compliance with the provision of Sec. 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.
“Accordingly, the final list for presidential and national assembly elections was published on September 20, 2022, while that of governorship and state assembly elections was published two weeks later on October 4, 2022.
“These are clearly indicated as item eight on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Elections released by the commission on Feb. 26, 2022.’’
Mr Okoye said there could not be a final list of candidates with just 46 days to the general elections, except for names published as substitutions for candidates nominated earlier in compliance with the Court Order.
“Moreover, some of the candidates that allegedly made the new “final” list are still in court and the matter is, therefore, subjudice.
“Political parties, litigants and the public should be guided accordingly,’’ Mr Okoye said.
(NAN)
The Niger State Imam Forum, comprising Chief Imams of Friday Mosques in the state and Islamic Organizations, affirmed their commitment to proceed with the marriage ceremony of 100 orphans in Mariga Local Government Area.
Originally set for May 24, 2024, the event faced a setback when Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, retracted his endorsement of the wedding involving orphans from his district.
The withdrawal of support by the Speaker came after the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, expressed concerns about the legality of the wedding, questioning whether the girls’ consent and adherence to marriage age laws, including the Child Rights Act, were ensured.
Despite this, the Imam Forum insisted that the wedding would proceed, citing its compliance with relevant sections of the Nigerian constitution and Islamic teachings.
Dr. Umar Farouk, Director General of Niger State Religious Affairs, conveyed the forum’s decisions following an emergency meeting in Minna.
He issued a 7-day ultimatum to the Minister, demanding the withdrawal of her court case and petition against the Speaker of the Niger Assembly, or face legal repercussions.
Additionally, the forum demanded an apology from her to the citizens of Niger and the Speaker for purported blackmailing.
Farouk emphasized that the wedding date of May 24, 2024, remained firm, asserting that the Imam Forum, along with the brides’ parents, would proceed with the ceremony, given the Speaker’s contribution to ensure its success.
Furthermore, Dr. Farouk urged President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to dismiss the Minister, alleging incompetence and an endeavor to incite religious discord in Nigeria.
Farouk urged other philanthropists, affluent individuals, and politicians to follow the Speaker’s lead in organizing similar marriages as a means to reform society.
He noted that the prospective brides, aged between 18 and 25, included widows, and assured that their consent was obtained, with all requisite procedures meticulously adhered to.
The Organized labor has pulled out of the ongoing minimum wage discussions with the Federal Government, criticizing the proposed wage figures as inadequate.
This choice came in response to suggestions from both the Federal Government and the Organized Private Sector (OPS), putting forth minimum wage proposals ranging between N48,000 and N54,000 respectively.
Labor representatives slammed these amounts as “ridiculous,” noting that the OPS has admitted its members usually pay at least N78,000.
Details later………
Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico, was shot in a gun attack on Wednesday afternoon in Handlova, Slovakia.
He sustained injuries to his head and chest and was airlifted to the nearest hospital for medical attention.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack on social media platform X, emphasizing its undemocratic nature.
She expressed sympathy for Fico and his family.
The Slovak Prime Minister is expected to make a statement regarding the assassination attempt shortly.
More to follow……
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