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Anambra election: Group To Conduct Accessibility Audit For PWDs Inclusion

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Anambra 2021

The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) on Thursday said it will conduct a Polling Unit Accessibility Audit to achieve inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Anambra election.

IFA Executive Director Grace Jerry in a statement in Abuja said that IFA had been at the forefront of ensuring that elections were inclusive in Nigeria for the benefits of persons with disabilities.

“Since the dawn of democracy in 1999, there has been controversy in Anambra in deciding who occupies the apex political office in the state.

“The controversy and tussle for power led to a court ruling which made Anambra to join the league of off-cycle elections in Nigeria.

“IFA has been at the forefront of ensuring that elections are inclusive in Nigeria through strategic and informed research-based advocacies to relevant stakeholders.

“The association through a random sample will deploy 200 trained PWDs to 200 Polling Units across 21 local government areas (LGAs) in Anambra. The observers will cut across various clusters of the disability community,” he said.

Jerry gave the breakdown of the sampled PWDs observers as follows: Aguata 12; Anambra East 9; Anambra West 6; Anaocha 11; Awka North 5; Awka South 14; Ayamelum 6; Dunukofia 6; and Ekwusigo 7.

Others are Idemili North 16; Idemili South 9; Ihiala 11; Njikoka 8; Nnewi North 11; Nnewi South 10; Ogbaru 14; Onitsha North 11; Onitsha South 11; Orumba North 9; Orumba South 7 and Oyi 7.

She said that the IFA team conducted training for the 200 PWDs observers at nine centres clustering the 21 LGAs according to their proximity and number in accordance with COVID-19 protocols.

She said that to ascertain that the 200 observers understood the content of training and to test the association’s systems and readiness they would participate in a simulation exercise before the election.

“To communicate the activities of IFA and impacts the association commissioned an educative jingle to sensitise the PWDs and the Anambra citizens to participate in the planned election.

“The radio jingle has information on the deployment of assistive materials by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“These materials are the Braille Ballot Guide (BBG), Form EC30E, Form EC40H and priority voting,’’ she said.

Jerry said that in furtherance to promoting communication to citizens the IFA would hold pre-event news conference with members of the press across Anambra.

She said the group would also hold a post-event news conference after the election to share the findings from its member’s observation.

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LG Elections: Senator Yayi Criticises Governor Abiodun Over Alleged Imposition of Candidates

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Senator Adeola Olamilekan, popularly known as Senator Yayi, representing Ogun West Senatorial District, expressed strong concerns over the upcoming local government elections in Ogun State. His remarks followed the heated discussion on the Benue LGA elections, which Senator Abba Moro described as a “sham” on the Senate Order Paper. Yayi drew parallels between the situation in Benue and what he termed “undemocratic practices” in Ogun State.
Speaking on the matter, Senator Yayi highlighted the increasing interference by state governors in local government elections, specifically pointing fingers at Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for allegedly handpicking candidates for the upcoming local government polls without conducting proper primaries. According to Yayi, all candidates vying for the 20 chairmanship positions and 236 ward councillor seats in Ogun State’s LGAs were selected based on their loyalty to the governor rather than their competence or popular support.
The senator further alleged that the chosen candidates, all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), were required to swear an oath of loyalty to Governor Abiodun and the candidates reportedly submitted letters of resignation, effectively surrendering their positions even before assuming office, ensuring that they would remain under the governor’s control, all these alleged to have happened at Mitros Hall, located opposite the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta.
Senator Yayi expressed his frustration over the exclusion of party members who maintained ties with other influential political figures in the state, including former governors and himself. “This imposition of candidates and deliberate sidelining of legitimate party members is not only undemocratic but also dangerous for the future of local governance,” Yayi remarked, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
Governor Dapo Abiodun is not the first Ogun State leader to face accusations of manipulating local government elections. Former governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, had similarly been criticized during his tenure for allegedly imposing candidates in local elections, sparking tensions within the state’s APC structure. Other governors in Nigeria, such as Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue and Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, have also faced similar accusations, raising concerns about the broader issue of state interference in grassroots democracy across the country.
One of the key issues raised by Senator Yayi, and echoed by several other senators during the debate, is the negative impact of not granting local governments full autonomy. Local government autonomy is seen as a vital aspect of democracy, ensuring that grassroots governance is effective, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the people. However, the current practice in most states, where governors exercise disproportionate control over local government elections, undermines this principle.
Critics argue that when state governments handpick local government candidates, it leads to a breakdown in democratic processes at the grassroots level. Local government officials, often mere extensions of the governor’s political machinery, become unresponsive to the electorate’s needs. This top-down control stifles innovation, hampers development projects, and creates an environment where local government executives are more loyal to the state governor than the people they were elected to serve.
Senator Yayi stressed that the situation in Ogun State is emblematic of a larger national problem. “If we continue to allow state governments to hijack the local government electoral process, we are undermining democracy itself,” he warned. “Local governments must be allowed to function independently, free from the political manoeuvrings of state governors.”
As Ogun State prepares for its local government elections, the growing dissatisfaction among stakeholders like Senator Yayi raises important questions about the legitimacy of the process. The allegations of candidate imposition and demands for oaths of loyalty represent a significant challenge to democratic norms, and they highlight the urgent need for reform in the relationship between state and local governments in Nigeria.
With tensions rising within Ogun’s APC structure and the local government elections looming, all eyes will be on Governor Dapo Abiodun to see whether the elections will reflect the true will of the people or remain another example of state-level control over grassroots governance.

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APC chieftain Akinterinwa felicitates Adejoke Orelope Adefulure on 65th birthday

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, Wale Akinterinwa, has extended his warm congratulations to the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, on her 65th birthday anniversary.

In a statement on Sunday, Akinterinwa described Orelope-Adefulire, the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State as an iconic woman whose remarkable leadership traits continue to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians and humanity.

Akinterinwa maintained that Orelope-Adefulire has displayed exemplary leadership and compassion both in her private and official capacities.

He praised her for her ‘unforgettable’ contributions to the growth and development of Ile-Oluji community in Ondo state.

The statement reads, “On behalf of myself, my family and the good people of Ile-Oluji, I celebrate an iconic woman, the Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.

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Senator Gbenga Daniel Congratulates Edo Governor-Elect Monday Okpebholo

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Otunba Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East senatorial district and former governor of Ogun State has extended his congratulations to Senator Monday Okpebholo following his victory in the Edo State Governorship election held on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
In a message on behalf of the people of Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Daniel commended Okpebholo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their success in the polls.
Daniel highlighted Okpebholo’s previous role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, where he earned a reputation as a standout leader. He praised Okpebholo for his contributions to the committee, noting his leadership and strong relationships with fellow members.
“Your campaign efforts in towns and villages, combined with your humility and respectful engagement with voters across party lines, have paid off,” Daniel said. He described Okpebholo as a “deep thinker” and “highly responsible strategist,” adding that his election marks a victory for Edo State.
In his closing remark, Otunba Gbenga Daniel concluded by offering his best wishes to Okpebholo as he embarks on his new role as Governor of Edo State, assuring him of his highest regards.
The congratulatory message underscores the unity within the APC and the shared optimism for the newly elected governor’s administration in Edo State.

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