Politics

FCT Poll: We Are Committed To Credible Elections – INEC

Published

2 years ago

December 6, 2021

Adebayo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is committed to conduct a credible area councils election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by February. 12, 2022, with appropriate technology deployment and its innovative tools.

The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, stated this while speaking at the ongoing INEC FCT Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) Amber Zone Implementer’s workshop, on Monday in Abuja.

Oyekanmi said that the technology deployment and its innovative tools would be on election monitoring and support systems.

He said that the EMSC and the commission’s newly-introduced Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) remain critical factors in ensuring success in upcoming election in the six area councils of the FCT.

He said that while the BVAS was introduced to improve on the credibility of elections in the country, EMSC helps the commission to identify and mitigate potential risk in the conduct of an election in the country.

He listed the commission’s election monitoring components to include Election Management System (EMS), Electoral Risk Management (ERM) and Election Operations Support Centre (EOSC).

“EMSC has become a vital tool in the monitoring, implementation and management of Nigeria’s electoral plans and activities.

“The EMSC makes available to the commission the necessary information in making real-time interventions to avert or mitigate potential risks or threats to an election,” Oyekanmi said.

In his presentation, titled “communication strategy”, Oyekanmi said communication was critical to the operations of the EMSC, hence the need for an appropriate strategy that strings together the personnel involved in the operational structure of the EMSC.

”The EMSC Communication Strategy aims at enhancing effective dissemination of information in a timely manner.”

He also re-emphasised INEC’s commitment to addressing some of the glitches noticed with BIVAS during the Anambra governorship election before the FCT poll.

The Project Coordinator, European Centre for Election Support (ECES), Mr Hamza Fassi-Fihr, in his remarks, described the workshop as an important step towards the conduct of transparent and credible area council election in the nation’s capital city.

Fassi-Fihr said that the FCT election was critical, as the first election to follow the Anambra Governorship election where the BVAS was deployed on an extensive scale, after the Isoko by-election, in Delta State.

“We know that the system worked overall well despite the glitches and technical issues it has suffered, be it related to the software or to the handling of the device by the ad hoc staff or the voters.

“In this context, therefore, the FCT Area Council election will be an important step forward for the Commission as it will have the opportunity to prove on the functionality of the BVAS, enhancing its acceptability among the stakeholders and at a very strategic moment which will be one year before general election,” Fassi-Fihr said.

The project coordinator said it was the expectation of the centre that the conduct of the FCT Area council election would set the standard for future elections, especially election monitoring.

“Monitoring the level of readiness of the Commission across the various electoral operations and the pace of implementation through the EMSC is important to the successful conduct of the election.

“The EMSC helps the commission have a real time view on the electoral process and continually adjust to evolving context on the ground.

“This workshop is therefore of utmost importance as it will allow sharing the information on what has been done so far, where you stand and what needs to be done.

“I am sure that the EMSC tool will once again play its role as it did in the 2019 General Election, and other off cycle governorship elections,” Fassi-Fihr.

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Politics

WHY IS ODUNMBAKU BABA ETO’S NAME ON EVERY LIP? – By Sesan Lamuye, A Political Analyst

Published

2 weeks ago

April 12, 2024

Adebayo

Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku, the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) cleric and political engineer, is one of a kind who stands in a unique class of his own.

His types don’t happen too commonly. Infact, in our clime, he is a rarity, to have one person clothed in celestial and terrestial robes so fittingly.

Only few of his peers can honestly say they don’t envy his sartorial elegance whenever he appears in his ecumenical garments. And when he sheds that, to adorn the political regalia, he’s also a people’s delight.

Few of his type readily come to mind anywhere – in Africa or in any continent. I think of Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and, elegantly speaking, Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus who ruled from both the pulpit and the polity in his life time.

Odunmbaku, better known as “Baba Eto”, is a mortal, but given the extraordinary gift of the garb and demonstrable style that is uniquely his own, he’s fast assuming the status of an indispensable human specie.

His type acquire larger than life status that is bound to attract positivity and negativity.

Those who are enamoured of him present to the world a cult-like image of him. To them, he can do no wrong. One such person, before the satanic instinct in man, reared its ugly head in him, was so fanatical of the man, Eto, he registered some of his personal vehicles “Aremo”, for which he used to tell those who cared to know, that he was “heir-apparent” to Eto. Today, that person is singing new tunes, as if his new listeners cannot decipher sychophancy and crass opportunism in his new drumbeats.

Another was said to have appeared at a political interview panel where, when asked what credentials she had to seek a position, she matter-of-factly told the panelists “Eto”. And when repeatedly asked what qualifications did she have to think she was fit for the job, she retorted: ” Eto ! Eto !! Eto !!!

That secured the job for her !

Such a person is bound to attract envy, jealousy and disdain, dislike, or even hatred to himself. That is the fate of Baba Eto !

There must be something extra going for the “priestly-politico” that the talent-discoverer, otherwise known as Bola Ahmed Tinubu, identified him to drive his gubernatorial campaign in Lagos State; and has ever since held on to him so fanatically that he has solely led the campaign of other guber candidates like Babatunde Raji Fashola, Akunwunmi Ambode and Babajide Sanwoolu to roaring successes.

If beneficiaries of Baba Eto’s gifts turn round to paint scurrilous pictures of the man, such people can only be consigned to the dustbin in which immortal Chief Obafemi Awolowo put those he described as ingrates of his large-ness of heart. As the late sage declared: ” There’s no escape for those who deny benefits”

Let the person without any blemish come out and cast the first stone. If we put aside belly-aching, jealousy and such-like vices, you cannot encounter Odunmbaku, Baba Eto, on the pulpit or the political rostrum and not doff your hats for this quintessential orator, mobiliser and professor of political mobilisation.

If some see him negatively from the positive binoculars with which Tinubu and many more view Baba Eto, then such minority must be wearing blurry blinkers in their faces.

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Politics

Ondo 2024: Akinterinwa meets APC SWC, formally declares for Governor

Published

3 weeks ago

April 3, 2024

Adebayo

Frontline aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo state Hon. Wale Akinterinwa, on Tuesday, visited the state secretariat of the APC in Akure, where he formally declared his intention to contest the state Governorship election billed for later this year.

Accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Oluremi Akinterinwa, and a host of notable party leaders from across the 18 local government areas of the state, Akinterinwa met with members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party during the visit.

During the program, Barr. Ajisafe introduced Hon. Akinterinwa’s campaign team, which included the member of the House of Representatives representing Ile-Oluji/Odigbo and past commissioners in the state.

The APC state chairman, Engineer Ade Adetimehin, supported by the party’s publicity secretary, Mr Alex Kalejaiye took turns to introduce other members of the state Working Committee to Hon. Wale Akinterinwa and his team.

In his address, Wale Akinterinwa outlined his extensive educational career and political experience, spanning from Lagos to Ondo State. He passionately presented his plans for the government and people of Ondo State if he is elected governor.

Emphasizing his commitment to the well-being of the people and evelopment of the state, Akinterinwa highlighted several key areas of focus.

According to him, emphasis would be placed on the following key areas:

(i) Education: Improving the quality of education at all levels, from primary to tertiary.

(ii) Healthcare: Expanding access to affordable and quality healthcare services.

(ii) Infrastructure: Investing in critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and energy.

(iv) Agriculture: Boosting agricultural productivity and creating job opportunities in the agricultural sector.

(v) Youth Empowerment: Providing skills training, employment opportunities, and support for young people.

Speaking further, the frontline aspirant emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration within the party to ensure a successful election

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Politics

APC Group, Ondo Govt, Quarrel Over Money for Endorsement

Published

1 month ago

March 19, 2024

Adebayo

Lucky Aiyedatiwa

The Ondo State government and a group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Ondo State Redemption Initiative (OSRI) have disagreed over the allegation that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is using the State resources to fund his governorship ambition.

While OSRI said the governor has planned to use the resources of the State to procure endorsement of State lawmakers in Abuja’s secretariat of the APC, the government described the allegation as balderdash and not worthy of its reaction.

The group through its President, Pastor Adebayo Ogunsanmi, Secretary, Jide Oriola, and Publicity Secretary, Sunday Ayeni accused the Aiyedatiwa of setting aside $180 million to bribe lawmakers for phantom endorsement.

The group said it would be wrong for a Governor to use the State’s resources for selfish political ambition when majority of citizens are wallowing in abject poverty.

In a statement titled ‘Aiyedatiwa offers lawmakers $10.000 dollars for Abuja endorsement’ said Aiyedatiwa has taken his desperation to another level by using dollars to bribe lawmakers for endorsement.

The group said the previous endorsement has been denied and warned the governor against using the State’s resources meant for Infrastructural development to bribe lawmakers who have lost relevance in their constituency.

The OSRI said “Desperate effort by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state to offer 10,000 dollars to each member of the state assembly for endorsement has been exposed.

“The plot, according to inside sources, will involve a trip by 18 lawmakers from the state to accompany the governor to the national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during which they will stage the endorsement.

“Aiyedatiwa is desperately going round for endorsements. The latest is a plan to get 18 lawmakers from the state to accompany him to the national headquarters of the APC in Abuja where they will endorse him.

“But since he knew that he could not get the 18 members to do the dirty job, he has offered each member 18,000 dollars, believing that the money would be too tempting to reject.”

However, the government in its reaction through Special Assistant to Aiyedatiwa on New Media, Mr Sunday Abire described the allegation as hogwash.

Abire said “Why will the Governor bribe the Ondo State House of Assembly in the first? The same Governor that has been accused by politicians of not being a spendthrift? Which should we hold dearly now? It is the season of mischief and the Governor is too focused to be distracted.”