Politics

2023: Northern Youth Leaders Insist On Electronic Result Transmission, Berates Southern Govs On Zoning

Published

5 years ago

July 15, 2021

Editor

The Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results of subsequent elections electronically.

In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Eliot Afiyo, dated July 15, 2021 and made available to our correspondent, the group also viewed the Lagos declaration by the Southern Governors Forum demanding for a Southern President in 2023 as a deliberate and intentional scheming to project the political interest of a few individuals against the collective national interest.

“We viewed the Lagos declaration by the Southern Governors demanding for a Southern President in 2023 as a deliberate and intentional scheming to project the political interest of a few individuals against the collective National interest which has exposed the political inexperience and infancy of the Governors. Going by their declaration, it is now an established truth that the Southern Governors lack political mastery and planning.”

They averred that the declaration is “provocative, insensitive, offensive, challenging and a political war which must be given thorough and intelligent consideration and action.

“The implication of this declaration tends to tell the Northerners that the 2023 Presidential election would be based on North versus South instead of political parties.” (Sic)

NYLF continues: “The NYLF commends the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) for the introduction of electronic transmission of election results in Ondo and Edo states governorship elections which gives credibility to the process and eliminated ballot box snatching, falsification of results and other election violence (Sic).

“NYLF is of the opinion that this process should not only continue but also be maintained and sustained in all the future elections,” the statement reads in part.

They expressed the view that electronic voting, no matter how good or necessary it seems to be, should not be introduced for now because of the literacy ratio in the country especially in the north.

“To this end, we call on the National Assembly to include electronic transmission of election result but discard the electronic voting in the Amended Electoral Act,” it advised.

Further berating southern governors, they discribed the declaration as “provocative, insensitive, offensive, challenging and a political war which must be given thorough and intelligent consideration and action.

“No matter how important the 2023 Presidency is to the South, the declaration is indeed ill-timed, ill-advised, wrongly calculated and presented.

“We expect that the governors should have decamped from their respective parties, form a new party or decamp to just one party or at best, lobbying their parties to zone the position to the south and ensure that their aspirants emerge during primaries instead of such pronouncement.

“If at all the southern governors desire the presidency indeed, they should have summoned the courage to specify the geopolitical zone.

“It is a known fact that you don’t get power in a democratic system by coercion or intimidation but through negotiation and understanding,” the statement said.

They argued that the only zones that are qualified to demand for the 2023 presidency are North-East, South-East, South-South and possibly North-Central.

Politics

Peter Obi Meets US Consul General, Hopes For Credible Polls In 2027

Published

13 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Chieftain of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi on Tuesday held a meeting with United States Consul General, Mr Rick Swart.

Obi made this known via his X handle.

He said “This morning, in Lagos, I met with the U.S. Consul General, Mr Rick Swart, where we discussed strengthening the bilateral relationship. We focused on promoting credible elections in Nigeria, ensuring they are free from interference, and fostering a space where all political parties, especially opposition parties can thrive, and contribute.

“We also discussed trade and business opportunities between our countries. Accompanying me to the meeting was Dr Adefolaseye Adebomi Adebayo.

“The discussion was very productive, and we are hopeful that, moving forward, Nigeria’s elections will be even more credible and transparent.”

Politics

BREAKING: 17 ADC Reps Follow Join NDC

Published

19 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

About 17 African Democratic Congress, ADC, lawmakers in the House of Representatives have defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

This was disclosed by Speaker Abass Tajudeen on the floor of the House on Tuesday.

Tajudeen also announced the defection of Leke Abejide from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Lawmakers who defected to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike.

Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene and Abdulhakeem Ado.

This comes barely a day after former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso defected from the ADC to the NDC.

Obi and Kwankwaso have pledged to continue their pursuit for a better Nigeria in the NDC.

Politics

JUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has given reasons why he resigned from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, alongside a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

In a long post on X on Monday, Obi insisted it was not out of anger or ambition.

Rather, he said the move is a continuation of the quest to build a new Nigeria.

Obi wrote: “Yesterday, I formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside my dear brother, Engr. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with one clear purpose: to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria built on justice, competence, accountability, and compassion for the ordinary Nigerian.

“As I stated yesterday, this decision was not made out of anger, personal ambition, or convenience. It came after deep reflection on the present condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from the dangerous path it is currently heading.

“Over the years, I have remained steadfast in my conviction that politics should never be about individuals, positions, or personal gain. It must be about the people, especially the millions of Nigerians who today can no longer afford necessities, whose businesses are collapsing, whose children are losing hope, and whose future is becoming increasingly uncertain.

“I left the ADC for the same reason I left the Labour Party: the severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises deliberately designed to ensure that I, alongside many other notable individuals, do not effectively participate in the electoral process. I sincerely appreciate and remain deeply grateful to the Leadership of ADC for the opportunity to work together in pursuit of a better Nigeria. I am particularly grateful to ADC Chairman Senator David Mark for his exceptional Leadership. I also deeply appreciate my Leader and elder brother YE, Atiku Abubakar, as well as other respected leaders within the party.

“As we join the NDC, I sincerely appeal to the Nigerian Government against the encouragement of unresolved litigations and the infusion of crises within political parties. Democracy must never become a weapon against the people. A healthy democracy thrives on strong institutions, credible alternatives, and the freedom of citizens to make choices without intimidation, manipulation, or fear. Opposition parties must not be weakened or destroyed, because when democracy loses balance, the people ultimately suffer.

“Nigeria today is passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Poverty is rising. Hunger is widespread. Insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods. Businesses are shutting down daily. Our young people are becoming discouraged, and many citizens have lost faith in the system. At a time like this, leadership must be driven not by propaganda or division, but by competence, capacity, character, and compassion.

“Our decision to join the NDC is therefore not an abandonment of values, but a continuation of the same mission we have always stood for: building a Nigeria where leadership is about service, where public resources are managed responsibly, where institutions function independently, and where every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, region, or social status, can live with dignity, security, and hope.

“I remain committed to working with all Nigerians of goodwill across political, ethnic, and religious lines. The task before us is bigger than any individual or political party. It is about the future of our children and the survival of our dear nation.

“I thank Nigerians, especially our youths and women, for remaining peaceful, resilient, and hopeful despite the enormous challenges confronting the country. I urge you not to lose faith in Nigeria. Nations do not change because people surrender to hopelessness; they change because people continue to believe, continue to sacrifice, and continue to stand for what is right.”