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Edo Guber: 6 Parties File Nominations —INEC

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Four days to the March 24 deadline for nomination of governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the September 21, 2024 election in Edo State, only six of the 18 registered political parties have filed their nominations, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said.

Making the disclosure, yesterday, the electoral umpire cautioned political parties against granting unnecessary waivers to new entrants and offering them their tickets, saying such development has continued to put a lot of litigation costs on the commission.

This was as it told parties seeking participation in the election that it would not extend the March 24 timeline for the nomination of their candidates.

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INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this at the first regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties.

READ ALSO: 11 Kenyan Varsity Students Die In Road Crash

He said: “Already, party primaries for the Edo State governorship election have been concluded. By the timetable and schedule of activities for the election, political parties have 20 days to upload the list and personal particulars of their candidates to our dedicated portal.

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“We have trained party liaison officers and established a help desk for political parties. The portal opened on 4th March 2024 and will automatically shut down at 6pm on Saturday 24th March 2024.

“Two weeks later, only six parties have uploaded their nominations to the portal. We urge you to keep to our schedule of activities and avoid last minute rush that may undermine your ability to successfully nominate your candidates.

“There will be no extension of time beyond the deadline already published in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, to enable us to publish the personal particulars of candidates (Form EC9) on 31st March 2024 as required by law.”

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READ ALSO: Edo Guber: PDP Names Ighodalo’s Running Mate

He said for the Ondo State governorship election, party primaries will begin in the next two weeks on April 6, 2024 and end three weeks later on April 27.

According to him, so far, 16 of 19 political parties have indicated interest in participating in the election.

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Litigation costs

“I urge political parties to adhere strictly to your proposed dates and modes of primaries. Frequent changes as we witnessed recently during the Edo primaries are not only disruptive but costly. The Commission cannot mobilize, demobilize and remobilize our officials for the monitoring of party primaries at the convenience of political parties. Parties should stick to their proposed dates and modes of primaries for certainty and optimal deployment of resources.

READ ALSO: Nine Arrested For Attack On French Police Station

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“Similarly, political parties should avoid acrimonious primaries. Increasingly, the conduct of parallel primaries and the emergence of multiple candidates is a frequent occurrence. So too is the tendency to grant waivers to candidates who were a few days earlier card-carrying members of other political parties and nominating such persons to the Commission as their candidates for election.

“Some of these infractions lead to unnecessary litigation among party members in which the Commission is always joined as a party. The legal fees and cost of producing Certified True Copies, CTCs, of documents can be used more productively in other electoral activities by both the political parties and the Commission. We must find a solution to this situation,” he added.

While the Edo State Governorship election holds on Saturday September 21, 2024, the Ondo State Governorship election is holding on Saturday November 16, 2024.

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Jonathan’s Ex-aide Dumps PDP For APC

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A former Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Matters and Social Events to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Waripamo-owei Dudafa, has formally announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the All Progressive Congress.

Dudafa, a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, announced his resignation from the PDP in a statement he issued on Saturday in Yenagoa.

In the letter of resignation addressed to the Chairman, PDP, Southern Opokuma/Ayibabiri Ward 8 in Kolokuma Opukuma Local Government Area, he stated that his decision to quit the PDP followed a period of deep reflection and consultation with his political associates, supporters, and family members.

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The letter read in part: “It is with a heavy heart that I tender my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party effective immediately. Throughout my time with the party, I have been deeply committed to our shared values and goals, and it has been an honour to work with so many dedicated individuals.”

READ ALSO:Jonathan Dragged To Court Over Bid To Participate In 2027 Election

Dudafa stated that the unresolved disputes, particularly at the national level, “have significantly impeded our ability to move forward, rather they create an environment of conflict that’s no longer conducive to advancing the shared values and objectives.”

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He said: “While this decision has been difficult, I remain committed to serving the best interests of our people, motivated by my dedication to their welfare and progress.”

Announcing his decision to join the APC, he said: “After careful reflection and consideration, I have decided to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), a platform I believe offers renewed hope, unity and a stronger foundation to address the challenges facing our dear state.”

READ ALSO:Jonathan To Meet Tinubu Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention — Sowore

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To the members of the APC, Dudafa wrote, “I look forward to working alongside new colleagues who share this vision.”

He expressed appreciation to the PDP for the relationships and experiences he gained during his time in the PDP and wished the party well in overcoming its present challenges.

Political observers are of the opinion that his resignation could signal realignments ahead of future political developments in Bayelsa State and at the national level.

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Why Wike Is Always Attacking Peter Obi — Obidient Movement

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The Obidient Movement has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his recent comments describing Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, as a “social media president.”

Wike had, on Thursday, accused Obi of playing politics with national issues after the former Anambra State governor visited a local authority school in the FCT and lamented the poor condition of public facilities.

I hear one of the social media presidential candidates went to a local authority school and said the government has abandoned public schools. His name is Mr Peter Obi. It’s not everything you must play politics with,” Wike had said.

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READ ALSO:Wike Gives Update On Rivers Emergency Rule Expires Date

However, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, dismissed Wike’s comments, saying they were aimed at keeping the minister in the news.

How will Wike sell his market if he doesn’t mention Peter Obi?” Tanko asked. “As I am talking to you, you need to see the mammoth crowd we have in our town hall meeting here in Nnewi (Anambra State).”

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Tanko further dismissed the FCT minister as the least of the Obi and his followers’ worries and defended Obi’s comments on the state of public schools in the country’s capital, insisting that the Wike merely drew attention to a national concern.

He stressed that Obi’s comment on the state of public facilities in the FCT was to point out that they are in dire need of attention, saying, “I was there on the ground and saw those dilapidated buildings. We also visited a clinic where only one nurse was on duty. Even the roads to the place are not easily accessible.”

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JUST IN: Rivers Cancels N134bn Secretariat Contract, Demands N20bn Refund

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The Rivers State Executive Council has cancelled a ₦134 billion contract awarded by the former sole administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ikot Ete Ibas (retd), for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt.

The contract, awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation during the period of emergency rule under Ibas, was nullified by the Council at its meeting on Thursday.

READ ALSO:Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Refund Of Rivers’ Monies Expended By Ibas

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Following the cancellation, the Council directed CCECC to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee already paid for the project.

Also, the Council approved the constitution of a six-member committee chaired by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu to assess and recommend suitable locations for the construction of Computer-Based Test centres across the state to support external examinations.

The Council also mandated the state’s flood control committee, also headed by Odu, to take urgent measures to mitigate flooding in affected areas, while cautioning residents against blocking drainage channels.

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