Politics

Edo Poll: Probe Allegations Of Police Bias, Group Urges Abubakar-led Committee

Published

1 year ago

September 12, 2024

The Edo Salvation Group, ESG, has called on the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee, NPC to investigate allegations of bias by the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in the approach to the governorship election in the state.

The group particularly charged the committee to interrogate claims that officials of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP were being locked up by the police.

The group in a statement issued by its coordinator, Mani Ekpe expressed concern that the Abubakar panel has for the first time since its advent in 2015 been unable to bring the major election contenders to a peace table.

Noting the arrest of several officials of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the group expressed concern over rife reports that more officials of the PDP campaign have been marked out for arrest.

“We are shocked that what ordinarily should be an election has turned into a terror for parties that pose a threat to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

“We particularly note that for the first time the National Peace Committee is unable to bring the different parties to sign a peace accord. This is as a result of the distrust by the PDP and some other parties on the actions of the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

“It is on this note that we call on the Abubakar Committee to address the issues of bias particularly made against the police and INEC. No one can enter an election with the fear that the referee is against him or her. That is the chorus in Edo State today and we thus call on the Abdulsalami Abubakar Committee to in the interest of securing the peace of the nation to interrogate this development.

The group also expressed concern over speculations that the Director-General of the PDP Governorship Campaign, Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and other directors of the campaign have been marked for arrest should not be taken lightly.

“Instead of arresting more officials, we urge the police to retrace its steps and where issues are established against anyone such should be taken to court immediately,” the group said.

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.