Politics

INEC Presents Certificates Of Return To Edo Assembly Members-elect

Published

3 years ago

March 31, 2023

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, presented Certificate of Return to the Edo State House of Assembly members-elect with a charge to rise above parochial politics but placing the interest of the people first.

INFO DAILY reports that out of the 24 seats of the Edo State House of Assembly, three seats are yet to be cleared due to elections that were declared inconclusive in Ovia South West, Oredo East and Egor LGs respectively.

Presenting the certificate to the members-elect at the INEC headquarters in Benin, with the theme ‘A Time to deepen democracy,’ Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Edo State, Obo Effanga, urged them to rise above political allegiance but place the interest of the people first.

“It is important to charge the members-elect to understand that when they sit at the table of governance, they are there, not in their personal capacities but as representatives of their entire constituencies with all the diversities such as gender, age, ethnicity, religion and political leanings therein.

“This is how to recognize and practice the principle of equality of all.

“Lawmakers and politicians generally need to rise above blind allegiance to political parties whose membership in our climes is very fluid, transient and without core values and principles.

” They should equally raise their game above the politics of allegiance to persons and other interests who may influence them to act even against the interest of their constituencies and the state or country.

“The existence of a parliament is what sets democracy apart from non-democratic systems of government and the central role of the parliament is to serve as checks and balances to the other arms of government, namely the executive and the judiciary. It is hoped that those elected into the upcoming parliament have a clear understanding of this, as a building block to democracy”, Effanga said.

While commenting how democracy has evolved in the country over the years, he called on those who contested in the election but felt to have been rigged out to seek redress in the appropriate quarters rather than calling for war.

“Twenty-four years into our current democratic journey, it is time for us to build, raise and equip more democrats to keep democracy going.

“True democrats are those who recognize that while everybody must be heard, the majority will often determine the way to go and that election is not do-or-die or win at all costs.

“True democrats also realize that in a multiparty election, there is a higher chance of losing than winning the election and they must prepare their minds to such possibilities and live with the outcome. But where they disagree with the outcome, they must follow the proper channels for seeking redress.

“We should not pull down everything, including the institutions and structures of democracy simply because the outcome is different from our expectations.

“True democrats look for legitimate ways to expand the frontiers of democracy. They do so by building on the good that exists, rather than destroy the fabrics. Let us learn to build up and not destroy”, Effanga said.

Responding on behalf of the members-elect, Yekini Idiaye, representing Akoko-Edo Constituency 1, thanked the INEC and the security personnel for their roles in the election.

He said the members-elect, irrespective of their political parties differences, will always put the interest of the people above their personal interest

Politics

JUST IN: Former APC National Youth Leader Dumps Party

Published

4 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Sadiq Abubakar, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader has announced his decision to dump the ruling party.

Abubakar who disclosed this in an interview with Newsmen in Bauchi on Wednesday, explained that his decision was unconnected with the hardship faced by many Nigerian homes due to difficult policies and programmes by the APC.

According to him, the move was also driven by an objective of securing free and fair victory in future election primaries so as to continue to serve the people with strength and integrity.

He stated that his decision followed a series of consultations with family, friends, political associates and stakeholders saying this was after a careful reflection on recent developments within the party structure and internal arrangements.

“It is high time to adopt a party with a more clear vision and the compassion to help the common man.

“The APC processes are not working, the party is not just and fair. I’m leaving the party because there is no fairness in the electoral processes of the party as well as the consensus.

“And I know that they are not going to be fair in the forthcoming primaries but they will only use the power of incumbency.

“Also, what the party is doing to every family is becoming something else as it’s becoming too hard to put a three square meal on the table,” he said.

The Former APC National Youth Leader however, affirmed that he would soon reveal the new political party of his destination in no distant time.

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”