News

Why We Declined Comment On 2023 Elections – INEC

Published

10 months ago

July 4, 2023

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why it declined comment on the outcome of 2023 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, spoke at a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja, on Tuesday.

The meeting marked the commencement of the formal review of the conduct of the elections.

Yakubu said, “Following the conclusion of the election, the time has come for introspection, stocktaking, review and evaluation.

“Since the conclusion of the election, diverse opinions have been expressed by political parties, candidates, observers, analysts and the general public on aspects of the elections that took place in February and March.

“Such diverse opinions should normally be expected, and the commission welcomes all of them insofar as their purpose is to improve the future conduct of elections and to consolidate our democracy,” he said.

The INEC boss said the commission has consciously not joined in the commentaries in the immediate aftermath of the election for several reasons.

He said, “First, our preference is to listen more and draw lessons rather than join in the heated and often emotive public discussion on the election. Second, since we plan to conduct our own review of the election, we see no need to pre-empt the process. Third, the commission would not want to be seen as defensive or justificatory in joining the ongoing discussions.

“Finally, and perhaps most importantly, several issues around the election are sub-judice and it is not the intention of the Commission to either undermine or promote the chances of litigants in the various election petition courts beyond what is required of us by the legal process.”

Yakubu said practically anything coming from the commission could be cited by litigants as either justifying their claims or an indication of bias against them.

News

JUST IN: Panic As Oyo Demolishes Shops In Popular Ibadan Market

Published

1 hour ago

May 9, 2024

Editor

Panic gripped residents and traders of the popular Ojoo market in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State as the government demolished scores of shops and kiosks in the area, on Thursday.

The PUNCH gathered that the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development had served the traders quit notice a long time ago but they refused to move out of the market.

The Chairman of the market, Muhdeen Ganiyu, fondly called Elewedu, however, told our correspondent that the quit notice was too short but the executive members of all the affected markers would meet after the demolition exercise.

“The quit notice was too short. All executive members of all the affected markers will soon meet. So, I cannot say anything for now,” he stated.

When contacted, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, confirmed the ongoing demolition exercise.

He said, “The State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had gone there personally to address them. The government will provide another place. That place is dangerous. And the new place is not far. Just at the front of the Barracks.”

More pictures from the demolition courtesy The PUNCH:

Details later…

News

BREAKING: Reps To Probe Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Procurement Process

Published

2 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Editor

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the procurement process of the Lagos Calabar coastal highway.

This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national Importance moved by Austine Achado (APC, Benue) during plenary on Thursday.

Moving the motion, Achado maintained that the contract award did not follow due process and did not get approval from the National Assembly.

However, in its resolution, the House referred the matter to its committees on Procurement and Works.

Details later…

News

Nigerian’s Request To Be Buried Alive For 24 Hours Causes Stir Online [VIDEO]

Published

5 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Editor

A Nigerian man simply identified as Young C caused a stir online on Wednesday, May 8, when he embarked on a challenge to be buried alive in a coffin for 24 hours.

In a post shared on his Instagram page, Young C said he intends to broadcast live footage from the coffin at night.

Sharing a video on his Instagram account, he said

“I am going to be spending the next 24 hours buried in this casket. Guys, this is real, not fake. And the most amazing part is that I am going to go live by night.”

In a subsequent update, Young C revealed that he had been buried for over 8 hours and was experiencing physical discomfort, including excessive sweating.

“Guys, I have been buried alive for over 8 hours now. For those of you who saw my first video, I have been down here. As you can see, my camera is still rolling, and I have my light down there, I am sweating, guys.”

In yet another update, Young C said he has started experiencing heat and that his fear now is for his rechargeable fan not to run out of power. He also showed a container where he has been urinating since he began the challenge.

Watch video below: