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INEC Slams Labour Party over Call for Yakubu’s Sack

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described as illogical and ridiculous, the call by Labour Party for the immediate sack of the commission’s Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over the outcome of the 2023 general election.

Labour Party, at a press conference addressed on Thursday by the Director General, Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Akin Osuntokun, called for a forensic investigation into the expenditure of released budget and donour funds received by INEC for the 2023 general election.

The party said Nigerians deserved to get the details of how the funds were disbursed. It also called for the removal of the INEC Chairman from office.

Osuntokun said, “While the position of INEC Chairman is constitutionally guaranteed and cannot be removed, but same attitude applied to Emefiele (suspended CBN Governor) should be applied to Yakubu because INEC has done a lot of damages that merit him being sanctioned.

“Ideally somebody that committed the kind of gross abuse of office like INEC Chairman should resigned, but we are in Nigeria. That of EFCC and CBN remain a selective approach and there should be justice with INEC wrongdoing which has consequences for the well being of the nation.”

But reacting to the demands by Labour Party, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi said it was strange that a political party that was in court challenging the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, could still go about openly discussing the matter at a news conferences.

He added that the press conference was subjudice while the reasons adduced by LP for the call to sack INEC are unreasonable.

“The reasons adduced by the LP in making the latest and familiar demand are not only illogical, but also ridiculous,” he said.

He said that election observers, both local and international, were accredited by INEC to observe elections under specific rules and regulations.

“Under these rules, they were required to submit their respective reports to the commission. Such reports may or may not include their recommendations.

“Therefore, it is not within the remit of any election observer whatsoever to indict INEC. They are to observe, make recommendations if they have any, but never to indict.

“In the same manner, it is also not within the LP’s jurisdiction to demand for the dismissal and prosecution of the INEC Chairman over the outcome of an election in which the party fielded candidates.

“Interestingly, arising from the outcome of the same 2023 General Election, the LP has now produced one State Governor, eight Senators, 35 House of Representatives members and 38 members of the State Houses of Assembly,” he said.

“The LP is one of the 18 political parties registered and being regulated by INEC in Nigeria.

“The party will do well by restricting itself to activities permitted under the rules and regulations governing the conduct of political parties,” he said.

NAN

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Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams

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By Eric Elezuo

One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.

Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.

He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents,  and Abiola was never sworn in.

“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.

The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.

Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.

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Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State

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By Eric Elezuo

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.

The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.

Details soon…

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Obasa Storms Lagos Assembly with Armed Men, Claims He’s Still Speaker

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Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.

Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.

In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.

Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.

The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.

“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.

This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.

He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.

“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.

With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.

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