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Politics

Imo guber: LP alleges plan to hold election in zero polling units

Imo guber: LP alleges plan to hold election in zero polling units

Election
By Victor Nwachukwu
Owerri, Nov. 2, 2023 (NAN) The Labour Party (LP) in Imo has raised the alarm over alleged plan by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold the November 11 election in polling units with zero voter registration.

The Imo LP Chairman, Mr Callistus Ihejiagwa, made the claim at a news briefing in Owerri on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC designated 38 zero polling units in the state, where there were no registered voters and elections are not expected to take place there.

Ihejiagwa, who described the affected areas as APC catchment points, alleged that the electoral umpire was under pressure to conduct election in those units.

He said that it would be a breach of the provisions of the Electoral Act and Electoral Guidelines for INEC to conduct elections in those areas.

He said: “We have it on good authority that contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and Electoral Guidelines,  APC, in collaboration with INEC, has perfected plans to conduct elections at non-INEC designated elections venues and flashpoints in Orsu and some parts of Orlu LGAs.

“The plan is to hide under the present state of insecurity to have elections in areas affected by violence and APC’s choice locations.”

The LP chieftain, therefore, called on the Federal Government, security agencies, the international community and other relevant stakeholders to investigate the allegations with a view to ensuring a free and fair electoral process in the state.

“We hereby draw the attention of the security agencies, INEC and federal authorities to this unfortunate development and insist that steps be taken to ensure that nothing is done to scuttle or compromise this all-important election in Imo State.

“We urge the international community, the human rights community, civil society groups and election observers to take note.

When contacted, the INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Emmanuella Ben-Opara, said that the commission had already resolved not to conduct election in the 38 polling units with zero registration.

“There are 4,758 polling units in Imo out of which election will hold in 4,720.

“The remaining 38 will witness no election because they are zero polling units.

“This is the commission’s decision,” Ben-Opara said.

Ihejiagwa also reacted to the alleged brutalisation of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Joe Ajero, and some officials of the congress in Owerri, on Wednesday.

He described the incident as condemnable and urged the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, “to rejig the police in Imo ahead of the elections for their optimal performance”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

VIN/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Politics

Group urges YIAGA to withdraw from guber poll for alleged partisanship

Group urges YIAGA to withdraw from guber poll for alleged partisanship

 

Poll

By Victor Nwachukwu

Owerri, Nov. 2, 2023 (NAN) The Imo Progressive Leaders Forum, has urged the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) to withdraw from its observer role in the Nov.11 Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo election over alleged partisanship.

The forum’s coordinator, Mr Simon Diogu said this when he addressed newsmen in Owerri on Thursday.

Diogu alleged that YIAGA had an affiliation with the Labour Party (LP), which might result in a conflict of interest during the poll, saying that it would be in the best interest of fairness and justice for the group to withdraw from its observer role.

He said that the call was borne out of a sincere desire to ensure free, fair, transparent and unhindered Nov. 11 governorship election in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa.

“The allegations border essentially on membership and sponsorship of YIAGA by the deputy governorship candidate of the LP in Imo.

“YIAGA’s withdrawal will send a clear message that those who oversee our elections in one way or another must be above board and must streamline their entire activities in strict compliance with extant laws of our country.

“We make this call as patriotic Nigerians who are indeed very desirous of having an election that will not only be free but also must be seen to be so, by all the political parties involved,’’ he said.

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the accreditation of YIAGA as an election observer, if it failed to excuse itself from the poll.

This, he said, would help to restore the faith of the electorate in the country’s electoral system.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

VIN /ABI

edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

 

 

Politics

Imo guber: Uzodimma’s re-election to sustain human capital dev’t., says Youth group

Imo guber: Uzodimma’s re-election to sustain human capital dev’t., says Youth group

Support
By Victor Nwachukwu
Ohaji-Egbema (Imo), Sept. 17, 2023 (NAN) The National Congress of Ohaji Youths (NACOY) has called on the Imo electorate to elect Gov. Hope Uzodimma for a second term in order to sustain the current human capital development initiative.

The Woman Leader of the socio-political pressure group, Miss Susan Amadi, made the call during a political awareness campaign organised by the group at Mgbirichi, Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area on Sunday.

Amadi lauded Uzodimma’s interventions in human capital development, such as the Skill-Up-Imo project, a skills training programme targeted mainly at the youths.

She said that the project was capable of solving the problem of unemployment, growing youth enterprise, de-radicalising the youths and addressing insecurity.

She further urged youths of the community, especially the female folk, to change their mindset toward social, political, educational and economic realities like their peers in other climes.

“It is our desire to encourage the girl children to be active participants in social, economical, educational and political affairs,” Amadi said.

She said that Uzodimma’s intervention in human capital development would record greater mileage, if he got re-elected.

“The girl child must therefore remove the barriers that prevent her from participating in society,” she said.

She advised the youths to fight political apathy during the November 11 governorship poll and turnout en masse to exercise their franchise. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

VIN/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Politics

Uzodimma’s choice of female running mate, proof of commitment to gender balance – ex-lawmaker

Uzodimma’s choice of female running mate, proof of commitment to gender balance –  ex-lawmaker
Choice
By Victor Nwachukwu
Owerri, Aug. 14, 2023 (NAN) A former member of the Imo House of Assembly, Mrs Ngozi Obiefule, has described Gov. Hope Uzodimma’s choice of a female running mate as an evidence of his commitment to gender balance.
Obiefule, a two-term  representative of the Isu state constituency in Imo, said this while interacting with newsmen in Owerri on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Uzodimma, candidate of the ruling APC for the Nov. 11 governorship election in Imo, on Saturday unveiled Mrs Nnedinma Ekomaru as his running mate.
Obiefule said that with zero women representation in the current Imo Assembly as constituted, the governor’s choice of Ekomaru was significant of his respect for gender equality and inclusivity.
She commended the governor for heeding the call for greater women’s participation in governance and called on politicians at all levels to toe the same path, in line with the National Gender Policy, demanding for 35 per cent affirmative action for women.
 “ By choosing a female running mate, Gov. Uzodimma has sent a clear message that he values the role of women in politics and recognises their ability to contribute effectively to the development and progress of the state.
 “ This decision will inspire and empower more women to actively engage in politics, ultimately leading to a more representative and equitable society, ” she said.
Obiefule added that as a Catholic faithful, Uzodimma’s choice of a Pentecostal in a chiefly Christian state, would give non Catholics a sense of accommodation.
She expressed confidence that more women would be given prominence and a greater sense of inclusion if Gov. Uzodimma eventually emerged winner of the election.
 “ In many ways, this decision is strategic and we hope it results in greater good for Imo people,” she said. NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
 VIN/IA
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman