The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to stop making serial and unfounded allegations.

INEC issued the warning to Makinde after the Oyo State Governor told the electoral body to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, Mrs. Toyin Babalola.

“Our attention has been drawn to an allegation made by the Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde at his party’s campaign rally held today in Akure in which he called on the INEC Chairman to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, Mrs. Toyin Babalola, because “she is from Ondo State,” INEC said on Tuesday night in a post on its official X account.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Mrs. Babalola is not from Ondo State in line with the commission’s policy not to deploy a REC to his or her state of origin.

“In 2020, ahead of the last governorship election in the same state, Makinde accused a senior official of the commission of working with the Vice Chancellor of a federal university to undermine the election but the allegation was untrue.

“We appeal to holders of high public office such as Governor Makinde to verify their information before making these serial, unfounded allegations.”

Governor Makinde, meanwhile, on Tuesday called on INEC to act fairly by ensuring a level playing field as the governorship election in Ondo State approaches.

Makinde challenged the commission’s chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, to replace the Ondo REC, an indigene of the state, to demonstrate fairness and transparency in the electoral process.

The governor made this statement in Akure during the flag-off of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign and the presentation of the party’s flag to its candidate, former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Chief Agboola Ajayi.

Expressing satisfaction with the large turnout of residents at the rally held at Oyemekun Road, Akure, Makinde urged voters to support the PDP candidate in the November 16, 2024, governorship election to bring real hope to the state.

He vowed that the PDP would not allow a repeat of the irregularities witnessed in the recent Edo State election, stating that the party would continue to protest until the Ondo REC is replaced.

“This rally marks the beginning of PDP’s victory party in Ondo State. Please, go from ward to ward, house to house, in the next three weeks to win souls for the PDP, and it shall be well with us,” Makinde said.

“But I have a message for the INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, you must remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, because she is from Ondo State.

“What happened in the Edo election cannot happen here in Ondo. We will protest until she is removed.

“Bring in another REC who will ensure fairness and a level playing field. As PDP, we are not afraid of fair competition. Remove her, or we will continue protesting.”

Former Senate President, Ahmed Lawan has said that state governors must be on the board of the Independent National Electoral Commission for the Local Government (LG) autonomy to work well in Nigeria.

Lawan in a video from the National Assembly (NASS) TV said this during the plenary session of the senate on Thursday.

“If you want the state independent electoral commission to be removed from the constitution so that only INEC conducts elections for all local governments, states, and the federation, then you must have the governors on board,” he said.

“That is the reality, let’s not deceive ourselves that we can just pass the law and then the state assembly will comply, they will not.”

Lawan said the lawmakers have so much power and that they will only listen to their state governors.

He made this comment amid the senate on Wednesday resolving to effect appropriate amendments to the constitution to ensure full autonomy for local governments.

The senate also urged all states and local governments to comply with the Supreme Court’s judgement on LG financial autonomy.

The resolutions were sequel to the amendment and adoption of a motion sponsored earlier by Senator Tony Nwoye (Anambra State).

Following the confusion generated by the debate on Nwoye’s motion, the senate went into an emergency closed-door session.

Upon its return from the closed-door session, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, disclosed that it was amicably resolved to insist that all states should take immediate steps to ensure full compliance with the judgement of the Supreme Court.

Nwoye (LP Anambra North), had at the commencement of plenary, risen through orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Rules, to move a motion on the alleged move by some state governments to circumvent the implementation of the judgement through counter laws from their respective House of Assembly.

Nwoye specifically alleged that some State Governors are already using their House of Assembly to enact laws that would mandate respective LG councils in their states to remit monies into the state and local government joint account ruled against by the Supreme Court.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the Labour Party (LP) executive led by Barrister Julius Abure.

The National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh disclosed this on Tuesday morning in an update on the official X account of the political party.

Ifoh said the Abuja High Court has also declared the LP 2024 national convention valid.

“A Federal High Court in Abuja today, Tuesday October, 8, 2024 has declared the 2024 Labour Party national convention held in Nnewi in March valid, constitutional and in line with all laid down laws in Nigeria,” he said.

“Justice Emeka Nwite while delivering the judgement went further to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to grant due recognition and all privileges to the Labour Party’s National Working Committee as led by Barrister Julius Abure. Details later.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the reported refusal by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State to grant it and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo access to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines and other materials used in the September 21, 2024 governorship election against the order of court.

The PDP in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba has also accused INEC of doctoring the BVAS to conceal rigging.

Ologunagba further said on Monday that the PDP has demanded the immediate release of election materials for inspection.

“Our party also alerts the public of how compromised INEC officials used the ploy of waiting for “directives from above” to allegedly allow thugs recruited by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some unscrupulous police operatives to invade the INEC office in Edo State so as to cause confusion and frustrate the PDP from accessing these sensitive materials,” he said.

“INEC’s refusal to release the materials is in brazen affront of the order of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Holden at Benin City, dated 29th day of September, 2024 which ordered the Commission to grant our Party and candidate “unfettered access to and open up for inspection all electoral documents or any document in the custody of the National Chief Electoral Commissioner or any officer of the Commission/1st Respondent, particularly the Voter Registers, Ballot papers, the BVAS machines, Forms EC25B, EC25B(i) Forms EC40A and Forms EC40C which were utilized for the conduct of the Edo State Governorship election held on the 21st September 2024.”

Ologunagba said the action of the INEC in Edo State, therefore, validates reports of criminal connivance of some INEC officials with the APC to obstruct the course of justice and suppress evidence of the manipulation and doctoring of election results which was clearly won by the PDP and its candidate.

“Information available to the PDP indicates that the heavily compromised INEC officials and the APC are working to alter the data in the BVAS machines, results sheets, ballot papers and other vital information in favour of the defeated APC candidate,” he said.

“It is imperative to draw the attention of Nigerians and the International Community of a pattern by the INEC to continue to present itself as a threat to democracy against its mandate to promote democratic principles of free, fair and credible elections in line with the Constitution and extant electoral laws.

“Nigerians will recall from reports in the public domain since the 2023 elections that INEC has proven to be in active connivance with the APC to manipulate the outcome of every election in favour of the APC in total disregard and contempt to the expressed Will of the people and the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC Guidelines for elections.

“This manipulative and provocative action by INEC and the APC is already causing apprehensions with the possibility of a breakdown of Law and Order as Nigerians are increasingly getting frustrated with the Commission.”

The PDP has, therefore, called on the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to immediately redeem the image of the Commission by ensuring the immediate release of the BVAS machines, the results sheets, ballot papers and other vital materials used for the election for inspection by the party and candidate in compliance with the Order of the Tribunal.

Ologunagba warned that INEC and the APC must know that there is no way the PDP and the people of Edo will allow the mandate freely given to their party and candidate at the state governorship election to be illegally transferred to the APC which was defeated at the poll.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the timetable for the year 2025 zonal congresses.

The PDP made the announcement on Monday in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba.

Ologunagba said the timetable that was approved on behalf of the National Executive Committe (NEC) is to elect new Zonal Working Committee (ZWC) and National Ex-officio members of the party.

He said the decision of the NWC at its 592nd meeting is ahead of the expiration of the tenures of the current Zonal Executives in the South south, South East, South West, North Central and North East Zones.

The approved Timetable and Schedule of Activities is as follows:

1.Sale of forms for all ZWC positions and National Ex- Officio for THE South South, South East, South West, North Central, North East; Monday, November 18, 2024 – Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

2.Last day for submission of already purchased and completed Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to Directorate of Organization and Mobilization – Friday, January 17, 2025.

3.Screening of Aspirants at the Zonal Headquarters – Saturday, January 25, 2025.

4.Screening Appeal at the Zonal Headquarters – Saturday, February 1, 2025.

5.Publication of cleared Aspirants – Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

6. Publication of Delegate Lists – Thursday, February 13, 2025.
7. North East, South East, South South Zonal Congresses – Saturday, February 22, 2025.
8. Appeal on Zonal Congresses – Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
9. North Central and South west Zonal Congresses – Saturday, March 22, 2025.
10. Appeal on Zonal Congresses – Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

“All intending aspirants are advised to contact the Directorate of Organization and Mobilization or Directorate of Finance at the national secretariat of the PDP for all applicable fees and other enquiries,” Ologunagba said.

“The NWC urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the PDP to remain united and continue to work hard for the progress of the party.”

Governor Sim Fubara has charged the newly-elected local government (LG) chairmen in Rivers State to ensure that they work for the people.

Following the announcement of winners in the LG election which took place in Rivers State on Saturday, Fubara conducted their swearing in ceremony on Sunday.

“Today marked a new dawn for Rivers State as we swore in the newly elected local government chairmen,” the governor wrote in a post he shared on his official X account.

“This is a call to serve with the requisite responsibility of uniting and uplifting our people.

“I urge every chairman to embrace the spirit of service, work for the people and maintain the peace and progress of our beloved state.

“Together, we will build a greater Rivers State as we ensure that this administration’s goals are met for the benefit of all.”

The Action Peoples Party (APP) had a landslide victory in the election with its 23 chairmanship candidates declared winners by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, the swearing-in ceremony took place at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), meanwhile, has congratulated the people of Rivers State on the successful conduct of the LG election.

The National Secretary of CUPP, Chief Peter Ameh described the election as a victory for democracy.

Ameh also noted the peaceful participation of the people as a reflection of their strong commitment to democratic principles.

“Despite past challenges, the people of Rivers have demonstrated that their voices will be heard and their choices will shape their future,” he said.

“This success is a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s democratic progress. Your participation has shown that democracy can flourish in Nigeria.

“We anticipate a continued positive trend where citizens’ voices are louder and leaders are held to higher standards.

“The success of this election offers renewed hope for democracy’s resilience and revitalisation, proving that citizens can unite to reject anti-democratic forces and affirm their dedication to democratic values.”