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INEC fails to give Kaduna governor-elect, Uba Sani Certificate of Return
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on Wednesday failed to issue Certificate of Return to Kaduna State governor-elect, Uba Sani on first day, Wednesday, March 28, 2023 elections that others got theirs across the country.
CAPITAL POST reports that the Commission has commenced the issuance of Certificates of Return to governors-elect in 26 states where winners emerged after the March 18, 2023 governorship and Houses of Assembly elections.
Checks by our Correspondent revealed that Kaduna State governor-elect who represents Kaduna Central Senatorial District was spotted at Wednesday’s plenary in the Senate and even made contributions to debates.
INEC may have decided to review the election following the controversy trailing the result between the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the governorship election.
It’s recalled that the Peoples Democratic Party was leading the governoship election, untill figures were believeably cooked in Lere Local Government Council to surpass that of PDP with 10808 margin ahead. APC’s final figure of 730002 which was generated in the INEC’s IReV different from results uploaded from polling units generated huge controversies with the Collation Officer having to delay announcement for further consultation.
At the end of the day, PDP governorship candidate, Isah Asiru’s score of 719194 according to INEC portal was rejected as the PDP insisted that it wasn’t a true reflection of the will of the people.
Amid the conflict, the Independent National Electoral Commission headquarters promised to carry out a review where necessary.
However, the outcome continue to generate protests across the Local Government Councils of Kaduna State, even as a group of women have staged a peaceful protest in Zango Kataf Local Government Area to demand a review of the election result, insisting that it was the Peoples Democratic Party that won the governorship.
The mothers turned out in their numbers for a peaceful protest march from Samaru Kataf round about to the INEC office in Zonkwa and the Local Government Secretariat, lamented the injustice by the electoral umpire to have announced and declared a winner in the election which they themselves know the result were doctored.
While at the Local Government Secretariat to register their grievances, one of the leaders of the protesters, Mrs. Dorcas David called on INEC to not only review the results as announced by the returning officer, but declare the candidate of the PDP as the winner of the elections because of the massive support he enjoyed across the state by the people through their vote.
She called on leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state to follow all legal means to retrieve the stolen mandate in the interest of justice and equity.
Also observer groups who were accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission that monitored the election in Kaduna State asked the electoral umpire to review the results without delay.
While releasing the breakdown, Observers said, APC won in ten local governments while PDP won 13 local governments.
According to them, the PDP went smoothly into it got to the point of collation that the results were not tallying with what was uploaded to the INEC IReV portal.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the National Coordinator, Centre For Strategy Ethics and Values, Romans Azubuike who spoke on behalf of the INEC accredited observer, said the INEC national headquarters should review the Kaduna gubernatorial election results.
Azubuike said “We are calling on INEC to review the election results for the gubernatorial election in Kaduna State.
“The election was transparent until at the point of coalition that things began to change. The process was transparent at the beginning but in Southern Kaduna, Birnin Gwari and some other local governments the coalition should be reviewed because they couldn’t transfer the result to the INEC portal in real time.
“So, we are using this opportunity to call on INEC to review the election results, particularly the gubernatorial election,” Azubuike added.
The breakdown of the results showed that APC won in ten local governments of Zaria, Kaduna South, Kaduna North, Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Sabon Gari, Igabi, IKara, Kauru, and Kubau while PDP won 13 local governments of Makarfi, Kachia, Chikun, Kagarko, Jaba, Jema’a, Kaura, Zango Kataf, Soba, Kudan, Chikun, Kaura, Sanga, and Lere.
The Returning Officer in the state governorship election, Prof Lawal Bilbis declared the APC candidate, Uba Sani polled 730,002 winner to defeat his rival, Isah Ashiru of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 719,196.
And in a statement by INEC National Commissioner, Barr. Festus Okoye last Saturday, he pointed out Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which provides that the Commission is mandated to issue a certificate of return within 14 days to every candidate who has been returned elected under the law.
CAPITAL POST couldn’t reach any of the INEC officials to find out why Uba Sani was not issued a Certificate of Return as Kaduna State governor-elect on Wednesday.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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