News
Plateau PDP calls for arrest of ad hoc staff, others over stolen BVAS
The Plateau State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has called for the arrest and prosecution of some Ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC who disappeared from their duty posts with sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials on the 18th March 2023 when the election was ongoing.
The party said, the INEC officials committed electoral offenses as they made away with the materials, switched off their phones, and could not be reached until after the election.
The State Party Chairman, Mr. Chris Hassan who briefed journalists on Monday in Jos, also called for the immediate arrest of the Chairman of Jos North LGA, Mr. Shehu Usman, a member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam federal constituency, Yusuf Gagdi, and member-elect for the Jos North-North State constituency, Aliu Adamu, all of the All Progressives Congress, APC for alleged electoral offenses.
Recall that 14 BVAs were missing on Election Day but resurfaced about 48 hours later with figures in the machines.
Hassan said, “We wish to start by congratulating the governor-elect and his deputy, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang and Ngo Josephine Piyo for the resounding victory at the just concluded polls in Plateau State. We equally thank the electorates in Plateau State for making a clear and unmistakable decision by voting for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the governorship election and the various House of Assembly seats across the state.
“It is common knowledge that some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, absconded with electoral materials, both sensitive and non-sensitive; and deliberately refused to turn in the results of over 35 polling units for over 48 hours after the close of poll.
“We need to draw the attention of the public to the fact that these acts of criminal conspiracy, and sheer electoral brigandage and banditry were premeditated, hatched, calculated, and executed with the collusion, connivance, and funding of the Chairman of Jos North LGA, Hon Shehu Bala Usman, Hon Babayo Yusuf Gagdi, member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Constituency and member-elect of Jos North-North House of Assembly, Hon Aliu Adamu, all of the All Progressives Congress.
“The entire state woke up on Sunday 19th March 2023, to the disconcerting news of the disappearance of 35 polling unit officials and results from Naraguta B Ward of Jos North LGA. The results from these Polling Units were not uploaded to the INEC result viewing portal, IREV, and the electoral officials for these polling units had absconded as all their phone numbers were reportedly switched off.
“This was confirmed by the Collation Officer of Naraguta B and the Electoral Officer of Jos North. According to initial reports and findings, the deliberate delay was calculated and intended to serve as a buffer for the rigging of the gubernatorial result in favour of the candidate of the APC. The shameful role played by the Chairman of Jos North, Hon Shehu Bala Usman will remain in history as one of the most ignoble, reprehensible, and despicable acts in the political history of Plateau state…”
He added, “While we commend the Police for the prompt arrest of the Registration Area Technical Officer (RATECH) for the Naraguta B, one Mr. Umar Mohammed, who showed up almost 48 hours after the declaration with 14 BVAS Machines, with a fairylike tale of his involvement, we call on the Nigeria Police to go after all the 3 Adhoc staff of INEC at the 14 polling units and the 14 Police officers attached to these polling units.
“It is clear that there was an active conspiracy amongst all those involved as all the 42 Adhoc staff in the 14 polling units switched off their phones as well as the 14 Policemen attached to these polling units. For a proper investigation and prosecution of these electoral offenses, all 56 conspirators and collaborators should be arrested and allowed to explain their various roles in the botched attempt to skew and rewrite election results against the popular will and wishes of the people of Plateau State.
“We want to also draw the attention of the public that we are aware of subterranean attempts to release the only suspect arrested so far in this matter and to ensure that the electoral offense is swept under the carpet. We want to let all electoral stakeholders know that we will keep a steady tab on the process and we will resist any attempt to compromise the Police and eyewitnesses in this regard.
“There can be no end to this matter unless the Police, without fear or favour, arrest and prosecute all persons involved to serve as a deterrent to all and sundry.
We also call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately correct the results of Plateau Central Senatorial Zone Candidate with reference to Kanam LGA for overvoting and corrections of the Senatorial results in Mangu LGA as a result of computation of errors detected and to immediately declare Chief Amb. Golkuna Yohanna Gotom as the winner of the Senatorial Election held on the 25th February 2023…”
A popular General Overseer of a new generation Church, Elijah has been arrested by the Octopus (C41) Strike Force unit of Rivers State Police Command for investigation over homosexual allegations.
It was gathered that a video of the Pastor was leaked indulging in the homosexual act to the police by a member of his church.
The member who alleged that the General Overseer attempted sleep with him against his will.
The member who revealed his name simply as Patrick now a complainant said, he wanted to play along after the General Overseer made sexual advancement and captured the nude video of pastor attempting to have carnal knowledge of him.
Armed with the intelligence report, the police traced the General Overseer who is from Rivers State to one of his relaxation spots in Port Harcourt and arrested him.
Sources revealed to our correspondent that the General Overseer has reportedly confessed to other numerous acts of homosexuality involving both male adults and minors within and outside Port Harcourt.
Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing.
Against government ban on rallies and organised reception under whatever guise by Kogi State Government, constituents of the Central Senatorial District troop3d out enmasse to receive Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday in Okene.
According to the pictorials released by the Media office of Senator Natasha, creme-de-la creme could be seen waiting in a scorching sun, not minding the effect.
The massive turn out followed assurance from Senator Natasha ‘s media team that the lawmaker has arrived from overseas and would make it to Okene on Tuesday for Sallah celebrations with her constituents.
A statement obtained by CAPITAL POST in Lokoja on Tuesday, pointed out that the purported ban on rallies and the cancellation of the visit were mere rumours, hence, the embattled lawmaker would pay a visit her constituents.
Part of the statement read: “We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central senatorial district will proceed as planned.
“Despite rumours circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit.
“As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation.
“Her dedication to the people of Kogi Central is unwavering, and she looks forward to celebrating Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.
“We would like to assure the public that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure a successful and joyous event. We invite all members of the community to join us in marking this special occasion.”
On Monday, CAPITAL POST reported that Kogi State Government issued a statement which was signed bybthe Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo asserting security concerns, hence, the proposed homecoming of Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District should be put off.
He stressed that there security breaches in parts of Kohi West Senatorial District, thus the security was so volatile that Government cannot guarantee peace for now and abused that the proposed reception at Okene should be cancelled.
Also, Kogi State Police Command earlier on Tuesday issued a statement banning any rally within the State, stating that intelligence reports available to it indicated that crisis may spur.
The statement which was signed by Police Public Relation Officer, SP William Ovye Aya and made available to CAPITAL POST, stressed that intelligence reports was indicative of peace and the rally which was organised by Natasha’s constituents should be cancelled.
The statement said: “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of Rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.
“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.
“In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on any one who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.”
Constituents trooped out displaying placards demanding justice for Senator Natasha.
It was recalled that Natasha was suspended from the Senate for six months over breach of Senate Standing Orders.
The lawmaker also alleged that the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio was harassing her sexually.
TEHRAN, Mar. 30 (MNA) – The Yemeni Armed Forces Spokesman Yahya Saree said that Yemeni forces successfully hit the Israeli Ben Gurion Airport with ballistic missiles on Sunday.
Saree said that the Yemeni Armed Forces struck the Israeli Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv using Zolfaqar missiles.
“By carrying out this operation, we proved that the US has failed to prevent Yemen from supporting the oppressed Palestinian people,” he stressed.
“American airstrikes do not prevent us from fulfilling our religious, moral, and human duties.”
“With the help of God Almighty, we will continue the anti-Zionist operations until the aggression and siege against the Gaza Strip stop.”
Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory’s Palestinian Resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.
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