Politics
Why CSOs should deploy observers to political party primaries – INEC
Ahead of the upcoming Edo and Ondo Gubernatorial on Saturday 21st September 2024 , the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has urged Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, to deploy observers to monitor political party primaries.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who gave the recommendation during the first quarterly consultative meeting with civil society organisations, CSOs, for 2024 in Abuja, on Wednesday, also emphasized the critical role of CSOs in ensuring that party primaries are conducted in accordance with democratic principles.
According to him with primaries serving as the foundation for the selection of candidates, their integrity is paramount in guaranteeing the credibility of the electoral process.
Yakubu highlighted the importance of observers in promoting inclusivity and accountability within political parties. By monitoring primaries, CSOs can help identify and address any irregularities, thus fostering a level playing field for all candidates, particularly marginalized groups such as women, youths, and Persons with Disability (PwD).
He disclosed that so far, 16 political parties have indicated interest in participating in the Ondo State election.
The INEC Chairman reassured the CSOs that the commission will continue to partner with them, even as he appreciated the observations and recommendations contained in their election observation reports.
Yakubu added that some of the reforms and innovations introduced by the commission over the years draw from observation reports of the CSOs.
He, however, noted that some accredited observers are yet to submit reports on the general election, supplementary elections, off-cycle elections, bye-elections and re-run elections.
“May I therefore seize this opportunity to remind those that are yet to submit their observation reports that it is mandatory to do so being one of the conditions for eligibility to observe future elections. Going forward, the Commission will operate strictly on the policy of “No Observation Report, No Accreditation,” he warned.
Speaking on the Edo State election, he said as Wednesday morning, eight parties had uploaded the list and personal particulars of their candidates to INEC’s dedicated web portal.
He stated that the commission expects the other parties will do so before the deadline of 6pm on 24th March 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down.
“Thereafter, the Commission will publish the personal particulars of the candidates (Form EC9) on 31st March 2024 for public scrutiny as required by law,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of all CSOs present, the Executive Director of Sustainable Gender Action Initiative, Mufuliat Fijabi, stressed the importance of an inclusive election which reflects representation of all Nigerians especially women.
Fijabi also noted the importance of providing feedback by way of electoral reports to have a robust electoral process in the country.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on the affirmation of their electoral victory in the recent judgment of the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal.
In a statement signed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said the landmark judgment validates the overwhelming support of the Edo State electorate for the APC’s candidate in the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.
The party stated that the Governor’s victory stands as an affirmation of the popular will of the good people of Edo State.
“We applaud the judiciary for its well-reasoned decision in the matter, underscoring its independence, professionalism, and commitment to strengthening democracy in our country.
“Our great Party salutes the good people of Edo State for their massive support of our Party during the past election, and for their patience and sustained support through the litigation.
“Confident that this well-deserved victory will further energize Governor Okpebholo, who is already saturating the state with good governance and dividends of democracy, we urge the Governor to do even more for the Edo electorate, and translate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda into meaningful benefits for all in the state.
“We remain thankful to President Tinubu, our visionary and dogged achiever, for his exceptional leadership of our great Party”, the party said.
The Chairman of the Unity and Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Capital Territory Chapter, Senator Usman Jibril Wowo has appealed to aggrieved members of the party to building bridges of unity rather than internal crisis that does no one any good.
He said, now is a better time to build bridges of unity in the party through the privilege of APC Reconciliation Committee put in place, hence, party members should speak to each other as brothers and sisters.
Senator Wowo said this in Abuja while felicitating with the Muslim Ummah for a successful Ramadan season which culminated in the celebration of the Sallah.
He called on all members of the party to take advantage of the internal reconciliatory structure of the party to vent their issues, for an amicable resolution so that they can amplify the name of the FCT as the Center of Unity.
He said “let us come together and talk about these differences and forge a united headway towards a bigger APC in the future, we must know that the area councils elections are just by the corner.”
He said it is not an accident that the Christians are also observing the Lent season which is an expression of faith and obedience to God.
Senator Wowo said while it is human to suffer imperfection it is also for man to continue to exercise understanding and forgiveness towards one another where such need arises but this can only come where there are clear communications between parties involved in the conflict.
Wowo said Nigerians in exercise of their grievances should approach conflict resolution with open mind so that parties would make way forward in unity.
The former lone Senator of the Federal Capital Territory said the move by the party to reconcile all grieving parties has become important following the unpleasant performance of the party in the last area councils elections.
He argued that ahead of the next area council elections it was proper for all the grieving parties to come together and share their reservations for an amicable resolution of these differences which can only be resolved by talking together.
According to Senator, Wowo the reconciliation committee is in accordance with he party constitution to retain her members at all time.
Sen Wowo said, “The party has a duty to ‘promote reconciliation, encourage and facilitate the settlement of dispute in amicable manner, among members of the party”
He said any association of humans naturally experiences conflict and this is one of such that can be resolved when they come together to the same table and digest the matter and eliminate those areas of conflict so that they can move forward.
The immediate past deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Rivers State, Dr Emana Ambrose Amawhe has resigned her membership of the party with immediate effect.
In a letter dated 28th March, 2025 addressed to the Chairman of Edem Odo Ward in Akpabuyo Local Government Council of Cross River State, she said, her resignation was with immediate effect.
She pointed out in the letter that her resignation should not be taken lightly, while she reaffirmed her commitment to and readiness to serve the government of Cross River and Nigeria in general in any capacities.
She said, “I am writing to formally resign my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.
”I sincerely appreciate the opportunity given to me over time to contribute my quota to the growth of the party and the chance to serve as the Deputy Governorship Candidate in the last general elections.
”It was a privilege to be part of the PDP’s vision and engage with our people in meaningful ways. However, after much reflection in light of the current state of affairs within the party, I believe it is time for me to move on.
“This decision was not made lightly, but I remain committed to serving my community and contributing to the progress of our state and nation in other capacities.”
Ambrose-Amawhe was the running mate to Senator Sandy Onor in the 2023 governorship election in Cross River.
She had also contested for the House of Representatives seat for the Bakassi/Akpabuyo/Calabar South Federal Constituency under the PDP.
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