INEC chairman declines comments on Edo guber poll

Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday declined comments on the recent Edo governorship election.
Yakubu who spoke in an interview with journalists shortly after the Convocation lecture and Award ceremony of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, said the occasion was for academics and not for elections, saying he could only talk on the issues.
In another development, INEC has expressed concern over the level of inaccuracy associated with the media coverage of elections in recent times.
Asked to comment on his experience outside the academia at the NDA event, especially in the light of the recent governorship election in Edo State and the allegations that INEC and not the All Progressives Congress (APC) contested the elections against the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Yakubu maintained that the occasion was not about the election and decline to respond to the question.
“This is not about elections, today’s occasion is about academia, it is about honour, so let’s talk

Senate makes fresh move to amend CCB, CCT Act

The Senate, yesterday, made fresh move to amend the Act, which established the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), with a bill which has passed through its first reading.
The Upper Chamber had in April tinkered with the idea in a bill sponsored by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP, Delta North). It was, however, withdrawn due to public outcry, as it coincided with ongoing trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, by the CCT over alleged false declaration of assets.
But at yesterday’s plenary, the bill resurfaced through another sponsor, Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South). It reads: “Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2016 (HB. 320)- First Reading.”
The CCT, meanwhile, has adjourned the trial of Saraki to November 7, 2016.The move was at the

Don’t be politicians’ appendages – INEC boss to journalists

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has cautioned media practitioners against subjecting themselves to the whims and caprices of politicians or serve any personal or group interest.
Yakubu said although social media had become an effective tool in reporting elections as well as citizens’ political behaviours, especially among young voters, urging practitioners to consider national interest, peace and stability of the country in reporting electoral issues.
The INEC chair, who was represented by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Prof. Jacob Jatau, stated this yesterday in Abuja at a public lecture organised by The Electoral Institute under INEC.
The lecture themed: “Media and Election Reportage: An Assessment of Professional and Ethical Issues,” will be the 13th Public lecture organised by the Institute.
He said as the nation “draws closer to another major election, there is the need for closer

Crisis rocks Ekiti Assembly over plot to recall lawmaker

The crisis of confidence between the Ekiti State House of Assembly and Governor Ayo Fayose has claimed a victim, as a member representing Ikole Constituency 1, Gboyega Aribisogan was, yesterday, removed as Information Committee Chairman and immediately replaced with his colleague representing Oye Constituency 1, Samuel Omotoso.
The removal of the embattled lawmaker is believed to be a prelude to his recall from the Assembly.
Aribisogan was accused of holding secret meetings with some aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state and Senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu and a Lagos-based lawyer.

Ondo guber: We rejected panel’s report on primary election – APC NWC

The crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress appears far from over as party leaders have continued to give conflicting versions over the controversial Ondo State governorship primary of the party.
The APC’s National Vice-Chairman (South-South), Hilliard Eta, who spoke on behalf of other members of the party’s National Working Committee on Wednesday in Abuja, faulted the claim by his South-West counterpart, Pius Akinyelure, on the NWC’s decision on the appeal panel on the primary.
Akinyelure had alleged that the party’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun; National Secretary, Mai Buni’ and the National Organising Secretary, Osita Izunaso, were the brains behind the “rigging” of the said primary election.
Eta described Akinyelure’s claim as false and an attempt to please an unnamed benefactor.

APC will lose Ondo guber race with Akeredolu as candidate – Abraham

The first runner-up of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Ondo State, Dr. Segun Abraham, has said the party will lose the election if Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is not dropped as its flag-bearer.
Abraham added that Akeredolu as APC candidate for the November 26 governorship election would smear the anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government, “if the flawed primary which produced him is not annulled.”
Abraham stated this in his reaction to the recent clash between his supporters and Akeredolu’s at the party’s state secretariat on Tuesday.
The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Abayomi Adesanya, has however defended Akeredolu’s emergence as APC’s flag-bearer, saying it is divine.
He said: “APC is a very disciplined party and a congress of progressives across the country. I don’t expect someone of Abraham’s calibre to be so diversionary now that all hands are on deck to work for the victory of the party.”
Though Adesanya said there might be some imperfection in the primary, which he said is peculiar