Just In: CAN Commends Senate Over U-Turn On Electronic Voting, Transmission
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commended the Senate for its decision on the recommendation of electronic voting and transmission in the forthcoming general elections in the country.
The Senate has revoked its decision on some clauses in the Electoral Amendment Bill that was passed sometime in July 2021.
The Upper Chamber of the National Assembly specifically reviewed clause 52 of the act which deals with the methods of voting and collation of results in an election.
In its review, the Senate amended the clause to let the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), determine the use of electronic voting and transfer of results.
The development stirred controversy among politicians and concerned Nigerians, this online news platform reports.
In September 2021, the House of Representatives assigned seven members to work with the upper chamber of the National Assembly on the Electoral Act amendment bill.
The seven rep members, Naija News understands were tasked to work with their colleagues from the Senate to harmonize the Electoral Act amendment bill. The rep members as announced during a plenary are: Akeem Adeyemi, James Abiodun Faleke (APC, Lagos); Aisha Dukku (APC, Gombe); Blessing Onuh (APC, Benue); Nyima Idem (PDP, Akwa Ibom); Chris Azubogu (PDP, Anambra) and Abdullahi Kalambaina (APC, Sokoto).
The legislators from the two chambers will work on the bill to harmonize the details, provide a clean copy and get it ready for Presidential assent.
Subsequently, the Senate revoked the adoption of the process for the 2023 election and CAN leadership is commending the Senate for being sensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
“That is the beauty of democracy. The more the government does this, the better for our nation,” CAN acknowledged in a statement made available to Naija News on Thursday, October 14 through its General Secretary, Barr. Joseph Bade Daramola.
CAN called on the House of Representatives to follow this path of honour by rescinding its own decision too and we also advise President Muhammadu Buhari to do the needful by signing the amendment Bill to the law as soon as he receives it.
“We, however, call on the two chambers to let political parties decide how their candidates will emerge instead of imposing Direct Primaries on them.
“We appeal to INEC, the Federal government, the security agencies, political parties and the Non-Governmental Organisations to work together to ensure credible, free and fair polls in the country. The situation where courts decide those occupying our political offices is totally unacceptable, reprehensible and disheartening. If by now our democracy is still a baby, Nigeria would not be regarded as a serious country in the comity of nations,” the statement added.
BREAKING: Former Senate President Emerges PDP Consensus National Chairman Candidate
Former Senate President, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, has emerged the consensus candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
This is coming ahead of the main opposition party’s October 31 national elective convention holding at the Eagles square, Abuja.
The former Senate President emerged the consensus candidate after hours of continuous meetings by PDP stakeholders of Northern extraction in Abuja.
Naija News had earlier reported that three candidates emerged from those contesting to become the next National Chairman of the PDP.
A candidate emerged each from the North Central, North West, and North-East geo-political zones.
A former Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema defeated other aspirants to emerge from the North West, Senator Suleiman Nazif from Bauchi State, who is the current PDP Deputy National Chairman (North), emerged as the sole candidate from the North East and the North Central chose former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu from Benue State.
To emerge, Shema got votes from 6 out of 7 states from his zone, leaving his closest challenger, former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi with votes just from Kaduna his home state.
Nazif on his part had no challenger and emerged the sole candidate from his region.
While the North Central zone of the PDP agreed to the choice of Benue-born former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu as their candidate for the position of national chairman of the party.
Man dies days after his mum gave him a concoction to stop his epilepsy in Ondo
A 35-year-old man identified as Michael Akolawole, has died ten days after he was given a concoction by his mother to stop his epilepsy.
According to Leadeship, Michael was reported to have given up the ghost in the hospital where he had been receiving treatment in Ondo town, the headquarters of Ondo West local government area. The deceased, who was suffering from epilepsy, was given a chemical substance called ‘’Koikoi” by his mother, with the hope that it would cure the ailment. Sadly, his health took a drastic turn and he was rushed to the hospital where he was placed on admission.
The deceased’s mother, Anike Adeyosoye was consequently arrested by the men of the Amotekun corps but later released so that she could take care of her son in the hospital.
After the deceased’s mother deposited the remains of her son into the hospital morgue, she immediately took to her heels. Michael’s father who had reported the case to the Amotekun Corps in Ondo town after the woman poisoned his son declined comments when he was contacted by journalists.
PDP chairmanship: Stalemate as consensus arrangement suffers setback
The search for a consensus national chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, suffered setback Wednesday night.
A meeting of the party’s stakeholders where a consensus candidate would have been picked could not hold as some party leaders were absent.
The botched meeting was billed to hold at the Bauchi Governor’s lodge in Abuja.
However, Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Samuel Ortom of Benue and Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State were present.
Others present include former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Tanimu Turaki, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin.
However, The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, who doubles as the Chairman, PDP National Convention Organising Committee, said the meeting had been adjourned till Thursday.
He said the meeting could not hold on Wednesday night due to “communications gap“.
“Unfortunately, we could not meet because of communication gap, some of our leaders could not make it to the venue.
“We have adjourned the meeting till tomorrow (Thursday) when we will take a definite position on the chairmanship position that has been zoned to the north.
“At the moment, all the three zones in the North are interested in the position,” Fintiri disclosed.
However, the North Central PDP stakeholders on Wednesday adopted a former Senate President, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, as their consensus candidate.
It was also gathered that various interest camps in the North-West are soliciting support for the duo of Ahmed Makarfi and Ibrahim Shema, ex-governors of Kaduna and Katsina states respectively.
COVID-19: FG makes vaccination, negative PCR test compulsory for civil servants
The Federal Government of Nigeria has stated that civil servants would have to present a proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), tests conducted within 72 hours to have access to offices, starting from December 1, 2021.
This was announced by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC), on Wednesday.
The chairman of the committee, Mr Boss Mustapha, who spoke at the presidential press briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja, said that the goal is to encourage vaccination rate across the country.
He said that this was to gain access to their offices in all locations within Nigeria and the Missions, adding that an appropriate service wide advisory/circular would be issued to guide the process.
He also advised Nigerians to increase vigilance during the festive period.
“The PSC wishes to put Nigerians on notice that two major religious festivities (Salah and Christmas) are approaching and we shall be experiencing increased passenger traffic in and out of the country.
“Similarly, events of large gatherings are likely to hold. While the PSC prepares to escalate surveillance and other control activities, we urge States and all Nigerians to also increase their vigilance and take measure to moderate activities,” he added.
Boss Mustapha, Nigeria Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) represented Vice President Yemi Osinbajo schools
Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and chairman Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19
Mustapha said, “Statistics generated over the last four weeks on testing have shown that the trend of infection is going down in some states while in others, the trajectory is upward.
Adeboye breaks silence on taking COVID vaccine
“The combined total for testing by PCR and RDT now stands at about 3, 141, 795 persons.
“The Aviation authorities in collaboration with the diplomatic sector have made reasonable progress in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; discussions are still ongoing with the UAE Authorities to resolve the impasse.
Mustapha, however, said the decision to remove South Africa, Turkey and Brazil from restriction list had been made.
It can be recalled that the PSC had placed a restriction on Turkey, Brazil and South Africa due to the upsurge in the number of COVID-19 cases.
According to him, over several months, four countries were placed on high level restriction for travelers from such countries.
“The PSC has after a review of the developments in these countries, decided to remove South Africa, Turkey, and Brazil from the restricted list.
“The Hon Minister of Aviation today, presented the position of African countries on Vaccine Passport which some economic blocks and countries wish to impose for travel purposes.
“This is because African countries have found it difficult to access the vaccines for their citizens in sufficient number.’’
Mustapha said that ‘’the UK has eased restrictions on fully vaccinated travelers from Nigeria to the UK with effect from Oct. 11.
“Nigeria welcomes this development and assures that the PSC shall continue to review Nigeria’s protocols based on global developments, science and national experience.
“A revised protocol will be issued in the next 24 hours,“ he said.
Deontay Wilder Handed Six Months Ban After Defeat To Tyson Fury
Defeated heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder has been handed a six-month medical ban by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
It was gathered that the ban which is expected to last till 8 April is coming as the Alabama-born American gets set for surgery in his broken hand.
Similarly, Tyson Fury has been given a 45-day suspension, the UK Sun reported.
Recall that during a fight for the WBC title, Tyson Fury had defeated Tyson Fury in a 11 round Knockout in their thrilling trilogy fight in Las Vegas on Saturday evening.
Wilder had put Fury down on the canvas twice in a disastrous fourth round for the Britain.
However, the Gypsy king bounced back to defeat the Bronze Bomber.
Speaking to the The UK Sun, Wilder’s co-manager, Shelly Finkel, that the US boxer will have an operation next week after breaking a bone in his hand.
“Deontay broke his right hand behind the third knuckle and he has to have that fixed next week,” Finkel said.
“He has to have surgery, the knuckle is OK, it’s the bone behind the knuckle that broke. He’s sore but he was OK, he was home yesterday.
“He’s healing and at this point, if everything is OK, after the hand surgery he’ll probably look to enter the ring mid next year, like April or May.”
Fans Angrily Drags Davido For His Tiktok Video With Angel
Fans of superstar singer, David Adeleke better known as Davido have berated him after he was spotted in a video of one of the finalists in the just concluded ‘Shine Ya Eye’ edition of the Big Brother Naija, Angel.
The reality star, Angel was earlier spotted in a Tik Tok video with DMW boss, Davido.
The reality tv star a few days ago was in the news pictured hanging out with the show winner, Whitemoney and billionaire businessman, Obi Cubana.
The billionaire businessman had hosted the reality tv show stars following his ‘Man of the Year’ award celebration which took place at the Hustle & Bustle nightclub on Sunday.
Angel who seems not done with her journey of meeting top personalities in the country has stirred reaction on social media as she was seen vibing with Davido in a trending video.
The reality show star could be seen dancing to Adekunle Gold’s song featuring Davido, as the singer puff his smoke in the camera.
However, fans of the singer seem displeased with the video, saying that the singer is too accessible to anyone which is not so good for his brand.
BREAKING: Obaseki meets with Buhari Amidst PDP Crisis in Edo
Governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki was received by President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso-rock on Wednesday afternoon.
The meeting was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina who shared photos from the meeting on social media.
“President Buhari receives Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State in State House on 13th Oct 2021,” Adesina captioned photos.
POLITICS NIGERIA recalls that Obaseki is facing a lot of pressure from members of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP over his sluggish approach towards appointments and rewards promised to party members who worked assiduously to ensure he won a second term as governor of the state.
Igboho diagnosed with suspected kidney, lung disease
Embattled Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho has been said to be diagnosed of a suspected kidney or lungs disease.
The latest development was disclosed by one of Igboho’s lawyers, Yomi Aliyyu, in an interview with BBC Yoruba.
According to Aliyyu, Igboho started showing symptoms of the disease while in the Beninese prison.
He has been reportedly rushed to the hospital for immediate treatment.
“Igboho was not diagnosed with this sickness before he was arrested in Cotonou. It was so critical that they had to rush him to the hospital.
“I can’t tell if he has been returned to the prison from the hospital but what I know is, he’s battling ill health and it seems his kidney and lungs are already being affected.
“Even though I cannot tell which part of his body the sickness has really affected, I know it has to do with his internal organs.”
Igboho has been in custody of the Beninese authorities since his arrest on July, 16, 2021 when he was trying to flee to Germany to escape Nigerian authorities.
