| Source | Date | Title | Summary of Report | Subject/Category | Page No/Web link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 25th February 2022 | PDP Sweeps Council Polls in Enugu State | The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State won all the 17 chairmanship and 260 councillorship seats in the local government elections held in the State on Wednesday, 23rd February 2022. The party beat the 10 other political parties that contested in the council elections with wide margins. Declaring the PDP chairmanship candidates winners at the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), the Returning Officer, Dr. Mike Ajogwu, noted that they did exceptionally well. Ajogwu, who is also the Chairman of ENSIEC, presented Certificates of Return to the chairmen-elect and stated a similar exercise would be held for the 260 councillors-elect at the Commission’s headquarters on Friday, 25th February 2022. He commended the political parties that participated in the elections for their spirit of sportsmanship and the electorate for turning out en-masse to vote. | Enugu State, Local Government Elections, PDP | https://guardian.ng/news/pdp-sweeps-council-polls-in-enugu-state/ | 10 | |
| Punch Newspaper | Friday, 25th February 2022 | 2023: INEC Redeploys Staff, Says No One Will Serve in Their States of Origin | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has redeployed 186 staff ahead of the 2023 elections. Among the affected officials were 46 Heads of Departments either serving in their States of origin or who have served for between 10 and 32 years in the same State. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, 24th February 2022 in Abuja. According to him, the exercise was to ensure efficient and optimal performance. Okoye described the situation where some officials are found serving in their States of origin as unhealthy for the sensitive responsibilities they discharge. He stated that “In line with the Commission’s existing posting policy, henceforth no Head of Department or Electoral Officer shall serve in his/her State of origin. Furthermore, no staff shall serve for more than two electoral cycles in the same duty post. Consequently, the Commission has identified 186 staff for immediate redeployment. Among them are 46 HoDs who are either serving in their States of origin or served for more than two electoral cycles in the same State, as well as 140 EOs serving in their States of origin or served for more than two electoral cycles in the same State. The redeployed staff are to complete the handing and taking over not later than Wednesday March 9, 2022. This will be an ongoing exercise that will extend to other categories of staff in the Commission’s headquarters, State and local government offices nationwide.” | INEC, Staff Redeployment | https://punchng.com/2023-inec-redeploys-staff-says-none-ll-serve-in-states-of-origin/ | 10 | |
| Punch Newspaper | Friday, 25th February 2022 | INEC Distributes Ballot Materials Ahead of Ondo Bye-Election | At 48 hours to the by-election in Ondo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had distributed sensitive materials for the election. The by-election in Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency in Ondo State would be held on Saturday, 26th February with six political parties participating in the exercise. The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Rufus Akeju, signed the results sheets for the 408 polling units at the State headquarters of the Commission on Thursday, 24th February in Akure. The REC explained that he appended his signature on the result sheets to authenticate them and prevent unscrupulous people from reproducing them. He called on the residents of the two local governments, where the election would be held, to go out and exercise their civic duties by voting for the candidate of their choice. The Head of Operations, INEC Headquarters, Yusuf Abdul-Razaak, stated that the development was to ensure the results of the election from each polling unit was foolproof. Abdul-Razak explained that the REC would “append his signature on the right top corner of the Form EC 8B(II) for uniformity”, noting that “any result sheet from any polling unit that has no signature of the REC would not be accepted.” | INEC, Ondo State, By-Election | https://punchng.com/inec-distributes-ballot-materials-ahead-of-ondo-bye-election/ | 10 | |
| DailyTrust Online | Friday, 25th February 2022 | APC Constitutes Zonal Congress Committees | The All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) stated that it has constituted Zonal Congress committees ahead of the Zonal Congresses slated for 12th March 2022. In a statement on Thursday, 24th February 2022 in Abuja, Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe said that chairmen of the committees were all members of the CECPC, while secretaries are selected from among the deputy governors from their respective geo-political zones. he added that, “Meetings of zonal stakeholders hold on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at the respective geo-political zones.” Daily Trust reports that the Zonal Congress is a prelude to the party’s National Convention slated for March 26, as executives who will emerge at the Zonal Congresses will be delegates to the Convention. | APC, Zonal Congress | https://dailytrust.com/apc-constitutes-zonal-congress-committees | 10 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 25th February 2022 | NSCDC Deploys 500 Personnel for Ondo By-Election | The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo State Command, stated that it has deployed over 500 personnel for February 26 Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency by-election. Dr. Hammed Abodunrin, NSCDC State Commandant, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Friday, 25th February in Akure. He stated that the deployment was aimed at providing adequate security for electoral officials, the electorate and election materials. He assured residents of the State that the command was committed to safeguard lives and property during and after the election. The commandant further reiterated the commitment of the corps towards ensuring peaceful poll in collaboration with other security agencies. According to him, “NSCDC will deploy over 500 personnel both in plain cloth and uniform men for the election, while police who is leading agency in the election matter will also be participating. About 2,000 security personnel are needed for the election. All security agencies in the state are contributing to ensure that everything is okay. Even Army will be on standby because we don’t want to take anything for granted." He warned that any act capable of breaching public peace during and after the election would not be condoned. | Ondo State, By-Election, NSCDC | https://guardian.ng/news/nscdc-deploys-500-personnel-for-ondo-by-election/ | 10 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 23rd February 2022 | Senate Receives Constitution Review Report Today | The Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution has promised to submit its report today, Wednesday, 23rd February 2022. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege stated this on Tuesday, 22nd February. Omo-Agege, who is also the Deputy President of the Senate, made the announcement while presiding over plenary due to the absence of the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan. He, however, stated that Lawan would give further details on the matter today. He added that the lawmakers would take the reports home today and return on Tuesday, March 1, to vote on the amendments. He stated that members of the Constitution Review Committee would hold a final meeting to perfect the report ahead of submission. Omo-Agege disclosed that copies of the report of the Constitution Review Committee would be distributed to lawmakers today. He, therefore, appealed to Senators to study the report ahead of its consideration and ensure they are present during plenary next Tuesday to avail themselves of the opportunity to vote on it. | Senate, Constitution Review | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/23/senate-receives-constitution-review-report-today/ | 9 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 23rd February 2022 | Citing Emergence of Previous Chairmen, Buhari Approves Consensus for APC Convention | President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, 22nd February 2022, met with governors elected on the platform of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and approved suggestions for a consensus option at the National Convention of the party now scheduled to hold on March 26. Buhari met with the APC governors at the State House, Abuja, for about 15 minutes and discussed the current state of the party and the misgivings about its National Convention. He noted that all former chairmen of APC, from Chief Bisi Akande, John Odigie-Oyegun, to Adams Oshiomhole, emerged through consensus. Judging by the copy of the zoning formula obtained by THISDAY last night, APC had resolved to have its National Chairman come from the North-Central, while conceding the office of National Secretary to the South-West. El-Rufai, who was fielding questions from State House correspondents, stated that the governors had disagreed over the timing of the convention, because, “There were some governors that felt we should put off the convention until we resolve all the congress issues in some States." Speaking also after their meeting with Buhari, Chairman of the Progressive Governors' Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, revealed that Buhari was in favour of consensus in selecting candidates for party offices. Bagudu also explained that even though the planned zonal congresses of APC slated for February 26 are not provided for in the party's constitution, the law was also not against the process. | APC, Progressive Governors' Forum, National Convention, Consensus | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/23/citing-emergence-of-previous-chairmen-buhari-okays-consensus-for-apc-convention/ | 9 | |
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 23rd February 2022 | Panel Probing Zamfara Deputy Governor Submits Report | The seven-man investigative panel set up to probe Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mahdi Aliyu-Gusau, has presented its report to the principal officers of the State Assembly. The panel saddled with the responsibility of investigating alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office levelled against Gusau commenced sitting on Monday, 21st February 2022. Justice Halidu Tanko-Soba is the Chairman, while Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN), Abdul-Atadoga Ibrahim (SAN), Hussaini Zakariyau (SAN), Amina Tanimu-Marafa, Alhaji Sani Mande and Ahmad Buhari-Rabah, are members. On Monday, 21st February 2022, Secretary to the Panel, Sani Tsafe, confirmed that he had served the Deputy Governor with all the necessary Processes/Notice through electronic means. Tsafe told the panel that he forwarded the Notice to the Aliyu-Gusau’s verified email and WhatsApp platform, and presented the scanned copies as evidences of successful delivery. On February 14, 2022, Zamfara Chief Judge, Justice Kulu Aliyu, inaugurated the Panel following a request from the State House of Assembly. Speaker of the Assembly, Nasiru-Muazu Magarya, had sent the letter to the Chief Judge on February 10. The Assembly had at its sitting on February 7, served the Deputy Governor with a Notice of Impeachment over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office. | Zamfara State, Deputy Governor, House of Assembly | https://dailytrust.com/just-in-panel-probing-zamfara-deputy-governor-submits-report | 9 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 23rd February 2022 | House Asks FG to Fulfill its Obligations to Striking ASUU | The House of Representatives has tasked the Federal Government to immediately fulfill its obligations to Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) by honouring the previous agreements signed by both parties, with a view to ending the on-going nationwide strike action. It urged the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and ASUU to adhere to the clauses and provisions of the previous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the Memorandum of Action (MoA) in the interest of Nigerian students and education sector in Nigeria and call off the warning strike. Consequently, the House mandated the joint Committees on Labour, Employment and Productivity and, Tertiary Education and Services to interface with the Ministries of Labour and Employment and, Education, Civil Society Organisations, Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) and ASUU to address the outstanding issues that are precipitating the current warning strike by members of ASUU. These resolutions were sequel to the adoption of a motion on the ‘Urgent need to address the frequent strike actions by ASUU’ sponsored by Hon. Dozie Nwankwo at plenary on Tuesday, 22nd February 2022. Nwankwo while presenting the motion, called for the House’s intervention and expressed concern over the non-implementation of various agreements from meetings held by the relevant bodies which led to the call-off of the previous ASUU strike action which lasted for nine months (from March 2020 to December 2020). | House of Representatives, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Federal Government | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/23/house-asks-fg-to-fulfill-its-obligations-to-striking-asuu/ | 9 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 23rd February 2022 | FG Launches Fresh Strategy to Fast-track COVID-19 Vaccination | The Federal Government on Tuesday, 22nd February 2022, formally unveiled a strategy to enable the country achieve its COVID-19 vaccination target. While giving an update on the vaccination exercise, the government stated that the country has so far taken delivery of 64,113,760 doses of COVID-19 vaccines since vaccination began and has administered 24.8 million doses. Speaking at the launch of the initiative, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire stated that as at the end January 2022, the country had vaccinated 20 million of her eligible population (about 18 per cent). He commended the efforts of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to expand COVID-19 vaccination sites in the country, which have helped to fast track the campaign. Ehanire stated that primary healthcare centres would have helped greatly in administering the COVID-19 vaccine if they were readily available across the country. He therefore solicited the assistance of development partners to redirect efforts towards establishing primary healthcare centres in the rural areas. | Federal Government, COVID-19 Vaccination | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/23/fg-launches-fresh-strategy-to-fast-track-covid-19-vaccination/ | 9 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, 23rd February 2022 | 11 Political Parties Field Candidates for Imo By-Election | No fewer than 11 candidates are expected to participate in Saturday’s by-election in Ngor Opkala State Constituency of Imo State. The parties are the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and nine others. Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly declared the Ngor Okpala Constituency seat hitherto occupied by Tochi Okereke vacant, following his alleged inability to attend sittings for over one year without permission. Briefing journalists on Tuesday, 22nd February 2022 on the state of preparation for the poll, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the State, Prof. Francis Ezeonu, disclosed that there are 94,060 registered voters in the Constituency; 11 Registration Areas (RA); 148 polling units and 45 voting points. Ezeonu stated that about 800 adhoc members of staff have been engaged including other officials, adding that all the non-sensitive materials had been deployed to Ngor Okpala Council. | Imo State, By-Election, Ngor-Okpala State Constituency | https://guardian.ng/politics/11-political-parties-field-candidates-for-ngor-okpala-by-election/ | 9 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 23rd February 2022 | Senate Demands Rehabilitation of Federal Roads as Air Fares Soar | The Senate on Tuesday, 22nd February 2022, lamented the deplorable state of federal roads in the country and called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency to commence their immediate rehabilitation. The Senate also asked the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to declare a state of emergency on the nation’s federal roads. Furthermore, it asked the Federal Government to immediately settle its indebtedness to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA). It noted that paying money owed FERMA, would make the agency to carry out its primary responsibility of rehabilitating federal roads, especially in the face of the astronomical increase in airfares. These were resolutions reached yesterday by the Senate, following a point of order raised to draw its attention to the increase in airfare and the implication for Nigerian roads. The Chairman, Senate Committee on FERMA, Senator Gershom Bassey, raised the point of order at plenary. He lamented that local airfares in Nigeria have risen by 63 per cent in response to a spike in the price of aviation fuel and attendant cost of operation. He expressed worry that the increase in airfares would increase the pressure on the neglected and dilapidated Nigerian roads and further worsen their state. | Senate, Rehabilitation of Federal Roads | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/23/senate-demands-rehabilitation-of-federal-roads-as-air-fare-soars-2/ | 9 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, 22nd February 2022 | APC To Hold National Convention on March 26 | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has resolved to hold its National Convention on March 26, 2022. Initially, the ruling party scheduled its convention to hold on February 26. However, this has now been postponed. | APC, National Convention | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/21/breaking-apc-holds-national-convention-march-26/ | 8 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, 22nd February 2022 | FG Audits Detention Facilities to Safeguard Detainees’ Rights | The Federal Government has commenced the Police Visitors' Week (PSVW) to ensure that detention facilities in the country conform to human rights standards in line with international best practices. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Monday, 21st February 2022 at Life Camp Police station, in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, explained that the programme was aimed at protecting the rights of detainees in furtherance of the Commission’s mandate to carry out a periodic audit of places of detention across the country to ensure that the practice in the detention facilities conforms to human rights standards. Ojukwu added that: “Monitors have been sent to one station per geographical zone, to carry out the audit in some police stations in those states.” He revealed that in carrying out the assignment the trained visitors are tasked to collect and document information regarding the police stations, suspects, condition of the detention facility, among others. Ojukwu stated that data gathered during the audit will be analysed and published as report, which will be shared with all stakeholders. | Federal Government, Detention Facilities | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/22/fg-audits-detention-facility-to-safeguard-detainees-rights-2/ | 8 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 22nd February 2022 | CVR Update: INEC Records 6m Fresh Voters | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stated that 6,082,639 Nigerians have been registered as voters in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) as at 7 a.m. on Monday, February 21. The Commission, in an update on the CVR Quarter 3, Week 7 released on Monday in Abuja, also disclosed that 3,329,204 Nigerians completed their registration as at the time of the update. It noted that 1,373,240 registrants did online while 1,955,964 did physical registration, of which 28,711 of the figure were Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). It noted that the gender distribution shows that 1,675,318 of those that completed their registration were male and 1,653,886 were female of which 2,310,554 were youth between the ages of 18 and 34. It also stated that 10,329,413 million registered voters applied for voter transfer, requests for replacement of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and update of voter information records. It noted that 5,506,557 million of the applications were from male voters and 4,822,856 million from female voters, while 100,610 were from PWDS. | Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), INEC | https://guardian.ng/news/cvr-update-inec-records-6m-fresh-voters/ | 8 | |
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, 22nd February 2022 | Osun Primary Election: Nullify Result, Aregbesola’s Faction Tells APC Appeal Committee | The faction of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the Osun State loyal to the Minister of Interior and former Governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has rejected the result of last Saturday’s governorship primary election and has urged the Appeal Committee of the party to nullify the result. The factional Chairman, Alhaji Rasaq Salinsile, while speaking at a stakeholders' meeting on Monday, 21st February 2022, at Oranmiyan House in Osogbo, the State capital insisted that the primary was a charade which cannot stand. Salinsile stated that the primary election was a ruse and that justice has not been served. He stated thus: “We therefore, reject the result and will be approaching the Appeal Committee to be set up by the National Secretariat.” He claimed that as of the day of the election, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, an aspirant endorsed by Aregbesola was not allowed to have access to the Osun APC membership register used for the election. Salinsile stated that many party members loyal to Aregbesola were disenfranchised, as APC members who trooped to the election centres with their membership slips could not find their names on the party's register. | Osun State, APC Governorship Primary | https://dailytrust.com/osun-primary-election-nullify-result-aregbesolas-faction-tells-apc-appeal-committee | 8 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, 22nd February 2022 | House Committee Summons BPE, NOGFZA, Others Over Loss of Revenue in Oil, Gas Free Zone | The House of Representatives’ Public Accounts Committee has summoned the heads of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), the Nigeria Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (NOGFZA), as well as the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) over the loss of billions of naira in revenue from companies operating in the oil free zones as contained in audit queries issued by the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation. It also directed its clerk to publish the said audit queries from the office against defaulting agencies in three national dailies for the public, as well as for the President to see. The Committee's ruling was sequel to the reports of the Auditor General for the Federation detailing several infractions by government Ministries, Departments and Agencies submitted to it for legislative action. The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Oluwole Oke at the resumed investigation of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on Monday, 21st February 2022, lamented the attitude of relevant government agencies who he said abdicated their statutory responsibilities of generating revenue for government whilst Nigeria goes cap-in-hand looking for loans from foreign countries and creditors to finance the nation’s annual budgets. He stated that the purpose of the publication was to enable Nigerians and President Muhammadu Buhari see and know those agencies sabotaging government’s efforts to make life better for the citizenry. | House of Representatives, Public Accounts Committee | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/22/house-summons-bpe-nogfza-others-over-loss-of-revenue-in-oil-gas-free-zone/ | 8 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 17th February 2022 | APC Governors Divided over National Convention, Choice of Consensus | The forthcoming convention of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has split governors elected under the political party into three different groups. THISDAY gathered that while the group of second term governors want the convention to hold as planned and are assiduously working towards settling for a candidate; the second group which is made up of mainly first term governors want the convention postponed and a mechanism to return the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee designed so that Buni can continue. On the other hand, a third group of governors also want the convention to hold, and for Buni to continue or the convention postponed. However, THISDAY learnt that President Muhammadu Buhari had met with Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on the matter, before he travelled and the decision they both arrived at is yet to be disclosed. Nevertheless, due to the development, there is palpable tension, apprehension, and misgivings in the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) over the choice of a consensus National Chairman for the APC as there were also indications last night that the leadership of the party had begun to consider March for a possible new date for its national convention, earlier slated for Saturday, February 26. | APC Governors, National Convention | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/17/apc-governors-divided-over-national-convention-choice-of-consensus/ | 7 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 17th February 2022 | Senate Confirms Nine Commissioners for NPC, NERC | The Senate on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 confirmed nine nominees proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari as Commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC) and National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The Commissioners included five for NPC while the remaining four are for NERC. The confirmation of the nominees was sequel to the consideration of two separate reports presented at plenary by the Committees on National Identity and National Population; and Power. The two presentations were made by Senators Ya’u Sahabi Alhaji (Zamfara North) and Gabriel Suwam, who both Chair the respective Committees, to which the nominations were referred. The nominees were confirmed after the chamber considered the reports. The nominees confirmed as Commissioners of the National Population Commission include: Benedict Ukpong Effiong (Akwa-Ibom), Mrs. Gloria Fateya Izonfo (Bayelsa), Kupchi Patricia Ori Iyanya (Benue), Haliru Bala (Kebbi), and Eyitayo Oyekunle Oyetunji (Oyo). The four nominees confirmed as Commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission were: Dr. Yusuf Ali (North Central), Chidi Ike (South East), Mr. Nathan Rogers Shatti (North East), and Mr. Dafe Akpeneye (South South). The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Mrs. Emily Chidinma Osuji as Executive Director of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). | Senate, National Population Commission (NPC) and National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/17/senate-okays-nine-commissioners-for-npc-nerc-2/ | 7 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 17th February 2022 | Constitution Review: We’ll Protect Workers’ Interests, NASS Assures NLC | The National Assembly on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, assured Nigerian workers that their interests would be protected in the review of the 1999 Constitution currently being undertaken by the Assembly. The Chairmen, Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Idris Wase, gave the assurances when the ad-hoc panel hosted a delegation of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja. The NLC delegation was led by its President, Ayuba Wabba. The NLC boss urged the National Assembly not to transfer core labour mandates from the exclusive to concurrent legislative list. Omo-Agege assured the NLC team that his committee members would not impose their personal views on Nigerians at the ongoing Constitution review exercise. He stated the panel would be guided strictly by best legislative practices, highest ethical standards, integrity, open mindedness, and patriotism in carrying out their assignments. Omo-Agege further stated that the desire of every Nigerian was that the ongoing process produces positive transformations to the country. He added that all hands should be on deck to enable the 9th National Assembly to bequeath to the country a Constitution that speaks to every citizen’s yearnings and aspirations. | National Assembly, Constitution Review | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/17/constitution-review-well-protect-workers-interests-nass-assures-nlc/ | 7 | |
| ThisdayLive Online | Thursday, 17th February 2022 | FEC Approves $2.81bn for Railway Operational Materials | The Federal Executive Council (FEC) rose from its weekly virtual meeting on Wednesday February 16, 2022 with the approval of $2.81 billion for the procurement of railway rolling stocks and other operational materials, as well as N4.96 billion printing contract for the National Examination Council (NECO). FEC also banned the use of generic domain addresses on official government businesses henceforth. Briefing newsmen after the meeting presided over by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at the State House, Abuja, Transportation Minister, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, emphasised that the contract for the rail materials was necessary for the smooth running of the railway lines. | Federal Executive Council (FEC), Railway Materials | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/17/fec-okays-2-81bn-for-railway-operational-materials/ | 7 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 17th February 2022 | INEC Publishes Particulars of Candidates for Ekiti Governorship Election | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published personal particulars of candidates for the Ekiti governorship election slated for June 18, 2022. The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, February 16 in Abuja titled “Publication of Personal Particulars of Candidates for the Ekiti State Governorship Election.” Okoye stated thus: “It will be recalled that on June 10, 2021, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for Ekiti State Governorship election. The Timetable and Schedule of Activities provides for the publication of the personal particulars and list of candidates (Form EC9) for the election latest by February 11." Accordingly, the statement said that the Commission has published the list and personal particulars of the candidates contesting the Ekiti State governorship election in the State and local government offices of INEC in Ekiti State, in compliance with section 31(3) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), which provides that the Commission shall within seven days of the receipt of the personal particulars of the candidates, publish it in the constituency where the candidates intend to contest the election. He enjoined members of the public to engage the electoral process by scrutinising the personal particulars of candidates contesting the Ekiti governorship election and ensure that the sanctity of the electoral process was maintained and the intendment of the Electoral Act realised. | INEC, Ekiti State Governorship Election | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/17/inec-publishes-particulars-of-candidates-for-ekiti-governorship-election/ | 7 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, 17th February 2022 | Lagos PDP Opts For Consensus, as Congress Holds Next Week | The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed February 23, 2022 for the conduct of the Lagos party congress. To this end, stakeholders and chieftains of the party have agreed on a consensus candidate with Dr. Amos Fawole emerging as the choice of the party, Daily Trust can report that the party’s congress held in October 2021 had been truncated, resulting in allegations and counter-allegations causing the party’s national leadership to set up a caretaker committee. However, the party is set to produce a substantive Chairman in the next one week. The National Organizing Secretary of the party, Hon. Umar M. Bature, had in a letter to the state Caretaker Committee Chairman, Engr. Julius Akinsola, communicated the new dates of February 23 and March 1, 2022 for the congress and the congress appeals respectively. The NWC, in another letter, also extended the current tenure of the Lagos State Caretaker Committee for another 30 days. This decision was said to have been taken after careful review of the general situation of the State. Meanwhile, stakeholders of the party have agreed on a consensus arrangement to elect the chairman and other members of the State Working Committee with the offices shared among all the tendencies of the party. It was learnt that this was agreed upon at a meeting convened by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State held at Lagos Marriot Hotel. | Lagos State, PDP, State Congress | https://dailytrust.com/lagos-pdp-opts-for-consensus-as-congress-holds-next-week | 7 | |
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, 15th February 2022 | APC Convention: Lack Of Zoning Formula Stalls Sale Of Forms | With the issue of zoning still in contention, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, 14th February 2022, failed to commence the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms for the National Working Committee (NWC) offices ahead of its February 26, 2022 National Convention. Daily Trust had reported that the party’s schedule of activities for the Convention released earlier, showed that the sale of forms would commence yesterday at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, while submission of completed forms and accompanying documents would be on or before 19th February. However, findings by our correspondent who visited the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, on Monday, 14th February showed that aspirants for various offices did not turn out for the purchase of forms as the zoning formula was not yet announced. Controversy is raging in the ruling party over which zone produces President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor at the expiration of his tenure in 2023. | APC, National Convention | https://dailytrust.com/apc-convention-lack-of-zoning-formula-stalls-sale-of-forms | 6 | |
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, 15th February 2022 | FCT Poll: We’ll Challenge APC’s Victory In 3 Area Councils – Ayu | The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Iyorchia Ayu, on Monday, 14th February 2022, stated that despite the party’s victory in the Chairmanship election in three Area Councils during last Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) polls, they will challenge the election results in three other Area Councils where the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates were declared winners. Speaking during the commissioning of the Earnest Ikoli Media Complex in Yenagoa on Monday, as part of activities marking Governor Douye Diri’s second term in office, Ayu expressed delight that under his chairmanship, the party has recorded its first victory by winning Abuja Metropolitan, Kuje and Bwari council seats. He stated that the party is determined to challenge the results in Gwagwalada, Abaji and Kwali Area Councils where APC candidates were declared winners. Ayu commended governors on the PDP platform for what he described as superlative performance in their respective states, which has given Nigerians confidence to bring PDP back to power at the centre in 2023. | FCT Area Council Elections, PDP | https://dailytrust.com/fct-poll-well-challenge-apcs-victory-in-3-area-councils-ayu | 6 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 15th February 2022 | PDP Governors Knock FG Over Duplicity on Fuel Subsidy, Delay on Electoral Bill | Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rose from a meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Monday, 14th February 2022 charging the Federal Government to immediately bring to account all persons involved in the recent importation of contaminated fuel. They also asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Bill into law, saying that waiting for 30 days is another sign of unwillingness by the President to give the country a reformed electoral framework. The meeting, attended by 11 of the 13 governors, frowned at what it described as “duplicity, inconsistency and insincerity of the APC-led Federal Government on the fuel subsidy regime, which has been badly and corruptly administered.” The governors in attendacne include: Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Bala Mohammed (Bauchi State); Douye Diri (Bayelsa); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); Godwin Obaseki (Edo); Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Oluseyi Makinde (Oyo) and Nyesom Wike (Rivers). They demanded investigation into fuel consumption figures released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), declaring: “The figures of consumption ascribed to Nigerians appear fictitious and bloated.” They decried “the opaque nature of NNPC operations” and called for accountability and reconciliation of remittances into the Federation account. They welcomed the court decision on Police Trust Fund deductions from the Federation account, and urged the Federal Government to stop similar unconstitutional deductions from the account. The meeting, which was presided over by the Abia State governor, in his capacity as Vice Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, “deplored the way Central Bank of Nigeria is being run as an alternate government, indeed, a government within a government.” It therefore stated that: “It is time to streamline its functions and processes to be constitutionally compliant.” | PDP Governors, Electoral Bill, Fuel Subsidy | https://guardian.ng/news/pdp-governors-knock-fg-over-duplicity-on-fuel-subsidy-delay-on-electoral-bill/ | 6 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 15th February 2022 | IPAC Tasks ENSIEC on Credible, Fair Local Government Polls in Enugu | The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has tasked the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) on credible, free and fair local government elections on February 23, 2022. New Chairman of IPAC in Enugu State, Chief Edwin Alor, gave the charge on Monday, 14th February 2022, while speaking with newsmen on the need for ENSIEC to provide a level playing field for all parties in the council elections. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ENSIEC had scheduled the date for elections into 260 wards and 17 chairmanship positions in the State. Alor stated that the council remained a very important tier of government owing to its nearness to the people, stressing that competent people must be elected to man that level of government. He urged the people of Enugu State to come out en masse and vote for candidates of their choice in the election. He stated that the level of apathy the citizens of the State always show toward elections is not encouraging and enjoined them not to sit at home and complain. He noted that IPAC under his leadership would endeavour to function effectively by engaging the government of the day with veritable programmes for the development of the State. The new chairman was elected alongside Augustine Nnamani of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as Deputy Chairman; Elvis Ugwuoke, as Secretary and Casmir Agbo as the Public Relations Officer, among others. The election was conducted by the national leadership of IPAC under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu. | IPAC, Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) | https://guardian.ng/news/ipac-tasks-ensiec-on-credible-fair-council-poll-in-enugu/ | 6 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 15th February 2022 | Buhari Leaves Nigeria for Belgium Ahead of EU-AU Summit | President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja on Tuesday, 15th February 2022 to join European and other African leaders, as well as heads of multilateral organisations at the 6th European Union-African Union Summit in Brussels, Belgium. The Summit which holds February 17 – 18, 2022, will have the participants deliberate on themes currently affecting the world. Such areas of discussion include: Financing for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth; Climate Change and Energy Transition, Digital and Transport (Connectivity and Infrastructure); Peace, Security and Governance; and Private Sector Support and Economic Integration. Others are: Education, Culture and Vocational Training, Migration and Mobility; Agriculture and Sustainable Development and Health Systems and Vaccine Production. The President will use the opportunity of the meeting to have other bilateral engagements. President Buhari is expected back in the country on Saturday, 19th February 2022. | President Muhammadu Buhari, EU-AU Summit | https://guardian.ng/news/buhari-leaves-nigeria-for-belgium-ahead-of-eu-au-summit/ | 6 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, 8th February 2022 | APC Leaders in Search of Consensus Candidate at Convention to Unite Party | With the February 26 National Convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) inching closer, leaders and stakeholders of the party, particularly, governors, ministers, and members of the National Assembly, are searching for a consensus candidate that would lead the party to the general elections in 2023. A reliable source told THISDAY that President Muhammadu Buhari had consonant views, and that he actually handed down the option of a consensus candidate for National Chairman before jetting out to Ethiopia to attend the African Union (AU) meeting last week. The President returned to the country on Monday, 7th February 2022. Among those being considered for the post of National Chairman, a source further hinted, included former Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Bawa Bwari from Niger State, Saliu Mustapha from Kwara State, and Senator Tanko Al-Makura from Nasarawa State. THISDAY gathered that the APC stakeholders were informed that in their search for a consensus candidate for National Chairman, “They should put into considerations factors, like energy, credibility, experience, and ability to drive and sustain the winning streak of the party in the next general election.” | APC, National Convention | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/08/apc-leaders-in-search-of-consensus-candidate-at-convention-to-unite-party/ | 5 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, 8th February 2022 | PDP Must Unite to Win 2023 Elections - Governor Wike | Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike has stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must unite to win the 2023 elections. The governor spoke on Monday, 7th Februaary 2022 in an interview with journalists during a visit to former National Caretaker Chairman of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi in Kaduna. He stated that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed the country and Nigerians are looking up to the PDP for a way forward. According to him, if the PDP is united, it can be sure of victory. Wike called on party members in the State to unite and work for the victory of the PDP. He stated thus: “My ambition is for PDP to be reunited. If you have a united party then you are sure of victory. Does it make sense if you have a presidential ticket of a party and the party cannot win election. So for me, the unity of the party is paramount." Also commenting on the controversy over zoning the Presidency in the party, Wike stated that the party will meet and take appropriate decision, stressing that the most important thing is producing a candidate who has the capacity no matter where he comes from. Time will come when PDP will look at those qualified. We are not going to based it on the fact that you are from south or north. | PDP, Governor Nyesom Wike | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/08/pdp-must-unite-to-win-2023-elections-says-wike/ | 5 | |
| Punch Newspaper | Tuesday, 8th February 2022 | Buhari Won’t Sign Electoral Bill if Amended for Selfish Interest – AGF Malami | The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has hinted that the President, General Muhammadu Buhari may withhold assent from the Electoral Bill if it is considered to have proposals based on personal interests. According to the Minister, the bill, which the National Assembly transmitted to the Presidency on Monday, 31st January, for the second time since November 2020, just got to him on Monday, 7th February, for legal advice. Malami made this known while appearing on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television which our correspondents monitored on Monday. Buhari had withheld assent to the first version of the bill in 2020 after consulting Malami and the Independent National Electoral Commission, among others, on the bill. When asked if he was satisfied with the amendments made to the bill by the National Assembly after Buhari sent it back to the Parliament, Malami stated that, “In terms of satisfaction, honestly, it is premature for me to conclude, taking into consideration (that) I can admit to you that the electoral bill was only received in my office this afternoon as I was preparing to come over for this engagement with Channels TV." When asked if he would advise the President to reject the amended bill if he was not satisfied with the new version, Malami stated thus: “Certainly, if I am not satisfied and if I am of the opinion that it is against the public interest, the national interest; and then against the dictates of democratic process, I would advise accordingly.” | Electoral Bill 2022, Abubakar Malami (SAN) | https://punchng.com/buhari-wont-sign-electoral-bill-if-amended-for-selfish-interest-malami/ | 5 | |
| Punch Newspaper | Tuesday, 8th February 2022 | Remove Fuel Subsidy, Official Exchange Rate, IMF Urges FG | Two weeks after the Federal Government suspended the removal of petrol subsidy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has again urged the Nigerian government to stop subsidising fuel. The IMF also asked the Federal Government to remove the official foreign exchange rate. The Federal Government had on 24th January 2022, suspended its plan to remove fuel subsidy this year. It also proposed to extend the subsidy removal implementation period by 18 months, saying it would engage the legislature for the amendment of the Petroleum Industry Act. The IMF had in November 2021, stressed “the need to fully remove fuel subsidies and move to a market-based pricing mechanism in early 2022 as stipulated in the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act. The IMF, in a statement on Monday, 7th February 2022, at the end of its Article IV consultation with Nigeria, stated that despite the recovery in oil prices, the general government fiscal deficit was projected to widen in 2021 to 5.9 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), reflecting implicit fuel subsidies and higher security spending. Its Executive Directors noted that the country’s outlook remained subject to significant risks, including from the pandemic trajectory, oil price uncertainty, and security challenges. They emphasised the need for major reforms in the fiscal, exchange rate, trade, and governance areas to lift long-term, inclusive growth. | IMF, Nigeria, Fuel Subsidy, Official Exchange Rate | https://punchng.com/remove-fuel-subsidy-official-exchange-rate-imf-urges-fg/ | 5 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, 8th February 2022 | Katsina PDP Tasks Security Agencies, Electoral Body On Credible LG Poll | The Katsina State Chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Katsina State Independent Electoral Commission (KATSIEC) and security agencies in the State to ensure credible and hitch-free local government elections in the State on 11th April 2022. The State PDP Chairman, Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri, made the appeal in Mashi on Monday, 7th February while conducting the party’s local government congress to elect the PDP standard-bearers for the April 11 local government polls. The party, which has elected their councillorship standard-bearers, is expected to also elect chairmanship candidates across the 34 local governments of the State on Monday, 7th February through the local government congresses. Majigiri admonished the State government and the electoral umpire to beef up security across the 361 political wards and the 34 local government areas of the State in order to ensure free, credible and hitch-free local government elections in the State. | Katsina State, Local Government Elections, PDP | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/08/katsina-pdp-tasks-security-agencies-electoral-body-on-credible-lg-poll/ | 5 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, 4th February 2022 | APC Formally Informs INEC of Feb. 26 Convention Date | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to officially communicate its plan to hold a National Convention on 26th February 2022. The letter dated February 2, 2022, with reference number APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/022/14, was addressed to Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, and jointly signed by APC National Secretary John Akpanudoedehe and Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mai Mala Buni (Governor of Yobe State). The letter read in part: "This is to inform the Commission that our great party has scheduled to hold its National Convention on Saturday, 26 February 2022. This serves as a formal notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 85 of the Electoral Act (2010), as amended. Kindly arrange for your officials to monitor the exercise accordingly." There had been doubts as to whether the February 26 date was feasible, as some stakeholders had been campaigning for postponement of the convention to allow more time to resolve disagreements plaguing the party. With this formal notification to INEC, it appears all is now set for the convention to hold. | APC, National Convention, INEC | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/04/apc-formally-informs-inec-of-feb-26-convention-date/ | 4 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, 4th February 2022 | APC Inaugurates State Chairmen Without Oath of Office | The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has inaugurated newly-elected State Chairmen of the party, however, without an oath of office administered to them. The event scheduled to commence at 2pm did not start until a few minutes to 6pm. Bu, while the State Chairmen were handed certificates, no oath of office was administered to them. Prior to the ceremony, security was beefed up at the national headquarters of the party in Abuja. Secretary of the party, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, who inaugurated them stated thus: “I have been asked to come and issue you certificates of return as duly elected State Chairmen of our party.” Meanwhile, the State Chairmen from Sokoto and Kano States were absent at the inauguration. | APC, State Chairmen, inauguration | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/04/apc-inaugurates-state-chairmen-without-oath-of-office/ | 4 | |
| DailyTrust Online | Friday, 4th February 2022 | Commission Unveils 5-Year Plan For Inclusion Of PWDs | The National Commission for Persons With Disabilities Thursday, 3rd Fenruary 2022, unveiled a five-year strategic plan and revalidation process to integrate Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) into the society. Executive Secretary of the Commission, David Lalu, stated that the was expected to align with the strategic interest of the government to improve the living condition of PWDs. While lamenting that PWDs were still at the receiving end of social and societal discrimination, Lalu stated that the rate of crimes perpetrated against PWDs was worrisome as they were not given the necessary support by their communities. He stated that the Commission remained steadfast to bringing those people to realize that PWDs now have benefactors in the Commission. Earlier, the consultant and presenter of the plan, Dr. Toyin Aderemi, described the strategic plan as an operational instrument for the Commission to implement the provisions of the Discriminations against Persons Living with Disability Act. | National Commission for Persons With Disabilities | https://dailytrust.com/commission-unveils-5-year-plan-for-inclusion-of-pwds | 4 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, 4th February 2022 | PIA: House Moves to Transfer Defunct National Oil Corporation’s Assets to NNPC Limited | The House of Representatives has begun moves to transfer assets belonging to the defunct Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the newly established Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). The lawmakers had for this purpose set up an ad-hoc committee to ascertain the total inventory, assets, interests and liabilities of the NNPC before transferring it to NNPC Limited, to ensure a glossary accounting system. Section 53(2-5) of the PIA stipulates that government of the Federation shall hold full ownership of the NNPC Limited with the share held by the duo of Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated and Ministry of Petroleum Incorporated on behalf of the government of the Federation. Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Kingsley Uju Chima, who presided over a meeting of the panel, stated that there were plans to meet with the Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, soon. Chima stated that there would be an interface with Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele; and Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zanaib Ahmed on the matter. The committee by its mandate would also request yearly audited reports of NNPC from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) to compare with the NNPC audited reports with that of the agency. | House of Representatives, PIA, NNPC Limited | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/04/pia-house-moves-to-transfer-defunct-national-oil-corporations-assets-to-nnpc-limited/ | 4 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, 4th February 2022 | FG Unvovers 96 Financiers of Terrorism | The Federal Government has stated that the analysis by the Nigerian Finance Intelligence Unit (NFIU), between 2020 and 2021, has revealed 96 financiers of terrorism in Nigeria, 424 associates of the financiers, involvement of about 123 companies and 33 bureaux de change, while also identifying 26 suspected bandits/kidnappers and seven co-conspirators. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who stated this in Abuja on Thursday, 3rd February 2022, while detailing President Muhammadu Buhari Administration’s fight against corruption and terrorism, also stated that the analysis by the NFIU has resulted in the arrest of 45 suspects, who will soon face prosecution and seizure of assets. He stated thus: ‘’On terrorism financing, NFIU had intelligence exchanges on Boko Haram, ISWAP, banditry, kidnapping and others with 19 countries. During the same period, 2020-2021, the organisation returned fraudulently-obtained funds totalling US$103,722,102.83, 3,000 Pound Sterling; 7,695 Singapore Dollar and 1,091 Euros to 11 countries of victims who came into the country.’’ To check terrorism financing in Nigeria, the Minister explained that the Federal Government has deployed a plethora of tools, including the Money Laundering Act, 2004; the EFCC Act, 2004; the Independent Corrupt Practiced and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act, 2000; the Department of State Services (DSS) and the NFIU to deal with the issue of corruption, money laundering and terror financing. | Nigerian Finance Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Financiers of Terrorism | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/03/fg-unvovers-96-financiers-of-terrorism/ | 4 | |
| DailyTrust Online | Friday, 4th February 2022 | UK To Help Nigeria Tackle Terrorism, Other Crimes | The United Kingdom has pledged to support Nigeria in tackling the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram terrorists. The UK and Nigeria also affirmed commitment to deepen partnership in the face of complex and evolving global threats, including human trafficking, serious and organised crimes, drug trafficking, cyber-crime and piracy. This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the inaugural UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership dialogue held in London between January 31 and February 2. According to the communiqué jointly issued by the UK National Security Adviser, Sir Stephen Lovegrove, and Nigerian National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.), the two countries agreed to enhance existing cooperation in civilian policing; approaches to stabilisation including civilian-led security and civil-military co-operation; human rights; women and youth, peace and security; defence co-operation and maritime security; serious and organised crimes, drug trafficking, human trafficking and border security; and countering terrorism and violent extremism. The United Kingdom also committed to continuing its support for the Lake Chad Basin Regional Stabilisation Facility’s work to improve civil military cooperation in the North East and the wider Lake Chad Basin region, including through the provision of expert assistance. It said it would continue its support for community-led security and peacebuilding in North East Nigeria. On his part, Monguno stated that the agreements would deepen and enhance security and defence collaboration in order to create a safe and secure environment for all citizens to thrive. | Nigeria, United Kingdom, Terrorism | https://dailytrust.com/uk-to-help-nigeria-tackle-terrorism-other-crimes | 4 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 4th February 2022 | We Won’t Reward Electoral Fraud, INEC Boss Tells Politicians | Ahead of the February 12 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned politicians against violence, insisting no one will benefit from disruption of the process. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on the poll organised by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Thursday, 3rd February 2022 in Abuja. Stressing the importance of peace to the successful conduct of the elections, Yakubu assured that INEC would protect the integrity of the process. According to him, all eyes are on its officials, be they ad hoc or regular, to ensure they strictly abide by the rules. He disclosed that the Commission listed 473 candidates sponsored by 14 political parties for the polls after the period for substitution and withdrawal of candidates as provided by law. He noted that the FCT is a leading light in Nigeria with its regular and well-conducted area council polls, adding that each political party has the chance of winning an election in the nation’s capital. | Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections, INEC | https://guardian.ng/news/i-wont-reward-electoral-fraud-inec-boss-tells-politicians/ | 4 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 4th February 2022 | Buhari Arrives Addis Ababa Ahead of 35th AU Session | President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ahead of the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Africa Union Heads of State and Government. The Nigerian leader was received at the Addis Ababa International Airport by the Ethiopian Minister of Education, Prof. Berhanu Nega, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama and Minister of Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq. Others at the airport included Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Victor Adeleke, Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire as well as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Muhammed Abubakar. According to an earlier statement issued by the President’s spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, Buhari while in Addis Ababa, would join other African leaders in finding solutions to political, economic and social challenges facing the continent. The theme of the deliberation is: “Building Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthen Agriculture, Accelerate the Human Capital, Social and Economic Development.’’ Buhari would on the sideline of the AU meeting, hold bilateral meetings with some leaders, with shared interest in improving trade relations, partnering to tackle security challenges and maintaining relations with multilateral institutions for sustainable development. | 35th Africa Union Session, President Muhammadu Buhari | https://guardian.ng/news/buhari-arrives-addis-ababa-ahead-of-35th-au-session/ | 4 | |
| DailyTrust Online | Friday, 4th February 2022 | ECOWAS’ Stand Against Coups In Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea Still Subsists — Osinbajo | Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stated that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State have reiterated the firm position that there is absolutely no excuse for a change of government by coup d’etat. He stated this on Thursday, 3rd Febryary 2022, after attending the ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit that held in Accra and the topic of discussion bordered on the political situations in Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea. The Vice President stated that as far as ECOWAS is concerned, the one way of changing government in the region, acceptable to all of the protocols and the political rights of the people is by a democratically elected government. Prof. Osinbajo who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the Summit fielded questions from reporters on the outcome of the summit. He stated that, “I think it has been fruitful, the Heads of State again reiterated the firm position that had been taken earlier that there is absolutely no excuse for a change of government by coup d’etat. His spokesman Laolu Akande in a statement stated that the Vice President returned to Abuja on Thursday evening from Accra. | ECOWAS, Coup d'Etat | https://dailytrust.com/ecowas-stand-against-coups-in-burkina-faso-mali-guinea-still-subsists-osinbajo | 4 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 3rd February 2022 | Senate Confirms Seven Nominees as INEC Commissioners | The Senate on Wednesday, 2nd February, confirmed seven nominees appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The confirmation followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on INEC. Those confirmed included Mal. Mohammed Haruna (Niger – North Central, National Commissioner); Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu (Delta – South South, National Commissioner); Ukeagu Kenneth Nnamdi (Abia – South East, National Commissioner); and Major General A. B. Alkali (Rtd) – Adamawa (North East, National Commissioner). Others were (Prof.) Rhoda H. Gumus (Bayelsa – South South, National Commissioner); Mr. Sam Olumekun (Ondo – South West, National Commissioner); and Olaniyi Olaleye Ijalaye (Ondo – South West, Resident Commissioner). Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya, recalled that the confirmation request was made by President Muhammadu Buhari. He explained that the Committee received a petition from the Taraba Elders Forum against the nomination of Maj. Gen. A. B. Alkali (Rtd.) over, “the seeming inconsistency in the rotation of the nomination.” Gaya, however, explained that the Committee resolved that all the three states in question (Taraba, Adamawa and Gombe) had been nominated between 2003 and 2021, therefore, it was the prerogative of the President to pick his nominee from any of the three states. | Senate, INEC Commissioners | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/03/senate-confirms-seven-nominees-as-inec-commissioners/ | 3 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 3rd February 2022 | FEC Approves $329m for Railway Consultancy Supervision Services Nationwide | The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved contracts worth $328.87 million in consultancy services for the supervision of the various railway projects in the country. FEC also approved N115.4 billion for the dualisation of Kano-Kazaure-Kongolam highway in Katsina State. These were disclosed to newsmen on Wednesday, 2nd February in Abuja by Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, after the weekly virtual FEC meeting, which was presided by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House. Giving a breakdown of his ministry’s presentations at the meeting, Amaechi stated that he presented two memoranda, one of which was in respect of the consultancy services, adding that the second one was for the concessioning of the Onitsha River Port. | Federal Executive Council (FEC) , Railway | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/03/fec-okays-329m-for-railway-consultancy-supervision-services-nationwide/ | 3 | |
| Punch Newspaper | Thursday, 3rd February 2022 | Buhari Inaugurates Panel on North-East IDPs’ Resettlement | The President, Muhammadu Buhari has told residents of the North-East to expect a change from the protracted insurgency to peace and development in their respective communities in the coming months. Buhari stated this on Wednesday, 2nd February in Abuja at the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Return and Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East of Nigeria, which preceded the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘In coming months, you will witness massive shift from insurgency to peace, stability, President Buhari tells Nigerians in the North-East’. The President announced that his regime was embarking on a revised approach to addressing the 13-year conflict and insurgency in the region and would not relent in efforts towards a return to peace and normalcy. He stated thus: “At the advent of this regime in 2015, I pledged to Nigerians that I would restore peace in the North-East and return it to the path of development and growth. I remain committed to this promise. To the people of the North-East, particularly the children and future of the North-East, we will never forget you and your courage, sacrifice and endurance have been exemplary." | North-East, IDPs’ Resettlement | 3 | ||
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 3rd February 2022 | Send Fighter Jets to Flush Out Terrorists from Hideouts, Senate Urges FG | The Senate has urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, send fighter jets to flush out terrorists in their hideouts who are behind the kidnappings and killings of Nigerians. The call was made on Wednesday, 2nd February during plenary in resolutions reached following a point of order raised on the “Urgent need for the Federal Government to take drastic actions to bring to an end the act of banditry and kidnapping in Faskari Local Government Area.” The point of order was raised by Senator Bello Mandiya (Katsina South). The lawmaker recalled that, “On Sunday, 31st January, 2022, gunmen struck Ruwan Godiya a Community in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State where 38 members of the community were kidnapped.” He stated that the Federal Government had made frantic effort in curbing the menace by setting up Operation Sharan Daji and Inter-Agency Task Force to tackle cases of banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping in Katsina State. In his contribution, Senator Kabir Abdullahi Barkiya (Katsina Central), faulted the inability of the military to contain the situation despite several calls for it to act. The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks stated that the repeated cases of kidnappings and killings makes it imperative for the military to, “wake up” to protect Nigerians. He wondered why full scale action was yet to be carried out by the military in spite of increased funding for security in the 2022 budget by the Executive and National Assembly. Accordingly, the Senate urged the security agencies to comb all known hide outs of the kidnappers in a bid to rescue the 38 persons abducted by the gunmen in Ruwan Godiya. It also called on the Federal Government to send enough military personnel and fighter jets to apprehend the bandits and restore normalcy in the affected areas. | Senate, Incesurity, Katsina State | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/03/send-fighter-jets-to-flush-out-terrorists-from-hideouts-senate-urges-fg/ | 3 | |
| Punch Newspaper | Thursday, 3rd February 2022 | Coup: Osinbajo in Accra for ECOWAS Meeting on Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea | Vice President Yemi Osinbajo departed Abuja on Thursday, 3rd February for Accra, Ghana, to represent Nigeria at an Extraordinary Summit of the Economic ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government deliberating on the political situation in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea. Osinbajo, who is representing the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), will be at the meeting, which is coming as part of the resolutions reached last week’s virtual meeting chaired by Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo. Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Thursday morning titled ‘President delegates Osinbajo to ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on political situation in Burkina Faso, Mali & Guinea.’ According to Akande, Thursday’s meeting will “review the report of the ECOWAS delegation dispatched to Ouagadougou to meet with the military junta who recently seized power in Burkina Faso. The summit will be attended by regional leaders who will consider imposing additional sanctions after the country was suspended from the regional body last week.” | ECOWAS Summit, Military Coups | https://punchng.com/coup-osinbajo-in-accra-for-ecowas-meeting-on-burkina-faso-mali-guinea/,/a> | 3 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 2nd February 2022 | INEC: Proliferation of Small Arms, Light Weapons, Hard Drugs, Insurgents, Threat to 2023 Elections | Ahead of next year’s general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has highlighted areas of concern in the conduct of free and fair polls in the country. INEC stated this at a meeting with members of the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). In his address at the meeting held on Tuesday, 1st february 2022 in Abuja, Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, informed the forum that the Commission had also been evaluating the risk to the election using the Election Violence Mitigation and Advocacy Tool (EVMAT). Yakubu stated that the aim was to identify early warning signs that could assist the security agencies and other stakeholders in devising and deploying appropriate mitigation strategies. According to the INEC Chairman, “Among other areas of concern, the Commission focused on threats specific to geographical locations, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, the issue of hard drugs, presence of insurgents and armed groups, intra and inter-party conflicts, and incidents of hate speech.” Yakubu announced that in the next few days, the Commission would intensify its engagement with stakeholders, particularly party leaders and candidates, traditional and religious leaders, transport providers, civil society organisations, and the media. Speaking on the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory Area Councils election, the INEC Chairman states thus: “We will work with all stakeholders to ensure that the forthcoming election is peaceful and our processes, credible. That is why this meeting is crucial.” | INEC, Election Security | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/02/inec-proliferation-of-small-arms-light-weapons-hard-drugs-insurgents-threat-to-2023-elections/ | 2 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 2nd February 2022 | House of Reps Moves to Investigate NDDC Over Uncompleted Contract | The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to investigate the non-completion of the contract awarded by the NDDC in 2012 to tackle gully erosion at the University of Benin. It also urged the Ecological Fund Office and the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to urgently collaborate to seek a permanent solution to the erosion menace facing the University of Benin and surrounding Communities by funding and constructing alternative routes to the university. The House consequently urged the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to commence remedial work in the affected communities to restore access to the University of Benin and other parts of Edo State. These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on the need to address the devastating gully erosion at the University of Benin and the surrounding communities moved by Hon. Dennis Idahosa at plenary on Tuesday, 1st February 2022. He noted that over the years, gully erosion has been causing severe damages to the Infrastructure and Ecological environment at the University of Benin and its adjoining communities. | Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), House of Representatives | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/02/house-moves-to-investigate-nddc-over-uncompleted-contract/ | 2 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 2nd February 2022 | House to FG: Get National Assembly’s Approval Before Spending From Savings | The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to make concerted and conscious efforts to secure the future by urgently controlling population growth with necessary policies and securing approval from the National Assembly before tampering with the country’s savings. The lawmakers also advised the Federal Government to increase earnings, diversify resources, focus more on non-oil sectors of the economy by adopting alternative sources of revenue to enable foreign inflow from oil earnings to go straight to the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) without affecting budget financing. The resolutions of the lawmakers were sequel to the adoption of a motion on the, ‘Need for the Federal Government to Save Funds for Future Generations,’ sponsored by Hon. Chinedu Obidigwe, at the plenary, on Tuesday, 1st February 2022. Moving the motion, Obidigwe noted that the Federal Government ought to make conscious and concerted efforts to secure the future of Nigerians. He expressed concerns that the Federal Government spent over N1.8 trillion on debts servicing in the first five months of the year 2021. This, he stated, represents approximately 98 per cent of the total revenue generated in the same period, which begs the question of where the savings are. | House of Representatives, Federal Government Spending | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/02/house-to-fg-get-n-assemblys-approval-before-touching-savings/ | 2 | |
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 2nd February 2022 | Senate Okays Passes Bill Regulating Rent Payment in the FCT | The Senate on Tuesday, 1st February 2021 passed for second reading, the Advanced Rent Regulation Bill 2022, seeking to regulate rent payments in the Federal Capital Territory. The bill, sponsored by Senator Smart Adeyemi (APC, Kogi), sought to reduce advance payment for new tenants to three months and thereafter, proceed with the monthly payment scheme. It also sought to protect low-income earners from any form of oppression by homeowners, as well as provide a safety net for landlords against erring tenants. Adeyemi stated that the bill was to cushion the effect of outrageous rents on properties on residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC, Niger) described the proposed law as a people-centred bill and urged his colleagues to support its passage. | Senate, Advanced Rent Regulation Bill | https://dailytrust.com/senate-okays-bill-barring-abuja-landlords-from-collecting-annual-rent | 2 | |
| Vanguard Newspaper | Wednesday, 2nd February 2022 | Sign Electoral Bill Now, PDP NASS Caucus Urges Buhari | Following the transmission of the recently amended Electoral Bill 2022 to President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday, 1st February 2022, called on the President to urgently sign it into law. According to the caucus, President Buhari will not have any reason not to assent to the bill after all he wanted had been done and sent to him. The PDP caucus in the National Assembly spoke when members of the party's Board of Trustees, BoT, led by the Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, held a meeting with the caucus members in Abuja. First to make the call in his opening remarks was the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia Sout), who stated that having bent backwards as requested by President Muhammadu Buhari on the earlier rejected version of the Electoral bill, the bill should be signed without any delay. Abaribe stated thus: “The President in rejecting the earlier one transmitted to him in November last year, said indirect and consensus mode of primary elections should be added to the new one. Now that we have bent backwards, no excuse or reason should be given again. Provisions of the bill are very critical for expected credibility of the 2023 general elections.” Also taking on the President on the need to quickly sign the bill into law was the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, who alleged that governors on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were lobbying the President not to sign the bill. He stated thus: “The plan of using mandatory direct primaries to scuttle the bill has failed because the National Assembly has widened the scope as requested by the President. No other unresolved issue or observation is left in the bill transmitted to the President on Monday this week. No more excuses, no more delay, it should be signed in the interest of credibility and sanctity of electoral process in the country.” | Electoral Bill 2022, National Assembly, PDP Caucus | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/02/sign-electoral-amendment-bill-now-pdp-nass-caucus-tells-buhari/ | 2 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, 1st February 2022 | INEC Threatens to Sanction Politicians for Early Campaigns | The National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education (IVEC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Festus Okoye, has disclosed that the Commission will sanction any politician who engages in direct public political campaign before the designated time approved by the Commission. However, Okoye stated that political parties are free to do their congresses, conventions and meetings. According to him, “These are normal and consistent with the Constitution and the Electoral Act. People are also free to aspire for political positions, it is their constitutional rights. As at now, we are still operating within the existing electoral framework that makes it mandatory for political parties to only begin campaignss 90 days to election.” He stated this in Kano on Monday, 31st January 2022 during a capacity building workshop for Heads of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) and Public Affairs Officers of the Commission from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Okoye added thus: “But if the bill before the National Assembly is assented to by the President, parties could submit their nominated candidates 180 days to election. What is not allowed is campaigning in public, but you can go and hold meetings with like minds.” On the issue of the possibility of holding elections in states affected by insecurity, the Commissioner assured that INEC is working with all the relevant security agencies to make sure that no community is disenfranchised due to insecurity. He also charged the participants at the workshop to engage all the stakeholders involved in the election process, especially in creating awareness to the public on the activities of the Commission. | INEC, Political Party Campaigns | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/01/inec-threatens-to-sanction-politicians-for-early-campaigns/ | 1 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, 1st February 2022 | National Assembly Transmits Reworked Electoral Act Amendment Bill to Buhari for Assent | The National Assembly on Monday, 31st January 2022, transmitted the reworked 2022 Electoral Act Amendment Bill to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent. Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, disclosed this in a one-page statement, titled, “Transmission of the Electoral Bill 2022.” Omoworare stated that the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Olatunde Moses Ojo, had transmitted copies of the bill to the President. He stressed that this was in accordance with the provisions of Section 58 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2 LFN 2004. The National Assembly had on Tuesday, 25th January 2022, passed the harmonised version of Clause 84 of the 2010 Electoral Act (amendment) Bill 2022, which allows political parties’ to adopt three modes of primaries. The bill earlier passed last year, was not assented to by Buhari, who cited the provisions of Clause 84 that made direct primary compulsory for all political parties in electing their candidates for elections. The two chambers of the National Assembly then recommitted the bill for fresh legislation and added other options, as advised by the President. The harmonised version now accommodates direct, indirect, and consensus modes of primary election. | National Assembly, Electoral Bill 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/02/01/national-assembly-transmits-reworked-electoral-act-amendment-bill-to-buhari-for-assent/ | 1 | |
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, 1st February 2022 | Recruitments: Senate Committee Moves To Audit MDAs’ Staff Record | The Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter Governmental Affairs on Monday, 31st Janaury 2022, vowed to invoke necessary legislative actions against federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) engaging in secret and lopsided recruitments. The panel, chaired by Senator Danjuma La’ah, stated that it would visit all the MDAs this year to audit their staff list and take drastic action against any erring one. La’ah stated this in an interview with journalists after his panel’s engagement with the officials of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS). He asked heads of the MDAs to ensure that their recruitment exercises accommodate every qualified Nigerian from the six geopolitical zones of the country. He stated thus: “All along, our committee has not been taking the issue very seriously, but now, we’re ready to ensure that the right things are done. We must follow the law during recruitment exercises and all geopolitical zones must be fairly captured. Our committee would ensure that we follow up where necessary through aggressive oversight no matter what it will take us." | Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter Governmental Affairs | https://dailytrust.com/recruitments-senate-panel-moves-to-audit-mdas-staff-record | 1 | |
| Punch Newspaper | Tuesday, 1st February 2022 | APC February Convention Uncertain, As Peace Panel Demands Extension | The crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has shown no signs of abating even as the National Reconciliation Committee set up to resolve the crises in several states is yet to complete its task, effectively putting the February 26 date for the party's National Convention in doubt. The reconciliation committee led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, which was inaugurated in September 2021, on Monday, 31st January 2022, demanded one more week to attend to pending petitions submitted by aggrieved members. The Adamu committee was expected to resolve the crises resulting from the ward, local government and state congresses across the country. Based on APC’s timetable, the Adamu-led committee was expected to submit its report on Monday, 31st January 2022 for the party to adopt it on Tuesday and then go ahead to inaugurate legitimate state executives on Thursday, 3rd February 2022. The party is expected to commence the sale of forms to all aspirants vying for national offices on 14th February 2022, while all accompanying documents must be completed on or before 19th February 2022. Sub-committees would be unveiled on 19th February 2022, while screening of all aspirants vying for national offices would hold between 20th and 22nd February 2022, to be followed by screening appeals to hear and resolve complaints arising from the screening exercise on 23rd February 2022. The accreditation of all statutory and elected delegates to the national convention will be conducted between 24th and 25th February 2022 ahead of the party's convention. | APC, National Convention | https://punchng.com/apc-feb-convention-uncertain-peace-panel-demands-extension/ | 1 | |
| Punch Newspaper | Tuesday, 1st February 2022 | APC to Hold Primary for Vacant Ondo Reps Seat | The All Progressives Congress in Ondo State will on Tuesday, 1st February 2022, hold a primary election ahead of the bye-election for a Federal Constituency in the State. The seat of Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency became vacant following the death of Mr Isaac Omolafe who died last year. It was gathered that a total of 715 delegates would participate in the exercise while eight aspirants would contest the ticket of the party. The aspirants include Abiodun Derin Adesida, Ademola Adegoroye, Ifedayo Abegunde, Sunday Olajide, Mayokun Lawson-Alade, Dennis Fadairo, Owoyemi Emmanuel and Omowunmi Olatunji-Ohwovoriole. It was also gathered Governor Rotimi Akeredolu had at a meeting with the aspirants stated that the State government would not release funds to whoever emerged as the candidate of the party. This is as he stated that only aspirants who can fund themselves should participate in the primary. It was also leant that there was pressure on some of the aspirants to step down to avoid post-primary crisis. | APC, Ondo State | https://punchng.com/apc-to-hold-primary-for-vacant-ondo-reps-seat/ | 1 | |
| Punch Newspaper | Tuesday, 1st February 2022 | PDP Names ex-Senate Presidents Mark, Wabara, Others as Ekiti Peace Panel Members | Ahead of the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has named two former Senate Presidents, David Mark and Adolphus Wabara, and seven others as members of its Ekiti Post-Primary Reconciliation Committee. The party also appointed Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to co-chair the committee alongside Mark. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, 31st January 2022 titled, ‘PDP constitutes Ekiti State Post-Primary Reconciliation Committee’. It read thus: “The committee is charged with the sole mandate of reconciling all our stakeholders in Ekiti State, including all aspirants in the just concluded governorship primary election in the State. This is in line with the commitment of the National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure an amicable resolution of all issues as our party sets for a victorious governorship election in Ekiti State.” The National Working Committee urged all aspirants, leaders and critical stakeholders of the party in Ekiti State to remain focused on the success of the PDP in the forthcoming governorship election. | PDP, Ekiti State, Governorship Election | https://punchng.com/pdp-names-ex-senate-presidents-mark-wabara-others-as-ekiti-peace-panel-members/ | 1 |