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CNPP, CNCSOs Commend INEC For Rejecting “Defective Petition” For Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Recall 

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High Court Adjourns

CNPP, CNCSOs Commend INEC For Rejecting “Defective Petition” For Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Recall

CNPP, CNCSOs commend INEC for rejecting “defective petition” for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall. INEC on Tuesday faulted the recall process of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, pointing out that the petitioners failed to provide their contact details.

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for rejecting the petition for the recall of senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State,Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,

This follows Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan scolding of INEC for not completely rejecting the petition for her recall from the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly.

In a statement on Wednesday signed by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of CNPP, James Ezema, and the National Secretary of CNCSOs, Ali Abacha, the coalition described INEC’s action as a demonstration of its transformation into a “repented electoral body” committed to fairness, transparency, and the rule of law.

The statement read in part, “INEC’s decision to throw out the procedurally defective petition for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a testament to its renewed commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring that the electoral process remains credible and inclusive.’’

INEC on Tuesday faulted the recall process of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, pointing out that the petitioners failed to provide their contact details, information such as their addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, as required under the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.

In a statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the electoral body acknowledged receiving the petition which included six bags of documents that contained signatures from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in the senatorial district.

The embattled lawmaker, in a letter by her legal counsel, Victor Giwa, knocked INEC for offering guidance to the petitioners instead of declaring the petition incompetent following the flaws identified by the electoral body.

The coalition however saluted the role of INEC as both a regulator of the electoral process and an impartial umpire, urging the commission to sustain the trajectory.

It also highlighted the importance of safeguarding citizens’ rights to participate in the democratic process.
“For Nigerian democracy to survive and thrive beyond the 2027 general elections, INEC must continue to discharge its duties without fear or favour, ensuring that all actions are guided by the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and its own regulations.

High Court Adjourns

CNCSOs Commend INEC

“The CNPP and CNCSOs will leave no stone unturned in protecting the rights of Nigerians to popular participation and inclusion in the electoral process. We remain resolute in our commitment to ensuring that every citizen’s voice is heard and respected,” it added in the statement.

Soliciting support for INEC in its efforts to strengthen the country’s democratic system, the group warned against attempts to undermine the commission’s independence, adding that such actions could jeopardize the nation’s democratic gains.

The statement noted that the group was ready to collaborate with INEC and other stakeholders to promote transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the electoral process.

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Akpabio Instructed Yahaya Bello To Organise My Assassination In Kogi Says Natasha

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Akpabio Instructed Yahaya Bello

Akpabio Instructed Yahaya Bello To Organise My Assassination In Kogi Says Natasha

Akpabio instructed Yahaya Bello to organise my assassination in Kogi says Natasha. Mrs Akpoti-Oduaghan alleged that Mr Akpabio contracted the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to commence her recall and assassination.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Oduaghan on Tuesday alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio contracted the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to commence her recall and assassination.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan made this allegation while addressing his constituents at a rally held in Ihima, Kogi Central, on Tuesday.

The politician said Mr Akpabio initially contacted Usman Ododo to commence her recall, but the state’s incumbent governor “told him it would be impossible because the masses are with her.”

She said that Mr Akpabio, dissatisfied with Mr Ododo’s response, asked Mr Bello to ensure her recall and assassination, with a promise to fund the processes.

“But Akpabio was not satisfied; he then called for Yahaya Bello. It was Senator Asuqwo that drove Yahaya Bello to the Hiltons. I was informed,” Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan said. “The meeting was in two folds; he told him to commence my recall. He was going to fund it. Of course, money changed hands that day. The second thing was that he should kill me.”

She added, “Akpabio told Yahaya Bello to kill me. Akpabio told him to make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja. It should be done here. So it will seem as if the people killed me here. I didn’t make that public, but we did notify the police about it.”

Aniete Ekong, the spokesperson for Mr Akpabio, could not be reached for a response to Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s latest allegation against his principal. A WhatsApp message sent to Mr Ekong was not replied.

Fanwo Kingsley, Kogi commissioner of information, who doubles as spokesperson for the former governor, could not be reached for comments. A WhatsApp message sent to him has not been replied to.

Akpabio Instructed Yahaya Bello

Akpabio Instructed Yahaya Bello

Similarly, the spokesperson for Nigerian police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, could not be reached to confirm Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim that she filed a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Mr Akpabio and Mr Bello’s plot to assassinate her.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan stormed her constituency in a chopper, defying warnings by the police, state governor, and a curfew declared in her local government to stop her from coming home.

The Kogi Central lawmaker, who the Senate suspended for unruly behaviour during plenary, accused Mr Akpabio of sexually harassing her.

The embattled lawmaker described her suspension as a witch-hunt by the Senate and an attempt to silence her for accusing Mr Akpabio of s3xual molestation.

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Opposition Planning To Instigate Crisis, Urged Tinubu To Declare State Of Emergency In Edo, APC Alleges

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APC

Opposition Planning To Instigate Crisis, Urged Tinubu To Declare State Of Emergency In Edo, APC Alleges

Opposition planning to instigate crisis, urged Tinubu to declare state of emergency in Edo, APC alleges. Mr Tenebe alleged that those behind the plot aimed to force President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state.

The Edo chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm that some major opposition political parties are planning to instigate a crisis in the state and make it ungovernable.

The state APC chairman, Jarret Tenebe, raised the alarm during a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

“It has come to our attention that the leadership of some major opposition parties in our state, along with two others, has devised a reckless and dangerous plot to instigate crisis and make Edo ungovernable,” he said.

Mr Tenebe alleged that those behind the plot aimed to force President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state.

“Their sinister objective is clear: they want to force President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Edo because they have no confidence in securing victory at the Edo Election Petition Tribunal.

The tribunal will, on Wednesday, deliver judgment on the petition filed by the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, against the outcome of the governorship election on September 21, 2024.

The APC chairman alleged that the opposition, in their desperation, had resorted to acts of sabotage, hoping to manipulate public perception and judicial sentiment in their favour.

He said that as part of their plans, they had enlisted some disbanded members of the State Security Network to orchestrate violence, as seen in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area.

“Their aim is to falsely implicate the state government in these disruptions, creating a narrative that fosters chaos and sympathy for their failed cause,” he said.

Mr Tenebe called for the arrest of some of the opposition party leaders in the state over the recent killings of 16 people in Uromi.

He said the call for their arrest was premised on the intelligence report before APC, which allegedly indicted them.

“Their recent criticism of Governor Monday Okpebholo for travelling to Kano State to condole with victims’ families has further exposed their involvement in the Uromi mayhem,” he said.

He accused the opposition of hypocrisy and desperation, adding that the governor and APC in the state would not be deceived by their antics.

Mr Tenebe also alleged that some opposition members outside the country were instigating violence in the state.

“As a political party, we are going to formally write to foreign missions, embassies and other international bodies to extradite these fellows who keep inciting the public to commit acts of terrorism.

APC

APC

“They must be repatriated to Nigeria in order to face terrorism charges. “Let me make it categorically clear: no amount of blackmail, intimidation, or desperate orchestration will stop our governor from emerging victorious at the tribunal on Wednesday.
“The people of Edo have spoken, and their mandate will not be stolen through underhand tactics.

“Their antics will not weaken us; rather, it will make Edo stronger. We will continue to stand firm in defence of democracy, justice and the rule of law,” he said.
The APC chairman also said that since coming on board, the governor has been tackling insecurity in the state, making it a thing of the past.

He said Mr Okpebholo had procured some security gadgets, Hilux vehicles, and drones, which had been distributed to security agencies to aid in apprehending the criminals operating in the state.

According to him, the Okpebholo-led administration will not rest on its oars until the state is totally free from every form of crime and criminality and residents, irrespective of their religious and ethnic affiliations, begin to live in peace.

He appealed to the APC faithful in the state to remain calm as they await the tribunal judgment on Wednesday.

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Rivers NSCDC Impounds 70,000 Litres Truck Of Stolen Crude Oil

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NSCDC Discoverers Illegal Oil Bunkering

Rivers NSCDC Impounds 70,000 Litres Truck Of Stolen Crude Oil

Rivers NSCDC impounds 70,000 litres truck of stolen crude oil. Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have impounded a long-container truck loaded with 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in a major crackdown on oil theft.

The truck, which had an in-built tank for illicit petroleum transport, was intercepted around Eleme junction flyover in Elelenwo following an intelligence tip-off.

However, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sighting the operatives. Chief Superintendent of Corps, Afolabi Babawale, the NSCDC’s National Public Relations Officer, said the agency remains committed to dismantling oil theft networks in the country. Babawale explained that the operation was carried out by the NSCDC Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad.

“The truck was sighted while on transit, and our operatives swiftly moved in to impound it. This is a major breakthrough in our ongoing fight against economic sabotage,” Babawale stated.

According to him, the red-head, navy-blue container truck with registration number AGL574XY was illegally siphoning crude from vandalized wellheads and destroyed pipelines.

NSCDC Discoverers Illegal Oil Bunkering

Stolen Crude Oil

“As our operatives approached, the conveyors of the truck abandoned it and fled the scene. We have launched a full-scale investigation to track down the syndicate behind this illegal operation.”

He further revealed that the stolen crude oil and the truck have been confiscated and will undergo legal forfeiture.

“At the conclusion of our investigation, we will file for the forfeiture of the vehicle and its contents in a court of competent jurisdiction.

The proceeds will be remitted to the Proceeds of Crime Account,” he added.

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