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N50B Wasted By 20 State Governors On Vote-buying Just To Install Puppets As Governors, Lawmakers~Alleges Intersociety With full Details

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The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has alleged that 20 state governors have squandered a humongous N50 billion on vote-buying in a bid to install their puppets as successors and lawmakers after being shaken by the “Obidient Tsunami” during the February 25 Presidential and national Assembly elections.

The frontline rights group made the allegation in a Special Report released in Onitsha, Eastern Nigeria, today, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, signed by Board Chair Emeka Umeagbalasi, Head, Democracy and Good Governance, Chinwe Umeche Esquire, and Head, Campaign and Publicity, Chidinma Udegbunam Esquire.

The group said It has “observed after its investigation that no remorseful and corrigible lessons from Feb 25 polls have been learnt by Nigeria’s political actors particularly the Chairman of INEC and all the Commission’s serving National Commissioners, RECs and most of the 37 ad hoc State Collation Officers. Joined in this list are Governors and Governments of Anambra, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba, Kaduna, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi. Many, if not most of above named elective and appointive public office holders have been identified to have vicariously or directly or conspiratorially played ignoble roles in the brutal rigging of the Feb 25, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly Elections. They also squandered billions of naira belonging to their States for purposes of coordinating voter suppression and conspiratorially involved in collation center result fixing; all in their desperate efforts to suppress the ‘tsunamic Obidient ballot revolution’ in their States and beyond.”

Below is the meat of the Special Report:

“From fresh findings and facts at our disposal, panics, fears and desperations have gripped the camps of the named 20 Govs and their Governments for possibility of them losing gubernatorial incumbencies and majority in the State Assemblies; with imaginary impeachment threats. Fears by the named 20 State Govs and their Governments also stem from their desperation to install puppets and loyalist lawmakers in their State Assemblies who will be doing their biddings and covering their dirty dealings whenever called upon. Intersociety has therefore investigated and found that there is likelihood of N50b State funds to be wastefully spent by the 20 Govs for purposes of cash or material vote-buying, voter suppression and coercive and intimidating measures in this Saturday, Mach 18, 2023 Governorship and State Assembly Polls. The polls are also projected to be violence threatening with high possibility of votes of the electorates not going to be count. That is to say that not only that voter suppression and coercive and intimidating measures in this Saturday, Mach 18, 2023 Governorship and State Assembly Polls. The polls are also projected to be violence threatening with high possibility of votes of the electorates not going to be count. That is to say that not only that voter suppression and collation center result fixing that characterized the Feb 25 Presidential and National Assembly will be repeated in the March 18 Governorship and State Assembly Polls in the affected 20 States but the Polls are also most likely to witness violence and widespread cash or material vote-buying. Violence is likely to be witnessed in Enugu (dichotomy violence), Rivers (State sponsored violence), Delta, Ebonyi (Ebubeagu and thuggery violence), Abia, Benue (inter party and federally sponsored religious violence), Lagos (state state actor sponsored group violence), Kaduna (State sponsored inter ethno-religious violence) and Anambra (State sponsored political thuggery violence), etc.

 

“Waste Of State Billions, Voter Suppression And Result Fixing Characterized Feb 25 Polls

“It was investigated and found after the brutally rigged Feb 25 polls that: (1) 10m living votes meant for popular presidential candidates were lost as a result of broad day voter suppression by INEC and Govs in most, if not all the 20 named States, (2) 10m living votes also meant for popular presidential candidates were deleted or mangled at INEC LGA and State Collation Centers in most, if not all the affected 20 States, (3) not less than 50% of conscientious voters with PVCs who came out to vote in the 20 States especially in the South-East, Rivers and Delta were stopped from voting by INEC or through violence or threat of same by the affected State Govs and their Governments, (4) average of 40% in all of senatorial and house of reps candidates in the named Governors’ Parties, returned by INEC ought not to be returned because the votes allocated to them were not votes duly or rightly given to them by the electorates, (5) in Ebonyi State, for instance, credible reports on the ground strongly indicated that the State’s three senatorial seats and five of the six house of reps seats were allocated by INEC in connivance with the State Government to loser candidates; so also in Abia where the REC was executively abducted and held in security custody and freed after one of his subordinates had been forced to announce some losers as ‘winners’.

“N50B State Public Funds To Be Squandered By 20 States

“From our findings, not less than N50b belonging to taxpayers of the above named 20 States are most likely to be wasted or squandered, out of which each of the 20 States is projected to engage in at least N2b wasteful spending. Anambra State is projected with N2b-N2.5b lavish spending while the three higher spending States are Lagos (projected with N10b spending), Rivers (projected with N6b-N10b spending) and Delta (projected with N5b-N6b spending). Each of the remaining 16 States is most likely to wastefully spend at least N2b. The beneficiaries of the wasteful States’ spending sprees include traditional rulers and chairs of town unions, religious leaders and market and transportation leaders (where necessary). These recipients will be captured under “mobilization of voters’ logistics”. Other key beneficiaries are State Assembly candidates of the Govs’ political parties (cash or material vote-buying and logistics supports), “elected” or appointed Local Government Transition “From our findings, not less than N50b belonging to taxpayers of the above named 20 States are most likely to be wasted or squandered, out of which each of the 20 States is projected to engage in at least N2b wasteful spending. Anambra State is projected with N2b-N2.5b lavish spending while the three higher spending States are Lagos (projected with N10b spending), Rivers (projected with N6b-N10b spending) and Delta (projected with N5b-N6b spending). Each of the remaining 16 States is most likely to wastefully spend at least N2b. The beneficiaries of the wasteful States’ spending sprees include traditional rulers and chairs of town unions, religious leaders and market and transportation leaders (where necessary). These recipients will be captured under “mobilization of voters’ logistics”. Other key beneficiaries are State Assembly candidates of the Govs’ political parties (cash or material vote-buying and logistics supports), “elected” or appointed Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen or Chairpersons (for ‘INEC LGA admin heads and SPOs, POs and APOs’ and cash or material vote-buying supports’). Also in the involved are collectively and individually compromised security agents especially police and military personnel as well as conformist INEC’s substantive and ad hoc top officials such as conformist National Commissioners, RECs and Collation Officers in Charge.

“Anambra As A Case Study

“As at Thursday, 9th and Friday, 10th March 2023, over N1.2b was reported to have been lavishly spent and disbursed from the State coffers and according to reliable information obtained, the whopping State funds were disbursed to “each of the 30 State ruling Party’s House of Assembly

Candidates who received N20m, totaling N600m (for logistics supports such as cash sums for cash vote-buying or procurement of food or personal items like cartons of Indomie, wrappers (abada clothes), small bags of rice, packs of tin tomatoes, tins of red and groundnut oils, etc, for material vote-buying). Each of the 21 Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen also reportedly received N30m, totaling N630m (for ‘mobilization supports’ including for sorting electoral officers such as SPOs, POs and APOs and INEC LGA admin officers). The LGAs Caretakers were also reportedly directed to use part of the N30m for electronic money transfer vote-buying using the likes of OPay mobile banking, etc, for speedy and comfort deliveries. Others reported to have been listed to benefit from the second batch of the State funds (yet to be released and disbursed as at Wednesday, 15th March 2023) are conformist security operatives (police, army and navy personnel), traditional rulers/PGs and some influential market leaders and INEC top officials. The second batch, expected in multiple hundreds of millions of naira, is likely to hit the ground before end of Friday, 17th March 2023. In all, Anambra State Government is expected to wastefully spend from the State coffers N2.5b between 9th and 19th March 2023 for purposes of pre Election Day, Election Day and post Election Day Project of securing many, if not most of the 30 State Assembly seats by all means legitimately and illegitimately possible or achievable.

“ICPC, EFCC And Other Ant Graft Bodies Should Place The 20 States Under Their Watch-List.

“We call on the above named anti graft agencies to place the named 20 States under their watch-list and dispassionately do that justly required of them by law. The security agencies must resist being compromised and pocketed by the panicking and desperate Govs. The violence prone flashpoints highlighted in this statement must be nipped in the bud with adequate and proactive security arrangements. “The Osun State-born “troublesome Lagosians” must be strongly warned to leave Eastern residents in Lagos State alone and allow them to cast their votes and vote candidates of their choice freely and willingly.”

linkedin sharing buttonSource News Express

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Nelly Agwu is an educationist, a journalist, a Blogger, graduate of History. Very dynamic and a realist. A mouthpiece of the oppressed. Easy going and a Philanthropist.

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Politics

PDP NWC Suspends Fayose, Anyim, Refers Ortom To Disciplinary Committee

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18 hours ago

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March 23, 2023

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People Democratic Party NWC, today, March 23, 2023 releases a press statement which says,

PDP Refers Ortom to Disciplinary Committee, Suspends Fayose, Anyim, Others.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has after very extensive review of the affairs of our Party in the country and pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) referred the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.

The NWC also approved the suspension of the following from the Party with effect from today, Thursday, March 23, 2023.

1.Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State)
2.Sen. Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State)
3.Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State)
4.Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State)

The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party across the country to remain united and focused at this critical time.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary.

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Politics

Abia State Governor Elect Alex Otti Acceptance Speech

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1 day ago

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March 23, 2023

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Alex Otti Abia State Governor Elect.

MY ACCEPTANCE SPEECH ON THE OCCASION OF MY DECLARATION AS GOVERNOR ELECT OF ABIA STATE

My fellow Abians, it gives me great pleasure this evening to address you, following the final announcement of the results of the gubernatorial elections conducted across the state last Saturday, March 18, 2023. With deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility, I wholeheartedly accept your mandate to be your chief servant for the next 4 years.

Before I go on, I must first dedicate this victory to God the Father Almighty, who makes everything beautiful in His own time. I also dedicate it to the millions of Abia citizens who have been the unfortunate victims of bad governance these past decades. As I acknowledge this victory, I am fully conscious of the huge expectations of millions of the good people of Abia, who have been denied the dividends of democracy and good governance for such a long time. I want to sincerely thank every Abian and non-indigene alike who participated in this election. As you are all aware, this was my third attempt at contesting for this office, in my quest to implement my long-held vision of rebuilding Abia state as truly God’s own state. At this third attempt, it pleased God to give us victory. In the words of one Labour Party stalwart, ‘The Siege Is Over’! With our votes and the collective will of the people, we have “broken the gates of hell and cast its bars of iron asunder”. As recorded in the holy book, the kingdom of hell shall not prevail against us.

I would like to quickly compliment my colleagues in the just-concluded elections, Chief Sir Okechukwu Ahiwe, Engr Enyinnaya Nwafor, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, Prof Gregory Ibe, and a host of other equally qualified governorship candidates. It has been a hard-fought contest and each of you gave his or her best in the quest to serve our beloved State. There is no doubt that all of us have very robust ideas as to how to move our dear State forward. I want to assure you that your ideas and dreams that are consistent with building a virile Abia state shall come to fruition under my watch. I therefore invite all of you to join hands with our administration in order to serve Abians who have been victims of several years of
maladministration and state capture. I have no doubt that you will be available to use the same energy and intellect, to help rebuild our state and develop our people. Of particular mention are the Candidates that have publicly conceded defeat and congratulated us, even when the battle of Obingwa fictitious votes was still raging. These include Prof. Greg Ibe, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, Chief Bond Ohuche, Chief Chibuike Jonas, amongst others. It is well with all of you.

I want to thank the young and energetic Deputy Governor-elect, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu who is going to be carrying the burden of governance with me. I also want to thank my Campaign team led by Hon. Acho Obioma and various support and volunteers groups who worked tirelessly to make today possible. You are simply the best hands any candidate can find! Your creative ideas and dedication to our common goal were unprecedented.

I must not fail to thank the leadership and members of Labour Party, who worked very hard to ensure that this day would come. I thank all those who worked with me through moments of despair and hope, through tears, sweat and blood, through betrayals, denials and dangers untold. It is said that the harder the struggle, the sweeter the victory. Please savour the sweetness of your hard work and firm belief.

I must give special thanks to my best friend, my confidant, my number one fan, my heartbeat, the wife of my youth, the mother of my children, and the First Lady in waiting, of Abia state, Lady Priscilla Chidinma Otti (Onugu Abia). I must thank her for living up to the challenges of being the wife of someone committed to these ideals, with equanimity and elegance. Unfortunately the work has only just begun but now you must support me, just like you have done in the past 30 years of our marriage, to work for the people of Abia. Special thanks to our children, Dr. Ezinwa, Engnr Alex Jr and Chinweotuto for being there and supporting
Daddy without reservation.

I must pause and remember some of those who have left us in the course of this journey. Although they are no longer here with us, I am sure that where ever they are now, they will be smiling with satisfaction that finally, we have triumphed over the forces that have held the State captive for so long. Some of the more notable ones among them are Prince Otisi Kalu, Abbott, Pastor Nnanna Ngwu, who both served as Chairmen for this campaign at different times. I must also remember my friend from Anambra State, Mr Eze Alomefuna, Rico, who worked tirelessly to help end the dynasty of incompetence in Abia state. Also to be
remembered are Prince Dike O. Dike and Dr. Mike Nwachukwu who lost their lives within the period of this struggle. Worthy of mention is the less than two year old little Adanna who tragically lost her life in 2015, when in the frenzy and excitement of our electoral victory, her father, Mr. Pius Oha accidentally ran over her in a car. In spite of the exigency of time, please join me in observing a minute’s silence in honour of these fallen heroes.

Indeed, I see this victory as a call to service. Even as I come out of a bruising and long drawn out campaign, I know that this is just the beginning of the journey. There is a lot of work to be done and we must get all hands on deck to ensure that we take back our state and bring the much sought-after dividends of democracy.

You voted us to serve you and not to be served. You voted us to alleviate your sufferings and not to compound and multiply them. This is a service that comes with unusually high sense of devotion and commitment given our checkered history as a people. During my electioneering campaign, I traversed all nooks and crannies of Abia state, and that enabled me to have first-hand assessment of the needs and expectations of Abians. These are the basic things expected by the people for a responsible government to provide in order to unleash the potential inherent in the typically hardworking Abians. Based on my findings and those of my team members, it dawned on us that an immediate hands-on approach is required to hit the ground running and to ensure that we alleviate the sufferings of all Abians, I promised you that I will serve you as the Governor of all Abians and all citizens living in Abia, irrespective of clan, religious persuasion or political leaning. I see my mandate as cutting across all strata of our people and I once more promise to use the resources accruing to all Abians for the benefit of all Abians and the residents. I will like to assure us that we hold no bitterness against anyone and will not go on any revenge mission against anyone. If in the process of getting here, we have wronged anyone, kindly find a space in your heart to forgive. We have equally forgiven anyone that wronged us. This will be a government that would unite everyone in this state as we are all brothers and sisters.

I want to salute the industry and resourcefulness of all Abians, the religious and traditional institutions, the civil servants, working class, the pensioners, the Business community, the physically challenged members of our society and indeed everyone that wishes Abia well. There shall be no discrimination whatsoever in the amenities that each person is able to access in our government. I made a firm promise to all civil servants and pensioners owed salaries, pensions and emoluments that an immediate payment plan would be put in place to ensure that this gets the priority it deserves.

I am very much aware and prepared to deal with the issues of infrastructural decay which have continued to militate against our growth and development as a state. This will be tackled head-on. There is no doubt that given the deplorable state of our infrastructure, roads, schools and health systems, Abians are deservedly impatient to have these issues addressed as quickly as possible. I assure you that these areas will receive the priority attention of our government.

Nevertheless, I caution that we all will need to put in our best and row together in one direction. There is no magic wand that can fix all the rot and decay noticed in virtually all segments of the system since the past years. For us to have sustainable development, it would require very painstaking and elaborate layout of master plans to enable us tackle the menace of flooding and re-engineer our cities especially Aba, Umuahia and other cities that would be developed in order to support our urban renewal projects. We therefore plead for patience and understanding as we first tackle the immediate challenges and work on the major ones. The approach of our government will revolve around crafting policies that will enable our government tap the creative energies of every Abian. We remain resolute in our drive to eliminate poverty and create sustainable wealth for our people.

Once again, thank you for electing me and my Deputy to serve you for the next 4 years. We trust God for His enablement to offer our services to Abians in such a way that we would not disappoint you. We shall implement our manifesto which is a revered pact between our administration and the good people of Abia state.

My dearly beloved Abians, as I conclude this address, I want to reassure you that we are going to run an open, transparent and accountable government devoid of waste and profligacy. Our doors will remain wide open and our channels of communication will remain unfettered so that your worthy contributions and suggestions will be a guiding light as we together navigate the thorny paths of rebuilding the state and transforming same for the benefit of all.

We deeply cherish you all and will do our best to ensure that the trust reposed in us is not in vain.

Thank you all and God bless Abia State! God bless Nigeria!!

Dr. Alex Chioma Otti OFR,
Governor-Elect, Abia State
Umuahia, 22nd March 2023

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Politics

INEC Has Rejected Obingwa Results, Asks For Review And Announcement Of Abia/Enugu Gubernatorial Election

Published

3 days ago

on

March 21, 2023

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the Abia State Governorship Election results from Obingwa, the collation of which was disrupted by thugs on Sunday, leading to the suspension of the exercise by the electoral umpire.

A usually reliable source in the know disclosed that INEC rejected the allegedly padded results after a careful review of the exercise earlier today, Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

“INEC ordered that the results should be announced based on the accredited voters,” the source said.

It equally disclosed that INEC has similarly ordered for the review of the results of the Enugu State Governorship Election of last Saturday, the collation of which was suspended following controversy over the alleged padding of results from Nkanu East Council, which returned over 30,000 votes in favour of Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Mr. Peter Mbah, while only about 7,000 voters were accredited in the area by the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

The suspension of the announcement of results of Abia and Enugu guber election believed to be won by the Labour Party has heightened tension in the two states.

In Abia, Dr Alex Otti of the Labour Party has won a total of 10 out of the 16 Local Government Area results so far declared by INEC, just as his Enugu counterpart, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga is in the lead in the state.

Source News Express.

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