General
Edo 2020: CNPP Blasts FG over ‘Vote Buying by Proxy’
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has accused the federal government of being involved in what it described as ‘vote buying by proxy’ ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.
The group, in a statement on Wednesday, strongly kicked against it, calling on the federal government to refrain from acts capable of killing Nigeria’s democracy.
“Acts of benevolence by the federal government in states during campaign periods have gone beyond coincidences to becoming a suspicious vote buying by proxy as is being witnessed in Edo State today,” a part of the statement signed by the Secretary-General of CNPP, Mr Willy Ezugwu, warned.
The group called on the international community “to seriously take note of the strategic death blows the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued to give Nigerian democracy since the historic election that brought the party into office in 2015.”
The CNPP further said, “The APC and PDP must be made to realise that they are not the only registered political parties in Nigeria and that every act of election rigging perpetrated by these two political parties that have continued to alternate their members and candidates is a death blow on democracy in Nigeria.”
“At least, the PDP could be forgiven for coming to a realisation that election rigging will kill the country’s democracy and gave Nigeria the most transparent election in the history of Africa in 2015, leading to the defeat of a sitting President who was also a candidate in the election.
“The ordinary Nigerian electorate who believed in the change mantra of the APC voted the then opposition party into office, reasoning that the party, with the anti-corruption disposition of President Muhammadu Buhari, will leave up to its promise to do things differently.
“Alas, five years down the line, Nigerians are now counting their losses rather than gains. APC is gradually killing all other political parties in the country,” the group said.
Continuing, it said, “We must recall that even with the level of election rigging under the PDP led federal government before the globally celebrated 2015 general election that brought the APC to power, smaller political parties were able to win governorship elections in states like Abia, Ondo, Edo, Anambra, to mention a few states.
“However, since the President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government have been conducting elections, opposition parties have been at the receiving end as the PDP and APC member can no longer be distinguished with their level of cross carpeting at the slightest convenience, and the result is the stunted democracy and a dying opposition parties that cannot win elections, not because they don’t have strong candidates but for the singular reason that they cannot afford to buy votes.
“Under the Buhari administration, with anti-corruption war as its selling point, electoral corruption, through all manners of federal government-induced vote buying, has been invented in the last five years.
“Such vote buying by proxy schemes like Tradamoni and school feeding programme, nicknamed social investment programme, were fully deployed ahead of 2019 general election, which was superintended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who went from market to market to distribute cash to would-be voters before the elections, with allegations of the APC government collating the permanent voter’s card numbers of the beneficiaries.
“In Kogi State recently, billions of naira were released to the state few days to the state governorship election, an act seen by many stakeholders in the Nigerian pro-democracy family as monies intended for vote buying.
“Today, in Edo State, barely three days to the state governorship election, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) under the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo, and an APC member, found the wife of the APC governorship candidate, Idia Ize-Iyamu, as a partner in empowering women in the state.
“How would the wife of a candidate in an election be partnering with the federal government a few days before the election to empower Edo people? How do you defend it? That is a clear vote buying by proxy.
“Right now, desperate APC and PDP chieftains are engaging in a war of words over allegations and counter allegations of vote buying, which was never heard of in all the days of PDP’s electoral impunity.
“The CNPP, therefore, calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all security agencies to save Nigerian democracy by preventing all acts of vote buying before they occur.
“If Nigeria must survive in 2023, it’s about time President Muhammadu Buhari prevailed on INEC to do what is right to save Nigerian democracy from desperate politicians who see elections as do or die.
“No lover of Nigeria will stand while the APC and PDP continue to rape democracy in broad daylight.
“The judiciary has not lived up to the general expectations of Nigerians in deciding post-election disputes. However, most pre-elections matters have been dealt with fairly by the judicial arm of the government but more needs to be done in post-election matters to discourage electoral violence and vote buying,” the CNPP stated.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Mr Samuel Anyanwu has been reinstated as the National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) by the Supreme Court.
In a judgement on Friday, the apex court nullified the judgement sacking of the former federal lawmaker from the position.
Mr Anyanwu, who represented Imo East Senatorial District at the National Assembly from 2015 to 2019, had been at loggerheads with Mr Udeh-Okoye over the position of the opposition party’s scribe.
He had been the National Secretary of the PDP since November 2021,but was removed from office on December 20, 2024, by a Court of Appeal.
He challenged this judgement of the appellate court and today, the Supreme Court nullified the decision of the lower court, returning him to the position.
The apex court held that the plaintiff (now 1st defendant) had no jurisdiction to file the suit as the suit was within the internal affairs of a political party, emphasising that, “Jurisdiction is very important, hence the trial court and the court below were wrong to rule on the merits of a matter they had no jurisdiction in the first place.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The need for a sustained action in creating opportunities for young leaders in Nigeria has again been emphasised by Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Ms Zuriel Oduwole, and Sterling One Foundation.
This issue and gender equality came up when Ms Oduwole and Sterling One Foundation visited Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State recently.
At 22 years old, Ms Oduwole is the youngest Nigerian ever nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and the first to be recognized in this category. Her global advocacy in education, gender equality, and youth inclusion has influenced policies and engaged key decision-makers across multiple countries.
At the meeting, she emphasized the power of storytelling in driving social change, saying, “I have seen the power of storytelling in changing perceptions and opening doors for young people.
“When we share our stories, we inspire action. I am grateful to our partners for amplifying young voices and creating opportunities that make a real difference.”
Her remarks highlight the role of storytelling in influencing narratives that drive meaningful change.
By amplifying diverse voices and ensuring that young people, especially women and girls, have platforms to be heard, storytelling becomes a powerful tool for influencing policies, shifting mindsets, and creating lasting impact in communities. The need for sustained efforts to support and invest in these platforms has never been more critical.
Also, Sterling One Foundation highlighted its investment in social impact across critical sectors.
The chief executive of the organisation, Ms Olapeju Ibekwe, also highlighted the importance of telling African stories and driving impact through intentional programming, while also reflecting on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Accelerate Action.
“At Sterling One Foundation, we are intentional about telling African stories that reflect the strength and potential of our people. This is evident in our focus areas and programming, where we have deliberately mainstreamed gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“This aligns with the call to ‘Accelerate Action’ this International Women’s Day, reinforcing the urgency of breaking barriers for women and girls.
“We are proud of Zuriel Oduwole for amplifying these values on the global stage, and we remain committed to creating an environment where young changemakers, especially women and girls, have the support and opportunities they need to lead and succeed,” Ms Ibekwe stated.
In his remarks, Mr Sanwo-Olu recognized Ms Oduwole’s contributions and her historic Nobel Peace Prize nomination, describing it as a milestone for Nigeria and the African continent.
“This achievement reflects the resilience and determination of our people. In the past five years, we have faced COVID-19, economic challenges, and instability, yet we have continued to create opportunities for young Nigerians in technology, finance, and entertainment.
“Lagos is proud to support Zuriel’s journey and work with the Sterling One Foundation to expand opportunities for the next generation,” the Governor said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Assembly, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives, has approved President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, invoking its constitutional powers under the amended 1999 Constitution.
Recall that President Tinubu on Tuesday declared a state of emergency on the state following a political crisis in the oil-rich state.
He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor, Mrs Ngozi Odu, as well as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for a six-month period and appointed a retired military chief, Mr Ibok-ete Ibas, as the sole administrator for the state. He was sworn in on Wednesday.
However, the decision was earlier without the approval of the National Assembly. He later approached the parliament to legalize it.
At the plenary on Thursday, the House of Representatives, through a voice vote, approved the request of Mr Tinubu, mandating a review of the situation at any time, but no later than six months.
Per the Constitution, the National Assembly has also imposed a joint committee of both chambers, to oversee the administration of affairs in Rivers State during the emergency period.
Additionally, the Senate has resolved to establish a mediation committee consisting of eminent Nigerians to help resolve the state’s political crisis.
The constitution requires the upper and lower chambers of the federal parliament to approve the state of emergency by two-third majority each.
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