Author Archives: News All Around

*Says service’s nollywood script a recipe for tragedy, needs overhaul

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has said the Directorate of State Security Service (DSS) has metamorphosed into an intelligence arm of the ruling party and urgently needs a total overhaul.

Frank, however said the DSS needs to wake up and restore the lost confidence Nigerians have in its leadership.

In a statement released he made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, on the recent activities of the DSS, the political activist accused the organisation of monitoring and then leaking telephone conversations of some political leaders (Especially in opposition) in order to embarrass them and to impress the APC elements.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, said the DSS has the right to intercept unlawful communication but not to leak private conversations that are not favourable to the ruling party.

According to Frank, the main responsibilities of the DSS as stated in its enabling Act include counter-intelligence, internal security, counter-terrorism, and surveillance as well as investigating some other types of serious crimes against the state.

“The Department of State Services or the State Security Service needs a complete and total overhaul. The agency which was established by Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, was supposed to be patterned after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States of America or the MI5 Security Service in the United Kingdom.

“It is also charged with the protection of senior government officials, particularly the President, Vice President, state governors and visiting heads of states and governments with their respective families.

“But the DSS has since deviated from its core mandate in the last 10 years by becoming a willing tool to the government in power. In recent times, the DSS has focused more on regime protection and fostering the interest of politicians in the ruling party and their allies. The DSS and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have become one and the same and it is almost difficult to differentiate a statement written by the DSS and the APC.

“How do we explain away the fact that the DSS has continued to tap the telephone lines and release phone recordings of opposition politicians and influential Nigerians critical of the government?

“The latest misadventure was a leaked telephone conversation between Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and revered cleric, Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, and presiding Bishop of the Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun State.

“On the eve of the Presidential election, Obi and Bishop Oyedepo had a private telephone conversation. There was no terror plot and the conversation in itself was not about the use of violence. Obi simply asked Bishop Oyedepo to help him convince his congregation in the southwest to vote for him.

“Similarly, a day after the Presidential election, former President Olusegun Obasanjo received a call from Musician, Charles Oputa professionally known as Charly Boy. In the conversation, Charly Boy asked Obasanjo what could be done to stop the stealing of the people’s mandate. Obasanjo suggested that they could protest. The right to peaceful protest is guaranteed by the constitution.

“Private discussions are what they are: private. Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution expressly states: ‘The privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications is hereby guaranteed and protected.”

The Bayelsa born activist descrived the recent leaked phone conversations as highly unprofessional and smacks of partisanship.

“It is worrisome when the most sophisticated security agency in the country descends into the arena of politics in order to favour the ruling party.

“How do we explain it that the immediate past DG of the DSS, Musa Lawal Daura, was a member of the APC and his successor, Yusuf Bichi, also has obvious ties with the ruling party? His son, Abba, is a member of the APC who openly supports Bola Tinubu on social media. His wife, Aisha, got the current Kano Governor-elect, Abba Yusuf, arrested last year following a confrontation between them at the VIP lounge gate of the Aminu Kano International Airport. Yes, Abba is a citizen who is free to support any candidate of his choice. But he is not an ordinary son, he is the son of the DG of the boss of the DSS whose actions or inactions would have huge ramifications for the country.

“Why have the telephone conversations of Bola Tinubu and his minions never been leaked? Why is it only the telephone conversations of opposition politicians that are being shared with journalists or posted on social media? It is obvious where Bichi’s loyalty lies. He seeks to be retained as DSS DG and is now trying to ingratiate himself to Tinubu by bootlicking.

“Under Bichi’s watch the DSS has strayed from its core mandate and metamorphosed into a town crier instead of a stealthy intelligence agency. The agency has become flippant, garrulous and loquacious. It spends more time making noise rather than gathering intelligence.

“Almost on a weekly basis, the once respected agency churns out insipid and unintelligent press releases. While their counterparts in foreign countries are involved with more noble and heroic acts, these are some of the DSS headlines as portrayed in the Nigerian media “DSS invites Chidi Onumah for wearing Biafra T-shirt”; “DSS cautions against violence and hate speech”; “DSS reiterates call against violence in Nigeria”; “DSS says there’re plans to incite religious violence across the country”; “DSS says some prominent persons plotting to destabilise the country”; “DSS uncovers plot to destabilise Nigeria”.

Continued, he said: “The latest misadventure of the DSS is another false alarm about plans to foist an interim government on the country and to also carry out nationwide protests. The nationwide protests began in various parts of the country immediately the result was announced so this is not the product of intelligence gathering. Also, the DSS should have made arrests if indeed it had uncovered a plot to foist an interim government.

“The agency also showed its disdain for the rule of law by warning the judiciary against making “frivolous orders”. What qualifies as a frivolous court order? The DSS is clearly a lawless organisation which selects which order of government to obey or disobey hence the hundreds of Nigerians being detained illegally in its various centres.

“The last time I checked, the overthrow of the government in Nigeria is treason and attracts the maximum penalty. So why has the DSS decided to announce a plan to overthrow a government when the headline should be ‘DSS arrests XXX for attempted coup?’

“With the APC in control of the Federal Government, the legislature and at least 22 states at the moment, the APC is the one that has the power to foist an interim government and not the opposition which does not even control the police. With the DSS making insinuations that the opposition are behind this plan, tt is obvious the DSS is playing a Nollywood script, a fictional plot with an uninteresting end.

“The kind of frivolity that DSS is preoccupied with while Nigerians are imperilled by insecurity adds a new cadence to the cliché of political authority acting like Emperor Nero – fiddling while the country burns. They have slaughtered professionalism on the altar of politics. Nigerians have grown tired of the DSS crying wolf when there is none.

“In the last eight years, more Nigerians have been killed and abducted by bandits more than any other time in Nigeria’s history if you remove the civil war period of 1966 to 1970. According to available data from the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), a project of the Council on Foreign Relations’ Africa programme which documents violence in Nigeria, no fewer than 50,000 Nigerians have been killed on Buhari’s watch.

“But you will hardly see the DSS protecting the lives and dignity of regular Nigerians. All the so-called secret police are preoccupied with is hounding those who make their paymasters uncomfortable. Just today, April 4, 2023, bandits abducted 10 students from Government Day Secondary School in Kachia LGA of Kaduna. The DSS never saw this coming because they were busy tapping the telephone lines of the opposition while terrorists’ lines were left to their devices.

“On the watch of the current DSS leadership, thousands of schoolchildren have been abducted. By UNICEF’s estimates, 11,000 schools were closed between December 2020 and early 2022 over insecurity, largely in the north. The DSS never saw this coming.

“Train passengers were abducted, the Nigerian Defence Academy was attacked and a senior officer killed, prisons were attacked and over 1,000 escapees from all these attacks continue to roam freely including over 400 from the Kuje Correctional Centre. The DSS has not been able to do anything.

“Abductors use the telephone of their victims to contact their victims to pay ransom. The DSS has not been able to intercept these telephone calls to reveal the location of bandits whom Sheikh Gumi visits in broad daylight. However, the DSS has been super effective in bugging the phone lines of revered pastors and opposition politicians. What a shame!”

The former Nigeria minister of youth and sport Mr Solomon darlung has lead a delegations of northern Nigerian Christian Clergies to sheick Dahiru usman bauchi’s house in kaduna state north western Nigeria

According to him, the aims is to strengthens Christians and Muslim relationship for peace and unity among Nigerians

It was observed that, Christians from various northern states of Nigeria which include plateau, Bauchi, katsina, Gombe, Taraba, kaduna and sokoto were opportune to be among those who attended the interfaith Ramadan iftar to promote interreligious tolerance and mutual understanding among the adherence of different faith base organization in the country

Adding that for the past 12 years, they have been coming from various states in the north to join other top Islamic scholars towards breaking Ramadan iftar fast to promote peace and unity among Nigerians .

Darlung called for more prayers from both Muslims and Christians clerics nation wide ,, as he appealled to the newly elected candidate to always unite the people and, put the nation in their hearts

Similarly, pastor yohanna buru, who is the general overseer of Christ evangelical and life intervention ministry kaduna ,says this year Ramadan comes amids of increased cost of foodstuffs, scarcity of fuel and naira notes ,

He said, we came with many Christians Clergies this time from our neighbouring states to sthrenthening good relationship with our brothers.

“we are one family Under God “
“we are all children of Adam and eve “
“we all have holy books, Qur’an and bible, send from one God “
“we all believed in paradise and the day of judgement “

Pastor yohanna said, Ramadan provide huge opportunities for Christian Clergies to meet, interact, dialogue with other top Islamic scholars on how to promote peace and enabling environment for both the adherence of different faith base organization in the country

He said, they would keep praying for peace and unity in the country. While praying for Nigerian security personnel to succeed in tackling all the security challenges bedevilling peace stability in the country

In his remarks, sheick Dahiru bauchi expressed satisfaction and thank all the Christian Clergies and youths that joined him in breaking Ramadan iftar today.

He said ,they equally continue to pray for peace and unity in the country

He wish all the Christians that travelled far away to come and join him in breaking Ramadan fast a safe journey back to their various destination

A pro democracy group, Taraba First Group (TFG), has condemned a protest purportedly staged by NNPP members on Monday at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. The protesters were, among others things, demanding for review of the Taraba polls and calling for its cancelations. Recall that NNPP came second in the governorship polls won by PDP’s Lt Col Agbu Kefas (rtd). Kefas has since been issued with a Certificate of Return.

Describing the protest as a brazen affront on democracy, TFG said Taraba electorate are prepared to defend their votes, stressing that INEC must not allow for any anti people development with devastating outcomes. In a statement issued in Jalingo and signed by Inusa Aliyu, TFG said “the evil protest in Abuja is fake and a desperate attempt to upturn people’s will. Why didn’t they protest in Jalingo? They are aware of the popularity and acceptance of these results by the majority of Taraba citizens. Any attempt to touch the people’s wish shall not only be roundly condemned. It shall be vehemently resisted. Taraba state had a very transparent election with a clear winner emerging with a large margin. If anything, everyone have been expecting a congratulatory message from Professor Sani Yahaya of the NNPP. We are therefore bemused by the fake and rented crowd that went on a protest today at INEC. A cursory glance at the protesters would easily reveal that they are not even from Taraba state. We are therefore amused by this desperation on the part of national NNPP. As a matter of fact we even doubt if this was sponsored by NNPP Taraba because they know the truth.”

TFG noted further that forces it described as from outsiders have been overtly interested in Taraba politics. The statement reads, “one of the strange things we have experienced in this election cycle is the strange interest our election garnered especially from preachers outside our state who kept claiming Taraba will be won by the NNPP by hook or crook means. They spoke about the dominance of a certain demography. To their dismay, Taraba voted for balance and historical reality. Since then, the shell shocked NNPP has been in a state of suspended animation. They are so dazed that they are hallucinating. First was an attempt to get INEC to declare Taraba polls as inconclusive. When that failed, they started a crusade for reviews of the results. All that failed and now they are resulting to emotional blackmail. But the results of the election is as glaring as night and day. We urge INEC to remain steadfast even as we call on NNPP to go court.”

Emmanuel Bello

A good weekend they say is heralded by great weekdays. And in the case of Taraba state Governor Elect, Lt Col. Agbu Kefas (rtd), nothing could have been truer. Right after he got his certificate of return, the swashbuckling ex soldier has been doing many things consider the right moves. His utterances, his mannerisms and even social interactions presents him as one prepared for the job. There is also a clear sense of mission as he continously talks about working hard to change the narratives of Taraba state. In an instant, Taraba knew something different is upon us: a paradigm shift and a new deal.

He’s also brimming with hope as he hasn’t stopped talking of the state’s potentials. In various interviews, he has stayed on script, unraveling his plans and programs. Although not letting the cat out of the bag, Kefas doesn’t leave anyone in doubt about his good intentions, his sincerity and transparency. There is also decency seeping through his actions and comments: no double speak, no verbosity and no blame games- same style he adopted during his campaigns. A style that has endeared him to almost everyone who now calls him “Mai gaskia’ (man of truth)

Kefas famously once said he was running on the strength of his character and the dictate of his conscience. Happily, that’s how he plans to govern too. He plans to use all states resources to enrich the people, solve age long challenges and brings about rapid development.

In actualising these, he’s the Ultimate iconoclast, tearing down walls and old models. Where there was mediocrity he wants to shine his brilliance. Where there was sloth, his youthful energies would become the order. He’s not encumbered by mental or physical infirmities. He’s not limited by ancient hangups or stereotypes. Just a new man or better, new wine in a new bottle.

His incoming government is anchored on righteousness, efficiency, fairness and 21st century ideas that are changing the world. It is this direction that has made him a nightmare to the old class from the start. They knew he would deliver and be different once he gets in. And now, it has happened: “jungle don mature” as our people love to say. And indeed our state has finally been delivered.

Bello is spokesman of Governor Elect Lt Col Agbu Kefas

CG, NHFSS, Ambassador Dr Joshua Osatimehin Wole presenting his speech while the senior officers listen during the 2days AGM, at National Headquarters in Abuja. Photo: BASHIR BELLO DOLLARS On the 39/03/2023

Several millions of people from around the world are still enthused about the effusion of miracles and blessings that rained down to the earth from the throne of God, at the seventh edition of Healing Stream Services which took place from March 17 – 20, 2023, as they participated.

The love and powers of God on display across all nations of the world simultaneously was indescribable and as many as were under any form of ailment or oppression of the devil received their salvation and instant healing and are attesting to the ever present healing powers of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit present in the life of the Man of God Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.

Spontaneous healing took place across all nations on earth as God’s children were set free from all kinds of ailments and bondage. Testimonies streamed live from billions of people from all nations all over the world, as they reeled under the power of salvation, and spiritual juvenescence that they received during these three awesome days, evidencing the power in the name of Jesus Christ.

People of all races and continent irrespective of class and status, connected to Jesus Christ through the Live Healing Services in hope of divine intervention, and as a permanent solution to the myriad of ailments and conditions that have stumped medical science.

The Loveworld singers led the globe in sublime worship of the All Mighty God at the beginning of the Live Services daily, which is followed by a charge by the Director of the Healing School, Pastor Deola Phillips to all men to bury their doubts in order to be in the receiving mode from God.

“Be in a receiving mode! God cares about you and has done something about your situation. Today is the day for your miracle,”- Pastor Deola Phillips charge all worshippers. And true to her charge, many who keyed into her words got their deliverance and miracles at the Live Healing Service.

Progress from China, broke his right wrist on February 22 this year. Since then, he could not carry any object. During the worship session at the Live Healing service, he got healed. “It is unbelievable but I got healed. When I got home, I moved my bed naturally without any pain.”- Progress said.

Mrs Leonie Sagn from Senegal had been suffering from goiter since 2011. For 12 years she was dependent on drugs and medication. Anytime she failed to take her drugs, the goiter swells. On Day One of the Live Service, when Pastor Chris ministered, he spoke about a lady with neck problems. She immediately felt warmth in her neck and knew she had received her healing. Since then, she has not taken any medication, and the goiter is receding.

Liza Dominico, from the United Kingdom, had battled severe body odour for years. Nothing she did could get rid of it. A while after Pastor Chris ministered healing during Day 2 of the Live healing service, she suddenly noticed the odour had disappeared. Till now, the stench is gone.

A man brimming with love and spiritual authority, the Man of God, Pastor Chris, shared daily, revelational truths about the person and character of God. His plans and purpose for man and the endgame, of the profane and foolish, who, refuses to yield to God. It was a moment of awakening for billions as the Man of God made everyone to recognise that “Whatever God does is made to last forever. When he created you, he made you perfect. The only reason you get sick is because something that isn’t supposed to be in your body got into your body or something that was supposed to be there was taken away,” Pastor Chris said.

Thereafter, millions gave their heart to God while many rededicated themselves anew. Declaring the weekend an extraordinary one full of miracles, Pastor Chris went on to daily minister healing and strength to those on the receiving line before directing the healing power of God to all connected to the services globally. Grievous conditions, ailments, pains and disabilities of all kinds varnished instantly while demons fled summarily from bodies previously inhabited. Great rejoicing and testimonies sprung forth from every race, city, state and nation on earth in praise to God as hundreds of thousands discovered their healing and demonstrated it by doing what they couldn’t do before.

Each day of the weekend of extraordinary miracles unlocked new threshold of the supernatural as the manifestations of God’s supreme power continued unfettered across all nations.

The celebration of miracles continues at the ongoing Festival of Miracles as we share and relive unending testimonies wrought at the March 2023 Live Healing Services.

Holding daily on http://www.healingstreams.tv from 12noon-2 pm and 4pm-6pm respectively till Saturday the 1st of April, 2023, the festival of Miracles is a time of inspiration that will initiate quantum leaps in the faith of all participants, setting off even more miracles.

The testimony of Katrine from India, who got healed of Kidney failure after seven years while participating in her healing centre is one of many remarkable testimonies that have been featured so far during the festival of miracles.

Tenda’s life was marred with the constant pain brought on by Bell’s Palsy, asthma, knee pain, and fibroids. Unable to move around, work and do basic things without aid, Tenda sought new lease on life. She received her healing at the March Live Healing Services. While recounting her testimony at the ongoing Festival of Miracles, she says, “I am an epistle that the healing streams are flowing and that they are changing lives.”

Keep sending your testimonies to testimonies@healingstreams.tv and subscribe to http://www.healingstream.tv  for updates on new events.

In consonance with the ‘Take Back Nigeria’ mantra made prevalent by one of the Peter Gregory Obi For President support groups, now is the time to TAKE BACK IMO STATE for Good. And the Party that is most positioned to berth the Imo State renaissance is unarguably the Labour Party.

As the Labour Party LP holds its Gubernatorial Primaries for Imo State in a few weeks, we must call on the Stakeholders to make COMPETENCY, CAPACITY, COMPASSION, CHARACTER and COMMITMENT TO THE COMMON GOOD the linchpin in the choice of the best candidate to lead the Labour Party challenge for the next occupant of Douglas House, ditto the High Office of Governor of Imo State.

Dr. Pharmacist TOBECHUKWU JUSTICE EHIRIM famous with the good people of Imo State, with the Labour Party faithfuls and with the Obidient Movement as Dr. T.J Ehirim is the right man to lead the Labour Party challenge for the High Office of Governor of Imo State. He is the one the cap fits, and he fits the bill.

The graduate of Pharmacy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka who hails from Umuele-Amazano in Umuakah, Imo State has shown unrivaled capacity and competency in everything he does. Dr. T.J Ehirim is a Scholar and a professional with laurels in his chosen field. He rose to the position of a Director in the Public Health sector in South Africa, and as a Philanthropist he has in many ways impacted his Community through the instrumentality of the T.J Ehirim Foundation.

Dr. T.J Ehirim is among the foremost believers and profound support base of the Labour Party in Imo State. He donated materials and a vehicle to the Party when most people thought that the Labour Party was just a flash in the pan. He along with several Obidients pioneered the 40 Million Ballots For Peter Obi. And Dr. T.J Ehirim is a proud protege of Peter Gregory Obi as well as being one of the Proudest Leaders of the Obidient Movement in Imo State.

T.J is a leading light in the Obidient Family worldwide. He is apparently the most prepared to do intellectual and ideological battle with the APC in Imo State. He has the greatest connection with the Obidient Family in Imo State and without a modicum of doubt Imo State has about the 5th most vibrant Obidient Movement in Nigeria thanks to the input of Dr. T.J Ehirim and the many supporters of Peter Gregory Obi in Imo State.

Dr. Ehirim has in so many ways supported the massive stride of the Labour Party at home and abroad. In seeking the Ticket of the Labour Party to lead the challenge for the Douglas House in Owerri, T.J is saying to the Labour Party ‘here am I send me’ to retire the non-performing APC in Imo State, and Take Back Imo State for good.

He is saying that having lived and worked in an organized place and having risen to an enviable height in the Public Health Care sector in South Africa, he can replicate the same in Imo State for the good of ndi’Imo. Through the T.J Ehirim Foundation he has been able to do a lot, but as the Governor of Imo State T.J Ehirim will most definitely make Imo State the pride of ndi’Imo and Nigerians in general because he’s coming to the fray with a great resume of excellence, exposure and service to humanity.

We therefore call on the Labour Party leadership and all the delegates who shall elect the Gubernatorial Candidate of our Great Party LP for Imo State to choose the most prepared and the most competent of the Aspirants. And without equivocation we believe that Dr. T.J Ehirim fits the bill.

CONCERNED IMO STATE LABOUR PARTY DELEGATES.

Salami Remi

Kaduna

The Zonal Secretary North West of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Rt. Hon. Barr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo while congratulating Governor’s elect on the party from the North West region, has also charged them on the task of governance ahead of them.

Speaking with newsmen on the outcome of the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, Hon. Goronyo said, the confidence reposed on the governor’s elect by their respective states cannot be taken forgranted.

He said, their victories at the polls is a testament of the acceptability of the party, stressing that they cannot afford to fail the people who elected them but to ensure that dividends of democracy is visible in their respective States.

Rt. Hon. Goronyo who is also the North West Director Youth Mobilisation APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) commended the youths under his directorate for their enormous contributions in the victories of the north West Governors on their party platform.

Towards this, he urged the governors to ensure that the youths and women are carried along effectively in the administration of their respective States as a way of appreciating their efforts at the polls and justify the saying that, to whom much is giving, much is expected.

” I have no doubt whatsoever that all the North West governors elect of APC will deliver on their mandates in their respective States, I however call on all and sundry to give them maximum support for them to.suucceed effectively on their mandates of good governance.

” Above I also urge that we pray for Allah to direct them on the right part in the discharge of their executive responsibilities and particularly for a good working relationship with.their respective States House of Assemblies.

The former Sokoto lawmaker while congratulating in particular the Sokoto State Governor- elect Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, he also commended his Excellency Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and the good people of Sokoto State for working tirelessly to bring back Sokoto to the progressive fold.

ENDS

The leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Ward 1, Ajaka in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi state has denied knowledge of the purported letter of suspension on the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yakubu Murtala Ajaka.

The APC leaders said said falsehood by the mischief makers becomes more glaring from the inclusion of the name and signature of the late Ward Welfare Secretary, Danjuma Sani, who died on 13th April, 2022.

In a disclaimer letter addressed to Hon. Yakubu Murtala Ajaka, dated Friday, 24 of March 2023, and signed by the APC chairman Ajaka ward 1, Omale Danladi and the ward secretary, Suleiman Abubakar, the party leaders queried the time and place where the ward executive members met to take decision to suspend the Hon. Yakubu Murtala Ajaka.

While regretting the inconveniences and pandemonium caused the governorship aspirant as a result of the purported suspension, the ward executives assured him of “unalloyed support for you before, during and after the elections and to further assure you that, with your unmatched records and by the grace of God, your victory in the forthcoming elections is assured.”

The letter which is copied to the APC national chairman, North-central APC chairman and the Kogi state APC chairman reads: “We, the leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward 1, Ajaka in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi state wish to and hereby deny the purported letter of your suspension alongside all the allegations contained therein in entirety, as they are completely frivolous, false and a calculated attempt by political enemies to tarnish the image of the generality of Ward 1 Party Excos and to distract and frustrate your selfless political ambition.

“The falsehood and mischief of the mischief makers becomes more glaring from the inclusion of the name and signature of our deceased Exco member by the name Danjuma Sani Ejika (Welfare Secretary) who died on 13th April, 2022 on a purported document containing the names and signatures of Ajaka Ward 1 Exco members present at the purported meeting whereat the decision to suspend you was reached.

“What is more, the place, date and time when we, the Ajaka Ward 1 leadership of our great party reached the purported decision to suspend you is not stated on the letter.

“While we regret all the inconveniences and pandemonium occasioned by this mischievous act of the political enemies, may we use this medium to reiterate our unalloyed support for you before, during and after the elections and to further assure you that, with your unmatched records and by the grace of God, your victory in the forthcoming elections is assured.”

By Aliyu Manfo

International election observers under the aegis of Pan African Women Projects, have stated that the March 18, 2023 governorship and state house of assembly elections held in Akwa Ibom state have met the international commendations of free, transparent, and peaceful conduct of the electoral process.

They made this statement at a press conference held on the 21st of March, 2023 in Uyo with the theme, “Strengthening Democracy”.

The Pan African Women Projects which is an international non-governmental organisation comprised of women from all 54 countries in Africa has observed several elections in over 15 African countries including Nigeria.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Uyo on Tuesday, the non-governmental organisation said it deployed over 150 trained elections observers to the 31 local government areas, and made their observations and submissions in the areas of logistics, INEC ad-hoc staff, turnout of voters, security, vote-buying/lobbying, technology (BIVAS), etc.

The organisation’s spokesperson, Ms. Candice Solomon at the press conference commended the Independent Electoral Commission, citizens of Akwa Ibom, and security personnel for organising a free, transparent and peaceful election which prompted them to adjudge it as having met international standards.

“We use this medium to appreciate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the opportunity to serve in this election as one of the accredited FOREIGN OBSERVER GROUPS.

“We want to sincerely and greatly appreciate Professor Mahmud Yakubu and the entire department of gender and inclusivity of the commission, especially for the unwavering supports that made our work very easy.

“We also appreciate the various security agencies that worked tirelessly to ensure our safety by providing all the intelligence and protection needed to carry out our onerous duties.

“The 18th March 2023 Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections in Akwa Ibom State meets International commendations of a free, transparent and peaceful conduct of electoral process.”

The observers however called on security agents to “address all security lapses in the 2023 election and employ more personnel into the system to improve on a more effective security network during elections in Nigeria.”

They also noted general low turnout of voters in the exercise and submitted that “INEC’s performance at the Presidential elections especially as results were seen not to be transmitted to the IREV across the State had altered people’s trust in the electoral system.

Pastor Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP won the Governorship elections ahead of Senator Bassey Albert and Mr Akan Udofia of the YPP and APC respectively.