INEC To Prosecute 215 Electoral Offenders 
Photo Credit:Vanguard papers
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC said it has received 215 case files from the Nigerian Police in respect of electoral infractions during the 2023 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this on Tuesday at a meeting with states Resident Electoral Commissioners RECs to review the general election.
Accordingly, he said the commission is working with the Nigerian Bar Association NBA to prosecute the electoral offenders, adding that the NBA has provided 427 lawyers to help prosecute the cases free of charge.
Yakubu also added that the commission has received the police report in the suspended Adamawa REC, Yunusa Ari, saying INEC would soon take appropriate actions on him.
Keyamo, FFK Promoted Fake – EU Report
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The European Union Election Observation Mission has alleged that a former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Femi Fani-Kayode promoted fake news during the 2023 general elections.
The EU Observers made this allegation in latest report on the 2023 general elections, copy of which has been submitted to the Secretary to the Federal Government, George Akume.
It accused Keyamo and Fani-Kayode of misleading Nigerians by spreading fake news during the 2023 general elections.
The EU Observers cited instances where both APC chieftains propagated fake news while campaigning for their candidates.
The report partly reads, “There was an increased incidence of misleading information in the days leading up to and during the election. In many cases, false reports were spread by well-known personalities associated with political parties.
“On February 12, Festus Keyamo from APC promoted information published by a suspicious website, accusing Peter Obi of bribery. The story quickly became viral and was in a few hours debunked.
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Zulum Releases 80 Buses, Pick-Up Vans To Farmers
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To reduce the high cost of living caused by the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday, released 80 buses and pick-up vans for free transportation of farmers from their communities to farmlands.
The 80 means of transport will comprise 50 luxurious buses to be allocated from the fleet of the Borno Express Corporation, a state-owned transport company, while the state 30 pick-up vans will be hired and provided by the state government.
“We are here purposely to support the farmers, you can see thousands of them have gathered and their numbers can reach up to 100,000. Due to the removal of fuel subsidy which although has a long-term benefit, the cost of transportation has increased. Therefore, Borno State Government has decided to provide 50 buses (and 30 pick-up vans) to convey farmers to their farmlands this rainy season”, Zulum said.
Urges farmers to cooperate with soldiers
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum while addressing thousands of farmers, urged them to cooperate with soldiers, Police and other security agencies deployed to roads to protect citizens including farmers who go to outskirts to access their farmlands.
“I want to urge you (farmers) to give maximum support and cooperation to the Nigerian Military. They (soldiers) are here to protect you”, Zulum said.
The governor expressed gratitude to the military for their sacrifices in protecting Borno’s people which is now enabling farming activities across the state.
Cracks In APC As Adamu Rejects Principal Officers Announced By Abbas, Akpabio
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The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has distanced itself from the principal officers announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The presiding officers of the National Assembly announced the new leaders at plenary on Tuesday.
In the majority cacaus of the senate, Akpabio had named Opeyemi Bamidele, Majority Leader; David Umahi
Deputy Majority Leader; Mohammed Ali Ndume, Senate Majority Whip; and Lola Ashiru
Deputy Majority Whip.
While Abbas named Julius Ihonvbere, lawmaker representing Owan east/Owan west Federal Constituency of Edo was announced as the majority leader; legislator representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro of Kogi, Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, as deputy majority leader.
The speaker also named Bello Usman Kumo, representing Akko federal constituency of Gombe as the chief whip; and Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo north federal constituency in Ogun, as the deputy chief whip.
But addressing the Governors of the party, Abdullahi Adamu, the National Chairman, said the party had no input in the names of lawmakers.
“The election of the principal officers of the Senate by the Senate President and Deputy Senate President. The election of the speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives have been determined and announced and their responsibilities
YAHAYA (
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