Both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties have shown support for the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) proposal to phase out Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and introduce diaspora voting.

While the APC has expressed full backing for the reforms, opposition parties are calling for genuine implementation and transparency from INEC.

Last Thursday, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu outlined how these proposed reforms, which stem from lessons learned during the 2023 general elections and subsequent off-cycle elections, are intended to enhance the country’s electoral process.

He revealed that the commission would soon present the proposals to relevant committees in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

In an interview on Sunday, APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, emphasized that the ruling party has no objection to the reforms, as it has long been a proponent of electoral reforms in the country.

Ibrahim remarked, “If INEC, after consulting and observing global best practices, believes changes are necessary to improve the credibility of the electoral process, we fully support it. The APC has initiated similar reforms in the past, including those currently being discussed.”

Addressing concerns that some Nigerians may view the proposals with skepticism, Ibrahim acknowledged the country’s complex nature but stressed that the majority’s acceptance should be the focus.

“Some people will always question changes, no matter how positive they are, but that shouldn’t stop us from moving forward,” he stated.

“What matters is that the majority feels the changes will improve the process.”

Kehinde Edun, the National Legal Adviser of the Labour Party, expressed his support for the introduction of diaspora voting, which he believes would engage Nigerians living abroad in the electoral process.

However, Edun raised concerns over the possibility of misuse.

“While diaspora voting is a positive step, we must be cautious of potential abuse,” he said.

“A lot of young Nigerians are leaving the country due to dissatisfaction with the current situation, and they should have a chance to participate in elections. But we need to ensure the system is foolproof.”

Edun also discussed the phase-out of PVCs, stressing that the success of this reform hinges on the technology INEC chooses to implement.

“Even with PVCs, we’ve seen issues with party agents stockpiling cards, so the technology must be reliable and secure. If INEC can restore public confidence, voter turnout will improve,” he added.

Timothy Osadolor, Deputy National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also supported the electoral innovations but called for proper implementation.

He emphasized that INEC must ensure that the reforms are not manipulated by corrupt officials.

“Innovation is good, but it’s the people managing the technology who matter most,” he said.

“There are concerns about manipulation, as seen in Edo, where INEC edited its IREV results to match vote allocations.”

Osadolor further urged INEC to purge itself of corrupt individuals to ensure the credibility of the process.

“INEC must ensure its staff are trained and competent to uphold the integrity of the elections,” he said.

“Otherwise, the reforms will not have the desired effect.”

Valentine Ozigbo, the former CEO of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp), has expressed concerns over the growing insecurity in Anambra State and criticized Governor Charles Soludo’s response to the crisis.

Speaking at a Townhall Meeting in Lagos, Ozigbo, who was the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2021 Anambra State governorship election, voiced his dissatisfaction with Soludo’s silence on critical security issues, particularly the recent kidnapping of retired Archbishop, Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala of the Niger Province.

Ozigbo noted that the governor’s failure to address the rising wave of kidnapping and other security challenges was alarming.

He emphasized that Soludo’s lack of concern for the plight of citizens reflected a deeper leadership deficit.

According to Ozigbo, the governor’s style of leadership lacks the emotional intelligence, compassion, and openness to listen to others, all of which are essential qualities in addressing the state’s growing insecurity.

“As a leader, one of the most important skills is emotional intelligence, and that is what I bring to the table,” Ozigbo stated.

“Leadership is not just about knowing what to do; it’s about being humble enough to listen to others, respecting your people, and showing love and compassion. These traits are severely lacking in the leadership of Anambra State today.”

He also criticized Soludo for not speaking out publicly after the kidnapping of Archbishop Okpala, which he described as indicative of the governor’s indifference to the suffering of the people.

“You hear of an archbishop being kidnapped, and there is no comment from the governor. This is unacceptable,” he said.

Ozigbo also highlighted the governor’s high-handed approach to leadership, which he termed the “Akaodo syndrome,” and lamented the lack of law and order in the state.

He questioned the general satisfaction of the people of Anambra, asserting that there was a widespread sense of unhappiness and concern among residents.

“The truth is, Anambra people are not happy. The level of insecurity is horrendous, and there is no hope. There is no sign that anything will improve under this administration,” Ozigbo said, urging a change in leadership style. “Anambra people are deeply concerned about their safety and well-being, and they are not excited about going home for Christmas. The situation is worrying.”

The former Transcorp boss also emphasized the need for leadership that is inclusive, responsive, and compassionate.

“Leadership is not just about what you can do; it’s about who you are,” Ozigbo said, stressing that the state needs a leader who is capable of understanding and addressing the people’s challenges with empathy and humility.

Ozigbo, who is now positioning himself as a gubernatorial candidate for Anambra on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) in the upcoming election, reiterated his commitment to providing a different kind of leadership—one that is rooted in emotional intelligence, humility, and a genuine desire to improve the lives of the people.

Chief Ambrose Owuru, a former presidential candidate, has filed a legal suit at the Supreme Court, requesting the removal of President Bola Tinubu from office.

Owuru, who represented the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) in the 2019 general election, claims that President Tinubu is unfit for office due to his alleged ties with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States, which Owuru argues compromises his ability to serve as Nigeria’s leader.

In his petition, Owuru also contends that Tinubu’s past involvement in a drug-related case, during which he reportedly forfeited $460,000 to the U.S. government, further disqualifies him from holding the presidential office.

Owuru invoked Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution, seeking the Supreme Court’s intervention to remove Tinubu, accusing him of being under the influence of foreign powers, which he claims renders him unqualified to lead Nigeria.

Additionally, Owuru, a lawyer who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982, named former President Muhammadu Buhari as a defendant in the case, arguing that Buhari’s tenure was illegal.

He insists that he was the rightful winner of the 2019 election, but his mandate was unlawfully taken by Buhari, who remained in office for eight years.

Owuru further alleged that a previous petition he filed to have Buhari removed was dismissed due to a scheduling error in the hearing dates, preventing the case from being heard.

In the suit, Owuru called for Tinubu’s disqualification and for the Supreme Court to declare him the rightful winner of the 2019 election.

He also asked court to order his immediate inauguration to reclaim what he describes as his “usurped mandate.”

The case, marked SC/CV/667/2023, also includes the Attorney General of the Federation, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other government officials as defendants.

The Supreme Court scheduled a hearing for Monday, December 16, 2024, to review the motions.

The court’s notice, issued by the Chief Registrar, confirmed that the case would be heard on the specified date.

Owuru’s legal battles against the government are not new.

In May 2023, the Court of Appeal imposed a fine of N40 million on him for filing what it deemed a frivolous suit aimed at preventing Tinubu’s swearing-in.

Prior to this, he also sought to block Buhari’s inauguration in 2019, alleging electoral fraud orchestrated by INEC, particularly regarding the postponement of the presidential election, which he claimed was a scheme to manipulate the results.

Owuru has consistently maintained that he won a referendum before the election, securing over 50 million votes, which he claims surpassed the total votes of all other presidential candidates.

Owuru’s petition further seeks an order compelling Buhari to refund all earnings he received as president, which Owuru argues were obtained “illegally.”

Despite the legal setbacks, Owuru has remained resolute in his pursuit to challenge the results of the 2019 and 2023 elections, urging the court to annul the presidential election and install him as the rightful president for a four-year term.

Osita Okechukwu, a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has placed the blame squarely on the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the possible slide of Nigeria into a one-party state.

He dismissed accusations targeting the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling them a misplaced effort to deflect responsibility.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, Okechukwu argued that the PDP’s 16 years in power (1999-2015) had laid the groundwork for Nigeria’s current political challenges.

He accused the PDP of fostering a culture of impunity and fueling political corruption, which he believes weakened the multi-party system in Nigeria.

Okechukwu urged Nigerians to remember the early days of the APC, when the defunct Action Congress (AC), led by Tinubu, and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), led by Muhammadu Buhari, were able to survive as small parties despite the PDP’s extensive patronage system, known as “stomach infrastructure.”

He further explained that the PDP’s own failures, including a disregard for internal party rules and the rotation of the presidency, have contributed to the weakening of the opposition.

Okechukwu pointed to the 2023 election cycle, where the PDP abandoned its long-standing policy of rotational presidency between the North and South in favor of a northern candidate, Atiku Abubakar, resulting in widespread disillusionment.

The APC member also referenced the political maneuvering of figures like Minister Nyesom Wike, who he accused of engaging in misleading political arithmetic by claiming a disproportionate share of power between the North and South since 1999.

Addressing concerns over the country’s economic difficulties, Okechukwu reiterated that the APC was not to blame for the current economic hardship.

Instead, he emphasized that the PDP’s governance legacy was responsible for Nigeria’s economic struggles.

He pointed to ongoing efforts within the APC government, including collaborations with key organizations like IPMAN and TUC to reduce fuel prices.

Additionally, Okechukwu mentioned discussions with the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Umar Ganduje, on solutions to the farmers-herders crisis and the promotion of investment in infrastructure projects such as electricity, railways, and seaports.

Okechukwu expressed optimism that these initiatives, along with President Tinubu’s new mandate for regional development commissions to attract foreign investment, would eventually ease the economic challenges facing the country.