Less than 24 hours to the local government elections in Enugu State, the Labour Party (LP) in Nkanu East Local Government Area has called for transparency and integrity in the electoral process scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Labour Party Chairman in Nkanu East, Engr. Daniel Uchenna Anyanwu, and made available to DAILY GAZETTE, the party acknowledged Governor Peter Mbah’s efforts in promoting democratic principles through the implementation of the ENSIEC Bill and funding the electoral process.

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“This is a commendable step towards ensuring that the people of Enugu State can elect their preferred leaders,” the party stated.

However, the party raised concerns over the appointment of the Returning Officer and Electoral Officer for Nkanu East, alleging that they are long-time members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The party also alleged plans by certain political actors to disrupt the elections, hijack sensitive electoral materials, including result sheets, and manipulate the election outcome.

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It called on ENSIEC to take decisive steps to prevent any form of electoral malpractice.

The party stated that it would reject any incomplete or tampered electoral materials at all levels, from the ENSIEC office in Enugu to the 14 wards and 163 polling units in Nkanu East.

“We remain dedicated to grassroots development and will abide by all the rules guiding the election,” the party said.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has demonstrated strong political will by approving the payment of N17.63 billion in salary arrears owed to workers by previous administrations, according to Obinna Odum, a Labour Party chieftain in Ohafia.

Speaking to DAILY GAZETTE on Friday in Umuahia, Odum praised the governor for his decisive action, noting that it provided significant relief to workers and their families.

He described the approval as a positive sign for the civil servants and a hopeful development for the people of Abia State.

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“This is not only a welcome development but also a huge relief for the workers and a sign of hope for civil servants and the general public in the state,” Odum remarked.

He further encouraged workers to show their appreciation by being more productive, highlighting the governor’s commitment to improving the welfare of state employees.

Abia State’s Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, had earlier announced the payment plan in a public notice.

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The arrears will be paid in a structured 12-month amortization plan, with the first batch of payments already released to affected institutions.

Kanu emphasized that this approach was designed to ensure that other areas of governance would not be neglected due to limited financial resources.

He added that the approval reaffirmed Governor Otti’s dedication to the welfare of civil servants.

President Bola Tinubu has called on all stakeholders in the upcoming Edo State governorship election to respect the democratic process and honor the will of the voters.

In a statement released on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu urged candidates, political parties, and their supporters to allow the electorate to freely choose their leaders.

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“President Tinubu believes in the ability of the people of Edo State to make informed choices about their future leaders and encourages all parties to uphold the integrity of the democratic process,” the statement read.

He also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to maintain impartiality, ensuring that the election is free, fair, and transparent.

Tinubu urged all candidates to conduct themselves with peace and respect throughout the electoral process.

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The President further emphasized that democracy flourishes through civility, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law.

He acknowledged the efforts of the governorship candidates and political parties, commending their issue-based campaigns that focused on critical areas such as economic development and improving the livelihoods of the people of Edo State.

Tinubu encouraged the citizens of Edo State to remain peaceful and use lawful channels to address any grievances that may arise during the election.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has announced that the Senate will amend the 1999 Constitution to facilitate the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy.

Akpabio made this known on Thursday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, while addressing a group of loyal All Progressives Congress (APC) members affiliated with Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, a former interim national secretary of the party.

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It should be recalled that the Supreme Court had recently granted autonomy to all 774 local government areas in the country, following a case filed by the federal government against state governors.

A statement from Akpabio’s Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted the Senate President saying, “I commend President Bola Tinubu for his efforts to ensure local government autonomy through the Supreme Court’s intervention. Under my leadership, the Senate will work on amending the constitution to ensure that this judgment is fully implemented without leaving room for manipulation by those involved.”

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President Bola Tinubu is set to introduce a new Ministry of Livestock Development, along with a possible cabinet reshuffle, following the submission of a detailed report from the Livestock Reforms Committee.

The 152-page document, outlining strategic goals for the livestock sector over the next decade, was presented to the President on Thursday at the State House in Abuja.

Professor Attahiru Jega, Co-Chair of the committee, handed over the report to Tinubu and later briefed State House correspondents.

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He highlighted the committee’s recommendation to establish a Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, which would oversee the implementation of reforms in the sector.

Jega stressed that the report serves as a significant step toward addressing the major challenges facing Nigeria’s livestock industry and provides a clear framework for the creation of the new ministry.

Ahead of the 2024 Edo governorship election set for Saturday, nine political parties have merged with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a show of support for the party’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo. Chief Sam Arase, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), made this announcement on behalf of the Assembly of Registered Political Parties in Edo State.

The parties that have collapsed into APC include the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Peoples Party (APP), Accord (A), Young Progressive Party (YPP), Action Alliance (AA), and the National Rescue Movement (NRM).

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They cited their preference for the APC candidate and expressed confidence in his chances of winning the election.

In their joint statement, the parties called for a peaceful election and urged the citizens of Edo State to turn out in large numbers to vote.

They also instructed their members to actively support the election of Senator Okpebholo as the next governor of Edo State.

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Seventeen political parties are officially participating in the governorship election, which is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024, with the results expected to follow the completion of voting.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has received several petitions from groups across Nigeria, requesting the recall of their federal and state lawmakers.

This comes as INEC also unveiled revised Regulations and Guidelines for recalling lawmakers, including councillors in the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, shared this update in a statement following a management meeting on Thursday.

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He emphasized that some groups had even asked INEC to initiate the recall process on their behalf.

Olumekun clarified that the recall process is initiated by voters in a constituency, not the commission.

INEC’s role is to implement the process in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions, as outlined in Sections 69, 110, and 160 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and Sections 2(c) and 113 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

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INEC has published a detailed 10-page document on its website and social media platforms to guide constituents on the recall process.

Olumekun encouraged voters interested in recalling their representatives to follow the steps outlined in the revised regulations before submitting petitions to the commission.

The race to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki in Edo State has drawn significant attention as three main candidates vie for the top position: Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

While 18 political parties are technically in the contest, only these three candidates are considered serious contenders.

The political atmosphere is charged, with the legacies of past administrations and local issues, such as infrastructure and public welfare, playing a significant role in shaping voter opinions.

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Asue Ighodalo, a lawyer and financial expert, is not a traditional politician but has been closely aligned with Obaseki’s administration, similar to how Obaseki was linked with former Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

On the other hand, Monday Okpebholo, an experienced grassroots politician, is seen as a strong force within his party, APC, and is particularly popular in the state’s Central District, which he currently represents in the Senate.

Olumide Akpata, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, brings the influence of his illustrious family and his personal legal credentials to the race.

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However, he faces challenges due to the relative weakness of his Labour Party platform, despite his popularity among youth voters.

The upcoming election is also seen as a rematch of sorts between two powerful figures, Oshiomhole and Obaseki, who have been at odds since the latter defected to the PDP and retained power in 2020.

The election has also sparked debate over security concerns, with both major parties expressing doubts about the neutrality of local security forces.

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The language used by the candidates—whether corporate and technocratic from Ighodalo or grassroots-focused from Okpebholo—has also been a point of discussion among analysts. Despite this, vote-buying is not expected to be a decisive factor.