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BREAKING : Details have been released on the new bill the Senate introduced on Thursday seeking to create an independent electoral body charged with the responsibility of conducting local government council elections.

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*The bill with title,“Local Government Independent Electoral Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 531)”, was sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Sen. Sani Musa, (APC, Niger-East).*

*The bill partly states, “To establish the National Independent Local Government Electoral Commission (NILGEC) responsible for conducting elections to the office of the Local Government Chairman and Councillors, and any other matter thereof to do with local government as a third tier of government.*

*“The National Independent Local Government Electoral Commission (NILGEC) is hereby established as an autonomous body mandated to organize, oversee, and conduct elections for the offices of Local Government Chairman and Councillors across all states.”*

*The bill lists the functions and powers of NILGEC to include conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections for Local Government Chairman and Councillors.*

Ekwutosblog gathered that It stated further, “To prepare and maintain an accurate and up-to-date voter register.*

*“To ensure voter education and public awareness regarding the electoral process.*

*“To set and enforce electoral guidelines and regulations for Local Government elections.*

*“To recruit and train electoral officers and staff for efficient election management.*

*“To monitor and supervise all electoral activities and processes.*

*“To investigate and adjudicate electoral disputes and grievances.”*

*According to the proposed legislation, NILGEC shall consist of a Chairperson and six Commissioners, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.*

*It says,’The Chairperson and Commissioners shall serve for a term of five years, renewable once.*

*On its independence and autonomy, the bill states that NILGEC shall operate independently, free from external influence and interference.*

*“The Commission shall have its own budget, approved by the National Assembly, to ensure financial independence”, it states.*

*On the electoral process and procedures, the bill states that NILGEC shall develop and implement procedures for voter registration, candidate nomination, and the conduct of elections*

*It stated, “NILGEC shall ensure the provision of necessary electoral materials and logistics for the smooth conduct of elections.*

*“NILGEC shall announce the election schedule at least six months before the date of the election.*

*“Elections for the offices of Local Government Chairman and Councillors shall be conducted every four years.”*

*On the electoral offenses and penalties, it explained that NILGEC shall define and enforce penalties for electoral offenses, including but not limited to voter fraud, ballot stuffing, and electoral violence.*

*“Offenders shall be prosecuted and punished in accordance with the laws of the land.*

*“NILGEC shall collaborate with other relevant government agencies, security forces, and civil society organizations to ensure a secure and credible electoral process.*

*“Upon the establishment of NILGEC, all powers and functions related to the conduct of Local Government elections previously vested in any other body or authority shall be transferred to NILGEC.”*

Politics

2027: El-Rufai confirms Peter, Atiku coalition, says Tinubu going back to Lagos

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has confirmed a meeting by the coalition was held in Abuja on Tuesday.

El-Rufai said President Bola Tinubu would be sent back to Lagos State while his Minister, Bosun Tijani, who, according to him, is doing a great job, would be retained in the next administration.

Ekwutosblog had reported that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and El-Rufai have adopted the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as the official platform of the opposition coalition.

 

The trio are said to have agreed to adopt the party after a meeting on Tuesday night.

“They have adopted the African Democratic Party as the coalition party, all of them (Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai) are working together. They came to the conclusion last night up till the early hours of this morning,” the insider said.

Addressing a gathering at Arewa TechFest in Katsina, on Wednesday, El-Rufai said, “Yesterday at 8 PM, there was a very important meeting of the coalition we’re putting together to ensure that President Tinubu goes back to Lagos.

“Though we will still keep Bosun Tijani, we will still keep the minister because he is doing good work.”

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Atiku, Peter Obi, El-Rufai working together, adopts ADC as coalition party

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and ex-governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State have adopted the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as the official platform of the opposition coalition.

Ekwutosblog authoritatively reports that the trio agreed to adopt the party after a meeting on Tuesday night.

Disclosing this to Ekwutosblog , an insider who wished to be anonymous, said the coalition has been born.

The source said: “They have adopted the African Democratic Party as the coalition party, all of them (Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai) are working together.

“They came to the conclusion at a meeting last night, which lasted up till the early hours of this morning. You know politicians meet when we are asleep.

“All the leaders and stakeholders of the coalition were there, they set up committees to dot the Is and cross the Ts while preparing the way for the eventual public unveiling of the coalition.

“But effectively, as we speak, the coalition has been born, the conclusion meeting took place.”

On the date for the official unveiling, the source said: “There is none for now, but it will be sooner than later, very soon.”

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Attack on Seyi Tinubu affront on Nigerian youths, less privileged – Balami

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An APC chieftain and youth advocate, Comrade Isaac Balami has condemned in totality the constant attacks on Seyi Tinubu, stating that an attack on him should be seen as an attack on Nigerian youth and the less privileged whom Mr. Tinubu has dedicated his time to the protection of their rights and privileges.

Balami, who referenced the recent video of Seyi Tinubu when he accompanied President Tinubu to Rome for the inauguration of the Pope said most of such narratives were aimed at debasing Mr. Tinubu.

He urged the Nigerian youth to rise against individuals who have been contracted to construct narratives meant to continuously disparage Seyi Tinubu despite his good intentions.

Faulting the nature of Nigerian politics which aims to target individuals considered to be gaining popularity in the political space, Balami said, “such is clear politics of bitterness aimed to pull individuals down for the interests they tend to protect. I don’t know why some people are only interested in pulling someone down so as to gain relevance. One doesn’t need to disparage someone or manipulate narratives to succeed. I advise those with the “Pull Him Down” syndrome to know that they can still succeed without necessarily trying to pull others down.”

He recalled how in one month, Seyi Tinubu was the target of different online bullies, referencing the incident of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, factional President who later apologized to him.

The former spokesman for the Trade Union Congress, TUC, further said no month will pass without traducers dragging him on social media.

Dismissing the video that Seyi Tinubu was stopped from having a handshake with the Pope, Balami said from his observation, the young man was never going to have any handshake in the first place.

“From the video, it is clear that Seyi Tinubu was only going to join his dad after the handshake and was simply directed to meet him on the other exit as they were about to exit the place. How someone will just sit down to initiate this narrative is beyond me.

“How do you conclude on what you have no empirical evidence to prove? How does mere protocol define someone’s intention? Those peddling this must stop now.”

“I believe the growing popularity of Mr. Tinubu whom it has been suggested is eyeing the governorship seat in Lagos in the next election has been giving some people sleepless nights. Such individuals would do anything to demarket him. But then, it is too late. Already, Mr. Tinubu is loved by young people. The level of investment on Nigerian youths remains unprecedented and Nigerian youths won’t abandon him when he needs them.”

Balami said Seyi Tinubu is a role model to many young people based on his responsible lifestyle.

According to him, ” We have seen cases when a president’s son and other dignitaries who escorted past presidents to such an event were engrossed in frivolity as against participating in what actually took them there.”

He said, “some will go to nightclubs, drink and party away. But we all saw how Seyi, not minding anything travelled with his father and stayed glued till the end. Many young people won’t have the time for this and would deliberately avoid the trip because it is not about partying and others. I believe Seyi Tinubu is a unifier and has the capacity to unite young Nigerians. ”

“What should bother young Nigerians is the level of support from Seyi Tinubu and his foundation,”

“I believe the record is there for everyone to see. Seyi Tinubu’s support for young people knows no bounds,” he said.

While cautioning young people against social media bullying, the APC chieftain said if the privileged Seyi Tinubu can go through this type of online bullying, then what becomes of the ordinary youth who aspires for bigger and better offices in future.

He called on Nigerian youths to form a formidable force against those waiting to see the downfall of Seyi Tinubu.

“If at this time that the world is moving at such a speedy pace we are still talking about a handshake, then we have a long way to go.

“While seyi is investing in the Nigerian youths through his numerous positive engagements, michieve makers are rather investing on media propaganda to discourage the good young man,” Balami said.

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