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Credibility Crisis In INEC’s Online Voters’ Online Registration – HURIWA

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Why Anambra Election Is Different - INEC

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised the alarm that the ongoing online registration of prospective voters by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may have been heavily compromised going by the suspicious figures of registrants from officials.

“We appeal to the ebullient and resourceful Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission Professor Yakubu Mahmood to order an immediate investigation into this very serious suspected breaches. HURIWA acknowledges the fact that INEC’s management supports the independence of INEC by the show of courage and patriotism so far in stating the fact that the institution is capable of transmitting the results of elections electronically contrary to the lies told by the National Assembly and the National Communications Commission that intends to erode the constitutional independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission.  So it is expected that the chairman will guard against any technological breaches that may undermine the integrity of the voters registration process , ” the rights group said.

READ ALSO: ASUU Set To Begin Another Strike

Citing the case of Osun State, HURIWA, in a statement by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf, called for a comprehensive investigation, saying that the recently released updated figures of eligible voters who have registered in the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) being conducted online certainly appears twisted and doctored to favour certain political power centres across the country.

Quoting INEC, HURIWA said a breakdown of the statistics uploaded on the commission’s website recently gave Osun State 67,773 out of the total figure of 203, 497 eligible voters who have registered within a week of the start of the online phase of the Continuous Voters Registration at the beginning of July 2021.

According to data released by INEC, Osun State is trailed by another southwest state, Lagos which has 30,338 followed by Ogun State with 8,886.

READ ALSO: INEC Releases 2023 General Elections Timetable

The rights group, which faulted these updated figures, has therefore called for an immediate, transparent and accountable forensic investigation of the process because it is inconceivable that Osun has these figures allotted to it but Anambra State with a highly anticipated governorship election that is only few weeks away is not even mentioned in these “edited and heavily doctored statistics of voters already enlisted by way of the ongoing online registration.

“HURIWA believes that it appears that some political heavyweights have infiltrated the ongoing voters registration process to the extent that there is a systematic manipulation of the process of online pre-registration of voters, hence emerging statistices. Otherwise, it beats one’s imagination that Osun State recorded such a hyperbolic figure compared to other states where off-season governorship elections are expected to hold.

“Although a section of the media quoted sources at INEC as attributing the Osun high figures to the forthcoming 2022 governorship election in the state, we in HURIWA see this half-baked justification as puerile and distasteful because the reason advanced falls flat on its face when it is considered that Ekiti State, which is also expected to conduct governorship election next year, has a meagre 2,734 as prospective voters.

READ ALSO: We’re Ready To Resume Continuous Voter Registration – INEC

Also, Anambra State with a heated gubernatorial poll in another three months is no where near the Osun State magic figures. Ogun State is trailing Lagos with 8,886, as eligible voters who have taken advantage of the online platform for registration. The North-West State of Kano which had the largest number of voters in the 2019 general elections has recorded 2, 988 so far.”

HURIWA therefore warned INEC to be totally non-partisan, neutral and conduct the voters registration with abiding faith in the principle of rule of law and every iota of diligence and scrutiny so as not to push Nigeria into a state of instability because the year 2023 national election would virtually be a referendum on the Nigerian nation-state.

It urged INEC to investigate Osun figures and not hesitate to sanction any of its staff or agents found wanting.

It nevertheless enjoined eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the eligible registration of voters, which starts on Monday, July 26, 2021, to register in order to be in a position to decide Nigeria’s leaderships at state and federal level levels in both the off-season elections and the 2023 general election.

 

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BREAKING:Lagos Govt Arraigns Chrisland School, Principal, Others Over Death Of Pupil Whitney Adeniran

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Chrisland pupil Whitney

The Lagos State government has arraigned Chrisland School, Opebi, its principal, vice principal and two other employees over the death of one of the school’s pupils, 12-year-old Whitney Adeniran.

On Wednesday, the government of Lagos State had filed charges against Chrisland School and four others over the death of the 12-year-old pupil, Whitney Adeniran.

The school and its workers were accused of involuntary manslaughter and reckless and negligent acts.

The workers who were arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja include Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Mrs Belinda Amao, Nwatu Ugochi Victoria and Chrisland School Limited.

The school principal, Mrs Belinda Amao, broke down in tears while in the dock as the court and counsel tried to agree on a date for the commencement of the trial.

Whitney died during the school’s inter-house sports competition at Agege Stadium in Lagos on February 9.

Blessing Adeniran, her mother, had accused Chrisland of negligence over her daughter’s death.

The school’s management, however, dismissed insinuations that there was foul play in the death, saying she slumped in public.

Chrisland also argued that Whitney complained about “not-too-buoyant health” a few days before she died.

However, an autopsy conducted at the Lagos State University Hospital (LASUTH) confirmed that the deceased died from “asphyxia and electrocution”.

In the charges filed on behalf of the state government by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Babajide Martins, who disclosed that their negligence killed Whitney because they failed to ensure her safety.

The charge also disclosed that they all acted in a reckless and negligent manner that endangered human life.

The offences are contrary to Sections 224 & 251 of the Criminal Law, C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015

If found guilty, the offences carry a penalty of life imprisonment and two-year jail terms respectively.

On Tuesday, the state government granted access to Chrisland High School, Opebi branch, to open for physical learning ahead of the school’s forthcoming examination after parents’ appeal.

The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had ordered that the school be shut down on March 3, 2023, following the investigation into Whitney’s death.

Sanwo-Olu through the state Ministry of Education said the closure of the school would pave the way for unhindered investigation and afford all stakeholders, including parents, students, staff and friends of the deceased, time to grieve.

The reopening followed an appeal by the Parents of all Chrisland School Units who visited the Ministry of Education on Monday to seek the government’s understanding for “the sake of 500 plus students some of whom also have terminal examinations.”

The management of the school had tendered an apology over Whitney’s death.

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BREAKING: Abacha’s Ex-chief Of Staff Oladipo Diya Dies

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Diya

Retired Lt.General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, the former Chief of Staff in General Sani Abacha’s military government, is dead.

His death was confirmed by Prince Oyesinmilola Diya. He said the former military administrator of Ogun State passed on to glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023.

Born on the 3rd of April, 1944, Diya was military Governor of Ogun State after the Buhari-Idiagbon coup of December 31st, 1983.

Diya joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War.

He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College, Jaji (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He held other top military posts like GOC, 82 Division and finally the Chief of General Staff (military Vice President) to Gen Sani Abacha

The statement read: “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear Husband,Father, Grandfather,brother, Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.

“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.

“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”

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Breaking: Appeal Court Retains Adeleke As Osun Governor

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BREAKING: Adeleke Freezes Osun Accounts , Reverses Appointments After Swearing In As Governor
Governor Adeleke

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has vacated the tribunal judgement that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, on Friday held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgement of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola

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