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PICaN President Addresses Press on Tribunal Judgements and Electoral Reform Recommendations”

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1 year ago

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Bako addressing the Press

KADUNA, October 4, 2023 – Comrade Bako Abdul Usman, the National President of the Partnership for Issues-Based Campaign in Nigeria (PICaN), delivered a comprehensive press statement today at the Kadman Office in Kaduna. The address touched on critical issues concerning recent tribunal judgments and called for electoral reforms to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.

In his speech, Comrade Bako expressed deep concern about the current state of democracy in Nigeria, emphasizing that it is under serious threat. He highlighted the trend of recent tribunal judgments across the nation, which he believes have exposed vulnerabilities in the electoral and judicial systems. He urged for a complete overhaul of these systems to protect the popular will of the people from being undermined by technicalities.

One of the central recommendations put forward was the full adoption of the Justice Muhammad Uwais Electoral Reform Committee report, which focuses on strengthening legal frameworks and enhancing the independence of the electoral body, INEC. Comrade Bako also stressed the urgent need for amending the Electoral Act to mandate INEC to transmit election results electronically, which would enhance transparency and credibility.

The address addressed a specific case, the Kano State governorship election, where the tribunal’s judgment had a significant impact. It resulted in the removal of Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) as the governor and affirmed Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the duly elected governor of the state. The deduction of votes due to unstamped and unsigned ballot papers was a critical issue raised.

Comrade Bako underlined the importance of the judiciary as the last hope of every common citizen and called on security agencies to investigate wrongful arrests made during protests in Kano State. He further urged a thorough investigation into the issues raised during the judgment, emphasizing the need to restore people’s confidence in democracy.

Additionally, Comrade Bako encouraged the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to engage in civic education to discourage hate speech and called on religious leaders to use their platforms for sensitizing citizens on the consequences of hate speech.

The press statement concluded with a plea for post-election petitions to be determined before candidates are sworn into office and a call for all aggrieved parties to uphold the peace accord, ensuring that supporters refrain from taking the law into their hands.

The press conference featured the voices of various organizations and individuals, collectively highlighting the need for reforms and a commitment to preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy

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Kano State Hosts 8th Annual Audit Forum to Enhance Transparency and Accountability

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10 hours ago

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November 21, 2024

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The 8th Annual Audit Forum, organized by the Office of the Auditor General of Kano State, was held recently, focusing on strengthening transparency and accountability in public financial management. .

Isma’ila Musa, the Auditor General of Kano State, welcomed the participants and highlighted the constitutional and legal mandates that guide the auditing process. “Sections 125(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and 36(i) of the Kano State Audit Law, 2021 (as amended) mandate the Office of the Auditor General to audit the accounts and financial statements of the State Government and all Offices and Courts,” he stated.

Musa expressed immense gratitude to His Excellency, Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Governor of Kano State, for his support in making the event possible. “It is very important to note that a strengthened fiscal transparency will help build trust in governance,” he emphasized. He added that the Audit Forum is a reform intended to reduce opportunities for corruption and abuse of public resources, thereby increasing the efficiency of public expenditures.

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The Auditor General also acknowledged the contributions of various officials, including the Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Planning and Budget, the Accountant General, the Executive Chairman of Kano Internal Revenue Services, and former Auditors General, among others. “My sincere appreciation to all the invitees here present for honoring our invitation. I wish us a successful 8th Kano State Annual Audit Forum,” Musa concluded.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Honorable Tukur Fagge, praised the exercise for its potential to enhance resource management and ensure the success of the tasks at hand. “This exercise will enhance resources management and will realize the success of the task,” Fagge stated.

Sarkin Shanon Kano, Shehu Muhammad Dankadai, who served as the royal father of the day, also graced the event, adding to the significance of the occasion.

The forum underscored the commitment of the Kano State Government to upholding transparency and accountability, reflecting the administration’s dedication to effective and efficient service delivery.

 

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Breaking: Former Secretary of Federal Electoral Commission, FEDECO, Ahmadu Kurfi Passes On at 93

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16 hours ago

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November 21, 2024

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Late Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi

 

A former secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission, Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi, has passed away.

A family source, Jafar Yakubu, informed NIGERIAN TRACKER about the death of the pioneer secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission, who supervised the 1979 general election.

 

Jafar Yakubu said Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi died at the age of 93 and his Janaza funeral prayers will take place by 2:30 PM at Kurfi in KATSINA state .

 

Dr. Amadu Kurfi, OFR, was born in 1931. He was a former chairman of the then Marketing Board, former Federal Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Defence, and the first person to acquire a BSc degree in the whole of Katsina State, at University College London in 1957.

 

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President Tinubu Sacks UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Registrar

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1 day ago

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November 20, 2024

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The governing council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University has been dissolved by President Bola Tinubu.

The president dissolved the council and approved the removal of the institution’s vice-chancellor Bernard Odoh and the university registrar, Rosemary Nwokike.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy said the action by Tinubu follows allegations of procedural violations in the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.

He also said that the council led by Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe and including five other members—Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin was accused of bypassing due process to appoint an unqualified candidate, prompting federal intervention.

Onanuga said, “The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process.

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He added that following the controversial appointment, the Federal Government stepped in to address the rivalry between the university’s Senate and the governing council of the institution.

“The government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process”, Onanuga added.

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