The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Niger State, Prof. Sam Egwu,
has observed that lack of internal democracy in political parties is retarding the growth of democracy in the country.
Egwu, who spoke in Minna ahead of the by bye-election for the Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency seat Saturday, lamented that most often political parties “handpicked” their candidates without recourse to members of the parties.
In addition, the REC regretted that in many of the parties, some people have hijacked the ownership, making those that are members valueless.
“Weakness of democracy still remains the weakness of political parties. Lack of capacities on the part of parties to properly scrutinise their candidates to ensure they respect their own constitution and by-laws is yet another problem.
Punch Newspapers
Sections
Tony Okafor, Awka
The All Progressives Grand Alliance has denied speculations that the Governor of Anambra State, Willy Obiano, was planning to join the All Progressive Congress.
There have been speculations that Obiano was plotting to dump APGA to join the APC in order to contest the Anambra North Senatorial Election in 2023.
Obiano, who was elected on the platform of APGA in 2014, would complete his constitutionally allowed two terms in office on March 17,2022.
The National Coordinator of APGA Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe, in a statement, in Awka, on Tuesday said, “Every election season, the disgruntled opposition elements are known for being more desperate and resorting to all manners of blackmail in a condemnable bid to seize power from the ruling party.
By nseobong okon-ekong
Chuks Okocha considers the prospect for a mega political party that can upstage the popularity of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party
The notion of a mega political party has gained momentum since the former governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha called on a certain governor in the South-south to join him to form a new political party.
The erstwhile governor has fallen§ out of favour with his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and since then, he has not failed to call for a third alternative that would become the next ruling party by 2023.
By Laleye Dipo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured voters of the safety of their lives and property during the bye-election in Magama Rijau Federal Constituency seat in Niger State.
The bye-election will hold on Saturday, February 6.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Sam Egwu, who gave the assurance in Minna on Wednesday while exchanging views with newsmen, said: “We have made adequate arrangements for security personnel to man all the polling stations where election will take place.”
Egwu said no fewer than 1,270 policemen have been mobilised to man the 307 polling units in the two local government areas in addition to a large number of men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Punch Newspapers
Sections
Tony Okafor, Awka
The All Progressives Grand Alliance has said there is no iota of the truth in the rumour that the Anambra State Governor, Mr Willie Obiano, is planning to join the All Progressives Congress.
This came amidst speculations that Obiano may dump the APGA for the APC to contest the Anambra North Senatorial Election in 2023.
Obiano, who was elected on the platform of APGA in 2014, would complete his constitutional two tenures in Office on March 17, 2022.
The National Coordinator of APGA Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe, in a statement on Tuesday, said there was no iota of truth in the rumour that the governor would dump the APGA for the APC.