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Presidential election results failed to upload on IREV portal, witnesses tell tribunal

Vincent Ufuoma
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Presidential election results failed to upload on IREV portal, witnesses tell tribunal

THREE witnesses who acted as presiding officers for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the February 25 presidential election have testified that only  the results of the election failed to upload into the commission’s result viewing portal (IREV).

The witnesses stated this while testifying in a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the presidential election tribunal on Monday, June 19.

Led by Eyitayo Jegede, a presiding officer in Damaturu, Yobe state, Janet Turaki, stated that voter registration proceeded smoothly and all other processes were successful, except for results transmission.

Turaki explained that while the results of the Senate and House of Representatives polls were transmitted successfully, those of the presidential election could not be transmitted.

The witness informed the court that she followed both online and offline transmission methods as instructed, but the presidential election results failed to upload.

She emphasised that she and other party agents present at the polling unit signed the results on form EC8A before it was taken to the ward. Turaki further revealed that she filled out a complaint form provided by INEC when the results did not load on the IREV portal.

Christopher Ardo and Victoria Sani, two additional witnesses who served as INEC presiding officers in Bauchi and Katsina states, respectively, also testified that they were unable to transmit the presidential election results into the IREV system.

The court had subpoenaed all three witnesses through a joint application by the PDP and Abubakar.

During cross-examination, the witnesses acknowledged that the transmission failure was a result of network glitches.

However, they admitted that they were unaware of whether the results were eventually transmitted.

The court adjourned the proceedings to June 20 for further hearing.

INEC had declared Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election.

According to the Commission, Tinubu secured 8,794,726 votes, Abubakar had 6,984,520, while Obi polled 6,101,533.

The PDP and LP candidates rejected the result and approached the tribunal with separate petitions to challenge Tinubu’s victory.

They alleged that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the election and that he failed to secure the majority of lawful votes cast at the poll.

They are also contesting that Tinubu’s running mate, Kashim Shettima, had a double nomination contrary to the Electoral Act.

Work on West Africa ECOVISA, the Schengen model ongoing – ECOWAS

Oghenekevwe UCHECHUKWU
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Work on West Africa ECOVISA, the Schengen model ongoing – ECOWAS

THE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads and immigration experts are actively collaborating on the implementation of ECOVISA, a unified visa system inspired by the Schengen model, according to a statement the ECOWAS Commission released on Sunday, June 18.

The Seventh Heads of Immigration Meeting, held in Accra, Ghana, on May 25, was organised by the Directorate of Free Movement of Persons and Migration.

Efforts towards the realisation of ECOVISA introduced in 2011 for migrants of third countries are in furtherance of promoting foreign investments, tourism and providing easier access to abundant opportunities within the ECOWAS region.

“During the Accra meeting, it was recommended that a comprehensive comparative analysis of visa regimes in other continents be conducted to ensure that the implementation of ECOVISA aligns with global best practices.

“Additionally, the Heads of Immigration recognised the need for regular engagement to discuss modalities and assess the progress of ECOVISA implementation at different stages,” the statement said.

The meeting focused on discussing the implementation process, associated costs, design recommendations from visa issuance experts, and control measures proposed by member states.

Harmonising mobility and migration challenges within the region and fostering cooperation among national immigration services were among the meeting’s key objectives.

To ensure global best practices, a thorough comparative analysis of visa regimes in other continents, regular engagements, and progress assessments were recommended.

The ECOWAS is a regional organisation composed of 15 member countries in West Africa, with a primary objective to promote economic integration, cooperation, and development within the region.

It aims to create a common market, enhance trade, facilitate free movement of goods and people, and foster political stability and peace among member states.

Baban Aisha: NAFDAC cautions against use of dangerous herbal drugs

Theophilus ADEDOKUN
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Baban Aisha: NAFDAC cautions against use of dangerous herbal drugs

THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians to refrain from the use of dangerous and unregulated herbal preparations sold in public places across the country.

NAFDAC said that it has instituted regulatory measures to ensure that only safe and efficacious medicines, wholesome food, and quality-regulated products are sold and used by Nigerians.

The NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, at a news briefing in Abuja on Monday, June 19, called for the support of health practitioners, community leaders, religious leaders, the media, and all stakeholders to continuously enlighten their wards and family members on the perils of patronising quacks and hawkers of medicines.

Explaining that the event was organised to brief the public on the arrest of Salisu Sani, a herbal medicine practitioner, popularly known as Baban Aisha, the NAFDAC chief expressed that Sani was apprehended after the agency received reports on Sacra Herbs oral liquid, popularly called Baban Aisha, following an investigative report.

The report noted that Baban Aisha was manufacturing local herbal medicine with an expired registration licence and illegal advertisement and was selling illegal Sacra Herbs Oral Liquid.

Extensive laboratory analysis of the herbal drug indicated that continuous consumption of the concoction could lead to acute lung, kidney and liver injuries.

The investigation queried how the producer did his initial registration without meeting basic requirements, among other infractions.

It also revealed that the herbal concoction was being produced in a residential building, against the dictates of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) prescribed by NAFDAC.

Saying that the agency had commenced a nationwide mop-up of the Sacra Herbal in circulation, Adeyeye added that NAFDAC had intensified a crack-down on all illegal manufacturers and distributors of herbal and other unregistered preparations, with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book and minimising the usage of the substance.

According to Adeyeye, “In 2018, the Agency received an application from Sacra Multi-Links Ltd, Layin Alhaji Hamza Mai Bread, Tafa Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State, for the registration of its product Sacra Herbs oral liquid. Following regulatory protocols, the Agency granted listing approval with NAFDAC registration number A7-2590L for the Sacra Herbs oral liquid for the purpose of management of pile and associated pains. The notification of the registration of the product was granted on the 6th September 2018 valid till the 12th September, 2019.

“The company on the 12th August 2020 applied for renewal of its licence. Following regulatory audit of the company’s production facility, compliance directives were issued to them for non-conformers observed in the facility for which the company was expected to correct. The company, however, did not correct the lapses observed, following which the product registration licence was not renewed.

“The agency also did not receive any application for the advertisement of the Sacra herb to warrant the illegal advertisement of the herbal preparation. It is worthy of note that the Sacra herb, which licence expired in 2019, was approved for the management of pile and associated pains, while the company went beyond its bound by prescribing the medicines for unfounded indications such as the treatment of waist pains, typhoid, ulcer, pile, toilet infection etc.”

She said the Commission was able to seize unregulated products made by Baban Aisha from circulation during its mop-up operation.

The seized products included Hajia Ayisha special snuff AK 47, Hajia Ayisha snuff AK 47, Hajia Ayisha Masanda original powerful powder, Hajia Ayisha snuff Nasrullah snuff No. 1 and Hajia Salma special snuff.”

Others are Lufthansa manpower snuff, 99 bullet more power snuff, AK 47 power snuff, Hajia Salma VIP moringa, Forever Journey, Dr Lambo Moringa snuff, Danmilla Kokoo herbal powder, The Desert Warrior and Hajia Salma sundu.

UNICAL sacks 20 graduate assistants for failing to acquire master’s degree

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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UNICAL sacks 20 graduate assistants for failing to acquire master’s degree

THE University of Calabar has terminated the appointment of 20 of its graduate assistants for failing to obtain a master’s degree after allegedly working in the institution for years.

In a statement on Monday, June 19, the school said that the sack was in line with its workers’ 2014 regulations governing the condition of service of its staff.

“Separate letters of termination of appointment signed by the Registrar, Mr Gabriel O. Egbe, indicate that the reason for their layoff is because the affected staff are in contravention of Section 3.9.3 (iv) of the 2014 Regulations Governing the Condition of Service of staff of the University of Calabar.

“It is worth noting that the aforementioned section stipulates that ‘if a Graduate Assistant fails to obtain a Master’s degree after four (4) years, the appointment of the said staff shall be terminated'”.

The affected staff are Celestine Uno, Samson Cyprian Ushie and Chukwu Chukwe Agube of the Department of Curriculum and Teaching.

Also affected are Adie Anthony Unimke of the Department of Geology; Nnenna Williams Afamuefuna of Anatomy; Okoro Bernard Chibueze of Microbiology (Department); Eze Ohara Enyinyi of Physics (Department); Udo Nsibiet Enefiok of Mathematics (Department); Udeze Leonard Chinedu of Computer Science (Department); Adie John Betiang of Vocational Education; Ikpo Patrick Andelehe of Social Science Education and Edet Itam Ben of Human Kinetics.

Others are Arihi Blessing Ebere of Music; Baba Ganiyu Olosasa of Crop Science; Okpe John Ogbang of Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management; Georgeline Elohor Akporume of Agric Economics; Ucheji Ojuigo Nancy of Mechanical Engineering and Onwe Peter Daffin of Electrical & Electronics Engineering as well as Adah Pius Obua and Samuel Edem Okon-Edem, both of Genetics & Biotechnology.

All affected staff were said to have spent five to nine years post-appointment without evidence of having acquired a master’s degree within their engagement period.

Their termination took effect on June 6.

The school urged the affected staff to return all university property in their possession to their respective heads of departments and tender evidence of being cleared of any indebtedness by the bursary and the university librarian before their final disengagement.

Meanwhile, the university chancellor, Florence Obi, a professor, has announced the promotion of 35 academic staff of the school to a professorial cadre.

Obi made the announcement at the 234th senate meeting of the university on Monday.
Thirteen professors and 22 associate professors were the beneficiaries.

Ex-President Jonathan calls for full implementation of AfCFTA

Oghenekevwe UCHECHUKWU
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Ex-President Jonathan calls for full implementation of AfCFTA

A FORMER Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, has called on African leaders to fully implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying strengthening a common African market would enable citizens to attain their shared objectives of peace, unity, prosperity, and development.

In a speech he delivered at the 2nd Kenneth Kaunda Memorial Public Lecture in Pretoria, South Africa, on Saturday, June 17, Jonathan emphasised that AfCFTA serves as an economic blueprint for achieving Africa’s economic self-sufficiency, and urged leaders to demonstrate solidarity in addressing shared challenges like insecurity and poverty.

“It is time to forge partnerships across the continent that will guarantee unity and enhance its developmental prospects. It is within this context that the advocacy for the full implementation of the AfCFTA becomes very imperative.

“The initiative offers the prospect of eliminating some of the artificial political and commercial boundaries and barriers created by the colonialists that have, over the years, impacted the unity and growth of Africa,” he said.

He maintained that the initiative would connect millions of Africans, fostering unity and trade across the continent, and called on all stakeholders to wholeheartedly commit to implementing AfCFTA in order to leverage economic prospects within the continent.

In addition, Jonathan stressed the need for African leaders to address infrastructure gaps, particularly in transportation, air, and rail networks, to facilitate the movement of goods and services within the continent.

He paid tribute to the late Kenneth Kaunda who served as the first President of Zambia, describing him as a larger-than-life figure and one of Africa’s towering heroes.

Jonathan praised Kaunda’s humility, support for liberation movements, and commitment to Pan-Africanism, while acknowledging Kaunda’s post-presidential humanitarian work in providing relief for HIV/AIDS patients and promoting measures to curb the spread of the virus, as part of his enduring legacy.

Egbetokun: Meet Acting IGP, Tinubu’s ex-CSO

Ijeoma OPARA
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Egbetokun: Meet Acting IGP, Tinubu’s ex-CSO

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Kayode Egbetokun as Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on Monday, June 19.

The appointment followed the President’s order on the immediate retirement of former IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, along with all Sservice chiefs, advisers and Comptroller-General of Customs.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Information, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Willie Basssey, on Monday.

Egbetokun was the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Tinubu when he was governor of Lagos between 1999-2007.

He was born on September 4, 1964, in Ogun state and holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Mathematics.

Egbetokun also has a post-graduate Diploma in Computer Science, and a Masters’ degree in Engineering Analysis from the University of Lagos, Akoka.

He worked as a lecturer at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, before joining the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in 1990.

He had served in several capacities, including as Commissioner of Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Commissioner of Police Servicom at the Force Headquarters Abuja, Deputy Commandant Police College, Ikeja, and Commandant, Police Training School, Ikeja.

He was Area Commander, Gusau, Zamfara state, and Osogbo, Osun state.

Egbetokun’s immediate predecessor, Baba, had continued serving as IGP despite attaining the retirement age of 60 on March 1, 2023.

In May, a Federal High Court in Anambra declared his extended stay illegal and ordered him to desist from parading himself as IGP.

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“It is important to observe that the Inspector-General of police is a public servant and by virtue of the fact that he is a member of the staff of the Nigeria Police Force, an authority established from the Federation by Section 214 (1) of the Constitution and in the subject of the Federal Public Rules 299 (PSR) thereof which provides for the compulsory retirement of all grades of public service officers at the age of 60 or 35 years of service, whichever comes first.

“In the instant case, the 2nd Defendant’s (Mr Baba) birthday comes first. By the said Rule, the 2nd Defendant is obliged to step down on March 1st 2023,” the court ruled.

Baba, however, defied the court order and remained in office till Tinubu eased him out.

Tinubu dissolves boards of FG agencies, institutions, companies

Mustapha USMAN
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Tinubu dissolves boards of FG agencies, institutions, companies

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the immediate dissolution of the governing boards of all Federal government parastatals, agencies, institutions, and government-owned companies.

A statement by the Director of Information at the State House, Willie Bassey, on Monday, June 19, noted that the dissolution would not affect boards, commissions and councils listed in the Third Schedule, Part 1, Section 153 (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The statement further directed the chief executive officers of parastatals, agencies, institutions, and government-owned companies to refer matters requiring the attention of their boards to the President through the Permanent Secretaries of their respective supervisory ministries and offices, pending the time new boards would be constituted.

The statement added, “Consequently, all ministries, departments and agencies are to ensure compliance with the provision of this directive, which took effect from Friday 16th June, 2023.

“Permanent Secretaries are particularly directed to inform the chief executive officers of the affected agencies under the supervision of their respective ministries/offices for immediate compliance.”

The ICIR had reported how President Tinubu today sacked all the service chiefs and immediately replaced them with new officials. 

The President also fired the embattled Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ibrahim Ali, a retired colonel.

Tinubu also named more special advisers, in addition to new top military appointments, and ordered that the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a retired police officer, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, takes over as the National Security Adviser.

Tinubu makes first official trip to Paris

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Tinubu makes first official trip to Paris

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu will jet out of Nigeria on Tuesday, June 20, to Paris, France capital, in his first official assignment.

The ICIR reports that the President will be travelling with members of the Presidential Policy Advisory Council and other senior government officials to review and sign a New Global Financial Pact.

The meeting, to be attended by other global leaders, multilateral institutions, financial experts and economists, holds between June 22 and 23.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, on Monday said the pact would place vulnerable countries on priority list for support and investment, following the devastating impact of climate change and energy crisis, and the after-effects of the covid-19 pandemic.

“The President will participate in the two-day Summit, June 22 and 23, that looks at opportunities to restore fiscal space to countries that face difficult short-term financial challenges, especially the most indebted; mobilize innovative financing for countries vulnerable to climate change; foster development in low-income countries, and encourage investment in ‘green’ infrastructure for energy transition in emerging and developing economies.

“President Tinubu and the other global leaders, multilateral institutions, financial experts and economists will take a more holistic look at the recovery of economies from the impact of covid-19 pandemic and rising cases of poverty with a view to providing access to finance and investment that will leverage inclusive growth,” part of the statement said.

The summit, which will be hosted by President Emmanuel Macron of France, will be held at Palais Brongniart.

The President and his team will return to the country on Saturday, June 24.

On June 17, The ICIR reported key decisions Tinubu made in his 20 days in office.

In 2022, The ICIR reported that Nigeria’s debt before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government hit N77 trillion.

Similarly, that year, this organisation reported how the country had 133 million people living in multi-dimensional poverty.

Obi: Tribunal admits evidence showing INEC server had no glitches on election day

Vincent Ufuoma
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Obi: Tribunal admits evidence showing INEC server had no glitches on election day

THE Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) has admitted a report from an employee of Amazon Web Services Incorporated, United States, showing that the server of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had no glitches on election day.

This report focuses on the condition of the Amazon Web server (AWS), which served as the backbone for INEC’s digital infrastructure during the presidential election. It aims to provide crucial details regarding the server’s functionality and potential glitches that could have impacted the e-transmission of results.

One notable excerpt from the report reveals that there were no malfunctions that could have hindered the electronic transmission of results on February 25, 2023, the day of the presidential election.

The report was introduced as evidence by the Labour Party through its subpoenaed witness, Claretta Ogar, who identified herself as a cloud engineer and architect, during the resumed hearing of the petition on Monday, June 19.

The Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani-led tribunal, admitted the document despite objections raised by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC.

A total of six copies were submitted to the court.

The cross-examination of the witness has been scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 20.

INEC had assured Nigerians that it would expeditiously upload polling unit results directly through the IREV portal as part of its guidelines for the 2023 presidential election. However, on the day of the election, electoral officials encountered difficulties in uploading the results from the polling units to the commission’s portal.

The situation triggered significant suspicions and unrest among supporters of the frontrunner candidates in the election. NEC would later release a statement attributing the incident to technical glitches on February 26, several hours after the conclusion of the election in several parts of the country.

The delayed upload of presidential election results from polling units by INEC is one of the reasons Obi is challenging Tinubu’s declaration as the winner of the election.

In their petition, Obi and the LP argued that when Tinubu’s running mate, Kashim Shettima, became the vice presidential candidate, he was still nominated as the APC candidate for the Borno Central senatorial election.

They also challenged Tinubu’s eligibility, alleging that he was previously indicted and fined $460,000.00 by a United States District Court for an offence involving dishonesty and drug trafficking.

Obi, who came third according to results announced by INEC, claimed that the election was invalid due to corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

He argued that INEC breached its regulations and guidelines by not prescribing and deploying technological devices for voter accreditation, verification, continuation, and authentication as required.

The petitioner sought a declaration from the court that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the election and that all votes recorded for him were wasted.

He also requested the court to determine that he received a majority of lawful votes and satisfied constitutional requirements to be declared the winner.

In the alternative, he called for the cancellation of the election and the conduct of a fresh election in which Tinubu, Shettima, and the APC would not participate.

Tinubu makes Ribadu NSA, fires service chiefs, IGP

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Tinubu makes Ribadu NSA, fires service chiefs, IGP

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has sacked all service chiefs, comprising the Chief of Air Staff, Isiaka Amao; the Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor; Chief of Naval Staff,  Awwal Zubairu Gambo and the Chief of Army Staff, Farouk Yahaya.

Tinubu also fired the embattled Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ibrahim Ali, a retired colonel.

The President immediately appointed replacements for the sacked officers, according to a statement the Director of Information in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, issued on Monday, June 19.

Tinubu also named more special advisers, in addition to new top military appointments.

He appointed new heads for some military formations, including the State House.

The former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a retired police officer, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, takes over as the National Security Adviser. 

C. G. Musa, a major general, is the new Chief of Defence Staff, while T. A. Lagbaja, a major general, takes over as the Chief of Army Staff.

Tinubu named E. A Ogalla, a rear admiral, is the new Chief of Naval Staff, as H. B. Abubakar, an air vice marshal, gets the position of Chief of Air Staff.

Kayode Egbetokun, a deputy inspector-general, is now the Acting Inspector-General of Police, while EPA Undiandeye, a major-general, becomes the new Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The President approved the appointment of Adeniyi Bashir Adewale as the acting Comptroller-General of Customs.

Also appointed by the President are Adebisi Onasanya, a colonel, as Brigade of Guards Commander; and Moshood Abiodun Yusuf, a lieutenant-colonel, as commander, 7 Guards Battalion, Asokoro, Abuja.

Auwalu Baba Inuwa, a lieutenant-colonel, now commands the 177, Guards Battalion, Keffi, Nasarawa state, and, similarly, Colonel Mohammed J. Abdulkarim and Colonel Olumide A. Akingbesote take over the 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja, Niger State, and 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada, Abuja, respectively.

Tinubu approved the appointments of other military officers in the Presidential Villa, including Isa Farouk Audu (N/14695), a major-general as the Commanding Officer State House Artillery; Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu (N/16183), a captain, as second-in-command, State House Artillery; and Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat (N/14656), a major-general, as Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence 

Others are T. S. Adeola, (N/12860) major-general, Commanding Officer, State House Armament; and A. Aminu (N/18578), a lieutenant, second-in-command, State House Armament.

The President also approved the appointments of two additional Special Advisers and two Senior Assistants. The sacked head of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman is Special Adviser, Policy Coordination; Hannatu Musa Musawa is Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy; Senator Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel is Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (Senate); and Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim, a lawyer, is Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

It is to be noted that the appointed service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Comptroller- General of Customs are to act in their positions pending their confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

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