Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • Niger acting governor felicitates IBB at 83

    Niger acting governor felicitates IBB at 83

    Flowerbud News

    The Acting Governor of Niger, Yakubu Garba, has felicitated with former Military President Ibrahim Babangida on his 83rd birthday.

    Garba in a statement by his Press Secretary, Hajiya Ummikhaltume Kuta, in Minna on Saturday, described IBB “as a bridge builder and father of modern Nigeria.

    He said Babangida, popularly known as IBB, facilitated the realisation of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja to its enviable status as a brand new city in Africa.

    “IBB is an institution that transformed Nigeria from it former conservative achievement to a more elaborate progressive and improved infrastructural development that spread across the federation,” he said.

    Garba described IBB’s view of development “as a designed project, which saw governance as a necessary design project that proceeds on the basis of some constitutive ideas and principles”.

    Garba recalled that IBB restructured the economic perspective of Nigeria that later metamorphosed into the largest economy in Sub-sahara Africa.

    He prayed Allah to grant IBB good health and strength and more fruitful years ahead.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IBB was born on Aug. 17, 1941 and ruled as military president of Nigeria from 1985 to 1993.

    NAN

  • NGX lifts suspension on Guinea Insurance, as investors lose N846bn

    NGX lifts suspension on Guinea Insurance, as investors lose N846bn

    Flowerbud News

    NGX, in its weekly report made available to newsmen in Lagos, confimed that the suspension was lifted because the insurer had filed its audited financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NGX, in its Market Bulletin dated July 8 with Reference Number: NGXREG/IRD/MB35/24/07/08, notified Trading License Holders and the investing public of the suspension on the securities of Guinea Insurance Plc.

    The Exchange said this was in line with the provisions of Rule 3.1: which is on the rules for filing of accounts and treatment of default filing.

    It said that the rule provides, “If an Issuer fails to file the relevant accounts by the expiration of the Cure Period, the Exchange will send to the Issuer a “Second Filing Deficiency Notification” within two business days after the end of the Cure Period.

    “Suspend trading in the Issuer’s securities and notify the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Market 24 hours of the suspension”.

    “In view of the company’s submission of its 2023 AFS, and pursuant to Rule 3.3 of the Default Filing Rules, which states that;

    “The suspension of trading in the issuer’s securities shall be lifted upon submission of the relevant accounts provided.

    “The Exchange is satisfied that the accounts comply with all applicable rules of the Exchange.”

    On trading, NGX All-Share Index and Market Capitalisation depreciated by 1.51 per cent to close the week at 97,100.31 and N55.132 trillion respectively, against 98,592.12 and N55.978 trillion.

    Consequently, investors lost a total of N846 billion from their portfolios.

    Similarly, all other indices finished lower with the exception of NGX Insurance, NGX Consumer Goods, NGX Oil and Gas, NGX Lotus II and NGX Growth which appreciated by 0.79, 0.37, 5.25, 0.42, and 6.14 per cent respectively, while the NGX ASeM index closed
    flat.

    Thirty-nine equities appreciated in price during the week lower than 46 equities in the previous week.

    Sixty-six equities depreciated in price higher than 38 in the previous week, while forty-six 46 equities remained unchanged, lower than 67 recorded in the previous week.

    On the losers’ table, Cutix Plc led 65 other declined equities by N1.05 to close at N4.95 per share, while RT Briscoe led 38 other advanced equities by 33.86 per cent to close at N1.70 per share.

    Also, investors traded a total of 2.033 billion shares worth N42.155 billion in 45,157 deal, in contrast to 2.679 billion shares valued at N49.017 billion that exchanged hands last week in 47,451 deals on the floor of the Exchange.

    The Financial Services Industry measured by volume led the activity chart with 1.377 billion shares valued at N25.652 billion traded in 20,132 deals; thus contributing 67.73 and
    60.85 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

    The Oil and Gas Industry followed with 276.729 million shares worth N6.026billion in 6,848 deals.

    The third place was the Services Industry, with a turnover of 101.217 million shares worth N682.062 million in 2,475 deals.

    Trading in the top three equities namely: Guaranty Trust Holdings Company Plc, Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc and Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc measured by volume accounted  for 674.233 million shares worth N16,055 billion in 3,977 deals.

    These contributed 33.16 and
    38.08 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

    Accessing the week’s trading and predicting performance for the coming week, analysts at Cowry Asset Management Ltd., said the market continued to trade within the value area.

    The analysts said that this present entry opportunities for discerning investors and savvy traders.

    They suggested that transaction volume patterns and support levels were signalling further buying opportunities.

    According to them, this is even as market participants look ahead to the forthcoming release of the 2024 second quater Groos Domestic Product (GDP) report along with audited half-year earnings and interim dividend declarations.

    The researchers also anticipated a mixed performance in the coming week, driven by ongoing portfolio rebalancing and profit-taking activities.

    “Nevertheless, we continue to advise investors to focus on fundamentally sound stocks,” the analysts advised.

    NAN

  • Chinese coy plotting to strip Nigeria of assets – Presidency

    Chinese coy plotting to strip Nigeria of assets – Presidency

    Flowerbud News

    Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement, said Zhongshan misled the Judicial Court in Paris into attaching Nigeria’s presidential jets in its judgment against Ogun government.

    He faulted the use of the presidential jets which were on routine maintenance in France.

    According to him, the presidential jets are assets of a Sovereign entity protected by diplomatic immunity, which forbids any foreign court from issuing an order against them.

    “We are convinced the Chinese company misled the Judicial Court of Paris regarding the use and nature of the assets it seeks to attach and did not fully disclose to the court as required by law,” he said.

    He said Federal Government was not under any contractual obligation with the Chinese company.

    “The case in which Zhongshan is trying to use every unorthodox means to strip our offshore assets is between the company and the Ogun State government.

    “The Federal Government is fully aware of efforts being made by the Ogun State government to reach an amicable resolution on the matter,” said Onanuga.

    He said the company had no solid ground to demand restitution from Ogun government based on the facts regarding the 2007 contract between the company and the state government to manage a free-trade zone.

    He said that when the contract with Ogun was revoked in 2015, the company had only erected a perimeter fence on the land earmarked for a free trade zone.

    According to him, while the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice was working with the Ogun government on an amicable resolution, Zhongshan obtained two orders from the Judicial Court of Paris.

    He said the court orders were dated March 7, and August 12, but no notice was duly served on the Federal Government of Nigeria and Ogun government.

    “This arm-twisting tactic by the Chinese company is the latest in a long list of failed moves to attach Nigerian government-owned assets in foreign jurisdictions,” said Onanuga.

    He said unscrupulous and questionable individuals were falsely presenting themselves as investors with the sole objective of undercutting and scamming governments in Africa.

    He said the same Chinese company had tried to enforce its questionable judgment in the UK and USA but failed.

    He was emphatic that foreign companies were trying to defraud Nigeria with the collaboration of some bureaucrats.

    “Zhongshan appeared to have sold the judgment they got to a venture capitalist seeking to make money by embarrassing the Federal Government and President Bola Tinubu.

    “We want to assure Nigerians that the Federal Government is working with the Ogun government to discharge this frivolous order in Paris immediately.

    “Nigerian government will always work to protect our national assets from predators and shylocks who masquerade as investors,” said Onanuga.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the contract between Ogun and Zhongshan to manage a free-trade zone was executed in 2007.

    The parties entered into a dispute in 2015, and arbitration began in 2016.

    By 2019, the arbitration hearing had been concluded.

    The Arbitral Panel awarded over 60 million dollars against the Federal Government of Nigeria, a co-defendant, when all Zhongshan had done was build a perimeter fence around the free-trade zone.

    Based on legal advice, the Ogun government resolved to resist the enforcement of the award.

    The resistance was successful in eight different jurisdictions. There are pending appeals against recognition orders issued in both the US and UK.

    Ogun State also engaged Zhongshan in settlement discussions on reasonable terms.

    The last meeting, held in September 2023 in London, was attended by several officials of Ogun, including Gov. Dapo Abiodun and Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney General/Minister of Justice.

    Zhongshan’s initial reasonable readiness to consider Ogun State’s offer was surprisingly reversed by the second day when it insisted on the government paying the full arbitration debt.

    This led to a breakdown of the mediation, with parties agreeing to meet again in the first quarter of this year.

    But Onanuga said since then, Zhongshan has been evasive.

    “Instead, it embarked on a series of enforcement proceedings, which the legal team appointed by the Federal Government and Ogun successfully opposed.

    “In cases similar to the present one, where Zhongshan obtained an ex-parte order, Ogun State successfully set aside the orders.

    “Ogun has not given up on a reasonable settlement option, with the most recent letter sent to Zhongshan last week.

    “Zhongshan only responded after obtaining this latest illegal order,” said Onanuga.

    NAN

  • NYSC demobilises 54 UNICAL` graduates’

    NYSC demobilises 54 UNICAL` graduates’

    Flowerbud News

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has demobilised 54 “graduates” that were illegally mobilised for youth service by the University of Calabar.

    The Director-General, NYSC,  Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed said this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr Eddy Megwa.

    According to Ahmed, this is in line with the scheme’s continuous efforts to prevent unqualified graduates from getting the NYSC certificate of national service.

    He said that the demobilised candidates would be prosecuted accordingly.

    Ahmed said that another 19 candidates among them that initially registered online for mobilisation have been prevented from service, while four certificates of national service for other culprits were not produced by the scheme.

    “This is in addition to the earlier 101 certificates that were recently voided by the scheme, making a total of 178”, he said.

    The D-G commended the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Florence Obi, for her forthrightness in hinting NYSC on the mobilisation of unqualified graduates from the institution.

    “The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar came here to report that she observed some names appeared on the institution’s list and they ought not to have been there.

    “She checked the list the school gave us and I told her that their certificates would be invalidated. I give kudos to the Vice-Chancellor.

    “Previously, a bread seller was mobilised on the graduation list from the same institution, there are bad eggs in many places that generate matriculation numbers and courses for their candidates,” the D-G said.

    Ahmed, however, said NYSC would leave no stone unturned towards sanitising its mobilisation process.

    He also said that the scheme would intensify its collaboration with all the Heads of Corps Producing Institutions and relevant stakeholders in the country in order to stop the menace.

    He added that any failure in the mobilisation process from any school falls on the integrity of the management of such institution.

    “Those who are responsible for imputing the data of graduates should be people of integrity”, he said.

    He called on employers of labour to verify the authenticity of certificates of national service being presented for job placement from the NYSC.

    NAN

  • Low voter turnout mars Bauchi LG poll

    Low voter turnout mars Bauchi LG poll

    Flowerbud News

    Low voter turnout has characterised the ongoing local government election in Bauchi State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    NAN correspondents, who monitored the exercise in Bauchi, Dass and Tafawa Balewa LGAs report that voting  commenced in most polling centres at about 11:00 am, due to the late arrival of election officials and materials.

    Voting commenced late at Junior Secondary School Gwallameji; Kofar Sarkin-Gwalameji, Sa’adu Zungur Comprehensive Secondary School, and GSS Baba-Sidi polling units amid voter apathy.

    The voters were queueing orderly and peacefully as election officials and materials arrived the venue, to facilitate smooth conduct of the exercise in most centres visited.

    NAN reports that there was adequate deployment of security personnel at the centres while most of the residents were going about their normal businesses.

    A group of election monitors expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the exercise in the areas visited.

    Mr Mamman Eri, the Lead Observer, commended the voters, polling clerks and security agents for the smooth conduct of the exercise.

    Eri, who is also the Chairman, Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), led other States’ Electoral Commissioners in motoring the exercise.

    “We have gone round some polling units, the election was peaceful, people conduct themselves and the agents of political parties present at the polling units  is commendable,” Eri said

    NAN

  • Alleged misconduct: 27 High Court Judges to face NJC probe panels

    Alleged misconduct: 27 High Court Judges to face NJC probe panels

    Flowerbud News

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has constituted four probe panels to investigate 27 high court judges in the country over alleged judicial misconduct.

    A This is contained in a statement issued by the NJC Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye on Friday in Abuja.

    Oye said that the remaining 18 petitions were discountenanced for lacking in merit, abandoned or being subjudice.

    The council at its 106th meeting presided over by the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee on 22 petitions written against 27 Judicial Officers of the Federal and State High Courts.

    Based on the report of the preliminary committee, the Council em paneled four Committees to investigate allegations in the petitions that were found meritorious.

    Oye said the council also issued a letter of advice to Justice O. M. Olagunju of Oyo State High Court to be circumspect as a judicial officer before acting, even in the most challenging situation.

    Olagunju was said to have used uncouth language in a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, challenging council’s decision and its policy direction on appointment of the President Court of the Customary Court of Appeal, Oyo State.

    According to Oye `the discountenanced petitions are against Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, President Court of Appeal, Justices E. O. Williams Dawodu, B. A. Georgewill, Yargata Timpar, S. D. Samchi, Aisha B. Aliyu, A. A. Aderibigbe M. L. Shuaibu, H. A. O. Abiru and Abdulazeez Waziri all of the Court of Appeal.

    Others are Justices John Tsoho, Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Z. B. Abubakar, James. Kolawole Omotosho, Sunday B. Onu, all of the FHC and Justice Okon E. Abang when he was serving at the Federal High Court.

    The rest are Justices Kayode Agunloye of the FCT High Court, Babagana Karumi of the High Court Borno State, Maimuna A. Abubakar of the High Court of Niger State, A. A. Aderibigbe of Osun State High Court and Aisha B. Aliyu of Nasarawa State High Court.

    He noted that the NJC placed five Judges on its pre-sanction Watch List register for poor performance and would be recommended to the council for appropriate sanction if they do not improve on their performance.

    He said that justice Ariwoola in the meeting being the last one before his retirement appreciated the cooperation he received from members of the council and the council’s secretariat and implored them to extend same to his successor.

    Members of the council in return eulogized the outgoing CJN and Chairman one after the other and wished him good health in retirement.

    NAN

  • Group faults National Assembly on extension of I-G’s tenure

    Group faults National Assembly on extension of I-G’s tenure

    Flowerbud News

    Mr Buna Balogun ,HURMA’s Executive Director,faulted the passage of the bill at a news conference on Friday in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)reports that the Senate and the House of Representatives had recently passed the bill .

    The bill ,an executive one, allows any occupant of the Office of the Inspector -General of Police to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in his letter of appointment.

    The bill also seeks to increase  the service year/retirement age of personnel by five years , reduce the cost of training and recruiting new officers with a view to addressing the issue of shortage of experienced police personnel.

    Balogun said the bill was in conflict with  the long-standing civil service rule ,which mandates retirement of workers on attainment of the age of 60 years or after 35 years in service.

    The director added that the extension of the I-G’s tenure and increase in retirement age of police personnel would affect career progression in the police force.

    Balogun said the group was worried that the present I-G,Mr Kayode Egbetokun, had not gone on terminal leave, a month to the time he was due for retirement.

    He said Egbetokun would attain the mandatory retirement age of 60 years in September and that he should have handed over to the next officer in rank, especially as the bill had not been assented to.

    Balogun said the Police Act Amendment Bill was full of flaws and  that it would harm professionalism and morale in the police force.

    According to him,if the bill is signed into law, it will most likely be challenged in court.

    “Based on the foregoing, we plead with the President to use his enormous constitutional powers to save Nigeria police from the internal conspiracy and disloyalty among the officers, rank and file of the force that may arise as a result of compromise of career progression, particularly, at a time like this that our great country is very fragile.

    “The best decision for Mr. President in the circumstance, is to withhold his consent to the Amendment Bill of Police Act, 2020, passed by the National Assembly as it is self- serving and unpatriotic” he said.

    Balogun commended Tinubu for ensuring transparency in the appointment of a new Head of Service and selection of a new Chief Justice of the Federation.

    He urged him to replicate same in the police force and other strategic offices and agencies.

    “Mr. President has demonstrated strength of character in the most recent seamless and noiseless succession plans of the Head of Service of the Federation and the Chief Justice of the Federation.

    “We state that there should not be an exception to the police institution.

    “Our organisation has written Mr. President to register our complaint against the untidy Amendment Bill of Police Act, 2020 ,passed by the National Assembly without public hearing in line with its extant rules.

    “We have notified Mr. President about our intention to approach a court of competent jurisdiction in ventilating our grievances to ensure justice in the process of appointment of Inspector General of Police” Balogun said.

    NAN

  • Jail terms strengthen deterrent effect of NDLEA’s drug war – Marwa

    Jail terms strengthen deterrent effect of NDLEA’s drug war – Marwa

    Flowerbud News

    Marwa said this while reacting to the sentencing of three kingpins and 16 other convicts who were jailed for a total of 302 years for drug trafficking and dealing in illicit drugs.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi on Friday in Abuja.

    The convicts were jailed for dealing in cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis and opioids said thier sentencing came following their arrest and diligent prosecution by the agency.

    He said that the 19 convicts top the list of 414 drug traffickers and dealers convicted by the Federal High Court in Benue, Bauchi, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Gombe and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja.

    This, he said was between July 1 and July 31, adding that it was based on charge filed against them by the anti-narcotics agency.

    “One of the three kingpins, 50-year-old Lookman Dauda was arrested during an intelligence-led raid by operatives of a special operation unit in NDLEA at Ibiye, along Lagos-Badagry expressway.

    “This was done while attempting to cross the land border to deliver the consignment in Ghana on May 25.

    “At the point of his arrest, 42 blocks of cocaine weighing 47.5 kg kwere found on him.

    “A swift follow up operation in his residence at Plot 24/25 OPIC extension, Petedo road, Agbara, Ogun state, led to the recovery of additional eight blocks of the same drug weighing 10kg, bringing the total weight of the cocaine seized from him to 57.5kg.

    “He was subsequently arraigned before Justice Ambrose Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos in charge number FHC/L/537C/2024.

    ” In his judgment delivered on July 19, Justice Allagoa convicted and sentenced him to 21 years imprisonment or payment of an option of N30million fine, “he said.

    In the same vein, another kingpin who was put behind bars is 34-year-old Ikeh Ifeanyi who was arrested at the popular Idumota market in Lagos Island, where no fewer than 1,100 ampoules of lethal synthetic opioid, fentanyl, weighing 6.480kg were recovered from him.

    Marwa said that the dangerous opioid was 100 times more potent than heroin and currently responsible for over 70 per cent overdose deaths as well as a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the US.

    “He was later arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court Lagos in charge number FHC/L/433C/2024.

    “Delivering his judgment on July 4, the trial judge convicted Ifeanyi on the two counts charge and sentenced him to 14 years in jail or an option of N2million fine,”he said.

    In his own case, Christian Anyanwu was arrested on Saturday November, 26 with 1.4kg  of methamphetamine concealed inside custard tins packed among cosmetics and foodstuffs going to Brazil via Doha on a Qatar Airways flight.

    Marwa said that the suspect was subsequently docked before Justice Yellin Bogoro of the Federal High Court Lagos, and later convicted on July 12.

    “In his ruling, the trial judge sentenced Anyanwu to 16 years in jail, four of which is a mandatory imprisonment without an option of fine.

    “Others who bagged mandatory imprisonment in July for drug trafficking include: Moses Yakubu sentenced to 25 years in prison on July 22 by Justice Rita Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court Abuja.

    “Oluosun Okikiola who was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in jail on July 17 by Justice A. A Okeke of the Federal High Court Abeokuta, Ogun state, “he said.

    In the same vein, Justice R.J Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Makurdi, Benue state convicted and sentenced Chanchan Terpase to seven years in prison on July 9.

    Also, Justice C.O. Obiozor of the Federal High Court, Benin, Edo state convicted and sentenced Beauty Gani to 30 years in prison or payment of an option of N8million fine on July 3.

    Marwa commended the officers and men of the various commands involved in the arrest and prosecution of the cases as well as the judiciary for speedy adjudication.

    NAN

  • INEC to group: No discrepancies in 2023 presidential election results

    INEC to group: No discrepancies in 2023 presidential election results

    Flowerbud News

    The commission stated this in letter dated Aug. 15 to the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ), which alleged to have found some discrepancies between the election results announced by INEC and the uploaded results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV).

    INEC in the letter signed by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, said that there was are no “differences” in the number of polling units and registered voters in the listed States.

    INEC also maintained that the total number of polling units and registered voters remained as announced by the commission.

    The commission said that it “does not announce election results on YouTube” adding that  the 2023 presidential election results were announced at the National Collation Centre, Abuja, in the presence of stakeholders, including the media.

    “You listed three YouTube video links from Channels Television, showing the interactions between the State Returning Officers of Imo, Abia, and Zamfara States and the INEC Chairman at the National Collation Centre, Abuja.

    “It is important to note that the Returning Officers of the 36 States of the FCT are required to present their presidential election result individually to the Chief Returning Officer of the Federation for the Presidential election, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who is also the INEC Chairman.

    “But contrary to your observations, there were no contradictions in the video clips.

    “In conformity with the established procedure, the Returning Officer, in each clip, announced in descending order, the total valid votes, rejected votes, total votes cast, cancelled votes (if any), the specific areas where such votes were cancelled, and where the election did not hold with reasons.

    “Party agents were subsequently allowed to make observations or raise objections after each announcement, but there was none in all the video clips,” INEC said.

    The commission also stated that the centre did not disaggregate and articulate its data in the other listed examples-Imo, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Cross River, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Abia and Zamfara States.

    “For instance, in Edo, you gave the following account: 185 Pus, 111,683 Registered Voters (Election Papers), PUs (YouTube) 54, Registered Voters (YouTube) 36,264; Difference: 131 Pus/75,419 Registered Voters.

    “However, the Presidential election was conducted in 176,606 PUs, spread across 8,809 Wards in 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.

    “Supplementary elections were also held in 23 States on April 5, 2023 for various reasons captured under chapter 11 of the Report of the 2023 General Election.

    “To that extent, we need to know the State, Local Government Area (LGA), Ward and specific polling unit being referred to for proper evaluation of your enquiries and to enable us to provide the required information.

    “Unfortunately, the precise information necessary to address your enquiries was missing.

    INEC, however, insisted that there no differences in the number of polling units and registered voters in the listed states.

    It said that the total number of polling units and registered voters remains as announced by the commission.

    It stated that the result of an election may be cancelled for specific reasons, including violence, over-voting and refusal to use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), as stipulated in the extant laws.

    “At the same time, the conditions for making a return when the result of an election is cancelled or declared null and void in specific polling units have also been explained in the Electoral Act 2023 and the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections (2022).

    INEC added that its comprehensive 468-page Report of the 2023 General Election officially released in March 2024 and immediately uploaded to its website www.inecnigeria.org, already provided answers to the raised questions by the centre.

    It advised the centre to read the full details on its website www.inecnigeria.org.

    “The results of the 2023 Presidential election presented by our 36 State Returning Officers and the Returning Officer for the FCT at the National Collation Centre, Abuja are official and authentic.

    “The figures quoted in your letter purportedly from some local government areas in Imo State are inconsistent with the details/results presented publicly by the Imo State Returning Officer at the National Collation Centre, Abuja.

    The commission pledged to continue to improve its processes and procedures after every election.

    NAN reports that the centre relying on Freedom of Information Act in its letter dated Aug. 7 sought INEC clarification on “discrepancies between the election results announced on YouTube by INEC compared with the results from the election papers uploaded into IREV.”

    The centre alleged that “overall, in the broadcasted announcements, INEC reported 1,578 polling units (PUs) where voting was canceled because of irregularities.

    “No figures were given for the reason, though officials cited overvoting, violence and other irregularities. The total registered voters was about 1,205,000 voters.

    It alleged that in the documents filed in IREV, INEC polling workers reported 2,203 polling units (Pus) where voting was canceled because of irregularities.

    “Violence was the leading reason, covering about half of the polling stations affected. The total registered voters was about 1,221,000 voters,” the centre  alleged among others.

    NAN