Tag: CSOs

‘Buhari must sign 2021 Electoral Bill in time for smooth democratic process’ – CSOs Coalition Group

Aminu Imam

A coalition of civil society groups has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently assent to the 2021 Electoral Bill in time for a smooth democratic process. In an issued statement on Friday, after a meeting at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, in Abuja, some civic groups said the Bill will address the hurdles derailing the electoral system in Nigeria. According to reports, the CSOs, which include ‘Yiaga Africa’, Premium Times, Centre for Investigative Journalism, (PTCIJ) and International Press Centre, (IPC), in their recommendation urged President Buhari to continue to encourage an…

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Direct Primaries: CSOs allay fears, rule out additional burden on INEC

Aminu Imam

Some civil society organisations, (CSO), Civil Society Partners on Electoral Reform, have said that Party direct primaries would not impose any additional burden on the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), beyond what the constitution has stipulated. The CSO, in an issued statement issued yesterday, in Abuja, by the Executive Director, ‘Adopt A Goal for Development Initiative’, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, and endorsed by other CSOs: ‘Centre for Liberty’, ‘Raising New Voices’, ‘Youth and Students Advocates for Development Initiative, (YSAD); NESSACTION; ‘The Nigerian Alliance’; ‘The Art and Civics Table‘ and ‘Speak Out Africa…

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Electoral Act: Centre for Liberty 5 other CSOs task Buhari on quick assent

Aminu Imam

As APC govs lobby AGF to stop President from signing Bill Six (6) Civil Society Organisations (CSO) partners on electoral matters have applauded the National Assembly for the final passage of the harmonised Electoral Act bill and the resolution directing its Clerk for immediate transmission to the Executive for presidential assent. The CSOs stated this in a statement made available by the Executive Director, ‘Adopt A Goal for Development Initiative’, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, and endorsed by the ‘Centre for Liberty, Raising New Voices’, ‘Youth and Students Advocates for Development Initiative’ (YSAD),…

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CSOs commend Senate’s reconsideration of Electronic Transmission of Election Results clause

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations have commended the Nigerian Senate for reconsidering its earlier decision to subject the Independent  National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) powers to transmit election results electronically to the judgement of the Nigerian Communication  Commission (NCC) and approval by the National Assembly. The  revised  Clause 52 passed by the Senate now empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine the mode of voting and transmission of election results without recourse to any external consideration. The Senate also reviewed its position on Clause 42 by empowering INEC to…

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Electoral Bill: CSOs task NASS to consider overriding public interest during harmonisation

Aminu Imam

As Senators and House of Representatives resume plenary today, Tuesday, some coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) operating in Nigeria yesterday tasked the NASS leadership to put the overriding public interest during the harmonisation of clauses in the Electoral Bill, 2021 on the electronic transmission of election results. The coalition, in a statement signed by the Executive Director of Adopt A Goal for Development Initiative, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, underscored the need for President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Bill into law before the Anambra governorship election slated for November 6, 2021.…

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Fake civil society, rise of pro-govt. NGOs undermining democracy in Nigeria US think-tank

Aminu Imam

A report by United States-based think-tank, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, has said Nigerias top power brokers have cultivated a new generation of pro-government Non-Governmental Organisations, (NGOs), which, according to it, masquerade as authentic civil society groups, singing the praises of top officials and attacking their critics. The report, conducted by a non-resident scholar at the institution, Matthew T. Page, published on Monday, in its website, noted that Nigerias dynamic and expansive civil society is one of its greatest strengths and is crucial to maintaining what democratic space still exists…

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CSOs protest at NASS, demand INEC independence, inclusion of e-voting in Electoral Act

Aminu Imam

…As Reps Southern caucus insist on electronic transmission of election result A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, (CSOs), under the aegis of ‘Alliance of CSOs for Expression of Electoral and Democratic Space’, yesterday stormed the National Assembly, protesting the exclusion of some provisions, such as electronic voting, financial autonomy for the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), and protection of people with disabilities, in the new Electoral Act. The aggrieved protesters were armed with placards, with inscriptions such as: SaveOurElections #NigeriansDeserveFreeAndFairElection” and so on. The concerns raised by the CSOs followed the…

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CSOs protest against suspension of strike by NLC, TUC

Ishaku Yohanna

A Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Delta State have lambasted the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC for suspending its planned nationwide strike action which was billed to take place on Monday, September 28. The CSOs spoke at a peaceful protest at the Ebrumede roundabout in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. They registered their displeasure at the NLC and also condemned the hike in petrol and electricity tariff as well as the Water Resources Bill pending before the National Assembly, which they termed Governments Anti-People Policies. They also dissociated…

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PDP, NLC, CSOs reject fuel price increase, electricity tariff hike

Ishaku Yohanna

Nigerias main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Civil Society Organisatios (CSOs) have kicked against the increase in the price of fuel to N151 per liter and electricity tariff to N66 per kwh. PDP said the move is callous, cruel, and punishing while demanding an immediate reversal of the prices to avert a national crisis, as the increase will result in an upsurge in costs of goods and services and worsen the biting hardship being faced by Nigerians, who are already impoverished and…

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