US: Trump’s New Lawsuit Amid Georgia Recount
Conrad Omodiagbe
Outgoing US President, Donald Trump, has taken another step in his legal strategy to upend his election loss by filing a lawsuit in Michigan, as Georgia announced a recount of its votes. The Republican President’s team went to federal court to try to block Michigan, a Midwestern battleground state that he won in 2016 by […]
Tanzania Opposition Candidates Forced Out
Conrad Omodiagbe
The main opposition leader in Tanzania, Tundu Lissu, left the country for Belgium on Tuesday. This comes after the former presidential candidate rejected the results of the October polls which he asserted had “widespread irregularities” and was a “butchery” of the country’s democratic process. Citing threats to his life, Lissu explained that while he was […]
Nigeria Democracy Watch: Accusing Protesters
Farida Adamu
The Central bank of Nigeria, after receiving a court order that allowed individual banks to freeze 20 bank accounts related to the #EndSARS movement in Nigeria till January 2021, has further accused the account holders of funding terrorism without any evidence asides from the narration with which the monies were sent “#EndSARS.” Newswire reports that the CBN, through its […]
Jordan Heads To The Polls Before Lockdown
Conrad Omodiagbe
Voters in Jordan are set to hit the polls in a parliamentary election overshadowed by a surge in coronavirus numbers. The latest increase has crippled the country’s economy as it heads into another round of lockdown. Health Precautions Giving the electoral body the go-ahead, members of the voting community who have tested positive for coronavirus […]
Egypt Completes 2nd Round of Parliamentary Polls
Conrad Omodiagbe
After two days of voting, polling stations in Egypt have closed, wrapping up the second stage of parliamentary elections in the North African region. The countrydoes this as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi continues a crackdown on the media and opposition parties. While the first phase of voting took place on October 24th – 25th in […]
These Re-elected Presidents Will Stay In Office
Conrad Omodiagbe
Despite ongoing protests and allegations of widespread irregularities at the polls, Constitutional Courts in Ivory Coast and Guinea have confirmed the re-election of the countries’ incumbent presidents, President Alassane Ouattara and President Alpha Conde, amidst a rising death toll. Ouattara Gets The Green Light The Constitutional Council of Cote d’Ivoire, on Monday, confirmed the re-election […]
Nigeria to Ban Defection For Legislators
Conrad Omodiagbe
The electoral umpire in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called for an end to defection within the National and State Houses of Assembly. He did this while stating that lawmakers should be barred from defecting from one party to another while still in office. The suggestion was shared by the body while […]
Elections 2020: What Made it So Historic?
Farida Adamu
On November 7 2020, Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden emerged winner of the 2020 elections after crossing the 270-vote threshold. Mr Biden captured key states that Republican candidate, Donald Trump had won in 2016 like Arizona, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, delivering one of the most important moments from the elections––red states flipping to blue as mail-in […]
Nigeria: #EndSARS Protests and Future Elections
Conrad Omodiagbe
On the evening of October 20th, 2020, Nigeria and the world at large watched live as unarmed protesters at an #EndSARS demonstration against police brutality were gunned down by members of the Nigerian Army at the Lekki area of the country’s commercial hub, Lagos. The unfortunate event, a bloody climax to protests that had quickly […]
Kosovo: Premier To Resign And Face War Crimes
Farida Adamu
The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, has now stepped down from office to face a 10-count indictment in a special court in the Hague, alongside four other government officials including former Parliament Speaker, Kadri Veseli, and three other former commanders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). The special court and prosecutor’s office were created following a 2011 report by the Council of Europe which included […]
Zambia: Constitutional Amendment Fails
Farida Adamu
A Constitution Amendment Bill, also known as Bill no.10, has failed to get the support of two-thirds of Members of the Parliament of Zambia. The bill which will allow the current head of state, Edgar Lungu, to change the electoral layout and take control of central bank monetary policy, fell short by 6 votes. Opposition lawmakers led by the largest party, the United Party […]
Nigeria: Elected Governor Accused Of Perjury
Conrad Omodiagbe
Over a month since the hotly contested Edo state governorship polls in Nigeria, a Federal High Court in Abuja has selected November 16, 2020, to sit on a case of alleged perjury filled against the re-elected Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki. The Case At Hand The plaintiffs, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Edobor Williams had […]
Nigeria to begin Early Voter Registration in 2021
Conrad Omodiagbe
Almost three years ahead of the next general elections in Nigeria, the country’s election umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said it will commence the registration of eligible voters for the elections as early as January 2021. The information was disclosed by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who, accompanied by the National Commissioners, […]
US Election: Supreme Court, Projections And More
Conrad Omodiagbe
As vote counting continues in earnest following the close of polls on November 3rd, both Republican Party candidate and incumbent President Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden, have hinted at their possible wins, with the former threatening legal actions as the race gets tighter. In a brief statement Wednesday afternoon, […]
Nigerian-American makes History In Congress
Conrad Omodiagbe
In a historic turn of events in the ongoing United States general elections, Nigerian-American Oye Owolewa has been elected into the United States House of Representatives as a shadow member representing the District of Columbia, making him the first congressman of Nigerian descent. According to election results on the website of the District of Columbia […]
Uganda: Opposition Candidates Arrested
Conrad Omodiagbe
As the people of Uganda await a set election date, pop star-turned-politician, Bobi Wine, who has garnered support to become one of the country’s leading contenders, has claimed that he was arrested, beaten, and tortured by the police hours after he registered his candidacy to challenge President Yoweri Museveni. Wine, whose real name is Robert […]
Burkina Faso Election: Here’s What We Know
Conrad Omodiagbe
Ahead of definitive presidential and parliamentary elections set to take place in Burkina Faso, the presence of extremist groups seem to be disrupting the voter registration process in some parts of the country, disenfranchising eligible voters as campaigns kick-off. Heavy Campaigning Officially Starts The election organising body in Burkina Faso, the National Independent Electoral Commission […]
Libya To Hold Elections Soon
Conrad Omodiagbe
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has announced that an election date might be selected for the North African country soon, following recent political talks aimed at dousing the tension between its two warring sides. Stephanie Williams, UNSMIL acting head who spoke on behalf of the envoy to Libya, noted that the team […]
Ivory Coast: Incumbent Coasts To Victory
Farida Adamu
The electoral commission of Ivory Coast has announced President Alassane Ouattara of the Rally of the Republicans as the winner of the just-concluded and highly controversial October 31 elections. President Ouattara reportedly scored 94.27 per cent of the vote, which had a 54 per cent voter turnout. Opposition candidates Pascal Affi N’Guessan and Kouadio Konan Berti both scored 2% of the vote […]