TIG Post

Tag: 2023 presidential campaign

  • Ex-ministers among 50 freed by Niger’s Military; ousted president still detained

    Ex-ministers among 50 freed by Niger’s Military; ousted president still detained

    Niger’s military leaders have freed more than 50 individuals, including former government officials they had previously overthrown in 2023.

    The list of those released includes former ministers of defense, oil, and finance, along with several high-ranking military officers who had been accused or convicted of involvement in past coup attempts.

    Despite calls from the international community, ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been under house arrest since the military takeover, was not included in the release.

    In response to inquiries from the BBC about Bazoum’s continued detention, Niger’s Justice Minister Aliyou Daouda said that the matter of his release is strictly a “national issue” tied to the country’s sovereignty and security, emphasizing that it is “an internal matter for Niger.”

    Bazoum is facing charges of undermining national security and committing high treason.

    The move to release these individuals aligns with recommendations made during a national conference in February, which also proposed extending General Abdourahamane Tiani’s rule by an additional five years.

    The released individuals had been detained following the military’s coup in July 2023, facing accusations of attempting to destabilize the government.

    This action could signal the junta’s desire to promote national unity and gain broader public support, echoing similar actions by military regimes in neighboring Burkina Faso and Guinea.

  • Presidential candidates are not obligated to participate in debates – Lecturer

    Presidential candidates are not obligated to participate in debates – Lecturer

    Senior Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana (UG), Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, has stated that presidential debates cannot be mandated in Ghana’s electoral process since they are not yet institutionalized.

    Dr. Asah-Asante explained that in countries where presidential debates are a standard part of the electoral process, they are formally incorporated into the system.

    His comments come in response to calls from the majority in Parliament for NDC flagbearer John Mahama to accept a debate invitation from the NPP’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in the lead-up to the December elections.

    In an interview with Citi News, Dr. Asah-Asante emphasized that without formal institutionalization, no presidential candidate can be compelled to participate in debates.

    “Unfortunately, we have not institutionalised it, though it’s a good programme, since you have not institutionalised it, you can’t call anybody. You can make the call but if the person says no, there’s nothing you can do, it will just fall completely from your hand.

    “What the vice president is asking for, if NDC wants to, fine, yes they can, but if they don’t want, and that’s it. You recall the NDC when they were in office they also called and the NPP also didn’t accept that,” he said.

    Dr. Asah-Asante also emphasized that Ghanaians should actively interrogate presidential candidates about their policies during campaign events.

    “Let us see the campaign itself, that one, the two parties and all the parties have no choice but to give us their manifestos, give us the ideas. And we will ask them the questions, that they will answer.

    “But this one [debate], you realise that one party will be ready and another will not, and that will not support the whole exercise. I think the least said about it the better,” the Senior Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana said.

  • Nigerian presidential campaign kicks off in Lagos

    Thousands of Nigerians filled the streets of Lagos and other cities on Saturday in support of Labour Party candidate Peter Obi.

    The rallies mark the start of the 2023 presidential campaign.

    For many Nigerians, Peter Obi offers an alternative to the old-guard candidates put forward by the PDP and APC parties.

    “For years, we’ve suffered a lot, we don’t want to suffer again. Peter Obi has come to save the Nigerians. We don’t want bribes, no more bribes. Things are expensive. We want a man, a governor, a president that will hear the voice of the masses”, said Felicity Okorocha, therapist and Labour party organiser.

    Peter Obi, a former state governor and banking executive, is challenging the long dominance of the ruling APC and main opposition PDP parties to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari at the end of February next year.

    “Peter Obi is different from the other politicians. Because we have seen a track record of how he spends money because the problem in Nigeria is because people loot our collective patrimony. So Peter Obi is different and the whole of Nigeria now knows that he is going to rescue Nigeria”, claims tech consultant Chijioke Chuwunyere.

    High inflation, lack of jobs and insecurity have left many younger Nigerians frustrated with politics and apathetic about change at the ballot box.

    Electoral authorities say 70% of newly registered voters for 2023 are aged between 18-34.

    Source: Africanews