The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • Electoral materials in safe custody, INEC assures Lagosians

    Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Sam Olumekun has said materials for the governorship and State House of Assembly election are in safe custody.

    He urged eligible voters to vote on Saturday.

    In a statement, he added that the smart card readers are being reconfigured, noting that refresher training would hold tomorrow to prepare its ad hoc staff for the task.

    He said all staff who performed below expectations have been replaced, stressing that the commission had fulfilled its obligations to those who participated in the presidential election.

    He said discussion was ongoing with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for the prompt delivery election materials.

    “Let all eligible voters come out enmass and exercise their franchise by voting for candidates of their choice. Let all conduct themselves in a peaceful manner throughout the period of the election.

    Read also: Former reps defects to PDP in A’Ibom

    ” The security agencies have assured us of maximum security before, during and after the elections.  Our sympathy goes to those persons who were victims of the violent in the last election.”

    Olumekun said the commission observed that six federal constituency elections were inconclusive as a result of political thuggery, violence, snatching and disruption of ballot papers and boxes.

    He said in conformity with subsisting law, the commission would address issues that came up during the presidential election, noting it would guide against repetition of the shortcomings.

    According to him, rerun election would hold in 76 registration areas in 148 polling units with a total of 43,660 registered voters.

  • Ganduje, 30 gov candidates sign peace accord

    Thirty- one governorship candidates in Kano, including Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Wednesday, signed the second round of Peace Accord for violent-free election on Saturday.

    Addressing reporters shortly after the signing ceremony held at Bayero University Kano, Co-Chairman of the Committee and Kano Catholic Bishop, Rt. Reverend John Namaza Niyiring, appealed to the candidates to see election as a game with sportsmanship and not a do or die affair.

    The Bishop also called on the youths not to allow themselves to be used by the politicians in disrupting the desired peace for their selfish whims.

    “Whosoever is not satisfied with the results after the elections should follow the available peaceful channels to seek redress and not to engage in violence,” he stated.

     Sheikh Nura Manzo, the Chief Imam of Kofar Ruwa Jumaat Mosque in Kano, also appealed to the contestants and the youths to be peaceful and avoid any act that will lead to violence.

    Read Also: Ganduje to would-be losers: accept defeat

    He said: “Whosoever commits an atom’s weight of good will be rewarded for it by God Almighty and whosoever commits an atom’s weight of evil shall be punished for it in the hereafter.”

    Emir of Kano Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, represented by Alhaji Aliyu Maharazu, the Bauren Kano, said the country is in need of political security, which can only be achieved by abiding with regulations.

    He pointed out peace is very crucial to achieving this while calling on politicians to learn from other nations that have faced instability around the world.

    Also the former representative of Nigeria at the United Nations, Ibrahim Gambari warned against hate speech, reminding candidates development can only be achieved where there is peace.

    The Kano Commissioner of political Wakil Muhammad said he will redouble his effort in ensuring peaceful conduct of the election as he did during the presidential election.

    ‘’I beg you, if any blood has to be shed during the election let it be my blood,” the CP said.

    In a declaration of commitment to the peace accord, the Kano state governor and candidate for the All Progressive Candidates APC, Ganduje assured the committee he will do all that it takes to ensure peace before, during and after the elections.

    He asked for a group photo with the other candidates in which the cameras were all on him standing by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate Abba Kabir Yusuf.

    In a brief address to newsmen after the event, the PDP candidate also assured that he will keep to the terms of the accord.

  • Fayose’s kinsmen, others defect to APC in Ekiti

    No fewer than 100 kinsmen of former Governor Ayodele Fayose and members of Peoples’ Democratic Party in Afao Ekiti, Ifelodun/Irepodun Local Government Area have dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The defectors were led by Special Assistant to Fayose on Local government affairs, Mr. Ayodeji Adu and other PDP’s heavyweights in the council barely three days to the House of Assembly election.

    They were received by chieftains when campaign train of the APC assembly candidate in Irepodun/ Ifelodun state constituency II, Hakeem Jamiu hits the town on Wednesday.

    Speaking on their behalf, Adu said they were spurred to join APC because of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s sterling leadership qualities in taking the decision and the progressive policies put in place.

    The former Special Assistant disclosed that Fayose’s abysmal performance and his hostile leadership style forced them out of the party.

    He added the PDP is myopic and short- sighted in ensuring sustainable development.

    Read Also: Court stands down Fayose’s trial

    “This decision to dump PDP for APC was borne out of patriotism and it is for the betterment of my state and the country at large.

    “Afao despite producing the Governor of the state for eight years is still in shambles without meaningful development, hence the need to embrace the right ideas that can take the town out of the current economic and social despondency.

    “I pledge my commitment to the success of the APC candidate in Afao-Ekiti . I want to assure the APC would have a block vote in the town come Saturday,” Adu said.

    Jamiu assured the next assembly won’t be a rubber stamp under Fayemi but provide a platform where people oriented policies would be enacted.

    “Governor Fayemi is exposed and I know that he will see the legislative arm as partner in progress, rather than trying to treat lawmakers as slaves, the way Fayose did.

    “Let me tell you, there are no defectors in APC, we are all one, so you have nothing to fear. I am assuring you that everybody will benefit from this government,” he said.

  • Anambra: INEC to replace NYSC members in conflict areas

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra on Wednesday said it would post stand-by ad-hoc staff to the conflict areas of the state for Saturday’s House of Assembly elections.

    The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, dropped the hint at the CBN Awka office during the distribution of sensitive materials ahead of the poll.

    Nkwachukwu was reacting to the statement by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state that corps members would not be posted for election duty in Idemili and Ogbaru areas of the state.

    The state NYSC coordinator, Kehinde Aremu, had said that the decision to withdraw corps members from those areas was based on the directives from the headquarters barring them from volatile areas.

    But the REC said the decision would not pose any challenge to the exercise, noting that the electoral umpire have more than enough trained staff to replace the corps members with.

    Read Also: PDP takes protest to INEC

    He revealed that the commission had invited a total of 9,000 persons for the training, but said over 18,000 reported and were eventually trained for the exercise.

    He said, “I received a letter from the NYSC saying it won’t deploy corps members to conflict prone areas. But it’s not a source of worry to us.

    “We have lots of people in our data base standing by for engagement. Some even come to the polling unit uninvited, waiting for opportunities to work.”

    Orji also debunked allegation that some of the ad-hoc staff involved in the last election did not undergo training, resulting to their inability to effectively manipulate the smart card readers.

    He said it would be an act of irresponsibility on the part of the commission to engage untrained hands for such sensitive assignments.

    “I don’t believe we can hire people, train them and dump them to use those we didn’t train. We’re not that irresponsible,” he added.

  • Breaking: APC, PDP sign peace pact in Bayelsa

    Stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progress Congress (APC) in Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, have signed peace pact to ensure violence-free election in the area on Saturday.

    It was gathered that the signing of the peace accord took place in the presence of heads of security agencies.

    Elder statesman, Dr. George Fente, Adire Ayebainaemi and Pastor Patience Amaeri signed the resolution on behalf of the PDP while Ayenumomoipre Otokol, Samuel O. Samuel and Favour Emmanuel endorsed the peace deal for the APC.

    The stakeholders resolved that security operatives deployed to Bassambiri should not be obstructed from entering the community to carry out their lawful duties.

    Read Also: INEC: 63 card readers missing in Bayelsa

    They also resolved that security personnel deployed to the area should be neutral and professional in the discharge of their duties while every dug road found in the community is covered up.

    According to the resolution, the stakeholders also agreed that any bridge destroyed should be reconstructed while all those who left the area be allowed to return to their various communities without molestation.

    The stakeholders urged those returning to the community to conduct themselves lawfully and insisted on the arrest and prosecution of those behind the killing of Kenneth Adeboh in Bassambiri before the Presidential and National Assembly election.

     

     

  • Polls: Ambode assures of adequate security

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State Wednesday assured voters that security challenges experienced during Presidential and National Assembly elections will not repeat itself on Saturday during gubernatorial and House of Assembly polls,

    He said efforts have been intensified to ensure that everyone registered in the state by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for the exercise participate without any security hindrances.

    The governor, who was accompanied by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, and other cabinet members, gave the assurance yesterday after the weekly Executive meeting at the State House Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja.

    He stressed that the security challenges experienced after the just concluded election have been dealt with and efforts have been made to ensure such does not repeat itself.

    Read Also: Buhari’s victory well deserved, says Ambode

    “We were very much aware of the incidences that occurred after the Presidential and National assembly election in the state. We have taken proper care of that. We understand that everyone in Lagos are same.

    “The peace, harmonious relationship and security that had existed in the state are very paramount to this government. We will ensure that everyone that is eligible to vote perform his civic duties without intimidation,” Ambode added.

    The governor argued that the state government understand that the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos and efforts would be made often to ensure it sustain that status.

    “We will ensure that Saturday election is held without hitches. We want to assure all residents of the state of their safety. Lagos is a cosmopolitan state and it will remain like that even after the election.

    “We encourage every resident that had been registered by INEC to come out and perform their civic duties. The security agencies have assured us that there will be adequate security in the state during and after the poll.”

    The governor however, noted that giant strides recorded in Lagos could only be sustained when every electorate vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other candidates of the party.

    Adding that, “We believe in continuity in this government and that is why we have decided to back every candidate of the party. So, we urged everyone to support and vote every APC candidates in Lagos.”

  • PDP senatorial candidate, Amusan, 50,000 supporters back APC’s Abiodun

    Former House of Representatives member and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State on Wednesday formally announced his defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress(APC).
    Amusan, who represented Abeokuta North, Obafemi Owode and Odeda Federal Constituency for eight years on the platform of PDP, said he is leaving former party for the ruling APC with over 50,000 thousand supporters he has been nurturing in the last 19 years.
    The property magnate, who was also the senatorial candidate of PDP in the last National Assembly election  for Ogun Central, told reporters during a press briefing  in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital that his defection would further boost the chances of Prince Dapo Abiodun succeeding Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
    Amusan said he knows the capacity of Abiodun as a successful entrepreneur and business man, saying he is the type of man the Gateway state required now to run the affairs of the state, urging his supporters and Ogun people to cast their ballot for the APC governorship hopeful.
    He also called on the electorate to support the candidacy of Abiodun and desist from the habit of making unnecessary demand from those who signify interest to serve, saying such attitude would scare away people with genuine desire to serve.

  • Niger guber candidates in last minute rush to garner votes

    As the Governorship and House of Assembly elections approach, an eleventh-hour attempt to gather votes and solicit the support of the electorates have been embarked upon by the various Governorship candidates in Niger state.

    These candidates have taken to meetings with various groups to get their support and their commitment to voting for them.

    Most of the candidates who have taken their campaigns to churches while others met with religious leaders to solicit for votes.

    The Nation gathered that the APGA Governorship candidate, Joshua Bawa visited three churches last Sunday, two Orthodox churches and one Pentecostal church.

    According to a member of the Pentecostal church, although Bawa was not given the opportunity to speak, his presence in church spoke volumes as he is not a member of the church.

    The two main contenders, the APC and PDP have been meeting with various religious leaders and youths to get their support.

    The APC candidate who is also the incumbent Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has been tirelessly meeting with various stakeholders.

    The quiet and restricted Government House in Minna has been thrown open to all and sundry as no restriction is been made to stop anyone who intends to get into the government house.

    The Governor in three days has met with the organized labor, religious leaders, various indigenous groups, women, pressure groups and Directors in MDAs across the state while other meetings have been ongoing.

    Although the details of the meeting with the religious leaders were not made available, The Nation learnt that the Governor asked them to see reason why he should be re-elected and how he will work to improve the religious stability in the state.

    With the Organized Labour, the Governor promised more incentives to the workforce and an enabling environment to which the Labor endorsed him assuring him that he has their votes.

    The PDP Candidate, Alhaji Umar Nasko is not left out in his quest to get more votes from the electorates, his meeting with the religious leaders seem to have gone well as he emerged from the meeting with his face beaming with smiles.

    Nasko has also met with various youth groups, indigenous and inter-tribal groups and the private sector informing them of his determination to go for just one ten along with his zeal to improve the lot of Niger state.

    Other candidates have intensified their house to House campaigns in the various local government areas along with solidarity meetings with various groups across the state.

    However, all seems set as these candidates and the people of Niger state are set to go to the polls come Saturday to vote for the person whom they believe will lead them for the next four years.

  • INEC: 63 card readers missing in Bayelsa

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said 63 card readers are missing in Bayelsa State.

    The commission appealed to persons in possession of the card readers to return them before Saturday’s elections.

    Head of Department, INEC Voter Education and Publicity Wilfred Ifogah said the card readers were missing in Brass, Sagbama, Southern-Ijaw, Nembe and Yenagoa councils.

    Ifogah added that one smart card reader disappeared in Brass ward 6, unit 19; 24 in Nembe, ward 1, 4, 12 and 13 and 24 in Southern-Ijaw, ward 1, 2, 3, 12, 15.

    Read also: Igbo campaign for Sanwo-Olu

    He said: “Eight are missing in Sagbama ward 1 unit 5 and ward 6 unit 3, while six are missing in Yenagoa ward 1, 11 and 16.

    “Yes, about 63, card readers are missing.  The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) has issued a statement that those involved should return it on or before today.”

  • Counter protest rocks Bayelsa community ahead of polls

    A day after some women urged President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend elections in Nembe-Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area citing violence, scores of residents on Tuesday held a counter protest, declaring the community as peaceful.

    Women agitating for suspension of elections told Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that their place was no longer safe for polls.

    Spokesperson of the Women, Mrs. Sotonye Samuel-Johnson, said that the call to postpone the election in the community was to safeguard the lives and properties of women and children in the area.

    Samuel-Johnson said that women and children, who fled the community to nearby Ogbolomabiri and Yenagoa had not been able to return to their homes following activities of political thugs.

    But on Tuesday scores of women, elders and youths marched the streets of Nembe- Bassambiri and said there was no violence in their community.

    They described all the reports of violence as propaganda orchestrated by the state government to intimidate and stop them from voting for their preferred candidates.

    The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Seven years in office no single project in Nembe-Bassambiri “and “Toru-Orua for PDP while Nembe- Bassambiri is for APC”, said there was no truth in the reports that thugs had sacked the community.

    A woman leader in the area, Ingoebiye Braid, alleged the state government was persecuting them because of their political differences.

    Also, the Secretary, Community Development Committee (CDC) Kombonimi Awo, debunked insinuations the community was deserted following alleged violence that occurred in the area during and after the presidential elections.

    He further said the last elections held peacefully in the community contrary to claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Read Also: Bayelsa urges Buratai to produce killers of photographer, PDP chief

    He said: “People are carrying rumours and are being sponsored by the Bayelsa Government that the community has been deserted but all these are false.

    “Nobody is running out of the community. The elders, chiefs, women and youths are going about their businesses without fears and molestations.

    “There is no fight or crisis in the community during and after the National Assembly and Presidential elections.

    “The only people that are out of the community are those hired with fake uniforms and thugs.

    “The rumours that the whole community has vacated is a pure lie. Those paid to stage protest in the state capital are paid agents of destabilisation. The call for the cancellation of the last election is wicked and should not be honoured by INEC. We voted peacefully without intimidation.”