The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • Elections begin by 8am, INEC assures

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians and the international community that it has concluded arrangements to commence elections by 8am on Saturday.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the assurance on Friday in Abuja while addressing a press conference on the commissions preparations for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Yakubu said that the commission has concluded the deployment of sensitive and non-sensitive materials to the 774 local government areas across the country.

    “We engaged 825,543 ad hoc staff ranging from presiding officers to collation and returning officers. We have mobilized 80,000 commercial vehicles and about 996 boats for the deployment of personnel and materials.

    “The materials include 707,892 ballot boxes and voting cubicles, and we are mobilizing these to various locations by land and sea.

    “We have accredited 120 domestic and 36 international observer groups, deploying accumulative number of 73,000 observers.

    “We have concluded the movement of personnel, materials to the 774 local and 8809 RACs nationwide.

    “All arrangements are now in place to facilitate opening of polls at 8 a.m. on Saturday,” he said.

    He said that measures were also in place to combat vote buying and other electoral malpractice.

    He said that the national situation room would open at 6 p.m. on Friday, while the national collation centre would also be opened at 6 p.m. on Sunday, both situated at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.

    The chairman advised eligible voters to visit gotomypu.ng to obtain location to their polling units, saying in the last 10 days about 190,000 persons had utilised the commission’s various social media platforms to geolacate their Polling Units.

    He said that the election would be by simultaneous accreditation and voting system, and that only registered voters with Permanent Voter Cards would be allowed to vote.

    “As we go to poll tomorrow, I appeal to voters to be peaceful and orderly before, during and after the elections.

    Read Also: ‘We have confidence in INEC to conduct polls’

    “The police working with other security agencies have assured us of adequate security for voters, electoral officers, observers and the media.

    “May I also appeal to all to ensure compliance with the usual restriction of movement for those who are not observers or on essential dut,” the chairman said.

    Yakubu also urged members of the public to desist from issuing any results of the elections, saying only INEC was empowered by law to declare results.

    “The commission will work assiduously to ensure that collation and declaration of results are done at the various levels expeditiously.

    On his part, the acting Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mohammed Adamu, reiterated that maximum security would be provided before, during and after the election.

    Adamu said that the security personnel at the polling units would not be armed and there would be no need for apprehension while the election is going on.

    “We have some group of people who might want to disrupt the election we have put in place strategy to stop that.

    “We have tactical units of our personnel and other services that will be patrolling everywhere to ensure that the process is not disrupted.

    “The patrolling personnel will be armed and will deal with anybody who wants to disrupt the process in the course of the election,

    “If any electoral offence is committed, we will work with the INEC officials to apprehend the culprit and set up investigative team headed by Commissioner of Police in charge of legal Unit to investigate the cases and prosecute them.

    “Be it vote buying, ballot box snatching, be it thuggery, if you commit that, you will be arrested and prosecuted.

    “After the voting, movement of electoral materials to the collation centre will be protected. Armed security personnel will be posted to the ward collation centres.

    “Even when the results are announced, those people who are planning to disrupt the process, we have put strategies in place to prevent that,” he said.

    The IG said what was required from all Nigerians was to go out peacefully, cast their vote and wait for the announcement of the results.

    “If you have no business on the Election Day if you are not an accredited official, please don’t come out.

    “All the accredited officials whether domestic or foreign observers must carry their tags. You can move freely and be protected.

    “If you identify anybody that wants to infiltrate you and claim to be an observer for a group, we will appreciate you exposing such a person for us to remove him or her from your group,” Adamu said.

    The national election will hold in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Voting will take place in 176,973 locations, made up of 119,973 polling units and 57, 023 voting points.

    The elections will be to elect a president from the 73 presidential candidates, 109 senators from 1,820 senatorial candidates and 360 House of Representatives members from the 4,631 candidates contesting in the election.

    NAN

  • Three CPs, EFCC operatives deployed in Ekiti for polls

    Three Commissioners of Police and operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are now on ground in Ekiti State for the conduct of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The commissioners, Mr Kosi Ajuwon, the CP in charge of Welfare at the police headquarters in Abuja and CP M. Kura from the Nigerian Ports Authority in Lagos, are to work in collaboration with the CP in charge of Ekiti Command, Mr. Asuquo Amba to make the elections free, fair and peaceful.

    The Command’s public relations officer, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, who spoke with newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Friday, said: “The CPs came last week only for the elections to be postponed, which made them return to Abuja temporarily.

    “They returned to Ekiti on Thursday and each of them shall be in charge of the three senatorial districts of the state”.

    Ikechukwu added that the command received operatives of the EFCC on Thursday, whom he said came for the purpose of dealing with vote buyers.

    ” They came to Ekiti on Thursday for the purpose of dealing with vote buyers.

    “They will dress in mufti and sniff around to arrest politicians who used to buy votes”.

    The PPRO stated that policemen and other sister agencies are already on ground in all the 16 local government areas of the state.

    He said they will be distributed across all the 2,195 polling units and registration areas by midnight for smooth conduct of the elections.

    ” Also, our Special Protection unit and Special Tactical unit, as well as mobile policemen, are on ground to protect election materials, quench any case of violence and deal with other emergency situations “.

  • Don’t sell your destiny, female cleric tells voters

    The President of Kingdom Redemption Outreach Center International with headquarters in USA and branches all over the world, Apostle Faith Eden-Osakwe, has called on Nigerians not to sell their destinies to vote buying.

    In a telephone conversation with our reporter, Eden-Osakwe said she desires to see a better Nigeria than what she used to know.

    “The Nigeria I grew up in was a nation where we all celebrated Ramadan and Christmas together. Where we were free to walk on the streets without fear of being kidnapped or killed for rituals”

    “I remember some of my neighbours who were idol worshippers. We all lived together with one purpose, the progress of our nations Nigeria. Please give me back my Nigeria even better,” she said.

    Read Also: 2019: Cleric calls on Nigerians to vote

    She warned that a house divided against itself shall not stand, adding that those who want to Islamize or make Jewish out of Nigerians do not have their interest at heart.

    “Don’t you see what they are doing to us? It’s all for  profit making. How many of you have a house in either nation or are you ready to live in a refugee camp?

    “Leaving the comfort and freedom that you have behind. Why go live as a slave in a foreign land when we can together rise and take our nation back from those that want to put us in bondage of perpetual fear?”

    She told those with their Permanent Voters Cards that the destiny of the country is in their hands, tasking them to go and vote for God has their best interest at heart.

    “Don’t sell your vote. Don’t sell your destiny,” she counseled.

  • Confusion over fate of APC in Rivers

    …as INEC clears party in Zamfara

    Following the reprieve for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara state allowing them to field candidates in the 2019 general elections, there is now confusion as to the fate of the party in Rivera state.

    There have been different rulings on the situation in Rivers state with the party holding onto the ruling which upheld the order of stay of execution given by the Court of Appeal by the Supreme Court.

    But the commission has insisted that there is no concrete order from the Supreme Court ordering it to accept the list of the party’s candidates in Rivers state.

    INEC chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood said there was no relationship between the issue in Zamfara and the situation in Rivers, adding that the Commission had to jettison its earlier stance to exclude the APC in Zamfara based on the judgement of a Court of Appeal in Abuja which ordered that APC be restored on the ballot in the National Assembly, Governorship and State House of Assembly elections scheduled for 23rd February and 9th March 2019 respectively.

    But Professor Yakubu however insisted that the APC remained excluded from the elections in Rivers state citing a judgment of the Supreme Court, while apparently making reference to the judgment of Justice Sidi Barge of the apex court, which upheld the order of a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, by Justice Chiwendu Nworgu, nullifying the All Progressives Congress primaries in Rivers State, Professor Yakubu insisted that the chances of the APC in Rivers was foreclosed.

    Read Also: APC appeals for adequate security in Okrika ahead of elections

    Responding to questions on the situation in Rivers, he said he was aware of a ruling of Supreme Court of February 11, 2019 delivered by Justice Olabode Rhodes Vivour, which upheld an order of stay of execution of the Court of Appeal of the judgment of Justice Nworgu of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, the INEC chairman said the ruling has not been brought to his attention.

    He said: “I am not aware there is any live order in the case of Rivers that INEC has not obeyed. By Thursday, I was aware there was a Court of Appeal judgment but everybody knows what the judgment is. I don’t know there is any live order that INEC has not obeyed in the case of Rivers.“

  • PDP applauds inclusion of APC candidates on INEC list

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) gubernatorial candidate in Zamfara State Dr. Bello Muhammad has applauded the judgement of the Court of Appeal that ordered inclusion of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the general elections.

    The PDP candidate told reporters in his residence that PDP is in the contest because there are others too and would not be happy if a strong contender as the APC is out.

    Read Also: Police arrest Jibrin-Kofa over Kano APC, PDP clash

    Muhammad, who donated a new Peugeot to the correspondent chapel, stated that eight political parties that include the PPA have all pledged allegiance to the PDP in the state, urging supporters to vote only PDP in all the polls across the state.

    Muhammad stated that without strong contestants, citizens will never enjoy democracy dividends, stressing he is poised to turn around the fortune of Zamfara state to a much higher position if voted into office.

  • PDP alleges APC moved in N2.5bn for vote-buying in Akwa-Ibom

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council in Cross River state has alleged the All Progressives Congress (APC) intends to buy votes during the Presidential and National Assembly elections with N2.5billion .

    Director-General of the campaign council, Mr Efiok Cobham, in a statement in Calabar in Friday evening, alleged the money was channeled to the state chapter of the APC through the Central Bank of Nigeria branch in Calabar.

    The council also called on the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state to resist any attempt to be bought and conscripted into an alliance aimed at thwarting the will of the electorate.

    “It is now crystal clear to all that APC is fake, not on ground, desperate and afraid of defeat.

    “APC is the opposite of what it pretends to be or how else can one describe a party that claims to be an agent of change and fighting corruption but is currently neck deep in monumental electoral thievery?

    “APC ‘s evil mechanizations in Cross River will fail because Cross Riverians have since made up their minds to go with the PDP which represents hope.

    “We appeal to INEC to assert its independence and remain steadfast in its avowed commitment to protecting the sanctity of the ballot box.

    “They should resist every inducement and intimidation that the APC would subject it to.”

    Read Also: PDP’ll be defeated on Sat, says Tinubu

    “Cross Riverians are politically sophisticated  and the level of electoral education here is excellent but the APC, aware of its utter hopelessness in the state, is working hard to pollute the system. Cross Riverians should beware of APC’s antics.

    “Ignore the APC and its desperation. Don’t allow them to pollute you. Go out there tomorrow and vote Atiku and all PDP candidates en mass.We must reclaim our country from these buccaneers,” he said

    But Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Mr Bassey Ita, described it as a malicious fabrication, which has the potential to damage the integrity and honesty the APC is known for.

    Ita said it was ironic that a bunch of dishonest people should make such accusation and called on members of the public disregard and discard it.

  • Ogun ADC raises alarm over missing ballot papers

    ….No cause for alarm – INEC

     

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Imeko – Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State has alleged that a total of 6,053 ballot papers for the rescheduled Saturday House of Representatives election in the area have not been delivered, less than 10 hours to the poll.

    The party claimed that the records from its agents at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Office showed that a total of 62,853 ballot papers were released from the state office for Imeko-Afon LG but lamented that at the Imeko-Afon INEC office, only 56,790 ballot papers were physically sighted and counted by its agent, agents of other political parties and security personnel.

    In a petition by the trio of Alhaji Jimoh Aremu Olaifa – ADC candidate Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, Hon. Kayode Elegbede – ADC chairman, Imeko-Afon LGA and Mr. Ben Ibikunle – ADC agent – Imeko Afon LGA, they claimed there is a “shortage of 6,053 ballots papers” and demanded for the return of the ‘missing’ 6,053 ballot papers.

    The Petition was addressed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), INEC, Ogun State and copied the National Chairman INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, State Chairman of ADC and the National Chairman of ADC.

    The Petitioners urged the state REC to use his good office to ensure that the missing 6053 House of Representatives ballot papers for Imeko-Afon are produced immediately to safeguard the credibility of the election.

    The petition reads: “We the undersigned are writing to officially bring to your notice that a total of 6,053 ballot papers for the Saturday 23 House of Representatives election in Imeko Afon LG were not delivered to the Imeko-Afon INEC office and up till this time the said ballot papers are not accounted for.

    “Records from our agents at the Ogun State INEC office showed that a total of 62,853 ballot papers were released from the state office for Imeko-Afon LG.

    Read Also: Policeman, thugs arrested for branding private vehicles in police colours

    “However, at the Imeko-Afon INEC office, only 56,790 ballot papers was physically sighted and counted by our agent, agents of other political parties and security personnel leaving a shortage of 6053 ballots papers as above.

    “Interestingly the same number of 62,843 ballot papers released for the Presidential and senatorial elections was physically sighted and counted by all concerned at the INEC office, Imeko Afon.

    “We hereby strongly demand that you used your good office to ensure that the missing 6053 House of Representatives ballot papers for Imeko-Afon are produced immediately to safeguard the credibility of this election and nip in the bud ongoing speculation that can threatened law and order in the local government.”

    But reacting, the Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Adenike Tadese,

    said there is no cause for alarm as the box containing the ballot papers for Imeko Afon was sealed, untampered and opened in the presence of all stakeholders with all witnessing it that the shortfall was not the result of theft or missing, but a case of an error(of counting) from the manufacturer.

    Mrs. Tadese added that the petitioners were only trying to make mountain out of a mole hill as the number of registered voters in the area are not up to the number of available ballot papers for the House of Representatives election in Imeko Afon LGA.

  • Policeman, thugs arrested for branding private vehicles in police colours

    An unidentified police inspector was arrested on Thursday at a hotel in Ewet Housing Estate for aiding some people to brand two private vehicles in police colour.

    The vehicles made to look like patrol vehicles were ostensibly to be used during Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The two vehicles, Volvo V70, it was learnt, is similar to the one procured by the state government for the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.

    A local tabloid, quoting a source privy to the development, said the police intercepted the thugs and policeman at the hotel, while they were branding the vehicles.

    The source said: “There was information that some men suspected to be political thugs working for one of the political parties was branding the type of Volvo V70 vehicle which the state government donated to the police.

    “The branding was being done ahead of Saturday’s elections. The vehicles already had the siren installed and the police inscription also on it, as well as the identification numbers.

    “When the police got to the hotel, the suspects had already relocated one of the vehicles while the second one was being branded with the assistance of the police inspector.

    “He (the inspector) was taken to the police station and the vehicle was recovered.

    “The police inspector was taken to the police station for investigation and he made useful statements.

    “He mentioned some persons who engaged him in the services he was rendering.

    “Investigation is ongoing. The inspector is serving in one of the intelligence departments in the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.”

    The Nation contacted the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Odiko MacDon, to authenticate the report he cut off the line midway into the conversation.

    His line was called several times but he refused to pick his phone.

    He also didn’t respond to an SMS sent to him.

    After repeated attempts, he finally picked the phone but told our reporter that he was in a meeting.

  • President Buhari arrives Katsina for polls

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday arrived in Katsina en route to Daura, his hometown, to participate in the rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday.

    The presidential aircraft conveying the president, his wife, Aisha, and some of his aides landed at Umar Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina, about 3.25p.m.

    The president was received at the airport by Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, members of the National Assembly from Katsina State, heads of Federal Government agencies in the state and other government functionaries.

    The president left the airport in a presidential helicopter for Daura at about 3.50p.m.

    Read Also: Buhari to Nigerians: Vote govt of your choice

    While in Daura, Buhari, the Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), in Saturday’s elections, is expected to join other eligible voters at Kofar Baru 003 polling unit, Sarkin Yara ward, Daura, Katsina State, to cast his vote.

    Buhari on Feb. 14 rounded off his nationwide campaign in Katsina and later proceeded to Daura for the Feb. 16 Presidential National Assembly elections before it was shifted by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Feb. 23.

    The Governorship, House of Assembly, Federal Capital Territory  Area Council elections were also shifted from March 2 to March 9.

    NAN

  • INEC completes distribution of electoral materials in Kano

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano says it has completed the distribution of sensitive materials to all the 44 local government areas in the state.

    The Public Relations Officer of the commission in the state, Alhaji Garba Lawal, confirmed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kano.

    According to Lawal, the commission embarked on distribution of the sensitive materials on Wednesday following the postponement of the elections earlier scheduled for Feb. 16.

    “Since Thursday night we have completed the distribution of sensitive materials to all our local government offices across the state, and at the end of today (Friday) we are hoping to distribute them to all the Registration Area Centres (RACs).

    Read Also: INEC clears 72.7m to vote

    “By tomorrow morning, as early as possible, we are going to start the distribution of both the non-sensitive and the sensitive materials to polling units where the election will commence,’’ Lawal said.

    He explained that the commission had done everything possible to ensure the welfare and safety of the corps members serving as ad-hoc staff for the elections.

    NAN recalls that the electoral body had last week confirmed that all the non-sensitive materials have been distributed to all the 44 local government areas.

    NAN