The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • Polls: Security operatives nab man with 2000 PVCs in Edo

    Barely few hours to the rescheduled general elections, security agencies in Edo State, have apprehended one Mr. Edwin Edosomwan in Iyekogba axis of Oredo Local Government Area for being in possession of 2000 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

    The PVCs, it was learnt, was purchased from residents in Iyekogba, Oredo Ward 2, as the man, nabbed on Thursday evening, allegedly claimed he was a mobiliser for one of the candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) contesting in Saturday’s elections.

    The development is coming less than 24 hours after a Benin-based research group, Edo Socio-Political Research Group, released findings of a study on PVC collection in the state, which showed that some candidates of the PDP had engaged in ‘systemic rigging.’

    In the study, it was discovered that there was a dubious rate of PVC collection in Oredo and Ovia North East, areas where the PDP candidates in the state would vote. The research showed that the two local councils were outliers in the rate of PVC collection, while the trend seemed normal in the 16 other local councils.

    Mr. Edosomwan was caught in Oredo local council, one of the councils that the Edo Socio-Political Research Group had raised the alarm of a possible plot of ‘systemic rigging.’

    Speaking to reporters while being paraded by security operatives, Mr. Edosomwan allegedly claimed to be a member of the ‘Operation Show Your Result’ team, a support group for the candidate of the PDP for Oredo Federal Constituency, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide Ihama.

    He said he was mandated to get as many PVCs of eligible voters as possible within Oredo Federal Constituency with the aim of buying over their votes.

    He added that he bought the PVCs for as low as 5000 naira per PVC, noting that he and members of his campaign group have been instructed to deliver their units at all costs.

    Mr. Edosomwan was later taken in by law enforcement agencies for further interrogation.

  • Breaking: We’re more than ready, INEC assures

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has assured it is more than ready for the rescheduled general election starting tomorrow.

    Its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said all arrangements have been put in place for commencement of the exercise.

    He also declared only those with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will be able to participate in the exercise.

    The Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu also assured eligible voters, observers and INEC officials of their security.

    Read Also: INEC moves sensitive materials to Bayelsa LGAs

    Adamu stressed that no armed security personnel will be allowed at the polling units.

    He doused the fears of voters, saying the force will be professional during the exercise.

    Details shortly…

  • PDP, Akpabio trade words over Obot Akara attack

    Elders of the People’s Democratic Party under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Elders and Stakeholders and Senator Godswill Akpabio on Friday traded words over the carnage in Obot-Akara Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    The mayhem which occurred on the eve of last Saturday’s botched election led to the death of two persons and the burning down of 13 INEC vehicles in the area.

    The elders of the PDP who addressed a press conference at the banquet hall of the Government House, Uyo accused Senator Akpabio of masterminding the attack in order to cause panic and win the elections for the All Progressives Congress.

    But in swift reaction also on Friday, Senator Godswill Akpabio described the allegations as spurious, baseless and unfounded adding that elders were playing the victim complex of an impending defeat.

    Former Military Administrator of the state, Idongesit Nkanga, had, in a briefing earlier in the day accused senator Akpabio of hiring thugs from neighboring States.

    Nkanga who is the Director-General Mandate Organization, further alleged that Akpabio had assured the thugs of the protection from Aso Rock, the DSS, the Inspector General of Police and other paramilitary agencies to cause confusion that could lead to postponement of the polls in Akwa Ibom State.

    He said “We, the Elders of this State and Stakeholders have gathered here, to bring to the attention of Nigeria and the international community, the devious plan of the All Progressive Congress spearheaded by Senator Godswill Akpabio to cause widespread mayhem in the State with the view to disrupting the Presidential and National assembly elections scheduled for this Saturday, February, 23  2019.

    “Last night, Senator Akpabio held a secret meeting with the security agencies where he informed them that he has the permission of the Presidency to kill and maim all opponents and that nothing will happen to any officer who carries out the instruction.

    Nkanga claimed that Akpabio was acting in concert with the AIG Kimo, who is in charge of Zone 6 whom he alleged had sent Akapbio’s cousin brother, Idorenyin Akpabio to arrest PDP stakeholders and perceived opponent on trumped up charges.

    “The conduct last Saturday in Obot Akara where INEC buses were burnt with election materials was masterminded by Senator Akpabio.

    He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently disassociate himself from the evil boast of Senator Akpabio, that he has the full support of the President to maim and kill Akwa Ibom people in order to rig elections in his favour.

    Read Also: Akpabio and test of leadership

    Reacting to the allegations senator Godswill Akpabio, described the allegations as baseless and unfounded stressing that PDP was playing the victim complex of an impending defeat.

    Akpabio who spoke through his Special Assistant Media, Anietie Ekong, said “The attention of the former Senate Minority Leader and Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Senator Godswill Akpabio has been drawn to some spurious, baseless and unfounded statements credited to some Akwa Ibom Elders and Stakeholders on the forth-coming election.

    “It beats our imagination that the Elders could call a press conference to spew lies and falsehood and make a crude attempt to blackmail President Muhammadu Buhari, all in the name of politics. But it follows a familiar pattern of crying wolf since the defection of Senator Akpabio to the All Progressives Congress

    He added “It is nonsensical for anyone to claim that Senator Akpabio held a meeting with unnamed security agencies in the state and informed them that Mr President has given permission for him to “kill and maim all opponents and that nothing will happen to any officer who carries out the instruction.”

    “President Buhari is a responsible leader who is committed to the wellbeing of all Nigerians and could not have given any instructions on innocent Nigerians to be maimed and killed. It is most irresponsible politics to drag in the name of the President.

    “It is obvious that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is playing the victim complex because of the impending defeat that awaits them in the forth-coming elections in Akwa Ibom State.

    “Their strategy of crying wolf is a pretext to blackmail security agencies, distract them and procure leverage to bring thugs to operate during the elections.

    “It is instructive that during the botched Presidential and National Assembly elections, security agencies apprehended over 400 armed thugs, who confessed when they were paraded at the State Police Headquarters that they were hired by PDP chieftains to snatch ballot boxes and intimidate voters.

    “They are particularly angry that Mr President has directed security agencies to deal ruthlessly with thugs and ballot box snatchers so they seek to divert public attention and that of vigilant security agents while preparing grounds for the execution of their nefarious plot” he said.

  • NAF deploys surveillance aircraft for election monitoring

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) is deploying surveillance aircraft to potential flashpoints across the country as part of efforts to secure lives and property during general elections commencing tomorrow with the presidential and national assembly polls.

    The surveillance aircraft are besides those assigned for support operations during the elections, according to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

    Abubakar,at a meeting with Principal Staff Officers and Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) of the six NAF Field Commands in Abuja,said the surveillance aircraft would provide real-time imagery intelligence that would be streamed live to the HQ NAF Situation Room as well as Command Situation/Operations Rooms across the country.

    He stressed the need for all officers and men to remain apolitical in the course of their duties, and resist any entreaty by individuals who are more concerned about their personal interests than the nation’s interests.

    Read Also: NAF jet destroys insurgents’ camp in Borno

    He also urged them to work very closely with other security agencies to ensure that no individual or group of individuals undermine the electoral process.

    He warned that Commanders would be held personally responsible for any lapses.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information of the Air Force,Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said the force is working in conjunction with the Police and other security agencies to “ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians before, during and after the elections.”

  • Last-minute campaigns move to mosques in Kwara

    Barely 24 hours to the battleground for tomorrow’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, the last- minute campaigns have shifted to mosques in Kwara State.

    The Imam of a popular mosque in Muritala area of the state, Alhaji Muritala did not mince words when he declared in his sermon that enough was enough on Friday.

    He pointed out that a lot of people died along Monkwa-Jebba road for many years and a government came and rehabilitated the road, apparently referring to the All Progressives Congress(APC) administration and “some people said such good venture should not continue, please vote wisely.”

    Referring to the attack on the Vice President convoy by some thugs on Thursday at Aluko side of the metropolis, the lmam enjoined parents to warn their children as he who kill by the gun will be one day equally silenced by gun.

    Read Also: Police justify arrest of Kwara Senator

    According to him, it was no longer news that Kwara civil servants are the worst paid in terms of allowances and emoluments, adding that “we have pleaded and cried to Allah that they should go away because their holding to power is inimical to the people.

    “Are they not in government these years that they are now paying bursary to students few days ago?

    “We know the real candidates and the bastards that Allah will never allow them to rule us again.”

    Alhaji Muritala pointed out that anybody that collects the stipend they are doling out to vote for them “has missed the road because the hour has come when their fake government will be taking away from them and given to real candidates who will restore the lost glories of the old state.”

    He challenged all the worshipers to go all out to vote for credible candidates that will give peace to the state.

  • Police justify arrest of Kwara Senator

    · Arrest eight persons in connection with shootings

     

    Kwara state police command on Friday justified the arrest of a Senator representing Kwara south senatorial district, Dr Rafiu Ibrahim.

    The command added that the senator, who doubles as the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in tomorrow’s election, was arrested in connection with the bloody shooting on Tuesday in Ojoku, Oyun local government area of the state.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital in preparation for the presidential and National Assembly election, Police Commissioner Kayode Egbetokun said that the shooting incident led to loss of one life.

    He added that in the process six persons were also injured and they are still in the hospital.

    Representatives of army, air force, civil defence corps were in attendance at the joint press briefing.

    He said the Air Force Helicopter have been hovering around the state capital to ensure air surveillance.

    “You have been seeing the Air Force Helicopter moving around. It is in the air for area surveillance it is for your protection. There is no need for any panic,” he said.

    On the arrest of the Senator, he said: “It is true that we have a senator in our custody and his arrest was made in connection with the incident at Ojoku on Tuesday 19th of this month.

    “Don’t forget, a life was lost to that incident. That cannot happen and we just fold our arms.

    “Let me again reiterate our resolve to be fair to all. And I am assuring that no innocent person will be arrested and if in the event that any innocent person is arrested the person will be released immediately.”

    He added: “We are however, jolted by two incidents that happened in the last few days. On Tuesday 19th of this month at the palace of Olojoku of Ojoku an ugly incident occurred.

    “One of the senatorial candidates for the election was in the palace of the monarch for a visit. Unfortunately, armed thugs attacked his convoy.

    “At the end of it one person was declared dead and six people injured. The injured people are still receiving treatment in the hospital.

    “While we were still managing that, yesterday (Thursday) when the Vice President visited us, something unfortunate happened. As the convoy of the vice president left Isale-Aluko the crowd behind was shot at by yet-to-be-identified person.

    “At the end of it two people were injured and they are receiving treatment in the hospital.

    “Eight persons have been arrested in connection with the Ojoku killing and the Isale-Aluko incident. More of these suspects will still be arrested and they will be made to face the full wrath of the law. The arrested are undergoing investigation.

    “Let me add that when carry out arrest, we don’t consider the party those arrested belong to. Criminal suspects are treated as criminal suspects.

    Read Also; Polls: Kwara, Kano, 10 others major flash points, says CCC

    “We don’t even want to know the party they belong. We are security agents. We are neutral and non-partisan and we are resolved to continue to maintain our neutrality.”

    On the use of security agents to harass opposition, Egbetokun said: “That has been the usual rumour. Let me tell you before this election, there was no arrest by any of the security agencies. If the botched election had held no election would have been made.

    “It will be unfortunate for anybody to now consider the arrest we have made as an attempt to intimidate the people in opposition. We don’t know who is in opposition and we don’t want to know.”

  • A/Court didn’t clear Zamfara APC’s candidates, Ozekhome insists

    Lawyer to the Senator Kabiru Marafa faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) confirmed on Friday that the judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja given on Thursday set aside the January 27, 2019 judgment by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Justice Ojukwu had, in the judgment, held among others that there was no evidence before her court that the APC in Zamfara conducted valid primaries for the purpose of producing candidates for this year’s general elections.

    The decision of the Court of Appeal on Thursday, setting aside Justice Ojukwu’s judgment, for lack of jurisdiction, has since been interpreted by many to mean that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should now accept candidates from Zamfara APC, a position Ozekhome faulted.

    He argued that, since the Court of Appeal only set aside the judgment, but failed to make a consequential order directing INEC to accept candidates from Zamfara APC; it implies that the earlier decision by the electoral body, refusing the party’s candidates, still stands.

    In two separate documents issued on Friday – a press release and a letter to INEC Chairman (both of which he personally signed), Ozekhome urged INEC to reject candidates from Zamfara APC on the grounds that that “nothing has changed,” despite the Appeal Court judgment given in Abuja on February 21, 2019.

    Ozekhome insisted that, since an appeal filed by his client, Marafa, was still pending before the Court of Appeal in Sokoto State, against the judgement of the Zamfara State High Court, which said there were valid primaries, the issue (of whether or not there were valid primaries) could not be said to have been safely resolved.

    The Senior Advocate said: “Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on 21st February, 2019, dismissed the appeal filed by APC challenging the judgment of Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, which had affirmed INEC’s stand that the APC did not conduct any primary election in Zamfara state and that INEC was right to have rejected APC’s candidates from Zamfara state.

    “The dismissal followed an application by APC to withdraw the appeal. The application was granted and the appeal dismissed accordingly.

    “Next was the cross-appeal filed by Yari & Co on jurisdiction and cause of action.

    “The judgment given by the Court of Appeal today clearly stated that the appeal partially succeeded and went ahead to set aside the judgment of the lower court on jurisdiction only, but refuse to grant the cause of action component of the appeal.

    “By this, the Court of Appeal refused to grant INEC any order to revive candidates of the APC from Zamfara state.

    “The cross-appeal therefore partially failed because, from the onset, APC had a complaint against INEC only. Governor had applied to join the case voluntarily.

    “And, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu in her judgment held that ‘APC did not seek any relief against the 2nd to 6th dependents (Yari & Co) and considering that Yari and & Co didn’t file a counter claim, or cross action against APC in the suit, she now held that Yari & Co have nothing to add in this case.

    “From the foregoing, it is clear that the cross-appeal by Yari and his group, before the Court of Appeal, having partially failed, becomes at best, a mere academic exercise bereft of any utilitarian value to the entire case.

    “The false assertion that the Court of Appeal had cleared the way for the APC to participate in Saturday’s election is therefore a lie from the pit of hell.

    “It is nothing short of the desperate minute by frustrated politician holding on any available straw to smuggle themselves Willy nilly into Saturday’s election. This cannot work.

    “INEC is hereby reminded that there exists in addition to the above legal obstacles, a subsisting appeal which arose from the Zamfara State High Court judgment, which is still extant and pending before the Sokoto division of the Court of Appeal , in Appeal no: CA/S/32/2019.

    “In any event, the judgment of the Federal High Court, going by the judgment of the Court of Appeal still partially succeeded, since the Court of Appeal refused to make any clear mandatory orders directing INEC to receive any candidates from Yari group for the purpose of Saturday’s elections.

    “INEC is therefore obligated and legally bound to stand by its earlier well founded position that APC, having never conducted any primaries in Zamfara state, have no candidates in the forthcoming elections in Zamfara state, have no candidate in the forthcoming elections in Zamfara state, except the presidential election.

    “Any other act by INEC in fielding any candidates from the Governor Yari’s group or the “G-8” group will be illegal, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect whatsoever,” Ozekhome said.

    He made similar argument in the letter to the Chairman of INEC.

    Part of the letter reads: “Sometimes in October 2018 when INEC wrote to APC, intimating it that the commission would not be expecting any list of candidates from them, having failed to conduct primaries within the stipulated time, APC challenged that decision of the commission by filing a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which decided the case in favour of the commission and dismissed the suit.

    “Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State had cross-appealed. By the judgment of the Court of Appeal on 21st February, 2019 the intermediate court held that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter in the first place and therefore struck it out.

    “What this decision means sir, is that, as at today, there is no valid or extant decision of any court of law in Nigeria, which has set aside the well-grounded decision of INEC as contained in its letter of 9th October, 2018.

    “In addition to this clear legal obstacle against any of the parties fielding any candidate in the forthcoming Zamfara elections (aside the presidential election), there also exists and still pending before the Sokoto division of the Court of Appeal, a valid appeal filed by Senator Kabiru Marafa in appeal no: CA/S/33/2019.

    “Consequently, by way of summary, nothing in the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja has changed the well-grounded position of maintenance of status quo of disallowing. Any of the parties to field candidates for the forthcoming elections, except the presidential election.

    “The Court of Appeal, Abuja division merely struck out the suit which had been dismissed by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja with no consequential order.

    “Please sir, this letter urges you to firmly maintain your earlier position so as to prevent a clear circumvent of the judicial process and an appeal that is still pending before the Sokoto division of the Court of Appeal,” Ozekhome said.

  • Polls: Kwara, Kano, 10 others major flash points, says CCC

    The Centre for Crisis Communication on Friday identified 12 states including Kano, Kwara, Kogi, Kaduna and Imo as major flashpoints during the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday.

    The CCC whose findings are usually based on credible intelligence from military and security agencies stated this in its mid-February collation and dissemination of data on crisis situation across the country.

    Other states in this category included Adamawa, Taraba, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Anambra, said the group’s Executive Secretary Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd).

    These disclosures which were made at Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA) in Abuja was confirmed to The Nation by Anas, a former spokesman for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

    He said the possible flash points were arrived at after a review of recent incidents and violent activities in some of the states.

    “We strongly recommend that adequate security arrangements should be made to ensure that the elections are not disrupted in some of the states we have identified.

    “We identified these states and grouped them according to geopolitical zones. In the north, Kano and Kaduna are major flashpoints. We have Kwara and Kogi in North Central; Adamawa and Taraba in Northeast.

    “In the south, we identified Lagos and Ogun for southwest, Rivers and Akwa Ibom south-south and Imo and Anambra States for southeast.

    “We appeal to politicians and community leaders to advise their subjects against involvement in any activity capable of inciting violence that could have negative effects on the electoral processes.

    “We also urge all security agencies deployed for elections to be proactive and conduct themselves professionally by carrying out their duties with absolute neutrality, devoid of bias, while the media and Civil Society Organizations should continue to monitor and keep Nigerians abreast before, during and after the elections,” said Anas.

    According to him, the centre gathers, collates, processes, harmonises and disseminates information on potential crisis situation in the country.

    “It has been providing credible and professional crisis information and early warning alerts to strategic institutions with the view of taking appropriate measure towards ensuring adequate security as well as promoting peaceful coexistence in the country.“

  • Updated: INEC clears Zamfara APC to contest

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared the Zamfara state All Progressive Congress (APC) to present candidates for the general elections.

    This follows the Court of Appeal ruling on the matter.

    The state APC was barred from presenting candidates following an internal crisis, which prevented the party from conducting its primaries within the time frame set by INEC.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Thursday over ruled the lower court on technical ground.

    There were two conflicting rulings from two court of the same jurisdiction, one sitting in Zamfara and the other in Abuja.

    While the Zamfara Court ruled in favour of the ruling party, the Abuja High court ruled against the party, which therefore forced INEC to take a decision.

    However, the Appeal Court ruling on Thursday changed the narrative.

    INEC, in a statement by the National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said the commission has complied with the Court order.

    The statement reads: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has consistently maintained that it will always obey court judgments and orders.

    Read Also; INEC deploys sensitive materials in Akwa Ibom

    “In the case of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, the Federal High Court Abuja and the Zamfara State High Court issued conflicting orders relating to the participation of the APC in the two strands of elections scheduled for 23rd February and 9th March 20l9.

    “While the former ruled that the APC, having failed to conduct party primaries cannot field candidates in the said election, the latter decided that it can field candidates having conducted valid party primaries.

    “However, the Court of Appeal Abuja Judicial Division on 21st February 2019 set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja for “lack or want of jurisdiction on the part on the lower court.

    “This in effect means the Zamfara State High Court‘s decision that the APC can field candidates for the National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly elections is the only valid and subsisting order.

    “Consequently, the Commission has today, in compliance with the said order, restored the APC to the ballot in the National Assembly. Governorship and State House of Assembly elections scheduled for 23rd February and 9th March 2019.”

     

     

  • Polls: IGP orders tight security nationwide

    The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu has ordered nationwide tight security ahead of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly election.

    The IG also directed the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGs) deployed to the geo-political zones to ensure adequate coordination and supervision of security personnel deployed for the elections.

    Adamu also charged the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police to beef up security in their Area of Responsibilities.

    He also warned officers deployed nationwide to remain apolitical and non-partisan adding that he will not tolerate any form of impunity or unethical conduct on the part of any personnel.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Friday by the Force Spokesman, ACP Frank Mba.

    The statement reads: “In view of the Presidential/National Assembly Elections scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, 23rd February, 2019, the Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Mohammed Adamu has ordered a water-tight and robust security arrangement in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “In this vein, the IGP has directed the Deputy Inspector Generals of Police already deployed to the six geo-political zones of the Country to ensure adequate security presence, coordination, supervision and implementation of security strategies for the election in all Polling Units, Registration Area Centres (RACs), Super RACs, Collation Centres, INEC offices, Government and critical National Infrastructures, flash and vulnerable points across the States of the federation.

    “Similarly, the Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) in the 12 Zonal Commands and the Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the 36 State Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been directed by the IGP to beef-up security in their respective areas and to work closely with the Senior Police Officers deployed on election duties to the three senatorial districts and form part of security management base for each State.”