The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • FG extends visa stay for foreigner observers

    The federal government has acceded to a request by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the visa stay of foreigner observers affected by postponement of the general elections.

    The visa fee of the foreign observers will also be waived to enable them stay for the extended polls.

    INEC’s chairman, Professor Mahmood Yabuku, announced these during the daily update to stakeholders on the rescheduled polls on Thursday in Abuja.

    According to him: “In order to make the processes easier, the Nigeria Immigration Service, working with the Commission, is granting extension of visa to all international observers who require such facility.

    Read Also: How Atiku secured American visa, by BMO

    “Similarly, the Immigration Service is also granting re-entry visa to all observers who may wish to travel out of the country and return for the second part of the general election.

    “In this regard, the service has also requested me to convey its decision to waive the visa fee and treat all such requests expeditiously.

    “The extension of stay or re-entry into the country will be treated gratis. A special desk to handle those who wish to extend their stay as well as those travelling and coming back to Nigeria before 9th March 2019 has been set up at the Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    “Two immigration officers have been assigned to carry out the ad hoc assignment.

    “On behalf of the Commission, I wish to extend our profound appreciation to the Nigeria Immigration Service for this initiative.”

  • INEC begins deployment of sensitive materials in A/Ibom

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has commenced the deployment of sensitive electoral materials to the 31 local governments in Akwa Ibom State.

    Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Mike Igini, who disclosed this while addressing to party agents, international observers and security agencies said the commission will everything within its power to conduct a hitch-free exercise.

    Read Also: INEC begins deployment of electoral materials in Ekiti

    Igini said: “We have commenced the continuation of what we have been doing in the last few days in preparation of our re-scheduled elections. What you are seeing here is what is left of the materials for the conduct of the rescheduled elections.”

    He regretted that the commission could not move all the materials as at last Friday, February 15.

  • Lagos CP warns ballot box snatchers, others

    .Says no area will be left unpoliced

     

    Lagos State Commissioner Zubairu Muazu on  Thursday issued stern warning to ballot box snatchers and other electoral offenders to have a rethink or face the wrath of the law.

    Muazu gave the warning at his maiden interaction with reporters since assuming duties at the new police boss in the state.

    According to him, the command would stop at nothing to ensure that offenders are prosecuted and convicted, reminding residents that the earlier deployment of 30,000 security personnel for the exercise would be maintained.

    On the preparedness of the command to deal with such issues, Muazu said: “Our men have the ingredients of the Electoral Act. They have been well trained on what is expected of them before, during and after the elections. So when anyone who snatches a ballot box is caught, they will be tried in court and punished according to the law.

    “I want to assure you that the Police in collaboration with other security agencies under the umbrella of Inter-Agency consultative committee on this election is ready come Saturday.

    “A very robust operation order to cover deployment of security personnel for the elections is on ground, so we will ensure there is a safe and secure environment for electorate in Lagos to go and cast their votes without fear and intimidation.”

    He said the command had emplaced an election plan that covers before, during and after the exercise, stating that intelligence arm of security agencies had been deployed to gather evidence in case of prosecution of arrested suspects.

    Confirming recent cult clashes in the state, Muazu assured residents such clashes would not hamper the peace of the polls, adding that arrests have been made and suspects would be prosecuted.

    “In the last two weeks, we have had cases of clashes between rival cult groups in areas like Oworonshoki, Somolu, Bariga and Fadeyi. We are working round the clock to ensure there is peace. We want to assure Lagosians that we will make sure that these few cases we have had will not surface during the election.

    “I want to assure all Lagosians that this year’s elections are going to be well secured and so, they should come out and vote. There will be constant patrols and pin-down patrol points.
    “Arrests have been made in the cases cited and investigations are ongoing. All suspects would be charged to court soon.“

  • How States stand in PVCs collection

    …Lagos, Kano top list

     

    Ahead of Saturday’s general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has released full list of Permanent Voter Cards collected with Lagos State topping the list.

    According to the list, 5,531,389 people collected PVCs in Lagos State, while 4,696,747 registered voters in Kano State collected their PVCs.

    In Kaduna State, 3,648,831 persons picked up their PVCs followed closely by Katsina State with 3,187,988 million cards collected. Rivers State rounds up the top five with 2,833,101 PVCs collected.

    In terms of percentage of registered voters that collected PVCs, Lagos is not in the top 10 with 84.19 percent of the 6,570,291 registered voters in the state collecting their PVCs. 1,038,902 million voters (the highest for any state) did not collect PVCs in Lagos State.

    According to INEC statistics, Katsina State has the highest percentage of PVCs collected with 98.69 percent of registered voters in the state collecting their PVCs.

    It was followed by Taraba State with 97.30 percent of registered voters getting their PVCs, while 95.76 percent of Nigerians registered to vote in Gombe collected their cards.

    Kebbi State and Bauchi State followed with 95.13 and 94.84 percent of registered voters getting their PVCs in both states, respectively.

    See full list below:

     

     

     

  • How parallel voter tabulation ’ll work, by UK, US-backed monitor YIAGA

    The Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) Africa on Thursday explained how it would verify the general elections results through the parallel voter tabulation (PVT).

    It expects to receive over 33,000 observer reports containing 500,000 unique pieces of information on the process and results of the election.

    The group said over 94 data clerks as well as a team of data analysts will work throughout Saturday and Sunday to process, analyse and verify the reports at the Watching the Vote (WTV) National Data Center located on Floor 02 of the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

    YIAGA Africa has as its technical partners the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the US-based National Democratic Institute.

    At a briefing by WTV Working Group Chair Dr. Hussaini Abdu and YIAGA Africa Executive Director Samson Itodo, the group said the PVT, described as the gold standard observation methodology, has been utilised throughout the world and in previous state elections in Nigeria.

    “Based on reports from its observers in the sampled polling units, YIAGA Africa will also provide an independent projection of voter turnout and will be able to project the vote shares that each party should receive within a narrow range.

    “If the official results fall within YIAGA Africa’s estimated ranges, then the public, political parties and candidates should have confidence in the ballots cast at the polling units.

    “YIAGA Africa undertook the WTV project to provide Nigerian voters, presidential candidates, political parties, civil society and INEC with independent information about whether the official results for the 23 February 2019 presidential election truly reflect the ballots cast at polling units.

    “The WTV project is driven by data – for all Nigerians – Beholden to None! Only INEC, however, has the legal mandate to announce the election results.

    “As soon as INEC announces the official results, YIAGA Africa will follow up with a final press conference to share its own statement on the accuracy of the election results and will publicise these projections,” the group said.

    YIAGA Africa said following the postponement, it deployed observers in the 774 Local Government Areas to monitor the implementation of INEC’s reviewed election logistical plan.

    It found that INEC is retrieving materials from the LGAs to the Central Bank and has been reconfiguring smart card readers.

    The group praised INEC’s openness through the daily briefing by the chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu, urging the commission to maintain the briefing throughout the 2019 elections.

    “However, reports received by YIAGA Africa indicates that some Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) and Electoral Officers (EO) are reluctant to share information with relevant stakeholders on the state of INEC’s preparedness for the elections,” the group said.

    Read Also: 2019: INEC accredits 144 observer groups

    YIAGA Africa warned about the threats of violence, hate speech and misinformation, saying they portend great danger to peace and national security.

    “Electoral stakeholders especially candidates and political party leaders should refrain from heating up the polity as Nigeria is on a fringe of a potential electoral conflict if caution is not exercised.

    “Security agencies should exercise their functions within constitutional limits. The rights of citizens must be respected before, during and after the elections.

    “YIAGA Africa reminds all security agencies involved in election security operations that the 2010 Electoral Act as amended prescribes electoral offences and sanctions.

    “Therefore, it will be unconstitutional and a disregard of the rule of law to invoke sanctions not prescribed by law for electoral offences,” it said.

    YIAGA Africa said its WTV National Data Center will be open to the public and media at all times and will provide timely updates on the conduct of the election based on the near real-time reports from its observers.

    “These will include press conferences at the WTV National Data Center to share a mid-day situational statement on 23 February 2019 and a press conference on the morning after (Sunday February 24) to share preliminary data on the process.

    “At present, all 3,076 PVT observers are sending in practice reports based on an election day scenario, which will be duly processed by the data clerks and data analysis teams.

    “YIAGA Africa stands ready to observe the presidential elections on behalf of all Nigerians and to ensure that the people’s votes are accurately counted.

    “YIAGA Africa calls on the citizens of Nigeria, the parties and candidates, INEC and the forces of law and order to also play their parts to ensure a peaceful, credible and inclusive process.

    “YIAGA Africa calls on every eligible voter to get ready with their permanent voter’s card (PVC) and come out in their number to exercise their civic responsibilities and vote,” the group said.

     

  • Polls: Security agents uncover six flash points in Anambra

    Ahead of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, security agencies in Anambra said they had uncovered six major flash points in the state.

    Mr Rabiu Ladodo, Commissioner of Police in charge of security in the conduct of the general elections in Anambra, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday in Awka.

    Flanked by heads of other security agencies, Ladodo named the flash points as Ogidi, Obosi, Nnewi, Onitsha, Ajali and Ihiala.

    He said that identification of the black spots were made possible by the cooperation of security agencies with police.

    He, however, announced that adequate security arrangements had been made to ensure that the elections were peaceful in all communities in the state.

    The commissioner called on politicians, especially candidates vying for positions, to play by the rules.

    He also appealed to community leaders to advise their subjects against involvement in any act capable of affecting the exercise negatively.

    ”On our part as security agents, we will be professional in the discharge of our duties”, he said.

    Ladodo also called on the public to massively participate in the elections, adding that enough arrangements had been made by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to make the polls hitch-free.

    ”On my arrival in Awka Thursday, I went straight to Central Bank of Nigeria where the sensitive materials for the elections were distributed to all the local government areas.

    ”The brief I got from the INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner showed that all the 21 local governments have received their materials, and with the support of security personnel we hope to have smooth elections,” he said.

  • ‘No thumb printed ballot papers found in my house’

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun state, Otunba Babatunde Onakoya, on Thursday declared that there were no thumb printed ballot papers found in his house in Ijebu – Ode area of the state.

    Onakoya added that neither him nor his son who is the Chairman of Leguru Local Council Development Area, in Ijebu, Ololade Onakoya, is being investigated by security agencies in connection with the 2019 general elections or any other matter.

    The Federal Board member of Benin/Owena River Basin Authority, who made this known to reporters while reacting to news making the round that he and his son were involved in thumb printed ballot papers, also said the Chairman, Odogbolu Local Government, Wale Shittu, was not under any investigation for anything or over thumb printed ballot papers.

    Onakoya described the allegation as baseless, fake and unfounded rumour being purveyed by those threatened by his avid support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He also dismissed the allegation as “tissues of lies and a good example of fake news concocted by enemies of democracy.”

    He said: “I have never engaged in any acts of brigandage in the name of politics and will never do.

    “I strongly suspect that this is handiwork of those who are feeling threatened with our total commitment to ensure that President Buhari coast home to victory on Saturday.

    “We are pushing for this within the ambit of the law and we shall not be intimidated by anybody or group of people that want to return us to era of waste and stinking corruption.”

    Onakoya said his attention was drawn to the malicious information on Thursday morning and was surprised to discover that people could resort to destruction of his hard-earned reputation and dignity of his family just because of his unrepentant commitment to actualization of President Buhari’s second term ambition this Saturday.

  • Journalists barred as INEC distributes sensitive materials in Bauchi

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun distribution of sensitive electoral materials to the 20 local government areas in Bauchi State for the rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday.

    The exercise commenced at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office with Gamawa local government, the first to receive the sensitive materials.

    About 289 card readers, ballot papers and result sheet were conveyed in 2 different vans heading straight to the LGA while other LGAs followed suit.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria Bauchi was heavily manned with security.

    The political parties conducted themselves in an orderly manner.

    The sensitive materials were equally escorted by the police and some European Union observers.

    But journalists were barred from the CBN premises with only INEC officials, securities and foreign observers allowed in.

    Read Also: INEC and our suicidal political elite

    Acting Head of Department Voter’s Education and Public Enlightenment, Ahmed Waziri, said: “Unlike the previous arrangement we made that after receiving this type of sensitive materials, we took to the INEC office for redistribution to the respective local government areas.

    “Now that the custodian of the materials is CBN, we have to abide by the rules of the CBN in making such distribution”

    “On the issue of restriction I can only talk about the INEC jurisdiction. As per CBN, I can’t say anything.

    “I don’t work there, they have their own internal rules, INEC has nothing to hide. All the stakeholders especially the political parties, their representatives are here with us.”

  • Updated: 12 presidential candidates back Buhari

    Twelve presidential candidates in Saturday’s election on Thursday expressed their support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the candidates’ closed doors meeting with the President.

    According to him, the candidates have directed their supporters to vote for President Buhari on Saturday.

    The candidates and parties that endorsed Buhari included: Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA) Shittu Mohammed Kabiru; Independent Democrats Hon. Edozie  Nnamdi Madu; Movement for Restoration and Defence of Democracy Danjuma Mohammed; Allied Peoples Movement(APM) Mamman Yusuf Naptali and Save Nigeria Party, Ahmed Buhari,

    Others are Mass Movement of Nigeria (MMN) Alhaji Isabi Dansaki; Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) Ikechukwu Nwokeafor; Yes Party (YP) Alistar Shoyode; Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) Charles Ughalli; United Peoples Congress (UPP) Kenneth Ibe Kalu; Nigeria Element Progressives Party (NEPP) Comrade Isiaka Paul Ebili and National Democratic Liberty Party(NDLP) Robinson Apu.

    Adesina said: “So these 12 former candidates declared support for Mr. President. Mr. President was quite delighted, he applauded their unselfish nature.

    Read Also: ‘Buhari’ll win, handover to Igbo President in 2023’

    “He added that if they wanted to deny him votes, they will still continue with the elections and people in their immediate environment, will vote for them and then deny him at least those votes.

    “So, the fact that they have come to pledge loyalty and have directed their supporters to vote Mr. President was a thing that President Buhari quote applauded.”

    Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party Chairman in Yobe State, Alhaji Sani Inuwa Nguru has dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He was led to the Presidential Villa by Dr. Mohammed Abuza a chieftain or the party in Yobe State and received by President Buhari.

    Nguru said he came to express his loyalty and desire to return home.

    He was the first chairman of the APC after the merger in the state, adding that anyone who has been a member of ANPP and CPC is one of Buhari’s loyalists.

  • Police arrest four over killing of Kwara APC members

    The Kwara state police command on Thursday arrested four persons in connection with the attack on All Progressives Congress (APC) Kwara South senatorial district candidate Lola Ashiru.

    Suspected hoodlums loyal to Kwara south Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Rafiu Ibrahim had on Tuesday allegedly attacked the campaign train of Architect Ashiru in Ojoku, Oyun local government area of Kwara state, killing two APC members in the process.

    No fewer than eight people still in the hospital also sustained bullet wound injuries and about 20 vehicles belonging to the APC chieftain were allegedly vandalized.

    The PDP in the state had disagreed with the allegation, accusing APC thugs of allegedly attacking its members and inflicting bullet injuries on six.

    Spokesperson of the command, Ajayi Okasanmi told THE NATION in a telephone the command was closing in on other suspects of the dastardly act.

    Read Also: Polls: Police reads riot act to politicians, hoodlums in Imo

    “Manhunt for the remaining fleeing suspects had since begun, while discreet investigation of the incident is ongoing.

    “For the umpteenth time, the command is restating its commitment to the safety of lives and property of the people of Kwara state.

    “While warning sternly that hooliganism, thuggery,  unlawful possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons will be met with superior forces and suspects arrested will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    “Political party leaders are reminded of the peace accord they signed with respect to political campaigns in the State.

    “The command is appealing to the victims of this attack and their

    sympathizers not to result to self-help but to have confidence in the command that justice will not only be done but will be seen to have been done in this case,” Okasanmi.

    State Chairman of APC Hon Bashir Bolarinwa has urged security agents to investigate the matter bring perpetrators to book.