The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • Breaking: Gunmen assassinate Imo APC chairman

    Gunmen have assassinated chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Logara/Umuohiagu Ward in Ngor Okpala Council Area of Imo state, Ifeanyi Ozoemena.

    He was murdered on Tuesday night shortly after presiding over a meeting of the party in the ward.

    The development sparked off fear in the state ahead of Saturday’s rescheduled presidential and National Assembly election.

    The suspected hired assassins were said to have murdered him in his house right before his family members.

    A community leader, Chief Martin Opara, who confirmed the killing to our correspondent, said the community had been thrown into panic and mourning.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct two saw millers

    According to him, the community had never witnessed such political killing, urging security agencies to fish out the killers of the APC chieftain without any delay.

    Opara said the Eze-in-Council in conjunction with the community’s town union had met and sent a delegation to Divisional Police Officer requesting masterminds of the dastardly act should be arrested without any hesitation.

    He said: “This killing is strange to our community. Report says that he was shot severally in his house until he died.

    “We have met with the Eze-in-council and have sent a delegation to the DPO requesting that the killers should be arrested immediately.

    “Logara community is known for peace and we won’t jeopardise peace among us.

    “The deceased finished hosting a meeting of APC members in his ward after which gunmen operating in a jeep came and requested to see him. On sighting him, they shot him severally before they left.”

    Commissioner of Police Dasuki Galadanchi confirmed the killing to our correspondent in a telephone conversation.

    He said the police have evacuated the corpse.

    According to the CP, the gunmen who killed the APC chieftain operated in an SUV jeep.

  • 2019: Over 10m PVCs collected so far – INEC

    Over 10 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have so far been collected, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has said.

    Over 14 million new registered voters were added onto the voter register since after the 2015 general elections.

    The PVCs are to be used for voting in the general elections which commence on Saturday with the presidential and National Assembly elections, while the governorship State Assembly and FCT council polls comes up on the 9th of March, 2019.

    Read Also: Polls: Again, FG reads riot act to INEC

    The polls were earlier scheduled for 16th February and 2nd March 2019 but was however rescheduled following the inability of the commission to successfully execute its logistics arrangement.

    Full story shortly…

  • Polls: Again, FG reads riot act to INEC

    ..Says no more excuses

     

    The Federal Government has again read out the riot act to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The Federal Governmenton Wednesday said INEC is condemned to conduct election this Saturday; saying nothing less will be acceptable.

    Besides, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mathew Onyeama said the government demands 100% assurance that this Saturday is sacrosanct.

    Details shortly…

  • CODER deploys 380 election field observers

    The Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER) has said it has been granted accreditation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the 2019 Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly elections.

    It said to fulfill this mandate, it has trained 380 field observers and deployed them to their assigned states since February 14.

    CODER, which was founded in 2009 by a coalition of individuals and organisations committed to supporting the electoral reform process in Nigeria, stated this in a statement to The Nation yesterday.

    The statement explained that the organisation is currently undergoing a restructuring process led by its Executive Director and Chairman of the Transitional Committee Dr. Wunmi Bewaji.

    According to the non-governmental group’s convener, Chief Ayo Opadokun, CODER’s objective is very simple: “to ensure that every vote counts”.

    The letter added: “Since the first phase of the struggle for electoral reform concluded with the enactment of far-reaching reforms initiated by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, following the recommendations of the Uwais Committee, CODER has continued to be in the forefront of safeguarding the electoral process by participating in election observation activities, as well as educating and engaging voters.

    “Each election cycle, many Nigerians have relied on POLLWATCH, the CODER election reporting platform, for up-to-date, verified election reports. #NigeriaDecides2019 will not be different.”

  • Keyamo, Melaye clash over ballot snatching

    Director, Strategic Communication of President Muhammadu Buhari Festus Keyamo (SAN) and Senator Dino Melaye of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday clashed over the President’s statement on punishment for those who snatch ballot boxes.

    On Channels Television, Keyamo said the President merely justified the position of the law, which outlines punishment for those who used forceful means to stop voters from enjoying their right to free electoral participation.

    He said the position of the President was to warn the violent minority, who tried to make life unbearable for the peaceful majority.

    Keyamo said the President would not seat aloof, while some thugs tried to derail the free will of the people to decide how they wanted to be governed.

    He said: “What the President said is 100 per cent correct. The law is that when you are caught at the scene of an attack, for fomenting violent, like ballot snatching, that is you have threatened peoples live and the punishment for that is death.

    “Again, when the President said those who snatch ballot boxes will be punished, he did not mention APC or PDP. He simply said those who snatch ballot boxes. So, why is the PDP making issues out of it.”

    Responding, Malaye said the President’s statement was too harsh, noting that people could only by punished after going through due process and found guilty of the offences they are accused of committing.

    He said government’s position amount to curing illegality with illegality, noting that it leaves the electoral process in a precarious situation.

    “We are supposed to be in a civilised country, where there should be decorum. It is so appalling that such a statement emanated from the President.  And instead of apologising, the APC is trying to justify the statement of the President.”

  • Atiku practically confirmed PDP is working with INEC, says Oshiomhole

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has said that the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has practically vindicated the APC claim that the opposition was working with some officials of Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) to compromise the Presidential election.

    Oshiomhole who addressed newsmen on Tuesday evening said it is clear that the only mission of the PDP candidate is creating confusion in the electoral system so that he will become President even it means presiding over graves.

    He said only those who want to deploy thugs to undermine the elections will oppose or find fault with the statement of the President aimed at discouraging thuggery during the election.

    Oshiomhole said the attention of the international community at the moment is that elections across the world should be violent free and assured that the forthcoming elections will be conducted in a free and fair atmosphere.

    He sais “It is only those who believe in thuggery that will find fault with the President’s directive. Is there anyone that would want to vote for thuggery? Is there any thug that is not armed. You cannot snatch ballot box without the aid of firearms. So, when the International community is talking about violence-free election, they are saying the election should be free of thuggery.

    “You can see that the PDP is not at home with that because they imported thuggery, institutionalized it and have always fallen back on it as an instrument of rigging and to dominate the electorates. So, we debunk any attempt by Atiku to change the essence of the President’s statement.

    ” I believe the president spoke the kind of the average Nigerian who wants to go and vote and come home in peace without fear of being attacked. You know that thuggery is synonymous with violence and the world is unanimous that violence should be removed from election. Atiku’s rejection exposes PDP for what they are. Their plans is to deploy thugs so that the election will be impossible or reduce voter turn out.

    “To say that the APC Imported card readers is laughable and that the card readers have been deployed to the south south and southeast. The implication of this is, assuming it is true without conceding, it means that Atiku is working hand in hand with the ICT unit in INEC to know the kind of machines that are deployed to where.

    “Recognizing that INEC is Independent, we are not able to know the kind of card readers INEC is deploying or where they were imported from. But if Atiku has all of these details, it can only mean that he is working hand in hand with people within INEC to know where machines are imported from and the fact that card readers can be programmed otherwise.

    “We are not like a stammers who look for a fight because they cannot win an argument. We believe that the electorates are ready to vote for us and we want those votes to take place in a free and fair atmosphere.

    “I think that Nigerians should be United when it comes to the issue of a free and fair election. Our candidates also have the responsibility for peace and security of Nigerians. He has the duty to ensure that the life of the Nigerian electorate is protected as well as those of the observers. That is the responsibility of the commander in Chief.

    “So, if Atiku finds fault in this, if anybody is pro thuggery, we are against thuggery and we are against violence. The International community should properly decode Atiku’s statement sling the president to withdraw his threat not against the electorates, but against would be thugs or merchants of violence.

    “As far as I am concern, Atiku knows that he can’t win. In 2003 elections, he lost his base in Adamawa. He is on record to have procured a Senatorial seat for Prof. Jibrin Aminu. If he wants to go to court, I will meet him there and I will produce the first INEC documented report that announced the winners of those Senatorial seats.

    “He also went on to rig the governorship election that was won by Hashidu in Gombe state. So, with Atiku as a leading player, Atiku has lost the election in Adamawa State and so, the fear of defeat is already down on him.

    “We are ready for the elections and by the grace of God, Nigerians will vote for us and Atiku will remain a permanent presidential candidate which Nigerians never had.”

    He said further that “This afternoon, we monitored the statement by the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the PDP national chairman, Uche Secondus in which they tried to distort the message which of the President who reassured Nigerians that he has given appropriate directive to security agents to ensure that Saturday election is free and fair.

    “from the response of the PDP Candidate, it is clear that they have already conceded defeat. First, he claimed that he has two strongholds which he identified as south south and southeast. That is not true because I come from the south south and we are not voting Atiku. We have since dismantled the PDP machine in Edo state and Edo is the heartbeat of the Nation.

    “Even If you take the statement in its face value, if Atiku concedes that out of six geopolitical zones, he has support, not in his own zone, but south south and southeast, the voting population in these two zones are jot enough to deliver the presidency to any candidate in Nigeria.

    “Every peace loving Nigerian and those who wish Nigeria well are speaking one common language of free, fair and violent free election. What the President said and we are proud that he has the courage to say it that he has asked security agents to create an enabling environment for Nigerians to out and vote without fear that thugs will attack them and that security agents are going to put thugs in check. No peace loving Nigerian can find fault with that.

    “I think it does expose PDP for what they are. Atiku as Vice President to Obasanjo was there in 2003 when people were killed by thugs. In my election in 2007, three young men were shut down by PDP thugs at Oba Primary school. So, no responsible candidate will find fault with any pronouncement that tends to discourage thuggery in the coming elections.

    “So, for a man who is aspiring to preside over Nigeria to seek protection for thuggery is uncalled for. He has already said he will grant amnesty to looters. I don’t think Nigerians have any basis to doubt that Atiku’s mission is to set Nigeria on fire so that he can become President, even If he will preside over a graveyard.

    “By the special grace of God, this election will come and pass, Nigerians will vote, no one will be harmed, no one will be intimidated. We believe that the President was right to say that anyone who resorts to violence will be dealt with.”

  • Redeem your credibility, Abubakar’s committee tells INEC

    Chairman of National Peace Committee Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar (Rtd.) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be focused on how best to reclaim its credibility and integrity in the rescheduled general elections.

    He also appealed to Nigerians to put aside the disappointment of the postponement of the general elections.

    The former Head of States, in a statement titled Nigerians: Rise up and obey the nation’s call, said: “After trying to explain your situation, it is now important to focus on how best to reclaim your credibility and integrity.

    “Patiently continue to focus on attaining internal cohesion and coordination. Do not give room to external enemies to infiltrate and destroy the confidence and trust that your organisation has earned.

    “Avoid panic measures, continue to communicate effectively with Nigerians and build up your confidence. Listen to the politicians but do not be distracted.

    “Perhaps, just perhaps, your being accused by both sides might be your vindication. You might still be vindicated in the end. Focus on the big picture.”

    While agreeing that there were reasons for people to be angry, Abubakar said: “The impact of this decision has permeated every stratum of our lives and has the potential to dampen the confidence of our people in the political process.

    “It has further deepened anxieties within the international community about our country.”

    Read Also: Abubakar to judicial officers: be bold

    Abubakar noted the disappointment should be seen as a battle that must be won collectively by all.

    “There is enough blame to pass around. The real challenge now is for us as a nation, to reach out to the deepest instincts of faith in God and our country.

    “We must put everything aside and see this as a battle that all of us must win. The challenge is not who to sacrifice, but what sacrifice to make.”

    “We must remain hopeful because God is perfect and all knowing. We are humans, He is the God of history and all power belongs to Him alone.

    “He will give to whom He wishes, how and when He wishes. We are merely instruments of His plans. It is against this background that we wish to appeal to our fellow citizens.”

  • We’ll support Buhari on credible polls, says Ortom

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has given assurances of support for steps being taken by President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure free and fair elections.

    The governor however kicked against the President’s directive to the military and police to ruthlessly deal with would-be ballot box snatchers.

    He said obeying such directive could amount to perpetrating extra-judicial killings.

    Obeying such directive, the Governor cautioned, could attract prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    He urged the military to stick to the rules of engagement during the conduct of the elections.

    Ortom, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja Tuesday, said, while he would not condone election rigging, due process must be followed in dealing with those that may be found breaking the law.

    The governor said: “It is unfortunate that Nigeria is gradually drifting to a banana republic where the rule of law is not respected and observed.

    “A government that was elected democratically is gradually turning into a dictatorship. It is unfortunate for our own President to come out and disregard the provisions of the laws of the land and give orders for extra-judicial killings in the state and torture against innocent Nigerians.

    “Let me say unequivocally that I am completely against the rigging of any form by any political party. It is wrong and we do not need that.

    “For me, I did not rig election to become governor. But the truth of the matter is that we have laws. And I expect that Mr. President who is the chief custodian of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, should protect our constitution and the laws of the land. It is unfortunate that Mr President gave that order.

    “I was just reading from the social media the reaction of the military that they are going to obey the directives of Mr President to the letter. It is unfortunate. This cannot stand, this cannot hold.”

    He added: “I want to advise those who are in the military, police and the other security agencies that they should know that they are also Nigerians.

    “Today, they are serving the public; tomorrow they will not be there. Maybe some of them will become politicians like some of us are.

    “It has happened in the past and it will happen again. And I also want to remind them that the day of reckoning will definitely come when they will be alone to give account of their stewardship.

    “So, I want to advise them to respect the rules of engagement based on the laws of the land. No matter the directives of Mr President. The police, army, DSS and all other security agencies should be professional rather than taking arbitrary directives. This is not correct. In a democratic set up, things must be done rightly”.

  • Electoral materials intercepted in Zamfara

    Two vehicles carrying election materials to Sokoto were separately intercepted in Gusaum, capital of Zamfara state capital on Tuesday afternoon.

    One of the vehicles was engage in an accident when it collided with two motorcycles along Sokoto road while the other was intercepted near Faru, a border town in Sokoto from Zamfara.

    However Zamfara Commissioner of Police Celestine Okoye, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hajiys Asma’u Maikudi, Director of Department of State Security (DSS) and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Yari at a joint media briefing on Tuesday’s evening disclosed the election materials were non- sensitive.

    Read Also: Zamfara: PDP faults AGF on letter to INEC

    According to Maikudi, the materials were meant to be dispatched to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) zonal office when the police intercepted it in a stop- and-search operation.

    She said it was only a polling unit booklet, which was offloaded by the contractor when the first vehicle conveying the materials became faulty.

    She further revealed that the contractor had to divide the materials into two vehicles.

  • A’Ibom CUPP, IPAC, CNPP oppose moves to redeploy REC

    There is tension in Akwa Ibom as Coalition of political parties has kicked against some moves by All Progressives Congress party (APC) to deploy the Resident Electoral Commissioner Mike Igini.

    Addressing a press conference in Uyo on Tuesday under the aegis of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and the conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), said there were disturbing attempts by the opposition political party in the state to impugn the integrity of  Igini.

    The parties  also noted the opposition groups in the state never raised concerns about the REC’s integrity but only resorted to blackmail when attempts to make him compromise in the performance of his duty failed.

    “We are however worried that the opposition just like other parties should be glad that there is an umpire in Igini’s mould who is committed to ensuring credible, free and fair elections by seeking ways of multiplying such reputation in the commission rather than work to have him conform especially in this era when Nigerians have grown an all-time-high electoral consciousness,’’ the parties stated.

    The state chairman of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) and publicity secretary of IPAC Mr Aniebiet Emmanuel said the protest staged by the opposition in the state was “an attempt to blackmail the electoral umpire for refusing their advances to rig the polls in their favour, a move that was designed to corroborate the outburst from Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

    Read Also: A’Ibom rejects anti-terrorism unit

    According to him: “Our position is that INEC should refuse sacrificing her independence to assume appendage roles to men who rather than work for the common good of the nation are bent on destroying what is left of our national fabrics for their personal gains.”

    The chieftains of political parties and their governorship candidates said they have resolved to defend the nation’s democracy and principles of free choice by ensuring nothing untoward is imported into the conduct of the forthcoming election.

    According to them, they have promised to abide by the rules of engagement and would stoutly oppose and frustrate every plot aimed at derailing the peaceful conduct of the 2019 polls.