The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • Polls shift: NANS suspends protest in Ogun

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ) has disclosed that it has suspended its protest earlier scheduled to take place in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Monday, following intelligence gathering that politicians have hijacked it.

    NANS also accused some of their members, especially from the umbrella body, of collecting money from politicians, ostensibly to keep them divided and mute over the postponed general elections in the country.

    The National Public Relations Officer of NANS, Com. Azeez Adeyemi, who made this known while addressing reporters in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, advised the affected colleagues to urgently return the money to the donor – politicians.

    Adeyemi lamented that politicians have infiltrated the NANS’ ranks and also sponsored human rights group to hijack their protest, but assured that all bad elements within NANS will be reported to the law enforcement authorities for questioning and prosecution if necessary.

    The NANS Image maker, however, issued 48 hours ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to address the nation and assure Nigerians of “Free, Fair and Credible” election.

    He noted that the student body is yet to recover from the shock of the postponement but urged Nigerians to remain calm and focus.

    Adeyemi also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to give INEC the necessary support to ensure free, peaceful and credible general elections.

  • Olawepo-Hashim writes INEC, seeks further shift of polls date

    Third Force Presidential candidate running on the People’s Trust (PT) platform, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has written the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu requesting a further extension of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The Presidential hopeful argued that, the one week extension was rather too short to conclude the stated enormous logistics requirement for the polls.

    Olawepo-Hashim who lately led the online polls of most preferred candidate amongst the third force, argued in a letter to the INEC chairman that another extension was reasonable in view of the logistics burden on the contestants and the parties.

    According to him, the candidates and the parties would now have to repeat logistics preparations that have hitherto been deployed to achieve the level of mobilization at the February 16 scheduled election.

    He stressed that, “It is my considered opinion that in the haste to stick to a quickly announced date for the election, the Commission may not have paid adequate attention to the attendant voter apathy that may result if adequate confidence building measures are not implemented to win back ‘would-be’ voters for the next date of polling.

    “As a result and because a potential voter’s apathy in some section of the country or all of the country may substantially affect the results of the election, a new date of election should be between three to four weeks from February 16 not one week from February 16 as previously announced. This is more so for self-funded candidates and political parties who do not have the possibilities or intentions of falling quickly on the State treasuries to refinance another logistic deployment.” He argued

    The candidate equally opined that, campaigs should also resume undoubtedly in consonance with extant legislation that allow campaign to continue up till 24 hours before elections, in order to achieve the same level of mobilization of voters as before February 16th.

    In his letter copied to the United Nations representatives, Observer and Civil Society Groups, the diplomatic community and the media Olawepo-Hashim also urged that, “the Commission should liase with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), who should use their national networks to ensure mobilization of communities, social and interest groups to reach potential voters in order to avoid voter apathy at the next date of election.”

  • Elections: APC UK wants INEC reviewed, reformed

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in the United Kingdom has called for review of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) operational model with a view to reforming it.

    The chapter made the call following INEC’s postponement of the general elections on Saturday.

    In a statement copied to the News Agency of Nigeria in Uyo on Monday, the Chairman of the APC in the United Kingdom, Dr Philip Idaewor, said that the postponement indicated a systemic exhaustion within INEC and necessitated review of its operational model and enabling laws.

    “This is with a view to radically reforming it and making it fit for purpose. This is because well organised free, fair and credible elections are important to the enthronement and sustenance of democracy.

    “The announcement by INEC to postpone the 2019 General Elections has come as a huge shock to us, especially given the timing of the announcement, when political parties had already deployed huge resources to the field for the elections.

    “We have carefully listened to all the explanations given by INEC as well as the reactions of our party’s leadership, our presidential campaign council, President Muhammadu Buhari and international observers.

    “We align ourselves with the position of our party leadership, our presidential campaign council and Mr President.

    Read Also: Buhari, Osinbajo, Tinubu, others meet in Abuja

    “We are saddened that INEC leadership did not deem it necessary to brief Nigerians on a regular basis when it realised the difficulties it listed as reasons for this postponement.

    “We note that the decision by INEC falls well below the expectations for a seamless performance, given that INEC has conducted similar elections since 1999 when this fourth republic started, with opportunities for extensive field experiences and organisational discipline that would have ensured operational options even in unforeseen circumstances.

    “Moreover, INEC leadership presented the needed budget for this elections, with evidence showing that all of INEC’s requests were fully met to ensure successful implementation of this election cycle,” he said.

    Ideawor said that INEC should tell Nigerians why elections could not hold in states which did not have the logistics problems it listed.

    “Why postpone the elections in the entire country? What happens now to those ballot papers and other election materials already distributed to local government areas around the country?

    “What is the cost of this postponement to our national purse? Where will money for another deployment come from? Who takes responsibility for this, and what is the consequence?” he asked.

    He, however, urged Nigerians to refrain from spreading messages capable of heating up the polity.

    “Nigeria needs peace to continue on the path of national reclamation started by the APC government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

  • Buhari, Osinbajo, Tinubu, others meet in Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday met in Abuja in the party’s caucus meeting.

    The meeting started at the APC National Secretariat around 11.30am when the President arrived.

    Those in attendance included the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole.

    State governors at the meeting included that of Zamfara, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Jigawa, Borno, Bauchi, Kebbi, Niger, Lagos and Kaduna state.

    Read Also: Buhari: no plan to remove INEC Chairman Yakubu

    Also in attendance were the Senate leader, Ahmad Lawan, senators, Secretary to the Government of the Federation(SGF), Boss Mustapha, ministers, among others.

    Discussions at the meeting will not be unconnected with the issues affecting the party, including the postponement of the general elections by a week.

  • Election postponement: NLC demand public holiday

    … warn Workers against voter apathy

     

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked government to declare a two or three-day public holiday to enable workers travel to perform their civic responsibility in the face of imminent voter apathy as a result of the shift in the date of the general elections.

    The Congress also asked Nigerians especially workers not to be disillusioned with the postponement of the elections, but the go all out and cast their vote, saying the postponement of the election was a better evil than disenfranchising several millions of Nigerians.

    President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said in a statement that from evidence available, many people would have been able to cast their vote as a result of logistics problems if the election had been allowed to go ahead.

    Wabba said: “We at the Nigerian Labour Congress join other Nigerians in expressing our shock at the last minute postponement of the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 16, 2019.

    “We share in the pains of those who in an uncommon show of patriotism, had to travel long distances to perform their civic duty. We similarly understand the outrage of those who had incurred huge and unquantifiable logistic costs. No explanation will be good enough given INEC’s repeated assurances and the zeal of Nigerians to cast their vote.

    “However, given the fact that had the election taken place, a huge number of Nigerians would have been disenfranchised on account of gross and wide-spread logistic deficit, the postponement, as painful as it is, is a lesser evil of the two.

    “In light of this, we enjoin all Nigerians to quickly put behind them this ugly incident and brace up for the rescheduled election next weekend. In spite of the huge costs to them, we call on all Nigerians to self-mobilise on the same scale that they did the previous weekend.

    “Let them not be disillusioned or react to this postponement in a manner that will create voter-apathy. This will certainly be counterproductive and will in the long run work against the interests of the electorate.

    “We call on institutions to be flexible with their staff to enable them travel in good time to perform this important civic duty even if it means government declaring a day or two public holiday to achieve this.

    “As for INEC, we do hope they have learnt their lesson. On no account ever again, should they allow this to happen. All effort and expertise must be deployed by INEC to guarantee free, fair and credible elections. We appeal to all Nigerians to put this incident behind them and go out en mass to vote next weekend.”

  • Election shift: INEC Enugu retrieves materials

    The Enugu state Resident Electoral Commissioner,(REC) Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, has hinted  that all sensitive materials already distributed in the 17 council areas of the state would be retrieved.

    According to him, after retrieving them, the materials would be  returned to the custody of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branch in Enugu, the state capital.

    The REC, disclosed  this to reporters  during a press conference held at the INEC headquarters in Enugu, adding that “we have been directed to return all the sensitive materials to the CBN, Enugu.

    “And the process is already on as I am briefing you now under heavy armed security to ensure that integrity of the materials will be ensured.”

    Read Also: Enugu: 1000 youths for recruitment in Clean Team Project

    He said: “It will be in the protective custody of the CBN, under heavy security presence, until Wednesday when it will be escorted by the same security personnel back the council headquarters.

    “While in the following day, beginning from Thursday, the sensitive materials will be moved to the Registration Area Centres (RAC) under heavy security as well.”

    Ononamadu, assured residents of the State of the integrity of the electoral materials especially the sensitive materials – ballot papers, its accessories and result sheets.

    He, however, regretted the postponement and inconveniences it might have caused  Nigerians and other major stakeholders, stressing that the decision was taken to protect Nigeria’s  democracy.

    “It is a painful decision but one that must be taken to ensure integrity, a free and fair process,’’ he said.

    The Enugu REC, noted that few lapses observed in the commission’s work in the state would be corrected before Saturday, revealing that over 1.7 million Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) had been collected so far among the 1.9 million registered voters in the state.

    He added that “I will urge the residents of the state to keep faith with the commission as we are poised to organise a credible, fair and free elections come Feb. 23.’’

  • ‘Airports operated 24 hours on Feb.15 to distribute INEC materials’

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)  on Sunday said that  it ensured a 24-hour operation at all Nigerian airports on Feb. 15 to facilitate the transportation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) materials nationwide.

    The General Manager, Public Affairs of  NAMA, Mr Khalid Emele, disclosed this in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC had announced the rescheduling of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections from Feb.16 to Feb. 23 due to logistics reasons.

    Read Also: UN, foreign observers seek support for INEC

    Emele said the provision of the 24-hour navigation services was based on the directive from the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika.

    He added  that there was no disruption in the provision of air traffic services on Feb. 16.

    According to him, this was in keeping with the agency’s mandate of providing uninterrupted safe, effective, efficient, and economic air navigation services in the country.

    “NAMA wishes to reassure all airspace users and the general public that the Nigerian airspace shall remain open for all airspace users before, during and after the rescheduled general elections.

    “The agency has put in place appropriate contingency measures to ensure safe flight operations within the period, as well as possible extension of operational hours of any domestic airport where the need arises,’’ he said.

    He advised airline operators, the travelling public and other service providers who were dependent on the agency’s services to carry on with their businesses as usual.

    NAN

     

  • Airlines lose billions over election postponement

    Domestic carriers were hard hit by the postponement of Presidential and National Assembly elections by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), resulting in the loss of several billions of naira that would have been earned as revenue from ticket sales.

    Airlines did not operate scheduled domestic and regional flights from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, on Saturday February 16, 2019.

    Among the affected carriers were Air Peace; Arik Air; Aerocontractors; Dana Air;  Azman Air ; Max Air; Overland Airways and Medview Airlines.

    Besides airlines that did not operate flights, concessionaires at the airport did not carry out any commercial activity forcing to lose revenue running into millions of naira.

    Sources closed to airlines said the losses could be up to over one billion as revenue that would have accrued from ticket sales.

    Read Also: NCAA sanctions four airlines

    Spokesman for Air Peace, Chris Iwarah said  the airline had to make sacrifice of cancelling about 90 flights scheduled on Saturday  due to general election.

    He said :”  While we thought it right to make the sacrifice as part of our contribution to the development and stability of our dear nation. It is unfortunate that the sacrifice eventually amounted to nothing.”

    He stated that this would not discourage them from continuing to be part of efforts to give the country the best.

    The huge loss according to the Managing Director of Aglow Aviation, Mr. Tayo Ojuri would have an adverse impact on the aviation sector and by implication  affect the economy.

    Ojuri disclosed that it would be difficult to quantity the losses now, but hinted that the loss could be over $250 million which he said affected airlines, over 150 concessionaires, service providers, airport authority, car rentals and others.

    He stated that because of the postponement, all local and international flights were cancelled especially those who operate day flights including Virgin Atlantic Airways ;  Emirates Airlines; Ethiopian Airlines;  Rwandair among others.

    Ethiopian Airlines had three days ago stated in a statement that it won’t operate to Nigeria because of the election; a huge loss to the carrier and airport.

    The airport has automatically lost over $10, 000 on $50 on each passenger as Passenger Service Charge (PSC) on over 200 passengers. The airline also operates into Abuja, Enugu and Kano.

    The only unaffected airlines include British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM and Air-France , which do not operate night flights.

    “You can now see how much money will be lost due to this cancellation, because ordinarily if not for election there will not be reason for that mass flights cancellation or rescheduled.”

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has clarified that there was no disruption in the provision of air traffic services on Saturday , February 16, 2019.

    Its spokesman and general manager public affairs, Khalid Emele disclosed in a statement.

    Emele said NAMA remains alive to its responsibility in keeping its mandate of providing uninterrupted safe, effective, efficient, and economic air navigation services in the country.

    He said the agency in line with the directive of the Minister of State (Aviation), Hadi Sirika ensured a 24-hour operation at airports on Friday, February  15, 2019 to facilitate the transportation of INEC materials nationwide.

    Emele said:” In the same vein, NAMA wishes to reassure all airspace users and the general public that the Nigerian airspace shall remain open for all airspace users before, during and after the rescheduled 2019 general elections.

    “Thus, the agency has put in place appropriate contingency measures to ensure safe flight operations within the period, as well as possible extension of operational hours of any domestic airport when the need arises.

    “Therefore, airline operators, the travelling public and other service providers who are dependent on the agency’s services, are hereby advised to go ahead with their businesses as usual.”

  • Election postponement: Okorocha urges Nigerians to be patriotic

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum and Imo State governor,  Rochas Okorocha, has enjoined Nigerians to show patriotism over the postponement of the Presidential  and National Assembly elections earlier scheduled to hold Saturday, February 16.

    The Imo governor, noted that though the postponement was regrettable, the Independent National Electoral  institutions (INEC), like every other institution could have challenges.

    According to him, “APC, as the ruling Party, is ready for elections any day and any time”, stressing that “no political party should be blamed for the Postponement especially when it is remembered that this is not the first time such development could take place in the nation’s elections”.

    Okorocha who was reacting to the postponement in Owerri, weekend, added further  that, “the Postponement of the election by INEC is an unfortunate development and also regrettable. But, it is important to note that no Political Party should be blamed for the Postponement, but rather on the Challenges of INEC”.

    Read Also: Okorocha to Ndigbo: vote Buhari or forget 2023

    He continued that  this is also not the first time the nation could witness such development during elections. It happened in 2011 and in 2015 respectively. It happens. I only want to urge INEC to use the week of Postponement to resolve all the Challenges it has and ensure that Nigerians have a smooth, free and fair elections.

    “APC as the ruling Party is ready for the elections and it will be absurd to accuse the ruling Party of being responsible for the Postponement. I call on all Nigerians to show patriotism by maintaining peace and understanding at this trial time in our democratic growth”.

  • INEC to retrieve all sensitive materials in Enugu–REC

    Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Emeka Ononamadu, of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu State has said that all sensitive materials already distributed in the state would be retrieved.

    The Rec said the materials would be  returned to the custody of  Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branch in the state.

    Ononamadu said this at a news conference on Saturday evening in Enugu.

    “We have been directed to return all the sensitive materials to the CBN, Enugu.

    “And the process is already on as I am briefing you now under heavy armed security to ensure that integrity of the materials will be ensured.

    “It will be in the protective custody of the CBN, under heavy security presence, until Wednesday when it will be escorted by the same security personnel back the council headquarters.

    “While in the following day, beginning from Thursday, the sensitive materials will be moved to the Registration Area Centres (RAC) under heavy security as well,’’ he said.

    He assured residents of Enugu State of the integrity of the electoral materials especially the sensitive materials – ballot papers, its accessories and result sheets.

    The REC, who expressed regrets for the postponement and inconveniences it might have caused said the decision was taken to protect democracy.

    “It is a painful decision but one that must be taken to ensure integrity, a free and fair process,’’ he said.

    Ononamadu, however, noted that few lapses observed in the commission’s work in the state would be corrected before Saturday.

    The REC also revealed that over 1.7 million Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) had been collected so far among the 1.9 million registered voters in the state.

    “I will urge the residents of the state to keep faith with the commission as we are poised to organise credible, fair and free elections come Feb. 23,’’ he said. (NAN)