The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • Egbeyemi campaigns for Buhari in market

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, on Tuesday stormed the Bisi Market in Ado Ekiti to campaign for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Egbeyemi, during the market campaign, also canvassed support for all the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for federal and state legislative seats in the February 16 and March 2 elections respectively.

    He was joined at the market outreach by former Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu and other party stalwarts.

    The Deputy Governor, who built the market during his tenure as Ado Ekiti Local Government Chairman, said residents have much to gain if they vote for APC candidates at all levels.

    According to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Odunayo Ogunmola, Egbeyemi particularly called on Igbo traders to cast their votes for Buhari and APC National Assembly candidates on Saturday at all the polling units in the area.

    Read Also: Ekiti has no plan to ban okada business – Egbeyemi

    He also urged the electorate to vote for the APC House of Representatives candidate for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 1, Mr. Olusola Fatoba; House of Assembly candidate for Ado Constituency 1; Oluwatoyin Lucas and House of Assembly candidate for Ado Constituency 2, Mrs. Adekemi Famuagun-Balogun.

    Egbeyemi described the candidates as loyal, tested, trusted and competent to contribute to law enactment that would bring better life to the electorate.

    The deputy governor enjoined all residents of Ogbon Ado and Ogbon Oba areas within the vicinity of the market to troop out en masse and vote APC to continue to enjoy good governance at state and federal levels.

    Egbeyemi stressed that although he won his unit and ward at last year’s governorship poll, he was not satisfied with the total number of votes recorded.

    Describing general elections as “family vote,” Egbeyemi urged all registered voters, especially the traders to vote overwhelmingly this time around for the APC.

    Massive votes for the APC, according to him, would afford the state government to make demands for federal appointments and projects that would be beneficial to the people.

     

  • PDP accuses APC of burning INEC offices

    The People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) said Tuesday that fresh facts available to it have shown that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was responsible for the burning of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices in various parts of the country.

    The main opposition PDP said it already has the details of how the APC mobilised misguided elements in its fold to burn INEC offices and destroy electoral materials and equipment in Plateau, Abia and Anambra states.

    Fire had gutted INEC offices in the three states within one week.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said, “Our party is also privy to clandestine plots by the APC to burn INEC offices in some other states, so as to paralyse the Commission’s operations in such states, and pave the way for the isolation and postponement of the presidential elections in those states; after which it plans to unleash compromised security agencies to muzzle the shifted polls in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Having realised that President Buhari has no chance in a credible, free and fair general election, the APC now plots a violent staggering of the polls so as to use security forces to re-enact the same rigging formula it used in the 2018 Ekiti and Osun governorship elections”

    Read Also: Why we arrested PDP spokesman – DSS

    The statement added that in attacking INEC offices and destroying the card readers, the APC was is to cripple the Commission’s use of full benefit of technology that will guarantee a credible biometric voter accreditation.

    “The PDP in very unequivocal terms insists that it will never accept any attempt by the APC to postpone the Presidential election in any state of the federation. The Presidential election must hold in all the states on the 16th of February and President Buhari will be served his defeat certificate.

    “The PDP therefore charges Nigerians to resist the desperation of the APC, for which it has now resorted to burning INEC offices. The party also charges INEC to note that the APC is after it facilities and as such put stronger measures to protect itself from the assaults of this desperate party”.

  • Why we arrested PDP spokesman – DSS

    The Kaduna state Command of the Department of state services ( DSS ) has explained that it arrested the Director General of the People’s Democratic Party campaign, Ben Bako because of inciting statement that if left unchecked, was capable of leading to a “complete breakdown of law and order in the state and beyond”.

    The PDP Campaign DG was arrested after a video in which he called for anybody that fails to vote for the PDP in the forthcoming election to be killed.

    The PDP in the state, however, said his arrest was part of a plan by the All Progressive Congress in the state to clamp down on opposition elements.

    But in a statement issued in Kaduna, the DSS said the PDP chieftain was arrested in order for him to “shed more light on his inciting statement.

    The statement signed by AI Koya, state director of Security of the state Command said “other people with similar tendencies are also being investigated and would equally face the same fate of found culpable.

    The statement reads: “On the 9th February, 2019, this service invited Mr. Ben. Bako to shed more light on his inciting statement and call for violence in the state. Earlier on the 7th February, 2019 Bako had addressed a rally at Kafanchan, Jema’a local government area of Kaduna state.

    “During the rally, Bako was recorded calling his followers to kill anybody that votes for any party other than the PDP. The video has already gone viral through the social media.

    “Bako, a former commissioner for information in this state and a leader in his own right made this call along with other inviting statements at Kafanchan, deliberately with the intention to cause violence in the state.

    Read Also: Polls: DSS vows to deal with lawbreakers, purveyors of fake news

    “This development, if left unchecked, could lead to complete breakdown of law and order in this state and beyond. Consequently, Bako is under investigation by the service and would be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed. Other people with similar tendencies are also being investigated and would equally face the same fate if found culpable.

    “The service assures the good people of Kaduna state that in collaboration with sister security agencies would ensure that citizens are free to exercise their right to freedom of association and choice without hindrance,” the statement read.

    But the PDP in the state has accused that the action of the DSS was premeditated, saying that, the party was aware of the ruling party’s plan arrest top leaders of the opposition party.

    Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Felix Hassan Hyat who addressed the press at the party’s secretariat in Kaduna said, “in the first week of December, 2018 we started hearing rumours that the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i in collaboration with State Security agencies will arrest strong PDP members, days before the elections.

    We took it as mere rumours. The reality is now on ground and the action has started.

    “On 2nd February, 2019, Alhaji Imam Lawal was escorted by security agents along Coronation Road, Kaduna in the evening. His car was thoroughly ransacked but nothing incriminating was found.

    “On Thursday, 7th February, 2019 Alhaji Audi Yaro, Makaman Rigachikun, a former State Chairman and National Ex-Officio was invited to the Kaduna State Police Command Headquarters. His crime was recalling the Campaign speech of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2011 General Elections, where Buhari as Presidential Candidate then has said in Hausa, “ku kasa, ku tsare, ku raka, ku jira, in ba a baku ba ku buge.”

    “On Saturday, 9th February, 2019, Hon. Ben Bako, a strong PDP member a former Commissioner of information in the State and now Director of Media in the present PDP Campaign Organization, was picked by operatives from DSS and taken to Abuja that same night and is yet to be released.

    “On Monday, 11th February, 2019, Alhaji Imam Lawal was again invited to the State DSS office where he was interrogated for sometimes before he was later released. On the same Monday, Alhaji Audi Yaro, Makaman Rigachikun, was again invited by the State DSS operatives and taken to Abuja and is yet to be released.

    “Democracy is seriously under threat in Nigeria, starting with Kaduna State. We as a Party will continue to fight the cause of justice to ensure that Democracy finds its roots firmly in Nigeria and Kaduna State in particular. Now that the security agencies have come out openly to fight the opposition Party in the State on behalf of the ailing ruling Party, we have no alternative than to view them as an integral part of the APC.

    “We want to use this opportunity to appeal to all our cherished supporters and the public to remain calm. Arresting our leaders cannot stop PDP being voted into office on 16h February and 2nd March, 2019 to replace an unwanted monster in the corridors of power loading it over innocent citizens humiliation/intimidation will only strengthen our resolve to keep on the struggle.

    Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the security agency for the arrests, saying that, Carriers of violent message to scuttle the democratic setting that has been set particularly the forthcoming election must be put under watch.

    Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Tuesday, Chairman of the party, Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekada and Director General of its Campaign Organization, Ben Kure said, carriers of violent message to scuttle the democratic setting that has been set particularly the election that is coming forth on Saturday the 16th of February 2019 must be put under close watch.

    According to them, “the will of government should not be tested. Attempt or an attempted attempt to try to scuttle the nursing democratic setting by way of conducting a peaceful election I want to believe will not be left without any question or measures taken. Therefore, the propagators of violence orchestrated by the PDP should be warned and other people who want to follow suit in order to scuttle the planned peaceful conduct of the elections that is coming on Saturday.

    “We have followed the PDP carefully and have understood that they are rolling out an orchestrated ground plan to scuttle this election. President Muhammadu Buhari will by the grace of God win, which we are confident of because of his integrity because of the leadership he provided in Nigeria that has restored peace in the country.”

  • Polls: Avoid all forms of intimidation, TUC urges FG

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria ( TUC ) has asked the federal government to avoid all forms of intimidations during the 2019 general elections and be transparent in the conduct of the Elections.

    Rising from its National Executive Council meeting, the Congress asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be as impartial as possible during the election, having the interest of all Nigerians at heart.

    In a communique signed by the President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama and Secretary General, Comrade Musa Lawal M. Ozigi, TUC also calls on the police, the military and other security agents to be professional in discharging their duties since no position is worth the blood of innocent civilians.

    They commended the House of Representatives for approving N30, 000.00 as minimum wage in the country and call on the Upper Chamber, the Senate to do the same without any further delay.

    The Congress said that the law establishing National Law Advisory Council (NLAC) should be reviewed to include major Stakeholders, like TUC and warned that TUC will no longer tolerate the violation of the trade union rights of its members to representation, collective bargaining and be consulted on labour matters in the country.

    On the state of Insecurity in the Country, the Congress call on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to make sure that killing; kidnapping and insurgency in the country are totally wiped out and save the country from total collapse.

    It also frowns at the proposed increase of international passport and driver’s license by the Federal Government. It therefore calls on the Federal Government to maintain the status quo and formulate policies that will be more beneficial to the masses.

    On the Anti-Corruption crusade, the Congress commended the Federal Government for the fight against corruption in the Country and call on the Federal Government to respect the rule of law when doing so.

  • Breaking: ACF endorses Buhari

    …says, President deserves 2nd term

    Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has endorsed the candidature of Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the next Saturday poll.

    It would be recalled that Professor Ango Abdullahi led faction of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) had recently endorsed the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    ACF which prides itself as the political compass of the North said, it has carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country, it has come to conclusion that, President Muhammadu Buhari deserves a second term to consolidate on his achievements.

    The forum which declared its stand in statement personally signed by its Acting Chairman, Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande said, ACF’s stand was informed by the strides taken by the Buhari administration to improve and reposition the nation economically, with the multi-billion Dollar Mambilla hydropower project, the exploration of oil in Gongola Basin of the Benue trough, the Baro inland port, the North East Development Commission, the ongoing rail line projects nationwide, and other critical infrastructural development projects.

    According to the statement, “In continuation of role of ACF as the political compass of the North, the leadership under the Chairmanship of Mallam Adamu M. Fika Wazirin Fika GCON, Chairman Board of Trustees of the Forum at a meeting today 12th February 2019, has evaluated critical national issues, especially the political situation in the country and its attendant consequences for the continued peace, unity and progress of our dear country Nigeria.

    “The ACF takes note of the state of the political situation as the nation goes into another round of elections, where tensions are heightened as a result of intense campaigns, lobbying and horse-trading among political actors.

    “The ACF takes special note that major political parties have nominated prominent northerners, for the February 16th 2019 Presidential Elections. The Forum has carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country.

    “The ACF is therefore, of the view that certain attributes such as clarity of thought, unity of purpose, content of character and morality of the candidates, their leadership qualities, performance and general acceptability of the candidates contesting for not only the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but also for other elective offices should guide voters in making their choices.

    “The decision on who to elect should not be based on any form of inducements, mob hysteria, intimidation or false promises, but by calm and deliberate consideration of the candidates’ qualities of leadership, performance and moral standing in their public and private lives.

    “Furthermore, other considerations such as capacity to tackle security challenges, fight corruption, and boost the economy by way of diversification away from over dependence on oil, by infrastructural development in order to promote growth. The integrity of the candidate to raise the image of Nigeria in the comity of nations is equally important in the election.

    Read Also: Buhari vows to recover $16bn squandered on power by PDP

    “ACF also calls on the politicians and their supporters as well as the electorates to avoid all forms of violence before, during and after the elections. This is because violence is never a solution to any grievances. It not only destroys our democratic process but also lives and property. Democracy is a contest of ideas and reasons.

    “Also, ACF urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to live up its promise and assurances for credible, free and fair elections.

    “ACF equally calls on the Police and other security agencies involved in providing security to the election process to remain neutral and professional in their conduct.” It said.

  • FG uncovers fresh plans by PDP to scuttle poll

    … PDP plots to orchestrate crisis, FG alleges

     

    Barely few days to the general elections, the Federal Government on Tuesday alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is planning to orchestrate a crisis and trigger a sense of panic among the populace.

    It said the plot is in furtherance of their plan to discredit the election and cause a constitutional crisis.

    It, however, urged international community to ignore plot to discredit the Saturday poll before it is conducted.

    The government, which made the claims in a statement in Abuja by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed, said PDP bigwigs, including its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate Peter Obi, PDP Governors and others, are planning a world press conference in order to level frivolous and unfounded allegations against the government.

    The statement said: “With just a few days to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Federal Government has alerted the nation to the last-minute desperate plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to orchestrate a crisis and trigger a sense of panic among the populace, in furtherance of their plan to discredit the election and cause a constitutional crisis.

    “The plot confirms the alarm raised by the Federal Government on Jan. 21st and Feb. 3rd 2019 that the PDP is planning to scuttle the election and, where that fails, discredit it.

    “In the days ahead, PDP bigwigs, including its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate Peter Obi, PDP Governors and others, are planning a world press conference in order to level frivolous and unfounded allegations against the federal government and the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

    Read Also: Buhari vows to recover $16bn squandered on power by PDP

    The statement gave insights into the plot by the opposition including alleged connivance with the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) by the Presidency.

    The statement added: “Part of the false allegations they plan to make is that the Presidency, in connivance with the APC, is planning to force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce presidential election results that are favourable to the government in power, on the basis of the false premise that the APC’s intelligence team is worried that the ruling party would lose the elections.

    “The PDP bigwigs also plan to use their world press conference to further disparage the Buhari Administration as well as the ruling APC, with a view to painting an unfavourable image of both  Nigerians and the international community also to put the government on the defensive in the run-up to the polls.

    The Minister said the “PDP’s last joker is a two-hour live press conference to be addressed by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan, on Feb. 14th, the last day of electioneering campaign, to chronicle all their concocted allegations and lies against the ruling government, cast aspersion on government and ruling party officials and throw innuendos here and there.

    The statement added: ”As electioneering campaign winds down, the PDP has realized that it cannot possibly win free, fair and credible polls. It has thus resorted to engaging in red herring, hauling insults and abuses at Federal Government and ruling party officials and making outlandish allegations with a view to creating a sense of panic and crisis.

    ”The truth is that President Muhammadu Buhari, a man respected globally for his integrity, has continuously assured that the elections will be free, fair, credible and peaceful. He has warmly welcomed observers, both local and foreign., because he has nothing to hide, and because he is sure that the achievements of his Administration will win him re-election.

    Mohammed urged international community to ignore plot to discredit the Saturday poll.

    ”We are therefore calling on all Nigerians and the international community to disregard any attempt to scuttle or discredit the polls.

    “We urge observers to keep an open mind. There is no cause for alarm, except in the warped imagination of the PDP, which has entered the panic mode and is already ruing the loss of another general election even before it has been held,” he said.

  • Group endorses Buhari

    The Buhari Agricultural Revolution Network (BARN) has declared its endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, ahead of the Presidential election on Saturday February 16th, and announced their plans to cultivate one million hectares of land across the country by 2021 in a bid to complement the government’s food security initiatives.

    The President of the Network, Dr. Yakubu Ugwolawo, said this at the Network’s national office during its National Consultative Meeting in Abuja.

    BARN, boasting of over six million members across the 36 states and the FCT,  has been charged to mobilize as many Nigerians as possible to vote for the President during the February 16th polls.

    “Consequent upon the foregoing, delegates representing over 6 million members have unanimously resolved to endorse the candidate of President Buhari and his Vice Prof. Osinbajo,” the Network President stated.

    Read Also: Buhari warns against election violence

    “The re-election of President Buhari will ensure consolidation on the foundation being laid to effectively place the country on the positive path of growth and development never witnessed before in the past.

    “The Buhari presidency has built confidence in the minds of agricultural communities across the country and it calls for enhanced investment in agriculture by local and foreign entrepreneurs.”

    Ugwolawo applauded the efforts of President Buhari in executing the Federal Government’s Green Alternative Programme (GAP) in the past three and a half years, describing it as the most impacting compared to previous years.

    He maintained that President Buhari has, through the Green Initiative, renewed the hopes of over 80% of Nigerians who depend on agriculture as their means of livelihood.

    “Agriculture has been elevated to a profitable venture, and it has become a catalyst to the national economic development, while also serving as a huge employer of labor to the country,” Ugwolawo stated in a press release.

    “The Buhari administration, in prioritizing agriculture beyond lip service, has achieved what the previous administrations failed to achieve.”

     

     

     

  • Jonathan, wife, Mrs. Atiku at Rivers PDP rally

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan and wife Dame Patience Jonathan on Monday graced the presidential campaign rally of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State.

    The Jonathans were at the occasion in the company of wife of the presidential candidate of the PDP Dr. (Mrs.) Jennifer Douglas Abubakar and wife of the President of the Senate, Dr. (Mrs.) Toyin Saraki.

    Addressing the mammoth crowd, wife of the PDP candidate, Mrs. Abubakar, urged women across the state to mobilise their entire household for victory for PDP on Saturday.

    Mrs. Abubakar, who spoke on behalf of women, advised them to protect their votes and ensure they are counted.

    She stressed the need to vote out the ‘incompetent’ government of APC, which according to her, “represents hunger, insecurity, economic hardship” and all manner of vices.

    She assured women that the Atiku administration will not relegate them but will give them a level playing ground to unleash their potential.

    “A vote for Atiku is a vote for a better Nigeria,” she said.

    On his part, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate vowed to uphold the rule of law and protect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Dr Patience Jonathan and Dr Jennifer Douglas Abubakar

    “I assure you that I will protect the constitution, protect separation of powers and will not interfere with the National Assembly and Judiciary because I believe in checks and balances.

    “My administration will uphold rule of law and will never allow the rule of law to be trampled by anybody,” he pledged.

    The PDP candidate also promised to complete the long-abandoned East-West road and complete the dredging of old Port Harcourt and Onne sea ports, ” to create more job opportunities”.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan who was also in attendance declared that Nigerians are working hard for the election of Atiku Abubakar, because they believe he has the capacity to make Nigeria work again.

     

    NAN

  • 2019: INEC creates 57,023 voting points

    …Lagos, Kano leads with highest voting points

    ..Ekiti, Bayelsa holds record of lowest voting points

     

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has created 57,023 voting points across the country ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    There are 119,973 polling units in the country.

    The creation of the voting points, therefore, brings to 176,996 voting designation for the forthcoming elections.

    The voting points INEC argued was for the ease of voting population. The polling unit is the designated voting point conveniently designed for voters and each polling units according to INEC should not exceed 700 voting population.

    The creation of voting points, which is not far from the original polling units, according to INEC was created to accommodate the extra voters within a polling units.

    For the purpose of 2019 general elections, besides the official 119,973 polling units, the commission created 57,023 voting points across the country.

    A total of 84, 004, 084 million people registered to vote in the general polls scheduled for 16th February and 2nd March, 2019.

    Lagos and Kano states have the largest number of designated voting points in the forthcoming general elections.

    Lagos has 8, 462 polling units and 4,976 voting points while Kano has 8,074 polling units and 3,148 voting points.

    Ekiti and Bayelsa have the lowest voting points in the country. Ekiti has 2,195 polling units and 250 voting points; Bayelsa has 1,804 polling units and 440 voting points.

    The breakdown of polling units and voting points for the 2019 general elections made available yesterday by the Commission shows: Abia with 1,932,892 million registered voters has 2,675 polling units and 1,387 voting points. Adamawa, with 1,973,083 has 2,608 polling units and 1,496 voting points.

    Read Also: INEC to domestic, foreign observers: you’re to observe, not monitor

    Akwa Ibom recorded 2,119, 727 million registered voters with 2,980 polling units and 1,373 voting points.

    Anambra has 2,447,996 million registered voters with 4,608 polling units and 1,112 voting points. Bauchi state has 2,462,843 million voting population with 4,074 polling units and 1,348 voting points. Bayelsa state has a voting population of 924,182 with 1,804 polling units and 440 voting points.

    Benue has 2,480,131 million registered voters with 3,688 polling units and 1,414 voting points. Borno with a registered voting population of 2,315,956 million has 3,933 polling units and 1,138 voting points. Cross River registered 1,527,289 million voters for the coming general elections and has 2,283 polling units and 998 voting points. Delta recorded 2,845, 274 million voters and has 3,624 polling units and 2,239 voting points.

    Ebonyi with 1,459,933 million registered voters has 1, 785 polling units and 1,161 voting points.

    Edo recorded 2,210,534 million registered voters and has 2,627 polling units and 1,892 voting points. Ekiti has a voting population of 909,967 with 2,195 polling units and 250 voting points,

    Enugu with a voting population of 1,944,016 million has 2,958 polling units and 1,187 voting points. FCT has registered voter population of 1,344,856 million with 562 polling units and 2,261 voting points.

    Gombe has 1,394,393 million registered voters with 2,218 polling units and 770 voting points. Imo recorded 2,272, 293 million registered voters while polling units is 3,523 and voting points 1,235 voting points.

    Jigawa has 2,111,106 million voting population and has 3,523 polling units and 1,235 voting points.

    Kaduna has a registered voting population of 3,932,492 million with 5,101 polling units and 2,911 voting points. Kano has 5,932,747 million eligible voters with 8,074 polling units and 3,148 voting points. Katsina recorded 3,230,230 million voting population with 4,901 polling units and 1,751 voting points. Kebbi has 1,806,231 million registered voters and 2,398 polling units and 1,345 voting points. Kogi with 1,646,350 million registered voters has 2,548 polling units and 960 voting points. Kwara recorded 1,406,457 million registered voter and has 1,872 polling units and 1,015 voting points. Lagos with a voting population of 6,570,291 million has 8,462 polling units and 4,976 voting points. Nasarawa recorded 1,617,786 million registered voters with 1,495 polling units and 1,783 polling units.

    Niger with 2,390,035 registered voters has 1,495 polling units and 1,765 voting points. Ogun has a voting population of 2,375,003 million with 3,213 polling units and 1,846 voting points. Ondo with 1,822,346 million voting population has 3,009 polling units and 923 voting points. Osun state has 1,680,497 million voting population with 3,010 polling units and 753 voting points. Oyo state recorded 2,934,107 million, voting population and has 4,783 polling units and 1,607 voting points.

    Plateau has 2,480, 455 million registered voters and 2631 polling units and 2,358 voting points.

    Rivers has 3,215,273 million registered voters, 4,442 polling units and 2,424 voting points. Sokoto has 1,903, 166 million voting population with 3,035 polling units and 855 voting points. Taraba with 1,777,105 million registered voters has 1,912 voting points and 1,685 voting points. Yobe has 1,365,913 registered voters with 1,714 polling units and 1,109 voting points.

    Zamfara with the voting population of 1,717,128 million has 2,516 polling units and 1,013 voting points.

  • INEC to domestic, foreign observers: you’re to observe, not monitor

    …Launches election translation App

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) Tuesday morning briefed accredited domestic and foreign observers on the preparation of the commission ahead of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly polls.

    Not fewer than 196 observers have been accredited for the elections.

    At the briefing, INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu reminded the observers that “You are observers and not monitors.”

    He also assured them of their security, saying that necessary security arrangement has been put in place in all the states they intend to deploy their people to within the country.

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Adamu who also briefed the observers on the security arrangement assured them of the readiness of the security agencies for the polls.

    Adamu noted that the no movement restriction will be observed within INEC stipulated time.

    He also assured Nigerians and the international community that the police will be professional and neutral in the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

    Read Also; INEC engages EFCC, FIU, CBN, others to track campaign finance

    Besides, the IGP said the police to be deployed for duty will not be carrying arms.

    He however said a detachment of armed police will be stationed some distance from the polling units to provide security.

    The Acting IG also noted that police personnel on election duty are expected to wear INEC best for easy identification.

    He noted that the police will be looking out for vote buyers/sellers and also touts so as to prevent disruption of the elections.

    Adamu also urged voters who may want to wait to protect their votes to maintain the distance stipulated by INEC.

    The police boss also warned that security personnel who are not deployed for election should stay away from the polling units, saying any security personnel found wanting will be arrested.

    Likewise, he said observers not accredited will be arrested, after clearance from INEC.

    An App, for the election translation, was also launched as part of the arrangement to ensure smooth observation of the polls.