By Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation/Bisi Oladele/Osagie Otabor/Precious Igbowelundu, Akure

• Police arrest 25 for firearms possession
• Governors’ presence in state threat to credible poll – TMG
• OAU VC not our Returning Officer – INEC

At least 27 different parts of Ondo State will be receiving special security attention when voters file out today to elect the governor of the state for the next four years.

The 27 areas have been identified by the security agencies as flash points and it is expected that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will also give them due attention.

Security has already been beefed up in all boundary towns with the police pledging the safety of all stakeholders.

However, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of over 400 civil society organizations, cried out yesterday over what it called an invasion of the state by some governors.

The Chairman, Transition Monitoring Group, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said at a pre-election press briefing that the refusal of these governors to leave the state constituted a threat to the peaceful and credible conduct of the election.

The INEC debunked the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it had appointed a townsman of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu as the Chief Returning Officer for the election.

The commission said not only was the allegation untrue, it would not share its responsibility of appointing officials with anyone.

A highly placed INEC source said, ahead of the election, that more attention was being paid to security in order to protect the sanctity of the ballot.

“So far, security agencies did their assessment in Ondo and they have identified 27 flashpoints,” the source said.

Continuing, he said: “They named the affected places and the concerned local government areas.

“Since we have the intelligence at our disposal, we are taking to the advisory. We have also done our own risk assessment too.

“In terms of coverage, Ondo State has more wards than Edo State. We have 3,009 polling units in Ondo State, unlike Edo with 2,600 plus. Also, there are 192 wards in Edo compared with 203 in Ondo.

“Definitely, we need to deploy more resources and security personnel in Ondo. We are considering the intelligence at our disposal.

“We had a meeting with the Nigerian Navy on protection for electoral officers and the ballot process in coastal areas of the state. The Navy has promised to provide adequate escort on the sea to the remotest parts.

“In fact, there are some coastal towns and villages where officials will spend four hours on boat to get there. With the support of the Navy and other security agencies, these coastal areas were the first to get all the needed materials.

“The Army was simply superb in Edo State where they blocked all the entry points to the state. We are adopting the same strategy in Ondo for Saturday’s poll.”

Responding to a question, the source said INEC was expecting a peaceful poll.

The source added: “Historically, it has been politically volatile in Ondo State, but we are looking at another good outing. Overall, we hope it will be a peaceful poll.

“In 2016, there was tension in Ondo and we were worried. But a former National Commissioner said the threats were Shakara (mere hype).

“We didn’t believe but it came to pass. We are expecting that the same peaceful outlook will repeat itself.

“Like we did in 2016, INEC will ensure a free and fair poll. Since the election of ex-Governor Adebayo Adefarati in 1999, it was only the 2016 poll that was not challenged in court.”

The source said INEC would sustain its uploading of results at the polling unit to earn the confidence of voters.

“This uploading of results at the polling unit level was a test-run and it worked because voters were able to track the voting process and the outcome.

“INEC won’t compromise on the standard it has set in Edo. We will rather build on it.”

Police arrest 25 for firearms possession

Also speaking on Friday ahead of the polls, Police Deputy Inspector General in charge of the election security, Leye Oyebade, said a robust mechanism was already in place to ensure the safety of all stakeholders.

He said tactical squads and experts had been deployed to crime map the state for adequate security planning.

Oyebade said the police, in collaboration with the Navy, had adequately secured the riverine areas of the state.

His words: “We have been able to put a robust mechanism on ground that is going to work; a mechanism that it is going to give us the desired result, which is safety.

“We have deployed to the riverine areas at least three per unit. We have deployed men to all the collation centres and given adequate protection to INEC officials, and materials in all the necessary areas that are meant to be covered.

“Our preparation has been ongoing before now behind the scene. We have been able to crime map the state and noted the threat analysis.

“We will not be distracted. We have enough personnel to address the issues of banditry, kidnapping and all of that. We have our technical platform to track and do the needful.

“We have adequate number to address the supervision of this election; personnel are sound technically. We are good to go.

“We have been able to structure the terrain, the waterways, land and air, all entry and exit points. We have been able to get adequate personnel lectured, trained and tutored to be professional.

“So, with the personnel we have on ground, appropriate logistics and with the mindset to sacrifice, because this is a major event to celebrate our democracy, the police officers’ morale is very high. We know that the police and other security agencies are ready to protect lives and property.

“We have been able to support in terms of protection of INEC officials and transportation of INEC materials that has begun for some days now and has been going on without any issue.

“We have also had confidence building patrols and have assured the people of their safety. We are on ground to protect them, so, they should come out and cast their votes.

“We have a code of conduct guiding the personnel that have been deployed. They have been given a tag with their names and pictures on it to identify them in the places they are posted to. “Their names and mobile phone numbers are also with the officials at the various places they are posted. That is how we will curb fake or illegal policemen.

“We have also sent out dedicated mobile numbers- 07049960674 and 09152784339. These two numbers are for members of the public to have access to us through calls and text messages.

“If they think there is an urgent matter going on, they can send a message, pictures or videos to us through WhatsApp on this number: 07049936417.”

The DIG appealed to residents and non-residents alike to respect the movement restriction.

There will be no vehicular movement between 11.59 pm yesterday and 6 pm today across the state.

The move is meant to prevent political actors and trouble-makers from engaging in disruptive acts, circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs, movement of political thugs and disruption of the electoral processes.

Police Commissioner (CP) Bolaji Salami said at least 25 suspects were arrested in the last two weeks for illegal possession of firearms.

The suspects were alleged to be political thugs armed for the disruption of the electioneering process but were picked out by tactical squads following actionable intelligence.

According to Salami, most of them have been charged to court, adding that the police would leave no stone unturned to ensure peace and security during and after the voting processes.

“We have been picking them out. We have arrested like 25 for illegal possession of firearms and charged them to court.

“So far, there is calm and we are well prepared to ensure this exercise goes smoothly,” he said.

60 sniffer dogs, 7,079 to be deployed by NSCDC

On its part, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed about 60 sniffer dogs and 7,079 officers and men drawn from the six South West states including Kogi and Kwara commands for the  election.

Four Assistant Commandants General will be on duty during the poll.

Deputy Commandant General, Operations, Hilary Madu, who spoke in Akure on the preparedness of the corps, said six of the sniffer dogs would be deployed to INEC headquarters to complement personnel from the Special Force, Intelligence Department and SWAT unit.

Madu stated that the NSCDC officials had been properly briefed on their roles during the poll.

Governors’ presence threat to credible poll — TMG

The Transition Monitoring Group, a coalition of over 400 civil society organisations, kicked on Friday over the presence of governors in Ondo State for the election, saying their visibility was a threat to credible polls.

Addressing reporters in Akure, TMG chairman Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi wondered why the unnamed governors “refused to leave after campaign has ended.”

She said: These governors who travelled and sponsored their political expedition with the meagre resources of their states may constitute a threat to free and fair election by taking advantage of their immunity to be involved in election malpractices like vote-buying, intimidation of security operatives and sponsorship of political violence.

“All invading governors should leave since campaign has ended.”

She alleged that the three leading political parties for the election had engaged in promoting violence and inducing voters ahead of the poll.

“Since the beginning of electioneering, the three major political parties, APC, PDP and ZLP, have been involved in promoting political banditry, violence and reprisal, allegations and counter-allegations, vote-buying and voters inducement at different levels and in varied forms,” she said.

She added: “This action is illegal as it flouts electoral law.

“This has raised political tension in the state until a few days to the election when more security personnel were deployed in the state. TMG condemns this desperation for power by political parties as it undermines the fundamental tenet of democracy, which is free choice.

“TMG appeals to political parties and candidates to translate their agreement to observe peace by consenting to sign peace accord into practice through maintenance of order and observe all the rules governing elections during and after the poll.

“Election should not be a do-or-die affair if the purpose is to serve and not to loot the treasury. We demand the establishment of Electoral Offences Mobile Courts in future to deal with electoral offenders with dispatch on the day of election.”

The TMG, she added, had identified Akoko South East, Ilaje, Oke-Igbo/Ile Oluji, Akoko South West, Owo, Idanre, Akure South, Ese Odo local government areas as hotspots during the election.

Jegede to INEC: this election must be transparent and credible

The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), asked INEC to build on its performance in Edo State by ensuring that Saturday’s election is free, fair, transparent and credible.

“We were excited about INEC performance in Edo, but we are slightly apprehensive that if INEC follows tradition and takes four steps backward, it will not be pretty for the election, for the state and the nation,” Jegede said through the spokesman of his campaign organization, Gbenga Akinmoyo.

He added: “INEC should remember that in 1983, the electoral crisis that brought down the Federal Government started here in Ondo State. So, free, fair, transparent and credible election is all we ask of from INEC. No favours to the PDP; just a fair contest.

“If INEC does its own job as a neutral umpire, we are confident that the people of Ondo State will be victorious in choosing their governor.”

OAU Vice-Chancellor is not our returning officer – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday denied appointing the Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, as the Returning Officer for the election.

Mr Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said in Abuja on Friday that claim by the Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council and Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, that the Commission had appointed Ogunbodede as the Returning Officer was untrue

Makinde also alleged that Ogunbodede is a known crony of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and might not be fair to all in the election, and called for his immediate replacement.

But Okoye clarified that INEC’s returning officer for the Ondo governorship election is not from Ondo State or from OAU.

He said: “While the Commission will not be drawn into speculations relating to the performance of its constitutional and statutory functions, it is imperative to set the records straight for the benefit of the people of Ondo State and the integrity of the electoral process.

“It is the sole responsibility of the Commission to appoint a returning officer for the Ondo governorship election and does not share this responsibility with any individual, group or political party.

“The returning officer appointed by the Commission will report to the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State on the date conveyed in his letter of appointment issued several days ago.

“The Commission is firmly focused to conduct a free, fair and peaceful election and implores all stakeholders to cooperate and play their own part in ensuring a peaceful election and not to engage in unhelpful speculation.”

Okoye said that the main concern of the Commission was to ensure a credible electoral process while the outcome is in the hands of the people of Ondo State.

Akeredolu himself said the allegation by Makinde was embarrassing and disgraceful.

Spokesperson of the  campaign council, Mr. Richard Olatunde, said in a statement that Makinde, being a member of the Nigerian Council of State, should know that INEC would never, under any circumstance, appoint a native of the state as a retuning officer, but the Oyo governor circumvented truth and decency for political exigencies.

Akeredolu’s statements reads in parts: “We find as unfortunate the statement credited to the Governor of Oyo State and Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for the governorship election in Ondo State, Seyi Makinde, rejecting the Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, as the Chief Returning Officer for Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State.

“While it is forgivable for the PDP in Ondo State to continue to raise false alarm and make spurious allegations over the election, it is inexcusable for a governor like Seyi Makinde to market ignorance in such a shameful manner. This ridicules, in no small measure, the exalted office of Governor.

“As at the time he raised the objection, INEC had not even announced the appointment of a Retuning Officer for this Saturday’s election. We cannot but wonder how and where Governor Makinde in particular, got the information.

“Governor Makinde, as a member of the Nigerian Council of State, ought to know that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not and shall never appoint a returning officer who is an indigene to administer elections. No indigene of Ondo State can ever be made a returning officer.

“By this pedestrian dance, Governor Makinde has shown himself to be a disgrace to public decency and the office he is holding.

“For us in the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Akeredolu/Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation, we believe in fairness and credibility. Our trust in INEC on a free, fair and credible election on Saturday remains undoubted.

“Therefore, we urge the people of the state to disregard the ignorance exhibited by the PDP and Governor Seyi Makinde while getting set to participate in the election on Saturday,” the statement said.

One million and four hundred thousand voters are eligible to take part in today’s election, which has Governor Akeredolu of the APC, Eyitayo Jegede of PDP and Agboola Ajayi of Zenith Labour party (ZLP) as the frontline candidates.

By Nicholas Kalu, Abuja

The Department of State Services (DSS) says it is ready to ensure a hitch-free governorship election on Saturday.

Spokesman Dr. Peter Afunanya said in a statement that DSS will not only partner sister security agencies, but will also support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the poll is successful.

It urged its personnel to remain professional while discharging their duties.

“The Service enjoins players in the electoral process to abide by the rules of the game. Persons and groups that may wish to engage in violent activities, leading to a breakdown of law and order, are advised to desist from such devious plans or be ready to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement said.

By Bisi Oladele, Ibadan and Osagie Otabor, Akure

• Oyo governor: we won’t be distracted 
• ’Assault confirms Ondo govt’s claim’

Ex-Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has accused Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Bode George of masterminding the assault on him at the party’s campaign rally in Ondo town on Wednesday.

Fayose was heading for the podium at the campaign ground when a hoodlum, believed to be acting on instruction, moved towards him and removed his cap.

Reacting through his spokesman, Lere Olayinka, the former governor said despite the shameful act, he would not stop saying the truth about the running of the party in the Southwest, adding that those who had failed to produce any result in Lagos State since 1999 would be made to retire.

He promised to make a formal report of the incident to security agencies and the party’s leadership, noting that it was not something to be handled with levity, as security agencies would have to arrest the thugs brought to the event and their sponsors.

Fayose said: “That was how the late Chief Bola Ige’s cap was removed in Ile- Ife, Osun State then and we all know what happened later.

“So this one will not be ignored and treated as one of those things.

“The mastermind had it all planned and they followed it up by celebrating what they saw as the success of their plot. They even capped it all by circulating the video.

“So it was not an accident, it was planned. But those who planned it only succeeded in advertising their political myopia because popularity of the brand Ayo Fayose Osokomole cannot be undermined by such childish act. That they must have seen in the reaction of the people at the rally and I am sure they know that they can’t get such loud ovation even if they spend all the money in this world.

Read Also: I had no hand in the attack against Fayose – Makinde

“As for me, I am unperturbed and I must say it clearly that those new comers to the PDP and their old allies, who won’t mind soiling the image of the party to achieve their aims, will not be allowed to succeed.”

Reacting, however, Makinde, through his Chief Press Secretary Taiwo Adisa said he does not intend to join issues with the former governor, whom he said appears perpetually desirous of hugging the limelight even when the occasion doesn’t desire such grandstanding.

“I believe that ex-governor Fayose and his handlers need to look far away from Oyo State in search of their enemies.

“Governor Makinde has no link whatsoever with the incident Fayose’s aide was talking about.

“We expect all right-thinking members of the PDP to join the governor of Oyo State in the prosecution of the noble and democratic assignment he is executing on behalf of the PDP in Ondo State at this time, instead of seeking to distract him one way or the other.

“The governor will, however, not be distracted either on the task at hand or on the well-intentioned desire to join other leaders to rebuild the PDP in the Southwest,” Makinde said.

Ondo State Government has said the attack on Fayose has confirmed its allegation that Makinde has imported thugs into the state ahead of tomorrow’s election.

It said there was need for security agencies to contain and curtail activities of the thugs.

Information and Orientation Commissioner Donald Ojogo said in a statement: “Government recalls that the last three weeks have witnessed mindless and condemnable acts perpetrated by these thugs imported from Oyo State. The assault on the former governor of Ekiti State, at the party’s rally in Ondo town, no doubt, is an internal affair of the party. The incident nonetheless, remains a reference point just as it confirms our earlier apprehension.

“Government, therefore, calls on security agencies to spread their surveillance network to curtail the activities of these hoodlums who are spread across the 18 local governments of Ondo State.”

 

By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has warned that voters without face masks will not be allowed to exercise their franchise tomorrow.

The National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr. Sani Aliyu, disclosed this on Thursday during the task force’s media briefing in Abuja.

He said voters, candidates and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would be required to follow the anti-COVID-19 guidelines put in place for elections, noting that the country could not afford losing the gains made in the national response efforts during the election.

Aliyu said the process would be protected from the spread of the virus, adding that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) would be provided for electoral officers.

He said the materials to be used and the voting environment would be disinfected.

Read Also: Late reporting caused deaths, says PTF

He urged candidates and officials of the 17 political parties to lead by example during the exercise.

“As we all know, we will hold the governorship election across 18 local governments. We are expecting about 1.5 million eligible people to vote in 3,000 polling units across the state.

“This is clearly a huge exercise. It’s a huge exercise that will also come with risks. Therefore, in order to protect the voters, election officials and candidates in the electoral process, we urge everyone to comply with the INEC guidelines.

“Face masks are mandatory across the polling units. No face mask, no voting. Physical distancing must be enforced, especially in queuing at polling units. Alcohol-based sanitisers will be provided. Election will begin at 8:30am, to close at 2:30pm, but anybody on the outer queue by 2:30pm will still be allowed to vote. There will be two queues; an outer queue and an inner queue.

Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Editor, Osagie Otabor and Precious Igbonwelundu

 

 

VOTER distribution

•Akoko S/West 87,351
•Ese-Odo 66,481
•Akoko N/East 66,290
•Idanre 64,438
•Ose 63,568
•Akure North 60,744
•Akoko N/West 58,505
•Irele 57,651
•Ifedore 54,640
•Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo 54,391
•Ondo East 40,496
•Akoko S/East 32,763

 

 

NO fewer than 1,478,460 voters will decide tomorrow’s governorship election in 203 electoral wards across 18 local government councils in Ondo State.

The State has 3,009 polling units.

Although 17 candidates are eying the Alagbaka Government House, Akure, the state capital, eyes are only on three standard bearers.

The three major candidates are Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who is seeking re-election, Eyitayo Jegede(Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi(Zenith Labour Party).

On poll day, the remaining 14 candidates running on the platforms of mushroom parties will pale into dignified spectators. Some of them have been endorsing either Akeredolu or Jegede.

Zoning may not be a core factor to shape the poll. The big three hail from the three zones: Akeredlu, a native of Owo, is from the North Senatorial District. Jegede, from Akure, is from the Central Senatorial District and Ajayi is from the South Senatorial District.

The analysis of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) collection across the councils shows voters’ enthusiasm. The 1,478, 460 cards collected represent 81 per cent of the 1,822, 346 total voter population.

There are 343, 886 uncollected PVCs, representing 19.9 per cent of the total registered voters.

Akure South, which comprise of Akure city, has the highest number of PVC collection  put at 207, 238. The lowest is Akoko Southeast, which has 32, 763.

Yesterday, the umpire begun the distribution of sensitive materials.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu urged electoral officers to stick to ethics and maintain neutrality.

But the PDP rejected the appointment of the Obafemi Awolowo University ( OAU) Vice Chancellor Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede as Chief Returning Officer, saying he may not be neutral.

Read Also: No facemask, no voting in Ondo – PTF

The Chairman of PDP Campaign Council, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, said Ogunbodede, who hails from Owo, is a crony of the governor.

The APC, in a statement by its Deputy National Secretary, Yekini Nabena, urged security agents to protect voters from violence threats by the  PDP and ZLP.

He said the threats were aimed at causing voter apathy since they know that Akeredolu enjoyed popular support because of his unprecedented achievements.

Nabena, who listed 10 reasons why the governor deserved a second term, said his unparalleled and multi-sector achievements, cross-partisan support and widespread acceptance by the people has led to defections from the PDP and ZLP to the APC.

Flaying the the oppositions parties for planning violence, he said their plots will fail as the will of the people will prevail.

Highlighting Akeredolu’s achievements, Nabena said:”In critical sectors such as education, healthcare delivery, infrastructure development, security, youth empowerment and industrialization, Governor Akeredolu is positively redefining governance in Ondo State.

“Within three and half years, the Akeredolu administration has taken Ondo state from zero to eight functional industries; worked on over 403 kilometers of roads; renovated 660 schools; rehabilitated 1928 rehabilitated boreholes providing portable water; generated over N2.2 billion internal revenue, representing 300 percent improvement from previous administration; cleared seven months salary backlog owed workers by his predecessor; upgraded the state’s security apparatus which has also benefited the South West zone and neighbouring Niger Delta states; ensured judicious use, probity and accountability of the state’s resources and ensured even spread in the allocation of state resources and projects.”

 

 

 Osagie Otabor, Akure

 

REPRESENTATIVES of political parties present at the distribution of sensitive materials by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have hailed the process.

Materials for Ilaje Local Government were the first to leave the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) premises.

Security officials were provided to escort the materials.

A representative of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Victor Olabitan, said distribution was okay.

“They are doing very well. It was done in the presence of everybody. We are satisfied,” he added.

Mr. Debo Ologunagba, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) agent, described the distribution as seamless.

He said: “Sensitive documents have been packaged. INEC also gave us a check list to crosscheck and everything is there.”

Read Also: Njoku dumps PDP for APC in Imo

A representative of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Tunde Atere, said: “We are here to witness distribution of sensitive materials. Everything is intact. This is an improvement on what it used to be. Our monitoring team that will follow the materials to destination points are on ground.”

An election monitoring group, Yiaga Africa, has faulted INEC’s use of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to distribute sensitive materials.

It said the partisan background of some members of the union was worrisome.

The body said politicians could use the partisan NURTW members to undermine the election by deliberately causing late commencement of the election due to delay/refusal to convey election officials and materials to the polling unit.

Co-chairman of Yiaga Africa Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, speaking at a pre-election news briefing in Akure, urged INEC to collaborate with security agencies with a view to arresting any NURTW member who made any attempt to undermine the election.