The Nation Newspaper

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  • Nigeria, a sleeping giant, says Belgore

    Kwara State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader, Mr. Dele Belgore (SAN), has said Nigeria is a sleeping giant.

    The frontline lawyer noted that despite attaining 52, the country has not unlocked its vast human and natural resources for development.

    The politician decried the lack of political will by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration to ensure the development projects across the country.

    He said if unlocked, the nation’s potentials would have made it one of the top 20 economies of the world.

    Belgore said: “As things stand, one is virtually being punished daily for just being a Nigerian. This is as a result of the negative impact of government on the lives of the people.

    “Politics is put above governance. Service to the people is secondary to self-interest and benefit and institutions have been subordinated to the whims and caprices of individuals.

    “No nation thrives in such circumstances. A nation becomes great by the commitment of its leaders and the faithful followership of its people.

    “For Nigeria to be great, we must begin to see some sincerity of purpose in our leaders. They must have the interest of the nation at heart, not a sectional, political, religious or ethnic interest.

    “The right people should be put in the right places to lead and govern. Institutions should be allowed to function properly and the people empowered to maximise their opportunities and talents.

    “We all know the things that are wrong with our country. What we need now is the will to right those wrongs and at 52 it is high time we got it right.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Bayelsa to immortalise Abacha, honour Alamieyeseigha

    Bayelsa to immortalise Abacha, honour Alamieyeseigha

    To mark the 16th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State, the state government has announced its decision to immortalise late General Sani Abacha.
    It has concluded plans to lay the foundation stone for a 150 duplex housing estate which would be named after late General Abacha whose government created Bayelsa State as Head of State on the 1st of October, 1996.
    Governor Seriake Dickson announced the decision on Monday in his broadcast to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the creation of the State and the 52nd independence of the country.
    According to Governor Dickson, government in partnership with the Ijaw National Congress (INC), has christened the main auditorium of the INC secretariat after General Abacha as well as invite the family of the late General to be part of the celebration and also plant a memorial tree in his honour.
    This gesture which comes 16 years after the creation of the state would also be used to honour the first civilian Governor of the State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha for his commitment to the Ijaw struggle by naming a hall after him in the INC building which was started by him.
    The governor also paid tributes to those he described as worthy Nigerian leaders like President Olusegun Obasanjo and late President Umaru Yar’Adua whose actions impacted positively on Bayelsans.
    He re-affirmed his administration’s commitment towards ensuring accelerated infrastructural development and revolutionary investments in human capital development.

  • Jonathan: I alone can’t solve Nigeria’s problems

    The President yesterday pleaded with Nigerians for support, saying he alone cannot solve Nigeria’s problems.

    To him, the problems, which the country would eventually overcome, are temporary.

    Dr. Jonathan spoke at the 52nd independence anniversary interdenominational church service in Abuja. The theme of the service was: “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal”.

    Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Ayo Oritsejafor delivered the sermon.

    Vice President Namadi Sambo and other top government officials, who are Muslims, attended an Islamic prayer session for Nigeria at 52 last Friday.

    The President will today watch a ceremonial change of guards by the Nigerian Army Brigade of Guards at the State House in Abuja.

    The Vice President, Senate President David Mark, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, Chief Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, former heads of state and members of the Diplomatic Corps are expected to join him.

    The anniversary celebration will be low key – for the second year running.

    The last time the country celebrated her independence anniversary with fanfare was in 2010, when she turned 50. But it was marred by a twin bomb blasts that rocked Abuja. The blast went off a few metres from the Eagle Square, venue of the ceremony. Many people died.

    President Jonathan said the low key celebration was to allow for an elaborate celebration of the centenary anniversary of Nigeria’s amalgamation in 2014.

    Dr. Jonathan is optimistic that with all hands on deck, Nigeria, like the old Jerusalem, will be rebuilt as it was the case in the days of Nehemiah, who rebuilt the gate of Jerusalem with support.

    He said the nation possesses many Nehemiahs in the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council, the judiciary, the educational and private sectors, who God can use to rebuild the country.

    “Leadership at all levels is collective. One person cannot change a nation. Agreed the leader matters, but he cannot change things alone. All of us Nigerians must work together to rebuild our nation. Our men and women will change things in this country. There are so many Nehemiahs in the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council, our judiciary, our teachers, businessmen and women and I believe God will use these Nehemiahs to rebuild the country.

    “I can say again that Nigeria will succeed. With your cooperation, we shall succeed.”

    The President noted for the umpteenth time, that his administration has sanitised the electoral process, adding that corruption will soon be gone for good.

    On corruption, he said the Transparency International – the global monitor – admitted in its latest rating that Nigeria is second to America in commitment to fighting corruption.

    Taking solace in the ranking, which he admitted was different from the usual rating, the President said: “God willing, we shall overcome it”.

    On the economic environment, he said at least 249 new companies according to the Manufacturers of Nigeria, have been set up. We shall continue to work hard to create jobs for our people,” Jonathan said.

    The President, who also spoke on the efforts towards a stable power supply, vowed not to rest until electricity is stabilised.

    “I want to assure Nigerians we will not sleep until we stablise power in this country,” he said.

    While also flagging off the one year prayer project, the president said prayer helped Americans to determine the direction of their country and can do same for Nigeria.

    In his sermon entitled: “God still answers prayers,” Pastor Oritsejafor called on those in the position of authority to turn from their wicked ways.

    He said: “Boko Haram is a terrorist organisation. The activities of Boko Haram are not fuelled by poverty, but by a religious fundamentalist ideology. Boko Haram is being funded from within by people who desire to use them to create political space for themselves and funded from without by those who want to see Nigeria divided along religious-ethnic lines.

    “ Boko Haram is also sustained by media apologist who feed the unsuspecting public with politically incorrect half-truths.”

    He noted that as a nation, as a people, “if we are serious about getting answers to our national prayers, we must, as a matter of urgency, turn from our wicked ways.” “Let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end,” he said.

    Pastor Ortisejafor described as wickedness that Nigeria, according to the Centre for Management Development, spends N1.6 trillion on generators annually while a good number of Nigerians only see electricity cables without having electricity.

    He also noted that lots of beautiful homes dot the landscape of our major cities while many Nigerians do not have a place to lay their heads; adding that lots of people are surrounded by so much water and yet have no clean pipe borne, water to drink.

    The fiery pastor also added that for men to make incantations and satanic pronouncements over the nation in shrines and strange alters, all because some of them desire positions at all cost, is wickedness.

    He condemned people who play “politics of religion and ethnicity”, even as “a group of men continues to swell the number of widows and orphans.”

    Quoting copiously from the book of 2 Chronicles 7:14, Pastor Ortisejafor said the question that has bogged his mind for some time is: “Does God hear our prayers or has he abandoned us?”

    He went on: “We cannot judge God’s ability to perform on what we see, but what we know about God.

    “In the scripture we read, God expects the church to fast and pray for Nigeria, but so our church not become a ritual. He gives two very important conditions to answer prayer.

    “One, God says we must humble ourselves. He said he will not forget the cries of the humble. He resists the proud and gives grace to humble.

    “God hates pride and pride can hinder prayers. If we are genuinely serious about getting answers to national prayers, we must deal with pride.

    “The fact that I’m President of CAN does not make me God. Many of our politicians today, especially those elected, are so disconnected from the people and it can be put down to one thing – pride!

    “When you are disconnected from the people, you become the master and they your servants. Pride can hinder prayers and humility brings God’s hand on the people.

    “The second condition for answered prayer is, we must turn from our wicked ways. The word of God says, shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

    “Is it not wickedness that Nigeria, according to the Centre for Management Development, spends N1.6 trillion on generators annually while a good number of Nigerians only see electricity cables without having electricity? Is it not wickedness for beautiful homes to dot the landscape of our major cities while many Nigerians don’t have a place to lay their heads? Is it not wickedness for people to be surrounded by so much water and yet not have clean pipe borne water to drink? Is it not wickedness for men to make incantations and satanic pronouncements over this nation in shrines and strange alters, all because some of them desire positions at all cost? Is it not wickedness to continue to play politics of religion and ethnicity while a group of men continue to swell the numbers of widows and orphans on a daily basis?

    “We can have a Nigeria we desire, where no one is oppressed, not judge by religion or tribe but by their content. We can have the Nigeria that we desire.”

    Also quoting from 1 Kings 18:41, Pastor Ortisejafor said, “I speak as a prophet of this nation. It is true that I cannot see the rain but I hear the sound of abundant of rain. The rain of joy, peace, love, security, unity, prosperity.

    Some of the dignitaries present were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, Senate President David Mark, Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker, ministers, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Chief of Staff, Chief of Defence Staff and Service chiefs, top government officials, top politicians and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

     

  • Two killed in Boko Haram ‘factory’ battle

    Two killed in Boko Haram ‘factory’ battle

    ALL was tense yesterday in Zaria, Kaduna State as security operatives stormed a suspected Boko Haram hideout.

    Residents of the university town woke up to sounds of gunshots as security men and members of the sect slugged it out in Gaskiya. Two members of the sect were killed.

    But in Minna, the Niger State capital, two policemen were shot dead by people believed to be members of the Boko Haram (western education is a sin).

    It was learnt that a combined team of the military, the police and the State Security Service (SSS) raided the house in the Gaskiya new layout, following intelligence reports that it was being used to manufacture bombs.

    Sources in Zaria said residents of the area were restricted by soldiers while the gun battle lasted.

    Two sect members and others were injured. Some arrests were also made by the security operatives.

    The source said the leader of the group, identified as Hussaini Mohammed, escaped before the operation, leaving his wife and other members behind.

    The raid followed report that the sect was planning to attack some churches in Zaria yesterday.

    Another source said on arrival at the area at about 2.00am for the joint operation, the security operatives evacuated residents of the neigbouring households to safer places before engaging the suspected sect members in the gun battle.

    About seven houses were said to have been affected by the exchange of fire.

    Traffic to Gaskiya, which houses a campus of the Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, were diverted to other routes.

    At about 9.00am, there was an explosion, which caused panic among residents, a source said. Another said the bomb was detonated by men of the anti-bomb squad at the Magume Junction, linking Gaskiya layout to the major road.

    Kaduna State Police Commissioner Mr. Adefemi Adenaike said the situation had been brought under control, adding: “It is a joint military, police and SSS operation that we started on Thursday. Some suspected members were traced to that area and we discovered that they were manufacturing this Improvised Explosive Device (IED) there.

    “We eventually stormed the place this morning (Sunday) at about 2am and that was the cause of the explosion. Some guns, vehicles and IED making materials were recovered. I can’t give you any number now because I want them to be brought to Kaduna. But there is no cause for alarm. They died; we are ok. The uniform services are ok, but they died.”

    Army spokesman Captain Ibrahim Abdullahi said the security agents acted on a tip-off that the sect was planning a major suicide operation in Zaria, Kaduna and Suleja to coincide with the independence anniversary. The joint operation, he said, was to stop them.

    He said they discovered heavily loaded explosives in a warehouse for the production of Improvised Explosive Devices, adding that controlled detonation had to be carried out by Army Engineers so as to save the residents of the area.

    Besides, said Captain Abdullahi, it was to stop the planning and execution of destructive, criminal and deadly activities of the sect.

    In Minna, two policemen – a Sergeant and a Constable – were shot dead by hoodlums suspected to be members of Boko Haram at the weekend.

    Six months ago, five policemen were killed in a similar situation at Maje Police Post in Minna.

    According to an eye witness, gunmen attacked the policemen at Kpakungun Roundabout, a few metres from the Kpakungun Divisional Police Headquarter at about 8:25 pm.

    It was gathered that the gunmen, who came in a black Golf car, shot two of the three policemen who were on surveillance and went away with their guns.

    It was gathered that the gunmen dropped two of their members a few metres to the surveillance point while others in the car drove towards the policemen, who stopped the vehicle for checking.

    The constable, who stopped the car for checking, was shot by one of the gunmen in the car. The sergeant, who was with him was shot by one of the gunmen on foot, who had earlier been dropped by his colleagues.

    The gunmen carted away the guns of the slain policemen and started shooting in the air to scare people away as the third Police officer beat a retreat.

    The attack on the police led to the restriction of motorcycle movement in Minna from 7pm till 7am.

    Police spokesman Pius Edobor said they were on the trail of the hoodlums.

     

  • Kidnappers kill businessman

    Kidnappers kill businessman

    He went to the pharmacy to get drugs for his ailing friend’s child, but never made it back home.

    Odidi Nweze, a businessman, was killed after being abducted in front of a pharmacy in Satellite Town, a Lagos suburb, two days after he returned from the United States.

    He was said to have been abducted with his companion in front of Oxpharm and killed a few metres away, but the woman reportedly escaped.

    It was at the Festac Town branch of the pharmacy that the drugs injected into the drink of the late Cynthia Osokogu were bought.

    According to eyewitnesses, the late Nweze and his partner were bundled into the back of the abductors’ vehicle and taken away.

    On their way, the abductors ran into a traffic gridlock, and resorted to shooting their way out.

    Motorists were said to have abandoned their vehicles to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

    Sources said Nweze was dragged out of the vehicle and shot dead by his abductors.

    Lagos Police chief Umar Manko, it was learnt, has ordered the Area Commander in charge of Area ‘E’, Command, Mr Dan Okoro, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), to fish out the killers. He has seven days to do so. Okoro led the team which cracked the Cynthia murder case.

    Two suspects, The Nation learnt, have been arrested; the search for others is on.

    Okoro told The Nation that those in custody are the late Nweze’s female companion and his friend, who is also said to be dating the woman.

    The woman, it was gathered, has a child for the late Nweze’s friend.

    She told the police that she slept with her fellow suspect a day before Nweze died; but the man denied the allegation, claiming that he had not seen her in the last one year.

    The police are working on the theory that there may have been a quarrel between the late Nweze and his friend over the woman.

    The woman, it was learnt, is being held because she witnessed the killing.

    “She is alive; she saw it all and the only witness to the murder. She saw how it happened and how he was killed. We want to uncover those who sponsored the murderers, those who are in conflict with the man or his family members so that we can pick all the people involved in the killing,” a source said.

    The police are also on the trail of the late Nweze’s business partners to ascertain if they had a clash.

    A source at the Area Command said: “The deceased was already home and had even changed into his night wears when a call came through. It was the call that made him leave the house to where he was abducted. We are still trying to find out who called him. We have gone to the service providers to assist us with information that will aid our investigation”.

    On why the late Nweze’s friend was arrested, the source said: “From all indications, there are cloudy issues surrounding the man and these are the things we want to uncover, and that is why we are holding him. He has a case to answer.”

    Okoro accused some hoteliers of conniving with kidnappers, warning that anyone caught would be treated as an accomplice.

    He said: “Our investigation so far has shown that some hoteliers are harbouring these criminals. Any hotelier that a kidnapper is arrested in his or her domain will be charged to court alongside the suspects for complicity. The hotel, which we are suspecting that those who killed Nweze operated from, is already being investigated.

    “We suspect that the suspects were living at the hotel and taking off from there to carry out their criminal activities. All hoteliers must comply with the Inspector General’s and Commissioner of Police’s directives on the installation of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) in their premises and also ensure proper identification of guests before checking them in.”

    The police, he said, were beaming their searchlight on Oxpharm because of the coincidence in the instant case and that of Cynthia.

    Okoro said: “It’s an issue that I cannot just place. First, it was in their store that the drugs that were used on Cynthia was purchased in Festac and now the late Nweze was abducted in front of their branch at Satellite Town.”

    It’s in focus, we are thinking about that. Why must it be Oxpharm”.

    Command’s spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said, the commissioner of police had given investigators one week to fish out the killers.

  • Saudi ends Hajj row with Nigeria

    Saudi ends Hajj row with Nigeria

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has ended the week-long diplomatic row with Nigeria over Muharams (male guardians ) for female pilgrims.

    The softening of Saudi’s position led to the airlift of 1, 079 pilgrims yesterday by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON).

    The Federal Government delegation, to be led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives,Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal might still go to Saudi Arabia to smoothen ties between the two nations.

    Head of the Media Unit of NAHCON, Mallam Mana Uba, said yesterday that “Saudi Arabia has been receptive in the last 12 hours.”

    Uba said:”We believe the challenge has been amicably resolved because Saudi authorities have been receptive in the last 12 hours. We can say that the two nations have mutually addressed the challenge.

    “So far, we have been able to airlift on Sunday about 1,079 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia who were allowed normal entry into that country. None of them has been stopped.

    “For instance, Kabo Air( Flight No. 1083) departed to Jeddah at 7.17 hours with 529 pilgrims from Kogi State. These pilgrims have safely landed and allowed into Saudi Arabia.

    “Also, Max Air’s Flight No. NR 105 departed to Jeddah at 16.35 hours with 550 pilgrims from Zamfara.

    Niger State’s 461 and Kaduna’s 496 pilgrims have also been airlifted.

    “In all, we have airlifted 28, 892 pilgrims through 57flights. We are positive that we will be able to meet the October 20 deadline when King Abdulazeez International Airport in Jeddah and Madina Airport will be closed (today).”

    Responding to a question, Uba added: “Pilgrims from Lagos, Adamawa, Niger, and Sokoto will be airlifted on Monday.”

    In spite of the end of the row, the Federal Government delegation, to be led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, might still go to Saudi Arabia to smoothen ties between the two nations.

    A government source said: “The delegation will still go ahead to meet with Saudi Arabian government for high-level talks on how to avert such a diplomatic row in future.

    “The Saudi Government is finalising modalities for these talks , which is why the delegation is yet to leave.

    “As a matter of fact, the Speaker is in Lagos ahead of green light from Saudi Arabia for the trip.”

  • Mark, Tambuwal, Tinubu to Nigerians: don’t despair

    Mark, Tambuwal, Tinubu to Nigerians: don’t despair

    President of the Senate David Mark yesterday said in spite of the economic and socio-political challenges facing the country, only the resolve and willingness of Nigerians to confront the issues headlong will get the nation out of the woods.

    Mark spoke in his goodwill message to mark the nation’s 52nd Independence Anniversary.

    He said: “Nobody is coming from the moon or the space to solve our problems for us. The challenge is that we must put behind us such mundane issues as ethnic or religious differences and come together as one people to tackle our problems.”

    In a statement by his media aide, Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja, Mark said: “If we look inwards and do the right things in conformity with our laws and customs, we can adequately find solutions to our problems.

    “God has blessed the nation with enough human and material resources, we have all it takes to truly attain our giant status economically and politically.

    “All we need do is to harness our resources and potentials for good.”

    Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal urged Nigerians to look to the future with optimism.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said Nigerians must work assiduously to promote peace, unity and democracy.

    The Speaker urged the people to isolate and expose those obstacles that hamper the attainment of peace, development, and progress of the nation.

    According to him, the last few years have been challenging to the people. He admonished all citizens do away with those attitudes, language, and dispositions that have prevented the country from attaining its full potentials.

    Tambuwal reiterated the commitment of the House of Representatives to uphold the ideals of a united Nigeria which shall take its rightful place in the comity of nations.

    Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged Nigerians to seize the 52nd independence anniversary to refocus on their country and rededicate themselves to its development.

    In a statement yesterday the former Lagos State Governor said: “Nigeria, our dear country, could be passing through a very difficult time now. But these are not problems we cannot collectively solve, if we all put our minds to them.”

    Tinubu said one of the burning challenges is that of a constitution to make Nigeria a true federation and correct all the structural imbalances that have resulted in mutual distrust and slowed down economic growth and prosperity.

    Tinubu called for the strengthening of our various institutions to serve the interest of the citizenry and not personal political interests. “The sustenance of our democracy is important. The can do spirit of Nigerians must be harnessed. Parochial sectional interests must be dislodged. And we must work collectively for peace and stability of the nation.

    At the age of 50, a person is expected to have mature and developed into something greater. But a nation should have made concrete and critical steps towards the progress and happiness of its citizenry and not just be contented with business-as-usual that has left a vast majority of our people in a state of hopelessness.

    Tinubu said we must re-focus, be determined and dedicated to nation building and economic renewal of the people such that they really survive. Governance should not just be about leadership and benefits for the elite and the few, but must be for the concrete welfare of our nation. “Let’s see our democracy and hold it fast as one for the people, by the people and of the people and not that for the greedy, by the greedy and of the greedy. Nigeria is a promising nation to which we must all re-dedicate ourselves and uphold those ideals that make us strong. Only a sincere constitutional review for institutional strengthening will lead us to the path of greatness, Tinubu said.

    He congratulated Nigerians saying much as Nigerians like to criticise themselves, the country has made some progress, even if there are always room for improvement.

    “I call on Nigerians to develop a positive attitude about their country. We may not have reached where we feel we should be. But we certainly have made some progress.

    “So, while we work hard at attaining our future goals, we must build on the positives of the past decades”.

     

  • I’m hale, hearty, says Dickson

    I’m hale, hearty, says Dickson

    BAYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson was in high spirits yesterday, fresh from a trip abroad.

    He blamed his rumoured ill-health on detractors, saying he was never hospitalised contrary to speculations that he was admitted in the hospital.

    Dickson arrived at the state capital from Abuja aboard a helicopter that touched down at the Government House helipad at about 6pm.

    Returning to the warm embrace of top government offcials incluidng his deputy, John Jonah, Dickson, however, said he went through a mere medical check-up due to the stress he went through before and after he became governor.

    He said: “ I was never hospitalised. Never hospitalised”, Dickson said.

    “But you know, as usual, when you do this type of hectic thing, every year, every summer, most times when I travel out, we do regular checks, which is, you just do your sugar level….all those type of normal tests.

    “Any time you travel, you just take advantage to do those things. I was never hospitalised, never in any hospital at all.”

  • ‘LP’s allegation of ACN disbursing N2.5m for voter’s cards baseless’

    ‘LP’s allegation of ACN disbursing N2.5m for voter’s cards baseless’

    The Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) has described as baseless and fallacious, a statement credited to the Labour Party (LP) that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has disbursed N2.5 million to each ward to buy voter’s cards.

    According to a statement by the Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy of the ACO, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, the ACN would not spend such an amount to buy voter’s cards because the party enjoys the support of the people.

    He said the party would instead spend money to provide logistics for members for the house-to-house campaign to sensitise the people to reject the LP administration that is out to pauperise them.

    “If it is true, according to the LP, to buy an indigene with N5,000 to N10,000, it shows how bad the level of poverty the LP government has subjected the people to and how much value they place on the people.

    “For us at ACO, we believe that it is the Mimiko administration that has such money to throw around. Having received over N600 billion in the past three years with nothing to show for it but cosmetic projects, with the N65 billion fraud at the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Area Commission (OSOPADEC), N1.5 billion doom-dome, N1.5 billion tomato paste industry, which were all abandoned, they must have siphoned the money with the aim of using it to prosecute elections.

    “ACN did not buy voter’s cards in Oyo, Ogun and Edo states to win elections. We will win in Ondo State by the grace of God and the resolve of the people to reject unemployment, deception and tokenism which are the stock in trade of the LP administration led by Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

    “We appeal to the indigenes to vote Mimiko out on October 20 to pave the way for genuine and sustainable development, which Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) will give,” ACO said.

  • Stop using money to buy votes, INEC warns politicians

    Stop using money to buy votes, INEC warns politicians

    Ahead of the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the weekend warned politicians to desist from using money to get votes from the electorate.

    The electoral body said it is a serious offence for the electorate to sell their voter’s cards or votes during the election.

    Speaking at a voter-education sensitisation forum in Akure, the Akure South Local Government Electoral Officer, Mr. Surajudeen Rahman, said INEC is determined to conduct a free and fair poll by ensuring that the people’s votes count.

    He said: “Avoid election-rigging, fraud and confusion. Don’t bribe or accept bribe during the poll. It’s a crime. Don’t vote more than once. It’s an offence to do so. Don’t sell your voter’s cards. Don’t sell your votes. Don’t sell your right.”

    Rahman urged politicians to embrace peace during and after the election, stressing that INEC could only conduct a credible poll when politicians abide by the rules.

    His words: “Let us work for the peace of the state. Let’s walk on the path of peace. Let us talk peace. Let’s promote a peaceful election. INEC is putting all its cards face up on the table. We will keep our affairs open and transparent.

    “Election day is not a day to settle old or fresh scores. Election is about choosing a candidate of our choice. We appeal to you to allow our workers do their work at the polling units. We must allow the peace that prevails on the election day prevail after the announcement of the results.

    “Respect and support freedom of opinion and expression. Give to others as much freedom as you want for yourself. Enjoy your freedom to vote and allow others do the same. After voting, wait for the final result of the election. INEC is the only body responsible for announcing the final results.”

    Rahman enjoined the electorate to come out en masse on the election day and vote for the candidates of their choice.