The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2015 elections

  • Vote out parasites from government – ASUU

    The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Nasir Fagge, has asked Nigerians to use their votes to unseat all “parasites in government.”

    The union also condemned hate campaigns, which it said could plunge the country into violence if not stopped.

    The ASUU president spoke at a symposium organised by the union on the 2015 general elections and titled: “Towards Issue-based and Violence Free 2015 Polls.”

    He charged them to ensure that the elections usher in new crop of leaders that are interested in development of the country.

    Through the ‘callousness of the parasites, Nigerians, he said, are being looked down on not only by the developed countries but also African countries that has same history with the country.”

    He therefore asked the electorates to ensure that corrupt and anti-people leaders are legally removed through the ballot.

    Fagge noted problems such as unemployment, insecurity and infrastructure decay were results of failed leadership, urging Nigeria to unseat parasites in government.

     

  • Council of State backs February elections

    The National Council of State, presided  over by President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to carry out its civil responsibility towards conducting the general elections billed for 14th and 28th of this month.

    The INEC Chairman, who briefed the Council at the closed door meeting, maintained that the Commission was ready to conduct the elections as scheduled.

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Alex Badeh, however told the Council about inability to gaurantee security in some troubled states.

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko and Adamawa State Governor, James Ngilari briefed State House correspondents after seven hours meeting attended by past presidents and heads of state.

    Okorocha said: “NCS advised INEC to go and perform its civic responsibility which is to conduct elections. That is what we rose to agree. It was a very challenging moment, and INEC has reaffirmed severally that they are ready, but because of concern of security agencies in some few local governments, Council asked INEC to go and perform their civic responsibilities, which is the conduct of elections.”

    On whether there was a decision to change dates of the polls Okorocha said: “There is no decision as to change of date or postponement at all. But the Council has asked INEC to go and perform their responsibility.”

    Asked if there was any decision on the use of temporary voters card, Okorocha said: “The temporary voters cards are being exchanged for the new ones and once you have given out your temporary voters card, that means you don’t have it any more. So they are going for the permanent voters card, and the PVC would be assumed to have been distributed before Sunday that was essence of the whole exercise, and Jega has reassured us that they are equal to the task, in-fact, they are more prepared than they were in 2011.”

    On whether the report of alleged resignation of Jega was tabled, he said: “No, there was nothing like that discussed.”

    Asked whether PDP and APC are not on the same page on the matter, he said: “As usual we are not on the same page on any issues of this nature. It is normal that some will be for and others will be against, but the truth is that we looked at the constitution of Nigeria, that is the only binding factor when there are issues of disagreement, the constitution guides every one because that is the fundamental law that guides the whole nation’s policies.”

    On whether APC expects to see elections holding on 14 February, he said: “That is what we are expecting definitely.”

    On his part, Mimiko said: “Council of State in a meeting close to seven hours essentially on the state of preparedness of INEC was on the table. INEC had the benefit of input from council members and security chiefs and agencies. And based on the very exhaustive discussion and pieces of advise, INEC is constitutionally empowered with the basis of discussions to brief the nation and then the news will be communication to you.”

    On whether there is a shift in the date, he said: “‎Like I made it absolutely clear, I am not INEC chief. INEC will appropriately brief you based on the meeting we just had.
    INEC is going to consult widely with stakeholders and come up with a decision that they will brief the nation soon.”

    “The council of state is essentially an advisory body, Mr. President in his wisdom has invited INEC to brief us on the state of preparedness based on what INEC briefed and based on perception of council members and security agencies, INEC was properly advised and you will hear from INEC.”

    He went on: “For any avoidance of doubt like I said INEC had the benefit of inputs and perspectives from council members. Issues of distribution of PVC’S, card readers, the extent of piloting to ensure that people are familiar with this, security issues, all of these were discussed.”

    “Issues of the fact ‎that seven days to election 34 per cent of Nigerians yet to get PVCs. It was a major issue that was discussed. ‎Issues of preparedness‎ of security to conduct elections nationwide, issue of extensive pilot of the card readers which is a new technology. All of these were discussed but ultimately, council being an advisory body to take advantage of the different perspective of Council members to take decision about the election,” he said.

    A source, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, listed the four states the CDS expressed reservation about on ensuring security during the forthcoming elections as Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states.

    A mild drama ensured during the briefing as the Ondo State governor stood up to go after making his remarks signaling the end of the briefing.

    But Okorocha stood his ground and said; “This briefing is one sided.”

    The other two governors then sat down again and allowed him to make his remarks.

     

  • Nigerian needs transformation and not change – Jonathan

    Nigerian needs transformation and not change – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday said what Nigeria need was transformation and not change as canvassed by the All Progressive Congress.

    The President, who spoke in Benin City as part of his campaign tours, said the political party preaching change refused to attend last year’s National Conference which he noted was meant to bring constitutional changes to the country.

    Jonathan while addressing a half filled stadium said his administration believed in encouraging talented youths to develop their skills.

    Making a veil reference to APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, President Jonathan told the Peoples Democratic Party supporters to ask him (Buhari) what he did for women and youths during his regime.

    He said, “Don’t allow anybody to deceive you. Ask them what they did for the women and youths during their regime.”

    “We are talking about transformation and not change. We will move this country forward. We are talking about transformation. We built universities to allow children have access to education. We are supporting young people in acquiring skills and developing their talents. We will build schools and not prisons. Ask those talking about change how many schools were built during their time. ”

    Vice President Namadi Sambo said Edo people would soon be plying the railway line from Warri port to Ajaokuta.

    Leaders of PDP in the state including Chief Tom Ikimi, Dan Orbih and Captain Hosa Okunbor promised to ensure victory for President Jonathan on February 14.

    The Immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Survey in the state, Donald Bob Osikhena, and three other aides of Governor Adams Oshiomhole defected to the PDP at the rally.

    There was a mild drama outside the stadium venue of the rally as some supposed PDP supporters grumbled about funds used to mobilize placards carrying youths from neighboring states.

     

  • Buhari begins town hall meetings

    Buhari begins town hall meetings

    … To shun presidential debates

    The Presidential Campaign Organisation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said Monday that its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, will not take part in any presidential debates, hut would rather embark on a town hall meetings across the country.

    In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the organization said that Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will interact with Nigerians during the town hall meetings and explain directly to citizens the policy thrust of their envisaged administration and how the set objectives will be achieved.

    Shehu said that the town hall meetings will kick off in Lagos on Monday with a robust interaction between Buhari/Osibanjo and the Organised Private Sector.

    The statement said the party was compelled to chart this course because of the compelling need to have a person-to-person interactive sessions during which pertinent questions will be posed to the candidates and responses provided.

    He said: “Our campaign decided to chart this path because we cannot afford to shy away from the more pressing urgency to have one-on-one interactions with Nigerians through town hall meetings.

    “The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation wishes to announce the commencement of town hall meetings ahead of the February 14 presidential election. Due to the more pressing urgency to have an open interaction with Nigerians, the campaign will be organising town hall meetings in different parts of the country.

    “The town hall meetings kicked off today (Monday) in Lagos with a public interaction between the presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, his running mate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and representatives of Organised Private Sector.

    “On Tuesday, the town hall meeting will hold in Kano with traders and market associations. Thereafter, the meeting will hold in Benin with labour and civil society leaders.

    “The focus of the town hall meeting will then shift to Ibadan where students and youth groups will be engaging Gen. Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo, while Enugu and Port Harcourt will follow suit.

    “The direction the that the campaign will be moving in the countdown to the election day is to have as many as possible person-to-person interactive sessions for Nigerians to hear directly from the presidential candidate and his running mate.”

    The APCPCO, however, asked President Goodluck Jonathan to explain to Nigerians what led to the stampede at the Nigeria Immigration Service job recruitment exercise where several Nigerians lost their lives.

     

  • 2015 Elections And Genocide Foretold

    There is need for absolute  caution as the crumbling nation wobbles bumpily to February 14th general elections. The peace pact signed by all the fourteen presidential contestants against non-violence elections on the auspices of the former Secretary-General of United Nations, and the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Koffi Anna and Chief Emeka Anyaoku respectively is meant to snatch the nation from the jaw of bloodbath and ultimate disintegration.

    What came out from the PDP campaign almost the same time the non-violence election peace pack was being signed in Abuja suggests that President Goodluck Jonathan’s political party is overtly at war with itself and the nation. The signal came to the fore at the party campaign activities in Sokoto State. Political intimidation was exhibited during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign flag-off in that state. President Goodluck Jonathan threatened that the ruling party had all it takes to win the February elections.

    Speaking through the former National Chairman of the party, Dr. Bello Haliru Muhammad, President Jonathan boasted that since the PDP was in control of government and all security agencies, “nothing will be left to chance in securing victory.” According to him, “We have the power because we are the ruling party; we have the strength; we have the soldiers; we have the Police; we have the Civil Defense; indeed, we have all security apparatus and power at our disposal to deal with the opposition.”

    While calling on PDP supporters not to compromise their direction, Jonathan also assured that the party would not succumb to any form of political intimidation by the opposition. The President added that “PDP is working tirelessly to ensure credible representations at all levels come February. “We are offering Nigerians our best. All we need is your mandate to consolidate on national peace, stability and development where our teeming youth will smile.”

    This is not the first time such callous statements will be issuing from the mouths of misbegotten political actors from the hard hit violence plagued Northern part of the country. In November last year, the governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, was caught in a video telling his party follower to kill the APC candidate because “they are cockroaches”. There was no condemnation from either President Jonathan or the PDP.

    However, the United States Government rose stoutly and condemned the statements made by the governor, and chided him for his bad vices. The U.S. Government’s position was made known by its embassy office in Abuja via a press statement posted on its website November 20. The video, depicting the governor making the threat, went viral after it was posted on the Internet on November 12. It showed the governor, dressed in white agbada and brown sandals, standing on a red carpet, and addressing a crowd in what seemed like a political rally. He spoke in Hausa language, ironically, he was recorded by his illiterate supporters, for the whole world to see and hear what was meant for secret.

    In that video, Mr. Shema likened opposition politicians to “cockroaches” before asking the crowd what to do if they found the nocturnal insect in their apartments. The crowd chorused “Kill them!”

    “Crush them!” The governor responded, agreeing with the crowd that opposition elements are truly disposable lots.

    This was before the European High Commission also condemned Mr. Shema’s speech after the story was given maximum circulation. The Head, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Michael Arrion, told journalists that Mr. Shema’s call to his supporters to “kill” and “crush” political opponents was “extremely dangerous and unacceptable”. “If it is confirmed, that kind of statements are I’m sorry to say, extremely dangerous and unacceptable,” Mr. Arrion said.

    In its statement, the United States said as Nigeria looks ahead to the February 2015 general elections, America strongly supports a free, transparent, credible, inclusive, and non-violent electoral process. “We are deeply troubled by Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State’s recent statements calling for the killing of the “cockroaches of politics”. It also said the rhetorical threat of violence undermines the democratic process and it is utterly unacceptable in a democratic society.

    “The United States reiterates its call upon all Nigerians to refrain from advocating, fomenting, or condoning violence before, during, or after the elections,” the statement said. “Participants in the electoral process must demonstrate passion for their convictions and beliefs in a manner that shows respect for opposing differences.

    “The Nigerian Constitution itself states it is the duty of every citizen to ‘respect the dignity of other citizens and the rights and legitimate interests of citizens to live in unity and harmony’”. The U.S. said the use of languages that threaten or incite violence short-circuits the democratic process. “All Nigerians must be free to voice their opinions and participate in the electoral process without fear of physical retribution. “Political parties, elected leaders, and candidates for office have a special obligation to uphold these democratic precepts,” it said.

    Those who accused the PDP and the Presidency of wanting to turn Nigeria into Rwanda may be right, after all. Do you remember the battle cry for the killing of cockroaches during the Rwanda genocide?

    Do you remember the bloodshed and human carnage that brought the seven million nation to near decimation? Do you know that 800,000 men, women, and children perished in the Rwandan genocide before the dust settles on the cockroaches inciting statement beginning from April 6, 1994 by political actors?

    The Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections in June 21st and August 9th respectively are critical examples of straight indictments on the wrong uses President Jonathan has put the Nigeria security apparatus.

    While the PDP leadership went to Ekiti to campaign for its governorship candidate, including Mr President, the Presidency instructed soldiers to shoot opposition governors who went to Ekiti to campaign for the APC candidate. Governors Rotimi Amaechi, Adams Oshiomhole and Rauf Aregbesola were almost killed by the overbearing soldiers. The same goes for State of Osun’s election with 76,000 security forces deployed, and 25 security men were allocated to man each polling unit!

    As an advocate of “blood and iron”, President Jonathan and the PDP didn’t see anything wrong with the brutal machete attack on Mr Kingsley Emenike, the APC ward 17 Youth Leader, in Obio/Apor Local Government Council Area of Rivers State. They didn’t see anything wrong with the bombing of the APC campaign office in Port Harcourt. But they were quick to shout themselves hoarse when the president’s campaign bus was attacked in Jos in a retaliatory gesture.

    Governor Shema and his co-travellers must be smarting dangerously from what Prof. Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Laurel referred to as “a nest of killers in the PDP”, some years ago. Perhaps, Governor Shema is merely re-confirming what the PDP has been from the outset. The only difference now is that, they may want to go into wholesale mass murder.

    Killing the “cockroaches” in political terms, is another coded message for PDP followers to embark on calculated genocide and brutal murder as preached by shameless Shema and approved by the clueless leadership of his party. Nigerians should rightly call out and demand a recant and an apology from President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Bello Haliru Muhammad, Shehu Shema and their minders to halt the impending genocide.

     

     

     

  • IGP tasks courts to prosecute political thugs

    IGP tasks courts to prosecute political thugs

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, has directed that suspects arrested in connection with violence during the ongoing political campaign be prosecuted irrespective of their status in the society.

    According to the IGP, the prosecution is with immediate effect.

    A statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said some suspects have been arrested for violence during political campaigns at different locations.

    According to the statement, the act displayed by the arrested suspects is contrary to section 227 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and sections 94 and 95 of the Electoral Act.

    The statement reads: “The IGP has ordered their immediate prosecution in the court of law no matter their status in the society.”

    Abba while advising politicians to play the game by the rules noted that the police will not condone any act of hooliganism from any quarters.

  • 2015: APC demands INEC’s position on elections

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) has demanded for a concrete statement from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the February date for 2015 general election.

    APC which is the main opposition party in the forthcoming elections also warned that no one should interfere with the conduct of the exercise.

    Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a chieftain of the party, also warned that the party was not prepared to tolerate any excuses.

    Baba-Ahmed, who represented the party at a parley with INEC, also urged the electoral body to double its efforts in the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    He said: “First of all we want INEC to make a statement, a very clear statement that the dates – February 14t and 28 are sancrosant. No one should interfere with the conduct of the elections.

    “We want INEC to double its efforts to make sure that all voters get their PVCs before the elections. We want INEC to improve on voter education. And I hope other parties will also do the same thing.

    “Generally, we feel that INEC is doing its best and we encourage and support them.

    “This election must go on, there is no going back on these elections. Elections must hold on February 14 and 28. We will not tolerate excuses.”

    The party, he said would not want to contemplate not holding the elections.

     

  • We will not monitor elections in northeast – EU mission

    The Head of the European Election Observation Mission to Nigeria, Santiago Ayxela, said this team will not be monitoring the forthcoming elections in the north eastern part of the country due the security concern.

    He told journalists in Abuja after a closed- door meeting with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari , that they will deploy people close to the area and also rely on their contacts in the area for better information.

    He said that the team which was constituted to observe the elections in Nigeria was put in place in November 2014 and will be active until April.

    He said further that responsibility of the team is not restricted to election day activities alone but the entire electoral process beginning with the conduct of the primaries by the various political parties and compliance with the provisions of the law among other things.

    He said, “First, I want to thank Gen. Buhari for the opportunity to have this interview here. The European Election Mission is a big mission. It is a mission that started in November and will be in place till mid April. What happened on the election day is not only the problem.

    “It is what happened during and within a space of time, how their primaries were done, how the law has been complied with, the propaganda, activities of the media and any possible claims after the elections. That is our role and not just to follow up the days of election. This is a very big country with so many inhabitants and so, it is not possible to cover everything. I can’t tell you that we will cover all the wards either for this election or for any other election.

    “We can’t be in the northeast for security reasons. But we have people deployed very close to the northeast and we have contacts there and so, try to get better information as much as we can have on the northeast. But the present situation does not allow us to go to the region.”

    He said the possibility of hold a similar meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan was very high, stressing that the meeting with the President will depend on his schedule since he will be the one to fix the date for such meeting.

    Also speaking with journalists, the APC presidential candidate said the EU election mission is made up of experienced people in election monitoring, stressing that they monitored elections in other countries before now.

     

  • 2015 elections, looming disenfranchisement and security

    NIGERIA’S 2015 presidential elections of February 14, which is lovers day all over the world appears too close for comfort given large number of Nigerians that are yet to get voters cards. More worrisome is the desperate attempt of the rulin party to disqualify the opposition candidate on educational qualifications and the reluctance of INEC the electoral authority to consider any hint of a possible postponement because of an apparent disenfranchisement of 50 % – about 30m- of the electorate, because of lack of voters cards. Add to this the unbelievable news report that a coalition of four Northern Civil Society Organisations have dragged the same opposition candidate to the International Court of Justice – ICC – over post election violence in the 2011 elections and you want to wonder why some people are so desperate that the change of government which appears imminent and unchangeable if the February elections hold in a conducive, should not be allowed to happen. Unfortunately such people and their antics or strategy of mischief and digression are like a dog barking at the moon to go away at night. It is a folly and a crass exercise in futility.

    They are trying to manage and stop change and experts in Strategic Management should tell them, if they will listen, that Change Management is an oxymoron as change cannot be managed or stopped. You may go along with change if you are wise but you cannot stop it and I am not talking about natural disasters like tsunamis or volcanoes alone. I am talking about the kind of political change imminent in Nigeria this February which has spawned a monster movement aimed at stopping APC candidate retired General Muhammadu Buhari from becoming the next president of Nigeria at all cost. The ‘Stop Buhari from contesting‘ campaign is an odious oddity in our political system created by those who are desperate to keep the incumbent president at his job because their lives depend on his continuing in office after 2015 lovers day and beyond.

    Yet, the incumbent is busy campaigning all over the nation and has pitifully lamented that the Boko Haram insurgency has not allowed people to appreciate his numerous achievements and that really is an understatement. As it is also a tautology. What sort of achievements can allow, that under the watch of a president and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces on whose table the buck stops, over 200 Chibok girls have vamoosed into thin air like the Malaysian aircraft that did the same thing last year? The Chibok school girls have not been seen since April last year and no achievements can drive that under the table or earn the achiever responsible for their lives and security any or many accolades or votes in this February election. Inability to find the Chibok girls and the growing capacity of Boko Haram to seize Nigerian towns on Nigeria’s soil and kill thousands of Nigerian with impunity makes a mockery and a misnomer of any achievements of this administration and that can not be wished away by a thousand campaign speeches all over the nation. That is the stark price on the 200 Chibok girls disappearance, and it is the electorate’s payback time at the February elections.

    Going back to the issues highlighted at the beginning involving the lack of voters cards for half the electorate, it is pertinent to note the issue was raised by no less a person than our National Security Adviser but in far away London. I listened to the BBC interview when he said he could not see INEC getting the remaining over 30m voters card ready before February 14.

    Given that concern he asked for a postponement but as allowed within the constitution. Which sounds responsible and fine by me. But some people are treating this sensible advice like a cancellation. Which is wrong and disruptive. Equally alarming was the reaction of the INC Spokesman that postponement was not on INEC’s agenda. That certainly is unbelievable given the fact that INEC had all along insisted that the Security experts will decide whether elections will hold in the beleaguered North East as INEC is not an expert on such issues. Obviously INEC is short sighted in seeing the security implications of disenfranchising about half the Nigerian electorate and should do a quick rethink before it is too late. Indeed the NSA is trying to save the neck if not the ass of INEC on this although such an important advice should have been given at home to his employers and not on foreign ground. The political parties too should close ranks to prevent a gross disenfranchisement to happen in this election as it will damage the credibility and legitimacy of any such election results sooner than later. Disenfranchisement in any election has always been a recipe for post election violence and that should be carefully avoided by all stakeholders in this election. That again brings up for discussion the matter of the four Civil Liberty organisations that have taken the APC candidate to ICC at the Hague over post election violence in the 2011 elections. Together with those trying to make a mountain out of a molehill on Buhari’s school certificate credentials, timing is the weapon of confusion in both cases. Since 2011, why have these civil liberty organisations not gone to court till now that the retired general is a presidential candidate of a popular party and the 2015 election is less than a month away? Similarly with those raising the school certificate brouhaha one should ask – why now? After all, this same retired general contested in 2007, and 2011 and no such issues were raised. Obviously the APC candidate’s detractors have seen the handwriting on the wall that 2015 is different from earlier elections and is going to be third time lucky for the APC presidential candidate. I certainly share their vision but not their fears as what they are manifesting is crass premonition that this election will be their nemesis as the APC candidate is very well on the way to victory.

    I can however offer them some comforting ideas, if they will consider it and that is that they should exercise some patience for the elections to hold, and recall what happened in Kenya at the last presidential elections.

    Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate were distracted like this over post election violence in the last presidential election – 2007/2008 before they were elected into office in 2013. They were charged for post election violence in the 2007 presidential elections although neither contested then for the presidency. They were indeed in opposing camps. They won in spite of this and both have gone to the Hague as sitting President and Vice President of Kenya, and Kenya is moving on marvellously. The APC candidate’s detractors should just take things easy on their hate mongering, as President Muhammadu Buhari will not be the first African president to go to answer spurious charges at the Hague. The February 14 elections will surely see to that. God willing, Insha Allah.

  • Thieves return stolen PVCs in Edo

    Some thieves who stole 3,661 Permanent Voters Cards in Orhiomwon local government area of Edo State have returned 983 of the stolen cards.

    A total of 4,658 PVCs were stolen at distribution points in nine local government areas of the state.

    The thieves reportedly dumped the cards at two polling units and called the Independent National Electoral Commission officials to go and collect them.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Barr. Mike Igini, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ forum held at the National Orientation Agency office in Benin, the state capital, on Friday.

    Igini urged the thieves to return the remaining PVCs to enable the rightful owners participate in the elections.

    He said, “I received anonymous calls saying that they were going to return those permanent voters cards. As I speak to you, as at yesterday, we have received the stolen cards from Orhionmwon local government area. That is good news.”

    “While 661 cards were recovered from Urhonigbe North, 322 cards were retrieved from Urhonigbe South polling units.