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Tag: 2015 polls

  • Ekiti INEC: We are transparent

    Ekiti INEC: We are transparent

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ekiti state has assured of it’s transparency in  the conduct of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The Commission also said it is prepared to ensure that the election is free and fair and it will create a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.

    Speaking to The Nation in Ado Ekiti, the Public Relations Officer of INEC, Mr. Taiwo Gbadegesin said sensitive materials have been received and distribution has commenced to all the 16 local government areas of the state.

    The sensitive materials which were delievered on Thursday morning were sorted and distributed in the presense of party agents.

    ” We have had series of meetings with all the stakeholders and they have given us the assurance that they will cooperate. On our part, we have given them the assurance that we will create a level playing field for all candidates and political parties,” Gbadegesin said

    The INEC spokeperson also said the commission has conducted its activities in the most transparent manner. “We have distributed all the sensitive materials in the presence of all the stakeholders, we don’t do things in isolation and this is to showcase our transparency to the process.”

    Gbadegesin said security survellance has been upgraded and all staff are in high spirits. He said the state does not expect any challenges except in remote farm settlements and officials and security agencies have been empowered to deal with that situation.

    Already, 23 local observer groups have been accredited and rules of conduct during and after the election have been given to them. “They are observers so they are not expected to go deep into the process that is for INEC to do. But they can observe how the process is doing,” Gbadegesin said.

    He said the commission can assure on a peaceful, free and fair election in Ekiti. “It is not as bad as people from outside the state are painting it. The level of enlightenment here is high and we have assurance from the people of Ekiti that there will be peace.
    Meanwhile, there was calm in many parts of Ekiti Thursday as politicians engage in last minutes campaign. In Ado Ekiti, our correspondent observes that the people are in high spirit in anticipation of the election.

    Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose was also on radio doing last minute campaign.

  • Don’t vote on ethnic or religious lines – Fashola urges electorate

    Don’t vote on ethnic or religious lines – Fashola urges electorate

    Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Wednesday advised the electorate to vote leaders based on what they could deliver rather than sentiments.

    Speaking at the monthly draw for the allocation of homes under the state’s mortgage scheme, Fashola urged citizens not to vote along religious and ethnic lines.

    He argued that democratic dividends had no religious or ethnic colouration, saying development could never be guaranteed through sentiments.

    Fashola said if citizens truly hoped for a better country, they would not yield to the subterfuge of politicians who played ethnic and religious cards.

    “As the elections draw closer, some people are telling you that the polls are about Christians versus Muslims.

    “They are telling you it is about one ethnic group versus the other. They are telling you all sorts of things.

    “Now, let me ask you; for those of you, who have been allocated homes today, were you allocated based on religion or the language you speak?

    “So, development is not about religion or tribe. It is about quality leadership and service and this is what voters should be conscious of, “he said.

    Fashola said the All Progressives Congress (APC) was poised to bring the needed change in the country and urged residents to vote the party.

    The governor said the building of homes and allocating them to residents on convenient mortgage plan was an effort to reduce the housing deficit.

    He said the homes were deliberately built in all the senatorial zones in the state to give residents in the different areas access to decent housing.

    The governor dismissed the belief in some quarters that the state was building homes only for the elite.

    “Our opponents say that all the service we have rendered, we have only rendered for the people in Ikoyi.

    “But today, you have heard that we have built houses in Ikorodu, in Igando, in Mushin, in Ilupeju.

    “They say our homes are for the elite. But if these people who have been allocated homes in all these areas and can raise their children in these homes are the elite, I am proud to serve them,” he said.

    He said a number of housing projects were still ongoing and when completed, would further reduce the housing deficit.

    Fashola urged residents to continue to pay their taxes to enable the government to build more homes and execute other projects.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 57 applicants were allocated homes at the draw out of the 80 applications received by the state’s mortgage board.

    The successful applicants were allocated homes in estates such as Oba Adegburuwa Estate Ikorodu, Anthony Enahoro, Ogba and Igando Gardens, Alimosho.

    Homes were also allocated in Michael Otedola Estate, Epe and the Mushin Estate.

  • Ondo: INEC begins distribution of materials Thursday

    Ondo: INEC begins distribution of materials Thursday

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Wednesday said distribution of sensitive materials to the 18 local governments area of the state will begin on Thursday.

    Disclosing this at a Stakeholders’ forum held in Akure, the State Capital, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Segun Agbaje expressed the readiness of the commission for the Presidential election.

    Agbaje explained that the commission has created voting points to decongest polling units that have registered voters in excess of 750 to facilitate early completion of the accreditation and voting process on election day.

    Mr. Agbaje also assured the people that INEC Ad hoc staff will arrive early at their respective polling units on the election day.

    He said to achieve this; the commission has resuscitated Registration Area Center (RAC) where ad hoc staff would pass the night on eve of the election.

    The REC disclosed that an election operations situation Room has been set up at the state Headquaters of the commission to directly receive queries and complaints from voters, accredited observers, contestants, journalists and other members of the public for quick and necessary intervention.

    According to the REC as at 22nd March, a total number of 1,142,991 PVCs had been distributed to voters in Ondo State representing 75.44 percent out of 1,515,034 PVC received.

    Agbaje however urged all stakeholders to join hands together and play their roles positively in accordance to the constitution, stressing that the consequences of not getting the 2015election right are too grave and should not be contemplated.

    In his own address, the Commissioner of police in the state, Mr. Isaac Eke assured the people that security will be provided for electorates and all political parties.

    He expressed confidence that the election will be free, fair and violence free.

    Eke said the people will need to bear with the INEC, if they wish the election be succeed as the smart card reader is a new innovation.

    He however assured the people that the police will exhibit high level of professionalism in the course of discharge of their duties on the election day.

    Others who spoke at the forum included traditional rulers, religious leaders and leaders of political parties, called for the cooperation of the people for free, fair and credible poll to be recorded.

  • Sultan to ‎GEJ, GMB: Accept election result in good fate

    Sultan to ‎GEJ, GMB: Accept election result in good fate

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (‎JNI), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has told President Goodluck Jonathan, General Muhammadu Buhari and other political gladiators to accept whatever is the outcome of Saturday Presidential election in good fate.

    He also charged Muslims in the country to embark on fasting and prayer on Thursday for a violence-free election.

    Sultan made the call in a statement he issued through the Secretary-General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu and made available to newsmen in Kaduna Wednesday.

    According to the statement, ‎”In the event that the Results are announced by the Electoral Empire, JNI implores the political gladiators to take the outcome in good fate and be sportsmanship. This is so because, if ALLAH (SWT) spares our lives, we shall witness many more elections in Nigeria.

    “The polity should not be overheated and the fragile peace in Nigeria should not be jeopardized.

    “All forms of irregularities should be appropriately directed to the competent courts of law which are in tandem with best known practices across the globe.

    “It ‎is our prayers that free, fair, and credible General Elections would be held in Nigeria. May the Almighty Allah continue to grant us peace, security, prosperity and development in Nigeria. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria

    “Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, urges the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria to continue praying fervently for a hitch free General Elections in Nigeria.

    “Consequently, he specially calls on all Muslims to utilize the usual Thursday voluntary fasting coming up on 26th March, 2015, to fast and seek Allaah’s intervention in the forth-coming General Elections.

    “In the same vein, all Jumu’ah Mosques Imams’ are implored to centre their respective Khutbah-sermons for this coming Friday, 27th March, 2015, on violence free General Election period and offer special prayers to that effect.

    “On the other hand, JNI calls on all parents, guardians and other stakeholders to monitor very closely their children/wards before, during and after the elections. The youths should in the name of ALLAH (SWT) sheath their swords, as there are many more General Elections ahead, thus they should be calm, peaceful and law abiding before, during and after the General Elections.

    “Likewise, opinion leaders, labour and student unions, community leaders, women and youth organizations should closely synergize with security agencies at their respective domains in order to maintain absolute peace,” the statement read.

  • Fayose’s wife canvass votes for Jonathan

    Fayose’s wife canvass votes for Jonathan

    Wife of Ekiti State governor, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose, has urged voters in the state to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan at Saturday’s presidential election.

    Mrs. Fayose on Wednesday took her campaign for Jonathan to some government-owned hospitals and communities saying the re-election of the President would guarantee peace, progress and unity of the country.

    She also used the opportunity of the outreach to offset medical bills of indigent patients in the hospitals visited.

    The hospitals Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti; Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti; State Specialist Hospitals at Ikole, Ikere and Ijero.

    She said her decision to assist the indigent patients was borne out of the need to lend them a helping hand as a little way of supporting her husband in making life easier for the masses.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Olanike Oguntoyinbo prayed for the Governor’s wife saying the gesture has lifted the burden off her shoulder.

    Mrs. Fayose who was received by large number of people in the communities including women leaders and politicians said she would never abandon the less-privileged members of the society.

    Using the opportunity to campaign for Jonathan, Mrs. Fayose said victory for the PDP presidential flag bearer at the poll on Saturday would allow him to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far.

    Mrs. Fayose said: “If we vote Jonathan there would be peace and progress in the whole country, we must vote Dr Jonathan to consolidate on his good work he is doing.”

    While emphasizing the need to vote Jonathan, Mrs Fayose said Jonathan’s re-election would improve the serious financial mess the state is witnessing currently.

    Mrs. Fayose equally urged the people to support the government of the day by supporting her husband, saying the governor is poised towards improving their welfare through the implementation of the  programme of stomach infrastructure.

  • Obasanjo worried over coup rumours

    Obasanjo worried over coup rumours

    With just four days to the nation’s Presidential election, former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday expressed concern over speculations of likely handing over of power to the military by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The former President said this in his Abeokuta home, when wife of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajia Aisha Bubari, and the Southwest women leaders and spouses APC governors visited him.

    Obasanjo noted that aside the fact that military rule is no longer fashionable as it is unconstitutional, the Intentional community, he added, would also not condone it, particularly African Union (AU) where it has been agreed that any government brought about not on the basis of the constitution should not stand.

    According to him, a military coup anywhere on African soil would neither be accepted nor tolerated by the AU member countries until such government is “dismantled.”

    He warned that the whole world is watching Nigeria in respect of the forthcoming general elections, saying as the largest country in Africa, Nigeria should be a model to others and also set good examples for the continent.

    The former President urged Nigeria not to draw the rest of African countries backward, lamenting the campaign of hate and division being engaged by those seeking elective offices.

    He also charged women to take active part in the redemptive mission for Nigeria, adding; “I am happy to hear directly from you, Mrs. Buhari that the campaign so far has gone very well. May be I should say one or two things about the campaign- I do hope that this week’s elections, and the one coming in a couple of weeks after that, should provide the right lessons to learn from.

    “Unfortunately, issues that should have been the main item of our campaign were not discussed. We have serious issues of security, economy, unemployment, youth unemployment infrastructure etc. These are issues among others that I believe campaign of those who are interested in the present and the future of this country should be directed at.

    “How are we going to get them, what are we going to do, not trivial issues of certificate, no certificate, not trivial issues of when somebody is talking about someone and whether one is a Nigerian and not.

    “This is what they had in Cote d’Ivore that led them into almost a very serious problem, not issue of religion, tribe, not issue of section but issues of unity of this country and the hate campaign that we have embarked upon now, I hope this will be the last time in the history of this country that we will have this type of campaign of hatred or division.

    “I think the emphasis should be on what unite us, not what divide us and when I look at the faces of you ladies here, it is very difficult for me to know. I think we should emphasise on things that unite us, we should talk more on what will make this country not a just country but a great country.

    “And that is the challenge before Nigerians today and particularly before those who are aspiring either at the state level or at the national level, how can this country be made great country,  God has given us all we need.

    “And I want to thank you because you women you have a role to play, and I mean that, when things are going wrong, if women don’t act, things will continue to go wrong because you have ability to act, the men who invariably make things to go wrong are your fathers, your husbands,  your sons, you sons-in-laws.

    “With your husbands, you can have pillow talk but when things are going wrong and you do not talk or act, you will also be the greatest victim at the end of the day because it will have effect on your children and would have a direct effect on you and all of us.

    “I do hope we will get things right. A lot of rumours are flying around, I think we have gone away from the rumour of Interim Government because that is not in our constitution, I hope we will soon go away from the rumour of handing over to the military because the military is not meant to run affairs of a nation in terms of running government.

    “And the Intentional community will not condone it, particularly African Union where we have a situation, we have said and it is part and parcel of the constituting act of the African Union, any government that is brought about not on the basis of the constitution will not be accepted and tolerated and will not be a member of the AU until that government is dismantled.

    “We have the goodwill of many people, I watched, last night, President Obama talking about our constitution, I watched out brother from Ghana  the current Chairman of ECOWAS talked about our constitution, they are all  interested, they all wish us well, should we wish ourselves anything less?”

    Earlier, Mrs. Buhari lauded the former President for being a true nationalist, adding that Obasanjo often traversed party lines and primordial sentiments while addressing issues affecting the country.

    She said, “Baba exercises his prowess as a father, as a former head of state of Nigeria twice, very few Nigerias have the opportunity to rule the country twice, we are here today to show our appreciation the way you handle things as a statesman and a nationalist.”

  • Obama to Nigeria: Reject calls for violence

    Obama to Nigeria: Reject calls for violence

    Ahead of this weekend general elections, United States President Barack Obama has urged Nigerians to reject calls for violence during and after the elections.

    Obama in his message to Nigerians also reminded Nigerians that violence has no place in democratic process.

    He therefore charged political leaders and candidates not to incite, support or engage in any kind of violence—before, during, or after the votes are counted.

    The message which was made available to Diplomatic Correspondents in Abuja reads: “I call on all Nigerians to peacefully express your views and to reject the voices of those who call for violence.  And when elections are free and fair, it is the responsibility of all citizens to help keep the peace, no matter who wins.

    “Successful elections and democratic progress will help Nigeria meet the urgent challenges you face today.  Boko Haram—a brutal terrorist group that kills innocent men, women and children—must be stopped.  Hundreds of kidnapped children deserve to be returned to their families.  Nigerians who have been forced to flee deserve to return to their homes.  Boko Haram wants to destroy Nigeria and all that you have worked to build.  By casting your ballot, you can help secure your nation’s progress.

    “Nigeria is a great nation and you can be proud of the progress you’ve made.  Together, you won your independence, emerged from military rule, and strengthened democratic institutions.  You’ve strived to overcome division and to turn Nigeria’s diversity into a source of strength.  You’ve worked hard to improve the lives of your families and to build the largest economy in Africa.

    “Now you have a historic opportunity to help write the next chapter of Nigeria’s progress—by voting in the upcoming elections.  For elections to be credible, they must be free, fair and peaceful.  All Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear.

    “So I call on all leaders and candidates to make it clear to their supporters that violence has no place in democratic elections—and that they will not incite, support or engage in any kind of violence—before, during, or after the votes are counted.  I call on all Nigerians to peacefully express your views and to reject the voices of those who call for violence.  And when elections are free and fair, it is the responsibility of all citizens to help keep the peace, no matter who wins.

    “I’m told that there is a saying in your country: “to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.”  Today, I urge all Nigerians—from all religions, all ethnic groups, and all regions—to come together and keep Nigeria one.  And in this task of advancing the security, prosperity, and human rights of all Nigerians, you will continue to have a friend and partner in the United States of America.”

  • INEC distributes 95.05 per cent PVCs in Kebbi

    INEC distributes 95.05 per cent PVCs in Kebbi

    Alhaji Abdullahi Zarewa, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kebbi, on Sunday said the electoral body distributed 95.05 per cent Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the state ahead of Saturday’s elections.

    Zarewa said this in Ambursa, Kebbi State, during a sensitisation programme organised by the commission for the electorate in the area.

    He said that out of 1.4 million registered voters in the state, 1.3 million had been issued with their PVCs.

    The INEC commissioner said that 13,500 ad hoc staff had been trained to participate in the elections.

    He said that on the day of voting, special concessions would be accorded to the elderly and people living with disability.

    Zarewa said that there would be separate queues for men and women on election day in line with religious and cultural values of the people.

    He urged political parties to enlighten their followers on the need to strictly adhere to the electoral laws, saying “violators will be prosecuted’’.

    According to him, INEC will also ensure a hitch-free election.

  • 2015 Polls: Be above board, INEC tells staff

    2015 Polls: Be above board, INEC tells staff

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has charged corps members and other staff of the commission to be deployed for the conduct of the 2015 General Elections to be above board.

    The commission gave the charge in Benin City at a – two day refreshers training organized for the ad-hoc staff.

    The training is to prepare them adequately for duties to assigned to them in the March 28 and April 11, 2015 general elections.

    Addressing the corp members, a senior official from INEC headquarters in Abuja, Mr. Mustapha expressed the need to be transparent, while performing their duties with due diligence in order not to provoke any crisis.

    On his part, Mr. Muyiwa Adelekan, an official from the Edo State office of INEC implored trainees to be steadfast and committed to their assigned duties, in line with the Electoral Act.

    Mr. K. G. Olawale, the Electoral Officer in charge of Oredo Local Government Area urged the ad-hoc staff to exercise dexterity while discharging their responsibilities.

    Mr. Olawale encouraged them to shun violence and be of good conduct while interfacing with the electorate in order to give room for mutual understanding between officers and the electorate.

    The training which was conducted in two segments had both theoretical and practical sections, in which the ad-hoc staff were trained extensively on the do’s and don’t of the electoral process.

  • DPP adopts Buhari as Presidential candidate

    DPP adopts Buhari as Presidential candidate

    The Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) Thursday officially adopted former Head of State and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Party (APC), General Muhammad Buhari (rtd) as its presidential candidate.

    This was the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party held in Abuja.

    DPP in its resolution also rectify the Deputy National Chairman, Chief Garshon Benson to be the Acting National Chairman of the party due to the resignation of the National Chairman, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd).

    The resolution which was read by the Acting National Chairman, Chief Garshan Benson said NEC took the decision to adopt Buhari after reviewing the state of the nation and considering that DPP does not have a presidential candidate for the election.

    Benson disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan led-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has ran out of ideas on how to manage the current security challenges facing the country hence the need for change of leadership.

    He said: “The National Executive Committee (NEC), meeting held on the 12th of March 2015, at the party’s National Headquarters Abuja, (NEC), also resolved to adopt General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the party’s DPP presidential candidate for the 2015 general election.

    “We commend President Goodluck Jonathan for the much he has done for this country, but we believe that much more is need to be done. It is also our view that PDP as a party in power for 16 years has ran out of ideas on how to manage the current challenges facing the country, hence a serious need for change of leadership.

    “We hereby urged all our members all over the country to support and vote for General Muhammadu Buhari the presidential candidate of the APC in the forthcoming election.”

    The outgoing National Chairman of DPP, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd) told The Nation that about six states have already join APC adding that he has been supporting Buhari before now.

    His words: “Personally I have been part of the merger idea since inception. We have members all over this country that will be taken part in the election. I am calling on all our members to support APC.

    “Right from the formation of APC I have been part of it and I and General Muhammad Buhari were together in All Peoples Party (APP) and then All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He is my mentor. We will all work together to achieve results in APC.

    “It is not too late to adopt Buhari; we have been taking to him on several issues. Right now as I speak six states have alright joined APC. The only thing now is that we want to go official as a party. 24 hours can make a big deal in politics. General Muhammad Buhari is a person I will always support because of his personality and his achievements.”