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Tag: 2019 election

  • 2019 election: Ganduje signs peace accord with other guber candidates

    The Kano state Governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has joined other candidates to sign a Peace Accord, pledging to ensure a peaceful and violence-free general election in the state.
    Ganduje, who appended his signature alongside gubernatorial candidates from other opposition parties, Wednesday, in the presence of the special representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Muhammad Ibn Chambas.
    The event took place at the Convocation Arena, Bayero University, Kano, also in the presence of the National Chairman of the National Peace Committee, former Head of State, Gen. Abdussalami Abubakar (rtd), the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, leaders of the political parties in the state, civil society organisations, religious Clerics and community leaders.
    Part of the objectives of the Accord include “To engage flag bearers of all political parties in the state to abide by the rules of engagement as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2010, as amended and to explore ways of advocating the importance of peace, before, during and after the 2019 general elections.”
    Another objective of the Accord reads “To monitor through the Kano Civil Society Forum, the political campaign activities of all the political parties and their candidates to assess their compliance with the provisions of the Peace Accord.”
    All candidates agreed, as part of the provision of the Accord “To run issue-based campaigns at state, local government and ward levels,” and without spreading hate speeches during campaign period.
    They agree to support all institutions of government, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, to work without any partiality.
    Agreed further that, they would do their best to suppress any violence or act of violence, in synergy with INEC, security agencies and all other stakeholders.
    Ganduje who signed the Accord before Ibn Chambas, the representative of the United Nations Secretary-General extends the Secretary General’s message that, “I bring you  hearty season’s greetings from the Secretary-General who is very delighted that United Nations is supporting the National Peace Committee to sensitise and promote confidence building amongst stakeholders involved in the electoral process.”

    Read also: FG condemns indiscriminate erection of bumps on highway

    He expressed many thanks “…to the leadership of political parties in Kano state, especially the gubernatorial and state legislature candidates here present, INEC, members of the security services, civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, the media and indeed all stakeholders, for demonstrating their commitment to the peaceful conduct of the 2019 federal and state elections before, during and after the polls.”
    To also show his commitment, governor Ganduje said “Whether there is election or no election, it is my constitutional responsibility, as the Chief Security officer of the state, to see that there is peace and it is maintained in the state.”
    Ganduje appeals to the Peace Committee to do their best in monitoring the activities of the parties during this period of electioneering campaign up to election period, “…any party that breaks any of the provisions of the Accord, then this Committee should contact the leadership of such erring elements.”
    To further encourage the process, he said “If I get the opportunity I will invite all the gubernatorial candidates to come to the State House and discuss with them ways on how to see to the successful implementation of the Peace Accord among us.”
    The National Chairman of the Peace Committee, Gen Abubakar, commended all those who participated in the signing of the Accord, urging them to abide by all the provisions of the agreement.
    Emir Sanusi, after commending the organisers he also urged all the signatories to as a matter of utmost importance, act in accordance with the Accord agreement.
    Professor Haruna Wakili, who spoke on behalf of the Committee commended governor Ganduje for his show of concern to the peaceful society, emphasising that, “Governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has been supporting the process. He supports the entire process. We commend him for that.”

  • Photos: unprecedented crowd as Buhari campaigns in Sokoto

    SOKOTO, seat of the caliphate is already agog and set to receive the All Progressives Congress(APC) Presidential campaign train.

    Shop owners and other petty traders have locked their places of businesses to attend the rally.

    It is all the way to the airport songs and ovation for the presidential candidate by youths, women and children.

    Read Also: Giginya stadium agog as Buhari campaigns in Sokoto

    ” Sai Baba, Sai Mai gaskiya ” kept renting the air from all directions in the caliphate”

     

  • Elections: NASFAT holds special prayer Feb. 3

    As part of its commitment toward ensuring peaceful co-existence and harmony in Nigeria, the Nasrul lahi l faith Society (NASFAT) said it would hold a special prayer to ensure hitch- free, peaceful and non violent polls.

    In a statement on Wednesday, signed by the Publicity Secretary of NASFAT, Mr Banji Busari said that the special prayer for peace would hold on Feb. 3 at NASFAT Islamic Centre Klm 35, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

    He said that the prayer entitled, “Oh Allah Let This Election Bring Peace and Progress in Nigeria” would focus on interceding to Allah for Peace and prosperity to reign in Nigeria, before, during and after the election.

    “The Special prayer is also intended to offer prayers towards emergence of credible candidates with the genuine capacity to use the instrumentality of their political positions to bring progress to our country.

    Read Also: NASFAT calls for political will to end Almajiri practice

    “Towards this event, the Chief Missioner, Imam Abdulazeez Onike will be leading over forty NASFAT missioners from Lagos and Ogun States to offer special prayers for the nation and the candidates.

    “The candidates contesting the elections which cut across several political parties have been invited, which will also be used to admonish them on the need to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.

    “The event will be attended by over 100 branches representing three zones of NASFAT Society namely Lagos Zone one, Lagos zone two and Ogun zones.

    “It will also be attended by the entire leadership of NASFAT led by its President Engr Kamil Bolarinwa. The Special prayer will hold simultaneously in the all the 16 zones of NASFAT both in Nigeria and in the diaspora.

    “This is not the first time that NASFAT will be holding special prayers to herald the conduct of elections in the country and our prayers and that of other Nigerians have been answered.

  • Obasanjo, an expired politician – Tinubu

    National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Monday called on Nigerians to ignore former President Olusegun Obasanjo, dismissing him as an expired politician.

    Tinubu, who spoke at the All Progressives Congress(APC) rally in Maiduguri, told the teeming supporters: “I can hear the other expired leaders like Obasanjo, ranting and lying. Don’t believe, don’t trust him, he is expired.”

    Tinubu regretted the frequent attacks on the Buhari-led administration by Obasanjo, stressing the current government was cleaning up the mess and rot of the past PDP administrations.

    “When we came on board in 2015, we made promises to all Nigerians that as the sheep of this country, we are going to turn it to the right direction and we have done that.

    “We are sweeping all the cobwebs of the collateral corruption, we are sweeping it away to give Nigerians a new life, new home and a solid foundation; that is what President Buhari is doing and we are 100 per cent with him.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has been upright, firm and has been steady, focused with a great vision for the betterment and progress of this country.

    “We can recall the rigging in 2003 under Obasanjo, we also knew what happened in 2007 under President Obasanjo.

    “95 percent of you must come out and vote en mass for Buhari because no other president had upheld democratic principles like President Buhari.

    “In 1999, we gave it to him but he cannot remember even one day to recognise MKO’s mandate of June 12. Again, when he came back into power, we ask him for the recognition he failed. Who did it? President Buhari. declared June 12 as Democracy day to honour MKO Abiola,” Tinubu said.

    Read Also: Unprecedented crowd as Buhari campaigns in Borno/ Yobe

    He declared Obasanjo’s attacks were in bad faith, stating “ he could not stop Nigerians from re-electing the president”.

    APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole scored Buhari’s government very high in security, saying all the 24 local government councils under the control of Boko Haram during the last administration have been liberated.

    “No LGA is under the control of the insurgents. You have gained control of the 774 councils.

    ”We still have security challenges but the arrogance, impunity that Nigeria is wallowing in had become a thing of the past,” he declared.

    He added: “Everything that we are in today started in Obasanjo’s regime. Do- or- die politics was Obasanjo’s legacy. Today, the era of impeaching state governors is over.

    “The era of quarrelling with Vice President and fighting in the market place is. The era of withdrawal of Lagos state monthly allocations was the legacy of Obasanjo.“

  • Ayade orders police search of campaign convoys

    The Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade has directed the State Commissioner of Police to immediately commence a stop and search operation of all political parties campaign convoys for illegal arms.

    Read Also: ‘ Ayade can’t stand opposition’

    A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Ita, on Monday read, “This directive is imperative following security reports that indicate that some politicians and their supporters were stockpiling arms and ammunition ahead of the forthcoming elections.

    “The Governor assures the Citizens of adequate security before, during and after the election.“

  • INEC uncovers plan to use food vendors for vote-buying

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had uncovered plans by some political actors to use food vendors around polling units for vote-buying in the forthcoming general elections.

    Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this when he received a delegation European Union (EU) Observation Team, led by Chief Observer, Mrs Maria Arena, on a visit to INEC on Monday, in Abuja.

    Yakubu said that in INEC’s determination to improve elections and ensure that votes counted, the commission had taken steps to address the disturbing trend of vote-buying by politicians.

    He said that the steps included modification of the administration of polling units to make it difficult for voters to expose their marked ballot papers on day of election.

    He said that the commission had also introduced partial ban on the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices by voters while in the voting cubicles.

    “We are also introducing the rolling and flattening of ballot papers by voters on day of election.

    “We are training our election duty staff, in addition to voter education and sensitization, on this new innovation. We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the sanctity of the ballot.’’

    The chairman explained that political actors planned to use food vendors “around polling units with large voter populations as collection points for cash-for-votes as well as other forms of material inducement to voters on election day’’.

    “We are aware of this trick. It will not work,” he, however, said.

    Yakubu also denied the claim that INEC had outsourced the recruitment of election duty staff to partisan actors.

    He said that the Commission had established clear criteria for recruiting its ad hoc staff and Collation and Returning Officers, which, according to him, has been the practice over several electoral cycles.

    “In addition, there is a clearly established system of vetting all election duty staff before they are engaged.

    “Therefore, the claim that the Commission has outsourced the recruitment of election duty staff to partisan actors is the usual allegation on the eve of elections and should be disregarded.

    “With 25 days to the 2019 General Elections, the Commission’s attention is firmly focused on the conduct of credible elections. We will not be distracted into a fatuous debate.’’

    Yakubu stated that complaints arising from the collection of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were being addressed.

    “We are committed to ensuring that all voter cards are made available for collection by registered voters who should collect the cards in person.

    “There will be no collection by proxy.”

    Read Also: We are not under pressure to rig – INEC

    He said that the commission had enhanced the functionality of the Smart Card Reader that would be used for the elections.

    “Clause 10 of the Regulations and Guidelines recently released by the Commission make the use of Card Readers mandatory. It is an offence to accredit a voter by any other means.”

    Yakubu described the EU as one of the long-standing partners of INEC in deepening Nigeria’s electoral democracy, through the EU-Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN).

    “We have implemented all the recommendations made by the EU Mission in 2015 that are within the powers of the Commission to do.

    “These include simultaneous accreditation and voting system which we introduced on Jan. 9, 2016 and used it to seamlessly conduct off-season elections into 194 constituencies.

    “We have similarly introduced the continuous registration of voters. Over a period of 16 months, from April 27, 2017 to Aug. 3, 2018, over 14 million new voters were registered,” he said.

    He assured the EU that INEC preparation for the 2019 general election was on course.

    Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Arena, had said that EU would deploy 40 observers to all states of the federation during the elections.

    Arena added that the EU would also have its Parliamentary observation mission on ground during the exercise.

    “We will issue two preliminary reports after the elections. We will work strongly with all the stakeholders of this country.

    “We will also have the final reports two months after the elections, with recommendations.

    “We really appreciate the work that INEC has done with the previous recommendations after the 2015 elections,” Arena said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yakubu also received a delegation of the ECOWAS Observers Mission led by former Chairperson of Electoral Commission, Ghana, Ms Charlotte Osei.

    Osei said that the mission was to let INEC know that ECOWAS would be deploying long-term and short-term observer missions for the elections.

    She added that the mission would focus on legal, media, operations, gender and disabilities during the elections.

    NAN

  • 24 women in Adamawa to contest for gov, NASS seats

    No fewer than 24 women in Adamawa are contesting for governorship and national assembly seats in the forthcoming general elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that according to the lists posted at INEC office in Yola, four women are among the 29 candidates cleared for governorship election, while nine women are among the 43 candidates cleared for Senatorial election.

    Eleven women are among 85 candidates cleared for House of Representatives election.

    The list of candidates for the state House of Assembly is yet to be posted.

    The women cleared to run for the governorship election are – Lami Musa of Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), Na’ama Bulama of Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Rukayya Audu of Action Peoples Party (APP) and Elizabeth Isa of Change Advocacy Party (CAP).

    Two other women, Hadiza Mohammed of Democratic Alternative (DA) and Rashida Balarabe of Movement for Restoration and Defence of Democracy (MRDD) were cleared to run for the position of deputy governor by their respective parties.

    Read Also: Hoodlums attack Adamawa community

    The women candidates cleared to run for Senatorial seats are – the incumbent, Sen. Binta Masi (APC), who is trying to retain her seat in Adamawa North, and a former House of Representatives member, Aishatu Ahmed, who is the APC candidate in Adamawa Central.

    Other female Senatorial candidates are – Maryam Paul (ADC), Wabulari Wadumna (AGA), Lydia Zira (JMPP), Gift Shallangwa (NPM), Godiya Bulus (ACD), Patricia Yakubu (ADC) and Agnes Nuhu (PT).

    Those for House of Representatives are – Olyada Madayi (APC), Ngodi Tala (PDM), Atiya Abel (PPN), Ladi Joseph (UPP), Justina Gokir (ACD), Angelina Augustine (PPN) and Fakuta Naiwa (ACD).

    The others are Roseline Salihu (PPN), Caroline Stephen (ACD), Zainab Dahiru (ACD) and Faith Phnuel (PT).

  • 2019: Ganduje campaigns for Buhari’s re-election

    Overwhelmed by the feats achieved by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state moves his campaign train for Buhari re-election bid, in the forthcoming general election, to the 44 local government areas of the state, revealing to the electorate that Buhari would continue with the good projects and policies he started when given the mandate for the second time.

    Starting from Tudunwada/Doguwa federal constituency, Ganduje, while at the palace of the District Head of Doguwa, where all other village heads including Imams were converged, informed them about the many projects cutting across all the six geo-political zones, executed by the federal government.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari is a leader whose love for Nigeria Superceded any other presidential candidate from all the opposition parties contesting against him in the forthcoming presidential election, ”

    Ganduje urged them to continue praying for the peaceful conduct of the general elections, emphasising that, “It is with your prayers that this government is able to achieve what we are witnessing now. While at the same time we have a leader who is focused and has the political will to deliver.”

    Read Also: Principals laud Ganduje on members’ promotion

    Ganduje continued that, “We are here today to convey the message of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, that, Nigeria is the only place we have on earth. So we must remain resolute to see to the genuine and sustainable development of our fatherland. This can only be possible when we come together and elect those that have the country at heart.”

    As Ganduje’s tour entered its sixth day, he has covered 13 local governments areas, campaigning for Buhari with incessant urge, for the strong reason that Buhari loves Nigeria more than any other presidential candidates.

    Governor’s unprecedented confidence in President Buhari, makes him to take more than half of the time he spends talking to the traditional leaders, when he visits them at their palaces, canvassing for unflinching support for Buhari.

    Even on the podium, he urges people, to first see the reason why Buhari deserves second term, as he speaks with all sense of responsibility and commitment, governor Ganduje repeats the same message in all the local governments that,

    “Our dear President Muhammadu Buhari has directed me to come and convey his message to you that, APC government at all levels brings succour to Nigerians. Our party will continue with the good work it started when given another chance.”

    The tour is designed in such a way that, governor with his campaign train move around local governments under federal constituency arrangements, daily. So far he toured Doguwa/Tudunwada, Kunchi/Tsanyawa, Takai/Sumaila, Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya, Dambatta/Makoda and Karaye/Rogo federal constituencies.

    In all the places he touches he says “Kano state promised to give President Muhammadu Buhari 5 million votes. We should strive and make sure that we give him what we promised when the election comes.”

    “We should also make sure that we elect APC candidates as legislators, that will help him to continue with his developmental projects and programmes. He needs good legislators that will put heads together with him for the overall development of our dear nation,” Ganduje says.

    He challenged that whoever is interested in a peaceful Nigeria with good leadership, that is focused and committed, should vote Buhari for the second term, into office, insisting that, “This people-oriented President is a leader we can all trust.”

    While at the palace of the District Head of Dambatta, who is also the Sarkin Bai of Kano, and the Kingmaker of the Emirate, Alhaji Mukhtari Adnan, after urging all the District Heads and Imams to continue praying for Buhari’s victory in the coming election, Ganduje urged them to work hard and inform all their subjects to go and collect their permanent voters card.

    In his remarks, the Sarkin Bai, commended the governor for developing the state and for the achievements recorded in all the sectors of the society, “We are also aware that, you are doing well in the area of human development. We appreciate what you are doing in the state.”

    For this reason, he added “You deserve another term of four years. We are solidly behind your candidature. And we shall tell people to support you.”

    He added that, people like Ganduje who respects people of all ages and social status “…need to be encouraged in their public responsibilities. Because supporting Governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for second term is a project that all should accept.”

    All chairmen of the visiting local governments believe that governor Ganduje is a performing governor, whose vision and interest in the development of the state, takes him to higher level both politically and in governance.

    Projects executed by his administration, ranging from road construction to renovation or upgrading of health facilities, among other things, are some of the many reasons why many people believe that, his (Ganduje) achievements are enough reasons for him to get re-elected even without him going round for campaigns.

    No local government, that he goes without either commissioning completed projects or inspecting ongoing projects. In Makoda local government, the governor commissioned two health facilities. One in Makoda town and the other one in Chidari, that was renovated and fully equipped with modern health care equipment, at over N400 Million.

    In Sumaila local government, it was not only the chairman of the local government, who attested to what the administration of Ganduje was able to do, the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives) Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, commended the governor for an all-important Gani Bridge, hospital in Rimi town and other projects executed.

    .In all places the governor visited, he urged people to make sure that they collect their permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) for their support to be realistic and meaningful. He then calls electorate to make sure that they vote for the APC at all levels of elective position.

  • INEC to lecturers: don’t fail Nigeria

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on lecturers of nation’s tetiary institutions engaged for next month’s general elections to place national interest above selfish gains.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, gave the advice at the weekend in Awka at a town hall meeting organized by Academics in Tertiary Institutions in South-East and South-South under the auspices of Academic Frontiers Initiative (AFI) Anambra chapter.

    He asked the lecturers who were to serve as Collation and Returning Officers during the exercise not to compromise their integrity and the trust reposed on them by the commission.

    He said, “Delivery of a credible election depends on everybody including the lecturers who serve as Collation and Returning Officers during the election based on integrity reposed on them.

    “You must endeavour to live above board and ensure the elections remain the best in the annals of Nigeria’s democratic history.”

    Orji, who was represented by the Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, Leo Nkedife, hinted that the electoral umpire has perfected plans to give Nigerians a free, fair and credible elections.

    He however condemned the prevalent cases of vote buying, urging political parties to nominate credible persons as agents to ensure credibility of the outcome of the exercise.

  • ‘Vote for Buhari or live in perpetual regrets’

    A support group for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election, Buhari-Osinbajo Mandate Group, on Saturday asked the Igbo to vote massively for Buhari in next month’s presidential elections or have themselves to blame.

    Zonal Coordinator of the group, Lawrence Ezenyi who gave the advice in Nnewi, said the democracy dividends would continue to elude the people of the zone until they identified with the government in power.

    Describing Buhari as a man of integrity, Ezenyi, a retired Assistant Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria, maintained that he had never hated the people of the zone as erroneously believed.

    He said he had rather done a lot for the people of the area in his first tenure to deserve their support for greater things ahead.

    He said, “Nobody is saying that Buhari is a saint. But when you look around, you will find out that he is one of the most honest Nigerians in living memory.

    “He is not eager to amass wealth even though he has been in different positions that gave him the opportunity to do so.”

    According to him, Buhari chose an Igbo as his Vice Presidential candidates in his first and second outings before he was elected President in 2015, but regretted that the Igbo refused to vote for him.

    He said the Igbo should give the answer by themselves who hated each other between President Buhari and Ndigbo.

    “Majority of votes that made former President Goodluck Jonathan under my the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to win the presidential election in 2011 came from the South East geopolitical zone but “nothing was shown for it for sixteen years thereafter.

    “When Buhari vied for presidency for the fourth time and picked Yemi Osinbajo from the South West as Vice President, the Igbo did not give him up to five percent votes. So who hates who?” Ezenyi queried.

    He complained that nine of ten people criticizing Buhari’s administration in social media were from the zone, wondering why they should not give their full support to him to have their fair share in the scheme of things.

    Ezenyi pleaded with the Igbo to do all they could do to return the President for a second tenure “to avoid being at the losing end.”