The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2019 ELECTIONS

  • Police parade 63 suspects over pre-electoral violence in A’Ibom

    …..recovers stolen PVCs

     

    The Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Monday paraded 63 suspected political thugs.

    Also paraded were suspects arrested in connection with the pre-election violence in Obot-Akara local Government area where two persons were killed and thirteen vehicles burnt on Saturday.

    The suspects were allegedly hired from Bayelsa, Delta and Ondo States, it was learnt.

    Recovered from the suspects are one locally-made short gun, 25 live cartridges, two machetes, charms of different types, a knife, phones and human hairs and two axes, PCVs were some of the items recovered from the suspects.

    State police commissioner, Bashir Makama while parading the suspects at the state police command, Uyo, said a total of 41 of them who claimed to be observers on monitoring mission for the election were
    arrested on Friday, February 15th at Angellyne hotel in Uyo, without INEC identification number and could not give proper identity of themselves.

    Makama who was represented at the briefing by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, said 20 other suspects were arrested on the same day, February 15th at Ukanafun Local Government Area.

    Read Also: Political thugs set 30 buildings on fire in Ebonyi

    The CP said the suspects were allegedly brought in from Port Harcourt, Rivers State by one Uduak Dick, on the pretext of attending the burial ceremony of a Lance Corporal in the Nigerian Army, one Udo Essien.

    Makama said some suspects on February 13th set ablaze INEC office at Eastern Obolo Local Government Area but the timely intervention by the police saved the office and all the materials meant for the election.

    The Commissioner added that one Anietie Peters who hails from Mkpat-Enin Local Government Area was arrested on Friday in possession of 34 Permanent Voter Cards while one Ayaya Bassey and Asequo Ebio, arrested from Ikot-Ekpene Local government Area had confessed to bepolitical thugs hired by a politician from Cross River state.

    He said the Command on February 12th also killed two suspected killersof one Anthony Ikechuwu, a pharmacist who was shot dead by thehoodlums at St. Michael Primary School Abak, Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    Makama who said the victim’s Lexus Jeep with registration number, AKD 850 has been recovered, adding that the suspects were traced to their hideout in Aba, Abia state. They were killed in a gunduel with members of SARS from Akwa Ibom State, while a locally made revolver pistol with four live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

    Makama used the occasion to warn politicians in the state to play by the rules and advised their supporters to conduct themselves or risk arrest by the police.

    “Let me use this opportunity to call on politicians to play the game based on the rules. Let me assure you that the non-partisan nature of the police in Akwa Ibom State will not change, we will remain
    apolitical, neutral and committed to free, fair and credible elections. We will at all times act professionally based on International best practices” Makama said.

    One of the forty-one arrested suspects, Okoroda Ken from Bayelsa state said they were arrested in Angellyne hotel by 3am on Friday, 15th February, 2019 where they lounged, adding that they were yet to reach their coordinator who booked the hotel for them.

    He said, “We all submitted our passport to Society for Advancement for Credible Leadership and Observation. This organisation is registered and credited by INEC. Since we submitted our passport, we were told our names were submitted to INEC and that we will likely monitor the election in Uyo.

    “We came on Thursday to confirm whether our names were there or not. We were in the Angellyne hotel booked for us by the Coordinator of the group, Berefa Bedfon. When we were arrested, all our phones were taken from us and we have not been able to contact anyone. INEC can prove if our names have been registered with them”.

  • Don’t vote against Amosun, Osoba begs

    Former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba has asked members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to put behind attacks on the party’s campaign rally in the state and ensure victory for all candidates of the party, including Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

    Suspected political thugs believed to have been hired by a party attacked the APC campaign rally in Abeokuta, pelting some dignitaries including President Muhammadu Buhari with stones.

    Amosun, who is APC candidate for Ogun Central, backs the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Adekunle Akinlade to succeed him against APC’s Dapo Abiodun.

    Osoba, who lamented no arrest has been made over the incident till date, said he has told supporters in the state to leave vengeance to God and vote for all APC candidates.

    He said: “Yesterday, I told stakeholders in Ogun state that on no account should anybody vote against Amosun as a person.

    Read Also: Osoba lashes out at TraderMoni critics

    “A governor is a governor and he will be in office till May 29. So, why are we worrying ourselves?

    ‘Amosun is just an individual. I still respect him as my governor up to May 29 this year and will not do anything to undermine him as governor.

    “I was governor twice. I told our people that vengeance is not ours and that nobody should go for vengeance.

    “Amosun is just a person but the office of the governor deserves respect and I give respect to that office.”

    He added: “Ogun state is first in several areas. The leaders of the progressives in this country are from that state and it is the home state of the Vice President.

    “I told the President that I apologised to him and that uptill today, nobody has been arrested. I see that as a failure on the part of some elements of the security agencies.

    “Actually, the bulk of APC in Ogun state, we are one family and instruction has gone out that despite what has happened, we should vote for APC candidates at all levels and when the result is out, it should reflect that.

    “At least we should respect the Vice President, who is busy preaching welfarism for the downtrodden and I am sure that appropriate action will be taken on that issue later.

  • Unity schools not affected by shift of polls – FG

    The Federal Government Monday stated that the 104 unity schools are not affected by the shift in the dates of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The government explained that students of the schools are expected to resume from their midterm break Tuesday.

    Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, made the clarification in a telephone interview with our reporter in Abuja on Monday.

    Students of the unity colleges embarked on their midterm break on the 15th of this month.

    There were reports that the pupils may be affected by the shift in the dates of the general elections by INEC.

    But Echono said all the unity colleges are expected to resume their normal programmes Tuesday

    He said: “Unity schools are not closing. We only did our midterm because it was coinciding with the previous date.

    “The postponement of the election has nothing to do with our midterm break.

    “Our schools are resuming tomorrow and they are running our normal programmes. Our midterm break is over.

    “They are resuming after the midterm and they will be in school.”

  • PDP alleges plots by Buhari, APC to truncate democracy

    The People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) has alleged plots by President Muhammadu Buhari and the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) to trigger widespread political crisis, aimed at derailing the democratic process and plunge the nation into anarchy.

    The opposition party particularly faulted the President’s directive to the security agencies to deal ruthlessly with any ballot box snatchers and others that may act in ways that could threaten the electoral process.

    A statement Monday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP viewed President Buhari’s directive as “threat to the lives of Nigerians”.

    The President had, during the APC caucus meeting held in Abuja Monday, said anyone caught snatching ballot boxes should consider the offence the very last they would ever commit.

    But the PDP said President Buhari’s statement was a direct call for jungle justice and attempt to divert public attention from details of APC’s caucus meeting where the President issued the warning.

    The statement said, “We do hope that this call by President Buhari is not a camouflage for the fake soldiers mobilized by the APC to shoot at innocent Nigerians, snatch ballot boxes and execute their rigging plans on the election day. It is indeed a license to kill, which should not come from any leader of any civilized nation.

    “The underlining fact to the above is that President Buhari and APC leaders, upon getting to their voting constituencies last Saturday, realized that there is a nationwide rejection of Buhari’s re-election bid, and this has thrown them into a panic mode.

    “President Buhari must however bear in mind that his resort to threats and scaremongering will not deter Nigerians from coming out en-masse to vote him out of office on February 23.

    “We are aware that President Buhari, who had earlier boasted that nobody can ‘unseat’ him, is bent on using every dictatorial and tyrannical act to truncate the process of a free, fair and credible election”.

    The party also said intelligence available to it showed that the Buhari Presidency has directed the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reshuffle the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

    According to the PDP, the alleged deployment was to eagle INEC deploy “compromised” officials to manipulate the electoral process in President favour, adding, as they did with the police shortly before February 16.

    The said it’s also aware of the pressure allegedly being mounted by the Buhari Presidency on INEC to cancel elections in some states and make others inconclusive so as to achieve the President’s objectives of a staggered election not minding the crisis such will trigger across the federation.

    “We want Nigerians and the international community to hold President Buhari personally responsible for any electoral crisis, otherwise he will as usual, claim that he was not aware of the plots and transfer the blame to Adams Oshiomhole and Rotimi Amaechi.

    “It is already known that President Buhari has been unrelenting in his attempts to subdue our democracy by trying to subjugate the legislature, emasculate the judiciary and seize control of the electoral umpire.

    “Nevertheless, the PDP wants to assure President Buhari that our nation is bigger than him and that Nigerians will never allow him and the APC to rig this election.

    “Nigerians have reach an irreversible democratic consensus to vote Buhari out and elect the Peoples Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who is ready to rescue our nation from the hardship, anguish, agony and bloodletting which the Buhari administration has plunged us,” the statement added

  • Buhari didn’t order Nigerians to be shot summarily – Tinubu

    The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday said President Muhammadu Buhari never ordered security agencies to shoot Nigerians summarily.

    Speaking with journalists in Abuja at the end of the APC caucus meeting, he said the President was misinterpreted.

    He said that the President at the meeting only reinforced that those involved in ballot box snatching will be doing it at the risk of their lives.

    According to him: “I was in that meeting; the president was just reinforcing the fact that if you are out there snatching ballot boxes and causing destruction, you are at risk of your own life.

    “Whatever happens to you; No President will give an order that his own citizens should be shot summarily, No! No, its okay, emotions are running high these days. Any individual including myself can be misinterpreted.

    “These are not his words; he is a law abiding person and he understands categorically and clearly what rule of law is and the lives of individual citizens that he is in that office to protect.

    “Now, let me run this; he has been fighting Boko Haram, kidnappers and all these before this election. Did you hear him asking them to be shot and executed summarily?”

    On the resumption of campaigns by political parties, the former Lagos governor said: “By law we should continue to energise our people; it depends on our resources.

    “Because the Electoral Act allows us to do that and ask led us to stop campaigning only 24 hours before the actual election. And once you changed the date to Feb. 23, you have given us the opening to campaign and energise.

    “If you a garden and you don’t nourish with water, the grass will remain dormant; we don’t want our party to remain dormant.

    “This is ability of leadership to convert adversity to opportunity and prosperity and that’s it; that’s what we must do.”

    Asked if the postponement has cast doubt on the credibility of INEC, he said: “It depends on how it is handled and the process. How the process is managed; you can convert a crisis–a situation of adversity to an opportunity and progress.

    “The INEC, under the law, they are empowered to postpone, cancel and do whatever is necessary to ensure free and fair election. No party other the anger, the disappointment, no party can reverse that. So, we are ready for Feb. 23.”

  • Polls: Police deploy more personnel in CBN

    The Ekiti State police command has intensified the security protection around the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Ado Ekiti branch where election materials retrieved are deposited.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Saturday retrieved electoral materials deployed for the conduct of the National Assembly and presidential elections scheduled for February 16 across all the 16 local government areas of the state.

    INEC took the decision following the postponement of the elections to February 23 and March 9 citing logistical and operational challenges.

    The Police Commissioner, Mr. Asuquo Amba , who said there is no room for security lapses for the success of the forthcoming elections, added that the deployment of more security men was to safeguard the sensitive materials kept in the bank .

    Read Also: Polls shift: APDA backs INEC for credible election

    Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti on Monday, Amba assured all the political parties that the materials are under safe custody and thorough security protection.

    Amba, who spoke through the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, said: “If you visit the CBN office in Ekiti now, you will see more security men around the place. We are cognizance of the fact that security lapses could mar these coming polls and we are guarding against that.

    “As we speak, we have drafted more mobile policemen and our men from the Special Protection Unit(SPU), who are specially trained on how to protect election materials are there.

    “We are working round the clock to block all loopholes criminals can use to truncate the process here in any, so there is no cause for worry .

    “Our people, particularly all parties should be rest assured that we shall ensure that all the materials are delivered to the designated points, no room for diversion”, he said.

    The CP commended the residents for their peaceful and violent free gestures, disclosing that the command has not arrested anyone in connection with any form of violence since electioneering activities begin in the state.

    Speaking on the allegations raised by the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) , Barrister Gboyega Oguntuase that his members were attacked in Igbara Odo and Omuo Ekiti by suspected party thugs, Amba said : “We have not received any formal petition from the party concerning this.

    “This command is apolitical and neutral, so if we have any evidence of attack by any party, we are going to investigate and whoever found guilty shall be arrested and prosecuted accordingly”, he stated.

    He added that the three other Commissioners of police deployed to the State by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu for the purpose of the election have been directed to return to Abuja temporarily due to the postponement.

    “They have been asked to return to Abuja temporarily and by Thursday, they will return to Ekiti. The essence of their presence in the state was to make sure we have strong security across the three senatorial districts, because each commissioner is to man each of the districts for better performances of our men”, Amba said.

  • Sizing Up the Delta Central Senate Race

    This week, many Nigerians will participate in yet another critical election. And for the electorates in Delta Central Senatorial District, the stakes could not be higher as they have to make a massive decision on who to send to the 9th senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Electing a wrong person could have dire consequences for the Urhobo nation that is eager to restore its standing in the affairs of state and country.

    Over the years since the return of democracy in 1999, the Urhobo nation, the fifth largest ethnic group in Nigeria which overwhelmingly populate Delta Central have been losing its standing in national affairs. So as the Urhobos go to the polls on the 16th of February 2019, they will be electing not just a representative to the upper chamber of the National Assembly but a senator who will champion Urhobo cause at the national level and take Urhobo forward.

    Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is hoping to retain his seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC to continue the good work he is already doing to promote and protect Urhobo interest. Challenging him for the right to represent Delta Central Senatorial District in the red chamber are sixteen other candidates. But the contest will be mainly between Omo-Agege and Hon. Evelyn Oboro, a two term member of the House of Representatives who is seeking a promotion to the upper chamber on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

    Omo- Agege won the APC ticket in a landslide, defeating the 2015 APC gubernatorial candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor who made a late challenge for the APC ticket. On the other hand, Oboro defeated Chief Ighoyota Amori, whom many believe would have posed a greater challenge to Omo-Agege’s ambition to return to the senate.

    As we all know when considering an employee for promotion you must make sure that this person is qualified, can take on bigger tasks and is a proper fit.
    Hon. Oboro is constitutionally qualified to aspire to be a senator. She is a Nigerian and she is above the age of 35 and had completed at least secondary school education. We also know that she is sponsored by a political party, has sound mind and no prior criminal conviction nor adjudged to be bankrupt.

    But does she have the skills and knowledge to effectively represent the Urhobo nation in a chamber dominated by ex governors, retired military generals, academia and others who have excelled in other professions before joining politics. What is more, is she the right person to represent Urhobo?

    In contrast to the outsized personalities that have been Urhobo senators – David Dafinone, Fred Brume, Felix Ibru, (Prof) Adego Eferakeya, Puis Akporokena Ewherido, it is clear that Miss Oboro does not belong to that exclusive club of Urhobos.

    And the sad reality is that she wouldn’t do a better job than Omo-Agege, the incumbent senator, primarily because she is a political hack whose intentions are believed to be more aligned with political opportunism than personal conviction, ethics or morals and whose political career so far has been shaped by PDP corrupt political machines. Her history of political opportunism has shown that she is truly a machine politician and a hired gun.

    After two terms in the Federal House of Representatives, Oboro is little known beyond Delta, her home state. And as a ranking member of the House of Representative, the only committee she could secure its leadership is the little known Women in Parliament Committee. Urhobo deserves better. This should be on the radar of Urhobo electorates who are concerned about where the Urhobo is headed right now.

    Take the long view, and Omo-Agege remains the best voice for Urhobo. The Urhobos need someone who is smart, strategic, courageous and has a proven record of performance. And in Omo-Agege, Urhobo has found one man who has all four qualities. Tested and proven, Omo-Agege is regarded as better suited to restore Urhobo Greatness.

    And his story is very compelling.

    In just three years in the senate, everyone knows Omo-Agege because he built a national profile as an unshakable ally of President Muhammadu Buhari. He’s earned credibility by picking big fights long ago that weren’t so popular at the time but have proven to be masterstrokes.

    An outspoken supporter of Mr. President, Omo-Agege, 55, has cultivated the most anti-Saraki record in the senate. He stood up against the senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki who turned the senate against the APC federal government. and against all odds prevailed. He refused to cave into the arm-twisting tactics including promises of committee posts or other prime positions Saraki has perfected to control the senate.

    As a consequence, Urhobo political standing is more robust than what it was four years ago. Urhobo is right on course to greatness, thanks to Omo-Agege. And the Urhobo people are so grateful and proud of his achievements as a fresh senator.

    The Urhobo people know that he is a competitor who will fight for what he believes in and not a political hack who has no principle, beliefs nor reputation. They also know that he takes a back seat to no one when it comes to “doing what’s right for the Urhobo nation. He will always stand up for whatever he wants.

    In 2015 the Urhobo people made the right choice in Omo-Agege and right now, barring an almost unthinkable upset, Omo-Agege looks set to make history as the first Urhobo senator to win reelection as he is expected to easily defeat Oboro who has proved undeserving of promotion to the upper chamber of the national assembly to represent a senatorial district where PDP is very unpopular.

    Make no mistake, Omo-Agege is beloved in Delta Central as a smart, courageous and personable lawmaker, whom they believe can take Urhobo out of political marginalization to greatness. He has captured the hearts of the Urhobo people and they recognize that if Urhobo must continue to make progress in its determination to regain lost glory, Omo-Agege should be supported to return back to the senate to continue his good work on behalf of the Urhobo people and they are nearly unanimous in rallying to his side across party lines. Even in Uvwie Local Government Area, the local government of Oboro, Omo-Agege is well positioned to win.

    Former 1st Deputy President General of Urhobo Progress Union UPU and an indigene of Uvwie,
    Chief Tuesday Onoge, praised Omo-Agege, saying he had “served our nation and Urhobo people well and honorably” and should be reelected.

    The General Secretary of the Forum of Urhobo Kingdoms President Generals who is also the acting Chairman, Chief Kenneth Iwhewhe, described Sen. Omo-Agege as a dogged fighter and courageous child that is deserving of being sent on an errand to the senate again.

    “Go and deliver. Nobody knew that you are a dogged fighter, but with your antecedents in the past three years, you have shown that you are a man to be remembered.”, Iwhewhe said.
    The Urhobo kings are also not left out in the overwhelming endorsement of Omo-Agege. Speaking when Omo-Agege presented his stewardship report to the Ivies, the Chairman of the council, His Royal Majesty, Ogoni Oghoro I, the Ohworode of Olomu kingdom, said “Omo-Agege has not only represented the interest of the Urhobo nation adequately but also that of the generality of Nigerians”, adding that they have no doubt that Omo-Agege will do more for the Urhobo nation if he is given the opportunity to go back for his second term and assured him of his second term bid at the national assembly.

    However, history favors Oboro, as no senator has won reelection in Delta Central since Delta State was created. But against an incumbent, with unquestionable qualifications and grit, with impressive patriotic bona fides and a track record of fighting for what he believes in, rule of law which had earned him nationwide popularity, the chances of her actually prevailing are virtually nil, which is the conclusion, of course, that she has come to realize recently when she started to make false allegations about threat to her life and fear mongering.

  • Polls shift: NANS suspends protest in Ogun

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ) has disclosed that it has suspended its protest earlier scheduled to take place in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Monday, following intelligence gathering that politicians have hijacked it.

    NANS also accused some of their members, especially from the umbrella body, of collecting money from politicians, ostensibly to keep them divided and mute over the postponed general elections in the country.

    The National Public Relations Officer of NANS, Com. Azeez Adeyemi, who made this known while addressing reporters in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, advised the affected colleagues to urgently return the money to the donor – politicians.

    Adeyemi lamented that politicians have infiltrated the NANS’ ranks and also sponsored human rights group to hijack their protest, but assured that all bad elements within NANS will be reported to the law enforcement authorities for questioning and prosecution if necessary.

    The NANS Image maker, however, issued 48 hours ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to address the nation and assure Nigerians of “Free, Fair and Credible” election.

    He noted that the student body is yet to recover from the shock of the postponement but urged Nigerians to remain calm and focus.

    Adeyemi also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to give INEC the necessary support to ensure free, peaceful and credible general elections.

  • Elections postponement: Delta stakeholders react

    Various reactions have continued to trail the postponement of this year’s elections, most of which have been a disapproval of the decision of the electoral umpire.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had in the early hours of Saturday, the day for both the presidential and National Assembly elections, announced the postponement of the elections, citing inadequate preparations.

    In separate statements and chats with the Nation on Sunday, the former governor of Delta state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan; 2015 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olorogun O’tega Emerhor; legal luminary, Chief Albert Akpomudje (SAN); and Urhobo youth leader, Hon Morris Idiovwa, all condemned the postponement of the elections.

    Dr Uduaghan, who is also the APC candidate for the Delta South Senatorial District election, the development met his as a shock, noting that Nigerians from various economic and social backgrounds, especially those from the Niger Delta where the terrains are most difficult, had expended huge resources to access their various communities to be part of the elections.

    “I received with utmost discontentment and displeasure at about 3 a.m. today the 16th of February, 2019 amidst teeming supporters who kept wake with me the “breaking news” by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its resolution to shift the Presidential/National Assembly Elections to Saturday, 23rd February, 2019.

    “My party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) has already come out with a statement.

    “However, I wish to use this opportunity to thank my teeming supporters in Delta South Senatorial District who despite the difficult terrain mobilized to vote me as the senator representing Delta South in the red chambers. To you my brothers and sisters who left all their personal schedule, spent their personal money, time, resources, travelled long distance just to vote for me and my party, I truly appreciate your kind gesture.

    “We shall continue to be focused on the legislative issues that will bring permanent peace, faster and more robust infrastructure and human capital development in Delta South and by extension the Niger Delta. Like we have stated severally, this will include. I wish to appeal and plead with my teeming supporters to be calm, patient, keep hope alive and be more resolute to vote the APC come Saturday, 23rd February, 2019”, he said.

    In his response, Olorogun Emerhor, who is also the leader of the Mainstream APC in the state, said though the postponement was disappointing, there must be a genuine reason for it, expressing hope that the INEC would ensure a tidier preparation for the elections on the rescheduled dates.

    “We are all disappointed, but anything worth doing is worth doing well. I’m trusting that INEC has a genuine reason for the postponement. There have been accusations up and down but we hope that the postponement allows for a fair and credible elections. I also hope that they are putting things in place to ensure that materials that are distributed are protected and don’t fall into wrong hands”, he said.

    Legal luminary, Chief Akpomudje (SAN) said the development had cast doubts on the readiness and capability of the INEC to conduct the polls, describing the shift in the election dates as national disgrace.

    “Am sad and confused with the news this morning of the postponement of the election. There is the provision in the constitution for postponement of election, but the timing just few hours to the voting is worrisome. My fear is that is INEC ready for the election? If the answer is negative what becomes the faith of Nigerians. This is a national disgrace”, Akpomudje said.

    Also speaking, an Urhobo youth leader, Hon Morris Idiovwa, described the development as disappointing and cowardly, warning that any attempt to rig the election in favour of the ruling party would be resisted.

    “The development is highly disappointing and suspect, to say the least. Where are we to start counting the losses and the bad faith of the government behind this from? People have invested their resources and risked their lives by traveling and closing their businesses in anticipation of this election and the chairman of the INEC was so cowardly he waited till the morning of the election before announcing the postponement. I think will have to add my voice to those who have called for his resignation or sack.

    “We want a free, fair and credible election and we want it done, fitting into what is obtainable in any civilised nation. We have learnt that this postponement may have something to do with giving the ruling party an undue advantage over the opposition parties, we will reject any untoward and manipulated outcome of all the elections this year”, Idiovwa said.

  • Olawepo-Hashim writes INEC, seeks further shift of polls date

    Third Force Presidential candidate running on the People’s Trust (PT) platform, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has written the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu requesting a further extension of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The Presidential hopeful argued that, the one week extension was rather too short to conclude the stated enormous logistics requirement for the polls.

    Olawepo-Hashim who lately led the online polls of most preferred candidate amongst the third force, argued in a letter to the INEC chairman that another extension was reasonable in view of the logistics burden on the contestants and the parties.

    According to him, the candidates and the parties would now have to repeat logistics preparations that have hitherto been deployed to achieve the level of mobilization at the February 16 scheduled election.

    He stressed that, “It is my considered opinion that in the haste to stick to a quickly announced date for the election, the Commission may not have paid adequate attention to the attendant voter apathy that may result if adequate confidence building measures are not implemented to win back ‘would-be’ voters for the next date of polling.

    “As a result and because a potential voter’s apathy in some section of the country or all of the country may substantially affect the results of the election, a new date of election should be between three to four weeks from February 16 not one week from February 16 as previously announced. This is more so for self-funded candidates and political parties who do not have the possibilities or intentions of falling quickly on the State treasuries to refinance another logistic deployment.” He argued

    The candidate equally opined that, campaigs should also resume undoubtedly in consonance with extant legislation that allow campaign to continue up till 24 hours before elections, in order to achieve the same level of mobilization of voters as before February 16th.

    In his letter copied to the United Nations representatives, Observer and Civil Society Groups, the diplomatic community and the media Olawepo-Hashim also urged that, “the Commission should liase with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), who should use their national networks to ensure mobilization of communities, social and interest groups to reach potential voters in order to avoid voter apathy at the next date of election.”