The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2019 ELECTIONS

  • I remain SDP presidential candidate – Duke

    Former governor of Cross River, Mr Donald Duke, says he still remains the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and would present himself for the Feb. 16 poll.

    Duke said this in a statement on Friday in Lagos, while reacting to the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to withdraw from the election and adopt President Muhammadu Buhari as its preferred candidate.

    “Regardless and for the avoidance of doubt, I Donald Duke, remain on the ballot and the candidate of the SDP as recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    “This unfortunate saga is as a result of an aspirant who lost at the party primaries on Oct. 6, 2018, fair and square, does not query the conduct of the primaries but rather resorts to bigotry, querying my suitability to contest for the presidency on grounds that I come from the wrong part of the country.

    “The Federal Court of Appeal has put this matter to rest. The office of president does not belong to any party and therefore not for a party to zone,” he said.

    Duke identified internal management of party affairs as the bane of the nation’s democracy.
    He said his decision to run for the presidency was to afford the electorate a credible alternative.

    “My decision to run on an untainted political platform rather than on one which I was a founding member is grounded on a desire to afford our electorate and indeed our nation a clean break, options and alternatives to her current gladiators.

    “For the SDP NEC to thereby endorse the APC or any other party, is rather unfortunate and betrays in my opinion, the desire of the vast majority of our party members and Nigerians credible alternatives to our nation’s leadership.

    “I need not say more, suffice that I remain on the ballot and thereby still present myself as a candidate for the office of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Duke said.

    Read Also: Gana rejects Appeal Court affirmation of Duke

    The SDP NEC had on Thursday announced the party’s withdrawal from the presidential race while adopting Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, for the poll.
    It explained that the decision was based on the protracted legal issue facing the party.

    “We cannot campaign, we cannot do anything because of the protracted legal issue and we feel that it is impeccable to technically withdraw from the presidential election.

    “We want to focus on the National Assembly, Governorship and State House of Assemblies election for which we have fielded candidates across the country.

    “We are therefore adopting Buhari, the APC Presidential candidate, as our preferred candidate for the Feb. 16 election,” it said.

  • Atiku campaigns in Katsina, promises jobs, security

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubabar, has promised the people of Katsina State job creation and security of lives and property if elected President.

    Sparking at the party’s presidential campaign rally on Thursday, Atiku said he would not lie to the people the way the All Progressives Congress (APC) did during the 2015 electioneering campaign.

    He said, “Now let me promise you all, everyone knows any promise I make, I fulfill them. My first promise is that I will return peace to Katisna by God’s grace. Secondly, our youths that are jobless, by God’s grace, they will get jobs. Once we create jobs, is that not the end of hunger?

    “Let me remind you all; be careful with the APC. Since about three and half years, they came to lie to you all. They said they will create wealth and improve the economy. Have they created wealth? Is the economy better now? They said they will solve the security challenges, have solved insecurity?”.

    Atiku urged the youth population to actively participate in the upcoming elections, saying he and others in the PDP were there to mentor them.

    “What I want to tell you all is that, this election is for the youths. As for us, we will only show you the way, we are done with ours. Once you vote, be patient for them to count and announce the results. Don’t let them cheat you, the vote is yours not for anyone else”.

    The PDP candidate restated his admonishment to the military, police and other security agencies to ensure peace during the polls and not to allow themselves to be used to manipulate election results.

    Read Also; Kano ready for Atiku, says PDP chair

    The national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus who also addressed the rally, urged to people to vote for PDP in order to chase joblessness, insecurity and hunger away from the land.

    According to him, Atiku remained the only candidate that has the capacity and competence to get the country working again, adding that the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed the country.

    Secondus said, “You know the APC government, they are confused. They are worried and they are adopting all sorts of measures to make sure that they rig this election. But you know APC, their plan is to destabilise this nation.

    “Their plan is to kill and to harm. This was the statement that came out from Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, that there will be body bags.

    “But let me remind him and other leaders of the APC that in 2015, the same el-Rufai and other leaders of APC travelled several times to the United States, to United Kingdom and brought in consultants and international observers that came and witnessed that election”.

    The party chair described Atiku as a symbol of unity and urged the people to vote for him and other PDP candidates in the general elections.

    He called on them to vote and to also defend their votes, to ensure that they are not shortchanged by compromised officials and security personnel.

  • Breaking: We have no presidential candidate- US

    The Consul General of the United State ( US ) to Nigeria, Ambassador John Bay on Thursday said the United States was only interested in free, fair and credible elections in the country.

    Bay, who restated the commitment of the US to violence-free electoral process, insisted the US was not supporting any candidate in the February 16 Presidential election in the election country.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor òf Bayelsa State on Media Relations Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the US Consul General to have made the comment while paying a courtesy call on the Governor at the Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday evening.

    He noted his delegation was on a tour to the southern states in the country to interface with civil society organisiations, traditional rulers and other political stakeholders on the need for peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections.

    He said: “The US does not have a candidate in this election. We are looking for a free, fair, credible and peaceful process, a process that allows the choice of the Nigerian citizens to come through.

    “So, we are going to spend some time with the governor and chat about different things we might be able to do to better the situation and anything we can do to help before leaving here for Port Harcourt tomorrow.”

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson commended the efforts of the International community to peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in the country.

    Dickson reiterated his call on the political class to respect the will of the people and make efforts that would renew their confidence in the unity and peaceful coexistence of the different ethnic nationalities.

    Describing Nigeria as a critical member of the international community, he cautioned politicians to be wary of utterances and conducts that could throw the country into avoidable crisis which could truncate the nation’s democracy.

    The governor commended the United States and other members of the international community for living up to expectations by taking proactive measures to forestall breakdown of law and order as well as strengthening the electoral process.

    “We want to thank the US Mission in Nigeria for your services, contributions and for the building of peace as well as promotion of our nation’s democracy.

    “We also want to thank you for always thinking of us and caring about what is going on here in the Niger Delta.

    “I have read about the statements made by your Mission and other international partners concerning the forthcoming general elections. For me and our state, we welcome these interventions. We believe that our country is and should be a responsible member of the international community.

    “As practicing politicians, all of us should conduct the politics and affairs of our country in such a way as to respect the due processes of the law and the elections so that in the end, what we do and say should continue to promote peace and stability in various communities across the country.

    “Nigeria is a critical member of the world community. It is the largest and most populous black nation in the world.

    “So what goes on in Nigeria should rightly be of interest to the rest of the world; and the world is right by not standing by to watch things go bad in Nigeria”.

  • Why we adopted Buhari as presidential candidate, by SDP

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Thursday adopted President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as its Presidential Candidate for the February 16 2019 presidential poll.

    The adoption took place in Abuja after the party’s NEC meeting where a communiqué was issued and adopted by NEC members present.

    But National chairman of the party, Chief Olu Falae was absent at the NEC meeting.

    Present however were National chairman South Prof. Tunde Adeniran; Deputy national vice chairman northeast Prof. Rufia Alkali; national Organising Secretary Hon. Emeka Atuma and National Secretary Shehu Gabam.

    The party explained it adopted Buhari because the battle for its presidential ticket between former Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has taken a great toll on it.

    SDP, in the communiqué read by the National Vice Chairman, Dr. Abdul Ahmed Ishaq said: “It is in view of all this that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the SDP has resolved to adopt President Mohammadu Buhari and Vice Presidential candidate Prof. Yemi Osibanjo of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as candidates of the party for the 2019 Presidential election. “Consequently, all members of the party are hereby enjoined to vote for President Buhari of the APC at the presidential election coming up on Saturday 16 February 2019.

    “With less than ten days before the Presidential election, our great party is caught up in a web with very little room for manoeuver.

    “The options before us at this critical juncture are limited: we either realign our forces or we lose out completely

    “Whatever the dangers and demerits of political alignments, it is far better than to go on alone at this point as it will, in the end, disenfranchise our members.

    “With the multitude of parties in the race for the crucial Presidency of the country, it has become imperative for engagements and strategic collaboration between and among parties that are strongly committed to the Nigerian ideal so that the future of our great country is not doomed.

    “A number of political parties have approached the SDP for collaboration during the forthcoming elections. However, after extensive deliberations, NEC noted the party that comes close to and nearly shares the Social Democratic and Progressive ideals and values of the SDP is the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    “After further weighing the options and reviewing the political situation in the country, NEC was convinced that with the SDP and the APC working together.

    Read Also: Buhari mourns loss of lives at APC rally in Jalingo

    “SDP has a better chance of gaining lost grounds in meeting the yearnings of Nigerians and we have no doubt whatsoever that Nigeria will surely make progress and leap forward in the match go greatness through the solution of pending challenges and progressively to the next level.”

    The party NEC insisted that the adoption was only for the forthcoming presidential poll, stating “for the avoidance of doubt, NEC restates that this is not a merger between the SDP and the APC and therefore the SDP retains its identity and remains a distinct political party.

    “NEC calls on all our members nationwide to vote for SDP candidates for the National Assembly, Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections.

    “We indeed expect and demand reciprocity from the APC in return as the implementation of these resolutions will be coordinated through Zonal and State committees, in view of local peculiarities.”

  • Buhari mourns loss of lives at APC rally in Jalingo

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed profound sadness over of loss of lives at the All Progressives Congress, APC Presidential Campaign Rally in Jalingo, Taraba State on Thursday.

    Reacting to reports of the tragic death of some APC supporters due to the overwhelming crowd at the Jolly Nyame Stadium, the President said: “I always feel very sad and distressed when ordinary Nigerians who love me and our party because of what we stand for and have done, make personal sacrifices by taking the pains to show their support, end their lives tragically.”

    Read Also: Presidential poll will be walkover for Buhari, says El-Rufai

    While appreciating the massive support he is receiving all over the country, President Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also called for restraint on the part of his supporters to avoid such tragic incidences and improved crowd management at rally grounds.

    “I want them to stay alive and witness the dividends of purposeful governance that the APC administration will unfold when they renew our mandate,” he said.

    Commiserating with the families of the victims and the APC family, the President prayed Almighty God to grant peace to the souls of the departed and speedy recovery to the injured.

  • PDP allegations threat to success of polls – Oshiomhole

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has said the series of unsubstantiated allegations and misleading comments by the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against the ruling APC constitute a major threat to the success of the 2019.

    Speaking when a delegation of the ECOWAS Election Monitoring Team, led by former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf visited him, Oshiomhole said it was unfortunate that the PDP were not prepared to abide by the rules, but are instead engaged in actions capable rubbing the name of the nation and that of the Independent National Electoral Commission, in the mud.

    Oshiomhole said the APC is working towards ensuring a free and fair election by ensuring that its members comport themselves as true democrats, avoiding hate speeches and sensitization of the electorate to work against rigging.

    He said “As the National Chairman of the APC, we are committed to a peaceful election, but unfortunately, the opposition’s language and utterances does not suggest that they want a free and fair election. I believe, because they knew they have lost the elections, seeing the kind of support our candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari has been enjoying so far, as we have seen in our campaigns, the opposition are now in the habit of waking up and making unsubstantiated allegations just to deceive members of the International community.

    “Unfortunately, you see some foreign missions believing their lies and issuing statements in support of the PDP. And, that is why some of us are worried that some persons are hiding under the guise of Election Observers to come and discredit our electoral process and also interfere in our elections and our judicial process.

    “We observed that on the issue of the Chief Justice of Nigeria. This is a judicial officer who agreed that he erred when he did not declare some of his assets. And we have a situation whereby huge amount of foreign currencies were found in different accounts. And the PDP became the mouth piece of the CJN and they created a wrong impression before the International Community, and we saw joint statements condemning the action of the President, who was acting on the recommendation made by the Code of Conduct Bureau.

    “Are you saying that if a crime is conducted on election day, and because it was an election day, the person concerned should not face the law? The President of America today is being investigated over allegation of alleged Russian interference in America election. So, I think all these unsubstantiated allegations are not good for the forthcoming general elections and that is why we believe that the PDP, knowing fully well that they will be rejected by the people at the polls, are trying to create crisis where there is none.”

    Leader of the group, Mrs. Helen Johnson Sirleaf, said the entire world is interested in ensuring a peaceful election in Nigeria, “because Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and anything that happens to Nigerian will not only affect the entire Africa, but the world. So, we are appealing to all the parties to preach peace and urge their supporters to pick their PVCs, so that nobody will be disenfranchised.”

    Also, in a separate statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the party said the act of intimidating and blackmailing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other state institutions will not stop their impending defeat.

    The APC frown at what it described failed the attempt to demonise the APC, President Muhammadu Buhari administration and deploying intimidation and blackmail tactics against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other state institutions ahead of the general election.

    Onilu said the PDP’s line of attack cannot affect President Buhari’s emphatic victory in the February 16 election, saying “We have watched how panicky leaders of the PDP have become, having realised that they are heading for a crushing and humiliating defeat in the forthcoming general election.

    “In their confused and pitiable state, they have unconscionably hurled pedestrian allegations of partisanship and partiality against INEC and other state institutions.

    “The PDP leaders’ strategy is to regularly call out INEC and allege partiality towards the APC, thereby creating doubts in the minds of Nigerians and international community about the independence and credibility of the electoral body.

    “This is one of the odious antics of a desperate party that wants to hijack presidential power, not on the strength of having a credible alternative, but on the strength of selfish propaganda with which they mask their real motivation for seeking a return to power — plundering of the public treasury.

    Read Also: Why Atiku should sue Obasanjo, by Oshiomhole

    “We call on Nigerians to judge between the APC and the PDP, who can be said to have been favoured by INEC when one considers how the electoral body had initially barred the APC from fielding candidates in Zamfara and Rivers States in the forthcoming elections.

    “Less than two weeks to elections, our party is still in courts to seek justice from INEC to enable us field candidates. Notwithstanding our protests, calling INEC’s attention to the fact that the PDP didn’t conduct any primaries in Kano State, the electoral body has opted to look the other way even in the face of glaring evidence.

    “It is clear that the PDP is only interested in getting to power on a stolen mandate. It was not surprising that the PDP celebrated INEC’s initial decisions on Zamafara and Rivers because the PDP knows they stand no chance against the APC candidates in a free and fair election.”

    The APC also expressed shock over PDP’s allegation that the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) is being hampered by INEC to disenfranchise supposed PDP supporters, saying “how could anyone have known the political party affiliations of those who are yet to collect their PVCs such that the process of disenfranchising them was activated by INEC to favour the APC.

    “The PDP and its leaders cannot hold the APC responsible for their electoral misfortunes. PDP administration’s antecedents of treasury looting, mismanagement of the economy and widespread insecurity have put a big wedge between them and the Nigerian people.

    “There is no doubt that the PDP will be roundly rejected at the forthcoming general election. On our part, we are confident that Nigerians will renew our mandate on the basis of our verifiable and multi-sector record of performance under the leadership of President Buhari.”

  • Ezekwesili’s group declares support for Atiku

    The Red Card Movement (RCM), a civil society group founded by Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili has endorsed the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar for the February 16 presidential election.

    The endorsement was a departure from the group’s initial position under Ezekwesili whereby the RCM issued a Red Card to the PDP and the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Ezekwesili resigned from the group to contest the presidential election on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) but withdrew from the race a few days ago.

    At a public declaration in Abuja Thursday, co-chairman of the RCM, Dr Tony Akabuno, said the decision to endorse Atiku was informed by the failure of the APC to fulfill its campaign promises to Nigerians.

    Akabuno said the group would mobilise 20 million votes for Atiku to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari as the APC were defeated in the upcoming elections.

    The group described the PDP presidential candidate as the “best option” for now, saying however that the RCM will not merge with the PDP.

    Read Also: ACPN to Ezekwesili: Return our money or face court action

    Akabuno said: “Some co-conveners were of the opinion that we should not get into any arrangement with PDP. These ones suggested a ‘siddon look approach’.

    “They appealed to me, as one that is very close to the state champions, to persuade our leaders across the federation to desist from supporting the Atiku/Obi ticket.

    “But as a pragmatic political strategist and the peoples’ general, I had no choice than to reject the inferior argument of some co-coveners and strongly aligned with our state champions, who are in sync with the grassroots”.

    Akubono said the coming election will be a defining moment in the political history of the country, adding Buhari has failed in all his cardinal programmes of improving the economy, provision of adequate security and fighting corruption.

    He accused the President of playing politics with the fight against corruption, saying the nation cannot afford to perform experiment with the Presidency.

    “This is not about Buhari but about the future of the country. The question is if we want the status quo to remain or if we want a change.

    “We the leaders of RCM are not in doubt that the Atiku/Obi ticket is the most efficacious brand that can send Buhari back to Daura.”

  • APC plans to attack Nigerians, PDP alleges

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) has alleged plots by the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) and its agents to load arms and ammunitions into vehicles painted in PDP colours and the names of some of its prominent chieftains.

    According the main opposition party, the plan is to use the illegal arms and ammunitions to attack gatherings and orchestrate violence across the country ahead of the general elections.

    In a statement Thursday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said some of those marked for frame up in the planned attacks include its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye among others.

    Citing “intelligence report” at its disposal, the opposition party said the governing APC will then clamp down on the targeted PDP chieftains and get them incarcerated.

    Condemning what it described as the heinous plot, the PDP said the plot was an act of desperation by the APC, as a result of despondency, arising from their rejection by Nigerians.

    Read Also; APC seeks postponement of Rivers gov election

    The statement reads: “We want all Nigerians to note that the PDP is a party of goodwill and our rallies have demonstrated that we are a people of peace.

    “Our objectives and goals, as laid down by our founding fathers, demonstrate unity, national cohesion and economic prosperity for our nation.

    “This is the path we have continued to toe in our campaigns, in spite of provocations by the APC and the Buhari Presidency.

    “The PDP is therefore, alerting Nigerians to take serious note of this plot by the APC, which is tailored to smear the image of our party and candidates, as well as divert public attention from their acts and threats of violence ahead of the 2019 general election”.

  • Army deploy 95 percent troops for polls

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday said 95 percent of its troops would be engaged in security duties during the forthcoming general elections.

    It added almost 40 percent of the troops to be deployed would be in the Northeast.

    Its Spokesman Brig. Gen. Sani Usman said in a statement that it was not true that the troops were being paid some allowances in other to sway their votes for a particular party as being alleged in the social media.

    Brig Gen Usman said: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to some insinuations on various social media platforms that the recent payment of uniform allowance to officers and soldiers was done to sway their voting towards a particular political party. This is not true.

    “The payment of uniform allowance was started in 2016 to assist troops deployed on Operation LAFIYA DOLE as uniform upkeep and maintenance.

    Read Also: Boko Haram: Army denies takeover of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa towns

    “The allowance was however extended to all Nigerian Army personnel because of their increasing engagement in various Internal Security Operations across the country.

    “It is important to note that 95 per cent of Nigerian Army troops will be engaged in security duties during the forthcoming general elections.

    “Out of this, almost 40 per cent are in the North East. Therefore, it is gross unfair and sheer mischief to associate the Nigerian Army with such mundane action.

    “We therefore implore all well- meaning Nigerians to dissociate themselves from such fake and unwarranted information calculated to smear the Nigerian Army.

    “Although investigation is ongoing to ascertain the source of such malicious allegations, we would like to warn such unpatriotic individuals to stop this mischief forthwith.

    ” We would like to further warn all officers and soldiers to desist from acts that are inimical to Service discipline and code of conduct and reiterate the Chief of Army Staff’s warning during his conference with General Officers Commanding and Operations Commanders that, “All Nigerian Army personnel must remain neutral, non-partisan and transparent in all their actions.

    “I need to reiterate that there will be zero-tolerance for any action and in-action by commanders at all levels that is deemed tilted towards giving undue advantage to any candidate, political party, ethnic or religious leanings to the detriment of the unity and integrity of Nigeria.

    “The Nigerian Army has always been professional, impartial and apolitical. We wish to state that no amount of campaign of calumny against it would change that”.

  • We are ready for polls – Police

    …as FRSC deploys 20,000 personnel nationwide

     

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has reiterated the determination Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to ensure a violence free and credible 2019 general election.

    He also said the Police would not be a tool for politicians or political parties during the exercise.

    Towards this end, Adamu said enough police personnel would be deployed to every part of the country to prevent violence and other electoral malpractices.

    The IGP spoke in Abuja on Thursday at a stakeholders meeting organized by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) where he said the Police is ready for the election.

    Represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Samuel Musa, the IGP said, “We are ready for the election, we are determined to make sure that no single Nigerian is prevented from voting. We have strategies in place to protect all election materials and personnel.

    “What we want Nigerians to know is that what is wrong during the election periods is diversion of election materials, ballot box snatching, vote soliciting or buying would not be allowed. what is right is queue orderly, vote and maintain peace throughout the exercise”.

    Saying that the theme of the meeting, ‘Towards a credible 2019 election, the role of stakeholders’, the IGP said the Police is ready to take its role very seriously, adding, “This is why we have been having training, retraining, seminars and workshops in-house as well as with other stakeholders”.

    He also said in order to ensure that plans put in place for the successful prosecution of the election were not thwarted, adequate personnel would be provided for all election centers from the ward level to the result announcement centers.

    Read Also: Police arrest six suspects for assaulting lady

    “Our men have been told what to do to make it credible, we are not for any political party but make the election credible,” he said.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi said 20,000 personnel would be deployed nationwide to compliment the security arrangement for the elections.

    According to Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Victor Nwokolo, who represented Oyeyemi, FRSC would be involved in forward and reverse logistics for the election.

    The Corps would also certify all vehicles to be used for the exercise, train and retrain drivers, ensure their suitability for the exercise, oversee vehicular movement, in addition to denying or allowing access to certain routes during and after the exercise.

    Earlier, the acting Executive Director of the Centre, Faith Nwadishi said for a free, fair and credible elections, stakeholders must critically examine and proffer enduring solution to issues of voter apathy and non-collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by the electorates; insecurity; preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); vote buying, destruction or stealing of PVCs; desperation of the political class; and the role of security agencies.

    She, however, expressed satisfaction of the Centre over the level of preparedness by INEC for the election, saying, “There has been improved consultation with stakeholders but we call on the entire INEC staff and officers having different roles and responsibility to discharge their duties in the highest professional manner”.