The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2019 ELECTIONS

  • FG hails UK, US for demanding credible polls

    The Federal Government ( FG ) has described the demand by the United States of America (USA) and United Kingdom (UK) for credible and peaceful elections in the country as a welcome development.

    It also applauded the duo’s threat of punitive measures against election riggers and perpetrators of electoral violence in during the polls.

    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in a statement, said the Federal Government is particular delighted the statements came after it alerted the nation to machinations of some opposition elements who are working to scuttle the 2019 polls through widespread violence.

    ”A few days ago, we alerted the nation to the plot by the opposition to orchestrate widespread violence in the country, using insurgents and criminal elements within and outside the country.

    “Their plan is to scuttle the election and then push for an interim government, having realised they can’t win free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

    ”The fact that those statements came after we issued our red alert, which is based on credible intelligence, shows the international community is closely monitoring events ahead of the election.

    “We urge them to keep a close tab on the desperate opposition, whose language, actions and undisguised threats are antithetical to the conduct of peaceful polls,” he said.

    Mohammed said Nigerians and the international community should take seriously the assurance of a credible and violence-free election that has been consistently given by President Muhammadu Buhari, who he described as a tried-and-tested democrat and a globally-acclaimed man of integrity.

    Read Also: Thugs attack refugee commissioner, officials in Sokoto

    He said the APC-led administration is very confident of victory in the forthcoming elections, adding a party that was not so desperate as to rig election while in opposition had no business rigging election or perpetrating violence now that it is in power and enjoying massive support from the citizenry.

    The Minister called on the international community to keep a close eye on those, he alleged, are spending more time on a dubious strategy of scuttling the polls than campaigning to win in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful election.

    ”As their campaign flounders and their strategies collapse, they have resorted to seeking power by subterfuge.

    “That’s why they are doing everything possible to discredit an election that has yet to be held by unleashing their attack dogs on INEC, the police and the entire electoral process.

    ”On our part, we have confidence in the electoral process and the institutions saddled with organizing and securing the election. That’s why we have been busy campaigning vigorously across the country, attracting unprecedented, organic crowds everywhere we go.”

  • Bayelsa bans use of oil firm’s assets, security details for campaigns, elections

    The Bayelsa State Security Council on Friday prohibited the use of assets, personnel and security operatives attached to surveillance contractors from political activities in the state.

    Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Kemela Okara, said in a statement the council also decided to restrict such personnel and their assets to their oil and gas platforms.

    Okara also said the council comprising the heads of all security agencies and top officials of the state government further banned the use of security operatives attached to very important personalities (VIPs) and political appointees for election purposes in adherence to the stipulated guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He said that it was further resolved the security agencies should not arrest, detain, or restrict the personal liberty of any leader or member of a political party without adherence to constitutional provisions.

    But, Okara said the council decided agencies could arrest any leader of political party found to have been involved in acts inimical to national security with immediate notification to the governor.

    According to him: “The Bayelsa State Security Council at its meeting held on Thursday, 17th January, 2019, resolved, amongst others as follows:

    “All assets, personnel and security operatives attached to surveillance contractors of oil and gas companies operating in the State shall be limited strictly to their designated areas of operations, and specifically within such oil and gas platforms or facilities.

    “Further, that in no circumstance should assets, personnel of surveillance contractors be used or involved in any political activity or electioneering processes.

    “All security operatives attached to VIPs, political appointees, etc, shall in no circumstance be used or be involved in any election processes in accordance with stipulated INEC guidelines.

    “No security agency, acting by itself or by its servants or agents or by any person(s) or authority howsoever described shall henceforth arrest, detain, or restrict the personal liberty of any member, stalwart or leader of any political party in Bayelsa State without recourse to the due process of law and/or court order, between now and the general elections.

    “In Exceptional cases bordering on proven national security breaches or where a person is seen committing an offence in the presence of a member of any security service, he may be arrested and investigated, in which case the Governor shall be notified immediately.”

    He said decisions of the council were meant to assure the Bayelsans of the commitment of the security agencies to be neutral, apolitical and professional in the forthcoming election in accordance with their respective service regulations, ethics and values.

  • Traders assure Buhari of 10 million votes

    Nigerian Traders, under the auspices of Nigerian Traders For PMB, has vowed to mobilize over 10 million votes for President Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming presidential election in appreciation for his achievement so far.

    In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Prince Paul Ikonne, the Group said: “by standing by his words at all times as we find it difficult to comprehend the position of the former president concerning the wellbeing of Nigerians.”
    The group sad further that “Having told Nigerians consistently how well he knows Atiku and why Nigerians should not trust Atiku, why this dance in the market place? We, therefore, urge former President Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo to please speak so that we can listen.”

    The group asked its members to mobilise their households, neighbours, and friends to support and vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming presidential elections in order to exceed the 10 million vote target.

    Read Also: Buhari congratulates Tshisekedi of DRC over election, inauguration

    The group remind “Traders that based on the achievements of PMB ranging from road infrastructure, security of life and property and more especially the Trader Moni among many others, there is need for PMB to be re-elected for the second term in order to consolidate on these achievements.

    “PMB is a trader friendly president and as such traders will do everything within the law to mobilise support across board in order to exceed the 10 million votes they promised the president.”

    It frowned at insinuations that the president is shielding corrupt politicians especially the recent publications on different dailies concerning Orji Kalu’s N7.2b fraud trial where the judge was quoted saying “the court would await further directives to proceed with the trial

    “Nigerians know that the fight against corruption is something that the president is passionate about and thus, such directives could not have come from him. We, therefore, warn politicians not to play politics with the fight against corruption.

     

  • Real reasons I left ACPN, by Ezekwesili

    Former Minister of Education Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili has explained why she withdrew from the presidential race on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria ( ACPN).

    The party, she alleged, refused to embrace the new political values and mindset aimed at dislodging the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    She said she sacrificed her presidential ambition to protect the values of transformational leadership she holds dear.

    Ezekwesili, in a statement on Friday from Cabo, Mexico where she is attending Albert Einstein’s Genius100 Visionaries meeting, also accused the party of engaging in “transactional politics.”

    Titled “No amount of lies can stop the emergence of a new political mindset and order”, the former World Bank Vice President, in the statement, said “Some hours ago, I arrived far flung Cabo in Mexico where our Albert Einstein’s Genius100 Visionaries meeting is holding. I was delighted to read reactions of real patriots to my announcement that I have decided to withdraw from the 2019 presidential race and end my membership of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).

    “I have also seen the reaction of ACPN leadership to my decision. Fortunately, they have divinely helped me by making the Nigerian public now fully understand why I had to swiftly depart from their midst.

    “How could I upon realising the divergence of values and vision with the leadership of the party continue to stand on such a political platform?

    “My abiding vision has been to mobilise citizens to disrupt the old order politics of APC/PDP.

    “Nigeria and Nigerians deserve a new order of ethical, competent and capable leadership. I had earlier assumed the ACPN was aligned with me to offer that, until it proved otherwise.”

    She went on: “The values and vision divergence with the party was a key factor that triggered my withdrawal from the presidential race on their ticket prompting me to dissociate immediately in order to help build a coalition for Good Governance.

    “It is why I was instant in sacrificing my candidacy to uphold my values by withdrawing.”

    She faulted ACPN’s decision to endorse President Muhammadu Buhari following her withdrawal from the race, saying it reflects the “political entrepreneurship” mindset of the party.

    According to her: “The party’s decision to immediately today endorse the candidate of APC, which was announced by my erstwhile VP candidate who is also the Chairman of ACPN was their classic political entrepreneurship in full display for Nigerians to see. It is instructive.

    “The party leadership’s transactional approach to politics began to manifest in their attitude following after the convention that adopted me as their presidential candidate.

    “All who know me can attest that I detest transactional mindset. I would have none of such and therefore extremely delighted to part ways after a tumultuous three months of hoping that the ACPN leadership would elevate to the new values of disruptive politics that one had desired for and preached within the party.”

    Read Also: INEC, ACPN kick as Ezekwesili ends presidential aspiration

    On allegations she cornered funds raised for the campaign, the former Minister said: “I want Nigerians to know that there is no iota of truth in any of them.

    “Everything ACPN wrote or said of the campaign donations is fabrication and outright lies. Our campaign was conducted with the highest level of transparency and accountability with impeccable evidence.

    “I know and can guarantee that at all times because these standards firmly underpin my commitment to lasting values and professionalism.

    “Only those who desperately wish to believe falsehoods would lend any credence to such puerile accusations by the leadership of ACPN.

    “Only those who pretend ignorance of my legendary and uncompromising passion for accountability would give heed to such baseless statement.”

    She promised to address a world press conference upon arrival in Nigeria to offer further insights into the intrigues that trailed her presidential bid.

  • 2019 elections will define Nigeria’s future, says US Ambassador

    THE forthcoming elections will define the future of the country, United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria Stuart Symington has said.

    Symington urged stakeholders to promote credible and peaceful elections and that all institutions of government must do what is right.

    He addressed reporters yesterday after meeting with Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

    The envoy said: “All of the institutions of government must do what is right. Election is not a matter of life and death. It is a matter of defining the future of Nigeria.  There must be free, fair and credible elections.”

    According to him, the idea of a free people with the ability to make free decisions remains the most important idea in the world.

    Read also: Edosomwan: ‘NDCP will declare war on poverty’

    Symington said: “I am quite confident that on Election Day, the sons and daughters of the powerful will not be out there causing violence.”

    He urged the people to have the courage to reject any call for them to be engaged in violence during the elections.

    On the campaigns, he urged the electorate to always ask their political leaders to outline ways through which they will actualise their promises.

    He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Party (APC) and the former Vice President Atiku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) believe in the votes of the people making a difference during the polls.

  • 2019 elections will define the future of Nigeria – US Ambassador

    United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington has stated that the forthcoming elections will define the future of the country, urging all stakeholders to promote credible and peaceful elections.
    Addressing journalists after meeting with the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike at the Government House Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Stuart Symington declared that all institutions of Government must do what is right.
    He said: “All of the institutions of Government must do what is right. Election is not a matter of life and death.
    “It is a matter of defining the future of Nigeria.  There must be free, fair and credible elections “.

    Read also: Only deployed card readers will read PVCs – INEC

    He said that the idea of a free people with the ability to make free decisions remains the most important idea in the world.
    He said: “I am quite confident that on election day, the sons and daughters of the powerful will not be out there causing violence”.
    He urged people to have the courage to reject any call for them to be engaged in violence during the elections.
    On the campaigns, he charged the electorate to always ask their political leaders to outline ways through which they will actualize their promises.
    He said that President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC and the Former Vice President Atiku believe in the votes of the people making a difference during the polls.

  • TouchStone: Atiku a political prostitute – Sam Omatseye

    Political analyst and Chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Sam Omatseye, joined by Member, Editorial board Femi Macaulay to discuss the CCT trial of CJN Walter Onnoghen, President Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar chances at the 2019 elections and Former President Olusegun Obasanjo latest Letter.

  • 2019: EU tasks INEC, security on transparency

    The European Union ( EU)  election observation mission to Nigeria has demanded transparency and accountability from all institutions in the elections involved in the conduct of the general elections.

    Chief of EU Observer, Maria Arena, stressed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies must not only be neutral but must be seen to be neutral.

    Arena, who briefed reporters on activities and mandate of the EU electoral mission to Nigeria, also charged political actors to work with integrity.

    While noting that EU attaches great significance to the elections, she, however, stressed EU main concern is in the process and not the outcome of the elections.

    According to her: “We are here in the spirit of cooperation with Nigeria. We stand ready to deliver an impartial, objective assessment of the electoral process. If I have to key final messages, they are these:

    “The transparency and accountability of all the institutions involved in the elections are absolutely essential for public trust and confidence in the process. Thus we hope that INEC and also the security forces will provide clear real-time information on what they are doing and actions they have taken.

    “INEC and the security forces need to be seen to work neutrally in all their actions from the leadership down.”

    She added: “I hope that state bodies and political parties all play their part in promoting a fair and peaceful process before, during and after Election Day.

    “This means working with integrity for the sake of the nation, promoting a calm response to any problems or frustrations.”

    Reacting to criticism of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo on the capacity of the electoral body, the EU Chief Observer said such was expected in political atmosphere but cautioned politicians on their utterances.

    “But we will be cautious in our comments ahead of the elections and monitor the situation without bias,” she stressed.

    She also explained the need for political actors to trust the institutions (INEC), especially when they are going to be working together.

    For the general elections, Arena said EU will be deploying 11 election analysts and 40 long-term observers.

    The observers, according to her, will be spread across the six geo-political zones of the country, covering twenty cities.

    In the last 48 hours of the arrival of the mission, she said they have met with relevant stakeholders, including INEC, political parties, religious organisations and security apparatuses, among others.

    Read Also: INEC to political actors: we’ll not be dragged into meaningless debate

    She further explained that the election observation mission is “completely independent of EU delegations and we will assess Nigeria’s commitment to electoral laws and international best practices.”

    The mandate according to her is “only to collect information concerning the electoral process and then publish our findings and make recommendations.

    “We are not interested in the outcome of the elections; we have no interest in seeing this or that candidate or party win.

    “We are here to observe if the electoral process was conducted in a transparent and credible manner.“

  • Breaking: FG raises alarm over plot to attack governors, 10 states

    The Federal Government on Monday accused some opposition leaders of alleged plot to unleash violence on 10 states in the North.

    It also said some mercenaries have been hired from Niger Republic to attack key government functionaries including some governors in the North-West.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed raised the alarm at a briefing in Abuja.

    He said the uncovering of the plans to orchestrate violence followed intelligence report.

    He said: “As you are aware, Nigeria goes to the polls just 27 days from now. However, the Federal Government is in possession of credible intelligence to the effect that widespread violence being orchestrated by the opposition is threatening the 2019 general elections.

    “Before you accuse the government of crying wolf, let me tell you, gentlemen, that we have credible intelligence that armed bandits and Boko Haram insurgents have been mobilized to engage in massive attacks and other acts of violence in several states across the country, including Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Benue, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara.

    Read Also: Opposition politicians plotting violence to truncate 2019 elections – FG

    “The Benue-based armed criminal group, led by Terwase AKWAZA, also known as Gana, has been commissioned to strike soft targets in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States. In Kano State, a group of notorious miscreants have been mobilized by some prominent opposition leaders to provoke massive chaos before, during and after the elections.

    He said some mercenaries from Niger Republic had been hired to attack top government officials including state governors.

    More details later

  • Pact with Kwara North: Saraki, PDP chasing shadow

    Kwara state All Progressives Congress ( APC ) has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Senate President Bukola Saraki reported pact with Kwara North as shadow chasing.

    Senator Saraki and PDP Sunday said they had zoned the governorship slot to Kwara north zone come 2023.
    They also claimed that the zone will produce the next state House of Assembly speaker and secretary to the state government should PDP form the next government.

    The implication is to curry the Kwara north’s votes in this year’s elections.

    Spokesperson of APC Tajudeen Aro said “we have watched with dismay the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) day of shame with the anti-socio-political tactics employed to woo the support of the Kwara North Senatorial zone by signing a pact on power shift to the zone in 2023.

    “No one in his wildest imagination will believe such fairy tale being sponsored by Senator Bukola Saraki, as it is nothing but a cheap attempt to pull wool over the eyes of many in a vain attempt to sustain his dominance on the state.
    “Only those living in fool’s Paradise will believe that the signing of such ambitious pact amounts to a mandate already given by the people of Kwara North to the PDP. An area that has been neglected in the last 16 years under the political leadership of Saraki.

    Read Also: 2019: Kwara APC youths accuses Saraki of intimidating traditional rulers

    “Giving the sociopolitical antecedent of Saraki to keeping promises, it would be illogical to expect a fulfilment of this pact and we need to ask him why he jettisoned the ambitions of Rt. Hon Bio Ibrahim and many other competent Kwara Northerners before now.

    “Unfortunately, this charlatan posing as saviour has in the recent past impoverished the Kwara North and Kwara in general with his maladministration during his tenure as governor and subsequently ruling by proxy to ensure that the ruining status quo remains, albeit in another form.

    “It is, however, worrisome the ploy to drag our respected traditional rulers into this muddy type of politics by being part of this unholy alliance. The presence of the respected traditional rulers at such gathering is not only absurd but also a desperate attempt to coerce them to submission.

    “If fair must be fair, the traditional rulers must fathers to all. Such coercion is outrightly condemned.

    “Our goal is to lead progress oriented, dynamic, honest and open administration in Kwara state.

    “Kwarans are saying no to failed promises. Enough is enough. O to ge.”