The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2019 general election

  • IGP warns Policemen against partisan politics

    The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris has warned policemen against partisan politics following the commencement of political activities ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The IG also charged Commissioners of Police in all the States not to tolerate any form of political thuggery, intimidation, demonstration of violent conduct and other acts that could lead to political clashes from any Political Party or Politicians.

    The Police Chief also directed CPs to arrest and immediately prosecute any party member or supporters in possession of firearms or dangerous weapons during political campaigns and rallies in their respective States.

    This was disclosed in Abuja on Monday by the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood.

    Highlighting the security arrangement for the campaigns and rallies, Moshood said: “Consequent on the release of the time table and schedule of activities for 2019 General Elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the commencement of campaign by Political Parties for the Presidential & National Assembly Elections which has taken off on 18th November, 2018 and Governorship & State Houses of Assembly Elections starting on 1st December, 2018, the IGP Ibrahim Idris has directed the implementation of a robust and elaborate security arrangement and measures to ensure adequate security and safety for the electioneering campaigns and rallies throughout the Country.

    “The Inspector General of Police has equally warned all Commissioners of Police in all the State Commands and the FCT and other Senior Officers that have one role or the other to play in the implementation of the security arrangement for the 2019 General Elections not to engage in political partisanship or bias but to remain focus and provide security for all throughout the period.

    “The Commissioners of Police in the 36 State Commands and the FCT and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police in the 12 Zonal Commands have also been directed by the IGP to protect and safeguard all venues of campaigns, rallies and other INEC approved electioneering activities of all Political Parties throughout the Country from now on till the end of the stipulated campaign period for the 2019 General Elections.”

    The Police also said it has conducted threat assessments adding that adequate deployment has been made to flash points.

    Read Also: IGP deploys AIG to Kaduna over killing

    He said: “Threat assessment and deployment of Police personnel to flash points and vulnerable areas have been carried out to prevent and nip in the bud any form of inter-party frictions, political thuggery and clashes that can lead to disturbance of public peace anywhere in the Country.

    “All Political Parties are hereby advised to abide by the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and INEC Guidelines, and play the game according to the rules.

    “They are to prevail on their flag bearers, members, supporters and fans not to engage in any act or conduct that can incite violence or disturbance of public peace anywhere in the Country during the campaigns and beyond.

    “The Commissioners of Police in the Commands and Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police throughout the Country are under strict instructions of the Inspector General of Police not to tolerate any form of political thuggery, intimidation, demonstration of violent conducts and over dramatization of political fans that can precipitate political clashes and jeopardize prevailing peace in their Commands from any Political Party or Politicians.

    “Commissioners of Police are to effect arrest and immediately prosecute any party member or supporters in possession of firearms or dangerous weapons during political campaigns and rallies in their respective States.”

    The Force also said it will not condone hate speeches, indecent and criminal defamatory conducts from any individuals or groups that can cause threat to public peace and safety anywhere in the country during the campaigns and beyond adding that the full weight of the law will be applied on any individuals or groups arrested.

    The IG also asked the CPs in the 36 States and the FCT to continue the meetings of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) with INEC and other Security and Safety Agencies on the implementation of the action plans and security arrangements of the Nigeria Police Force in ensuring adequate security for the political campaigns and rallies for the 2019 General Elections.

    The Police also advised stakeholders to be law abiding and resist to be used to cause disturbance of public peace and violation of law and order during the period of the campaigns and beyond.

  • Imo: APC missing as INEC publishes list of guber candidates

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Friday failed to publish any name as the governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State as the Commission displays provisional list of governorship candidates for the 2019 general election.

    Read Also:Oshiomhole apologises to Imo Catholic community over Okorocha

    INEC’s refusal to publish any governorship candidate for the APC,  may not be unconnected to a Court Order restraining it from accepting or publishing any name except the name of Uche Nwosu as the authentic governorship candidate.

    It will be recalled that the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole had forwarded the name of Hope Uzodinma to INEC as the party’s governorship candidate, in defiance of the Court Order, which was also served on him and the party.

    Sixty seven candidates made the provisional list including, former Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives,  Emeka Ihedioha (PDP), Senator Ifeanyi Ararume (APGA), among others.

  • APC disowns timetable for party primaries

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it was yet to release a timetable for the conduct of primaries for various elective offices ahead of the 2019 general election.

    The party in a statement signed by the Acting National Secretary said the list currently making the round in the social media was the figment of the imagination of those who originated it.

    Read Also:2019 senate: APC Enugu youths bid Ekweremadu farewell

    The two paragraph statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a timetable circulating in the social media and published today (August 23, 2018) purportedly for the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for State House of Assembly, National Assembly, Governorship and Presidential positions.

    “The timetable is fake and should be disregarded. The Party is yet to announce its official timetable for the listed primaries.”

    The parties are expected to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the timetable for their party primaries on or before 15th September and have till the end of October to conclude the processes.

  • Defectors must not be accorded undue advantage – Makarfi

    Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caretaker chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has cautioned the leadership of the party against giving undue advantage to returnee members and those defecting.

    The former two-term governor of Kaduna State, while addressing the leadership of the Kogi State chapter of the party and other stakeholders Friday in Lokoja, said but for the steadfastness of committed members, PDP could have become history.

    Read Also:Ajomale: Defectors from APC are political jobbers

    Offering himself for the presidential candidate of the party ahead of the 2019 general election, he recounted the difficult days of the party following after the 2015 poll, when the PDP lost power at the centre.

    “Some people when you pinch them like this (touching his arm), they will run to another party. When the going was tough, I stayed on… but you accept them into your house and give them your guest room. Next, they take the Master Bedroom; next, they drive you out of your house. We must not allow this, nor give undue advantage to them, so that we do not alienate our people.

    “Modu Sheriff was brought from another party; they said he had three jets; he had billions, but what did he do? He was taking the party down, but I, the ‘bush boy,’ with the support of others, I was able to make members close ranks, and today, we can all see”, he said.

    He also delved on the vexed issue of restructuring, saying that only Nigerians can restructure the country, under a ‘trusted leadership’.

    According to him: “We fought the battle together; the praise and credit I’m receiving, is to God and to all of us. To me, Kogi is home; when Alhaji Ibrahim Idris (Ibro) was governor, we use to come and spend weekends with him, Kogi remains a home to me.

    “We have many problems confronting us in Nigeria; insecurity, lack of national consensus, hunger, poverty; our economy has gone down, but there are few people benefiting. Nigerians are in lack; they are not able to provide for their families, access good healthcare, and all sorts of deprivation. People are being witch-hunted.

    “Some people talk of restructuring, but when they talk of restructuring, they talk of sharing money and resources. I tell you; we need institutional restructuring.

    “Only Nigerians that can restructure Nigeria. People are asking for restructuring due to lack of belonging, lopsidedness in appointments, the feeling of being cheated, and so on. Who can restructure Nigeria, but Nigerians, with a leader that can be trusted. I offer that and much more.

    “What I tell you is that now, if you’re in power, you’re right; if you’re in opposition, you’re wrong. We must get to a level in Nigeria, where if you’re a president, a governor, you can be charged for wrongdoing; not you being in power and witch-hunting every other person. That is turning Nigeria into a ‘Banana Republic’. We must therefore restructure our institutions.

    “Gentlemen, a tree does not make a forest…they will come with bags of money. Collect, but do the right thing. There is no receipt”.

  • 2019: Middle-Belt plans common agenda

    As various interest groups prepare for the forthcoming 2019 General Election, Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, reports that Middle-Belt leaders are working on a common agenda to protect the region’s interests

    AHEAD of the 2019 General Elections, prominent politicians and opinion leaders from various states, districts and ethnic groups in the areas making up the Middle-Belt of the country, have started working hard on a plan that will once again see the zone speaking with one voice and pursuing common socio-political agenda, irrespective of geographical and other divides currently delineating their boundaries.

    According to indications emerging from the ranks of a new coalition of Middle-Belt interests and groups across the country, the planned movement, which will be both socio-economic and political in outlook, will also see to the urgent reconciliation of various groups and organisations in the Middle-Belt as a way of bringing all stakeholders together to agree to a common agenda that will engender development in the zone.

    The promoters of the new collaboration, under the auspices of Middle Belt Forum (MBF), according to reliable inside sources, have been reaching out within and outside the zone, to rally support for the planned coalition. Many eminent political, business and community leaders in the Middle-Belt, such as former minister, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (rtd.) and retired former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Ishaya Bamaiyi,  are part of the movement.

    Other eminent personalities already involved in the move to forge a common front for the people of the Middle Belt are former Governor of old Gongola State, Ambassador Wilberforce Juta, ex Kwara State governor, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, who was also Minister for Communications under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as frontline businessman, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim.

    Also on the list of Middle-Belt stakeholders expected be part of the new coalition are former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, former Adjutant-General of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Zamani Lekwot,  former Governor of old Gongola State, Mr. Wilberfore Juta, Mr. Sam Ada Maagbe and Chief John Odakun.

    Other prominent names being linked to the forum include Nigeria’s former envoy to Canada and Mexico, Prof Iyorwuese Hagher, Senator Barnabas Gemade (Benue Northeast), Professor John Dara, Mariam Yunusa, Paul Bashi, Ene Edeh Tanko Abdullahi, Musa Mude and former Plateau State Governor, Senator Jonah Jang, among several other leading lights of the Middle Belt region.

    The Nation gathered that the concept of “middle-belt”, as mooted by the promoters of the new coalition, goes beyond the six states of today’s northcentral geo-political zone of the country. “We are talking about reviving the ethnic bonds that exist among us from time immemorial as the people of the Middle-Belt axis of the country. It is beyond the northcentral. While you are right to see the six state of the northcentral as part of the Middle-Belt, it is wrong to say that is all that is the Middle-Belt.

    “The people of Southern Kaduna in Kaduna State and many parts of Adamawa and Taraba states, just like the people of Plateau State, are traditionally and geographically part of the Middle-Belt and no political delineation can destroy that bond we enjoy as one people under one identifiable umbrella. It is the people of this entire region, cutting across about nine states of the federation that we seek to unite and arouse to take their destinies in their own hands.

    “There are tribes in far north states like Kebbi and the likes where you will easily find the Middle-Belt people. The MiddleBelt goes beyond geography. We are a people and our intention henceforth is to act as one, especially in determining the destiny of our people and our country. While we remain committed to the ideals of a united Nigeria, this agenda is to galvanize the people of the Middle-Belt towards better socio-political developments,” a chieftain of the new group explained.

    Perhaps, as part of efforts towards promoting a common agenda, The Nation learnt that the Forum recently called on its sons and daughters who are interested in running for the presidential election in 2019 to come forward and be screened. The idea, sources claimed, is to ensure that the Middle-Belt zone didn’t go into the next general election with a divided house.

    A screening panel was also constituted to scrutinise the presidential aspirants and make recommendations to the Forum. Chaired by Air Commodore Suleiman, the panel reportedly shortlisted Olawepo-Hashim, Prof. Gana, Dr. Mailafia, and former Governor Jang amongst a dozen candidates that went through the rigorous screening. Olawepo-Hashim is the youngest amongst the four successful aspirants.

    “Though younger than many of the aspirants that weren’t shortlisted, Olawepo-Hashim made the list largely on account of his deep knowledge of the economy arising from his successful  business endeavors, spanning the breadth of oil and gas , power, communications, and marketing. His urbane and cerebral qualities partly reflected in his feats in the University of Lagos and the Buckingham University, where he was best student in his cohort, winning the MaxBerlof award for Global affairs were also advantages.

    “The first elected National Deputy Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is seen as a potential force from the Middle-Belt region, good enough to attract first time voters on the national voters register numbering over nine million, apart from potential voters from the region, and elsewhere. Other than this are his pro-democracy credentials beginning from his University of Lagos days, and growing into his real life experiences, leading to his recognition as Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience in 1989,” a source, who was at the screening exercise, claimed.

    The four successful aspirants, The Nation gathered, are to be presented to leaders in other geo-political regions including the Southeast, the Southwest amongst others for their inputs. Leaders of the forum also explained that the movement towards a common agenda for the Middle-Belt zone goes beyond partisan considerations. Hence, all aspirants, irrespective of their political affiliations, will be considered by the committee.

    Aside Commodore Dan Suleiman, who is former military administrator and one time Nigerian envoy to Russia, other personalities on the screening panel include former Adjutant-General of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Zamani Lekwot, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Ishaya Bamaiyi, former Governor of old Gongola State, Mr. Wilberfore Juta, former Governor of old Kwara State, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, Mr. Sam Ada Maagbe, and Chief John Odakun.

  • Jonathan, governors, Niger Delta leaders for restructuring rally

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan, South-South governors and other Niger Delta leaders will on Saturday lead a mega rally to call for restructuring.

    The rally organised by Edwin Clark-led Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has been scheduled to hold in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

    It was learnt that PANDEF with the rally tagged, “Restructuring the Nigerian Federation,” would insist that the country should be restructured before the 2019 general election.

    A statement signed by Chairman Publicity of the rally, Chief Thompson Okorotie, said prominent leaders such as Chief A.K. Horsfall and His Eminence, King Edmund Daukoru, the Amayanabo of Nembe, would lead the rally.

    Okorotie also said former President Jonathan, the six South-South governors and all former governors of the South-South, serving and former ministers, chairmen and members of boards and parastatals would grace the occasion.

    Others are all the current and former National Assembly members, all current and former Speakers and members of Houses of Assembly of the South-South.

    The statement also urged Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Arewa Consultative Assembly, Middle Belt Forum, the clergy, traditional rulers, leaders and elders from across the nation, youth, women groups and the general public to attend the South-South rally.

    He said: “The governors, former president Jonathan, PANDEF leader, Chief Edwin Clark, some eminent Nigerians and leaders of ethnic nationalities, civil society groups are expected to deliver speeches at the rally.

    “Fellow Nigerians; let’s restructure now, tomorrow may be too late. A restructured Nigeria will guarantee a free, fair, egalitarian, united, peaceful and prosperous nation where everybody, irrespective of region, religion, creed and status will be happy.

    “We intend to use the rally to rally support for restructuring of Nigeria. The 2019 general election is a referendum on Restructuring.

    “We the people of Niger Delta/ South-South want the Nigerian federation to be restructured to enthrone true federalism before the 2019 general election and it is doable, all that is required is a political will on the part of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Read Also: Jonathan, IBB, Shagari absent at Council of State meeting

  • 2019: Group seeks more youths’ participation in governance

    2019: Group seeks more youths’ participation in governance

    A new group, known as “Talk to 100,” has charged youth to effectively participate in governance and other areas of endeavor as the 2019 general election rolls in.

    The group formed with the idea of the first 100 members to individually recruit 100 persons in a multi-level development chain across the country has a sensitization programmme aimed at multiplying opportunities.

    Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday after its inaugural conference, its Director of Organization and Publications, Mr. Kenneth Gyado, said the target of the initiative was for the more energetic and most economically active and the most intellectually conscious segment of the Nigerian society to actually wake up from their docility and take up their responsibilities as stakeholders in the Nigeria project.

    He said: “The current practice is that the youths and women who form 90 percent stock of the Nigerian electorate are not actually carried along in the decision making processes in Nigeria.

    “They are not participants in the scheme of things. So, that slogan saying a new and prosperous Nigeria is possible is to wake them up to their responsibilities because, barring any health incidence or any accidents, most of the people behind this movement have up to forty years more to live.

    “That means they should be more concerned about where they will be in forty years’ time.

    “The other people who are occupants there now may not be there in the next decade.

    “So, by their behaviour, by their attitude, they may not care about how the country will fare beyond 10 years.

    “So, those who own the future should start by investing in it now.” he said

    Asked how ready the youths are to take over from the old ones, he said: “I think given the right stimulations, messages and the right idea transmitted across, we think they are ready.

    “Most of the docility you see now is as a result of ignorance or because of the structural defects in the Nigeria set up.

    “They have been made to believe that they have inferior roles to play in national development.

    “That has become an idea that has germinated and had become entrenched.

    “So, we want to reverse that trend. The global trend now is that, young people have taken over and the case of Nigeria should not be different,” he said.

    According to him, the youth should not wait till 2019 before positioning themselves.

    He said: “They should take over even now, why waiting till 2019. In fact the process of taking over has started by the passage of the not too young to run bill already.

    “Suddenly they have realized that if it happen in France which is a well-established democracy of over 200 years, it should also happen in Nigeria,” he said.