The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2019 polls

  • Ganduje blames Kwankwaso for Kano killings

    Kano state Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has described as unfortunate the attack on a group of All Progressive Congress (APC) supporters by members of the Kwankwasiyya group of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) while on campaign in Bebeji/Kiru Local Government Area on Thursday.

    He called on security agents to fish out perpetrators of the attack, which left at least five persons dead and other seriously wounded.

    According to him: “The Kwankwassiyya group has continued to brazenly attack members and supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    “The latest just happened on Thursday when they attacked our members while on a special prayer session in Bebeji local government area which was organised for peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections in the country, leaving some party members dead and others with injuries.”

    In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, Ganduje accused the Kwankwasiyya PDP thugs of being behind the attack.

    Read Also: Kwankwaso presents staff of office to emir of Kano

    According to him: “They attacked our peaceful supporters under the watchful eyes of their leader, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, who was on a campaign rally in the area, brandishing all sorts of deadly weapons, attacked the prayer session, which is being organised by member representing Kiru/Bebeji constituency, Hon. Abdulmumini Jibrin Kofa for meanness free polls.”

    The attack, the statement, he lamented: “is the latest in series by the Kwankwasiyya ruffians in an apparent attempt to put a clog in the wheel of progress toward ensuring free and peaceful election in the state.”

    The Governor lamented: “The group is superficially venting its anger on members and supporters of the APC, having gotten a sign of defeat at the polls, as part of a calculated attempt to scamper peaceful 2019 elections.”

    He prayed for the departed souls and condoled with the bereaved families, just as he also prayed for the quick recovery of those injured during the heinous attack.

    Ganduje also directed security agencies “to fish out perpetrators of the monstrous blitzkrieg with a view to ensuring that they are dealt with accordingly.”

  • APC to Nigerians: Don’t go back to era of treasury looters

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) has asked Nigerians to come out on Saturday and either vote for moving forward to the next level as represented by President Buhari or go back to the era of treasury looting.

    In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the party said Nigerians must use their votes to stop treasury looters from hijacking presidential power by all means.

    The statement reads: “As we head towards Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) call on Nigerians to turn out en-masse and use their votes to send a clear message to treasury looters who want to hijack presidential power by hook or crook.

    “The time has come for Nigerians to again reject the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and their discredited candidates. Never again should Nigerians allow them return to power to continue embezzling our resources.

    “We must all remember how, under the PDP’s 16-year watch, our commonwealth was wantonly privatized and used to fund their political activities. The world has been daily assailed by outcomes of investigations showing the humongous funds that past PDP administrations stole and laundered for private use.

    “In the most inhumane manner, counter-insurgency votes where channeled to private pockets while terrorists ravaged communities, the citizenry and seized our territory. Our national economy was pushed to the verge of recession and cleverly papered over with voodoo economics employed by the PDP administrations.

    “Confronted with the realities of a poorly-managed national economy and neglected infrastructure, the APC took over the administration of the country when Nigeria began slipping into recession. Commendably, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration worked prudently to pullout the country from recession.

    “Today, the APC administration has degraded Boko Haram that had under the previous administration annexed and hoisted their flags in at least 28 local government areas in the northeast zone. We have also been surefooted in the fight against corruption, rebuilding our dilapidated infrastructure and diversifying our economy.

    “While the choices that have presented themselves before us in these elections are many; the APC offers the best credible alternative in terms of an incorruptible presidential candidate that can sustain the march towards a national rebirth.

    “We therefore call on our country men and women to choose between moving forward to the Next Level of economic growth, shared prosperity, infrastructural development, and secure future, which the APC and President Buhari offer; or going backward to the era of looting and plundering of our commonwealth by a few elites, which the PDP and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar offer.”

  • Lagos CP warns ballot box snatchers, others

    .Says no area will be left unpoliced

     

    Lagos State Commissioner Zubairu Muazu on  Thursday issued stern warning to ballot box snatchers and other electoral offenders to have a rethink or face the wrath of the law.

    Muazu gave the warning at his maiden interaction with reporters since assuming duties at the new police boss in the state.

    According to him, the command would stop at nothing to ensure that offenders are prosecuted and convicted, reminding residents that the earlier deployment of 30,000 security personnel for the exercise would be maintained.

    On the preparedness of the command to deal with such issues, Muazu said: “Our men have the ingredients of the Electoral Act. They have been well trained on what is expected of them before, during and after the elections. So when anyone who snatches a ballot box is caught, they will be tried in court and punished according to the law.

    “I want to assure you that the Police in collaboration with other security agencies under the umbrella of Inter-Agency consultative committee on this election is ready come Saturday.

    “A very robust operation order to cover deployment of security personnel for the elections is on ground, so we will ensure there is a safe and secure environment for electorate in Lagos to go and cast their votes without fear and intimidation.”

    He said the command had emplaced an election plan that covers before, during and after the exercise, stating that intelligence arm of security agencies had been deployed to gather evidence in case of prosecution of arrested suspects.

    Confirming recent cult clashes in the state, Muazu assured residents such clashes would not hamper the peace of the polls, adding that arrests have been made and suspects would be prosecuted.

    “In the last two weeks, we have had cases of clashes between rival cult groups in areas like Oworonshoki, Somolu, Bariga and Fadeyi. We are working round the clock to ensure there is peace. We want to assure Lagosians that we will make sure that these few cases we have had will not surface during the election.

    “I want to assure all Lagosians that this year’s elections are going to be well secured and so, they should come out and vote. There will be constant patrols and pin-down patrol points.
    “Arrests have been made in the cases cited and investigations are ongoing. All suspects would be charged to court soon.“

  • Polls: Security agents uncover six flash points in Anambra

    Ahead of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, security agencies in Anambra said they had uncovered six major flash points in the state.

    Mr Rabiu Ladodo, Commissioner of Police in charge of security in the conduct of the general elections in Anambra, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday in Awka.

    Flanked by heads of other security agencies, Ladodo named the flash points as Ogidi, Obosi, Nnewi, Onitsha, Ajali and Ihiala.

    He said that identification of the black spots were made possible by the cooperation of security agencies with police.

    He, however, announced that adequate security arrangements had been made to ensure that the elections were peaceful in all communities in the state.

    The commissioner called on politicians, especially candidates vying for positions, to play by the rules.

    He also appealed to community leaders to advise their subjects against involvement in any act capable of affecting the exercise negatively.

    ”On our part as security agents, we will be professional in the discharge of our duties”, he said.

    Ladodo also called on the public to massively participate in the elections, adding that enough arrangements had been made by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to make the polls hitch-free.

    ”On my arrival in Awka Thursday, I went straight to Central Bank of Nigeria where the sensitive materials for the elections were distributed to all the local government areas.

    ”The brief I got from the INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner showed that all the 21 local governments have received their materials, and with the support of security personnel we hope to have smooth elections,” he said.

  • Polls: Police deploy 4,000 personnel in Bayelsa

    The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State command, Aminu Saleh Thursday said over 4000 policemen will be providing security for the rescheduled elections on Saturday.

    Saleh, who spoke to the Nation, boasted that the police were fully ready for the elections and warned troublemakers to stay away from the process.

    He said the police in partnership with other security agencies played crucial roles in the distribution of electoral materials.

    On securing the waterways and creeks, Saleh said the command had enough marine equipment, gunboats and marine policemen to ensure hitch-free elections.

    He warned policemen to be professional and adhere strictly to the rules of engagements throughout the process.

    He said: “We are fully ready for the elections with deployment and everything. We have been involved in the escort of necessary materials. We are working closely with other security agencies to do that.

    Read Also: Police reiterate readiness for rescheduled polls

    “We will soon commence deployment to the polling units. Some of them had been deployed within the areas of their operation. We have over 4000 policemen for this exercise. We also have adequate marine equipment and personnel to secure the waterways.

    “We further have adequate gunboats. The policemen should discharge their duties by the rules. We have been trained on electoral law and they know what to do during the electoral process. We are adequately aware and informed.

    “We expect that no thugs should come near to snatch any ballot box. We are working very hard in partnership with other security agencies, parties and their candidates, in fact, everybody in Bayelsa to ensure peace”.

  • Breaking: 12 presidential candidates back Buhari

    Twelve presidential candidates in Saturday’s election on Thursday expressed their support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the candidates’ closed door meeting with Buhari.

    Read Also: ‘Why Buhari gave directive on ballot box snatching’

    According to him, the candidates have directed their supporters to vote for President Buhari on Saturday.

    Details shortly…

  • I have no plans to resign, says Yakubu

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has declared he is not contemplating resigning from his position.

    “I see no reason why I should resign,” he stated.

    He was reacting to calls for his resignation following postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections last Saturday.

    Yakubu stressed the idea of resigning has not in any way crossed his mind.

    Ahead of the Saturday polls, he said over 72 million Permanent Voters Cards(PVCs) have been collected so far.

    There are over 84 million registered voters in the country.

    Read Also: INEC begins distribution of sensitive materials in Edo

    Updating the media and observers ahead of Saturday’s polls, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu also said 19 states have fully deployed electoral materials to all their Local Government Areas.

    Yakubu also assured that before the end of Thursday, all the states would have done the same except Bayelsa state, which will deploy on Friday.

    He assured that there will be no more postponement of elections, saying last Saturday’s incident would never happen again.

    On participation of Rivers and Zamfara All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the polls, he said INEC stands by its earlier position on their disqualification for not emerging from primaries within the stipulated time.

    He stressed that the commission as a law abiding institution will always obey court orders.

    Details shortly…

  • Polls: Buhari raises alarm over influx of foreign currency

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed astonishment at the huge amount of foreign currency flooding the country intended to influence the general elections beginning on Saturday.

    He spoke during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, issued on Thursday, accused some politicians of flouting money laundering regulations in their desperate bid to capture political power.

    President Buhari, however, commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for successfully tracking the money in “millions of United States dollars.”

    Read Also: ‘Why Buhari gave directive on ballot box snatching’

    “The EFCC success followed the presidential directive to investigative agencies to probe a number of high profile cases.”

    Reassuring the nation of his administration’s determination to wage a relentless war against money laundering and terrorist financing, the President again appealed to Nigerians, especially politicians to place the interest of the country above all others, as they troop out to cast their votes in the coming elections.

  • Umahi alleges plot to bomb Ebonyi lNEC offices

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi on Thursday alleged plans by some desperate politicians to import thugs to bomb some local government offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Umahi disclosed this during a live security situation briefing to the people of the state.

    He said: “I have been told that there are plans to bomb lNEC local government offices.”

    He said security agencies have been informed and have beefed up security in all INEC facilities in the state

    The governor frowned at the outbreak of violence, characterised by burning houses and killings at Mkpuma Akpatakpa in Abaja community of Izzi local government area, promising that perpetrators would be fished out and brought to book.

    He further condemned the attack on Ikwo local government area Vice Chairman, Mrs. Regina Iteshi who was attacked by hoodlums.

    According to the governor, the thugs inserted objects into her private part and cut the tendons of some of the people with her.

    He promised that the perpetrators must be punished.

    “My major concern is that we have free and a fair election on Saturday. There were few things we noticed on 15th February that were not in the character of Ebonyi people.

    “Inserting objects in the private parts of the vice chairman of Ikwo. Justice may be delayed but the law must take its full course.

    “Yesterday, I visited Izzi and saw the faces of defenseless father and mother whose son was killed and their houses burnt down.

    “All those who participated in the killing of the young man and burning of houses will never go scot-free.

    “Politicians are behind the killings and burning down of houses. My promise to all the victims, the young man that was killed and six others injured, all those behind it must be brought to book.

    “I appeal that there should be no reprisal attack. I have ordered that anybody that wants to kill our people should be shot at sight.

    “People must be allowed to exercise their right and vote for whom they want to vote for. I promised that if there is no reprisal attack, after the election, I will start the process of building the burnt houses.

    “Lives of Ebonyians are very important to us than positions and election. And anyone that takes the lives of others such will follow them to their fifth generation. Ebonyians must be alert and demobilize anybody that is parading thugs with police escort.

    The governor also had some warnings for INEC officers in the state.

    “Let me also warn INEC. I learnt that certain political party wants to cancel election. That they will go from polling booth to another killing people.

    “If you are INEC worker, discharge your duty according to the electoral law. I have asked the youths and Ebonyians to resist any INEC officials that wants to compromise. I learnt that collation officers are meeting, saying they nominated this and that.”

  • ‘Why Buhari gave directive on ballot box snatching’

    National Chairman of the Door-to-Door Campaign group of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign, Bola Ilori, has explained why President Muhammadu Buhari ordered security operatives to prosecute ballot box snatchers during the Saturday’s election.

    He said the directive was to guard against manipulations during the polls, stressing the pronouncement would curtail killings and maiming during elections and prevent electoral stealing.

    Ilori, who spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital, while leading canvassers to different parts of the state in furtherance of the door-to-door and market -to-market mobilisation strategy of the Field Operations of the Directorate of APC Presidential Campaign Council.

    The former Osun state commissioner for Regional Integration said the APC was prepared for a free and fair election on Saturday.

    According to him, the achievements of the Buhari- led administration cut across the various sectors of the nation’s economy, assuring he would be re-elected.

    Ilori said Buhari’s administration has achieved in the areas of rural development, social investment programmes and far reaching reforms in other areas of the economy.

    He appealed to voters to choose Buhari and other APC candidates from Saturday.

    He assured the people that if President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are reelected on Saturday, Nigerians would enjoy more of the numerous social investment programmes their administration has embarked upon since inception.

    Ilori said: “God used Moses to take the Israelites from Egypt as He first led them into the wilderness, not five star hotel.

    “Some people complained about hardships in the wilderness and made another god to lead them back to Egypt, thereby unwittingly turned a journey of 40 days to 40yrs.

    “Eventually Moses led them out of the wilderness and handed them over to a Joshua that led them to the Promise land.

    “It is clear that Nigeria has left PDP’s Egypt through Moses Buhari, but currently in a wilderness Moses is laying a solid foundation for a Joshua to get Nigerians to the promise land.

    “The Next Level is not to go back to Egypt but to move to the Promised land and we shall get there.

    He said the President was against ballot box snatching, stressing that order was to check against the perpetration of extra judicial killings during elections.