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Tag: ballot box snatchers

  • Police arrest ballot box snatchers in Kano

    Some suspected hoodlums yesterday attempted to snatch ballot box at Gyadi South Polling Unit at Tarauni local government area of Kano State.

    Our reporter who visited the scene of the event gathered from an eye witness that some hoodlums in their numbers attempted to snatch the ballot box, but were stopped by security agencies who released gunshots in the air. The suspects were later apprehended by the police and are currently in police custody.

    In the same vein at Magwan Primary School Polling unit in Nassarawa Local Government Area, a car filled with ballot papers and suspected to be used for rigging, was apprehended by the police. The car and the ballot papers are currently in the custody of the police.

    In another development, at Sabuwar Juma Polling Unit in Warawa Local Government Area, it was observed that underage voting was going on there, as there were inadequate security personnel in the area.

    Another issue that was observed was vote buying especially among women as many voters were seen bargaining on the price they would be given before they vote for a particular party, even though the ugly trend was being done in an undercover manner.

    In an interview with the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, he said investigation was ongoing and they would address the press once the investigation was completed.

    Also, Haruna confirmed that one person was arrested for being in possession of six PVCs within Kano metropolis.

  • PDP to voters: don’t be scared by Buhari’s order

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged voters not to be scared by what the party described as a shoot-on-sight directive against would-be ballot box snatchers.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had, on Monday, ordered the military and other security agencies to deal ruthlessly with anyone caught snatching ballot boxes during tomorrow’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, urged Nigerians to be focussed and refuse to be intimidated as they go out to cast their votes.

    The party chair described the President’s directive as a ploy to manipulate the result of the elections.

    Secondus said: “When the President threatened the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the elections were rescheduled, the intention was to frighten and cow them into playing along with the All Progressives Congress (APC) agenda.

    “When they harass, arrest and block bank accounts of the opposition stakeholders, what they want is to win at all cost.

    “When they drag military institutions into politics, the aim is obviously to destroy that institution the way they are doing to the legislature and the judiciary.

    “But I urge you Nigerians to refuse to be intimidated or provoked but remain focused and fix your eyes on the ball, which is victory that is coming on Sunday.

    The chairman appealed to stakeholders in the election, particularly the INEC, security agencies and political party agents, to remember that the election is about Nigeria.

    “This election is about rescuing this country. It’s about sustaining our democracy.”

    The chairman of the Strategy Committee of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Osita Chidoka, said that the world was watching Nigeria and urged voters to be patient, peaceful and tolerant.

    He urged Nigerians to demonstrate to Africa and the world that the country is irrevocably committed to democracy, transparency and the rule of law.

    Chidoka said the PDP had learnt its lessons from previous elections and so determined to give Nigerians the confidence that their votes, as expressed at the ballot, will count.

    He said: “Local and international observer groups have set up various models of vote tabulation that will enhance the credibility and validity of the election.

    “All parties have had the privilege of reviewing the official PVT system’s potential to scientifically and statistically validate the election within an acceptable margin of error.”

    According to him, the PDP is fully prepared to resist intimidation, extrajudicial procedures and partisanship on the part of security agencies.

  • Lagos CP warns ballot box snatchers, others

    Lagos State Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu yesterday warned ballot box snatchers and other electoral offenders to have a rethink or face the wrath of the law.

    He gave the warning at his maiden interaction with reporters since assuming duties as the new police boss.

    Muazu said the command will ensure that offenders are prosecuted and convicted

    He 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.

    Read also: APC to Nigerians: reject treasury looters

    “I assure you that the Police, in collaboration with other security agencies under the umbrella of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee, is ready come Saturday.

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

  • Buhari’s order against ballot box snatchers patriotic, says Ekiti ex-Speaker

    •APC youth leader: President’s ‘ruthless’ call for peaceful polls

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Femi Bamisile, has said the comment attributed to President Muhammadu Buhari that security agencies deal “ruthlessly” with ballot snatchers during elections was patriotic and not defective.

    Bamisile said the comment showed that the APC-led Federal Government has no plan to rig the February 23 rescheduled presidential and National Assembly polls.

    He said the President remained committed to credible electoral process, being allergic to any act that can undermine the nation’s nascent democracy.

    The former Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, who is also APC’s House of Representatives candidate for Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, predicted that President Buhari and other APC candidates would win in the state by 80 per cent.

    On Monday, at the APC Caucus meeting in Abuja, President Buhari said he had ordered security agencies to “deal ruthlessly with anyone who may attempt to snatch ballot boxes and undermine electoral system on Saturday”.

    But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, described the presidential order as a call to lawlessness and a leeway for jungle justice.

    Bamisile, who addressed reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, said: “The President didn’t give a shooting order the way former President Olusegun Obasanjo gave a ‘shoot on sight order’ against the Odu’a Peoples Congress (OPC).

    “President Buhari only said those who snatch ballots would have themselves to blame. So, I stand 100 per cent by him on this order. We are not in the 19th century when things were absurd. It is a barbaric act for anyone to snatch ballot boxes.

    “If anyone loses his life while snatching ballot boxes, he should have himself to blame. Nigerians should see elections as a process that will come and go and the nation will remain.

    “Why is the PDP afraid if they are not thieves? And they say if you steal, you go to jail. Why are you bothered, if you are not a thief?”

    Also, an APC youth leader in Delta State, Comrade Edafe Onokpite, has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s call for “ruthless” dealing with ballot box snatchers would ensure free, fair and credible polls.

    Onokpite, who is the party’s youth leader in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, told reporters in Warri that the President’s directive was meant to have a shift from the usual violent ways, which usually gave room for rigging.

    The youth leader said it was surprising that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faulted the President’s statement directing security agents to deal with anyone caught in the act.

    Stressing that President Buhari’s statement was in the interest of Nigerians to cast their votes and make the votes count, Onokpite said there was nothing wrong with the statement.

    Recalling that Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose made “death-threat” statements during elections in their states, he wondered why the matter was being twisted out of context.

    Onokpite urged Nigerians to re-elect President Buhari on Saturday, adding that his antecedents show he is the President for the masses.

    “The Delta Steel Company (DSC) and the other companies former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former President Olusegun Obasanjo sold without paying the workers are now working. Is it not President Buhari who is paying the same people Atiku and Obasanjo refused to pay? The choice is left for Nigerians to choose between light and darkness.

    “The PDP people want things to be done in the usual way of rigging elections. The President only insisted that the best way Nigerians can be allowed to cast their votes is for security agents to do their job thoroughly. What is wrong with that? I know PDP will oppose it because they are good at rigging elections. That is why they are opposing the President.

    “But Nigerians are wiser now; we are not fools. Anybody who wants to disrupt the elections should be dealt with.”

    To eligible voters, the APC youth leader said: “Go and cast your votes peacefully and canvass votes for your party. But if you want to cause trouble, whatever happens to you is your headache.”

     

     

     

     

  • Protect your votes from ballot box snatchers- Lagos APC women leader

    The Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas has urged voters, especially women to be vigilant and protect their votes during the Presidential/National Assembly General Elections rescheduled for Saturday.

    Okoya-Thomas, in a statement by her media aide, Oladipupo Awojobi, urged voters in Lagos State should ensure their votes were counted and the results declared in their presence at the various polling booths.

    She pointed out ballot box snatchers could be on the prowl during the elections, urging voters to be vigilant.

    The former member of the Federal House of Representatives said further that democracy had come to stay in Nigeria and the APC was aware of the antics of the main opposition party to manipulate and scuttle the forthcoming elections.

    “We will not allow any unscrupulous element to tamper with the will of the people or threaten our democracy through snatching of ballot boxes and hooliganism.

    READ MORE:Ballot box snatchers will pay with their lives – Buhari

    “I want to appeal to women and all the residents of Lagos State to come out enmasse to cast their votes for the APC and ensure that they stay behind until the votes are counted at the polling booths.

    “All of us should discourage any act of vandalism or disruption and expose anyone that tries to scuttle the exercise.

    “All hands should be on deck to ensure that the country moves to the next level and that President Muhammadu Buhari and Professor Yemi Osinbajo are returned so that they could continue their good works.

    “Moreso, let us vote for APC candidates for the Senate, Federal House of Representatives in the state so that they could continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the residents of the state,” she said

  • Army Chief: ballot box snatchers’ll be dealt with

    MILITARY officers with divided loyalty were yesterday ordered to resign.

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said such officers should quit not later than tomorrow.

    Gen. Buratai spoke as the Army renewed its pledge to constituted authority, stressing that it will not disobey orders.

    Besides, it vowed to deal with “those who seek to undermine our democracy by interfering in our electoral process”.

    He said incitement against constituted authority will not be tolerated.

    Gen. Buratai, at a meeting with General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and selected Commanders at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, cautioned politicians against making inciting statements.

    The COAS spoke against the backdrop of the remarks by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and National Chairman Uche Secondus at the PDP 84th National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The party leaders counselled the military not to obey President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that ballot box snatchers be severely dealt with as part of measures to sanitise the electoral process.

    Gen. Buratai said: “It is unfortunate to hear persons who are aspiring to rule this country again inciting the army to disobedience. We have consistently stated our position in the political dispensation to remain neutral and apolitical.

    “However, direct and public incitement of the military against democracy and constituted civil authority will not be tolerated. I request such persons to withdraw this inciting statement. Let me reemphasize loud and clear, that the Nigerian Army is a professional army.

    “The foundation of military professionalism is discipline and without discipline an army cannot stand. One of our core values is loyalty to constituted authority. Loyalty must be hundred per cent.  I shall leave you in no doubt as to our resolve to bequeath a professionally responsive army to Nigeria and Nigerians.

    “Should any officer or soldier have doubts as to his loyalty to the Nigerian State as presently constituted, such a person has up to February 22, 2019 to resign. There is no room for indiscipline or disobedience to lawful orders in the NA today.”

    Lt.-Gen. Buratai, who said the meeting was called to review matters arising as a result of the postponement of the general elections, noted that the shift has increased apprehension locally and internationally, especially on the safety of voters and electoral materials.

    The COAS said: “You are all welcome to this expanded weekly meeting which has in attendance, not only Principal Staff Officers and Directors, but also GOCs and selected field commanders.

    “You will all recall that just two weeks ago, we all met here for an Operations Conference that was held to strategise on the NA’s roles during the 2019 General Elections, which was earlier planned to commence from 16 Feb 19.

    “Unfortunately, the election did not hold as planned and has been postponed to hold on 23 Feb 19 and 9 Mar 19. This shift in date has necessitated a need to review some of the decisions taken at the last conference and also to reiterate some of the directives Passed to you in light of the postponement of the elections.

    “I wish to first remind all of you that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. Hence, those who seek to undermine our democracy by interfering in our electoral process must be seen as enemies of Nigeria and dealt with appropriately.

    “Our role is aptly captured in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and we must defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity as well as act in aid of civil authority when called upon to do so.

    “Therefore, commanders must work with all stakeholders, interest groups and agencies to avert any act by any individual, groups or entities that seek to undermine our democratic process.

    “As expected, Nigerians have expressed general disappointment with the postponement of the elections. The postponement has also increased apprehension in the populace and the international community with regards to safety of voters and the electoral materials.

    “It is therefore vital that the NA, alongside other security agencies, rise up to the challenge of ensuring a peaceful outcome to this general election so as to give confidence to Nigerian citizens and to reassure the international community about our electoral process.

    “In light of this, I am pleased with the smooth activation of Op SAFE CONDUCT and the success of Op EGWU EKE III. In addition, the recent launching of the NA Situation Room for Elections Security Monitoring will also ensure we have real time feedback from the field.

    “As we engage in these operations, we must remember that the army remains apolitical to ensure that no negative aspersion is cast on the NA before, during or after the elections.”

    On what he expected of the Army on the rescheduled elections, Gen. Buratai said: “I want to remind all here present that the act of electoral thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes, illegal possession of elections materials and similar crimes are intended to mar an election and create deliberate avenues for post-election violence and mayhem.

    “Such actions can also become more damaging when they are widespread, leading to destruction of lives and properties. Incident of this nature in previous elections are often planned and orchestrated by politicians and the NA has hitherto been very cautious in its approach.

    “However, this time around, the NA will adopt a proactive posture that ensures that similar incident do not even arise. Accordingly, in addition to my earlier directives to you in the last Operations Conference, I wish to lay emphasis on the following actions that all commanders are to abide by.

    “Commanders must deal decisively with any electoral crime or action that would be inimical to National Security.

    “Commanders are to ensure that they and their personnel do not hobnob with politicians at any level. In this regard, there will be no military escort for any politician and all NA personnel are to stay clear of retired military officers, especially those who are now politicians, until after the elections.

    “Commanders are to conduct extensive patrols within their AORs (Area of Operations). They must ensure that all flash points within the area are dominated.

    “Commanders must in conjunction with the NPF enforce the restriction on movement within their AORs. All vehicles must be searched and suspicious persons or vehicles arrested/impounded and later hand over to the NPF.

    “Commanders must ensure they key into the NA Elections Security Monitoring Situation Room to send and receive near real-time information on events, as they occur in their AOR.

    “I have laid emphasis on these few points to remind everyone that these are delicate times and the NA must support Nigeria’s march towards enduring democracy. In the course of the conference, I will expect every one of you to comment on your preparations for the elections as it affects your various AORs.

    “Our role in support of democracy cannot be overemphasized; hence all hands must be on deck to ensure we have a successful outing for the next elections.”

  • Ballot box snatchers will pay with their lives – Buhari

    ….Insists INEC has no excuse to postpone six hours to election

     

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday warned that anybody involved in ballot box snatching will pay with his or her live.

    He spoke in Abuja during the opening session of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus meeting at the APC National Secretariat.

    Such act, he said, would be the last unlawful act the person will engage in.

    According to him, he has given the security agencies instructions to ensure free and fair elections in the country.

    He said “I do not expect any body to cause any disturbance. The security agencies have identified hot spots and flash points and should be prepared to move. We have made as much arrangement as possible for them as much as the country can afford.

    Read Also:Two suspected ballot box snatchers lynched in Kogi bye-election

    “Anybody who decide to snatch ballot boxes or lead thugs to disturb the process, may be that will be the last unlawful action you will take.

    “We have directed the military and other security agents to be ruthless. We are not going to be blamed that we want to rig elections.

    “I want Nigerians to be respected and let them vote whoever they want across the parties. I am not afraid of that. I went round the 36 states and the FCT and I think I have enough support across the country to vote for me.

    “So, I want to warn anybody who think he has enough influence in his locality to lead a body of thugs to snatch ballot boxes or disturb the voting system, he will do it at the expense of his own life,” he stated

    The President also explained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had all the time and resources and didn’t have to wait for only six hours to cancel the elections and tell the public it was impossible.

    He said “Definitely, the reason why such incompetence manifested has to be explained to the nation. After the elections, we have to know exactly what happened and who is responsible.

    “Otherwise, our efforts to make sure that this system is acceptable would have been eroded. The constitution and the law protected INEC. But they must not take us for granted.

    “If for example, the National Assembly refused to approve what they wanted, INEC would have had moral reasons why they couldn’t perform. If the time of four years of election was not constitutionally obeyed the government, INEC would have a case.

    “But we don’t understand the reason for this inefficiency and we have to go into details after the election to find out who is responsible,” he said.

    He thanked the party leadership for their commitment.

    He went on “That was why we sat and said we must have committed leaders in all constituencies to be our agents. We also sat down and worked out the least the party should do for our agents so that they will not depend on anybody or say I am going to drink water or I am going to toilet.

    “We made all those arrangements and put it before the governors and Chairmen of the parties. Where the APC has no governors, the governorship candidate and state Chairmen were given that assignment.

    “I am satisfied that this instruction has been passed down. Right now, we have so much to do and so, we should now go back to our loyal members in all constituencies so that if anything happen, we will know who to blame.

    “We have told our constituents to be patient and react in a very matured way by going peacefully and vote and depend on party representatives in the polling unit,” he said.

     

  • Two suspected ballot box snatchers lynched in Kogi bye-election

    •One of the suspects identified as son of House of Reps aspirant
    •Five arrested for electoral malpractices in Bauchi

    The   bye-election to fill the vacancy for the Lokoja /Kogi constituency in the House of Representatives turned bloody yesterday when angry voters lynched two men for allegedly trying to snatch ballot boxes.

    It was one of four such elections in the country yesterday, the rest being for Katsina North Senatorial District, Bauchi South Senatorial District and Obudu State Constituency in Cross River State.

    Five persons were arrested in connection with electoral offences during the Bauchi South Senatorial bye-election, according to the police.

    The election in Katsina was peaceful although the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of vote buying.

    The APC dismissed the allegation as the cry of a defeated man.

    In the first of the two incidents in Kogi State yesterday, a yet to be identified man was  mobbed by angry voters as he tried to snatch a ballot box at a polling unit close to the  Abuja Electricity Distribution Company’s office in Lokoja.

    The Nation gathered that the deceased in the process of carrying out his mission when voters on the queue confronted him.

    An eyewitness said the suspect stabbed one of the voters who first stood up to him before others rallied round and overpowered him.

    He was allegedly stabbed on the neck and died on the spot.

    The second suspect was beaten to death at a polling booth in front of the palace of the Maigarin of Lokoja .

    He was said to be the son of a House of Representatives aspirant who recently declared his political aspiration.

    An eyewitness said the suspect invaded the voting centre and attempted to snatch the ballot box when party supporters swooped on him and beat him to death.

    He was due for burial at press time.

    The police public relations officer, William Aya, a Deputy Superintendent of police, confirmed only the first incident.

    He said the deceased was a suspected political thug who invaded the voting centre with a view to snatching the ballot box but was overpowered by party supporters and got killed.

    He, however, denied knowledge of him having a shot gun in his pocket which went off.

    He also said that the corpse of the suspect had been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja Mortuary, while investigation was on to arrest those involved in his death.

    He could not be reached by the time the second killing took place.

    There were also allegations of vote buying in some parts of the constituency.

    Some voters were allegedly paid between N2000 and N3000.

    Police arrest five for electoral offences in Bauchi

    The police in Bauchi State yesterday arrested five persons for electoral offences during the  Bauchi South Senatorial bye-election.

    Spokesman of the state command, Kamal Datti, said two of the suspects were arrested in a polling unit behind the police headquarters in Bauchi and the other three in different parts of the senatorial district.

    He said that reports reaching the police showed that “so far, the election process is going fine, peaceful and hitch free.”

    PDP alleges vote buying by APC in Katsina

    The Katsina State Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Yusuf Salisu Majigiri yesterday accused the APC of spending  over N2b to  buy votes in the Katsina North Senatorial bye election.

    He claimed the APC wanted victory at all cost.

    He told reporters in Daura, hometown of President Muhammadu Buhari that his party has evidence of vote buying and other malpractices which it can tender at the appropriate time.

    He said the PDP would make sure the APC does not go unpunished for its action.

    But he admitted that the conduct of the election was generally fair except for alleged vote buying and delay in the commencement of voting in Garo ward in Marshi local government area

    He particularly hailed the large turnout of voters.

    He said: “the election was free and fair except for vote buying by the APC. We have evidence to prove as reported by our party agents in almost all the wards”

    But his allegation was dismissed by a chieftain of the APC and former commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Musa Adamu as the cry of a defeated man.

    At the close of voting yesterday, APC had 206 votes in the Sarkin Yara polling booth of President Buhari.

    The PDP had only one vote in the area.

    Collation of results in respect of all the bye elections was still in progress at press time.