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Tag: Bayelsa

  • Bayelsa guber: Appeal Court rejects case seeking Sylva’s exclusion from election

    Bayelsa guber: Appeal Court rejects case seeking Sylva’s exclusion from election

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal seeking to prevent former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva from participating in the Saturday, November 11, governorship election in Bayelsa state.

    In a judgment on Thursday evening, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal held that the appeal brought by Hon Isikima Ogbomade Johnson was without merit.

    In the judgment read by Justice Binta Zubar, the court held that the subject matter of the case was non-justiceable, adding that the case was brought in bad faith.

    The court upheld Sylva’s argument that it cannot be said that he took the oath of office as a Governor twice because his first election as Governor of Bayelsa State was voided by courts, which informed why another election was conducted, which he won.

    Read Also: Police ready to provide adequate security in Imo – DIG Mba

    The Court of Appeal, in the judgment on the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1052/2023 rejected the appellant’s claim that the primary election conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) on April 14 which produced Sylva as the party’s candidate, was held without compliance with relevant laws.

    The appellate court held that the overwhelming evidence presented by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and APC showed that no legal provision was violated in the conduct of the primary.

    It added that with the undisputed evidence coupled with the monitoring report produced by INEC,, the allegations by the appellant that Sylva emerged from a flawed primary election was unfounded.

    The court said: “From the uncontroverted independent report of INEC, it was clear beyond any doubt that a valid primary election was conducted by APC and monitored by the electoral umpire as required by law.”

    It also held that the case of the appellant was statute-barred having been instituted outside the 14 days allowed by law as a pre-election matter.

    The Court of Appeal proceeded to uphold the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo which on September 26, dismissed the suit by Mrs. Johnson for lacking in merit and substance.

    The Court of Appeal also imposed a cost of N1 million against the appellant.

    Mrs. Johnson had, by an originating summons, sued the APC, INEC and Sylva before the Federal High Court, praying for an order to disqualify Sylva from the November 11 governorship election on the grounds that he had been elected into governorship office twice and took the oath of office and oath of allegiance twice.

    She also claimed that the April 14 primary election that produced Sylva was illegal and unlawful, having been allegedly done in contravention of APC’s guidelines.

  • Bayelsa Poll: Facts about major candidates

    Bayelsa Poll: Facts about major candidates

    Residents of Bayelsa state will be at the polls on Saturday, November 11, to elect a new governor who will be at the helm of affairs of the state for another four years.

    The total number of registered voters for the governorship election in the state is 1,056,862 according to INEC. The commission said 1,017,613 PVCs were collected ahead of the election, while 39,249 PVCs were not collected.

    Of the eight local government areas in the state, Yenagoa, the state capital, has the highest number of registered voters with 218,394, according to official figures released by INEC.

    According to analysts, the election is set to be a two-horse race:

    Here are facts about the two major candidates in the poll:

    1. Duoye Diri:

    Douye Diri was born June 4, 1959.

    He is a Nigerian politician who has served as the governor of Bayelsa State since 2020.

    On 14 February 2020, he was sworn in as the governor of Bayelsa State.

    He also served as the He was the senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District from 2019 to 2020 in the 9th National Assembly.

    Douye studied at the College of Education, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, where he obtained a National Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1985.

    He also attended the University of Port-Harcourt, obtaining a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree in political science in 1990.

    Read Also: EFCC deploys officers to Bayelsa to stop voters’ inducement

    He will be representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the polls.

    2. Timipre Sylva:

    Timipre Marlin Sylva CON as born July 7, 1964

    Sylva was born in Brass, Bayelsa He got part of his education in Bayelsa and in Lagos.

    He was a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the 1990s.

    He is a Nigerian politician who served as the minister of state for Petroleum Resources of Nigeria from 2019 to 2023.

    Sylva previously served as governor of Bayelsa State from 2007 to 2012.

    Sylva graduated from the University of Port Harcourt with distinction in English (Linguistics) in 1986. At the time, he was the best graduating student in his department and departmental valedictorian.

    As a candidate of the People’s Democratic Party Sylva won the 2007 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election and succeeded Goodluck Jonathan who went on to the position of Vice President.

    He would however be contesting under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

  • Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi poll: PSC monitors arrive duty posts

    Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi poll: PSC monitors arrive duty posts

    The Chairman Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr. Solomon Arase, has advised officials of the Commission deployed to monitor the governorship election in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States to be transparent and dedicated to duty.

    The PSC staff Monitors, according to findings, have taken positions at their duty posts in the nine Senatorial  districts of the three states of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa where the off cycle Governorship elections will be holding tomorrow, Saturday, 11th November 2023.

    The Commission has also released dedicated telephone lines where Nigerians are expected to call to complain of any Police misconduct or commend Police examplary conduct.

    According to a statement on Friday by the Head Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, the Commission Monitors will be appearing in reflective jackets with PSC inscriptions for easy identification.

    Ani said Arase, has charged the Staff Monitors to live above board and execute their assignment with diligence and Commitment.

    Arase said the Commission will also hold its Staff  Monitors accountable for any deliberate infraction in the course of their duty and warned that they must restrict themselves to the approved guidelines on monitoring of Police conduct and the rules of engagement.

    He said: “The Commission’s dedicated telephone numbers are; National Cordinating Centre:

    Aminu Malumfashi 08059170235

    Ikechukwu Ani 08088155981.

    “Kogi State;

    East Senatorial district -Adeola Albert; 08084385726

    Central Senatorial  district; -Justina Okunriboye 08033145592 and West Senatorial District Dada Babatunde;  08054970152

    Read Also: PSC promotes 5,718 top police officers

    “Imo State:

    North Senatorial District ‘ Amaka Omene: 08033702079

    East Senatorial District – Uche Wokocha; 08033127845 and West Senatorial District- Mathias  Okoi Uyo-Uyo; 08038179665

    “Bayelsa State;

    East Senatorial  district – Ponfa Wuyep; 08036707485

    Central Senatorial district- Solomon Jibrin; 08064766550 and West Senatorial District -Iniobong Uko Anthony; 08061309837″.

    Ani said PSC Monitors are expected  to monitor Police conduct in the three states using Commission’s approved guidelines on Police conduct during elections. 

  • Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi safe for voters – Defence minister

    Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi safe for voters – Defence minister

    The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, has assured residents and electorate in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi of their safety and protection during Saturday’s off-season elections.

    Matawalle gave the assurance on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Abuja.

    “Adequate arrangements have been made for security agencies to deal decisively with any noise maker and anyone who wants to foment trouble or crises during the elections.

    “The military will be available, ’24/7′, for anyone who wants to contact them.

    Read Also: Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa polls: DSS cautions against inflammatory statements

    “I, particularly, will be in the office within the period of the election so as to ensure safety in the three states. We shall protect the people.

    “We shall ensure that the three states will be safe and the people protected.

    “I assure Nigerians that the elections will be held amicably; nothing will happen to anyone.

    “The elections will be conducted in these state peacefully,” the minister said.

    (NAN)

  • Correct lapses of 2023 polls in Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi

    Correct lapses of 2023 polls in Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi

    • By Dr. Goodluck Uguoji

    Sir: Saturday’s governorship in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states presents a golden opportunity for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to redeem its image in the eyes of the Nigerian public. About 5.4 million registered voters will be heading to 10,510 polling units spread across 649 electoral wards in 56 local government areas to elect the governors of the three states this Saturday.

    The off-cycle governorship elections are crucial because they are coming after the 2023 general election. In Saturday’s election, the governors of Bayelsa and Imo states are vying for re-election, while their Kogi State counterpart, Governor Yahaya Bello is seeking to install a successor.

    This is the first time that the commission will be conducting three off-cycle governorship elections simultaneously across different geo-political zones. This is made possible by the coincidence of the end of tenure of the current holders of the offices which fall within the constitutional timeframe of not earlier than 150 days or later than 30 days before the expiration of their terms of office as enshrined in the constitution. The commission has been said to have delivered all non-sensitive election materials to the three states.

    Equally, political parties and candidates have commenced full electioneering in what is expected to be keenly contested governorship elections in the three states.

    The recent general election presented Nigerians with numerous challenges and controversies, leading to enormous challenges in the electoral processes. During the election, polls were scheduled to open at 8:30 am and close at 2:30 pm, the same day. However, the report released by an election observer group, Yiaga Africa showed that election officials arrived late to their polling units in many parts of the country; only about 27 per cent of the officials arrived at their polling units on time.

    Such logistics challenges must be addressed. Besides, some voters lamented that INEC officials brought the wrong BVAS to their polling units.

    INEC also received backlash from political parties, observers, individuals and various interest groups for failing to immediately upload polling unit results to the portal before the collation. Some political parties and individuals relied on the glitch to demand the cancellation of the results.

    The upcoming election, therefore, presents the opportunity for INEC to address the gaps recorded during the election by ensuring that it sticks to the laid down rules.

    Read Also: N2.17tr Supplementary Budget will be judiciously applied – Tinubu

    Citizens are also looking towards improved logistics deployments throughout the elections. This is expected to be a lot easier for the commission, as it is not an election across the entire country. Hence, prompt delivery of sensitive materials as well as arrival of election officials to their duty posts is expected.

    INEC must prevail on its staff and ad hoc staff to represent the commission in the best light. Punishments must be seen to be quickly dished out when an employee of the commission is seen to engage in acts that promote malpractice.

    The off-cycle elections, if conducted successfully and seen to be free, fair and credible, would go a long way in regaining citizen’s trust in INEC and the electoral system in Nigeria. INEC must grab the opportunity presented by the off-cycle elections with both hands; it must be guided by its standard operating procedure. It must be proactive during the elections by providing information upfront whenever there is a need to do so before, during and after the elections. It should give periodic updates as the elections proceed apace on D-day.

    Security agencies should also play by the rules of engagement and resist the temptation of being used by desperate politicians. The involvement of security agencies in the electoral process must be based on professionalism, neutrality and a commitment to the defence of our democracy, rather than partisan interests.

    The citizens must feel secure in their participation in the electoral process, knowing that their safety and security are assured. It must be conducted in a manner that does not disrupt or influence the outcome of the election.

    •Dr. Goodluck Uguoji,

    Akute, Ogun State

  • Bayelsa gets first private university

    Bayelsa gets first private university

    The first private university in Bayelsa State, Hensard University, will begin operations after it was licensed in 2023. It berths in Toru-Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area, and is the fourth university in the 27-year-old state.

    Senator Seriake Dickson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He established the Hensard University through the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation as a special institution to drive entrepreneurship, leadership, and the maximisation of skills and knowledge to create a new generation of leaders with the requisite character, and passion to improve the society.

    Hensard is established to pursue academic excellence, character formation, discipline and commitment to service with the founding vision being to bridge gaps between academic certification, leadership and skills development and practical industrial application of knowledge for society’s development.

    Read Also: The whys of a university of education in Kwara

    The university’s vision is to produce leaders, entrepreneurs, and champions of economic and social change. Hensard students will be taught entrepreneurship and encouraged to become real entrepreneurs while in school through exposure to practical involvement in the running, overseeing, and management of businesses in their chosen fields under the guidance and mentorship of the school.

  • Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi polls: NBC warns broadcast stations against compromise, violation of ethics

    Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi polls: NBC warns broadcast stations against compromise, violation of ethics

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) warned broadcast stations against compromising the ethics of the profession ahead of the November 11, governorship elections.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission will be conducting off-season elections in three states, Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo on Saturday, November 11.

    The warning, NBC said in a statement, followed some trends noticed, where ethics and ethos have been thrown to the winds by politicians using broadcast media platforms.

    This, the commission said is against the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, in Section 5, that in using materials for News and Current Affairs Programmes, the Broadcaster shall avoid Hate Speech, Inflammatory, Derogatory and Divisive Remarks or Allusions.

    The commission therefore urged all broadcasters to desist from using or allowing their platforms and facilities to be used by politicians, their supporters, and/or sympathizers, for the broadcast of contents that may lead to the breakdown of law and order.

    The statement read: “The National Broadcasting Commission wishes to remind broadcasters covering the forthcoming off-season governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States, to take note of the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, and other relevant regulations guiding the broadcast of Elections in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Yomi Fabiyi calls out Iyabo Ojo over drug claims on Naira Marley

    “The Commission has observed with deep concerns, how ethics and ethos have been thrown to the winds by Politicians, using Broadcast Media platforms. This is against the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, in Section 5, that in using materials for News and Current Affairs Programmes, the Broadcaster shall avoid Hate Speech, Inflammatory, Derogatory and Divisive Remarks or Allusions.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Broadcasters are advised to note the following provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code that the Broadcaster shall:

    “3.1.2 Promote human dignity, therefore, HATE SPEECH IS PROHIBITED.

    3.11.1(a) ensure that language or scene likely to encourage or incite to crime, or lead to disorder, is not broadcast;

    “3.11.1(b) ensure that no programme contains anything which amounts to subversion of constituted authority or compromises the unity or corporate existence of Nigeria as a sovereign state;

    “5.4.1(f) not transmit divisive materials that may threaten or compromise the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a sovereign state.

    5.3.3(g) Ensure that a political broadcast is clearly identified as such, and not presented in a manner that would mislead the audience to believe that the programme is of any other type;

    “5.3.3(j) ensure that the broadcast of a partisan political campaign, jingle, announcement and any form of partisan political party identification or symbol ends not later than twenty-four hours before polling day;

    “5.3.3(k) not use any vote obtained at a polling station or from an exit poll to project or speculate on the chances of a candidate;

    “5.3.3(l) relay election results or declaration of the winner only as announced by the authorized electoral officer for the election;

    “5.3.4 In exceptional circumstances, a government functionary may perform a service relating to his/her office within the 24-hour campaign restriction period, provided there is no colouration of partisanship by the official or the broadcaster.

    “The NBC ACT CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, also prescribes, in the Third Schedule 12(6) that “A Licensee shall be responsible for the content of the Station’s Broadcast.

    “Conclusively, the Commission enjoins all broadcasters to desist from using or allowing their platforms and facilities to be used by politicians, their supporters, and/ or sympathizers, for the broadcast of contents that may lead to the breakdown of law and order.

    “Broadcasters are, therefore, expected to perform the role of peace agents by adhering to the principles of responsibility, accuracy and neutrality.”

  • Bayelsa PDP condemns killing, hoodlums’ attacks on Membe

    Bayelsa PDP condemns killing, hoodlums’ attacks on Membe

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has condemned as ‘dastardly and senseless’ the two-day attacks by suspected thugs of the opposition on members of the party in Ogbolomabiri community in Nembe Kingdom of the state.
    Two chieftains of the PDP, Timi Biriyai Macdonald and Diepreye Akrisia, were yesterday’s night brutally attacked by suspected thugs.

    One of the victims, Macdonald, was later confirmed dead at a hospital in the area.

    The PDP, in a statement on Friday by the State Chairman, Hon. Solomon Agwanana, the Secretary, Hon. Gesiye Isowo and the Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ebiye Ogoli, sympathised with the families of the deceased and the injured.

    The party condemned the situation whereby a certain political party resorted to violence, maiming, killing or scaring away supporters of other parties to freely hijack, collate and return fictitious and non-existent results in its favour from the said community during elections.

    The party said: “The PDP, to this end, strongly urges the Police and other security agencies in the state to, without delay, investigate, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of this wicked and senseless attacks on innocent citizens.
    “We believe that the measure will go a long way to serve as deterrent to others during the November 11 election.”

    Read Also: Plateau Election Panel: You are crying wolf, APC taunts PDP

    The APC leadership in the state had earlier accused PDP led government in the state for trying to instigate violence in Nembe local government area of the state ahead of the governorship election.

    APC spokesman in Bayelsa State, Mr Doifie Buokoribo, had in a statement on Friday, said the intelligence reports available to the party leadership in the state indicated that PDP in cahoots with incumbent governor, Senator Douye Diri has perfected plans to cause breach in Bassambiri Community, Nembe LGA of the state.
    He said: “The goal of this scorched earth policy is to make it extraordinarily difficult for electoral officials to gain access to the place, harass and intimidate our members and supporters, and ultimately prevent the November 11, 2023 elections from holding in Bassambiri-Nembe, our stronghold.
    “We consider this intelligence credible as the PDP is now desperate, knowing that the Bayelsa people are not with them. Their performance in office has been lamentably poor. Hence they are not campaigning on any known record of achievement. Instead the PDP is running from court to court, trying to stop the APC from being on the ballot. Not only are they threatening violence, they are actually visiting violence on our members in places like Opokuma, Odi and Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opukuma Local Government Council (Governor Diri’s local government) and Sangana in Brass Local Government Council.”
    Bayelsa State command of the Nigeria Police Force is yet to react to the situation in Nembe local government area, as the police Spokesman in the state, CSP Asinim Butswat was yet to take his calls.

  • Guber polls: Fresh suit seeks sack of Bayelsa gov, deputy

    Guber polls: Fresh suit seeks sack of Bayelsa gov, deputy

    • PDP, LP form alliance in Kogi
    • INEC meets stakeholders in Yenagoa
    • We will win Kogi governorship polls, Bello insists
    • Polls give Uzodimma advantage in Imo

    A fresh suit demanding the disqualification of Bayelsa State Governor and candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Douye Diri, from the forthcoming governorship election in the state has commenced at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The suit, which also seeks to disqualify Diri’s deputy and running mate, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, is seeking an order of mandatory injunction directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove their names as candidates in the election scheduled for November 11.

    Elsewhere in Kogi State where a new governor will also be elected on November 11, two major political parties, PDP and Labour Party (LP), have resolved to go into an alliance against the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    But the incumbent governor, Yahaya Bello, boasted yesterday that his party and candidate will win the election come November 11.

    In Imo, one of the three states where governorship elections are scheduled to hold on November 11, a poll has projected victory for the incumbent governor, Hope Uzodimma, who is seeking reelection.

    The suit seeking the disqualification of Diri and Ewhrudjakpo also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC, its agents, privies or whosoever called from further publishing their names as standard bearers for the party in the forthcoming election in Bayelsa.

    Marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1448/23 and filed by a Bayelsa woman named Blessing Azibanagbal, further sought a declaration that Ewhrudjakpo was not qualified to run as deputy governor under the PDP.

    Azibanagbal, whose suit was filed through her lawyer, Ifeanyi Nsowu, sought in the originating summons filed on October 30 a declaration that Ewhrudjakpo also does not qualify to be Governor Diri’s running mate, saying that the former parades multiple names without any evidence to prove that he is the same person.

    She, therefore, urged the court to declare that the PDP had no candidate in the poll.

    The suit, which was brought under Rule 3, Order 9 of the FHC Civil Procedure Rules, 2019, sought “a declaration that the 3rd defendant (PDP) does not have any qualified candidate to run for the governorship election in Bayelsa.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Governor Diri, Mr Ewhrudjakpo, PDP and INEC are 1st to 4th defendants respectively in the matter.

    Azibanagbal asked whether a first school leaving certificate holder can run for the governorship election of a state in line with the provision of the Nigerian constitution.

    “Whether the failure of the 1st (Diri); and 3rd defendants (PDP) to provide a candidate that has the qualification to run for the governorship of a state can be a ground to disqualify both candidates.

    “Whether a candidate with multiple names without any evidence to substantiate the names can contest for governorship election in a state.

    “Whether the 2nd defendant (Ewhrudjakpo), submitting only his first school leaving certificate in his Form EC9 submitted with INEC qualifies him to contest election as deputy governor of Bayelsa State.

    “Considering issues 1 to 4 above, whether this honourable court has jurisdiction to order the 4th defendant to remove the names of 1st and 2nd defendants as candidates in the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State.”

    Read Also: Bayelsa APC alleges plot by PDP to cause mayhem

    In a statement on its X (formerly Twitter) handle yesterday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that security was top of its agenda in the forthcoming governorship election in bayelsa State.

    The declaration followed a meeting between the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and members of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

    The statement reads: “Happening Now: Security is top on the agenda as a critical meeting between the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and members of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), gets underway at the INEC State Headquarters, Yenegoa.”

    According to the statement, six national commissioners, the technical team, and directors are also part of the INEC team.

    PDP, LP form alliance in Kogi

    The governorship contest in Kogi State assumed a new dimension yesterday with the announcement of an alliance between the PDP and LP.

    The alliance adopted the PDP candidate in the election, Senator Dino Melaye, as the joint candidate of the two parties.

    The announcement was contained in a statement jointly signed by Melaye, his LP counterpart, Col. Vincent Enemona Abu (rtd) and six other chieftains of the two parties.

    The statement reads: “Gentlemen of the press, we are pleased to announce to you that history has been made today, the 4th November, 2023.

    “It is a history to salvage our dear state, Kogi and remove the darkness that have bewildered our state for over seven (7) years’ reign of APC led by Alhaji Yahaya Bello. 

    “Today, I announce to you an alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Dominant Group of Labour Party (LP) in Kogi State for the betterment of our state.

    “After a wide consultation and in the interest of our dear state, the Labour Party on this day has resolved to adopt the PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, Senator Dino Melaye, as its candidate for the November 11th Kogi State Governorship Election.

    “This alliance is in the interest of all Kogites and Labour Party supporters, and we implore our supporters in Kogi State to mobilise and vote massively for PDP gubernatorial candidate, Senator Dino Melaye, come November 11, 2023.

    “Thank you and God bless you.”

     Poll puts Uzodimma ahead of others

    Ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Imo State, a scientific independent opinion poll conducted by a pro-democracy civil society group, Justice and Democracy for Development (JD4D), has predicted Governor Hope Uzodimma’s victory.

    A report released by the CSO in Abuja yesterday showed that the outcome of the poll was a product of random sampling and in-depth interviews conducted across the 27 local government areas of the state.

    The report of the sampling showed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard bearer, who is on his second term bid, is on the comfortable lead of 70 per cent of respondents ahead of his two closest rivals.

    According to the report, “the APC is trailed by the Labour Party (LP) with 18 per cent chances while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came third with 13 per cent.”

    “Three per cent of the respondents said they were yet to decide on their choice. Two per cent said they would not vote while 1 per cent of the respondents declined to disclose their choice.

    “Chances of the APC are mainly spread among middle-aged and elderly persons across sexes with respondents mostly in urban areas choosing the party over the two closest rivals. Out of the 27 LGAs opinions are higher for APC in 17 LGAs, 6 LGAs in favour of Labour Party while 4 LGAs favour PDP.”

    Aside from polling higher among eligible voters, the result showed that “the majority of respondents (at 70 per cent) that APC is likely to win the election ahead of Labour Party (24 per cent), followed by PDP at 12 per cent.

    “In 17 out of the 27 LGs majority of respondents believed APC will win the election while in seven and three local governments majority of respondents believed Labour and PDP will win, respectively.”

    The report also commended all the political parties in the election for working hard to add value to the integrity of the election by canvassing for support, especially to sway the undecided voters.

    “Political parties have contacted people in different ways to get their support. Some of the ways are giving food and drinks for attending a rally (51%), sending a message on social media asking to support a candidate (47%), and door-to-door visits (41%).

    “Across different ways, APC is observed to be more involved in using these strategies to contact people than other parties or candidates.

    “For respondents that had engaged in activities to support gubernatorial candidates of their choice, the following activities are the foremost activities engaged in: encouraged family and friends to support a candidate or party (74%), joined a party (56%) and participated in a rally (47%). APC (26%) followed BY LP (20%) are observed to be the major parties enjoying more encouragement of family and friends to support their candidate or party.”

    The report further commended the electoral body, stressing that the survey showed electorates in the state have expressed their confidence in the level of preparedness of the electoral body.

    “Overall, 50% believed that INEC is prepared for the forthcoming elections. While 28% believed that INEC is very prepared, 22% believed they are somewhat prepared.”

    The report indicated that there is a palpable fear of violence among voters, which it says may drastically reduce voter turnout during the election.

    “64% agreed that the possibility of violence or unrest will/may lead them not to go to the polling station to vote in the forthcoming gubernatorial election. Close to 57% agreed that the forthcoming gubernatorial election will increase the level of violence where they live.”

    The report also found that while the majority of respondents decry voter inducement, most of them however confirm the sharing of food, drinks, souvenirs and even money.

    “About 72% agreed they would report a case of electoral bribery because it is the right thing to do. However, 70% agreed there is no point in reporting electoral bribery because nothing useful will be done about it.

    “The majority (63%) agreed that citizens must pay taxes to any government, no matter how the government performs. More than half (51%) disagreed that there is no point in voting because all politicians are corrupt., while the majority (72%) agreed that Imo State is divided between ordinary people and the corrupt elites who exploit them.”

  • Guber poll: IPC, UNDP train Bayelsa reporters on fact-checking, fake news

    Guber poll: IPC, UNDP train Bayelsa reporters on fact-checking, fake news

    Ahead of the November 11 governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states, the International Press Centre (IPC) has begun the training of over 80 journalists from the print, electronic and online media on fact-checking to aid the credibility of electoral information and proper reportage of the electoral processes.

    The fact-checking workshop which kick-started the iVerify project of the IPC is supported by the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP).

    Twenty seven male and female journalists from Kogi State participated in the first leg of the training in Abuja between October 27 and 28 while another set of 27 from Bayelsa participated in a training that ended on Thursday in in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Again, 27 reporters from Imo State are scheduled to be trained later in the week.

    Speaking during the commencement of the training for the Bayelsa State participants, Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security of the UNDP Nigeria, Mr Matthew Alao, said electoral disinformation and fake news in general were major threats to the ability of citizens to have the right information during electoral processes and thereby constitute threats to democracy.

    Read Also: Bayelsa APC alleges plot by PDP to cause mayhem

    Also speaking, IPC’s Programmes Manager, Mrs Stella Nwofia, said the iVerify project is enabling IPC to continue with its mission of promoting good journalism through best practices in ensuring factual accuracy of news.

    She said the objective of the training was to equip the journalists with the requisite skills and knowledge to enhance the integrity of information on the electoral processes in the respective states, especially the campaigns, the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and post-election democratic accountability and governance issues.

    Nwofia added that the workshops were also building the skills of the journalists on how to use fact-checking tools for the purpose of combating the menace of false information during the electioneering period while also introducing them to the workings of the iVerify system and their likely roles.