The Nation Newspaper

Tag: credible poll

  • Don’t deny Nigerians credible poll -Ango Abdullahi

    Spokesman of the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), Prof. Ango Abdullahi has warned denying Nigerians free, fair and credible election will be dangerous in 2019.

    The former vice-chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Kaduna called on the authorities concerned to ensure credible polls.

    He warned that anything short of that would be an invitation to avoidable crisis.

    “To deny the possibility of fair and credible elections in 2019 will be dangerous for the country,” he warned.

    Abdullahi while briefing newsmen at the weekend in Zaria, Kaduna State as part of activities to mark his 80th birthday, also said the North contrary to insinuations was not averse to restructuring as being perceived in some quarters, noting that the region stood to benefit more.

    He also advocated for parliamentary system of government, stressing the system was more accountable than the presidential system.

    This was just as he added that the presidential system was not only “corruption ridden buy full of impunity”

    The Professor of Agronomy said lack of funding was the major problem militating against university education in the country today.

    The former VC said: “I believe in restructuring of this country. I have always argued that our first big mistake is to throw away parliamentary system of government in favour of the presidential system.

    “Presidential system we know is not for poor countries. It is a sophisticated capitalist based political system that gives special privileges and advantages to the strong against the weak.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • LASIEC assures of credible poll

    The Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Ayotunde Phillips (retd), has assured stakeholders that the Councillorship bye-election into Ward C (Owode Orile) in Bariga Local Council Development Area of the state will be credible.

    The electoral umpire said the commission had no “preferred political party or candidate for the bye-election”.

    Phillips spoke at a Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the commission in Bariga.

    Represented by a LASIEC Commissioner Mrs Toyin Ibrahim- Famakinwa, the Chairman stressed that electorate votes would count.

    According to her, closing date for the submission of nomination forms is on December 5.

    Divisional Police Officers for Bariga and Pedro Police Stations and the Director, Department of State Service in the area assured residents in the area of their safety.

    The trio warned that anybody caught fomenting trouble would be prosecuted.

  • INEC Chair to Nigerians: we ‘ll conduct credible poll

    THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct credible general elections next year, its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said yesterday.

    Yakubu made this promise while speaking at the 6th Anniversary Lecture and Investiture into the Realnews Hall of Fame in Lagos yesterday.

    The event was tagged: “Political transitions and Africa’s economic development: Preparations for Nigeria’s 2019 general elections”.

    According to Yakubu, the commission is not unaware that the conduct of 2019 elections is a tough task, but INEC is determined to leave no stone unturned to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

    He said INEC was deeply committed to democratic elections that would contribute to political stability and consolidation of democracy, which would propel the nation to greater economic prosperity.

    Yakubu said: “It is true that political stability is a prerequisite for economic growth. It is also true that no economy flourishes in a situation of uncertainty.

    Nations cannot develop, if they are unstable. We have seen nations and cities destroyed by unacceptable electoral outcomes.

    “Democratic transition through periodic and credible elections is the best way to ensure certainty that will guarantee and sustain political stability.

    “We will never ever fail the nation. Our commitment is that we will never give Nigerians excuses.”

    Yakubu said there could be no peaceful or sustainable political transition and consequential economic and other benefits to citizens without credible and peaceful elections through a transparent and inclusive electoral process.

    To achieve this goal, the INEC chairman called on all stakeholders  – governments, election administrators, security agencies, civil society groups, the media, political parties, candidates and their supporters – to play their roles.

    According to him, the commission has embarked on the consolidation of full biometric voter registration through the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) between April 27 and Aug. 31, among other preparations.

    He added that at the end of the exercise, some 14.5 million Nigerians were added to the existing register of about 70 million, and the voters register for the 2019 elections had hit 84.2 million.

    Yakubu, who called for support of all stakeholders for the collection of PVCs, said a new approach to the collection would begin early in December and continue until a week to the elections.

    According to him, the PVCs of those who registered in 2017 and those who registered in the first and second quarters of 2018 have been printed and delivered to states.

    Yakubu said there would not be any use of incidence forms, instead, manual register of voters had been redesigned to provide for a box for thumb printing and telephone number of any voter, whose biometric was not authenticated by the Smart Card Readers.

    According to him, the commission has harmonised accreditation and voting,  carried out greater engagement, installation of trackers, enhancement of Smart Card Readers and improved logistics.

    “We are working to ensure optimal performance of the Smart Card Readers,” the INEC Chairman said.

    Yakubu highlighted INEC challenges as including do or die mentality of politicians, vote-buying, lack of internal democracy, incendiary speech, security, impunity and lack of consequences for electoral offenders.

    He lamented that there were increasing pre-election cases, with the commission being joined in 273 court actions and numerous petitions.

    Dr. Haroun Adamu, the Chairman of the occasion and former Chairman, Petroleum Trust Fund, said social media platforms had been so influential in information dissemination.

     

     

     

  • CNPP urges INEC to conduct credible poll

    Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) yesterday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to unsure free and fair election in Ekiti State.

    The umbrella body called on civil society organisations (CSOs), the media and election observers to be extra vigilant and expose rigging to safe Nigerian democracy.

    The outcome of the election, CNPP said, would determine the confidence of voters in the ability of INEC to conduct next year’s elections.

    In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, the CNPP urged politicians in Ekiti State to play by the rules of the game.

    He said: “We must remind ourselves that the survival of democracy is vital at this time and for this to happen, all stakeholder must subject themselves to the ultimate will of the electorate.

    “Therefore, INEC, the media and all security agencies as well as election observers for the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election must be vigilant.

    “We urge the electoral umpire to ensure that the outcome of the Ekiti State election reflects the virtues of fairness, good conscience, rule of law and credibility.  “This will not only boost the confidence of the electorates in the Nigerian electoral process but also elevate the rating of the current leadership of INEC as the country prepares for the 2019 general election.

    “At no time in the history of the country has the young people shown eagerness to fully participate in the electoral process than now. It is the duty of INEC and the security agencies to reassure the voters that their votes are counted and also count in determining, who leads them.”

     

     

     

     

  • Us demands credible poll as envoy visits Fayose

    The government of the United States of America has demanded the  conduct of a credible, transparent, free and fair governorship election in Ekiti State on July 14.

    The Political/Economic Chief, US Consulate in Lagos, Mr. Osman Tat, disclosed this during a visit to Governor Ayo Fayose at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti, yesterday.

    The diplomat said America was interested in the Ekiti governorship poll, hence it will closely monitor events before, during and after the exercise.

    He explained that the US government’s interest in the governorship election was hinged on the fact that Ekiti is controlled by an opposition party, rather than the party that controls the centre in Nigeria.

    The envoy said the US is monitoring the situation in Ekiti to ensure that there is no form of violence and intimidation of voters at the election.

    He stressed that the conduct of the election should set a higher standard in the organisation of elections in the country.

    Tat said: “We are here for the monitoring of events leading to the conduct of the governorship election in the state.

    “We are here to see the governor, to assess the situation of things and to dialogue with him on preparations for the election. America is interested in the election.

    “We are to monitor purposely to ensure free, fair, transparent election. We are to ensure that there is no violence or intimidation of voters during the election.

    “We are monitoring the situation to ensure that the election is credible. Ekiti is controlled by the opposition party and that is why the US is interested in the election.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • INEC pledges credible poll in Anambra

    INEC pledges credible poll in Anambra

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State will be the freest, fair and most credible election ever held in the country.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr Nkwachukwu Orji said the poll would also be the most memorable.

    Orji spoke yesterday in Awka, the state capital, at an Election Management System (EMS) implementer workshop.

    The REC said INEC had put machinery in motion to ensure that the electorate cast their votes without violence.

    He said previous elections in the state were characteriaed by voter apathy because of some sad experiences they had before, during and after such elections.

    Orji said: “Our commitment is to go beyond just offering a free, fair and credible election. That is guaranteed. What is now needed is to make elections enjoyable.

    “People need to move around freely and comfortably and cast their votes without molestation or harassment. And their votes must count.

    “If you tell them that an election would begin at 8 a.m and end at 5 p.m, you must be sure to keep to the time. You must also guarantee early arrival of officials and necessary materials.

    “These are some of the major challenges that make voters reluctant to exercise their franchise. We are committed to addressing them to make this election enjoyable.”

    The REC said 400,000 ad hoc workers would be redeployed from other states to Anambra for the poll.

    He added that majority of them as well as security agencies had undergone training and were ready for deployment.

    Orji described the EMS as a critical tool the commission required to effectively manage field assets, resources, constituencies and chains of electoral activities in organising elections.

    INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of the Southeast, Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, who was represented by the Technical Adviser to INEC Chairman, Prof Bolade Eyinla, urged the participants to take the training seriously.

     

  • LASIEC chair to Lagosians: expect credible poll

    LASIEC chair to Lagosians: expect credible poll

    The Chairman of Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Ayotunde Phillips (rtd), has reassured Lagosians that the commission will ensure free, fair and credible elections into the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas of the state.

    Phillips gave the assurance at Itire-Ikate LCDA during an inspection tour.

    She said the tour afforded the commission opportunity to know the state of the offices of its Electoral Officers in the various councils.

    The LASIEC boss hailed councils’ Sole Administrators for supporting the commission.

    Phillips promised to ensure the welfare of LASIEC staff.

    LASIEC Permanent Secretary Olumide Lawal, said some of the offices were good, others were in state of disrepair.

    He appealed to affected council authorities to make the offices of the Electoral Officers conducive.

  • Nigeria, Liberia to ensure credible poll

    Nigeria, Liberia to ensure credible poll

    President Muhammadu Buhari  yesterday said Nigeria would partner Liberia to ensure free and fair elections in five African countries this year.

    Buhari spoke at a joint press conference with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia after bilateral talks at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said during the bilateral meeting, they discussed how Nigeria and Liberia could assist those countries scheduled to conduct general election this year.

    Noting that five presidential elections were conducted in the sub-region in 2015, he hoped that the forthcoming elections  would be successful.

    He said: “As we know last year, security is important, but we had five elections, including our own in the sub-region.

    “This year, we are having five (elections) and we hope that we will work and ensure the elections are successful.

    “We are going to have one in Benin, Niger, Ghana and two other countries. What affects any of the country of the region affects all of us.

    “So, it is in our interest to discuss and see how we can support the countries,’’ he said.

    The President also said Nigeria, in collaboration with other members of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, would continue to check activities of terrorists and criminals across the West African sub-region.

    He expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded by the Sirleaf-led administration and assured it that Nigeria would ensure socio-political stability in Liberia.

    Nigeria, he said, would jointly embark on rehabilitation of the ailing industries in to get the economies of the two countries back on track.

    President Sirleaf expressed her country’s appreciation to Nigeria for the technical and financial.

    Citing Nigeria’s intervention in Liberia during the outbreak of the Ebola virus, he said the medical assistance received by her country from Nigeria contributed in checking spread of the disease.

    She also renewed the strong bond of friendship which had existed between Nigeria and Liberia.

    “I am pleased to have the opportunity to come back to Abuja. This time, to be able to meet with President Buhari.

    “First, to repeat once again, my appreciation for the support that we have had for  years.

    “This support had brought us peace, and enable us to start the processes of reconstruction.

    “Most recently when we had the difficulties of the disease of Ebola, Nigeria stood by Liberia.

    “So, I came to convey those thanks. I came to renew the strong bond of friendship between our countries,’’ she said.

     

  • ‘INEC should conduct credible poll’

    ‘INEC should conduct credible poll’

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Chief Tunde Temionu spoke with reporters on preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the Osun State governorship election and how to ensure a credible poll. 

    WHAT is the chance of Governor Aregbesola in the governorship election?

    If performance is the the main issue, then, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola  has no problem.  He has the support of the grassroots and the elite in Osun. Bu,t if it is going to be another election based on high-tech rigging, then, one must be very careful because it is not possible to be smarter than the person who laid ambush for you. So, if the election is free and fair, unlike what we witnessed in Ekiti, Aregbesola’s chance is bright.

    It is commonplace for students or workers to ask for more incentives by way of protests or strikes. It is also an indication that the system is not static. Apart from likely political instigation, the students and workers in Osun State cannot honestly compare their present welfare situation with what Ogbeni Aregbesola inherited. His education reform is in the overall interest of the state. The school merger system, with three principals and a coordinating principal, is strictly for administrative purpose, and not  inspired by religion. It is only subjective critics who would never see anything good in his government.

    They said that he brought contractors from Lagos. Lagos contractors are in all the state capitals.   Osun is not an exception. You will remember that Aregesola was the Lagos State Commissioner for Works and a political player, whose  leadership remains an enviable inspiration in Alimosho town and a symbol of leadership in Lagos State. So, most of his visitors from Lagos came for political consultations, not contracts.

    After Osun, attention will shift to other Southwest states, especially Lagos…

    First of all, I wish all the aspirants in the region the best of luck. And I also want to remind them that two persons cannot simultaneously occupy a vacant position. I also believe that ,as Nigerians, all the aspirants are eligible to aspire. In this circumstance therefore, destiny has a very important role to play. For example, Nigerians voted for MKO Abiola to become our President, but God said no. That should be enough lesson for us. Human beings conduct primaries, but God picks a governorship candidate.

    These aspirants must accept the decision of the party and its leadership. The party’s governorship tickets is not meant for disloyal members. One thing that I am very sure of is that there will be party primaries. And that is where  aspirants will test their popularity at the party level. So, aspirants who have all it takes to win the primaries need not panic and should trust the ability of the party leadership to conduct free and fair primaries.

    Some aspirants are spitting fire, saying that, if they are not given the  ticket, hell will be let loose.  What is your comment?

    It is not possible for primaries to simultaneously favour all the aspirants. But, it is possible for some people or a mole to have won the contract to destroy the APC in Lagos State. Evidently, apart from Mr. Akinwumi Ambode and Mr. Tunde Fowler, other aspirants are beneficiaries of the party. They had one time or another enjoyed the blessing and support of the party leadership. By virtue of their positions, they are all leaders of the party. And as men of honour and stakeholders, who are fully aware that the party does not belong to one person or a group of persons, they are like people living in glass houses, who must not throw stones. Although you cannot take human beings for granted, they are all party loyalists and positive people who are not supposed to be thinking only of what the party can do for them, but what they also can do for the party.  I know some of them to an extent. Subjectively, by all standards, they are all qualified to be governor. For instance, I know Dr. Tola Kasali to be a reliable party builder in the East Senatorial District. No matter how smooth or rough the political situation might be, he can never be a party to the destruction of the APC. He loves the party. We both worked together with other senatorial leaders to nurture the party in the East for the past four years. Moreover, this is not his first attempt. Whichever way it happens this time, as a good Muslim, he will accept the will of Allah. He is not a violent person. I wish him well.

    Dr. Leke Pitan is a self-satisfied person. He has never been identified with political violence or thuggery. As an elitist politician, it will take him only a short while to completely blend with the grassroots. Thereafter, the sky is his limit. Like other aspirants who have benefited from the party’s leadership style, all things being equal, he has the right to benefit again. But one thing I am sure of is, his medical consulting room cannot disappoint him. A good contestant must be propelled by variable outcomes. Should the worst happen, he is magnanimous enough to think of the other side of the coin. Moreover, clinical exigencies will not give him time for an unproductive project against the party.

    What about other aspirants?

    The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji, is a seasoned politician and the number three citizen of this state. By virtue of his position, he is a member of the party’s  apex caucus in the state. Should there be the need for the caucus to take a decision on any pending matter in the state, including the governorship race, he would certainly be a part of such a decision. He has that edge over other aspirants.

    As an astute leader and principal stakeholder, his continuous and positive contributions to the political growth of the party in Lagos East will remain indelible in the senatorial archives. In a similar vein, his leadership qualities and administrative values are reflected in the state legislative accomplishment. As a pathfinder, and a lucky politician, he was the first Speaker to have contested elections in a sequence, from the east, and the west senatorial districts. That was seen as a special dispensation, not an imposition.

    His administration also established the first Assembly Commission in Lagos State. All of these are clear proof of a builder. Notwithstanding, all of these notable achievements could not have been possible without the support of the party leadership. Above all, with all of these progressive inputs of his, and all he has gained from the party’s leadership style, he cannot destroy the house he built because of any odd reason.

    Senator Bariyu Gbenga Asafa is a gentleman to the core. His constituency projects and support for the grassroots were an additional value to the achievement of the leadership of Lagos East. Destiny catapulted him as former permanent secretary of Lands to the political arena and he became the serving senator of the district.

    The Commissioner for Works, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, is another man that I have respect for. Although he is not a loud politician, he has a solid progressive political background.  The fact that his father, a  commissioner in Alhaji Jakande’s cabinet, and who is now the Oba Mufutau Hamzat, the Olu of Afoowa-Shagade, Ogun State, is also one of the most reliable pillars of APC in Lagos State.

    Ambode is a special stuff. His financial expertise and technocracy add value to his eligibility. His twenty seven years as a professional accountant and his civil service career were grassroots oriented. So, by virtue of his job, he has been a non-registered practising politician for many years.  But, now that he is formally registered to practise politics, his political sophistication and broad grassroots coordination skills have taken aback those who did not see him as a politician before now, and made him formidable, and a challenge to his opponents.

  • Towards credible poll in Anambra

    Towards credible poll in Anambra

    Tomorrow, about 1.78 million voters in Anambra State are expected to elect its next governor. As usual, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised to deliver a credible poll that would satisfy all stakeholders.

    We hope it would deliver on its promise. All previous elections have left the voting public and observers guessing who the true winner was. At best, INEC would admit that there were some flaws, while contending that such could not have tilted the result towards those declared losers. No election in the country has met regional standards, let alone passed international test.

    But the stakes in Anambra State are quite high. All the major contenders are hopeful, believing they stand the chance of obtaining the mandate. The ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has a foothold only in the state. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has always left no one in doubt that it desperately wants to take control of all the states in the Southeast. With the 2015 general election around the corner, the party would have realised that the groundwork for taking over Anambra State has to be laid in 2014. And, for the All Progressives Congress (APC), a merger of erstwhile separate political parties, the first major test of strength is provided in this Southeast state.

    Experience has shown that whenever the stakes are so high, violence erupts. The verbal contests and intemperate utterances that have trailed the campaigns will test the resolve and professionalism of the security forces. In most of the previous polls, the security forces had been seen as part of the problem as they were usually accused of descending into the ring. This must not be the case in Anambra State as such development could easily lead to a resort to self-help.

    It is good that INEC has declared its willingness to overcome previous challenges. Its Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Professor C. E. Onukogu, recently told civil society groups in the state that the commission had studied all previous elections, noted the mistakes and come up with adequate measures to arrest them. We hope this would transcend mere speech-making. This would not be the first time INEC officials would make such declarations only to flop on Election Day.

    In the Edo State election last year, the INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, and his men similarly boasted. The outcome of the bye-election conducted in Imo State after the 2011 elections is still a subject of dispute. The recent bye-election to fill the Delta Central senatorial seat attracted trenchant criticisms from the media, local and foreign observers, as well as the opposition politicians.

    In many areas, materials were reportedly unavailable until the close of poll. In others where the sensitive materials were available, poll officials refused to move until their allowances were paid. Yet, in other areas, transport scuttled plans to start early. These did not stop fantastic results from being declared.

    In Anambra State, there have been allegations that the commission could be consciously working with one party or another. There have been charges that scientific rigging could be the order of the day by starving strongholds of some parties while encouraging full voting in others. This is an opportunity for INEC to prove cynics wrong. It is not enough to send 21 electoral commissioners to the state. Neither is the promise that Professor Jega would be personally on ground sufficient. Conscious efforts should be made to disabuse the minds of Nigerians and friends of the country that INEC has any agenda other than the delivery of a free, fair and credible poll.