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Tag: elections

  • Cleric urges Christians to collect PVCs, vote at elections

    The director of a faith-based movement, Great Commission Movement of Nigeria (GCMN), Rev. Ambrose Massaquoi, has urged Christians across the country to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) and vote for candidates of their choice in the forthcoming general elections.

    Massaquoi addressed reporters yesterday in Lagos on activities lined up by the organisation to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

    The cleric said Christians must exercise their voting rights so that the right leaders would be elected to engender the right political environment.

    Read also: 2019 Election and national values (1)

    He said GCMN is a faith-based inter-denominational and non-denominational movement, which has been praying for the nation “because we believe prayers can bring the right leaders and for God to bring the right environment”.

    Massaquoi also admonished youths to stay away from violence before, during and after the elections.

    He added: “With their energy, people tend to use them for the wrong purpose.

    “If we give them the right value as we are doing here, they should be able to use it for what is right. That is why we engage them in personal development activities to give them the opportunity for exposure and to develop their talent.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Polls: Bayelsa warns against violence

    …vows to prosecute offenders

    The Bayelsa State Government Thursday warned against electoral violence and vowed to use the instrumentality of the law to punish anyone or group found to be disrupting the existing peace in the state.

    The government at its 104th Executive Council meeting said it deliberated extensively on a report before it that some politicians in the state were stockpiling arms for the purpose of causing mayhem.

    The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Arthur Andrew Seweniowor said the government would not fold its hands and watch unscrupulous politicians turn the state into a killing field.

    He said the government would not allow what happened during the 2015 and 2016 governorship election to repeat itself, stressing that it had a constitutional mandate to protect lives and property.

    He maintained that elections were not war but a healthy contest to pick leaders and called on youths not to allow themselves to be used by selfish politicians to commit atrocities.

    Seweniowor said: “The violence that characterized the 2015 governorship election is still fresh in our minds. If you recall the government did set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the crisis that engulfed parts of the state in course of the election.

    “A white paper was later produced after the panel submitted their report. It is sad to note that those indicted in that report are still the same persons who are stockpiling arms today.

    “We want to make it clear that on no account will anyone be allowed to launch a reign of terror and brigandage. We are determined to bring anyone or group of persons found culpable to book. We call on our youths not to allow themselves to be deployed as tools for electoral violence and manipulation”.

    On his part, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson said opposition politicians in the state were not preparing for elections but war.

    Iworiso-Markson said because the opposition was unpopular, it had resorted to creating instability and turning the state into a theatre of war.

    Read Also: 2019 polls: FG will cooperate with international observers, Says Presidency

    He appealed to parents and guardians to talk to their children to stay away from desperate politicians and their evil plots.

    According to him, rather than take up arms, they should keep their PVCs closer in order to elect responsible leaders that will bring more development to the state.

    He said: “We have said it over and over again that the opposition party in the state is not pretending about their intentions to cause violence and pave the way for the hijack of electoral materials by their hired thugs. They are preparing for war and not election.

    “These diaspora politicians have not contributed anything to the development of our state. They only come back home when there is election and because of their lack of popularity they institute violent means to get into power”.

  • Elections: SPU, CTU to protect INEC staff, NYSC members

    …May withdraw personnel attached to personalities

    The Inspector-General of Police has disclosed that the Special Protection Unit (SPU) and Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) of the Force will be in charge of the protection of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff, National Youth Service Corp members and other Adhoc staff.

    The Ag. Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu said this in Abuja during a meeting with Commanders of both units.

    To ensure full mobilization, the IGP also hinted that he may withdraw SPU and CTU operatives that are currently attached to certain categories of personalities.

    The IG while highlighting the roles both units will play during the election said: “The Counter Terrorism Unit was established as a specially trained strike Force with capacity to address the threat of terrorism and sundry insurgency threats to our national security, while the Special Protection Unit is a Police detachment that is dedicated to the provision of specialized security and escort duties for high-risk individuals and corporate organisations that may be under security threat.

    “The Two Units were established to complement the Police Mobile Force towards supporting the conventional police in addressing critical internal security threats and civil disorders.

    “By virtue of their training and expertise, personnel from the Counterterrorism Unit and Special Protection Unit are critical components of the broad election security plan of the Nigeria Police Force.”

    He continued: “Within this context of the Strategic Election Security Operational Plan of the Force, you shall be required to deploy your personnel to provide specialized protection for INEC staff, and NYSC and other ad-hoc personnel of the Commission that will be deployed for the elections and secure INEC facilities across the country.

    Other roles include: “To undertake patrols of the public space before, during and after the elections, act as reserve Forces that could be deployed for rapid response to crisis areas during the elections, provide specialized security for local and international election observers, escort sensitive electoral materials and provide specialized protection to critical national assets during the exercise.

    On the likely withdrawal of operatives, Adamu said: “In order to ensure full mobilization and deployment of personnel for these duties, we shall in the coming days prune down or order the withdrawal of SPU and CTU operatives that are currently on non-essential duties including those attached to certain categories of personalities.”

    He also assured the personnel that proper arrangements have been made for their welfare.

    “In performing your election security duties, let me assure you that adequate provisions have been made for your welfare. In return, we expect the highest possible level of professionalism from you, knowing that your conducts will be subjected to national and international scrutiny.

    “I am confident, on my part, that you have the professional depth, strength of character and strong sense of commitment to duty which is needed to guarantee your optimal performance and the success of the exercise.“

  • Atiku to military: don’t dabble into elections

    PEOPLE’S Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flagbearer Abubakar Atiku yesterday cautioned the military against dabbling into the general elections slated for February 16 and March 2.

    Atiku gave the warning in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, during the PDP presidential and governorship rally.

    He said: “The military signed to defend and protect the country, not to defend an individual, as no person is a god.

    “Their (military’s) quick response should be to tackle Boko Haram in Borno and the entire northern region, where they are terrorising Nigerians.

    “Muhammadu Buhari, please don’t use the military to terrorise the states you don’t like. The military are to protect the territorial integrity of the country.”

    Atiku also told the police, the Department of State Service (DSS) and other security agencies to be neutral during the polls.

    He said: “The police and the DSS are been reformed. So, we believe they will be neutral during the general election; they will not side any individual.

    “The job of the security is to protect us and ensure there is law and order in the land. They are not to interfere in electoral matters; so, they shouldn’t tell us bullshit.”

    The PDP candidate said his rally in Taraba State was just “homecoming,” adding it was the first time the people of the northeastern region would be having a presidential candidate.

    “Will you go and vote someone from another region?” he asked.

    Atiku said the major problem of Taraba and the northeastern states was insecurity.

    “I will provide security,” he pledged.

    He promised to complete the hydroelectric power project on the Mambilla Plateau, Sardauna Local Government Area.

    “Everything about the Mambilla hydropower project so far is a scam. I will reconstruct it and every Nigerian will benefit from it, if you elect me as Nigeria’s president,” Atiku said.

    He added that “the federal roads shall be taken care of; the natural resources in the country shall be tapped for job creation.”

    PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a credible election, without taking sides.

    “With the crowd I have seen here, Taraba State is 100 per cent PDP. All the people watching this rally on the television, Instagram, Twitter, Google and WhatsApp will agree that Taraba is PDP.

    “INEC should be very careful in their responses. This election cannot be rigged. If you rig it, you (INEC) will invite crisis, and we don’t want crisis.

    “If INEC can conduct free and fair polls, the people will accept whoever emerges, and the country will be peaceful, and that is what we want,” Secondus said.

    Governor Darius Ishaku, who is the Taraba PDP governorship candidate, assured Atiku of victory, saying: “Taraba is for Atiku.”

    “I have toured the nook and cranny of Taraba for my re-election campaign. And everywhere I went to campaign, the people all know Atiku. This is because he had traversed the state during the Gongola days.

    “Atiku will give the people jobs, tackle poverty and revitalise Nigeria’s economy. The APC has failed Nigerians and Atiku is the answer. Atiku, carry go,” Ishaku said.

  • Cleric to INEC, politicians: ensure free, credible elections

    REVEREND Wamtunghun Mureng of the Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN) has called on Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC) and politicians to refrain from all forms of electoral malpractice.

    He said any position attained through twisting, bribing and without approval of God is in vain and destined to end in regrets “in this world and the hereafter”.

    Mureng gave the advice on Sunday at the inauguration of the Local Church Council (LCC), Kabayi, Nasarawa State.

    Read also: PDP alleges INEC plans to rig

    The cleric also called on INEC to play its part with the fear of God, making sure that the process was conducted in a free and fair manner.

    Urging Christians to vote for candidates of their choice, he said that the Church had no right to tell members whom to vote for in the elections.

     

  • 2019: Lalong warns against inciting violence

    Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has urged the media to help avoid violence in the General Elections draw closer.

    Lalong spoke on Monday last week in Jos, Plateau State at the UNDP capacity building workshop for media group on conflict sensitive reportage ahead of 2019 General Election.

    The governor, who was represented by the Director-General Research and Documentation, Prof. John Wade, noted that media role was to success of election of any country.

    He stressed the need for media practitioners and journalists to present their reports in such a way that would not fan the fires of conflict.

    “Conflict sensitive reportage for media organisations and journalists is not only apt but timely considering the fact that we are in the season and threshold of electioneering campaigns.

    “And, there is an urgent need for politicians to conduct themselves in line with certain values that will make them become better leaders in the overall interest of the country.

    “Covering an election requires greater analytical depth and skills to report on it without engendering violence or overlooking peace building opportunities,” he said.

    According to him, reporter must therefore be above board and truly professional in his coverage and reportage.

    “The importance of conflict sensitive reportage in a period of elections in our value system and attitudinal reawakening cannot be over emphasised, given the fact that good or bad reporting can make or mar an election.

    “Conflict sensitive reportage constitutes the traditional role of journalism, as far as the agenda-setting is concerned.

    “Elections are often prone to violence and so in reporting elections, the media and journalists are expected to present their report in  such a way as not to fan the fires of conflict,” he said.

    According to him, as professionals, media practitioners owe the public the responsibility of self-censoring reportage to avoid vitriolic sentiment.

    “This is even most critical as during elections, tension are often high among contending political parties, hence the public can only make well informed decisions, based on the accuracy and quality of the stories disseminated by the media.

    “In this critical period of electioneering, as media organisations and journalists, you must continuously strive to redefine a new value system.

    “This based on God’s desire for us to love one another, serve one another, and be honest to one another; else, we will be shadows in our quest for objective reportage, sanity and greatness,” he said.

    According to him, it is indeed, a known fact that electoral violence or conflict usually triggers greater challenges for journalists, particularly when opposing sides seek to control the media.

    “Information can be unreliable or censored. This worsened by the old journalism adage that ‘he who pays pipers dictate the tune’. Media owner may want to dictate for journalist on how and what they should report,” he said.

    The UNDP Nigeria Acting resident representative, Betty Wabunoha, also urged media practitioners  to ensure that their reports do not incite violence.

    Wabunoha called on reporters to ensure an open and diverse media that can provide balanced and impartial coverage and equitable access for competing candidates and parties during the forthcoming election.

    According to her, in conflict sensitive electoral environments, the media holds the key to prevention of election related conflicts from occurring and escalating.

    She noted that this could only be possible through carefully calculated reporting of events around elections.

    Wabunoha said that the media also play crucial role in enabling citizens make informed choices as well as fostering peace, especially where there are election related disputes.

    She said that the call became imperative based on the fact that voters and candidates rely heavily on access to the media to both impact and receive information.

    “The media has a unique role to play as both the conveyor and recipient of information.

    “It does not only have an essential watchdog function that increases the transparency and accountability of the process, it also, if responsibly and appropriately used, helps strengthen the democratic process and contribute to a more credible and inclusive election,” she said.

    Over 160 Journalists from the six north-central states were taught on conflict sensitive reportage over a period of three days.

    At the end of the capacity building workshop, journalists were enjoined to present factual, balanced and accurate reportage of the 2019 elections in addition to reporting it with a positive mindset.

     

  • Elections: Navy cautions public on fake military personnel

    COMMANDER of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, in Calabar, Cross River State, Commodore Julius Nwagu, has cautioned members of the public to be wary of fake military personnel, especially as the general elections in the country draw close.

    Nwagu, while parading a suspected fake naval officer, James Solomon Nkanu, at the NNS Victory Headquarters in Calabar yesterday, urged the public to report any of such impostors to the security agencies for appropriate action.

    Read also: Oil theft: Navy hands over 19 suspects, 21 Boats to EFCC

    “The Nigerian Navy Ship Victory remains committed to the fight against all forms of criminalities in her area of operations. Besides the Bases’ zero tolerance stance for crude oil theft and smuggling through the waterways, the base has also intensified efforts towards arresting suspected impersonators and racketeers who go around extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public in the guise of being navy personnel.

  • Opposition importing arms for elections, Umahi alleges

    The Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi has accused a major opposition party in the state of stock-piling arms and other dangerous weapons aimed at using it to attack and intimidate members of the ruling People Democratic Party during the 2019 governorship election.

    Governor Umahi who expressed the worry during his campaign tour to Ivo Local Government Area of the state said that rather than campaigning and present their manifesto to the electorates, the opposition party were busy stockpiling illegal arms and dangerous weapons that they intend to use to cause mayhem and scare away voters during the election in the state.

    Governor Umahi who insisted that the governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Sonni Ogbuorji  is not prepared for the  election but is relying on federal might to rig the election in his favour,  condemned the destruction of posters and billboards of PDP candidates by thugs suspected to be members of the APC. According to him; “let me warn the APC gubernatorial candidate that any danger to the life of each Ebonyi man will spell danger to his own life.

    I have never asked anybody to purchase gun to participate in violence or to purchase knife or anything”. “We have always said that God is our strength so there will be no violence.” Meanwhile, Governor Umahi also pleaded with the leadership of the PDP to allow him send 2000 PDP members to receive the President during his campaign rally in the state next week Wednesday. Governor Umahi who described the President as the leader of the country noted that it would be embarrassing for the President to visit the state and meet empty stadium adding that he has chosen to mobilize the 2000 PDP supporters as a mark of respect to Mr. President. Umahi who made this known at Ugbodo, the council headquarters of Ebonyi Local Government Area also announced that PDP would shift its rally to the three Senatorial zones to allow Mr President to use the newly reconstructed Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium.

    The governor said he has identified the 2000 persons that would be at the stadium to receive the President and urged the PDP members not to feel bad about it. “On Wednesday, Mr. President is coming to Ebonyi, we shall accord him all necessary courstesy as a President and our friend. To honour him, we will shift our rallies to three Senatorial zones to do our rallies and allow them stadium to use,” he said.

  • Elections: Atiku splits Ohanaeze

    Thursday’s endorsement of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, is now tearing the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization apart.

    Some prominent Igbo leaders say the endorsement is nothing short of charade and the decision taken behind the back of a large number of members.

    The Anambra government is similarly irked by the Ohanaeze decision and has disassociated itself from the endorsement.

    Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, Science and Technology Minister  Ogbonnaya Onu, Labour Minister Chris Ngige, former Senate President  Ken Nnamani, former Enugu State governor Sullivan Chime, Voice of Nigeria Director General Osita Okechukwu,  and  General  J.O.J Okoloagu, said in Enugu on Thursday night that  the Atiku endorsement  smacked of mischief, coming on a day President Muhammadu Buhari was on a visit to the Southeast, commissioning  some projects.

    They spoke at a press conference, moment after Ohanaeze announced its decision.

    Ngige said that he was aware of an Ohanaeze meeting scheduled for that day and that the  President-General of the group, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, had agreed to move the meeting to 7 p.m, only to proceed to hold it at 5 p.m.

    “Myself and the Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum had approached the Ohanaeze President and pleaded with him to change the date. He said he cannot do that; he later gave me 4 p.m, but I told him it was not going to work,” the minister said.

    “By 5 p.m, they met and issued an already prepared communique.

    “All of them that met are Ohanaeze PDP. So, it is now Ohanaeze PDP vs Ohanaeze APC. They have factionalized Ohanaeze.

    “I want to say clearly that endorsement has never favoured us. They endorsed Falae, he failed; they endorsed 3rd term it failed; they endorsed Jonathan he lost. We are not going to continue on this trajectory.

    “We are going to dig up our arsenal and all we need is  to fight this.”

    Onyeama said the Atiku endorsement would have consequences for the Igbo.

    Read also: I suspended Onnoghen on CCT’s order –Buhari

    His words: “Mr. President was visiting two Igbo states, where he commissioned projects, including the mausoleum of the great Zik of Africa.

    “So, it was inappropriate to have a meeting of Ohanaeze to discuss such a weighty issue on who to endorse. It was not the time to hold such meeting.

    “I see this as a decision that will have consequences for years to come. This is not decent for the Igbos.”

    Onu said he was rushing to attend the meeting when he was informed that it was over even before the 7 p.m it was scheduled to start.

    “There was no reason for the President-General of Ohanaeze to be informed of President Buhari’s visit and he still went ahead to hold that meeting. We must be inclusive in anything we do,” he noted.

    Chief Nnamani said the Ohanaeze never took into consideration that Igbo sons and daughters belong to different political parties.

    “One of the things that Ohanaeze came up with is that our son, Peter Obi was picked as number two in PDP. It does not make reasonable sense because there are people of Igbo extraction angling to be number one, but those guys endorsed number two,” he said.

    “On the restructuring they talked about, the APC as a party, to which I belong, set up a committee and it endorsed restructuring. But let me say clearly that anybody that is telling you he will restructure, be it President, Senate President or the Chief Justice of Nigeria, no one person can restructure. It is just a fallacy. It needs the NASS, constitutional amendment involving the State Houses of Assembly too.

    “So, those of us in APC find it totally repugnant. It is not in the interest of Igbo. Ohanaeze should not dabble into politics at all. If they want to register Ohanaeze as a political party, let them do so, after which those that are not interested will leave.”

    Also speaking, Chime said: “We cannot attribute what happened to Ohanaeze.

    “Nwodo’s two-year tenure has expired; he has left office. He is on his own. We cannot attribute what happened to Imeobi.  He just called his friends.”

    The VON-DG, Okechukwu, who moderated the session, re-echoed the views that the endorsement does not stand, as it lacked any form of legality.

    In their separate remarks, Okolagu and Ozobu also said it was null and void as Imeobi was not properly constituted, adding that the final power to carry out such function lied with the Ohanaeze General Assembly.

  • AU urges Congo to delay final election result

    The African Union (AU) has called on authorities in the Congo to delay releasing the final results of the recent elections following reports of vote rigging, an AU statement said on Friday.

    “The bloc met on Thursday in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa and concluded there were serious doubts on the conformity of the provisional results, as proclaimed by the National Independent Electoral Commission.

    “Accordingly, the heads of state and government called for the suspension of the proclamation of the final results of the elections,’’ it said.

    Several international media outlets reported on Tuesday that leaked voting data showed that runner-up Martin Fayulu had definitely won at the polls on Dec. 30.

    Britain’s Financial Times (FT), as well as France’s RFI and TV5 Monde, said they were leaked full voting data, which had not yet been released.

    Analysis showed the man announced the winner by the electoral commission recently, Felix Tshisekedi, actually lost.

    Fayulu has cried foul, and appealed to the country’s highest court to order a recount, a matter it is now deliberating.

    Read Also: Congo under mounting foreign pressure for vote recount

    Fayulu has suggested Tshisekedi and President Joseph Kabila did a back-room deal after early results showed Kabila’s chosen successor, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, finished third.

    Western powers have not congratulated Tshisekedi, and France has expressed concern over the official results, which saw Tshisekedi win 38.57 per cent of the vote to Fayulu’s 34.8 per cent.

    On Thursday, the AU said it would “urgently dispatch’’ a high-level delegation including its chairperson, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, with the view to reach “a consensus on a way out of the post-electoral crisis in the country.’’