The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) says it has distributed sensitive materials across the 23 local government areas of Benue in readiness for Saturday’s supplementary polls.
Mr Terkaa Andyarigeria, the INEC Public Relations Officer (PRO) in the state, disclosed this in a telephone interview with our reporter in Makurdi.
It was gathered that the March 23 Governorship Supplementary Election will hold in 22 out of the 23 local government areas of the State.
The only local government area in the state where the governorship supplementary election will not be holding is Katsina-Ala.
However, the supplementary election for the state House of Assembly will hold in Katsina-Ala and nine other local government areas of the state.
Even where the supplementary elections will be taking place, not the entire local government areas will be participating, but only places where elections didn’t take place at all or where elections were cancelled.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed April 13 for supplementary election in Rivers State.
Besides, the commission is to resume collation of results of the last governorship and state Assembly elections from April 2 to 5.
INEC, however, noted that election had been concluded in 21 state constituencies.
The collation of the results for the election held on March 9 was suspended due to violence.
The Commission set up a Fact-Finding Committee that visited the state and submitted its report which revealed that while election could not hold in a few areas, they were successfully concluded in others with the declaration of winners in 21 state constituencies. Collation was ongoing at the time of the suspension of the process.
Announcing the outlined activities and timeline to resolve the electoral logjam in the state, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said the commission will on March 30 meet with critical actors in the state after which the headquarters of the commission will release a guideline for the continuation of the process.
Okoye spoke at a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. He noted that there will also be an inter-agency meeting between the commission and others a day before the stakeholders meeting in Rivers.
Revalidation of observers, the commission said, will be done simultaneously in Abuja and Rivers State between March 25 and March 31.
The state chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disagreed over the new timeline given by INEC to conclude elections in the states.
The APC, through its Publicity Secretary Chris Finebone declared that INEC’s announcement was suspect and received with mixed feelings, since the electoral commission had not shown sufficient good faith.
PDP Chairman Felix Obuah , in a press statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam stated that members of the party received the INEC’s news with optimism.
Rivers APC said: “As a major stakeholder in the Rivers State political space, APC received with mixed feelings, INEC’s timeline for concluding the governorship and House of Assembly elections that started on March 9. INEC has not shown sufficient good faith in the way it brought the collation to an abrupt stop (on March 10), without cogent, verifiable and convincing reasons.
“The supposed umpire (INEC) went ahead to announce that collation for 17 local government areas (out of 23 LGAs in Rivers) had been concluded, as against the records provided by our situation room. And to make matters worse, INEC refused, failed or neglected to name the said 17 LGAs where it claimed collation had been concluded.
“INEC curiously announced that it had dropped four LGAs’ collation officers confirmed to be PDP card-carrying members, without the umpire clearing the air about the status of the LGAs’ results the four ad hoc personnel supposedly collated.”
The main opposition APC, which backed the African Action Congress (AAC), since court order did not allow it to present candidates for the elections, also wondered why the four indicted collation officers of INEC would be unfit for the job, while the collations they conducted were acceptable.
The party said: “Why is INEC jittery to name the 17 local government areas, if not for the simple reason that some underhand dealings might have taken place, for which it is covering up? With the violation of the collation process by Governor Nyesom Wike when he stormed the Obio/Akpor LGA Collation Centre (at the council’s secretariat in Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt in the night of March 9), where his Chief Security Officer (CSO) and security detail shot an army captain and other soldiers in the process, why does it seem that INEC’s body language is suggesting that Obio/Akpor LGA’s collation has been completed?
“To the APC, INEC is up to some mischief, clearly pointing to a clear determination to rig the overall results of the March 9 elections in favour of Wike and the PDP. The signs are visible enough to the blind and loud enough to the deaf. All the shenanigans so far exhibited by INEC only go to confirm that fear.”
PDP chairman said: “Even though we frown at the length of the timeline issued by INEC for the collation, declaration and conclusion of the election process in Rivers State, we received the news with optimism. Rivers State PDP is waiting patiently for the process to be concluded, because the people of Rivers State overwhelmingly voted for our party.
“We urge Rivers people to remain calm, as the mandate they freely gave to Governor Wike and the PDP on March 9 will be affirmed at the end of the collation process. Victory for the PDP will come at the end of the exercise. Rivers State is PDP. The people massively voted for the PDP, as all the figures indicate.”
On the letter by Rivers elders to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in Rivers political crisis, to prevent anarchy, Obuah berated the eminent personalities, including a former governor of the state, Chief Rufus Ada-George; and an ex- Culture Minister Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas.
He described Ada-George, Graham-Douglas and others as self-acclaimed elders and card-carrying members of the APC, who, according to him, were allegedly working for Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, a former Rivers governor.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State yesterday said all materials used for the general elections were safe and ready for inspection by any party who followed laid down procedure for inspection.
The state INEC gave the assurance while refuting allegations by some persons who claimed the commission colluded with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Essien Udium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State to rig election by destroying ballot papers thumb printed in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reacting to an advertorial titled “Political Jobbers on the prowl,” published in this newspaper on March 16, spokesman for INEC in Akwa Ibom Don Etukudo described the allegation as deliberate falsehood, misinformation and the attempt to malign the commission and the person of the Resident Electoral Commissioner.
Etukudo said INEC’s bus was involved in an accident in which the driver and three others became unconscious while on reverse logistics duty, adding that it was a directive from the commission’s headquarters in order to safeguard electoral materials.
He said: “While the commission does not intend to join issues with anyone or group of persons on the conduct of the just concluded elections as it believes that the nation’s electoral laws have adequately provided due process for complaints, it is however pertinent to address the deliberate falsehood, misinformation and the attempt to malign the commission and the person of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), as contained in the said advertorial.
“The commission refers here to the claim in paragraph 6 of the advert to the effect that its truck which was involved in an accident at Abak on March 12, 2019, was conveying “ballot papers earlier voted in favour of the APC and that they “were being transported to a location near INEC office in Uyo for destruction and subsequent replacement with ballot papers fraudulently thumb printed…”
“This is not true. It is a clear mischief and a lame attempt to hoodwink the reading public and blackmail the commission for insisting on upholding the integrity of the electoral process in Akwa Ibom State.
“On March 12, at about 4pm, the commission’s vehicle which was undertaking reverse logistics from INEC office Eastern Obolo, to the state office got involved in an accident at Oku Abak, a few meters away from the Abak Police Station.
The accident was duly incidental in the Abak Police Station.
“The driver of the vehicle and the other three occupants became unconscious owing to the accident and could not have responded to questions as alleged by the advertorial. The claim that “the driver of the truck on interrogation confessed that was the sixth trip that day shuttling to different PDP stalwart houses…” is therefore unfounded, spurious and mischievous.
“Reverse logistics from LGA offices to state offices was a national directive from the commission’s headquarters to all RECs. It was not peculiar to Akwa lbom State. The exercise is ongoing nationwide. This fact is verifiable.
“In the light of the failed attempts in some LGAs to disrupt elections in Akwa Ibom State by bombing and setting INEC offices and vehicles ablaze (as in Ibesikpo, Obot Akara and Mkpat Enin LGAs, for instance) before, during and after the elections, the directive of the National Headquarters is amply justified.
“In implementing this directive, the commission in Akwa lbom State was careful to rigorously follow the laid down procedure. It duly informed the Commissioner of Police in the state who is also the Chairman of the Inter
Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), a body made up of all security agencies in the state. It was therefore no secret that the commission was retrieving materials used for the elections from the field for safe custody in the state headquarters.
“The commission hereby assures the public that materials used for the 2019 General Elections are safe and open for inspection by any party on application or as may be directed by an appropriate authority,” he said.
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today give an update on the inconclusive elections in some states. It has scheduled a news conference for noon today to address all issues.
Following widespread disruption of the electoral process during the March 9 Governorship/House of Assembly Elections, the polls were declared inconclusive in Sokoto, Adamawa, Kano, Plateau, Bauchi and Benue states.
The collation of election results was also suspended in Rivers State.
Court refuses to restrain INEC over Rivers results
A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday the request by the African Action Congress (AAC) for an order of interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from among others, announcing winners of the last governorship and State Assembly elections in Rivers State.
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo ordered plaintiffs’ lawyer, Tawo Tawo (SAN), to put the defendants on notice, shortly after the lawyer spoke about the ex-parte motion filed by his client.
The motion ex-parte was filed along with an originating summons, with AAC, Engr Biokpomabo Festus Awara and Pastor (Dr.) Ben-Gurion John Peter as plaintiffs.
INEC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were listed as respondents in the motion which was filed on March 18 this year.
At the mention of the case on Wednesday, Justice Ekwo drew the attention of plaintiffs’ lawyer to some media reports to the effect that a Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained INEC in relation to the Rivers election.
In response, Tawo denied knowledge of the publication, including a Justice Ewa mentioned in the reports. He urged the court to ignore it.
Shortly after, Tawo informed the court about the pending ex-parte motion filed by has clients, which the judge declined.
Justice Ekwo, after listening to the plaintiffs’ lawyer, declined to grant the prayers contained in the motion ex-parte.
Instead, the judge ordered that the respondents be served with the motion and other process in the suit. He adjourned to March 25 for hearing.
The plaintiffs had, in the motion ex-parte, prayed the court for “an order directing a departure from the Rules of this honourable court for the abridgment oi time for the respondents to enter appearance and file their defence within seven days from the date of service of the originating processes on them”.
They also prayed for “an order of interim injunction of this honourable court restraining the 1st respondent (INEC) from further action in any manner whatsoever including the counting/coalition of votes, declaration and return of any candidate in the gubernatorial and Houses of Assembly election of 9th March, 2019 in Rivers State pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The plaintiffs identified the grounds for their motion to include that “INEC had earlier admitted that the election in Rivers State was marred with substantial violence that compromised the credibility of the entire process thereby suspending the election.
“Without calling for a fresh election, the 1st respondent has announced, via a press release, that it is now set to continue with the election from this Wednesday, 20th March 20 19.
“Time is of the essence, therefore the need for abridgment of time within which the parties are to file their processes.”
The plaintiffs are in the substantive suit, querying the propriety of INEC’s handling of the last governorship and State Assembly election in Rivers State, particularly as it relates to its announcement of the results.
PDP to INEC: declare Rivers, Bauchi results
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conclude the collation process for Rivers and Bauchi states.
It advised the would-be losers to approach the Election Tribunal to seek redress.
Speaking during a solidarity visit to the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus said it is illegal for anyone to stop an election midway.
He said: “I call on the INEC Chairman not to drag the country into crisis because of inconclusive elections. This manoeuvre is not good for the nation’s democracy.
“He should go ahead and conclude the process of elections in Rivers and Bauchi States. We should move ahead. Those aggrieved should approach the tribunal.
“We are here to say that we stand with you. We have prayed with you in private and we are standing with you at this crucial and trying moment. We ask God almighty to ensure that you cross this red sea.”
PDP National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri said the military should concentrate on the protecting the nation’s territorial integrity instead of getting involved in election matters.
He said the involvement of the military in the Rivers State Governorship election was a threat to nation’s democracy.
“The military should protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria. They should not be involved in Electoral Matters. The involvement of the military in the governorship election of Rivers State is an attempt to truncate the nation’s democracy “, he said.
He called on INEC, security agencies and the Federal Government to work within the law at all times.
Wike said the enemies of the state were struggling to stop the collation and declaration of the governorship election.
He said the police was inviting Electoral and Collation Officers to intimidate them over collated results in the Governorship Election.
He said: “The police are trying to intimidate Collation and Electoral Officers by inviting them for one offence or the other so as to impinge on the collation process.
“Imagine where the police are inviting the entire Returning Officers, the entire electoral Officers and entire electoral officers because allegations have been made against the INEC officials. This is just to let the entire world see what we are talking about.
“They go by this strategy, if it fails, they go by the other strategy. They brought the Army, it failed. They have gone to the court and now they want to use the police.
“Like I said, this victory will be the best. It will be the sweetest amongst all the states. That is what I see coming. There is no election that will be held in this state and another party will win.”
INEC must apologise to Rivers people, says APC
The campaign organisation of the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must apologise to the people of the state for suspending the collation of election results in the state.
INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu
A statement by the Director, Strategic Communication of the campaign organisation, Prince Tonye Princewill, said recent developments have vindicated the earlier position that the commission was working hard to foist Governor Nyesom Wike on the state for a second term.
Princewill said the only credible option available to the commission was to cancel the entire process and start all over again.
The statement reads: “It is better to be quiet and let people suspect you may have something in your mouth, than to open your mouth and confirm that you actually do. What INEC has shown in their attitude towards us and in putting out their midnight statement on the 15th of March was that they have been unable to resist the allure of big money and the evil of Nyesom Wike.
“Many of us said as much, but we were quietly dismissed as just being biased. Now that people have heard from an institution with even more integrity, the biases of INEC and their underhand tactics have been laid bare for everyone else to also see. They are not the first to succumb and they will not be the last, but thanks to the current anti-corruption trend in Buhari governance, they are now dancing in the market square and the world is watching their backs.”
Adamawa supplementary election ‘doubtful’
The supplementary governorship election scheduled for March 23 may not hold in Adamawa State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gave this indication in Yola yesterday when it said it would abide by a ruling of the Adamawa State High Court expected today.
The court had last week granted an injunction stopping the supplementary election but fixed March 21 for hearing of motion for the interlocutory injunction.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa State, Kassim Gaidam, said at a news briefing that although INEC had made preparation for the supplementary governorship election, the conduct of it would depend on the outcome of the court process.
“As a law abiding institution, we will respect the ruling of the court on the supplementary election,” he said, adding however that the commission had assembled a body of lawyers headed by a senior advocate of Nigeria to push the position of the commission on the subject of the case.
A Yola High Court on March 14 restrained INEC from conducting the March 23 supplementary governorship election in Adamawa.
The ruling by Justice Abdul-Aziz Waziri, followed a request by counsel to the Adamawa chapter of the Movement for the Restoration and Defence of Democracy (MRDD), Mustafa Shaba, over absence of the party’s logo on the ballot paper of the inconclusive election.
Justice Waziri held that the request had merit.
Ortom talks tough
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has vowed that his people will resist any attempt to subvert the will of the people in next Saturday’s supplementary election.
Ortom
He spoke at Government House, Makurdi when he received the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives members-elect from the state.
The governor urged security agents and staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be professional in their conduct during the supplementary election.
He added that he took the decision of the umpire body to declare the March 9th governorship election inconclusive in good faith.
Ortom stated that having produced three senators, six House of Representatives members and 17 Assembly members and still expecting more at the rerun, he was confident of victory.
PDP drags judge to NJC over Bauchi poll
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has petitioned the National judicial Council (NJC) over what it described as the violation of the Constitution and Electoral Act by Justice Ekwo Inyang of the Federal High Court by sitting on a matter that ought to have been handled by an election petition tribunal.
Justice Inyang had granted an exparte order stopping INEC from concluding the governorship election in Bauchi State.
In a statement yesterday by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said Justice Inyang violated Section 87(10) of the Electoral Act, which states that no court has the power or jurisdiction to stop any election pending the determination of a suit.
In an affidavit sworn to by PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus in Abuja, the party noted that issues of collation of results and declaration of winner are post-election events and, therefore, fall under the Electoral Act and constitutional provisions for the election petition tribunal.
Secondus stated in the affidavit: “Despite this clear provision of the law, Justice Ekwo decided to hear the application of Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar and his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), within twenty four hours on 19th March, 2019 and issued an order on INEC not to continue with the election until the case before him is finally decided.
“That the collation of results is a post-election event and under section 87(10) of the Electoral Act, no court has the power or jurisdiction to stop any election pending the determination of a suit.
“That an election includes voting, collation of results and the declaration of results.
“That as a result of the order on the Independent National Electoral Commission, the conclusion of the Bauchi State Governorship election which was to take place on 19th March 2019 was stalled.
“That the order of Justice Ekwo was made contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended dealing without fair hearing and also section 87(10) of the Electoral Act.
“That the Chief Justice of Nigeria has constituted the various Election Petition Tribunals in Nigeria to handle such cases and the assumption of jurisdiction by Justice Inyang Ekwo is an affront to the constitution and electoral wishes of the people of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area and Bauchi State”.
The main opposition party insisted that not only did Justice Inyang violate the clear provisions of the Electoral Act, the motion granted was also an affront to the electoral wishes of the people of Bauchi State who have clearly chosen their next governor in voting for the PDP’s candidate, Senator Bala Mohammed.
The PDP urged the NJC to save the country’s democracy by taking an urgent step against the alleged violations by Justice Inyang.
Court to hear APC, Abubakar’s suit today
The hearing of the substantive suit filed by the All Progressives Party (APC) and Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar over the suspended results of the last governorship election has been scheduled for today by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Inyang Ekwo yesterday announced the rescheduling after the lawyer to the plaintiffs, Ahmed Raji (SAN), sought time to enable him respond to fresh processes served on him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), listed as sole defendant in the suit.
The judge had, on Tuesday, ordered parties to the suit to “maintain status quo ante pending this, proceeding pending the determination of the substantive matter of this case”.
By the order, the judge stayed INEC’s planned resumption of the collation of the governorship results in relation to Tafawa Balewa Local Government, Bauchi State and adjourned to March 20 for hearing.
At the resumption of proceedings on Wednesday, Raji) told the court that he needed time to respond to INEC’s notice of preliminary objection, counter-affidavit and written address, which were served on him shortly before the court commenced sitting.
INEC’s lawyer Abdulazeez Sani did not object to Raji’s request for time, following which Justice Ekwo ordered parties to return at 2pm today for the hearing of the main suit along with INEC’s notice of preliminary objection, in which it is challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which is not a party in the case, sent a group of lawyers, led by Chris Uche (SAN) to witness the proceedings.
PDP’s National Legal Adviser, Emmanuel Enoidem, who was also in court, said his party would apply to be made a party in the case.
APC and Abubakar (who was the party’s candidate in the last governorship election in Bauchi State) want the court to compel INEC to proceed with the supplementary election scheduled to hold on Saturday following the commission’s earlier declaration of the March 9 exercise inconclusive.
They are challenging the decision of INEC to reverse its earlier position to conduct a supplementary election.
INEC had stated that the supplementary election was no longer necessary and continue with the collation of the results after a re-computation of the results showed that the March 9, 2019 governorship election in the state ought not to have been declared inconclusive.
Abdusalami Committee brokers peace in Bauchi
A peace committee led by former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, yesterday held a meeting with stakeholders in Bauchi. It urged them to educate their followers to conduct themselves peacefully as they await the outcome of a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The former Head of State, who was represented by a member and Deputy Director of The Kukah Centre, Duke Duke Anoemuah, spoke in Bauchi during a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders on the peaceful 2019 elections for governorship and State House of Assembly.
During the meeting with the theme “Ensuring peaceful co-existence during the elections in Bauchi State”, Abubakar urged political actors to preach a message of peace to their followers.
He said: “This meeting is geared to reinforce peace, the message of peace and to implore actors and their supporters to accept the outcome of the results of various levels of the electioneering process. It will help to strengthen mutual confidence among politicians and to encourage peaceful resolution of all election-related disputes with utmost regard to the rule of law and the due process.”
Police allege plans to disrupt Plateau poll
Plateau State Commissioner of Police Isaac Akinmoyede has alleged plot to disrupt the smooth conduct of Saturday’s supplementary election.
Akinmoyede spoke at a news conference in Jos yesterday.
He said: “Report reaching us at the command is to the effect that some people have concluded plans to destabilise the planned supplementary election which is scheduled to take place in nine local governments of the state.
“I want to use this opportunity to tell those people that we are aware of their plans and they should better shelve their plan in their own interest.
“We have all necessary equipment that we are going to deploy to make sure the election is peaceful and crime free. We are not going to leave any stone unturned to ensure the safety of lives and properties before, during and after the election, because we are going to work with other armies of securities to make sure we cover every part of Plateau.
“We therefore called on citizens to go about their normal businesses and prompt report any suspicious movements to the security agencies.
“This time around, we warned the observers not to go outside the rules of their engagement, they are to observe and send report to their organization and not to a political party.
“We are going to monitor these observers and we will not hesitate to arrest any of them who crosses the boundaries. No observer is allowed to move from one polling unit to another, no observer is allowed at any collation centre.”
GOC warns men against unlawful operations
The Nigeria Army has warned its personnel against unlawful involvement in Saturday’s supplementary elections in some states in the country.
Maj.-Gen. Hakeem Otiki, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, gave the warning while taking over command of the Division on Wednesday.
He said permission and clearance from army headquarters was mandatory for any officer and soldier to be on election duty.
Gen. Otiki said: “You must not get involved in elections without permission; no officer should lead men to any polling unit without clearance from the headquarters.
“Image of the military must not be brought down; any person found in uniform in the town must have been directed from the higher authority.
“Any officer found directing men without permission will be checked and when investigated and found wanting, such officer’s name will be forwarded to Abuja.”
In this piece, Louis Amoke extols the virtues of Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who clocks 55 today.
The good news about Enugu State under the watch of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is that since the governor entrusted the state to the hands of God, the goodness of God has continued to be made manifest in its affairs, to the delight of the people.
Born on March 20, 1964, Gov. Ugwuanyi, today, Wednesday, March 20, clocks 55, to the glory of God. Inaugurated as the 3rd civilian governor of the new Enugu State on May 29, 2015, Ugwuanyi on Saturday, March 9, 2019 was overwhelmingly re-elected, in one of the most peaceful, transparent and credible elections in the history of the state.
The most amazing aspect of the entire scenario was that the governor’s resounding victory in this month of March coincided with his 55th birthday anniversary, which calls for double celebrations in thanksgiving to God, for His mercies and kindness to a man of faith and goodwill.
Though his overwhelming victory and that of all other candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, did not come to many as a surprise, especially those who are informed about the political antecedents of Enugu State, as well as the governor’s sterling performance and swelling popularity in the state, the hidden truth remains that Gov. Ugwuanyi won his reelection the day he had his first interaction with journalists, a few days after his inauguration in 2015.
On that fateful day, Gov. Ugwuanyi stated clearly that his administration will work hard to ensure peace in the state as a panacea for progress and rapid development. The peace-loving governor pledged not to engage in any act that would undermine the relationship between his administration and the past ones, vis-à-vis himself and past leaders of the state. He promised to unite the leaders of the state and accord them due respect irrespective of political affiliations, stressing that “everybody is our friend and the era of politics of bitterness is over”.
This strange resolution which Gov. Ugwuanyi religiously adhered to, no doubt contributed immensely to the overwhelming support and endorsement he enjoyed from the people of the state from all spheres of the society and across party lines, prior to the general election as well as his landslide victory at the polls.
The governor’s decision became one of his greatest assets and a rallying point for prominent leaders from all walks of life, such as the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Senator Fidelis Okoro, Senator Hyde Onuaguluchi, and Ambassador Mrs. Justina Eze, to endorse and campaign vigorously for his reelection.
For instance, at the grand finale of the governor’s door-to-door campaign, held at Udenu Local Government Area headquarters ahead of the just concluded governorship and state assembly elections, some of these leaders eulogised him for entrenching peace, tranquility and good governance, in a manner that has never been experienced before in the history of the state.
They described Gov. Ugwuanyi as a man of history, expressing delight that he has united everybody in the state, irrespective of political leaning. The leaders told him that the culture of peace and good governance he has entrenched in the state was unprecedented and will earn him a landslide victory at the polls.
The party stalwarts added that his pre-election adoption by 70 political parties in Enugu State as their consensus candidate was an affirmation that the governor has united everybody in the state.
While Senator Ekweremadu disclosed that “there is no bickering or quarrels among the political leaders in the state”, Senator Nwobodo, who described Gov. Ugwuanyi as a son thanked him “for bringing everybody together”.
According to Senator Onuaguluchi, “Gov. Ugwuanyi has brought uncommon peace to the state” and “all of us have come to learn from Gburugburu (Ugwuanyi)”. Senator Okoro pointed out that “we have not seen his type before”, and Amb. Mrs. Eze joined others in urging the people to vote massively for him and other candidates of the PDP.
Shortly after the March 9 election, which was adjudged the most peaceful, freest and credible by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)-accredited local and foreign observers, 70 political parties, and leaders of the state, among others, the coalition of governorship candidates in the state led by Gerald Abonyi of Labour Party (LP) congratulated Gov. Ugwuanyi, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the exercise and pledged to support his administration.
Basking in the euphoria of the well-deserved victory, support groups and people from various Local Government Areas have continued to troop to the Government House, Enugu to equally congratulate the governor.
On the day the people of Igbo-Eze North LGA paid him a congratulatory visit, the peace-loving governor appealed to members of his political party to be magnanimous in victory by promoting peace and unity and showing love to one another irrespective of party affiliations. He stated that “now the election is over, politicians in the state should invoke their Christian faith, go back and unite with their perceived enemies, show love to them, so that the prevailing peace for which Enugu State is known will be adequately sustained”.
Prior to this, Ugwuanyi, as a humble and appreciative leader, had shortly after the victory returned to the markets and streets to say “Thank You” to the people for reelecting him as their governor. It would be recalled that the governor and his party, the PDP, unlike other political parties, embarked on an intense door-to-door campaign at the markets and streets of the state canvassing vigorously for votes.
It was, therefore, a heartwarming experience for the residents, the petty traders, the barrow pushers and the market men and women, among others, seeing their governor at their doorstep, coming to say “Thank You” for reelecting him into office.
Governor Ugwuanyi had earlier in his acceptance speech expressed gratitude to God and thanked the people of the state for their overwhelming support in renewing his mandate.
Accepting the mandate, the governor stated that “this victory does not belong to me alone”. He disclosed that “it belongs to Ndi Enugu – our political leaders and other stakeholders irrespective of party affiliations; the market men and women, the barrow pushers, taxi and commercial bus drivers, Okada and Keke riders, petty traders, other artisans, town union and community leaders, the clergy, our revered traditional rulers, civil servants, the farmers, the professional class, youth and women groups, students and others who are the true heroes of our democracy”.
He told the people of the state that he was “deeply humbled that you have, once again, invested your trust and faith in our team”, saying that it is now for him and his deputy and running mate, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo “to continue to work for you”.
Ugwuanyi pledged that his administration will devote energy and time to work harder for the wellbeing and prosperity of the people, stressing that “we are open to new ideas and new visions, as we continue to lay the solid foundation for a more prosperous Enugu State”.
According to him, “I hereby reaffirm that we will continue to serve you with the fear of God, with humility and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of our people and lifting the State to unprecedented heights of development and progress”.
The governor also expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for “his exemplary leadership and for providing the enabling environment that ensured the peaceful conduct of elections in our State”. He equally saluted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “for a job well done and for keeping alive the dream of a brighter democracy”.
Speaking further he said: “We are equally grateful to the Nigerian security agencies and the independent observers who ensured that we had peaceful processes at the polls”.
To his fellow party leaders, members and teeming supporters, Gov. Ugwuanyi thanked them for “the wonderful job that you all did”, saying: “I am very proud of your contributions”.
Extending his hand of fellowship to other contestants he added: “In truth, the victory is not a winner-takes-all. In our spirit of brotherhood, everyone is a winner. Therefore, I reach out my hand of friendship and partnership to my fellow contestants. I invite all of you to join hands with me so that together, we shall build a better Enugu State, to the glory of God.
Re-committing himself to the service of God and the state, Gov. Ugwuanyi declared: “Now is the time to get back to work. We are inspired by the sacrifices and support of our people in renewing our mandate. I am confident that by the special grace of God and with your continuing cooperation and prayers, all things concerning Enugu State will continue to end in praise”.
On the significance of today’s birthday celebration, the time-honoured occasion reinvigorates the governor’s commitment to peace, charity and almsgiving – a constant moral obligation in appreciation of God’s goodness and amazing grace to him as “Nwaogbenye”.
The anniversary offers him, his family, friends, well-wishers, and teeming supporters, who have remained steadfast in prayers, yet another opportunity to give to the poor and less privileged in the society with all sense of divinity and benevolence.
It re-echoes his disposition towards alleviating the suffering of the people as the nexus between him and God. It also re-echoes his long-held appeal that those who intended to offer him birthday gifts should “channel them to charity homes and orphanages in appreciation of God’s mercies and kindness” and “in the spirit of the Lenten Season”.
This, one believes, is the best way to celebrate the governor’s resounding victory at the polls, appreciate God‘s abundant blessings upon him and his family’s life, as well as pray fervently for continued peace and progress of Enugu State, as he strives to render more selfless service in realization of the dreams of the state’s founding fathers.
Your Excellency, it has indeed ended in praise, Happy Birthday. Enugu State is truly in the hands of God.
Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue him with a Certificate of Return as the Senator-elect for Imo West.
The Returning Officer, Prof Francis Ibeawuchi, declared Okorocha winner of the February 23 elections having polled 97,762 votes to beat Jones Onyereri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 68,117 votes.
INEC, however, declined to issue Okorocha a Certificate of Return on the grounds that Ibeawuchi announced the results under duress.
A suit filed by Okorocha’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, wants the court to grant an order compelling the INEC to issue him a Certificate of Return as the validly elected Senator for Imo West.
Okorocha argued that having been declared winner of the election, INEC has no power to withhold his Certificate of Return.
When the case came up yesterday, the court included Onyeriri and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Senator Osita Izunaso, as the second and third defendants.
While Nwafor Orizu appeared for Senator Izunaso, Onyeriri was represented by Emeka Etiaba. Mrs. Wendy Kuku represented INEC.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo directed the plaintiff to amend the originating processes to reflect the new parties in the suit.
Justice Taiwo also directed the defendants to file and serve their processes within 10 days, while Okorocha’s lawyer files and serve his response within three days.
He then adjourned till April 5 for the hearing of all pending applications and the substantive suit.
The Kano State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that the Saturday supplementary election in the state was seamless.
Mr Rabiu Bichi, Kano State PDP Acting Chairman, who made the call in a statement on Wednesday, also appealed to INEC and security agencies to be neutral during the elections.
Bichi said that security agencies had a duty to ensure that voters and their votes were protected from harassment, intimidation and manipulations from any quarters.
He urged the presidency to compel all political, religious, business and traditional leaders in the state to conscientise the political actors on the need to keep peace during the polls.
“We also want them to practise the principle of politics without bitterness’ and the president should prevail on the Kano State Government to let peace reign.
“In addition, it is our hope and prayer that you would use your good offices to ensure that the re-run election is not disrupted at some levels,”
Bichi also urged INEC to be firm, uncompromising and transparent; and ensure anyone found subverting the electoral process was dealt with accordingly.
He further suggested that the electoral umpire should collate election results of all the polling units at the INEC headquarters in the state.
He noted that this would reduce risks of attacks from hired thugs, especially in areas that were far from the state capital.
Bichi said that vote buying, compromising security personnel and use of arms by thugs to disrupt the re-run elections in Kano were already brewing.
He also called on all relevant stakeholders to be vigilant and ensure credible polls, saying the call became necessary because the party had received “credible and reliable intelligence regarding the plans and evil machination of some groups’’.
“Since the March 9, elections and its declaration as inconclusive by INEC, we have repeatedly witnessed unprecedented PVC (Permanent Voter Card) buying across the 44 local government areas of Kano.
“Agents have been deceiving unsuspecting and vulnerable women by taking advantage of their impoverishment by paying them N5, 000 to surrender their PVC,’’ he claimed.
The chairman further alleged that many perpetrators of these fraudulent acts had been apprehended and handed over to the police.
He said that the culprits, along with others that were nabbed in other places, had been handed over to the police and were being investigated.
He claimed that the PDP also received reliable information that cloned card readers had been acquired and pre-loaded with the PVCs that were bought to be swapped with the original card readers.
Bichi, however, said in spite of all these alleged evil plans, the people were determined to exercise their mandate by casting their votes for the candidate of their choice.
He urged all political stakeholders to play according to the rules to ensure free and fair elections. (NAN)
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concerns over hiccups in the conduct of the 2019 general elections.
The party, at an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, complained about the inability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conclude the elections in record time.
The PDP chieftains were particularly miffed that almost two weeks after, INEC could not conclude the governorship and state assembly elections that were held on March 9.
Winners of the governorship elections are yet to be declared in seven states where the polls were declared inconclusive. The affected states are Kano, Sokoto, Benue, Plateau and Bauchi states. The concluding part of the elections are billed to hold in the affected states on Saturday.
The governorship election in Rivers state has become a subject of legal rigmarole by interested parties as a result of suspension of announcement of the results midway into the exercise.
Also of grave concern to the main opposition party was the militarisation of the elections in many states in the South-South geopolitical zone.
The party has resolved to do a post mortem of the general election after the supplementary elections.
The PDP National Chairman, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus who presided over the meeting, called on the military not to allow themselves be called out again for what he described as illegal duties.
He enjoined the military and other security agencies to resist any attempt to be dragged into paying manipulative roles in Saturday’s supplementary elections in the affected states.
The party chair said that military institution in Nigeria is highly regarded and therefore has the responsibility to guard its reputation jealously.
According to him, inconclusive terminology is a rigging strategy introduced by the INEC to aide the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).
He expressed optimism that PDP candidates will emerge victorious in the upcoming supplementary elections in five of the six states that the election will take place.
Secondus said that property will hold the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu responsible for the consequences of all his actions.
President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki said the result of the presidential and state elections reflected the strength and character of the PDP and urged members to build on the foundation.
Saraki said the victory of the APC in the presidential and state elections will be short-lived, adding that, “We have a great future ahead and I believe we will start that on Saturday to make sure that we defend those five states that are declared inconclusive.
“If anybody believes that it is a loss to PDP, it is a loss to the country that history will not forgive. We said it many times here, that the worst to do is to do an election that our country, Nigeria will not be proud of.
“We have done an election that no doubt anybody and even those that think they have won are ashamed of the kind of election that we did.
“I think it is a shame to the country and to those that were given that responsibility to do. They have Saturday as their last opportunity to try as much as possible to reclaim part of their embarrassment to the country.
“How can a country like Nigeria have this type of election? Ghana has done it, Congo and Zimbabwe have done elections. And we say we do elections, with seven inconclusive. We did elections in 2015, we did it in 2011 and 1999 and after so many years, this is what we can produce.
“It is not a loss to the PDP, it is to the country. It just showed the level of desperation. I have confidence that this will be shortlived and as such, let us ensure on Saturday, that these fives states that as ours remain within the PDP and INEC should for once do what is right”, Saraki said.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, urged INEC to save the country the agony setting bad precedent for the country.
Dogara said, “Elections are done all over the world, elections are conducted in Africa and at no time have we heard of these inconclusive elections in other jurisdictions. Ghana elections were held not long ago.
“It will be very unfortunate if INEC, which is led by a first-class Professor set this very dangerous and unacceptable precedent in our political history. That I want them to take note of.
“And also what has happened is pure evil, our consolation as members of this party is that evil does not last and no evil doer has ever escaped punishment.
“If they do what others have done before, they will see what those who did evil saw. Definitely, they cannot escape from it. It’s a law of nature and in the scriptures of God, that whatever you sow so you shall reap.
“This is also for those who believe in power for the sake of power, not because they want to empower people, not because they want to better the lives of our people.
“There is also lessons they can learn from history. History is now replete with examples of all those who pursued power, for the sake of power. Their lives have always ended in semilar tragedy that awaits anyone who seeks power for the sake of power. We have seen that display in Nigeria.
“For us as members of this party, I don’t want us to despair, even though we have inconclusive elections in some states. In five of those states, PDP clearly won the election in those states.
“We will not despair, let us stand strong, let us face the rerun or supplementary elections as they called them. I sincerely believe that by the grace of God victory is ours and we will overcome.
The PDP vice presidential candidate in the February 23 election, Mr Peter Obi, said besides blaming the INEC and the security agencies, the biggest shame goes to those who are directing them to do the wrong thing.
Obi said, “If you choose to be a leader, especially with APC that claims integrity, the biggest corruption and the biggest show of a government that does not believe in integrity is to rig election. Because the process through which you come into office, is far more fundamental than what you do thereafter.
“I think we should hold them responsible for what is happening in this country now. The examples we are setting for the young ones, I don’t know what they will tell a young man who is cheating in an examination in this country after seeing the ways our elections are conducted.
“I don’t know what they will tell those who are robbing banks and kidnapping people, because we have seen the biggest of it by this election where people are happy after robbing the nation and their states.
“The chairman said we will do a post mortem after the election. I thank the party, because it is the party that is going to court not just the presidential candidate going to court to challenge this rascality.
“I as a person have always believed that the biggest enemy of freedom or progress are happy slaves. And thank God that this party has chosen this part, and we will all stand by it”.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended its planned resumption of the collation of the March 9 governorship election results in Bauchi State.
Bauchi Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Ibrahim Abdullahi announced the development at a news conference yesterday.
The REC said it was in line with a court order restraining INEC from resuming the collation of the results which it suspended on March 13.
Abdullahi said the order did not affect the House of Assembly election, disclosing that the commission would go ahead with the collation of Tafawa Balewa constituency and subsequently announce the winner.
The REC said: “As you are aware, we have been indulged by members of the press as to the news that in respect of the news making the rounds in respect of Tafawa Balewa.
“So, I am to inform you formally that the INEC is in receipt of a court order restraining it from proceeding with the collation and announcement of results in respect of Tafawa Balewa only.
“I’m also to add that the order which was sort and granted does not include the Tafawa Balewa constituency, hence we will make arrangements to continue with the state constituency collation and subsequently announce the results.”
Observers seek synergy
between Ganduje,
Police Commissioner
A domestic observer group, Centre for Intervention (CFI), has called for synergy between the police and Kano State government to ensure peaceful and violence-free make-up poll.
In a statement by its coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Baba, the group lamented the perceived bickering between the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Wakili, and Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, describing it as unhealthy and uncalled for.
The statement reads: “We urge the Commissioner of Police to develop much mutual/cordial relationship with the Kano State governor. The state police commissioner should cultivate the right attitude to work with the Kano State governor in order to make sure that the rerun election is free, fair, credible and transparent.”
The group urged the supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to play by the rules to avoid plunging the state into unnecessary violence.
The group called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rectify all the anomalies witnessed in the March 11 elections.
“Late arrival of materials and officials to polling unit should be addressed in this rerun more importantly. INEC should ensure that the smart card readers (SCR) are functional because it remains one of the vital aspects of the elections in Nigeria.”
The group hailed the Chairman of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, for his tireless efforts in fighting the menace of vote-buying. It called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to ensure that culprits of vote-buying are prosecuted according to the law.
ADP Rivers calls for
cancellation of polls
The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), in Rivers State, Victor Fingesi, has criticised the violence that characterised the March 9, 2019 governorship and state legislative elections in the state.
Fingesi, in a statement in Port Harcourt, the state capital yesterday, blamed the bloody exercise on the activities of security operatives, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party(PDP) and called for their exclusion from a fresh exercise.
The statement reads: “Action Democratic Party in Rivers State is calling for the outright cancellation of the March 9, gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections in the state for being marred by violence, vote buying, ballot box snatching/ hijacking, intimidation by military gangs and thugs.
“Our party and others were prevented from all the collation centres from the ward, LGA and state levels. In so many polling units, only agents of PDP, AAC and APC proxy were allowed to observe the calling of the results. Also our polling agents were not signatories to any documents at the polling unit and collation centres.
“Both PDP and APC via their proxy AAC were responsible for the disruption of the enabling environment INEC had put in place. ADP as a law abiding party whose manifesto and constitution believes in peaceful, free and fair elections, participated in the election according to the electoral procedure.
“We fielded many credible House of Assembly candidates and me, the gubernatorial candidate for our party. The statement by 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Bori camp, indicting the police and INEC has resulted in a war of words between the military, Police and INEC.
“It is sad that Rivers state is now the battle ground for all these acrimonies. INEC having admitted collation centres were invades, being the proximate reason for the suspension means that materials have passes through the wrong hands and so cannot be used to conclude the election.”
“Again we are asking INEC to not only prosecute the political parties found culpable to the electoral offences after investigation, but also ban them from participating in any exercise INEC will recommend for the resolution of the electoral process in the state; as this cannot be waved away and would act as a deterrent for future elections nationwide.”
INEC unfair to Rivers
APC, says Cole
Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Tonye Cole yesterday said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has demonstrated bias in the handling of the electoral crisis in the Southsouth state.
He alleged that the electoral agency has failed to resist undue influence by Governor Nyesom Wike, adding that its integrity has been compromised.
Cole called for the cancellation of the election results and the transfer of the Resident Electoral Commissioner as the critical steps for the resolution of the electoral logjam.
A statement by his media aide, Tonye Princewill, said the commission made nonsense of the anti-corruption trend enacted by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Noting that Rivers APC has been vindicated by its earlier complaints against the umpire, Cole said “the recent terse statement made by the Nigerian Army exposed a wide gap in the relationship between the “independent” umpire and the security agencies, which provided the conducive environment for INEC to operate.”
He added: “What is striking in the statement released by the Army is not that they simply dented INEC’s credibility, but that they called them out in a key aspect of their qualification that leaves them in tatters; their expected independence. How INEC recovers from this remains to be seen. But, suffice to say that they can no longer speak with the freedom of the benefit of doubt they have been enjoying, from not only Nigerians, but from the international community.”
Cole lamented that Wike has “tried to show us that he can buy anyone, recruit everyone and not be held accountable to anyone in his pursuit of his ambition to lord it over Rivers State”.
He hailed the Army and the Inspector-General of Police.
Cole added: “We in Rivers State know that there was no widespread violence that called for a total suspension of a whole state. If there was, how did INEC get results in 17 out of 23 LGAs? We know that widespread violence leaves a trail of death and destruction.
“If that was the case, how come INEC was able to declare results for the presidential election when death and destruction were validated, but not for the governorship election when death and destruction were unconfirmed?”
The chieftain said apart from obeying court orders, INEC should apologise to Rivers people and security agencies, especially the army, to rebuild the sense of joint duty needed to move forward.
He also said the electoral agency should issue a statement condemning the violence triggered by the invasion of the collation centre by the governor.
Cole added: “INEC should cancel the entire process and start again or pending the resolution of all legal matters, announce the results as a collation of results announced per LGA, up to the point of “suspension;” and change the REC and principal officers to conduct the election whenever the opportunity so provides, as there is no confidence in their neutrality and/or competence to conduct a free and fair election. Anything short of the above is business as usual and an exercise in futility.”
‘Publish list of collated
results in Rivers’
A coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations in Rivers State has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the list of local government areas in Rivers State where election results have been collated and the ones left uncollated before the process was disrupted.
The coalition, in a statement by its convener, Somina Wokoma warned the commission against turning the state in a theatre of war.
The coalition accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner Obong Effanga of collaborating with the Governor Nyesom Wike to re-write the results of the election.
The statement reads: “We closely monitored the March 9th governorship and Assembly elections and we are alarmed by the treachery exhibited by the State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Obong Effanga and his staff, especially the Admin Secretary who openly collaborated with the incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike in trying to manipulate the governorship election in his favour failing which Mr Effanga had the effrontery to wrongly advise INEC headquarters to suspend a smoothly running election.
“We the members of the coalition, true sons and daughters of Rivers State and law abiding citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wish to state that the suspension of the election process was a well-orchestrated move by Governor Nyesom Wike and his co-conspirators, Obong Effanga and Elder Etim Umoh of Rivers State INEC.
“Since the suspension of the collation of results in the State on March 10, 2019, the outgoing Governor Nyesom Wike and the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner Obong Effanga have been re-writing and doctoring unit results already collated in Rivers State Government House to favour Wike.
“The suspension of the largely smooth running electoral process in the State is a flagrant violation of section 26 of the electoral Act. 2010 (as amended). INEC’s refusal to publish the names of the acclaimed collated seventeen(17) LGA’s and the outstanding Six(6) LGA’s is a clear act of deceit and treachery & confirmation of our long held suspicion that all is not well with the current Rivers INEC team .
“That the clearly and openly compromised actions of Obong Effanga and Elder Etim Umoh have made us lose confidence in them to complete the process as this will be tantamount to Wike being also the umpire in his own election. We will resist this to our last blood.
“The activities of the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Obong Effanga, and the Administrative secretary Elder Etim Umoh are a breach of public trust and abuse of public powers.
“We have it on record the Governor Wike through the Rivers State REC Obong Effanga secretly changed the list of the Collation and Returning Officers who conducted the presidential election and replaced them with card-carrying members of the PDP who realising that the elections were not favouring their paymaster, triggered the illegal suspension order by INEC.
“We hereby inform these conspirators against the sovereign will of our people that we know them by name and have all their details. We will not sit idle and watch them destroy the peace of our State and return scot free to their own States. The coalition will act as one united body to ensure that the Rivers State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Obong Effanga and the Administrative Secretary, Elder Etim Umoh and all those who are a party to this nefarious activity are held responsible for any break-down of law & order in the State.
“We warn the national security agencies of an impending breakdown of law and order should unholy alliance/collaboration with Wike to force himself on Rivers people using INEC and the Judiciary is not nipped in the bud right away
“We are sure that by now the intelligence agencies have confirmed that if not for the highly professional conduct of the security agencies especially the Military in protecting the electorate during that elections, Governor Wike and his thugs dressed on military uniforms would have turned Rivers State into an ocean of blood, worse than what they did in the 2015 general elections.”
They however demand the redeployment of the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner Obo Effanga and the administrative secretary Elder Etim Umoh with immediate effect to forestall any foul play that will lead to making our dear Rivers State a theatre of war.
They also want the INEC Chairman Prof. Yakubu Mahmood to replace them with people of integrity and sound reputation that cannot be bought over by tyrant Governor Nyesom Wike and his blood sucking thugs; we also call on EFCC and other agencies to as a matter of urgency investigate and arrest Obo Effanga, Elder Etim Umoh and their partners in crime.
Adamawa SDP
governorship candidate mobilise voters
The governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Adamawa, Chief Emmanuel Bello, has urged voters in the affected units of Saturday’s supplementary election in the state to troop out en-masse to vote.
Adamawa is one of the six states where the March 9 governorship elections were declared inconclusive by Independent National Electoral Commission and supplementary polls scheduled for Saturday.
Bello, in a statement yesterday by the Media Director of his campaign organisation, Malam Umar Mustafa, reiterated his commitment to participating in the supplementary election.
He debunked speculations that he had withdrawn from the race, describing it as an attempt to confuse his supporters.
“I urge all my supporters to come out en-masse and partake in the election.
“It is to be noted that the votes cancelled in the total of 44 polling units spread across the state are mostly in SDP’s stronghold,” Bello said.
He lauded the people of Adamawa for their support and solidarity and urged them not to lose hope.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has challenged the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja, ordering it to stop the collation of the governorship election results in Bauchi State.
Mr Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education said the commission has filed a ‘motion on notice`, challenging the jurisdiction of the court in granting the order.
” The motion has not been taken. Until that motion is taken, the court order barring us from collating the result of Tafawa Balewa area subsists,” he said.
Although Okoye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, that the commission has stopped the collation of the governorship result, he said the collation process would continue in the state assembly elections in the affected areas.
On Tuesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja barred INEC from resuming the collation and announcement of governorship election result in Bauchi.
Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order following an ex parte application filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Bauchi state Governor, Mohammed Abubakar.
“The commission has already taken a decision. The order is from a properly constituted court of law, so we complied.
“We have fully complied with the court order in relation to collation of the governorship election for Tafawa Balewa local government area,” he said
He said the commission would conduct supplementary elections in areas not affected by the order of the Federal High Court.
INEC initially declared the governorship election in Bauchi, along with the elections in Benue, Plateau, Sokoto, Kano and inconclusive.
It also announced that supplementary elections would take place on 23 March. But in a sudden twist, INEC said it would no longer hold supplementary elections in the contentious Tafawa Balewa Local Government, where it said the result of the poll on March 9 was torn by an armed gang. INEC also said it has appointed a new returning officer for the council and that collation would resume on Tuesday.
INEC said a fact-finding committee headed by Okoye recommended that the results of polling units in the council should be upheld and then cancelled the planned election in the council.
INEC’s volte-face angered the All Progressives Congress candidate and the incumbent governor, Muhammed Abubakar and his party.
There were accusations about denial of fair hearing by the Okoye committee and that the committee was compromised because Okoye has some relationship with some PDP leaders, such as Speaker Yakubu Dogara.
