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Tag: Inec

  • 2019 Polls: Abdulsalami warns against Nigeria’s disintegration

    Former Head of state,  Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Friday said he will forever be an enemy of anyone that tried to hinder the democratic development of Nigeria or plunge Nigeria into crisis.

    Abdualsaslami said this at the Maiden Edition of General Abdulsalami Abubakar Foundation Peace Lecture, organised by the staff and students of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Post Graduate Students’ Hall of the University of Ibadan. The lecture was titled; “Collaborative Peace Building in Nigeria,”

    He cautioned politicians against disrupting the 2019 general elections, saying “we have no other place to run to should the country be engulfed by fire”.

    According to the former head of state, Nigeria cannot be that great nation we all want,  except we all agree to collectively work together and collaborate on peace.

    “Peace is not absence of disagreement. Every society must have disagreements. This is because we are not born alike, even twins do not operate in a like manner,” hence there is nothing wrong with people having disagreements.

    “What is expected is that when we have disagreements we would find peaceful solutions to the issues, ” he said.

    He said there can be no sustainable development where people find it difficult to deal with the problems around them peacefully.

    Read Also: NSCDC deploys over 10,000 operatives for Osun guber poll

    “It is therefore, my honest opinion that we are going nowhere until we have a national consensus to work for peace.

    “What our politicians should focus upon at a time like this is to be working with professionals on how to make a difference in 2019.”

    The former head of state stressed the need for Nigerians to focus more on addressing the escalating development crisis in the land.

    “No matter how good those managing INEC are, if things are not well managed as they are, it might be difficult for us to have credible elections in 2019,” he said.

    He advised the students to reject being used in the forthcoming elections and not be allowed to be dragged into electoral malfeasance and violence.

    He also appealed to politicians to be more conciliatory in their relationship and public utterances.

    “INEC must be an unbiased umpire. The security agencies in the country must be fair to all, people must be free to vote their leaders”.

    The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Idowu Olayinka, praised the former head of state, adding “it is very rare for a military head of state to say he has to grant the wishes  of the people for a democratic government.

    “This is the kind of things we need in Nigeria for our leaders to forge peace in the country,” he haid.

    The University presented a peace award to Gen. Abdulsalami, while a cafeteria was built in his honour.

    Some Dignitaries at the event included former minister of Petroleum, Tam David West, the GOC, 2 Division, Fidelis Azinta,  former Executive Secretary, TETFund Prof.  Suleiman Bogoro and the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi.

     

  • Uncollected PVCs in safe custody, INEC assures

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that all uncollected Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) have been kept safely in its strong room.
    The INEC dismissed allegations by some politicians that the commission had released uncollected PVCs to certain political parties and also compromised the card readers.
    The commission, therefore, warned all political parties participating in today’s Osun State governorship election to desist from making unfounded statement about 435,015 uncollected PVCs.
    The State Resident Electoral Commission of INEC, Olusegun Agbaje, at a press conference in Osogbo, the state capital,  assured that the smart card readers have been prepared for optimal performance, adding that 996 have been reserved to serve as backups.
    He said: “Out of 1,246,915 registered voters, a total of 435,015 PVCs, that is 25.86 percent, are yet to be collected by their owners and are being kept in the INEC strong room at the state office here in Osogbo.
    “The commission has no plan whatsoever to give the uncollected PVCs to any political party. The Commission’s Smart Card Readers are not also designed to favour any political party. I therefore strongly advice all stakeholders in the Osun state governorship election, especially the political parties’ leaders and contestants, to desist from making unguarded utterances and unfounded allegations.
    “It should be noted that the commission has perfected plans with the security agencies to decisively deal with anyone engaging in any illicit act, particularly the notorious act of ‘see and buy’ as it is called in the local parlance during the election.”
    However, the REC appealed to newsmen to cooperate with the commission to ensure that the final result is announced by the INEC before circulating it to the public.
    Agbaje also gave out phone numbers for complaints of any kind by the electorate, the media and the general public in  the election.
    According to Agbaje, the situation room of the commission will be receiving complaints through 08168963080, 07057789656and 07086575910.
    The INEC boss, who assured people of the state of the commission’s readiness to conduct free, fair and credible election that will be acceptable to the people, announced that sensitive materials for the poll have been delivered to the commission and moved from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to all the 30 local government areas of the state.
    He stated that accreditation and voting will go on simultaneously between 8:00am and 2:00 pm, saying “only those on queue at 2pm will be allowed to vote.

  • EFCC, INEC partnership targeted at opposition – Wike

    The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has described the partnership between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and INEC to monitor campaign finances ahead of 2019 elections is a witch-hunt targeted at the opposition.

    Speaking during a special appearance on Channels Television Sunrise Daily broadcast from the Government House Port Harcourt on Thursday, Governor Wike described the partnership as a political deception.

    He said: “EFCC working with INEC to investigate campaign finances is merely a smokescreen.  It is targeted at the opposition party.

    “When have you heard that EFCC would come up to say, as regards the ruling party, funds came from the government.  I will not be carried away by the so-called EFCC investigation “.

    Governor Wike noted that the EFCC is working towards creating an atmosphere of advantage for the ruling party in the long run.

    He said: “The fund they want to investigate is only when it has to do with the opposition states. Take for example; EFCC said PDP spent money in the last 2015 elections.

    “Has EFCC investigated those states that were APC, like Rivers State at that time that funded part of their election.  Who is deceiving who? EFCC is only working to witch-hunt the opposition. ”

    Read Also: Leave us out of PDP’s problems, APC tells Wike

    The governor regretted that since 2015, the APC Federal Government has been unable to complete the Port Harcourt International Airport. He said despite criticising Jonathan, the APC Federal Government has refused to upgrade the airport.

    “When you look at the whole thing, you see the hatred. How this government does not like the people of Rivers State “, the governor said.

    Commenting on the 2019 elections, Governor Wike said that the desperate rigging moves on August 18, 2018 at the Port Harcourt State Constituency Three Elections indicate that the APC is not ready for elections.

    “Through the Port Harcourt State Constituency Three Election, they revealed to us what they planned for 2019. They don’t want election.  They want to use security to rig”, he said.

    Governor Wike denied claims that he drafted a Presidential Aspirant from another political party to fly the party’s flag. He stated that no single governor can achieve that.

    “We have 36 States and Abuja. We have about 14 governors.  How can a governor of one state lure a particular aspirant to run for the Presidential Election.

    “I am not a member of the convention planning committee. I am only providing the venue.  I am not going to be a member of any sub-committees, so where does the influence.  In any case, if you like you do the election in Lagos, people will still have influence”, Governor Wike said.

    He reiterated his position that certain Presidential Aspirants are funded by the APC and planted in the PDP ahead of the primary.

    He said: “As I speak with you, just yesterday, certain Presidential Aspirants and some people in the ruling party met to take some steps to make sure that our convention fails”.

    Speaking on the environmental challenge posed by flooding, Governor Wike said that the State Government has established an emergency response team to tackle issue.

    He added that the State Government is working with other stakeholders to end the prevalence of soot in the state.

  • Osun: INEC’s ban on phones will reduce vote buying – CSO

    YIAGA Africa, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), said the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) ban on phones in voting booths during the Osun governorship election would reduce vote buying and selling.

    Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, a board member of YIAGA Africa in a statement said that the group under its Watching The Vote (WTV) project deployed 561 observers to monitor the pre, during and post election environment of Osun.

    Nwagwu said that 500 stationary observers, 32 mobile citizen observers and 30 collation observers would be sent to 250 polling units across the 30 Local Government Areas of Osun to observe the election.

    “As noted during the 2018 Ekiti governorship election, the Osun governorship election may be decided by the highest bidder.

    “This is based on prevalence of voter inducement that precedes Election Day voting.

    “With this in mind, WTV welcomes the reorganisation of polling units by INEC in its bid to protect the secrecy of ballot.

    “ Specifically, we welcome the ban on use of phones in the voting cubicles or voting booth, if properly enforced, WTV believes it will reduce the incidence of vote buying and selling at the polling unit.”
    Nwagwu urged voters to resist any attempt by politicians to subvert the process through material inducement or cash.

    He also urged voters to make informed voting choices based on capacity, character and competence of candidates and not amount of cash or gift items distributed by parties and candidates.

    He said that the group also identified some early warnings that needed attention.

    He said that the WTV observers reported cases of violent physical or verbal attacks, vandalism, destruction of properties, inflammatory and inciting statements and recruitment of political thugs by a candidate or the supporters.

    He said that these incidences could potentially lead to breach of peace if not abated.

    He said that the group was concerned with the growing rate of fake news and misinformation in the public space ahead of the election.

    Nwagwu said that this was dangerous and could negatively influence political behaviour in this election.

    He said the group urged INEC and security agencies to remain alert and counter fake news and misinformation in a timely and expeditious manner.

    The official said that sponsors and peddlers of fake news and misinformation should be reprimanded and sanctioned in line with legal stipulations.

    He said that the group reiterated its call that security agents on election duty should uphold the principles of non-partisanship, transparency, civil policing and professionalism in the conduct of their affairs.

    He urged security agencies deployed for the election to respect the rights of citizens and observers, including the right to freedom of movement on Election Day for duly accredited observers.

    He, however, expressed concerned with the influx of top government functionaries from other states into Osun, adding that such officials should be barred from moving around with security agents.

    Nwagwu said that on Election Day, WTV observers would report to their assigned polling units at 7:00 am and remain there throughout setup, accreditation and voting, counting and the announcement and posting of the official results.

    He said that throughout the day, every citizen observer at sampled polling units will send in eleven coded text messages to the Osun data centre located at Ideal Nest Hotel, Osogbo.

    He said that once the text messages are received at YIAGA Africa’s data centre, they would be processed and reviewed to ensure the information is complete, authentic and accurate.

    “We urge the electorate to remain calm even in the face of challenges that may arise as every Osun voter has the right to participate irrespective of party affiliation.” he said.

    Nwagwu said that in the interests of transparency and accountability, INEC should make polling unit results publicly available in a timely manner.

    This, he said, would enhance the confidence of political parties, contestants and the public in the accuracy of the official results.

    He encouraged all registered, with their cards to go out on Saturday, Sept. 22 to vote their choice in the Governorship Election

  • Osun 2018: Saraki, Fayose accuse INEC, police of compromise 

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, have accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian police of colluding with the Federal Government to rig elections in states.

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains made the accusation while addressing reporters in Ede, Osun State after the party’s mega rally for its governorship candidate, Sen. Ademola Adeleke.

    Read Also:Oyetola: why Osun deserves govt of continuity

    Saraki said he has observed a trend in recent elections where results declared by INEC shows a huge invalidated number of votes with a narrow margin with which candidates win.

    He said the trend showed in the Bauchi National Assembly bye-election and Ekiti State governorship election.

    Saraki warned INEC and the Federal Government to desist from the trend, saying it is the latest style of rigging the elections in favour of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.

    He said the trend must not repeat itself in tomorrow’s governorship election in Osun State.

    He faulted the declaration of Sen. Adeleke wanted by the police two days before the election.

    His words: “There is a pattern that we have seen and we hope that in this election of Osun we will not see that. When you look at the margin of victory between the party that wins and that party that loses, and you look at the amount of cancellation, you tend to see that the difference is almost the same. We are seeing that trend here, we saw it in Bauchi bye- election and to me, there’s something fishy going on.

    “And so it’s important in a credible election, there should not be that amount of cancellation. And I think INEC needs to step up. In the 2015 election, we never saw this level of cancellation. This is a new trend that is very disturbing and I hope that in this election INEC will show how credible it is and ensure invalid votes should not be like that. When cancellation is more than the margin of victory, then that election carries a big question mark.

    When asked about the level of confidence with which PDP was going into the Osun election, Fayose said the process was already compromised.

    He said: “It is not about level of confidence. We are talking about the process, the process leading to an election. INEC has been compromised, police have been compromised. When they want to arrest they will arrest PDP. When they are doing vote buying it is PDP that will be arrested, not APC. It is whoever police call a criminal that is a criminal. When already police are taking sides, what do we say to that? When you are telling us what level of confidence?  It is about the system, the process. If I come here and arrest you with gun what will you do? If they have the effrontery to say they are declaring the candidate of PDP in an election that is 48 hours away as the criminal to create a perception, you can imagine.”

    He added: “They are taking this state one after the other and they forget that nothing will last forever. We must all condemn this unnecessary, unwarranted assault on democracy…

    “For APC to come here and start talking about corruption, we have had enough of that. I wrote to EFCC that I will be coming on the 16th. I am still a sitting governor, you are declaring me wanted. You said they should be looking for me. I am here today. When I was passing the airport I had to look for Customs officers to tell them ‘I am here if you need someone to arrest.’

    “This is not the country of our dream; this is not the democracy of our dream. For anybody to say PDP wants to rig this election it’s exactly what they want to do that they are now laying on others. You saw what happened in Ekiti. Have you ever seen a governorship election won by under 20,000 votes? They won with 19,000 votes and voided votes were 18,000. The one the Senate President was talking about, their strategy is to invalidate most of the votes when they know that it is not adding up for them. This is not the spirit at all.

    “And I want to say to them if they like they should set Nigeria ablaze. They must remember the children yet unborn. Those who are benefiting from this wickedness should remember that if the last administration were to be like this they would never have got there.”

  • INEC extends date of PVCs collection

    Five days to the Osun governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has  extended collection of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) for three days. Prospective voters have till tomorrow (Wednesday) to pick up their cards.

    The commission has advised those that are yet to collect their PVCs to seize the opportunity of the extension to do so.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who spoke at  the stakeholders forum in Osogbo, the state capital, assured the people of free fair and credible election.

    He said: “The commission will never do anything that will diminish her current level of credibility, but conduct Osun State governorship election by exhibiting the highest level of transparency, integrity and professionalism.”

    The INEC boss warned the electorate to avoid taking photograph of their ballot paper before dropping it in the ballot box, saying the commission would deal with anybody caught in the act.

    He said the commission will partner the security agencies to checkmate inducement of voters, adding that voters should resist any attempt by politicians to buy their votes.

    Prof. Yakubu said INEC will not take advantage of any political party. He said: “Our ultimate objective is to ensure that the choice of who becomes the governor of Osun State is entirely in the hands of the voters.”

    He added: “Our immediate response is to review the administration of our polling units to make it difficult for voters to expose their marked ballot papers between the voting cubicles where they vote in secret and the ballot box, where they cast their votes. We are working with security and other law enforcement agencies for a solution to this brazen violation of several provision of the Electoral Act.”

    Also, the  Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, disclosed that 18,426 policemen had been deployed for the election.

    He said: “Arrangements have been concluded to deploy over 18,426 police personnel, including conventional and PMF units, intelligence and technical teams, to provide security.

    “This number excludes the support services to be provided by other security personnel from the Armed Forces, the Immigration Service, the Prisons, the Custom and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense corps, to complement the efforts of the police.

    “The police officers deployed for this election have been lectured and educated on electoral conducts, behaviours, laws and offences, and are therefore expected to conduct themselves in a highly programmes ethical manners.”

    The police boss, who also disclosed that four policemen would be deployed to each poling unit, said: “The policemen that would be deployed for the election have been trained properly and the Federal Government has provided funds for the payment of the officers allowances.”

    The IG also said there would be police check-points across the state from the beginning of the election to its end, to ensure weapons are not conveyed into the state by political thugs and their principals.

    He preached against political violence, hate speeches, campaign of calumny and undemocratic behaviours that could mar the election before, during and after its conduct.

    Idris said: “Hate speeches, siren blowing and other distracting untoward actions would not be tolerated.” He also charged the electorate to desist from such, saying it could disturb electoral process.

    The IG charged the electorate to report any misconduct to police  for appropriate action, warning that “our brother politicians and their supporters are advised to desist from actions that may precipitate violence before, during and after the election.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, charged politicians, electorate and other stakeholders to make Osun governorship election a model for the determination of the 2019 general elections.

    The monarch warned that no politician should see himself as  greater than the country. He also appealed to the youths not to allow themselves to be used as tools to destroy the greatness of the country.

    The Ooni said: “We should pray for the oneness of the country. Security agents should do their job well, those in other careers should also play their parts well, to make the country great. All of us should know that we have children in the country. Play a pivotal role in building the nation. Let us all join hands to make the country great. Parents should talk to their children not to allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians to perpetrate electoral fraud.”

  • Osun election: Party accuses INEC of excluding its candidate

    *Threatens court action

    One of the political parties seeking to field candidate for the September 22 governorship election in Osun State, the National Rescue Movement (NRM) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of excluding its candidate from the commission’s list.

    NRM argued that despite supervising its primary as required under the Electoral Act, INEC has unlawfully excluded its candidate, Mrs. Jumoke Lawoyin, from the list of candidates for the gubernatorial election slated for next Saturday

    In a complaint, authored by its lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, to INEC Chairman, NRM argued that the commission’s “act of omitting, refusing and or neglecting to add our Client’s candidate’s name to your approved candidates list for the 2018 Osun State gubernatorial election is unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional and ought to be urgently rectified.”

    NRM, in the complaint, dated September 17, 2018 with reference No. KACCL/LET/RO/381/18, stated “that considering the peculiarity of this case and the urgency attached thereof, our Client requires that you should within 24-Hours of receipt of this letter, cause an amendment to be effected to the approved Osun State gubernatorial candidates list to include our Client’s candidate, otherwise, we may be constrained to perfect the brief of our client by employing all available legal mechanism at our disposal to ensure that our client is not dispossessed of their right to participate in the Osun State gubernatorial Election by this colossal omission.”

    It informed the INEC boss that NRM is a recognized and duly registered political party under the relevant laws in Nigeria with a mandate to attain political power through democratic and constitutional means for the purpose of creating socio-economic well-being of the citizens.

    The complaint reads in part: “Our client briefed us that by a notice dated 12th July, 2018, your office was informed of the conduct of our client’s primaries, sequel to which your representatives led by Mr. Asaolu Adeniyi Ishola were sent to observe and monitor the said primary election which held at Brymor Hotel, Agunbelewo, Oshogbo and in which Mrs Jumoke Lawoyin was confirmed and affirmed as our client’s candidate for the Osun State gubernatorial election scheduled to hold on the 22nd of September 2018.

    “However, it is our brief that despite the service of the requisite notice of the primaries on your commission as required by law and your subsequent participation wherein your staff observed the emergence of our client’s candidate for the impending Osun State gubernatorial election, your commission has negligently, unlawfully, illegally omitted, left out and excluded the name of our client’s candidate from the INEC approved list.

    “Our client further informed us that they have exhausted all available mechanisms of communication with your commission in other to rectify the anomaly which as explained to them was due to some administrative oversight which unfortunately has been left unattended, hence, the briefing our firm to formally take up their complaint with your commission.

    “It is trite law that every duly registered political party and candidate enjoys the constitutional right to vote and be voted for, we therefore implore you to within the specified period, accede to our client’s demands.”

  • Ekiti Poll: Tribunal begins sitting, pledges to be fair

    The battle on the authentic winner of the July 14 governorship poll in Ekiti State commenced in the courtroom on Monday as the Election Petition Tribunal began its sitting.

    The three-member panel of judges led by the Chairman, Justice Suleiman Belgore, promises to be fair to parties involved in the petition.

    Other members of the panel are Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro and Justice Aliyu Baba Usman.

    The first petitioner is People’s Democratic Party (PDP) while its governorship candidate is the second petitioner.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the first respondent, All Progressives Congress (APC) is the second respondent while the third respondent is the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    In the inaugural speech, Justice Belgore stressed that the jury is aware of the 180-day time frame within which to deliver final verdict.

    He urged lawyers to parties to maintain decorum and not engage in the use of any “delay tactics” to slow down proceedings.

    Belgore said the pane would be guided by the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules and Practice Direction as issued by the President of the Court of Appeal.

    The judges commenced sitting at 10.12 am and rose at 10.32 am.

    The panel reconvenes at 11.30 am for pre-trial hearing.

  • David Mark visits IBB in Minna

    Senator David Mark was in  Minna, capital of Niger State to hold a private meeting with the former military President Ibrahim Babangida.

    The meeting lasted for two hours at the Hilltop residence of the former military ruler.

    David Mark arrived at about 1.30pm  in company of  Sen. Zainab Kure, Sen. Tunde Ogbeha and Sen.Suleman Adokwe, current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation.

    The 70 year-old Mark, who has been in the Senate since 1999, obviously came to discuss his presidential ambition with Babangida, who had hosted several other aspirants. Among them were the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former governors Attahiru Bafarawa, Sule Lamido and Ahmed Makarfi, all contesting under the Peoples Democratic Party platform.

    Said one of Mark’s aides who didn’t want his name mentioned: ” Yes my boss is discussing with IBB. First to brief him and seek  his prayers and support for the task ahead”.

    Read Also: ‘Why Nigerians can’t trust Mark as president’

    Sen. Zainab Kure, who is the director general David Mark Presidential Campaign Organisation told NAN that Mark is a good material needed to reposition the country for optimal growth.

    “He was a former military Governor, communications Minister and senate president of the Federal Republic. So he possesses all the required political acumen to lead our country “,she said.

    Zainab also hoped that the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) would conduct a free, fair and credible election.

    ” I am appealing to all  eligible Nigerians to support the  electoral processes to enable the commission discharge its constitutional mandate “, she said.

    She said that the task to ensure a peaceful conduct of the 2019 election is the joint responsibility of all stakeholders especially the politicians.

  • No faction in Bakassi APC, says Ita-Giwa

    Political leader of the Bakassi people of Cross River State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, says there is no faction in the party in the local government.

    Speaking during the commissioning of the chapter secretariat as well as the inauguration of the chapter and ward executives of the party in Bakassi local government area, Ita-Giwa said the party was united to help President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed, so as to help resettle the people once and for all.

    Her words, “We also had to emphasize that Bakassi is not in any faction. In all the years of our doing elections in the party, we have never had parallel structures or factions. Yes, we do have misunderstandings, but we always come around, reconcile and come together because of the paramount interest, which are the people of Bakassi; but not to the extent of having two parallel structures. I don’t believe in that. I am too old to believe in parallel structures or factions. Bakassi is neutral. I am focused on APC winning elections. My mind is connected to Buhari winning the election so that they can come and resettle Bakassi.

    “We are a peculiar local government. We are not like every local government in Nigeria. We are a local government with very profound problems, that up till now, how many years ago that we were ceded without a referendum, we are still homeless, still in refugee camps, having babies and dying in camps. Until now we have not been relocated to where we call our home. To where is conducive to our way and style of living and means of livelihood. Up till now, Nigeria has continued to trample on the people of Bakassi and we are saying that enough is enough. We came to APC so we can help solidify APC and when we do that and the president wins election; the president would be able to resettle the Bakassi people very well.

    Read Also: Ita-Giwa condemns Senate invasion

    “We are qualified to vote as Nigerians. We went to Dayspring on our own without the support of government and got our voters’ cards to be able to vote as Nigerians. Even then, they still went to court to question the legality of that process and we thank God that INEC stood their grounds and won the case. Today Dayspring is an area where you are qualified to vote and be voted for. Under no circumstance should people continue to refer to Bakassi in numbers. We are not numbers. We have names. All the ten wards have names. We have identities.

    “We have our land, Dayspring. Let them take us there. We don’t need resettlement camps. We need to go to our natural place of abode so people have their traditional, political and religious lives as the case may be. That is why we are here to make that case, which is that they should leave us out of your faction issue. We have issues that are more profound than political factions.”