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Tag: Inec

  • APC ready to take power in 2015, say Buhari, Tinubu

    APC ready to take power in 2015, say Buhari, Tinubu

    National leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gen. Muhamadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday said the party is ready to take power in 2015.

    They urged the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to plan ahead of the 2015 general elections.

    The APC leaders spoke yesterday in Benin, the Edo State capital, at Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s fifth year anniversary in office and launch of the party in the state.

    “We are, therefore, reminding INEC that it has the responsibility to direct the people and correctly advise the people that it will guarantee a free, fair and credible election.

    “We know that power is not easy to surrender. But we want it and we will get it in an honest manner because APC has come to stay,” Tinubu said.

    He hailed the residents for their foresight in voting for Oshiomhole.

    Tinubu said: “Your votes have not been misplaced by the amount of massive development being experienced in the state.

    “Since you took that decision five years ago, Oshiomhole has never looked back in terms of infrastructure and economic development of Edo State.

    “You have seen and witnessed the radical development. But let me say that this is not our final destination.

    “Our destination is to take over the federal level to replicate what Oshiomhole and other APC governors are doing in their states.

    “You have accepted APC and it is now your duty to begin to spread the good news around your neighbourhoods and communities.”

    Gen. Buhari, who congratulated Oshiomhole on his achievements, said: “I am happy that the people can now see the difference.”

    The former head of state said he was optimistic that the governor would continue to develop the state.

    He stressed that an APC government at the centre would eradicate poverty and provide security in the nation.

    “If you vote us into power, we are prepared to tackle abduction and killing of people across the nation so that people can move freely in whatever part of this country.

    “APC is here to take power in 2015, to effectively manage the economic fortunes of our land,” Buhari said.

  • Tinubu: don’t subvert people’s will

    NATIONAL Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to subvert the will of the people.

    He spoke in Benin City during the five-year anniversary of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole administration in Edo State.

    Tinubu said Nigerians had been taken for granted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government, adding that they were now wiser.

    The former Lagos State governor said starting with the Anambra governorship election on Saturday, the people are ready to defend their votes.

    He urged INEC to be upright and follow due process, saying: “We need your electoral blueprint in the Anambra governorship poll on Saturday.

    “We are sending a message to INEC that Anambra people will not tolerate the kind of open stealing, cut-short and manipulation of election as they did in the senatorial by-election in Delta State.

    “APC will give Nigerians and Anambra indigenes a good leadership, a direction needed, if they do the way they always do. We will react, we are sending a strong message to them.

    “INEC should show Nigerians that it is truly independent. If not, we will react if it dares manipulate the Anambra governorship poll. The election must be one-man one-vote.”

    He said the PDP-led Federal Government had not given Nigerians a purposeful leadership.

    Asiwaju Tinubu lamented that the people had been fed with lies, as government claims of growth in the GDP had not translated into a better life for the masses.

    He said: “We have been fed with lies by this government. This is why we are now more poised to reclaim power from them to give Nigerians a purposeful leadership.

    “We are aware that power is not easy to surrender, but in the face of recent happenings in the PDP-led government, we will get this power and it will be in a genuine way.

    “They keep telling us about growth in the economy, yet, we have millions of unemployed youths roaming the streets. People now experience more hardship than before.”

    Another APC National Leader, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), said Nigerians must brace themselves for a change in 2015.

    He said APC was interested in two things – security and a better economy.

    Buhari, a former military head of state, urged Anambra people to stand by the principle of one-man one-vote.

    Governor Oshiomhole, who listed his achievements in the last five years, promised more people-oriented projects before the expiration of his tenure in 2016.

    Advising INEC to stand on the path of honour in the Anambra election, he urged the people to defend their votes.

    Dignitaries at the event included the Interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Tom Ikimi, Audu Ogbeh, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, Bello Masari, a former governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, a governorship aspirant in the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Solomon Edibiri, national and state lawmakers and traditional rulers.

  • Tinubu, Buhari to INEC: Re-strategise ahead of 2015 elections

    Tinubu, Buhari to INEC: Re-strategise ahead of 2015 elections

    Former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday urged the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to re-strategise ahead of the 2015 general elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that he made the appeal at Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s fifth year anniversary in office and launch of the All Progressive Congress (APC) party in Edo State.

    “We are therefore reminding INEC that it has the responsibility to direct the people and correctly advise the people that it will guarantee a free, fair and credible election.

    “We know that power is not easy to surrender. But we want it and we will get it in an honest manner because APC has come to stay,” he said.

    He commended the people of the state for their foresight in voting for Oshiomhole adding, “your votes have not been misplaced by the amount of massive development being experienced in the state.

    “Since you took that decision five years ago, Oshiomhole has never looked back in terms of infrastructure and economic development of Edo State.

    “You have seen and witnessed the radical development. But let me say that this is not our final destination.

    “Our destination is to take over the federal level to replicate what Oshiomhole and other APC governors are doing in their states.

    “You have accepted APC and it is now your duty to begin to spread the good news around your neighbourhoods and communities.”

    Also speaking at the forum, the former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhar (rtd), who congratulated Oshiomhole on his achievements, said, “I am happy that the people can now see the difference.”

    Buhari said that he was optimistic that Oshiomhole would continue with his good work of developing the state.

    He said that an APC government at the centre would work to eradicate poverty and provide security to the nation.

    “If you vote us into power, we are prepared to tackle cases of abduction and killings of people across the nation so that people can move freely in whatever part of this country,” he added.

     

  • APC for launch in Edo

    All is now set for the launch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State today. The event will coincide with the five years of Governor Adams Oshiomhole administration in power and one year into its second term.

    The launch of the party in the state has dragged for long due to the disagreement between the governor and the Southsouth leader of the party, Chief Tom Ikimi.

    Following the disagreement, a four-man committee was set up, comprising former governor Chief Odigie Oyegun and the immediate past secretary to the state government, Dr. Simon Imuekemen, to mediate, which they did and today the party is set for launch, months after its registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and launch in other APC states.

    The state, local government and ward secretariats of the party are in a carnival mood. Nollywood actors and actress are expected to participate in carnivals in major streets of Benin City.

    At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and its environs, APC’s and Oshiomhole’s posters, listing his achievements in the past five years, have been pasted everywhere.

    All the merger parties are also participating in the launch.

     

  • Katsina lawmakers accuse INEC, National Assembly of bias

    Ten lawmakers, whose election was voided by a lower court, have accused the leadership of the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias.

    Two senators and eight members of the House of Representatives said yesterday that the leadership of the National Assembly had continued to ignore a ruling by the Court of Appeal ordering their reinstatement.

    The aggrieved lawmakers accused them of violating the country’s constitution and a court order.

    They said it was unfortunate that a glaring case of disdain for the rule of law was rearing its ugly head in the leadership of the National Assembly and INEC.

    The lawmakers lost their seat in a controversial court process but the Court of Appeal ordered their reinstatement, an order that is being ignored by the leadership of the legislature and INEC.

    The lawmakers, who were elected on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), at a press briefing, said their case was being manipulated in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who contested the election with them but lost.

    They said: “A declarative judgment on the 11th of January 2013 held that INEC has no power to void, withdraw, cancel, nullify, review or invalidate either directly or indirectly the Certificates of Return validly issued to us.

  • IPAC urges free, fair poll

    IPAC urges free, fair poll

    Jega: 20 million permanent voter cards delivered

    INDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega has said 20 million permanent voter cards (PVCs) have been delivered into the country.

    He said the commission would soon begin a voter and civic education programme for specific groups, such as traditional institutions, religious groups, faith-based institutions, labour unions across the country.

    Jega spoke yesterday at the Geo-Gold Hotels in Awka, Anambra State, at a workshop by Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), in partnership with INEC.

    The workshop was organised to sensitise voters on Saturday’s election.

    INEC chairman’s address was read by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Delta State, Dame Gesila E.O. Khan.

    He said with the PVCs, irregularities and challenges would be addressed.

    Jega said INEC was being restructured in five strategic directions, including providing electoral operations, system and infrastructure.

    The IPAC Chairman and National Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said they were only interested in a violent-free election, adding that they abhorred ballot box snatching, blackmail and mudslinging.

    He said the Anambra election was a litmus test for INEC, parties and Nigerians, adding that the indigenes should show the world that a credible poll could be conducted in the state.

    The Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Ndi Obi, said based on the attitude of Anambra indigenes, the election would be free, fair and credible.

  • Party exposes PDP’s, APGA’s rigging strategies

    Party exposes PDP’s, APGA’s rigging strategies

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has exposed the plan by desperate politicians in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to rig Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.

    It warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against allowing itself to be used to carry out such plan.

    In a statement in Ibadan yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party listed some of the rigging strategies as disenfranchisement of voters, especially in opposition strongholds; massive thumb-printing of ballot papers in secret locations; sloppy accreditation process; late or non-delivery of voting materials to opposition strongholds and the use of the police and other security agencies to intimidate voters.

    It described the strategies as old tricks, which INEC should be well aware of, if the electoral body was keen on delivering a free, fair and transparent election.

    “There are plans to use several secret locations, including Ogidi, for massive ballot paper thumb-printing, and it is an open secret that some of these locations are being fortified for secrecy.

    “Plans are also afoot to foist a sloppy accreditation exercise on voters by muddling up names and photographs of voters in such a way that most voters will be disenfranchised.

    “Also, areas where the APC candidate is the strongest will either be starved of voting materials or will not even receive such materials at all, while the police – which are fast becoming the armed wing of the PDP – as well as other security agents will be used to harass and intimidate voters.

    “These are some of the evil strategies, which the riggers are counting upon on Saturday. This is the same game plan that the PDP used to rig the Delta Central poll last month, with the collusion of some dirty INEC officials,” APC said.

    The party warned, however, that Anambra people would not allow a replay of such electoral heist and unmitigated brigandage, “neither would we condone any action that would not ensure a level-playing field for candidates at the poll.”

    It warned INEC, the police and other security forces to restrict themselves to their constitutional roles during the election, instead of conspiring with do-or-die politicians.

    “We will expose, challenge and shame those bent on ruining the election in Anambra, using our counter-measures.”

    APC urged INEC to present and use for the Anambra poll, an authentic, legitimate and reliable voter register; ensure a proper voter accreditation as well as proper documentation of agents and voting materials, starting from the polling units to the collation centre; and make sure that the distribution of election materials are timely, effective and well-monitored.

    The party enjoined its supporters to be extra-vigilant before, during and after the election; protect their votes within the limits of the law and their own safety.

  • INEC conspiring with PDP to rig poll, alleges APC

    INEC conspiring with PDP to rig poll, alleges APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed doubt in the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise a free and fair governorship election in Anambra State on November 16, going by recent developments.

    In a statement in Abuja yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party alleged that the top officials INEC plans to send to oversee the election are card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who have compromised their role as unbiased umpires.

    It named the commissioners as Mr. Lawrence Nwuruku, the National Commissioner of INEC in charge of the Southeast and Mrs. Gladys Nwafor, the second INEC Commissioner from the Southeast.

    “Mr. Nwuruku was the chairman of the PDP in Ebonyi State and Mrs. Nwafor had worked with First Lady Patience Jonathan as a grassroots mobiliser. These officials cannot, in all honesty, be expected to be unbiased, because they have been compromised by their antecedents.

    “If INEC has any hope of organising a free, fair and transparent election in Anambra on November 16, it must immediately shelve the plan to send these highly-partisan and heavily-compromised officials to supervise the election. Any action short of this will open INEC to accusations of bias – which is not what any umpire wants,” APC said.

    The party also said some actions taken by INEC in recent times have called to question its ability to stay above the fray as far as the Anambra election is concerned.

  • INEC to synchronise voters’ card into national identity scheme in 2019

    INEC to synchronise voters’ card into national identity scheme in 2019

    The National Commissioner of INEC, Prof. Lai Olurode, said the commission would synchronise its permanent voter’s card programme into National identity scheme in 2019.

    Olurode said the synchronisation of the cards was being extended to 2019 because INEC was not sure if the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) exercise would contain the required bio-metric data required for elections.

    Olurode disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

    He explained that the card would contain voter’s bio-data; age, sex, address, finger prints, blood group and phone number of eligible voter, among others features.

    “Some of the electronic card features include micro testing security, hologram and fingerprints,”  he said.

    Olurode said that the card was designed to prevent multiple voting and strengthen INEC’s efforts to clean up the nation’s electoral process.

    However, the INEC Commissioner explained that the current requirements on NIMC data collection form for the national identity card consisted of just phone numbers, name, gender, address, state and fingerprint.

    According to him, because of these deficiencies  INEC cannot key into NIMC data collection and stop its ongoing printing of permanent voters’ card.

    “Even at that, the INEC is collaborating with NIMC in line with the pronouncement by President Goodluck Jonathan that the entire bio-metric data programme in Nigeria must be harmonised.

    “The idea of three or more organisations taking bio-metric data in a country is a security risk and a waste of both financial, time and human resources.

    “But once NIMC can build its capacity to do a good job, then others will key into it,’’ Olurode added.

    He said he was hopeful that in subsequent elections, INEC would not need to conduct fresh  or continuous voter registration, “once we are sure that NIMC is on the right platform”.

    NAN recalls that in 2012, the Federal Executive Council approved N2.6 billion for the printing of 40 million out of 75 million cards needed in the country for general elections.

  • INEC dedicates 41 hot lines for Anambra election

    INEC dedicates 41 hot lines for Anambra election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dedicated 10 hotlines at its headquarters, Abuja ahead of Nov.16 governorship election, the Commission’s spokesman, Mr Kayode Idowu has said.

    He said another 31 lines have been assigned to electoral officers and security personnel in Anambra.

    According to him, this is to enable Nigerians to reach out to INEC officials and security personnel during the governorship election.

    In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja Idowu said complaints and reports could be lodged or filed from any polling unit throughout the state during the election for quick intervention by the headquarters.

    The numbers are; 07098117563, 07098114865, 070816381 for voice calls while the public can also send short messages services (SMS) through 08101774434 and 07032492303.

    According to the statement, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof.C. E. Onukaogu’s number is  08034001141, the Administrative Secretary, Mr Oscar-Lee Amaechi number is  08037239886 while Public Affairs Officer, Mr Frank Egbo can be reached via 08037106701.

    The Commission also gave the contact telephone numbers of security personnel under the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) that would be involved in the governorship election.

    They include Nigeria police, Anambra state NYSC coordinator, State Director National Orientation Agency, Deputy Director State Security Service and the Comptroller Immigration Service.

    Others are Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Comptroller Nigeria Prisons Service and NDLEA.

    The election is expected to be conducted in 326 wards and 6,581 voting units with 1,784, 536 registered voters.

    Twenty-three political parties have presented candidates to contest the election.