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  • Tempers rise as INEC gets set for makeup elections

    Kano APC: hold Kwankwaso responsible for any breach

    Ganduje talks tough

    Benue APC, PDP flex muscles

    Sokoto police commissioner warns troublemakers

    Tempers rose yesterday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reversed itself on the stalled governorship election in Bauchi State.

    It said the supplementary election, which it cancelled last week, will hold on Saturday in areas not affected by yesterday’s court ruling.

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ordered the electoral umpire to pull the brakes on its planned resumption of collation of results for Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has been pushing for the collation and declaration of the results, rejected the decision.

    Besides Bauchi, supplementary elections are holding also in Benue, Adamawa, Kano, Plateau and Sokoto states.

    Amid the anxiety in Kano State, Governor Umar Ganduje warned against any breach of the peace.

    His warning came as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) advised security agents and residents to hold former Governor Musa Kwanwaso responsible for any violence.

    The police in Sokoto were warning criminals to stay away.

    In Benue, the APC and the PDP renewed their war of words over the supplementary polls.

    INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, said the Commission, will work towards the expeditious resolution of the collation in the local government.

    He said: “The commission has complied with the order of the Federal High Court Abuja. The Commission has suspended the collation of the governorship election result for Tafawa Balewa Local Government.

    “The commission will proceed and complete the Collation of the result of the State Assembly Election for Tafawa Balewa Local Government and make a return.

    “The Commission will proceed with supplementary elections on Saturday in relation to areas that are not affected by the court order.

    “The commission has a history of obedience to court orders. The commission will continue to comply with court orders and will take steps to vacate orders where it feels strongly that the court that gave the order has no jurisdiction.

    “The Commission will work towards the expeditious resolution of the collation process in Tafawa Balewa Local Government.”

    In a bench ruling yesterday, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo ordered parties in a suit by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the incumbent Governor Muhammed Abubakar to maintain the status quo.

    The judge ordered “that parties shall maintain status quo ante, pending the determination of the substantive matter of this case”.

    The judge adjourned the hearing till today.

    Justice Ekwo judge gave the order following INEC’s failure to comply with the earlier order he made on Monday for it to appear yesterday and show cause why the reliefs being sought by the plaintiffs in their motion ex-parte should not be granted.

    The APC and Abubakar had, in their motion ex-parte, prayed the court for two main reliefs:

    • An order of interim injunction restraining the defendant/respondent whether by Itself or acting through its agents, privies or any person on its behalf, howsoever described, from resuming, concluding and/or announcing the collation of the results of the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchl State in respect of election to the office of the Governor of Bauchl State held on 9th” March, 2019, pending the hearing and determination of the the plaintiff/applicant’s motion on notice.
    • An order of accelerated hearing and abridgement of time to two days within which the defendant/respondent is to enter appearance and file its response in defence of the suit.

    Rather than granting the reliefs ex-parte, the court, on Monday, ordered INEC, listed as the sole defendant in the suit, to show cause why the plaintiffs’ reliefs should not be granted.

    The judge said: “The defendant is hereby ordered to appear in court on 19th March 2019 to show cause why the orders prayed on the motion ex-parte ought not to be granted.”

    When parties got to the court yesterday, INEC, represented by Tanimu Inuwa (SAN), told the court that the electoral body had filed a counter-affidavit to the plaintiffs’ originating summons.

    He also made an oral application, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the motion filed by the ruling party and its candidate, which, he argued, could only be entertained by an election tribunal.

    Raji objected to Inuwa’s position, insisting that INEC was yet to comply with the court’s order for it to show cause why the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs should not be granted.

    The Judge upheld Raji’s contention that INEC was yet to comply with the court’s order for it to show why the chiefs should not be granted.

    He said while INEC could not challenge the court’s jurisdiction by oral application, the counter-affidavit did not qualify as an affidavit showing cause.

    Justice Ekwo consequently ordered the parties to maintain the status quo (as things were) before the court’s proceedings and adjourned till tomorrow for the hearing.

    INEC, in its counter-affidavit, deposed to by Hassan Adamu, an officer of INEC, queried the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case brought by APC and Abubakar.

    It stated that contrary to paragraph 22 of the affidavit in support of originating summons, “I state that the decision by the defendant to conclude collation for Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State was made based on the figures contained in the duplicates of results of the election”.

    “Contrary to paragraph 29 of the affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that: Only Election Petition Tribunal has the jurisdiction to review the decision of the commission.

    “The decision of the Returning Officer referred to is in respect of declaration of scores and return of candidate, which is the exclusive preserve of the Election Petition Tribunal.

    “The defendant having rescinded its earlier decision based on facts that emerged later and made a return, any grievance arising therefrom now rests with the Election Petition Tribunal.

    “The availability of polling units’ results made the defendant to rescind its decision to conduct supplementary election.

    “Contrary to paragraph 30 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that the plaintiffs’ right to fair election (if any) will not be affected in any way.

    “Contrary to paragraph 31 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that none of the voting populace of Bauchi State will be disenfranchised, elections having been concluded.

    “Contrary to paragraph 32 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that the instant action is targeted at stopping the performance of a constitutional duty.

    “Contrary to paragraph 33 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that the plaintiffs do not have any threatened right capable of being protected.

    “Contrary to paragraph 34 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that the issues raised in this application are not triable by this honourable comt, same bordering on return at an election.

    “Contrary to paragraph 35 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that all eligible voters have cast their votes, leading to a return and once that is the case, this honourable court is divested of the jurisdiction to entertain this case.”

    Read also: Improved healthcare is priority for Buhari’s administration — Udoma

    KANO

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje yesterday warned that his government would not tolerate any breach of the peace under whatever guise.

    He said the state government would not fold its arms and watch “some desperate politicians instigate instability” and plunge the state into crisis.

    “As governor of Kano State and the Chief Security Officer of the state, I cannot sleep if any drop of blood is wasted. Brandishing of harmful objects is also abhorred by my administration,” Ganduje said.

    He made the assertions when an amalgamation of over 300 associations, under the platform of Kano Peace Ambassadors, visited him, assuring him of their resolve to promote peaceful coexistence before, during and after next Saturday’s supplementary governorship election.

    The groups marched from the Emir’s Palace through the streets to the Government House, where the governor received them.

    A letter was given to Ganduje, explaining their resolve to always see that peace thrives in the state.

    The Kano State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), led by Kabiru Ado Lakwaya and the National Association of Kano State Students Association (NAKSS) led its National President Aliyu Maikasuwa Rano, were among the organisations that visited the Government House.

    Ganduje said he was not speaking as a candidate, but as the governor of Kano State and the chief security officer of the state, that “anybody wishing to disrupt the peace and stability of the state will not go scot-free. Kano is a very peaceful state and must remain peaceful.”

    He told his audience the peace accord he and other candidates in the state signed before the presidential and National Assembly elections, was still in force.

    A similar accord was signed, according to him, before the governorship and state assembly elections.

    He said: “After the signing of the Accord, I invited all the contestants for a group photograph, which they all joined at the venue of the signing event.

    “After the signing ceremony, I also invited all of them to the Government House for a special dinner. All the contestants were there with the exception of only one. I am just trying to prove to you how peaceful our government is”

    Abubakar Muhammad Janaral, who co-led the groups, commended Ganduje for making statements that promote peaceful co-existent.

    Janaral said: “Your Excellency, we are monitoring speeches that are being made by political leaders in the state, we found out that, many out there are only triggers to instability.

    “We are indeed commending your political statements that prove to be in line with peaceful engagements. Anyone you see here, Your Excellency, is a Peace Ambassador.

    “Sir, as the chief security officer, we urge you to continue promoting peace and stability in the state. And we are living witnesses that your speeches then and now are all drivers to peace and stability.”

    Also yesterday, the ruling APC urged security agencies and Kano residents to hold Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso responsible should there be any breach of the peace before, during and after the March 23 supplementary governorship poll in the state.

    In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Youth & Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, the APC leadership in Kano expressed worry over inciting comments credited to the former governor.

    Garba, who doubles as the Chairman, Publicity Committee, Kano APC Campaign Organisation, wondered why the senator has not been called to order by security agencies in the state, particularly, the police.

    SOKOTO

    The Sokoto State Police Command yesterday warned potential crime perpetrators to steer clear during and after the supplementary election in the state.

    Commissioner of Police Aminu Koji Kwabe said the command would not tolerate any breach of the law, especially in the 136 polling units across 22 local government areas, where the extra poll will be conducted.

    The police commissioner spoke while parading no fewer than 12 suspected criminals apprehended in possession of dangerous weapons and hard drugs.

    The criminal hideout raided by the police included:  Gidan Igwai; Old Garage; Central Moto Park; Gangare Gidan Dankure and Mana Area – all within the Sokoto metropolis.

    Also recovered from the suspects were 140 wraps of Indian hemp; 549 pieces of hard drugs, including pieces of exol and six sachets of Diazepom, among others.

    Kwabe, represented by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sadeeq, said the command will not relent on its effort to rid the state of criminals.

    He urged drug abusers, thugs and other potential criminals to change their ways as the police would neither tolerate, nor relent their efforts in combating crime and criminals planning to foment trouble during the rescheduled election.

    Kwabe urged the maintenance of peace during the process and after the announcement of the results, warning that the police in the state would not allow the collapse of law and order in the state.

    “Law and order must be maintained in Sokoto. The command will not hesitate to deal with any one tempting its strength by causing mayhem during and after the elections. We will also ensure we bring perpetrators of violence to book to face justice”, he said.

    BENUE

    The Benue chapters of the APC and PDP engaged in muscle-flexing yesterday.

    Both parties are confident of winning the supplementary election billed for Saturday.

    Sam Ode, who is the running mate to the APC governorship candidate, said the electorate would on Saturday cast their ballot for his party’s flagbearer, Emmanuel Jime.

    He said the people were desirous for a change to better their living conditions.

    Speaking in an telephone chat with The Nation, Ode, a former Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, maintained that for civil servants and pensioners to enjoy their benefits on regular basis, the PDP government must be voted out on Saturday.

    He stated: “Just like the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has been paying federal workers promptly, the APC in Benue will give priority to welfare of workers and pensioners who are senior citizens of the state.

    “It takes wisdom for any Benue governor to know that the economy of the state revolved around public workers’ salaries and the APC had already put in measures to give adequate attention to Benue workers and called on voters to come out and vote APC on Saturday.”

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Abraham Kwaghngu told our correspondent that Benue people were already at home with Governor Samuel Ortom and would vote him again in the rescheduled election.

    He noted that never in the history of the state has a governor staked his neck for the people and defended them as done by Ortom.

    Kwaghngu said: “The good thing about Benue supplementary election is Governor Ortom is ahead of his opponent with 81,000 votes wide margin and no magic would save the APC.”

    He called on PDP supporters to turn out and vote Ortom once and for all so that he can settle down to business.

    Kwaghngu noted: “All the polling units in contention are PDP strongholds and therefore, there is nothing to worry about.”

     

  • INEC ad hoc workers protest unpaid allowances

    Ad hocworkers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the general elections in Anambra State have protested their unpaid allowances weeks after the elections.

    The protesters, who stormed the commission’s office in Awka to demand for their entitlements and allowances, were however denied access to the premises by security operatives.

    Their spokesperson, Ikechukwu Mike, said they had complained to the officer in charge of payment who directed them to compile their names and bank details.

    He, however, regretted that they were yet to receive the payment despite complying with the order.

    He said: “Only few of us were paid while many are left empty handed despite the harrowing experiences we passed through during the polls. Some of us worked in distant communities to Awka. Some borrowed money to transport themselves here.

    “When we first reported here, we were directed to the local government areas where we worked, but it became difficult to see the ROs we are supposed to see there. Many of us decided to undertake the risky venture of being part of the exercise because of financial challenges facing us.

    “It is unthinkable that after taking such huge risks, we would be left to our fate. And it appears INEC is not serious about addressing our plight.”

    They appealed to INEC to pay their entitlements as soon as possible.

    The Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Leo Nkedife, urged the protesters to be patient.

    “Their voucher for payment is being processed. They will soon receive their allowances,” he said.

  • Bauchi: INEC to proceed with supplementary elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will continue with the scheduled supplementary elections in Bauchi state, it was learnt.

    INEC noted that the poll slated for this Saturday will hold in areas not affected by the court ruling.

    Disclosing this Tuesday, the National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye said the  Commission will proceed with supplementary elections on Saturday in relation to areas that are not affected by the Court Order.

    Besides, Okoye said that INEC will work towards the expeditious resolution of the Collation process in Tafawa Balewa Local Government.

    He said, “The Commission has complied with the Order of the Federal High Court Abuja. The Commission has suspended the Collation of the Governorship Election Result for Tafawa Balewa Local Government.

     “The Commission will proceed and complete the Collation of the result of the State Assembly Election for Tafawa Balewa Local Government and make a return.

    “The Commission will proceed with supplementary elections on Saturday in relation to areas that are not affected by the Court Order.

    “The Commission has a history of obedience to court orders. The Commission will continue to comply with court orders and will take steps to vacate orders where it feels strongly that the Court that gave the order has no jurisdiction.

    “The Commission will work towards the expeditious resolution of the Collation process in Tafawa Balewa Local Government.”

  • INEC ad hoc staff protest over unpaid allowances

    Hundreds of ad hoc staff engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the just- concluded general elections in Anambra state on Tuesday protested non-payment of allowances weeks after the polls.

    The protesters, who stormed the commission’s office in Awka to demand for their entitlements and allowances, were however denied access to the premises by security operatives.

    Spokesperson for the protesters, Ikechukwu Mike, said they had complained to the officer in charge of payment in the commission all to no avail.

    He said the officer rather requested they compiled their names with correct bank details.

    He however regretted that they were yet to receive the payment despite compliance with the directives.

    According to him: “Only few of us were paid while many are left empty handed inspite of the harrowing experiences we passed through during the polls.

    “Some of the people you see here worked in distant communities to Awka. Some borrowed money to transport themselves here.

    “When we first reported here, we were directed to the local government areas where we worked, but it became difficult to see the ROs we are supposed to see there.

    “Many of us decided to undertake the risky venture of being part of the exercise because of financial challenges facing us.

    “It’s unthinkable that after taking such huge risks, we would be left alone to our fate. And it appears INEC is not serious about addressing our plight.”

    They appealed to the concerned authorities to prevail on the electoral umpire to pay their entitlements as soon as possible.

    Reacting, the INEC Head, Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Leo Nkedife, asked the protesters to exercise patience with the commission, assuring them of payment soon.

    He said: “Their voucher for payment is being processed. They will soon receive their allowances.”

  • Publish list of collated LG in Rivers, Coalition tells INEC

    A Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations in Rivers state has challenged 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 also warned of an impending breakdown of law and order in the state if what they called unholy alliance/collaboration with Governor Wike to force himself on Rivers People using INEC and the Judiciary is not nipped in the bud right away.

    The Coalition said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Obong Effanga and his staff should be held responsible for any such breakdown of law and order in the state due to their insistence in manipulating the governorship election in favour of Wike.

    Convener of the group, Somina Wokoma warned the commission against turning the state in a theatre of war by refusing to abide by the provisions of the electoral act and doing the biddings of Governor Wike.

    They said rather than vilify the military; INEC should be commended for their act of bravery in protecting the electoral process and the electorate in the state, while demanding the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner and the Administrative Secretary accusing them of working for Gov. Wike.

    The Coalition accused Effanga of collaborating with the state governor to re-write the results of the election since the suspension of the exercise, wondering why the commission has refused to disclose the names of the 17 local government whose results it claimed has been complied so far.

    The statement reads: “We closely monitored the March 9th governorship and Assembly elections and we are alarmed by the treachery exhibited by Effanga and his staff, especially the Admin Secretary who openly collaborated with Wike in trying to manipulate the governorship election in his favour failing which 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 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 is 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.

  • Kano Rerun: Group seeks credible, hitch-free poll

    Few days to the Kano gubernatorial supplementary election, the Centre for Intervention (CFI) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make available all necessary materials needed to ensure credible and hitch-free exercise.

    In a statement signed by CFI Coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Baba, the group called on INEC to rectify all the anomalies witnessed in the March 11 elections by ensuring that all the materials needed for the rerun election are made available in good time at all the polling units where the rerun will take place.

    “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 said.

    READ ALSO: Kano rerun: I‘m sure of victory, says PDP candidate

    The group also called on the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Wakili to ensure neutrality by carrying all parties involved in the election along as to ensure peaceful conduct of the exercise.

    The group lamented perceived bickering between the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Wakili and the state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, describing it as unhealthy and uncalled for.

    According to the statement, “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.”

    They equally urged the supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to play by the rules of the game so as to avoid any action or inaction that can plunge the state into unnecessary violence.

    The group, however, hailed the Chairman of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), Bar. Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado for his tireless efforts in fighting the menace of vote-buying, just as the 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.

  • Senior INEC staff kidnapped in Jigawa

    A senior staff of the Independent National Electorate Commission (INEC) in Jigawa state has been kidnapped in the state.

    He was reportedly kidnapped last Friday.

    The kidnapped staff identified as Mr. Mahadi Hassan, is a Pension Desk Officer of the Commission in Jigawa State INEC office.

    It was gathered Hassan was picked by gunmen along Gwiwa road Gwiwa local government area in the state.

    The INEC Head of Department voter education and Publicity Mr John Kaiwa confirmed the incident.

    He lamented Hassan has been missing since Friday.

    Read Also: Bauchi: INEC halts announcement of result

    He added that the kidnappers were yet to contact the commission or the victim’s family on any amount of ransom.

    When contacted, Jigawa Commissioner of Police Bala Zama Senchi‎ said the command was yet to receive any report related to the kidnap of INEC staff in the state.

    “As I am speaking to you, we have not received any report in relation to the kidnap of any INEC staff. I just heard it for the first time from you,” he said.

    The commissioner promised to contact all people related to the matter and get back with updates.

  • Bauchi: INEC halts announcement of result

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ), says it has complied with a court order restraining it from resuming with the collation and announcement of result for Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, LGA.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja had barred the Commission (INEC) from collation of result of the governorship election of March 9 in Bauchi State, in an order given by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Tuesday following an ex parte application filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the incumbent governor of the state, Mohammed Abubakar.

    Read Also: INEC halts collation of results for Tafawa-Balewa

    While briefing newsmen on the latest development at the headquarters of INEC office, the State Commissioner, Ibrahim Abdullahi said “The INEC has received receipt of a court order restraining it from proceeding with the collation and announcement of result in respect of Tafawa Balewa Governorship constituency”

    He however added that the order which was granted by the court does not include the Tafawa Balewa State constituency hence arrangement will be made to continue with the State constituency collation and subsequently announce the result.

  • Breaking: INEC halts collation of results for Tafawa-Balewa

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bauchi state has halted the collation of results for the governorship election held March 9, 2019 for Tafawa-Balewa local government area of the state.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ibrahim Abdullahi told newsmen in Bauchi on Tuesday the decision was as a result of a court order received by the commission retraining it from collation and subsequent announcement of Tafawa Balewa LG governorship results.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in receipt of a court order restraining it from proceeding with the collation and announcement of results in respect of Tafawa Balewa governorship only.

    “I must also add that the order which was sought and granted by the court does not include the Tafawa Balewa state constituency.

    “For this reason, we are going to make arrangement to continue with the state constituency collation and subsequently announce the result,” said the commissioner.

    Abdullahi added: “What is also going to continue is the scheduled 23rd March election that affects the canceled election in other local government areas.”

    The REC called on the people to remain calm and law abiding, adding that INEC would do the right thing by announcing the true winner of the race.

    INEC on March 15 approved the resumption of collation and conclusion of results of Tafawa-Balewa Local Government Area in relation to governorship election using available existing duplicate and original results from Registration Areas. (NAN)

  • Ijaw religious body calls for tight security in Bayelsa

    Ijaw religious body, Order of Egbesu Brotherhood (OEB), has called on the Federal Government to heighten security around the Bayelsa State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the supplementary elections.

    OEB, in a statement by its Coordinator Bodmas Kemepadei, further said tight security should be beefed around Registration Area Centre (RAC) in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state where part of the election was scheduled to hold on March 23.

    Kemepadei said the body was worried about its findings of strange faces lurking around the INEC office at night warning that security of the area could be compromised by external forces.

    He said: “We also suspect that there may be plots to burn down the INEC office to stall the conduct of the rerun election of 23rd March, 2019.

    “If we may recall, we all witnessed how on the 10th of March, 2019, a candidate entered the INEC office with unauthorized military personnel in  the company of non-Bayelsans, and harassed a ward agent. If not for the timely intervention of some observers, it would have been chaotic.

    “We therefore call on all relevant stakeholders to up the ante by tightening up the security to ensure that the office is protected for the peaceful conduct of the re-run election.

    “Any candidate with unauthorised military escorts must not be allowed to gain entrance from now until election results are announced.

    “The activities of military personnel in Ukubie, Lobia, Azuzuama and Koluama, especially in the RAC centres of these wards should be checked.

    “The authenticity of military personnel, military gunboats, election observers, journalists who may want to visit these areas on or before election day uninvited, must be thoroughly investigated”.

    Kemepadei called on the state government to invoke the Community Safety Corps law to help the police ensure thorough community policing in the affected  communities.

    “We further call on INEC officials to be careful and neutral in their dealings with candidates of political parties as there are already rumours of SPOs and collation officers wining and dining with a candidate who is brandishing already prepared result.

    “For a free and fair election devoid of any conflict amongst our people, we hope that this information if adhered to will avert a state disaster and forestall any possible danger. We pray for peace and wish all Bayelsans well”.