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Tag: Inter Party Advisory Council

  • IPAC urges Buhari to order military out of Rivers’ election

    Rivers State Chapter of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the military to stay clear off Rivers State during the March 9th  rescheduled Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

    The appeal was not unconnected with the blood violence that characterised the last week’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state and the allegation of the military, aiding and abating rigging of the elections among others.

    Speaking in a news statement in Port Harcourt, the state capital yesterday, the spokesman of the group in Rivers, Comrade Kukang Ledum Joseph noted that men of Nigerian Army have become a threat to conducting free fair and peaceful elections in the state as well as  the survival of democracy in the country and state in particular.

    Joseph said the exclusion of the Army from participating in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State cannot be over-emphasized, to encourage better turnout of voters against the kind of voter aparty witnessed during the rescheduled exercise last weekend.

    He said “Saturday February 23, 2019 will forever remain in the memory of Rivers people as a black and bloody Saturday in the election history of the State simply because the army decided to be overly partisan in the breach of their abiding duty to be neutral and provide security for the electoral process.

    “What on earth can justify the killings of as many 16 unarmed civilians in a rustic community, which members were barely insisting on their participatory rights and freedoms in the face of the brazen onslaught to scuttle the electoral process. In Abonnema , Buguma , Degema communities alone over 18 innocent civilians including INECs ad’hoc staff and a member of the National Youth Service Corps were killed.

    “They also acted directly to prevent the general elections from holding in the entire Akuku Torlu Local Government Area and parts of Asari-Torlu and Degema Local Government Areas under the guise of carrying out election duties.

    “ We are all now aware that the direct and partisan involvement of the army resulted in the outright cancellation of the general elections and consequent disenfranchisement of as many as one million electorates in six Local Government areas of the State such as Akuku Toru, Ahoada West,  Bonny, Emuoha , Ikwerre and Okrika.

    “Where then is the legitimacy of the results turned in and declared by INEC for Rivers State in the face of the wanton killings , snatching of election materials , disruption of voters , hostage taking of INEC officials and return of fake numbers to APC. Obviously , the army , by its brazen and unlawful involvement in last week Saturday’s general election has become a serious threat to peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in Rivers State,” he concluded.

    He pleaded with President Buhari to order the army to stay away from election duties in Rivers State as to allow the police perform their constitutional responsibilities for peaceful and credible elections.

    The Deputy Director of Public Relation, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, denied the allegation insisting that the  Army has remained apolitical and has a professional mandate and responsibility of aiding civil authority and safe-guarding key points and vulnerable points of the country.

  • Cross River: Group petitions APC over governorship primary

    The election monitoring team of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has petitioned the national leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) over its governorship primary elections in the Cross River State, calling for the cancellation of the entire process.

    The leader of the team, Comrade Kingsley Edet, in a statement made available to The Nation in Calabar yesterday alleged the election did not hold in over 84 wards of the 196 wards  in the state.

    According to the team, the exercise was marked by hijacking of materials as well as display of thuggery across the state.

    “An observer who gave reports from the Central District said he was almost killed when he questioned the disenfrachisement of one of the guber aspirant, Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong.

    “It was also observed that party membership registers were not available for use in almost all voting points.

    “We are calling on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to, as a matter of urgency cancel the exercise. IPAC presented some picture documents of Ward 9, Calabar South as one amongst several others, whereupon a particular candidate who won on vote cast was not announced as winner in the said ward. We pray the NWC to critically look into all the issues the process has raised,” Edet said.

  • PDP’s apology, good for democracy – IPAC

    Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council ( IPAC ) in Yobe, Alhaji Umar Kukuri, on Tuesday said the admittance of past mistakes by the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) was healthy for Nigeria’s democracy.
    He told the News men in Damaturu that the admittance of shortcomings by the party was a sign of political maturity and could create confidence in the electorate.
    “When you have glaring shortcomings, there is no point denying and insisting that you are right; the admittance of shortcomings indicates political maturity and democratic growth in the party.
    “The admittance of PDP to its past mistakes has turned a new page in the political life of the party,” Kukuri said.
    He said that politicians owed Nigerians apology when they failed and deserved to be lauded when they improved the lives of the people.

    Read Also: Kashamu petitions INEC over Ogun PDP exco

    “As Nigerians, we should collectively encourage any government that has performed irrespective of our political differences and not just to criticize because we are in the opposition.
    “The joy of any true democrat is to see the lives of his people improved under whatever party in power.
    “We will encourage performing governments whether from our party or any other, because we are in politics to see improvement in the lives of our people,’’ he said.
    The council chairman also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for accepting that the last three years had been challenging and turbulent.
    “This admittance is exemplary of a leader and should be emulated by politicians and other public officers to strengthen democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

    NAN

  • INEC, EFCC partnership will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy

    INEC, EFCC partnership will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy

    Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Yobe, Alhaji Umar Kukuri, said partnership between Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

    Kukuri disclosed this in an interview with the news men in Damaturu on Friday, at the backdrop of collaborative meeting between INEC and EFCC on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said that excessive use of money in politics had denied Nigerians of good hands for national development.

    According to him, the partnership between both agencies will check excessive use of money during elections and eliminate investors in politics who see it as business rather than a call to serve.

    “The partnership is expected to sanitize the use of excessive money, and this will give opportunity to credible candidates with national interest but lack resources to buy votes, to win elections” he said.

    Read Also: INEC  seeks EFCC’s collaboration on vote buying, campaign funds

    The chairman described as “unfortunate’’ unchecked cases of politicians besieging polling units with money or food to buy votes during elections.

    “It is very sad that some politicians nearly institutionalized the corruption of buying votes both in cash and in kind to win elections.

    “The infamous stomach infrastructure politics recorded in previous elections in parts of the country where rice bags bearing party logo and pictures of candidates were shared to voters on election queues was quite disturbing.”

    He commended INEC and EFCC for the partnership to fight corruption in electioneering so as to build Nigeria’s democracy.

    Kukuri called on all political parties to support the fight against corruption in the electoral process “for clean and acceptable elections and growth of democracy in Nigeria’’.

    NAN

     

  • INEC partners stakeholders for transparent, credible elections in 2019

    INEC partners stakeholders for transparent, credible elections in 2019

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will partner stakeholders, including media, civil society groups and the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) for transparent and credible elections in 2019.

    Prof. Francis Ezeonu, the INEC Resident Commissioner ( REC ) in Imo, made the promise at his maiden meeting with State Inter-Agency Committee and Voter Education Publicity Committee in Owerri on Friday.

    Ezeonu said the meeting was aimed at enlightening and updating the stakeholders on the commission’s preparations and strategies for successful elections.

    According to him, the voter registration exercise is already ongoing.

    He said the exercise would stop 120 days to elections to enable the commission effectively distribute the voter cards.

    Ezeonu said that there were INEC offices in all the local government areas of the state.

    This, he said, was to enable people, who were now up to 18 and those who had lost their cards or relocated, to register.

    The REC said that initially people exhibited apathy to the  registration, but said that the situation had improved from 1,500 persons who registered daily to 7, 000.

    Read Also: Kogi: INEC‘s   indictment, Bello and second term delusion

    He said the commission had indentified nine internal and three external electoral risk factors in the state and was working toward tackling them.

    Ezeonu said the commission would soon tour local government areas in Imo to interact with stakeholders – traditional rulers, town unions, women and youth leaders in the various communities.

    He said that some landmark features on pooling units in the state had disappeared.

    Ezeonu said the commission would not create or relocate polling units located in public places.

    He said that the commission was establishing Residential Area Centres (RAC) to ensure materials reached the polling booths on time.

    Ezeonu advised political parties to have credible agents.

    The Reporter reports that some stakeholders urged INEC to ensure security of lives during elections as well as timely arrival of officials and materials at the centres.

    The State Director of NYSC, Mrs Josephine Bakare, decried attacks on corps members in past elections and called for measures to guard against such incident in future.

    Stakeholders at the meeting included representatives of media in the state, National Orientation Agency and NYSC.

    NAN

  • IPAC to Nigerians: vote credible candidates

    The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has urged Nigerians to vote for only credible candidates in the 2019 elections.

    Its Lagos State Publicity Secretary, Malam Shakirudeen Olofin, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday.

    He urged the citizens to de-emphasise political affiliations and vote for only candidates who would move the country forward.

    “As the 2019 elections approach, we urge Nigerians to vote candidates who will deliver good governance regardless of party affiliations.

    “The credibility of candidates and the ability to deliver should be the major considerations, and not whether candidates belong to popular parties or not.

    “We are all witnesses to how major parties give us beautiful manifestoes and dump them as soon as they get to power.

    “Also, there are good candidates who cannot emerge through the poor internal democracy in some of the popular parties.

    “The only way to get such good candidates in power is for the electorate not to look at the party they belong but vote them according to their credentials and what they can offer,” he said.

    Olofin also urged citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) since the cards would be their power to choose their leaders.

    He described the recent killings in Benue and some other states as unfortunate, and urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to end the killings.

    The publicity secretary said that he was neither for nor against creation of cattle colonies to tackle farmers/herdsmen clash.

    “I am not for or against it. I learnt 16 states have signified interest to give land for colonies.

  • 2019: INEC to partner political parties for credible elections

    2019: INEC to partner political parties for credible elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) says it will partnership political parties and other stakeholders in Ebonyi to ensure that the state records credible election in 2019.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner ( REC ) in the state, Prof. Godswill Obioma, stated this while briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Abakaliki on the outcome of a meeting between the commission and Inter Party Advisory Council ( IPAC ).

    He said that the collaboration would raise the capacity and awareness of political parties’ members, equip them with knowledge of the electoral process.

    Obioma said that the synergy would also enhance understanding of provisions of the nation’s Constitution and the 2010 Electoral Act as amended.

    “Our focus, our commitment is on 2019 general elections and the desire to get things done right before and during the elections.

    “This is a special IPAC meeting and the aim is to achieve two results,’’ he said.

    According to him, it is to raise capacity ahead of 2019 in terms of equipping members with knowledge of IPAC and the electoral umpire with provisions of the Electoral Act.

    Obioma said that it was also to sensitize political parties on the need to adhere to provisions of the Act.

    “The meeting also highlighted the legal implications of violating the provisions of the Electoral Law and the need for political parties to conduct their activities within the ambits of the law.

    “It is through a strategic partnership with the political parties and key stakeholders that our aim of having credible 2019 elections in the state can be achieved,” Obioma said.

    He said that IPAC was set up within the structures of INEC to ensure inclusiveness in policy, transparency and probity in election process.

    He pointed out that regular meetings were held to address issues that would benefit the members and electorate.
    “IPAC is composed of all the registered political parties and meets with INEC from time to time.

    “We chart a way forward, look at challenges, create strategies to combat the challenges and of course, make strategic plans in terms of sensitisation and other issues.

    “As I have pointed out earlier, today’s meeting is a special one which was convened to address a particular issue.

    “The issue is the provision of 2010 Electoral Law (As amended) with particular reference to section 92 (A) and (B) which deals on campaign.

    “The essence is to alert political parties of the provisions of that Act stipulating the guidelines, time limit, when to start campaigns and when to stop.

    “They will know what constitutes a campaign and implications of contravening the provisions of the electoral Act,” the REC said.

    He disclosed that the meeting deliberated on the need for violence-free polls in the state, saying that election was not a do-or-die affair.

    He said that political parties were reminded to caution members, candidates and their supporters to limit their actions within the provisions of the law and avoid acts that could trigger election violence.

    “Election is not a do-or-die affair and we were able to highlight the issue in the meeting and this is why we are calling for strategic partnership to help build and cement our relationship with political parties.

    “We encourage political parties and players to abide by the provisions of the Act to abide by guidelines and also to do all it takes to ensure that elections are credible, fair and free, and that people’s votes count,” Obioma added.

    He said that INEC remained an unbiased electoral umpire committed to the discharge of its statutory mandate of conducting impartial and credible elections.

    “We in INEC want to assure the public that we are unbiased umpires; we shall do our job, we will carry out our work taking into account our statutory responsibility as provided for in the Act.

    “We will not add a vote that doesn’t count nor are we going to subtract a vote that counts.

    “We are appealing for cooperation so that at the end of the day, everybody would have seen that we have done the job, people will have been happy to see that their votes have counted.”

    Earlier in a paper presentation, Mrs Tonia Ndu, Head of Legal Unit of INEC in the state, urged political parties to desist from embarking on early campaigns.

    She advised the parties and candidates to adhere strictly to provisions of the Electoral Laws and comply with INEC’s guidelines in carrying out political activities, especially campaigns.

    Ndu said that political campaigns should only begin upon release of timeline for political activities by INEC, adding that it would constitute electoral offence to indulge in political activities outside INEC’s approved time-table.

    “Political parties must commence political campaigns upon INEC release of timeline, which must be 90 days to the election and must end 24 hours to the poll.

    “Any political party found engaging in political campaigns when INEC has not released time-table for political activities, on conviction, is liable to a fine of N500, 000.

    “INEC frowns at politicians and political parties kick-starting political campaigns when it has not given such approval,” Ndu said.
    On his part, Chairman of IPAC in the state, Mr Edward Constance, pledged support and commitment of the commission to credible poll in 2019, assuring that IPAC would always partner INEC to create virile electoral environment.

    Constance, who is also Chairman of United People’s Party (UPP) in Ebonyi, expressed optimism on the ability of INEC to conduct credible elections in the state in 2019.

    He said “we have assured the commission that we will support, cooperate as well as partner it to ensure free, fair and credible 2019 general elections.

    “The meeting was interactive and afforded members of the council opportunity to express views and ask questions on matters of electoral importance.

    “We have also assured the commission that we are not going to engage in early campaigns, and that we will confine political activities in our respective parties within the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.”

    NAN

  • Anambra: IPAC commends INEC, security agents

    Anambra: IPAC commends INEC, security agents

    The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Anambra chapter, has commended the improved performance of security agents and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during Saturday’s governorship election.

    The Chairman of the Council, Chief Barth Igwedibia, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Awka that the exercise was peaceful due to the transparent conduct of the election by INEC and the absence of intimidation of political opponents by security agents.

    He said that if both INEC and security agents could sustain the level of professionalism they exhibited in the conduct of Anambra election during general election 2019, the rating of Nigerian democracy would improve the more.

    Igwedibia noted that the number of security personnel in each of the polling units and the presence of security at entry and exist points across the state was assuring.

    He said that he was particularly impressed that there was no form of molestation of voters by any security personnel.

    The IPAC chairman said he was equally impressed that the incumbent, Gov. Willie Obiano was re-elected, noting that his emergence showed that Anambra people wanted him back for another tenure.

    “Before the Nov.18 governorship election, the position of IPAC in Anambra was that the best of the 37 candidates that contested the governorship position should emerge, winner.

    “We made it categorically clear that we had no preferred candidate, but want the best person who the people of the state want to win.

    “Since Gov. Obiano won the election, it is very clear that the people have spoken and as Chief Igwedibia, I congratulate the governor for a well-deserved victory and urge him to run an all-inclusive government

    “If Obiano should appoint people based on merit, irrespective of the party they come from, such maturity in governance will further advance development in Anambra State,’’ he said.

  • 2019 elections may be violent, says IPAC

    2019 elections may be violent, says IPAC

    The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has warned that violence may mar the 2019 elections unless stringent actions are taken by political stakeholders to stem the tide of political motivated killings.
     
    It said that steps should be taken immediately to discourage rising political violence in elections in parts of the country..

    It said that severe sanctions should be meted out those that sponsored political violence in the just concluded Rivers State’s federal and state legislative elections.

    Massive violence was reported to have marred the Rivers legislative elections.
     
     A senior Police Officer and others were said to have been killed during the election.

    Chairman of IPAC, Mohammad Nalado, in a statement in Abuja, noted that there is no reason for legislative election in Rivers to become bloody especially when the governorship election in Ondo State held recently was adjudged peaceful. 

    Nalado noted that the political parties that participated in the election had the code of conduct where the operating guidelines of parties and politicians were clearly stipulated.
     
    He added that those that have conducted themselves contrary to the code of conduct for parties as observed in Rivers legislative elections should be brought to justice in accordance with the law. 

    He further expressed concern that if drastic and severe punishments are not meted out to those that sponsored violence in Rivers, security of lives and properties in subsequent elections across the country cannot be guaranteed. 

    He recalled how IPAC championed and sustained the campaign of peace in Ondo State before the governorship elections that held peacefully in the state.
     
    The IPAC boss, who is also the chairman of Accord Party, enjoined other political stakeholders in the country to support the efforts of IPAC at ensuring peaceful election in the country, especially ahead of 2019 general elections.

    He however commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Security agencies for being steadfast in holding the election and preventing the violence to the lowest minimum.

    He further sympathised with the victims of violence in the Rivers election, even as he urged those affected to avoid retaliation, but to be law abiding by assisting the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of violence in the state.

    He urged states where elections will soon be conducted to borrow a leaf from the Ondo state, where he sais though there was tension before the elections, but the process came and passed peacefully without any violence.