A record of 84,004,084 people Nigerians have registered to vote — an increase of 18 percent from the 2015 election, and as they prepare to cast their votes in the presidential elections, we present the key facts worth noting :
1. The number of candidates is the highest ever in Nigeria’s history of presidential election.
2. The 2019 elections would be the country’s sixth since May 1999 – when the military government handed power over to the democratic government.
3. 73 candidates will be on the ballot in the race to become Nigeria’s president in the February 16 presidential election.
4. There are six female candidates contesting in the election, the highest ever in Nigeria’s history.
5. President Muhammadu Buhari is the oldest candidate at the age of 76 while Chike Ukaegbu of the Advanced Allied Party (AAP) is the youngest at 35.
6. Buhari’s main rival and former vice president under Olusegun Obasanjo, Atiku Abubakar, has made a bid for the presidency five times for four different parties. His last shot at office was in 2015 when he was defeated by then-opposition leader Buhari.
7. President Muhammadu Buhari and his main rival, Atiku Abubakar, are both senior members of the political establishment and come from largely Muslim northern Nigeria.
8. This year, 10 candidates under the age of 40 have out their names forward following the approved bill, #NotTooYoungToRule campaign.
9. This election is considered as the next most democratic election exercise carried out in Nigeria after the country’s first democratic transfer of power in 2007.
10. The election would hold exactly two decades after the end of the military rule.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is a trendsetter for the continent and her elections are widely watched by the continent and international community. The elections would hold on Saturday, February 23, 2019 nationwide.
Some Lagos markets witnessed business boom on Friday as Nigerians rounded off preparation for tomorrow’s presidential and national assembly elections.
Buyers were seen trooping to Ikotun Market in Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA), for shopping ahead of the restriction of movement during the election period.
A dealer in tomatoes, Isa Jubril, expressed joy over the volume of business he was able to record during the period, saying that as at 12 noon, he had sold more than two baskets of tomatoes.
Jubril described the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly election as a “blessing in disguise” considering that the patronage he enjoyed last week was also high.
Another dealer in frozen foods, Mrs Moriamo Yusuf , said she was very happy with the patronage she got from customers.
Yusuf said that she had sold eight cartons of frozen foods as at 12.30 p.m, adding that it was a rare opportunity for huge volume patronage, which she likened to the festive period.
She said there was no arbitrary increase in price of her commodity inspite of the patronage, saying she did not take advantage of customers.
The situation was not different at the Isolo Market in Oshodi/Isolo LGA, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
A butcher, Mr Haruna Gidado, said he had sold out by 1 p.m.
Gidado said that he increased the price of the meat slightly in view of the volume of business he transacted with his customers.
He attributed the high patronage to the holiday declared by the Federal Government, to enable civil servants to travel to their home state to vote for candidates of their choice in the Saturday’s elections.
Mr Chibuzor Okafor, a dealer in food stuff, similarly said he had been very busy all day since he opened shop, due to the human traffic in the market.
Okafor, however, said he resisted the temptation to increase prices of items due to the high patronage witnessed in the market.
….No cause for alarm – INEC
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Imeko – Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State has alleged that a total of 6,053 ballot papers for the rescheduled Saturday House of Representatives election in the area have not been delivered, less than 10 hours to the poll.
The party claimed that the records from its agents at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Office showed that a total of 62,853 ballot papers were released from the state office for Imeko-Afon LG but lamented that at the Imeko-Afon INEC office, only 56,790 ballot papers were physically sighted and counted by its agent, agents of other political parties and security personnel.
In a petition by the trio of Alhaji Jimoh Aremu Olaifa – ADC candidate Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, Hon. Kayode Elegbede – ADC chairman, Imeko-Afon LGA and Mr. Ben Ibikunle – ADC agent – Imeko Afon LGA, they claimed there is a “shortage of 6,053 ballots papers” and demanded for the return of the ‘missing’ 6,053 ballot papers.
The Petition was addressed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), INEC, Ogun State and copied the National Chairman INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, State Chairman of ADC and the National Chairman of ADC.
The Petitioners urged the state REC to use his good office to ensure that the missing 6053 House of Representatives ballot papers for Imeko-Afon are produced immediately to safeguard the credibility of the election.
The petition reads: “We the undersigned are writing to officially bring to your notice that a total of 6,053 ballot papers for the Saturday 23 House of Representatives election in Imeko Afon LG were not delivered to the Imeko-Afon INEC office and up till this time the said ballot papers are not accounted for.
“Records from our agents at the Ogun State INEC office showed that a total of 62,853 ballot papers were released from the state office for Imeko-Afon LG.
“However, at the Imeko-Afon INEC office, only 56,790 ballot papers was physically sighted and counted by our agent, agents of other political parties and security personnel leaving a shortage of 6053 ballots papers as above.
“Interestingly the same number of 62,843 ballot papers released for the Presidential and senatorial elections was physically sighted and counted by all concerned at the INEC office, Imeko Afon.
“We hereby strongly demand that you used your good office to ensure that the missing 6053 House of Representatives ballot papers for Imeko-Afon are produced immediately to safeguard the credibility of this election and nip in the bud ongoing speculation that can threatened law and order in the local government.”
But reacting, the Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Adenike Tadese,
said there is no cause for alarm as the box containing the ballot papers for Imeko Afon was sealed, untampered and opened in the presence of all stakeholders with all witnessing it that the shortfall was not the result of theft or missing, but a case of an error(of counting) from the manufacturer.
Mrs. Tadese added that the petitioners were only trying to make mountain out of a mole hill as the number of registered voters in the area are not up to the number of available ballot papers for the House of Representatives election in Imeko Afon LGA.
An unidentified police inspector was arrested on Thursday at a hotel in Ewet Housing Estate for aiding some people to brand two private vehicles in police colour.
The vehicles made to look like patrol vehicles were ostensibly to be used during Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
The two vehicles, Volvo V70, it was learnt, is similar to the one procured by the state government for the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.
A local tabloid, quoting a source privy to the development, said the police intercepted the thugs and policeman at the hotel, while they were branding the vehicles.
The source said: “There was information that some men suspected to be political thugs working for one of the political parties was branding the type of Volvo V70 vehicle which the state government donated to the police.
“The branding was being done ahead of Saturday’s elections. The vehicles already had the siren installed and the police inscription also on it, as well as the identification numbers.
“When the police got to the hotel, the suspects had already relocated one of the vehicles while the second one was being branded with the assistance of the police inspector.
“He (the inspector) was taken to the police station and the vehicle was recovered.
“The police inspector was taken to the police station for investigation and he made useful statements.
“He mentioned some persons who engaged him in the services he was rendering.
“Investigation is ongoing. The inspector is serving in one of the intelligence departments in the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.”
The Nation contacted the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Odiko MacDon, to authenticate the report he cut off the line midway into the conversation.
His line was called several times but he refused to pick his phone.
He also didn’t respond to an SMS sent to him.
After repeated attempts, he finally picked the phone but told our reporter that he was in a meeting.
Barely few hours to the rescheduled general elections, security agencies in Edo State, have apprehended one Mr. Edwin Edosomwan in Iyekogba axis of Oredo Local Government Area for being in possession of 2000 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).
The PVCs, it was learnt, was purchased from residents in Iyekogba, Oredo Ward 2, as the man, nabbed on Thursday evening, allegedly claimed he was a mobiliser for one of the candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) contesting in Saturday’s elections.
The development is coming less than 24 hours after a Benin-based research group, Edo Socio-Political Research Group, released findings of a study on PVC collection in the state, which showed that some candidates of the PDP had engaged in ‘systemic rigging.’
In the study, it was discovered that there was a dubious rate of PVC collection in Oredo and Ovia North East, areas where the PDP candidates in the state would vote. The research showed that the two local councils were outliers in the rate of PVC collection, while the trend seemed normal in the 16 other local councils.
Mr. Edosomwan was caught in Oredo local council, one of the councils that the Edo Socio-Political Research Group had raised the alarm of a possible plot of ‘systemic rigging.’
Speaking to reporters while being paraded by security operatives, Mr. Edosomwan allegedly claimed to be a member of the ‘Operation Show Your Result’ team, a support group for the candidate of the PDP for Oredo Federal Constituency, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide Ihama.
He said he was mandated to get as many PVCs of eligible voters as possible within Oredo Federal Constituency with the aim of buying over their votes.
He added that he bought the PVCs for as low as 5000 naira per PVC, noting that he and members of his campaign group have been instructed to deliver their units at all costs.
Mr. Edosomwan was later taken in by law enforcement agencies for further interrogation.
The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has assured it is more than ready for the rescheduled general election starting tomorrow.
Its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said all arrangements have been put in place for commencement of the exercise.
He also declared only those with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will be able to participate in the exercise.
The Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu also assured eligible voters, observers and INEC officials of their security.
Adamu stressed that no armed security personnel will be allowed at the polling units.
He doused the fears of voters, saying the force will be professional during the exercise.
Details shortly…
Some stakeholders in Akwa Ibom politics have indicated that residents of the state will not vote for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
A legal practitioner and an indigene of Ikono Local Government Area, Mr. Edo Ukpong-Udoh, said there are many factors that endear him to President Muhammadu Buhari, which he believes will sway the people of Akwa Ibom to vote for him and other APC candidates in Saturday’s elections.
Ukpong-Udoh who described himself as a die-hard supporter of the President said: “I am one of those who believe that Nigeria is a blessed country, with all. Kinds of resources; be it material, human and natural endowments.
“But, why is the country not where she ought to be? Why are we not developing? The answer is, whether people like it or not, our affairs have not been run properly as a nation and state. The reason is the main problem of Nigeria, which is corruption.”
The legal practitioner said, from his antecedents in the last four years, President Buhari is somebody Nigerians can trust, in terms of integrity and honesty.
In contrast, he said the PDP presidential flag bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, cannot be compared to his APC counterpart.
He said: “In fact, Atiku is an epitome of corruption. For example, when he was the Vice President, he sold Nigeria’s assets to his cronies.
“These are incontestable facts. We in Akwa Ibom State should not forget that we are victims. Look at the Aluminum Smelting Company (ALSCON) in Ikot Abasi, Atiku sold it to the detriment of Akwa Ibom people and Nigeria.
“Consider how much was invested in it and look at how much Atiku sold it. As Vice President, he was the Head of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) that privatised national assets.
“He betrayed the trust of Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians and sold ALSCON to his cronies and today we have seen the result. If the PDP government in their 16 years of reign had run the plant, Akwa Ibom won’t be crying today of unemployment?
“So, Atiku, because of his selfishness and greed, kept us at where we are today. He is part of those that caused unemployment in the state, so I am sure Akwa Ibom people will not make the mistake of voting for him as president. ”
Another stakeholder, Mr. Mfon Okon, believes that the PDP’s Governor Udom Emmanuel’s hyper politics will push the people of Akwa Ibom to vote for the APC candidate.
He asked rhetorically: “What would this outgoing government be remembered for? In Akwa Ibom State today, it is not debatable, more than half of the population are wallowing in abject poverty and ravaging economic hardship, because the government in the state is so interested in politicising almost every activities of government.”
Mfon said a careful look at the state today would reveal that there is so much decay and loaded in human development and above all total misplacement of priorities. He said: “It looks as if the present government was conditioned to misrecognise the truth; as it has consistently embarked on much lies in almost all facets of the economy.
“What really beats my imagination is the fact that the present government has also failed to understand that in the 21st Century political settings, the aggregate economic system cannot be placed totally on the political narratives.
“In fact, whenever I saw some of these jargons commonly called ‘industrialisation’ and many other political abracadabras in the state, it makes me to panic more about the future of this dear state. ”
Mfon wondered how Akwa Ibom State would have looked today, if it had not been placed on the roadmap of infrastructural development by previous administrations.
Barely 24 hours to the battleground for tomorrow’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, the last- minute campaigns have shifted to mosques in Kwara State.
The Imam of a popular mosque in Muritala area of the state, Alhaji Muritala did not mince words when he declared in his sermon that enough was enough on Friday.
He pointed out that a lot of people died along Monkwa-Jebba road for many years and a government came and rehabilitated the road, apparently referring to the All Progressives Congress(APC) administration and “some people said such good venture should not continue, please vote wisely.”
Referring to the attack on the Vice President convoy by some thugs on Thursday at Aluko side of the metropolis, the lmam enjoined parents to warn their children as he who kill by the gun will be one day equally silenced by gun.
According to him, it was no longer news that Kwara civil servants are the worst paid in terms of allowances and emoluments, adding that “we have pleaded and cried to Allah that they should go away because their holding to power is inimical to the people.
“Are they not in government these years that they are now paying bursary to students few days ago?
“We know the real candidates and the bastards that Allah will never allow them to rule us again.”
Alhaji Muritala pointed out that anybody that collects the stipend they are doling out to vote for them “has missed the road because the hour has come when their fake government will be taking away from them and given to real candidates who will restore the lost glories of the old state.”
He challenged all the worshipers to go all out to vote for credible candidates that will give peace to the state.
The Centre for Crisis Communication on Friday identified 12 states including Kano, Kwara, Kogi, Kaduna and Imo as major flashpoints during the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday.
The CCC whose findings are usually based on credible intelligence from military and security agencies stated this in its mid-February collation and dissemination of data on crisis situation across the country.
Other states in this category included Adamawa, Taraba, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Anambra, said the group’s Executive Secretary Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd).
These disclosures which were made at Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA) in Abuja was confirmed to The Nation by Anas, a former spokesman for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
He said the possible flash points were arrived at after a review of recent incidents and violent activities in some of the states.
“We strongly recommend that adequate security arrangements should be made to ensure that the elections are not disrupted in some of the states we have identified.
“We identified these states and grouped them according to geopolitical zones. In the north, Kano and Kaduna are major flashpoints. We have Kwara and Kogi in North Central; Adamawa and Taraba in Northeast.
“In the south, we identified Lagos and Ogun for southwest, Rivers and Akwa Ibom south-south and Imo and Anambra States for southeast.
“We appeal to politicians and community leaders to advise their subjects against involvement in any activity capable of inciting violence that could have negative effects on the electoral processes.
“We also urge all security agencies deployed for elections to be proactive and conduct themselves professionally by carrying out their duties with absolute neutrality, devoid of bias, while the media and Civil Society Organizations should continue to monitor and keep Nigerians abreast before, during and after the elections,” said Anas.
According to him, the centre gathers, collates, processes, harmonises and disseminates information on potential crisis situation in the country.
“It has been providing credible and professional crisis information and early warning alerts to strategic institutions with the view of taking appropriate measure towards ensuring adequate security as well as promoting peaceful coexistence in the country.“