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Tag: Nigeria Decides 2019

  • Obaseki assures of peaceful polls in Edo

    …urges voters to come out en masse, cast their ballots

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has assured voters in Edo State that measures have been put in place to ensure that voters cast their votes in a safe and secure environment on Saturday, February 16, 2019.

    Obaseki who gave the assurance on Friday, maintained that adequate sensitisation has been carried out by the relevant government agencies, Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) and other stakeholders on how voters should conduct themselves on election days across the country.

    “I urge all eligible voters to come out en masse and without fear, participate in the first round of elections scheduled for Saturday February 16, 2019.

    “Elections are necessary to sustain the health of our growing democracy and we should seize this opportunity to raise the bar through our conduct on election days.

    “As the world looks up to Nigeria come Saturday February 16, we need to demonstrate by our actions and inactions that we are committed to defending our hard-won democracy.

    “As a government that places high premium on law and order, we will do all within the provisions of our laws to guarantee the security of life and property of all Edo people and residents, at all times.”

  • INEC begins distribution of sensitive materials in Imo

    …stakeholders express worry over late commencement

     

    The distribution of sensitive materials for the Presidential and National Assembly elections started in Imo State at about 1.30pm on Friday.

    Stakeholders expressed worry that the delay in the commencement of the distribution of the materials may affect the conduct of Saturday’s election.

    But the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Francis Ezeonu, assured that voting will commence at scheduled time on the day of election.

    Read Also: In Imo, a crackdown on hardened criminals

    He said that the materials, despite the initial delay will arrive at the polling stations by 8am.

  • Police deploy four CPs for elections in Ekiti

    The Ekiti State police command on Friday said three Commissioners of Police have been deployed by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu to monitor Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections in the State.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, who disclosed in Ado Ekiti on Friday, said the Commissioners, whose names were withheld, would monitor each of the senatorial districts of the state.

    Ikechukwu added that the police have also devised new techniques to checkmate vote buying, revealing that plain-clothed operatives will be deployed to all the 2,195 polling units to arrest the perpetrators.

    “The operatives will mingle with voters and from there have the knowledge of those engaging in this electoral offence”, he said.

    Ikechukwu disclosed that the security details of Very Important personalities, including politicians in the state have been withdrawn, with the exception of that of Governor Kayode Fayemi and his deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi.

    The Command spokesman stated that three security men will be deployed to each of the polling units to secure the staff deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and both sensitive and insensitive materials to be used for the conduct of the elections.

    Read Also: Ekiti residents protest killing of farmer by suspected herdsman

    “The security arrangements have been made in such a way that there would be no room for security lapses. Three security men comprising police, NSCDC and immigration officers will man each of the polling units.

    “As of now, three police Commissioners are on ground to work with CP Asuquo Amba. Each of them will man the three senatorial districts to enforce compliance to restriction of vehicles, except those on essential services and to make sure that no one circumvents the laws of the land regarding these elections”.

    Ikechuckwu stated that the Special Tactical Unit of the Police Force will be deployed to each of the 16 local government areas of the state to attend to emergency situations that could undermine the conduct of the polls.

    “These are armed unit of the police who will be on standby and they are to tackle cases of violence, attempted ballot snatching and ballot stuffing. They would also help in putting politicians who may want to demonstrate abuses at check”, he said.

    He added that Special Protection Unit of the Command have been deployed to provide protection for international and observers and other groups accredited by INEC to monitor the election.

    He said policemen are already on ground in all the INEC offices across the state, including the headquarters in Ado Ekiti to prevent cases of arson.

    “CP Amba and other top officers will also monitor these elections and our hotlines are on. We are on ground to entertain complaints from the members of the public.

    “We are on ground to ensure that we have credible elections. In having credible election, violence and other infractions that could mar the process must be checkmated and that is what we are here to enforce not to interfere in electoral matters”.

  • Over 15, 000 security personnel for Rivers polls

    No fewer than 15,544 security personnel have been deployed to the 319 electoral wards, 4,442 polling units of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs), of Rivers State ahead of the Saturday’s nationwide Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Usman Belel, disclosed this in a joint security news briefing held in Port Harcourt, the state capital Thursday.

    Belel promised a peaceful poll across the state, and urged politicians in the state and their supporters to cooperate security agencies to do their job.

    He said that, with the formation of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Elections Security (ICCES), adequate security would be provided before, during and after the polls.

    “Here in the state we have had robust Inter-agency collaborations, and fantastic synergies culminating in holding meetings and sessions with critical stakeholders, where it was unanimously agreed that the narrative must change in Rivers elections.

    “There will be a radical departure from the past elections, usually characterised by violence.

    “Together we shall get it right. On our part, we promise to be neutral and professional and provide level playing ground for all the political parties to exercise their franchise.

    “We have deployed 15,544 officers and men to be complemented by other sister agencies, with the massive deployment made so far, we are undoubtedly good to go as far as this election is concerned.

    “We promise to do everything humanly possible to entrench and bequeath to the state, elections that will be free, fair, credible and devoid of violence.” he said.

    He announced restriction of movements on the election day, except those on essential duties, barring notable personalities and politicians in the society from going to any voting centre with their police orderlies.

    Speaking further, the State Police boss disclosed that all entry and exit points in Rivers would be blocked, adding that movement would not be allowed in and out of the state until the elections are over.

    The CP, however, demanded strict compliance to the orders given, warning that defaulters would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

    He emphasized that there would be religious adherence to the Prohibition Order, “as same is intended to provide a conductive atmosphere for free, fair, credible and violence-free elections that will stand the test of time”.

    The police chief warned against mounting canopies and shades by food vendors, and other businesses within 500 meters around polling units, stressing that it shall not be tolerated during the elections.

  • Buhari shuts down Katsina for APC rally

    Activities in Katsina state were completely brought to a halt Thursday, thanks to the Grand Finale of the APC Presidential Campaign Rally, as traders and several other activities voluntarily closed shops in other to receive President Muhammadu Buhari and his entourage at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium

    The attendance in Thursday’s Rally at the 30,000 Seater capacity Stadium perhaps surpassed most rallies held in other parts of the Country, including the PDP Presidential campaign Rally held at the same Stadium last week.

    Both inside and outside the stadium, including the lawns and the Car parks were filled to the brim with supporters of the All Progressives Congress

    The National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole described the massive turn out as clear manifestation of the strong confidence Nigerians reposed on Buhari’s Administration.

    He said‘’ Mr. President I am sure and I have every reason to believe that you will feel proud of your people, as this will dismiss the old notion that a Prophet is not honored in his hometown

    ‘’This is indeed the grand finale of the APC Nationwide campaign rallies when PDP started their campaign in Sokoto they thought they had the monopoly of attendance but this have disproved them’’

    Read Also: Thousands troop out in Katsina for Buhari’s campaign

    ‘’Both the Bible and the Quran are unanimous in affirming that by next tomorrow you will be re-elected, Nigerians who have come to appreciate your integrity will troop out in their numbers to re-elect you by Saturday. By Fighting Corruption you are making more friends while the opposition is getting lesser people on their side’’

    Oshiomhole further criticized the PDP for Promising to re-introduced the discredited Structural Adjustment Program SAP, devalue the Naira and other Policies that will draw the Country backwards saying Nigerians will reject them at the Polls

    Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State in his address at the occasion described President Buhari as a man of impeccable Character, who meant well for the common man, he urged the People to vote for the President and candidates for the National Assembly

    In a brief message at the occasion President Buhari said he was overwhelmed by the turnout of supporters and promised to do more to promote the welfare of the common man, improve infrastructural development and Agriculture.

    He said ’’we will not betray your trust and neither shall we let those who betray your trust to go scot-free’’

  • Be professional, INEC tells election observers

    Dr Rufus Akeju, the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, on Thursday advised election observers in the state to exhibit the highest level of integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their duties during the general elections.

    Akeju gave the advice while briefing accredited election observers and party representatives in Akure.

    The REC noted that an election monitor has some level of lawful authority over the conduct of elections and officials unlike observers.

    According to him, a monitor is a duly authorised personnel of INEC while an observer is independent and writes reports to his organisation and the commission.

    Akeju said that the clarification was imperative to avoid occurrences that could result in misunderstanding and confusion during the elections.

    “Under no circumstance should observers handle election documents in the polling station or physically assist the voting or counting process,” Akeju said.

  • Zamfara: Agbakoba questions AGF’s letter to INEC

    A former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has urged Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN) to withdraw the letter asking the Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC ) to postpone election in Zamfara State.

    The AGF asked INEC to postpone the election to enable the All Progressives Congress (APC) field candidates in the state.

    INEC barred APC from fielding contestants for failing to meet up with the deadline for submission of candidates.

    Agbakoba argued that if anyone was to make the postponement request, it should be the APC, not the AGF.

    He said: “I am shocked by your letter to INEC on the above subject. You are the Attorney-General of the Federation and not the Attorney-General of INEC.

    “INEC is an independent institution and cannot take directives from the Federal Government.

    “If there is need for the postponement of the Zamfara State election as indicated in your letter, the proper person to request the postponement is the APC.

    “In any case, Sections 38 and 39 of the Electoral Act 2010 which your request is based on have nothing to do with postponement of elections.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has at various fora undertaken that the Federal Government will not interfere with INEC. Your letter puts that commitment to question. It is my hope that this letter will be immediately withdrawn.”

  • Kwara retirees, pensioners restate commitment APC’s victory

    ….Pledge 100,000 votes

    Pensioners and retirees in Kwara state have said they are irrevocably committed to the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in this week Saturday’s and March 2nd general elections.

    They also pledged APC would garner nothing less than 100,000 votes from them in the state.

    Chairman of the Concerned Retired Kwara state Civil Servants, Alhaji Mohammed Abioye spoke this Thursday in Ilorin, the state capital during an interaction with Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed.

    Alhaji Abioye said that “it needs be mentioned that we have come together in order to join hands with other well-meaning Kwarans who have been working to put a stop to the downward socio-economic development of the state due to poor governance in all ramifications especially since 2003 till date.

    “We are concerned because this ugly trend has come about because the civil service which is supposed to be the engine room of government has been largely bastardised. The reason for this ugly trend is traceable obviously to poor service condition, lack of respect and regards for the service and its personnel both serving and retired.”

    He said: “We must not allow this ugly trend to continue. We need to work with other progressively minded Kwarans to terminate the current political dynasty that is the major promoter of the various governments whose output has made our state the headquarters of poverty in Nigeria.

    “In this respect, we urge all retired and service civil servants in the state to ensure safe custody of their permanent voter’s cards (PVCs), disregard the fake memorandum of understanding (MoU) recently signed between the state government and some labour leaders and come out en-mass February 16th and March 2nd 2019 to vote for APC
    candidates.”

    He urged APC governorship candidate to be prepared to right all the wrongs already identified if voted in to power.

    In a remark, information and culture minister urged the people to come out and vote massively come February 16th.

    Alhaji Mohammed said the attention of the entire Nigeria and international community is focused on Kwara state in the forthcoming elections.

    The minister added that “this Saturday election is very vital for the sacking of Bukola Saraki from the state’s politics. It is the most important so that before the dawn of Monday Bukola Saraki would have been sent packing from the state.”

  • Atiku’s presidency will attract investment, says Saraki

    Senate President Bukola Saraki said on Thursday that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar’s administration will attract investment and generate employment.

    He added that former vice president’s background as a private sector man stands him in good stead.

    Saraki, who is the Director General of the PDP campaign said that the administration of Alhaji Abubakar would be youth driven.

    Speaking at the Kwara Central youth town hall meeting in Ilorin, Saraki said that PDP cabinet would give 40 per cent inclusion to Nigerian youth if brought to power on Saturday.

    Saraki, who answered questions from the youth on various issues ranging from economy, education and empowerment, said that they should not make the wrong choice of electing those that do not understand the
    dynamics of business and private sector.

    He said that Atiku Abubakar has private sector background that is capable of attracting investment and generating employment.

    Said he: “Saturday is a date with destiny. You should not be intimidated by presence of security agents. They will be there to provide security and protection to you. With your support, we will win and cause a turnaround in our national life. In 2015, number of unemployed people was 10 million, and it’s now 23 million.

    “The present administration does not understand how to cause change in people and economy. We all know government cannot provide job for everyone. It is the private sector that will do it. So, I want you to
    go out on Saturday and elect Atiku that understands private sector.

    Don’t make the mistake of voting for those that do not understand the dynamics because wrong choice can spell doom for the country.

    “We are no seasonal politicians that only reach out to you during elections. We’ve been with you all the time, providing infrastructure, health, education and empowerment.”

    Read Also: Saraki replies APC leaders

    Also speaking, the director general of the PDP campaign in the state, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, said that the essence of the meeting with the youth was to correct some impression against the Senate President and elucidate achievements made so far to improve the welfare of the people.

    Sulaiman said that the youth should not be dissuaded to vote for politicians that would not be able to provide dividends of democracy to them, saying that they should vote in the Senate President to retain the number three seat in the state with attendant opportunities.

    The event was attended by youth groups like artisans, professionals, people with disabilities students, among others.

    The town hall meeting was at the instance of the Directorate of Youth Affairs, Mandate 2019 Campaign Organisation headed by Ben Duntoye.

    The Senate President re-echoed his message to the youths at another session with women from Kwara central at the Metropolitan Square, Ilorin.

    He told the women who filed out in their thousands not to be intimidated by the heavy presence of security operatives, but should come out on Saturday and vote massively for Atiku and all the candidates of the PDP.

  • Thousands troop out in Katsina for Buhari’s campaign

    Thousands of APC supporters have taken over Katsina, the Katsina State capital, awaiting the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari for his campaign rally in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some of the supporters who arrived the city on Wednesday slept on the streets in spite of the cold weather.

    There are reports that the Muhammad Dikko Stadium, venue of the rally, was already filled to capacity.

    Already vehicle owners have to park five to ten kilometres away to trek to the campaign ground due to congestion as a result of massive human and vehicular movement.

    Buhari is expected to wind up his campaign this Thursday in Katsina from where he will proceed to Daura to cast his vote in the presidential election on Saturday in which he is a candidate.

    There are also reports of massive hold up on roads leading to the state capital through Jibia, Batsari, Kaita, Daura, Mani, Dutsinma and Kankia, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters come in from across the 34 local government areas in the state.

    So far, there has been no report of any security breach, as police, military and para military personnel keep vigil in strategic locations.

    NAN observed that traders were making brisk business, even as hundreds of APC supporters move round the city chanting praises of the president.