The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Decides 2019

  • APC plans to attack Nigerians, PDP alleges

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) has alleged plots by the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) and its agents to load arms and ammunitions into vehicles painted in PDP colours and the names of some of its prominent chieftains.

    According the main opposition party, the plan is to use the illegal arms and ammunitions to attack gatherings and orchestrate violence across the country ahead of the general elections.

    In a statement Thursday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said some of those marked for frame up in the planned attacks include its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye among others.

    Citing “intelligence report” at its disposal, the opposition party said the governing APC will then clamp down on the targeted PDP chieftains and get them incarcerated.

    Condemning what it described as the heinous plot, the PDP said the plot was an act of desperation by the APC, as a result of despondency, arising from their rejection by Nigerians.

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    The statement reads: “We want all Nigerians to note that the PDP is a party of goodwill and our rallies have demonstrated that we are a people of peace.

    “Our objectives and goals, as laid down by our founding fathers, demonstrate unity, national cohesion and economic prosperity for our nation.

    “This is the path we have continued to toe in our campaigns, in spite of provocations by the APC and the Buhari Presidency.

    “The PDP is therefore, alerting Nigerians to take serious note of this plot by the APC, which is tailored to smear the image of our party and candidates, as well as divert public attention from their acts and threats of violence ahead of the 2019 general election”.

  • We are ready for polls – Police

    …as FRSC deploys 20,000 personnel nationwide

     

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has reiterated the determination Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to ensure a violence free and credible 2019 general election.

    He also said the Police would not be a tool for politicians or political parties during the exercise.

    Towards this end, Adamu said enough police personnel would be deployed to every part of the country to prevent violence and other electoral malpractices.

    The IGP spoke in Abuja on Thursday at a stakeholders meeting organized by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) where he said the Police is ready for the election.

    Represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Samuel Musa, the IGP said, “We are ready for the election, we are determined to make sure that no single Nigerian is prevented from voting. We have strategies in place to protect all election materials and personnel.

    “What we want Nigerians to know is that what is wrong during the election periods is diversion of election materials, ballot box snatching, vote soliciting or buying would not be allowed. what is right is queue orderly, vote and maintain peace throughout the exercise”.

    Saying that the theme of the meeting, ‘Towards a credible 2019 election, the role of stakeholders’, the IGP said the Police is ready to take its role very seriously, adding, “This is why we have been having training, retraining, seminars and workshops in-house as well as with other stakeholders”.

    He also said in order to ensure that plans put in place for the successful prosecution of the election were not thwarted, adequate personnel would be provided for all election centers from the ward level to the result announcement centers.

    Read Also: Police arrest six suspects for assaulting lady

    “Our men have been told what to do to make it credible, we are not for any political party but make the election credible,” he said.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi said 20,000 personnel would be deployed nationwide to compliment the security arrangement for the elections.

    According to Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Victor Nwokolo, who represented Oyeyemi, FRSC would be involved in forward and reverse logistics for the election.

    The Corps would also certify all vehicles to be used for the exercise, train and retrain drivers, ensure their suitability for the exercise, oversee vehicular movement, in addition to denying or allowing access to certain routes during and after the exercise.

    Earlier, the acting Executive Director of the Centre, Faith Nwadishi said for a free, fair and credible elections, stakeholders must critically examine and proffer enduring solution to issues of voter apathy and non-collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by the electorates; insecurity; preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); vote buying, destruction or stealing of PVCs; desperation of the political class; and the role of security agencies.

    She, however, expressed satisfaction of the Centre over the level of preparedness by INEC for the election, saying, “There has been improved consultation with stakeholders but we call on the entire INEC staff and officers having different roles and responsibility to discharge their duties in the highest professional manner”.

  • Photos from Buhari’s campaign in Taraba, Nasarawa