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Tag: Osun poll

  • Observer hails INEC for smooth conduct of Osun poll

    One of the accredited observers in the recently concluded governorship poll in Osun State, the Election Monition (EM), has hailed the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smooth conduct of the poll.

    Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner of the election by the INEC.

    Coordinator of the non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mr Abiodun Ajijola, spoke yesterday in Abuja, the nation’s capital, while presenting a report of the election.

    He said the electoral umpire needed to ensure that its workers remain on the same page with the commission.

    The EM coordinator said the election was generally peaceful and well conducted by INEC, despite few discrepancies that crept up during the exercise.

    Ajijola urged INEC to probe the discrepancies that could affect the general outcome of elections.

    He also urged INEC to investigate the circumstances that led to declaring the September 22 election inconclusive.

    According to him, there should be more stringent reasons for the cancellation of votes in any election.

    Ajibola added that for increased transparency, a special form should be created for cancellation of elections at polling units.

  • Osun poll: It’s a black day for Nigeria, says PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday cried foul over the result of the Osun State supplementary governorship election.

    National Chairman Uche Secondus told reporters that it was a black day for Nigeria, adding that the state was under siege.

    Secondus said: “We the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) have reviewed what has happened, from the distribution of materials to the actual voting in some of the units and wards.

    “We found that Osun is under siege. Therefore, today is a black day for Nigeria. We would think that it is a state or some units, but if you look at what has transpired so far from Ekiti to Osun State, Nigerians are groaning in pains, especially the Osun people.

    “The right of the citizens to be able to come out and vote has been trampled upon and the entire state and the wards and units have been seized by the security agencies who are acting on behalf of All Progressives Congress (APC) to make sure the election was rigged by all means.

    “We are sad that if this is what is going to take place in 2019, then the future of Nigerian democracy is bleak and we are sliding into crisis.

    “If they like,they can call it a hate speech but the fact must be told. On election day, our supporters and the citizens of Osun were weeping for the soul of Nigeria. And for those who are perpetrating this evil, they should watch and wait and see what will happen next.”

    The PDP chairman accused security agencies of protecting one political party in a multi-party state.

    “From what we have witnessed in Osun, it showed clearly that the APC is not ready for election and we are afraid that President Buhari will not handover if he loses election next year,” Secondus said.

    He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the candidate of the PDP, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the winner of the election.

    He called on INEC to cancel election in poling units where he said security agencies allegedly arrested PDP supporters and prevented them from voting.

    PDP Deputy National Chairman (South-West) Dr. Eddy Olafeso accused security agencies of colluding with the APC to disenfranchise PDP supporters.

    Olafeso said: “Specifically in Orolu and Garage Olode and many of the seven units that were supposed to engage in this voting, they took away all our members, seizing their PVCs, inducing the INEC staff with cash they could not refuse.

    “The APC governorship candidate was given a free hand to do whatever he wanted to do while our people were muscled away from the units.

    “They arrested our leaders, especially in Osogbo. Alhaji Diekola is still in custody and Dr. Muyiwa Oladimeji is still in custody. Our people have been harassed and chased like animals away from where they were supposed to carry out their civic duties.”

    South West Zonal PDP Publicity Secretary Ayo Fadaka said the election was “compromised by security agents”.

    “It is disappointing to note that unnecessary leverage has been accorded to the APC as its thugs have unfettered movement and capabilities to perpetrate all lawlessness.”

    “It is terrible to note that journalists and election observers have been harassed and arrested in this election by security agencies; this is absolutely disheartening.

    “We state most unequivocally that the results of this election have been predetermined and, as such, cannot be acceptable to us as a party because it is not free and fair.

    “We must remind the APC Government of President Muhammadu Buhari that we are in a democracy where votes must count and not a dictatorship.”

    In another statement in Osogbo, Osun State PDP Chairman Soji Adagunodo described the election as “open robbery”.

    He added: “Hundreds of people holding PVCs from other polling units were accredited and allowed to vote in Osogbo and Ife South Local Governments. PDP agent in Olode was axed and abducted at about 7am today. Media men and election observers were denied access in several polling units.

    “By the time access was granted to journalists  at about 11am, ballot boxes had been stuffed by the APC agents acting in connivance with INEC officials. It is regrettable that election in seven polling units could not be freely and fairly concluded by the Independent National Electoral commission.”

  • Is INEC not right on Osun poll?

    The Osun State governorship election is generating controversy. It is not because it was not free and fair. Some interested parties are raising eyebrow over the inconclusive poll, although the umpire may have averted a major disaster by declaring it inconclusive. The two main parties-the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP)-ran neck to neck in the election. The inconclusive results reflected the spread of the parties. APC led in 15 of 30 local governments. It also came second in local councils where it was defeated by the PDP. The PDP won clearly in 12 councils.

    According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC scored 254, 345. PDP had 254, 698. The margin is 353, which is a far cry from the 3, 498 total cancelled votes. The election was cancelled in two units at Orolu, and one each at Ife South, Ife North and Osogbo.

    The cancelation has basis in law. Where the difference in lawful votes scored by the two leading candidates in an election is less than the number of registered voters in cancelled polling units, the election shall be declared inconclusive.

    Explaining reasons for the cancellation, the electoral agency said there were attempted ballot snatching and other unruly behaviours at the units, which violated the electoral law. But, a total cancellation without a redress would have been tantamount to disentrancement of the electorate. Therefore, in line with the provisions of the guidelines, INEC announced a rerun for the polling units. The exercise will hold on Thursday.

    The six outstanding units are statistically important. Now, they are also strategic to both parties. The two units in Orolu has 947 voters. The Osogbo unit has 884 voters. The Ife units have 1, 314 voters.

    The bone of contention is the cancelled 3, 498 votes. So “huge” and “significant” is the figure that the Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Joseph Fuwape, said it could swing victory either in favour of APC’s Gboyega Oyetola and Ademola Adeleke of the PDP. The only way out of the logjam is rerun.Also, the statutory solution is not new. Its practical application, according to observers, has its antecedents in the inconclusive The Kogi State governorship poll. The Returning Officer, Emmanuel Kucha, said the late Prince Audu Abubakar of the APC scored 240, 867 votes while former Governor Idris Wada of the PDP had 199, 514 votes. The margin of votes, Kucha said, was 41, 353. He therefore, declared the exercise inconclusive, claiming that the total number of registered voters in 91 polling units across 18 councils where the poll was cancelled was 49, 953. Although the APC was the ruling party, it could not influence INEC. The agency organised a rerun.

    In Imo State, the 2015 governorship election was inconclusive. Governor Rochas Okorocha of the APC polled 385, 671 votes. Hon. Ihedioha of the PDP got 306, 142 votes. The margin was 79, 529; 144, 715 votes were cancelled. The commission under Prof. Attahiru Jega ordered a rerun.

    In 2011, a senatorial election in Anambra State was declared inconclusive. The contestants were Dr. Chris Ngige of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the late Prof. Dora Akunyili of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). Ngige reportedly got 65, 576; Akunyili got 66, 273 votes. The margin was 697. Since the poll did not take place in some wards with a voting population higher than the margin, a supplementary exercise was ordered by INEC.

    Also, in Bayelsa, the governorship poll was at half in 2015. Governor Seriake Dickson (PDP) got 105, 748 votes. Timpreye Sylva (APC) polled 72,594. The margin was 33,154. In Southern Ijaw, it was reported that APC won all the 120,000 votes in Southern Ijaw. The INEC boss was infuriated. A rerun was ordered.

  • Parties, observers, others take stock of Osun poll

    A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs), the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, political parties and others yesterday took stock of Saturday’s inconclusive governorship election in Osun State.

    The CSOs expressed worry over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) delay in collating the Osun governorship election result.

    The Convener of the Situation Room, Mr Clement Nwankwo, in a statement yesterday, said there was need for INEC to change the trend on collation of results and use of electronic method.

    Nwankwo also expressed concern that the result collation took place mostly at night.

    “On collation of results, Situation Room is concerned that the process of collation is delayed and appears to happen mostly at night.

    “This is when the political parties, candidates, observers and other election stakeholders may have depleted away from observation of the process, especially with fears of insecurity.

    “This trend needs to change and INEC should consider an improvement and innovation in its processes that will enable the collation of results in as much of daylight as possible and thus reduce night time election activities.”

    Nwankwo called on the INEC to open up its e-collation method to independent observers and other stakeholders in the electoral process to eliminate the present suspicion that now clouds the use of the said e-collation system.

    He said this would create an understanding of this aspect of the election process and win support for its use.

    “To further increase the credibility of election results, INEC will need to return to its previous practice of immediate publication of polling unit election results .

    “As well as publishing all of the comprehensive details of collated results, including the Form EC60E, on its website and to be accessible to all.

    “Situation Room also calls on INEC to ensure that its announcement of the introduction of Braille for voting is made operational across the country and that all persons with disabilities are able to vote during elections,” he said

    Nwankwo said the Situation Room deployed observers across the 30 local government areas of the state to monitor the election .

    He said incidents of vote buying reoccurred in the Osun State elections, even though at a reduced and less brazen manner.

    He called on INEC to intensify the training of the different cadres of its staff to enhance their understanding of election duties and increase their confidence and ability to respond to election day challenges.

    He, however, hailed INEC on early commencement of the voting process, adding that polling units across the state opened early for accreditation and voting.

    He commended the people of Osun, the political parties and the security agencies on their good conduct.

    Nwankwo said the announcement by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and law enforcement officials that they would arrest vote-buyer suspects and charge them to court helped significantly in reducing the malpractice.

    He said: “As with recent INEC conducted governorship elections, incidents of vote buying reoccurred during the Osun State governorship election, even if at a reduced and less-brazen manner.

    “Incidents now seem subtler with the announcement by INEC and law enforcement officials that suspects would be arrested and charged to court, and the actual deployment of security personnel to enforce this helped significantly.”

    The coordinator commended Osun residents and political parties for conducting themselves peacefully during the poll.

    He, however, called on INEC to intensify training of its different cadre of staff to enhance their understanding of their election duties and increase their confidence and ability to respond to election challenges.

    Nwankwo said it was observed during the election that some INEC staff and officials were not sure of their responses to voters’ concerns or voting procedures, which he said created delay.

    He also called on the electoral body to look into the process of results collation, which he said was usually done at night when political parties, candidates, observers and other election stakeholders “may have been depleted”.

    The NCS recommended that INEC should ensure that its announcement of the introduction of Braille for voting was made operational across the country and that all people living with disabilities were able to vote during elections.

     

    Group lauds INEC, police over peaceful conduct of election

    A SOCIO-POLITICAL group, Southern Nigeria Peoples Mandate (SNPM), has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police over peaceful conduct of Osun governorship election.

    Its President, Mr Augustine Chukwudum, gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu yesterday.

    Chukwudum also applauded INEC for the prompt arrival of voting materials and early commencement of voting in most polling booths in the state.

    He said: “The SNPM is calling on the nation’s electoral body, INEC, to extend this recorded peaceful conduct of Osun governorship poll to the much-anticipated 2019 general elections.

    “We are also calling on INEC to look into the issue of malfunctioning Card Readers.’

    Chukwudum praised the Nigerian Police, for arresting some vote buyers and sellers during the election, adding that it should serve as deterrent to other Nigerians engaging in the ‘shameful act’.

    He added: “The SNPM commends the Nigeria Police for the professional conduct of its personnel which led to the arrest of some vote buyers and sellers.

    “It wants all Nigerians to completely frown at vote buying and selling, as well as expose those in the shameful habit.”

    Last Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State took place amidst a peaceful atmosphere, compared to other previous governorship elections held in recent times.

     

     APC hails INEC’s decision

    THE Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the state has been saved from the savage jaws of evil with the declaration.

    In a statement by its spokesperson, Kunle Oyatomi, the APC said: “It was providential. Osun has been miraculously saved from the savage jaws of the evil that could have been fallen into if the monster called the PDP had won the election. It was the limit that corrupt money could go to buy up an election.

    “Now that Osun has been given a second chance to escape from the calamity it almost fell into, the people of Osogbo, Orolu, Ife South and Ife North now have the enormous task to save the state from predator-politicians.

    “On Thursday September 27, that is the mission that they have. We therefore call on all citizens in these polling areas to sacrifice everything they can on that day to become the great heroes and heroines  of our beloved state.

    “We use this opportunity to thank all those who summoned courage in spite of  the ‘blood’ money on offer by the PDP to vote against their conscience, stood their ground and voted for the APC. The unfinished job will be concluded on Thursday by the Grace of God.”

     

    All quiet in Iragbiji over election

    IRAGBIJI and its environs were quiet yesterday, after last Sunday’s governorship election was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Iragbiji is the home town of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the election, Gboyega Oyetola. The ordinarily sleepy  town was alive at the weekend with the expectation of victory for Oyetola.

    When our reporter went round the town,  residents gathered in groups in a few places, discussing the outcome of the election, but traders were already out with their wares to return to their normal life.

    The front of the palace of the Aragbiji was empty, unlike Saturday when voters and other indigenes besieged the town centre to chat with friends and recall fond memories.

    Taxi drivers and commercial motorcyclists also returned to business after an early noon rainfall.

    A resident who spoke to The Nation in confidence, expressed disappointment with the election, saying it would be difficult to predict the outcome of Thursday’s supplementary poll.

     

    No one should be underestimated, says Oyo APC

    THE Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday declared that the conduct of last Saturday governorship election in Osun State should serve as a lesson that no one should be underestimated in any contest.

    The party said judging by all the negativity that trailed the APC  leading challenger in the Osun governorship poll, anyone would have written him off in the contest.

    Reacting to last Saturday’s election in Osun State, which was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , the APC Director of Media, Research and Strategies and Publicity Secretary,  Dr AbdulAzeez Olatunde, said the experience garnered in the Osun election would be deployed to good use in Oyo State, starting from the  primary election.

    Olatunde said: “Also, the keenness or the  competitiveness of the Osun election is a reminder to the people that have the mandate of the electorates that there is a judgement day in waiting when the mandate would  either be renewed with good performances or repositioned to another party or person.

    “In relation to Oyo State, it shows that no one can be taken for granted or underestimated, considering all the negativity that trails APC leading challenger to the election, most would have written him off. That is another lesson that voting patterns and trends are most times unpredictable.

    “As for Oyo 2019, we have learned a lot of lessons which we hope to deploy to good use starting from our primaries.

    “Also, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  in Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has described as unacceptable the reason given by INEC for declaring the Osun governorship election inconclusive.

    Makinde said the PDP candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, won the highest number of votes and scored 25 per cent in more than two thirds of the 30 local government areas in the state and as such ought to have been declared the winner of the election.

    Makinde said Senator Adeleke won the election fair and square.

    He said INEC must have buckled under pressure from desperate politicians whose cupboards are filled with filth.

    The PDP governorship aspirant said that the decision by the election umpire is a disservice to democracy and will not stand the test of time.

    He said such miscarriage of justice, no matter how short, will not be allowed to happen in Oyo State.

    Makinde, on behalf of members of PDP in Oyo State, applauded the good people of Osun State for the role they played against anti-democratic forces who did everything humanly possible to reverse the wheel of progress.

    He said it is disheartening to note that since the advent of the APC at the federal level, all elections conducted by INEC have been riddled with controversies and failed to meet basic international standard.

    Agoro hails Ooni for not voting

    Olapade Agoro, the presidential candidate of the National Action Council (NAC) in next year’s election yesterday hailed the decision of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, not to cast his vote in the last Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

    There were media reports that Oba Ogunwusi did not vote despite the fact there is a polling unit by the palace, because he saw all the governorship candidates as his subjects.

    Speaking with reporters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday, Agoro commended the revered traditional ruler, describing his action as “very laudable and respectable”.

    The NAC presidential candidate maintained that what the Ooni Ogunwusi did was honouring the throne of Oduduwa and the whole of Yoruba race.

    He said: “The Ooni ‘risa, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi has placed himself on the side of honour. The position of the Ooni of Ife is above all political positions. The Ooni should be a rallying point for all sons and daughters of Oodu, irrespective of political inclinations.

    “The Ooni has been doing well since he ascended the exalted throne. He has been promoting the rich culture of the Yoruba race above political considerations. So far, so good, he has been doing a good job on the throne.”

  • Osun poll: Results council by council (Update)

    The Independent National Electoral Commission has begun announcing the results of the Osun governorship election in each of the 30 local councils of the state.

    Final collation will be done on Sunday at the state headquarters in Osogbo.

    Here are the results already announced at the council collation centres:

    Ede South LGA:

    PDP : 16,693

    APC:  4,512

    ADP : 357

    SDP : 855

    Total Valid Votes: 23,136
    Total Rejected Votes: 1,605
    Total Votes Cast: 24,741

    Number Of Registered Voters: 46,887

    Number of Accredited Voters: 24,888

    Ede North LGA:

    ADC : 89
    ADP :758

    APC: 7025

    PDP: 18745

    SDP: 1380

    Iwo LGA

    ADC: 1164
    ADP :16125
    APC :7644
    PDP:6122
    SDP :4153

    Total valid votes:37319
    Rejected votes:2290
    Total vote casted:39609
    Total registered voters:78120
    Accredited voters: 39790

    Boripe LGA

    In the result announced by the returning officer, Professor Afolabi Atanda, APC Candidate, Gboyega Oyetola won the council.

    APC :  11, 655

    PDP:  6, 892

    ADC: 137

    ADP :1137

    SDP – 2730

    Total Registered Voters – 57, 397

    Accredited: 25, 045

    Orolu LGA:

    ADC: 79
    ADP : 388
    APC : 5442
    PDP: 7776
    SDP:2043

    Total Number of Registered Voters: 31,904
    Total Number of of Accredited Voters: 17,485

    TOTAL VALID VOTES:16,157
    TOTAL REJECTED VOTES :1,260
    TOTAL VOTES CAST: 17,417

    Ilesha West LGA:

    PDP: 8286
    APC: 7251
    SDP: 2408
    ADP: 2363
    ADC: 127

    TOTAL VALID VOTES : 21,220
    TOTAL REJECTED VOTES: 1,861

    TOTAL VOTES CAST . 23,081
    TOTAL REGISTERED VOTERS: 60,600
    TOTAL ACCREDITED VOTERS :32,569

    Ilesa East LGA

    APC: 9,790
    PDP: 8,244
    SDP: 3,620
    ADC :188
    ADP :1275

    Atakumosa East LGA

    ADC:60
    ADP:629
    APC:7,073
    PDP:5218
    SDP:2140

    Total number of registered voters: 35,657
    Total number of accredited voters:17,086
    Total valid votes:15,721
    Total rejected votes:1,008
    Total vote cast:16,729

    Atakumosa West LG

    APC: 5019
    PDP: 5401
    SDP: 1570
    ADP: 718

    Boluwaduro LG

    APC 3843
    PDP 3779
    SDP: 1766
    ADP: 858

    Ifedayo LG:
    APC: 3182
    PDP: 3374
    SDP: 1377
    ADP: 176

    Ife South LGA:

    APC:7223
    PDP:4872
    SDP:6151
    ADP:561
    ADC:136

    Total valid votes = 19,998
    Rejected votes=1,399
    Total votes cast = 21,397

    Ife Central LGA
    DC – 194
    ADP -1,053
    APC – 6,957
    PDP – 3,200
    SDP – 20,494

    * Registered Voters – 106,309
    * Accredited Voters – 35,588
    * Total valid votes – 33,304
    * Rejected votes – 2,144
    * Total votes cast – 35,448

    Ila LGA

    APC: 8403
    ADC : 96
    ADP: 183
    PDP: 8241
    SDP: 3134

    Total Registered Voters: 39,188
    Total Accredited Voters; 21,124
    TOTAL VALID VOTES- 20,531
    TOTAL REJECTED VOTES – 847
    TOTAL VOTES CAST- 21,378

    Irepodun LGA

    ADC: 158
    ADP: 2,564
    APC: 6,517
    PDP: 8058
    SDP: 4856

    TOTAL VALID VOTES 22,859
    TOTAL REJECTED VOTES: 1,410
    TOTAL VOTES CAST: 24,269

    TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS: 46,558
    TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCREDITED VOTERS: 24,307

    Ifelodun LGA

    ADC 236
    ADP 2834
    APC: 9882
    PDP: 12269
    SDP: 1970

    Isokan LGA:

    ADC: 56,
    ADP : 682
    APC : 7297
    PDP :9048
    SDP: 3460

    Number of Registered Voters: 45,903
    Number of Accredited Voters: 23,314

    Total Valid Votes: 21,723
    Total Rejected Votes: 1519
    TOTAL NUMBERS OF VOTE CAST: 23,242

    Odo Otin LGA:

    ADC – 1034
    ADP – 1112
    APC – 9996
    PDP – 9879
    SDP – 2941

    TOTAL REGISTERED VOTERS: 57,663
    TOTAL ACCREDITED VOTERS: 27,051
    TOTAL VALID VOTES: 25,654
    TOTAL VOTE CAST: 27,023
    REJECTED VOTES: 1,369

    Ayedire LGA

    ADC: 144

    ADP :166

    APC :5474

    PDP: 5133
    SDP: 2396

    TOTAL VOTES CAST:15240
    REJECTED VOTES: 1024
    TOTAL ACCREDITED VOTERS: 16264

    AYEDAADE LGA

    ADC :145
    ADP : 1654
    APC : 10,861
    PDP : 10,836
    SDP: 2967

    Ejigbo LGA

    ADC: 258
    ADP: 592
    APC: 14,779
    PDP: 11,116
    SDP: 4,803

    Total Valid Votes: 32,787
    Rejected Votes: 2,109
    Total Votes Cast: 34,896

    Registered Voters: 63,652
    Accredited Voters: 35,061

    Irewole LGA;

    ADC: 249
    ADP: 1915
    APC: 10049

    PDP: 13848
    SDP: 1142

    TOTAL VALID VOTES : 28267
    REJECTED VOTES: 2502
    TOTAL VOTES CAST: 30769
    No of registered voters : 61977
    No of accredited voters: 30898

    Ife North LGA

    ADC -94
    ADP -745
    APC:6527
    PDP:5486
    SDP: 5158

    Total number of registered voters – 52684
    No of Accredited voters- 20549

    Total Valid Votes: 18846
    Rejected Votes: 1,674
    Total Votes Cast: 20,520

    Olorunda LGA

    ADC-335
    ADP-1409
    APC-16254
    PDP-9850
    SDP: 7061

    Number of registered voters: 90110
    Accredited voters: 40524
    TOTAL VALID VOTES: 35990
    REJECTED VOTE: 2309
    VOTE CAST: 38299

    Egbedore LGA

    APC:7354 VOTES

    PDP:7231 VOTES

    SDP:2367 VOTES

    ADP:636 VOTES

    ADC:119 VOTES

    Number of Registered Voters: 42145
    Number of Accredited Voters: 20464

    Total Valid Votes: 19193
    Rejected Votes: 1144
    Total Votes Cast: 20337

    Obokun LGA:
    APC: 7229
    PDP: 10859
    SDP: 1907
    ADP: 663
    ADC: 106

    Oriade LGA

    ADC:109
    ADP:1224
    APC:9,778
    PDP:10,109
    SDP: 2265

    Total registered vote: 54,921
    Total accredited vote: 25,697
    Total valid votes:24,380
    Total invalid:1186
    Total vote: 25,566

    Ifedayo LGA

    APC- 3182
    ADC- 52
    ADP- 176
    PDP- 3374
    SDP- 1377

  • CLEEN foundation scores security high on Osun poll

    Civil rights group CLEEN Foundation on Saturday described as commendable, the conduct of security operatives deployed for the governorship elections in Osun State.

    The group which said it deployed over 90 observers in collaboration with the Police Service Commission (PSC) across the 30 local government areas (LGAs) of the state, noted that most of the security agents were professional, courteous and early on their duty posts.

    According to a preliminary report signed by Executive Director Dr. Benson Olugbuo, security pass mark was in spite of a few shortcomings observed.

    He said: “More than 90 election observers were deployed across the 30 LGAs to ensure a balanced reportage and adherence to good practices expected of security agencies on election duty. This preliminary statement covers the period between the opening of polling units and the conclusion of voting.

    “Reports from the field indicates that most polling units opened on time. Security personnel and INEC officials also arrived early.

    “From the preliminary assessment received from our stationary and roving observers, it was noted that there was an adequate deployment of security personnel during the election.

    “Most polling units had an average of four security personnel comprising police officers and other security agencies. Security personnel were stationed at strategic locations in the state.

    “Security personnel largely conducted themselves in a commendable manner. They exhibited professional conduct in maintaining law and order, were civil and approachable, assisting the elderly and vulnerable in exercising their franchise.

    “However, there were reports of complicity and over-zealousness of security agents in a few polling units. Specifically, some security agents prevented observers from using electronic devices at the polling units, incidents of inducement and leaving their duty post at critical moments were also observed.”

    On the group’s general observation, Olugbuo said there were cases of card reader malfunctioning which slowed down the election in some places, adding that the machines were replaced with back-ups.

    “There were reported cases of missing names on the voter register. This was recorded at Iwo and Orolu LGAs; our observers reported early arrival of INEC officials and security personnel. Polling units were also set up on time.

    “CLEEN Foundation observers witnessed early turnout of voters across the 30 LGAs in the state; Inter-agency collaboration and cooperation of security agencies was observed during the election.

    “There was active participation of international and domestic observers; incidents of vote buying was reported.

    “It was noted that early deployment of sensitive materials aided timely opening of polling units and commencement of accreditation and voting.”

  • Osun Poll: Police talk tough, vow to arrest errant politicians

    The police yesterday warned governors and other politicians alleged to be in Osun State to respect the Electoral Act and stay away from election areas or face arrest.

    Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) coordinator of the Joint Security Task Force for the election, Josak Habila, stated this during separate meetings with observers from National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI) as well as the United States Mission at the state command headquarters in Osogbo.

    Habila was answering questions from the leader of the observers’ delegation, John Tomaszweski, who asked what the police would do to some governors who were said to be in the state.

    He said: “I do not know if there are governors in the state. Maybe they came to give supports to their members and friends. But they must know that they are not to be found anywhere elections are going on.

    “They should also respect the restriction of movement because anyone caught breaking the rules will be dealt with, no matter how highly placed.”

    On the fears about vote buying, Habila said the ban on the use of mobile phones as well as the deployment of six uniformed security agents per polling unit were meant to address that situation, adding that intelligence squad had also been deployed to various parts of the state.

    On the strength of security operatives deployed for the exercise, the DIG said there were 28,000 comprising the police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Directorate of State Services (DSS) and the military.

    He said also that a Police Mobile Force (PMF) unit comprising 63 operatives and 10 patrol vehicles has been deployed to each of the local government areas of the state.

    He denied allegations that too many security operatives were deployed to the state, noting that the deployment was less than what obtained in Ekiti.

    Habila said: “Remember there was a lot of outcry, allegations that Ekiti was an army of occupation and police brought in a large number of people to intimidate and prevent people from voting. That was not true. Those who were in Ekiti saw the street and saw that just the needed security. There was no overflow of security.

    “For this election, we decided to deploy less than the number in Ekiti. One of the reasons for this decision was that Osun has been known to be peaceful.

    “In the last two years, Osun has been one of the states with the lowest crime rate. Secondly, we ensured we deployed the minimally required because we do not want to waste human and material resources.

    “For this election, we have 28,000 security operatives. That is for the police and other security services. I belief there are sponsors who have written a script and are rehearsing it.

    “We will not give opportunity for anyone to do so. We will not occupy any place to intimidate or oppress anyone. We are as ready as ever to ensure that this election is peaceful.

    “We have learnt lessons from previous elections, and so we want to see on Saturday a civil and helpful security; a security that will give an insight of a more improved security come 2019 general elections.

    “We have men on standby duty, patrol and we have posted some to national assets that people could vandalise if they are not pleased with results of the elections.

    “We made preparations for five days before and five days after elections. That is what we are doing.

    “We are careful in ensuring we do not just protect the process but also protect vulnerable public facility in Osun State as a whole.

    “At the moment, there has been no request for boats in Osun State, but the contiguous states like Ondo and Ibadan have standby boats.

    “Remember we also deployed helicopters for this election so we can do ground to air communication. We will give our best to this election.”

    The DIG said electoral materials were received by the commander in charge of protection yesterday morning, adding that operatives deployed for their safety were already protecting them.

    “As I speak, electoral materials have been taken to registration area council and super registration area council. There, they will be pinned down and tomorrow morning, these materials will get to the various wards and polling units.

    “A lot of the policemen are standing at the point where they will provide security to ballot box, INEC officials and others including observers.

    “We are prepared. Our morale is high because the federal government provided our allowances.

    “The instruction was given to the Inspector-General of Police and he complied. We got our alerts a long time ago from our finance department.”

  • Osun poll: WAEC tenders Adeleke’s result in court

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has confirmed that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, sat for its examination in 1981.

    WAEC’s confirmation is in its response to an order made on September 11 by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Bwari, Abuja, directing the examination body to produce evidence of Adeleke’s result.

    Justice Othman Musa had, on September 11, while ruling on an ex-parte motion by the plaintiffs, ordered WAEC, to among others, provide evidence that Adeleke sat for its May/June 1981 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination.

    Justice Musa also ordered Adeleke to show cause why he should not grant other reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, including an order disqualifying him as a candidate of the PDP for the election.

    The order was on a suit marked: FCT/HC/BW/CV/122/2018 filed by Wahab Adekunle Raheem and Adam Omosalewa Habeeb.

    In its affidavit sworn to by Henry Sunday Adewunmi Osindeinde, a Deputy Registrar/Head of School Examination Department, WAEC said Adeleke sat for the May/June 1981 examination at Ede Muslim High School, Yidi Road, Ede, with Centre Number: 19645 and Candidate Number 149.

    WAEC attached a copy of the results of all 122 candidates who sat for the May/June 1981 in Ede Muslim High School.

    In the attached results, Adeleke is listed as number 149. He sat for only English Language in which he scored F9.

    He was said not to have sat for Literature in English, Islamic Knowledge, Geography, Economics, Mathematics and Biology.

    Osindeinde said in the affidavit: “By virtue of my position as Deputy Registrar/Head of School Examination Department, I have read the enrolled order of this court (specifically orders iv, v and vi) dated 11th September 2018 directing and compelling the WAEC to depose to an affidavit confirming or denying the said orders contained in the said enrolled order and referred to in this paragraph and I wish to state as follows:

    ”The said candidate named in this suit known as Adeleke Ademola, with Centre Number 19645 and Candidate Number 149, indeed sat for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in May/June 1981 conducted by the council at Ede Muslim High School situate at P. O. Box 6 Yidi Road, Ede, State of Osun.

    ”The copy of the result listing referred to by the court order as the ledger containing the results of all the candidates (001 – 221) who sat for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in the said school is hereby certified, attached and marked: Exhibit WA1.”

    Adeleke is yet to file any response to the case and complied with the court’s order asking him to show cause why the plaintiffs’ reliefs should not be granted.

    It is the plaintiffs’ contention that Adeleke’s claim that he sat for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in May/June 1981 could not be true because Secondary School Certificate Examination had not been introduced then.

    What was in existence then was the West African School Certificate examination.

    The court that had slated Wednesday for further proceedings in the case, did not sit because the judge was away on an official assignment.

    The court’s Registrar, with the agreement of lawyers in the case Bankole Komolafe (for the plaintiffs) and Nathaniel Oke, SAN (for Adeleke), adjourned the hearing till September 25.

    Also yesterday, the police Adeleke to report to the Special Investigation Panel at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    Also invited are: Mr. Sikiru Adeleke, Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau, the head teacher of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State; Mr Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo, the school official responsible for the registration of candidates for the National Examinations Council (NECO) and Mr Dare Olutope, the teacher the police accused of aiding the alleged crime.

    But President Muhammadu Buhari ordered Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris to stop the invitation to Adeleke.

    A Presidency source, who spoke in confidence, told reporters that the President ordered that Adeleke should not be invited until after Saturday’s election.

    Force Headquarters spokesman Jimoh Moshood, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), had invited Adeleke and four others through a statement.

    The police invitation is premised on alleged examination malpractice, criminal conspiracy, impersonation, breach of duty as well as aiding and abetting among the five persons.

    The police, yesterday, also filed charges of examination malpractice, criminal conspiracy, impersonation, breach of duty, aiding and abetting against Adeleke and others at the Federal High Court, Abuja, under the Examination Malpractice Act, CAP E15, 2004.

    The senator and the others are expected to report at the Force Headquarters for immediate arraignment in court.

    On police findings while investigating Adeleke, the statement said: “Investigation revealed the following prima facie and culpability facts against Senator Adeola Adeleke and four others.

    “Senator Adeleke made cautionary statement and admitted that he registered for the 2017 NECO examinations as an internal student in the said school and did not sit for the examination but have a result from NECO with seven Credits and one Pass, a copy of which was obtained from NECO by the police.

    “The Ojo/Aro 2017 NECO, SSCE school photo album (school’s copy) with Senator Adeleke and Sikiru Adeleke photographs in school uniform in the said album.

    “Senator Adeleke, in the NECO 2017 result obtained by the police claimed that he was born on June 12, 1997 but in his statement to the Police, Senator Ademola Adeleke wrote May 13, 1960 as his date of birth.

    “The photographs of Senator Adeleke and Sikiru Adeleke appearing side by side in the photo album have no NECO stamps on them.

    “Senator Adeleke and four others were arrested, investigated, granted bail and being charged to court.”

    On the charges against the suspects, the police said: “Charges of examination malpractice, criminal conspiracy, impersonation, breach of duty, aiding and abetting against Senator Adeleke and Mr Sikiru Adeleke, Alhaji Mufutau, Mr Ojo and Mr Olutope have been filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, under the Examination Malpractice Act, CAP E15, 2004 on September 19.

    “Senator Adeleke and four others are hereby advised in their own interest to report to the Special Investigation Panel, Force Headquarters, Abuja, immediately for arraignment in court.”

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday cautioned the police to desist from what it called a witch-hunt of Senator Adeleke.

    Accusing the police of acting the script of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against Adeleke and the PDP, the main opposition deplored the latest police action on the politician.

    A statement by its spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan described the police allegation against Adeleke as laughable, horrible, nauseating and displeasing.

    The party faulted the sudden realisation by the police that Adeleke was involved in NECO examination malpractice in 2017 as well as his subsequent invitation.

    The statement said: “While the PDP is in no way against any legitimate effort by any security agency in the discharge of its duties, we totally reject this unrelenting attempt to use trumped-up charges to take down our candidate, simply because the All Progressives Congress (APC) has realised that he is coasting to victory.

    “Perhaps, the police need to be educated that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) has already confirmed that Senator Adeleke wrote his WAEC examination in 1981, thus ending the earlier unnecessary controversy about his WAEC status…”

    “Moreover, this is the same police that have not been able to invite the disgraced erstwhile minister of finance, Kemi Adeosun, who confessed to having a forged NYSC Exemption Certificate or the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution and Chairman of the Special Investigative Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, whose certificate, WAEC openly told the National Assembly, was fake.

    “More so, there are several leaders in APC, whose certificates have been questioned and which the police have not considered it needful to conduct the littlest investigation.”

    The PDP charged the Inspector General of Police to protect the integrity of the Force by immediately calling his officers hounding Senator Adeleke to order.

    “The issue of who becomes the governor of Osun State resides with the people of Osun and nothing should be allowed to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election,” the PDP added.

  • IGP plans security seminar on Osun poll

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, has invited major stakeholders to a security seminar in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on August 30, ahead of next month’s governorship election.

    The IGP’s Principal Staff Officer in Lagos, ACP Bode Ojajuni, an assistant commissioner of Police (ACP), said the theme of the seminar, which will be declared open by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, is: ‘’The Imperativeness of Police Collaboration with Essential Stakeholders: Towards Secured, Free and Credible Elections in Nigeria.’’

    “It is meant to kick-start numerous security enlightenment programmes lined up to sensitise and enlist the support of essential stakeholders towards securing 2019 general election,” Ojajuni said.

    The Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede, will chair/moderate the event. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, is the royal father of the day.

    Other notable guests expected at the event include INEC National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, officials of political parties, sister security agencies, interest groups and opinion leaders.

  • Osun poll: Group trains 31 pre-election observers

    The Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement-Africa (YIAGA-Africa), on Thursday in Osogbo said it had trained 31 long-term pre-election observers for the Sept. 22 governorship election in Osun.

    A statement by Mr Samson Itodo, Executive Director of YIAGA-Africa, said the trained observers would help the group to detect early warning signals which may affect the credibility of the electoral process.

    He said that the observers, who would also act as local government supervisors, had been deployed across the 30 local councils in the state.

    Itodo said that the group’s “ Watching The Vote (WTV) project’’ is a citizen-led election initiative aimed at enhancing the integrity of elections using technology and evidence-based research methodology tools for election observation.

    “Through the Pre-Election observation, YIAGA Africa will track early warning signs and any form of incident that can hinder the successful conduct of the election.

    “In this vein, WTV pre-election observers will observe and report issues relating to hate speech campaigns, intimidation and harassment of any electoral stakeholder and attacks on media or INEC officials,” Itodo said.

    The statement said Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, who was at the forum, had commended YIAGA on its efforts at building a lasting democracy in Nigeria.

    Agbaje said that the collaborative efforts of Civil Society Organisations would in no small measure assist the commission, especially in the areas of knowledge sharing workshops as well as voter and civic education.

    “I, therefore, want to use this opportunity to commend the organisers of this very laudable training programme.

    “I also urge you to keep the journey toward making INEC one of the best election management bodies in the world that meets the aspirations of the Nigerian people,” the statement quoted Agabje as saying.