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Tag: peaceful polls

  • ARG lauds peaceful polls

    Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) yesterday congratulated Yoruba people for peaceful conduct during the general elections.

    In a statement, the group said: “ARG affirms its support of the right of the people to elect whomsoever they wish as their constitutionally approved leader in a peaceful manner.

    ARG thank community leaders, particularly our royal fathers, for working ceaselessly to minimise conflict, while noting also the few reported violence in Oyo State, especially. We must continuously strengthen the foundation of law and order as the unique selling point of our region.

    “The murder of Hon. Temitope Olatoye blights our pride as a democratic people. We totally condemn it and therefore call on all designated authorities to ensure that justice is done.

    It added: “ARG congratulate all elected Governors and legislators for national and state legislatures for being found worthy of people’s trust and charge them to live by the mantra of “freedom for all, life more abundant”.

    “We enjoin them, as the custodian of people’s peaceful mandates, to entrench deeper the culture of peaceful coexistence and work collaboratively for regional integration.”

     

  • Akeredolu hails Ondo residents over peaceful polls

    ONDO State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has hailed the state’s residents for their exemplary conduct during the last presidential and National Assembly elections.

    He expressed delight that the people’s conduct during the polls portrayed them as good and responsible ambassadors.

    The governor, in a broadcast to the people at the weekend, attributed the peaceful atmosphere during and after the polls to the determination of the residents to participate in electing their representatives and always showcase the unique qualities of their decency and resilience.

    He said: “I wish to thank you, profusely, for your cooperation in ensuring that the state remains a reference point for reasons of valour, courage and fierce independence in the art of deliberative governance.

    “Your attitudes, manifest or implied, leave no room for conjectures. When you speak, it is eloquent, when you choose to act; your message is not mistaken. Our land is indeed a lesson for those who cherish frankness.”

    Akeredolu also congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on their victory in the February 23 presidential election.

    He said the victory represents Buhari’s widespread acceptability across all the country’s geo-political zones.

    The governor expressed the belief that the President would use his re-election to consolidate on the achievements of his economic policies.

    Akeredolu, however, reminded the people of the state of the March 9, 2019 House of Assembly election and urged them to display good conduct that would be second to none in the forthcoming polls.

  • ‘How we ensured peaceful polls in Abia’

    Security agencies explain why there was no violence in Abia State during the polls, reports SUNNY NWANKWO. Additional writing by OGOCHUKWU IKEJE

    There were jitters in Abia State as the election drew near. The state is home to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra or IPOB, a secessionist group which clashed with the military in late 2017 during the Operation Python Dance. That clash reportedly left several people dead with Kanu himself rumoured to be missing.

    This year, as the presidential and legislative elective neared, there were fresh fears that the secessionist group may spring a few surprises. On Election Day, no surprises were sprung. Voters went to cast their ballots, and have since known the results of their efforts. There was relief in the state.

    Security agencies are happy that they did not take any chances. They launched what they called a show of force during which they sent a message that they would contain any situation that threatened peace in the state during the polls.

    A military source said, “The security situation was okay. It wasn’t as critical as we thought it would be. Everybody was [thinking] that Biafra will come out. They are [thinking] that there will be a clash between military and the hoodlums where people will be caught in the web. The military and police were patrolling to ensure that there was peace in the state.

    “When reports came about some of the malpractices going on, we directed them to the appropriate authorities. What the military did was to ensure that there was peace, law and order in the state, prevent snatching of ballot boxes and other issues that truncate the process and attack on any INEC [Independent National Electoral Commission] official and offices.

    “The peace recorded in Aba and the state is as a result of the things that we had done before the election. It sent a message that the security agencies are prepared to deal with any form of insecurity in the state.

    “Two police officers were disarmed and handed over to the police. A Hilux vehicle belonging to a known politician in Aba was equally confiscated and handed over to the police for proper action to be taken. The Hilux is having the election duty sticker on it and upon inquiry, we discovered that it belongs to a politician and the car doesn’t have any reason for being on the road at that material time.

    The Abia commissioner of police, Ene Okon in a telephone interview said, “We had a near perfect security situation in Abia during the election process in the state.

    “We have some security challenges, but they were too isolated. We have shortage of manpower in not up to ten polling booths, but that didn’t lead to any problem as the elections went on peacefully because of the security architecture put in place by the security agencies.

    “There was nothing like ballot box snatching, killing of anybody, or injuring of anybody throughout the election. That was why I said that it was a near perfect security situation.”

    CP Okon said, “You know that Abia was a flashpoint before the election because of IPOB threat and you should know that this is the headquarters of IPOB.

    “The show of force did a lot of wonders. It sends signals that the police and other security agencies were ready to deal with any security challenges and because of that they retraced their steps to allow people to go and vote.

    “We have even restrategised ahead of the governorship and State House of Assembly elections. I met with my management team. As I speak to you, we are working on a new deployment design that will take care of all the polling units and collation centres. We have discovered that politicians normally start their malpractices at collation centres. We have designed a way of putting mobile policemen right from the ward level to the local government levels.”

    Confirming the arrest of some electoral offenders by its men, the Abia police boss disclosed that about four persons including one Dr. Ibe who was arrested in Arochukwu LGA were nabbed for tearing ballot papers, adding that they would soon be handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution as the command had finished preparing their case files.

    The peace in the state was a fall-out of a comprehensive security strategy involving virtually all agencies of the security community.

    The show took place in Aba, the state’s commercial nerve, and Umuahia, its capital.

    The exercise in Aba which started at the Abia Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force had the presence of personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Army, personnel of Counterterrorism Unit (CTU), Mobile Police Force (MPF), among others.

    Sources within the security circles who spoke to our reporter anonymously said that the essence of the security patrol was to send warning signals to people or group of persons that might want to foment trouble in the election and to also assure Abians and Nigerians who were ready to exercise their franchise of the readiness of the military and other security agencies to protect lives and properties of citizens of the state.

    Addressing the personnel at the end of the patrol, an Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge of Aba Area Command, Peter Okpara who represented the State Commissioner of Police, Etim Ene Okon, thanked the personnel for comporting themselves while the operation lasted.

    Okpara charged them to be professional in the discharge of their duties at their various places of primary assignments, reminding them of the need to protect the INEC staff, voters, and themselves.

    “Saturday is the D-Day. The security agencies are on ground to discharge their duties according to the constitution. You must protect INEC officials, election materials, voters, foreign observers and also protect yourselves.

    “You shouldn’t be biased; there’s no friendship in election. Do your work the way it should be done. No brother, no party affiliation, no religion, no tribe.

    “Comport yourselves tomorrow. From 12 midnight, all of us must be on duty till the election materials leave for Umuahia.

    “You must be careful because the world is watching us. If this election goes well, others will take the glory. But when it goes bad, they will blame us and that is why we must be professionals. We will not fail. Be in your duty post as early as possible for without your presence, no INEC staff will work until you come.”

    The leadership of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has organised a two-day seminar for its personnel in Abia State.

    The seminar which was held in Umuahia, the state capital was attended by both junior and senior officers of the agency under Abia State Command.

    According to the organisers of the event which attracted the presence of Police, DSS and INEC in the state, it is a capacity building programme on election duties for FRSC staff.

    Speaking at the event, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi represented by Kenneth Nwaegbe, an Assistant Corps Marshal and Commandant in-charge of FRSC Academy Udi, Enugu State while reminding the personnel of the agency that FRSC isn’t a partisan organisation and has no allegiance to any political party, warned the personnel of identifying with any political party, but to perform their duties as given to them by INEC in conjunction with other sister agencies.

    According to Oyeyemi, “FRSC’s participation in the 2019 General Election will involve certifying all the vehicles to be used for conveying all the election materials and personnel. Therefore, we must apply due diligence and integrity we are known for.” This is even as he warned the personnel against getting involved in any act that would truncate the electoral process and called for all hands to be on deck to ensure that the agency didn’t disappoint the trust Nigerians reposed on it.

    The Abia State Sector Commander, Mr. Meshach Jatau in his speech said the command would mop up all abandoned vehicles on major roads in the state to ease vehicular movement during the election.

    Jatau said the exercise was necessary to checkmate unscrupulous elements that might use such vehicles to block roads against vehicles convening electoral materials and personnel during the election.

    He said the training was on the instance of the FRSC Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi to sensitise corps official on their duties particularly as it concerns the conduct of the 2019 general election.

    He said, “As a member of the Inter Agency Committee on security working with the Independent National Electoral Commission the FRSC is fully involved in maintaining law and order to ensure the successful conduct of the election”.

    “We are going to support the police, the main security agency in-charge of the conduct of the election in inspecting vehicles that would be used for distribution of election materials.

    “Our officials would also be deployed to Support the speedy movement of election materials to remote areas in the state to ensure that the election starts on time across the state”.

    He pointed out that FRSC officials would also liaise with the police and other security agencies to ensure orderly and secured movement of vehicles convening Sensitive materials during the election.

    Other speakers at the event were personnel of the DSS, Police and INEC who in their speeches expressed willingness to partner with FRSC to make their work easier and to ensure that the 2019 general elections was free and fair.

    They stated that their agencies and organisations have put adequate measures on ground to ensure a hitch-free exercise in the state.

     

  • COSEG, CAIDOV call for peaceful polls

    As Nigerians throughout the country troop out enmasse to cast their votes to elect a new leader and members of the National Assembly, a call has gone to the youths to eschew violence during and after the elections.

    The call was made yesterday in Lagos by the leadership of the Coalition of Oodua Self-determination Group(COSEG) in a statement signed by Dayo Ogunlana, the Chairman of its Coordinating Council, stating that free and fair elections are what the people should work towards and that it is only in peaceful atmosphere that progress can be recorded in the country.

    The group said: “We wish to call on Nigerians to eschew violence as we go to the polls today to elect our president. The youths being the most vulnerable should not be allowed to be used as instrument of trouble during and after the elections.

    “The country can only progress in an atmosphere that is peaceful and conducive. These elections shouldn’t be a do-or-die affair ,but efforts should be made at voting credible and trusted persons into positions of authority.

    In the same vein, the Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV) also called on Nigerians to go out  and conduct themselves peacefully during the elections today and stressed that no matter the outcome, peace should be maintained all through as the process has been open and transparent so far.

    The position of the CAIDOV was made known by its Executive  Director, Gbenga Soloki, in a statement he signed and made available to journalists in Lagos yesterday, maintaining that the umpire and the security have all assured Nigerians of professionalism in the conduct of the elections ,so it behoves on Nigerians to shun any violent act that may cast aspersions on the integrity of the process.

    The CAIDOV boss equally appealed to those in charge of the elections to carry out their duties without favour and in a professional manner that will be satisfactory to all the parties in the elections as that will invariably confer legitimacy on the elections to be conducted.

    The CAIDOV said: “This is an appeal to the people of our great country to eschew any violent act as we vote today to elect those that will pilot the affairs of our country in the next four years. Nigerians should conduct themselves in peaceful manner, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as the police and others concerned, should endeavour to discharge their functions appropriately without favour.

    “We need a peaceful process that will usher in progress and development in our country. Our politicians too must play the game, according to the rules and desist from acts that will jeopardise the process, “ the CAIDOV said.

  • Nigerians need peaceful polls

    SIR: Last week Tuesday,the National security adviser to the President, General Mohammed Mungono (rtd) hosted a security meeting with the 36 states governors. The meeting was centred on the security for the forthcoming general elections. He briefed the meeting of plans by some unnamed groups to unleash violence in the forthcoming election.

    Since the inception of democratic rule, the country is yet to get her elections right. Election in Nigeria is a do or die affair (apology to Olusegun Obasanjo). Our politicians have failed to play the game according to the rules. Notwithstanding the peace accord signed by the candidates contesting for different positions, foul and uncouth languages are still being used during campaign rallies. These have become a matter of great concern.

    Why do politicians fail to embrace issue-based campaigns as practiced in most democratic countries? Must a candidate attack his opponent before he sells his programmes to the electorates?

    Now that the national security adviser has raised an alarm of likely political violence in the forthcoming elections,what is the way out? If we could recall in the build up to 2015 general elections,there were rumours or speculations that the country would boil. It took the Abdulsalam Abubakar’s peace and reconciliation committee’s efforts to prevail on the contenders to accept the outcome or result of the election. In the end, the former president, Goodluck Jonathan, conceded defeat and congratulated Buhari who won the election. That single and sincere action exhibited by Jonathan nipped in the bud, the fear of violence that might have trailed the outcome. Our politicians should be blamed for the security breach before, during and after elections. They have taken elections as the last battle of their survival. They hire jobless youths to foment trouble during elections. To win election by hook or crook is their first agenda. These desperate and selfish politicians can do anything to scuttle the polls so long the result will not go in their favour.

    Security of lives and properties is the primary responsibility of any government. The ambition of few individuals should not be allowed to override the security and welfare of Nigerians. Our security agencies should work round the clock to man violence-prone areas; identify the culprits and their sponsors. What Nigerians needs is another cycle of peaceful elections.

     

    • Ibrahim Mustapha,

    Pambegua,Kaduna State.

  • APC leaders sue for peaceful polls

    As next month’s general elections draw near, Nigerians have been urged to embrace peace, especially before, during and after the elections.

    Opposition politicians are particularly advised not to heat up the polity with various hate speeches and defamatory comments that could fan the embers of discord among the citizenry.

    The advice came from APC leaders in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo area of Ondo State who appreciated various achievements recorded by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari since 2015.

    They noted that the effect of the good performance would translate into massive votes by the electorate across the country.

    At a rally held for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo in the State House of Assembly, Festus Adefiranye, the party stalwarts led by the Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, said the ruling party in the state would work for the victory of Buhari, Adefiranye and other candidates of the party.

    The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Monitoring and Performance, Niran Akinniyi and the Chairman of Ileoluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area, Temidayo Adesuroju and other party chieftains were also in attendance at the solidarity rally.

    The APC supporters urged the people to disregard the rumours that Governor Akeredolu had adopted a candidate from rival political party instead of APC flag bearer for the next month’s general elections.

    They urged the people to mobilise more voters in favour of the ruling party, stressing that much had been achieved by the present administration to lift the country.

    Akinterinwa said Nigeria of today cannot be compared with that of 16 years ago when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power, especially in terms of infrastructure, youth empowerment and anti-corruption.

    Adefiranye noted that the economic fortune of the local government would be better served by the APC than any other political party.

    He described the rally for victory in the area as a stepping stone to consolidate on the next level campaign slogan of the APC.

     

  • Jonathan advises Tanzanians on peaceful polls

    Jonathan advises Tanzanians on peaceful polls

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has advised the Tanzanian National Electoral Commission, political parties and civil society organisations to ensure peaceful and transparent elections.

    He added that only a credible voting process could confer legitimacy on a democratic government.

    Jonathan stated this yesterday in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, while addressing reporters as the chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to Tanzania’s October 25 general elections.

    The former President, who was flanked by other members of the COG drawn from different parts of the Commonwealth, stressed that “success of these elections depends on every stakeholder playing their part in a peaceful, inclusive and transparent manner.”

    He added that the Commonwealth had “every confidence in the people of Tanzania to achieve that.”

    According to Jonathan, “during our time in Tanzania, we will seek to assess the pre-election environment, polling day activities and the post-election period, against the backdrop of Tanzania’s national legislation, regional and international commitments”.

    The group, he said, “will perform our observation role with impartiality, independence and transparency”.

  • Lagos Muslims pray for peaceful polls

    Lagos Muslims pray for peaceful polls

    Muslims under the banner of the Joint Muslim Forum (JMF) stormed the expansive Blue Roof of the Lagos Television (LTV) in Ikeja, Lagos last Sunday to pray for peaceful elections holding in February. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there

    Head of the February general elections, Muslims in Lagos last Sunday turned out in their thousands to seek the face of God in prayers for peaceful polls.

    The event held at the Blue Roof of the Lagos Television (LTV) in Ikeja, Lagos, and organised by the Joint Muslim Forum (JMF) brought together various Islamic organisations and central mosques in Lagos.

    The gathering featured sermons and keynote addresses by various Islamic scholars and academics.

    Anchored by the duo of Dr Ahmad Rufai of the University of Lagos and LTV Presenter Jubril Folami, the prayer session featured presentation of Islamic demands to the governorship candidates in the state.

    The governorship candidates were led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; his running mate, Dr Idiat Adebule; running mate of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) Alhaja Safurat Abdulkarim and the National Conscience Party (NCP), Mr Ayodele Akele.

    The event began with prayer, followed by recitation from the Holy Quran.

    JMF Chairman of Board of Trustees, Senator Habeeb Fashinro, in his welcome address, stated that the event was organised to offer prayers for a peaceful poll in the country.

    “We are also praying for the best candidate to emerge. The person who will improve the lives of Nigerians and move the country forward,” Senator Fasinro said in an address read on his behalf by Professor Tajudeen Gbadamosi, formerly of the University of Lagos.

    “Being a community of God-fearing and law-biding citizens who also believe in the efficacy of prayers, the Muslims of Lagos State have assembled here today to pray to Almighty Allah for peace to reign from now on, before, during and after the general elections,” Senator Fashinro added.

    He said the Muslim community rejects the pockets of violence in certain parts of the country ahead of the crucial poll.

    “We believe that Nigerian Muslims are vital stakeholders in the Nigerian project. Muslims are in the majority in this country and anything that happens in Nigeria will affect more Muslims than any other group,” he said.

    Missioner of Nadwat-Ahli Society of Nigeria, Alhaji AbdurRahman Awwal led the congregation in Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah) before special prayers were coordinated by the duo of Sheikh Tijani Gbajabiamila and Sheikh Mujitaba Giwa, who stood in for the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Garuba Akinola Ibrahim.

    An Islamic cleric, Alhaji Najeem Jimoh, in his short sermon, called on elected and appointed leaders to see their positions as trust placed on them by Allah.

    Jimoh, the Amir (President) of The Companion, (an association of Muslim men in Business and Profession)  urged leaders to make judicious use of the trust so as to earn the pleasure of Allah.

    He enjoined the electorate to use of their voting power to elect the best candidate for the society.

    “It is imperative for the electorate not to vote on sentiment, inducement or family affiliation. Your voting power must be used to select the best; godly person who will rule with the fear of God and develop the people and the society,” he said.

    Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Prof Is-haq Lakin Akintola, on behalf of the gathering read out the demands of Muslims to the governorship candidates and deputy governorship candidates at the event.

    Among the Muslims’ demand are: female pupils wearing Hijab to schools; female civil servants wearing Hijab to work; declaring Fridays half working day; allowing Muslim students to conduct assemblies at least twice weekly in public primary and secondary schools in the state among others; employment of Arabic and Islamic studies teacher without age conditionality; creation of Sharia division in Lagos state Judiciary to take care of pure Islamic issues like marriage, disputes; abolishment of cremation of Muslim Corpses and ensure equal treatment of religious leaders and clerics.

    Responding first, the governorship candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Ayodele Akele, assured that his administration if voted into power will not discriminate against any religion.

    The Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaja Safuratu AbdulKarim also assured that a PDP government will not discriminate against any religion, saying that she had noted all the demands raised by the Muslim community and will table them before her principal for necessary action.

    The Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and immediate past Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Dr Idiat Adebule, assured the gathering that APC will not take Muslims for granted.

    The APC governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode, stated that his party recognised the importance of Muslims and other religious adherents in the state.

    “We have in my running mate, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, an experienced woman well versed in both religious and public service administration. She is a devout Muslim who always seek for the best not only for her fellow Muslims but also adherents of other religions. All these demands are well noted and we are going to sit down at our level, study them and take actions that will be beneficial to all of us,” he assured.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Lagos State, Mr Orebiyi assured those present that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is ready to conduct a free and fair election.

    According to him, there are over six million Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for voters in the state, out of which just over four million PVCs have been collected while there are about two million left to be collected.

    “Please if you have not collected your PVCs, I advise you to go and collect them now as we will not allow you to vote without your PVCs,” he said.

    In a keynote address, Prof Daud Noibi, the executive secretary of the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN), urged the electoral body and the security agencies to be “impartial.”

    “The security agencies,” he said, “must know that we only have one country, theirs is the most tedious of all tasks during this period for the country. They must be above board and be seen to be above board and act as such. Their neutrality is key. What you say to one party must be repeated to other parties.”

    He urged candidates of the political parties to consider addressing the grievances of Muslims.

    “The intention of this gathering is one of prayers; however, it would be hypocritical not to reiterate the concerns and agitation of the Muslim community to you,” he said.

    In attendance were the Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh abdul Afeez Abou; Rtd Justice Ibrahim Ishola Olorunnimbe; Sheikh Thaoban Adam; Sheikh Sulaiman Farouq Onikijipa; Prof. Amidu Sanni of the Lagos State University; Prof Fatimah AbdulKareem; Lagos Mainland Chief Imam, Shiekh Thabit Lawal; JMF Sterling Committee Chairman, Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike; former Lagos House of Assembly (LAHA) member and Chief Imam LAHA Mosque Hon Abdulhakeem Abdullateef among others.