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Tag: politicians

  • Alaafin advises politicians

    Alaafin advises politicians

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has advised politicians to shun the win-at-all cost mentality.

    He gave the advice yesterday when thousands of residents and All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters, led by his son, Adeniyi, visited him.

    Adeniyi won the House of Representatives seat for Oyo Federal Constituency.

    He scored 38,514 to defeat the incumbent, Mudasiru Akinlabi, of the Labour Party, who polled 19,338.

    The monarch said: ‘’Nigeria is a country with diverse ethnic groups and corrugated political views ranging from the individual perspective to the political parties. What is really wrong with the electioneering process is the desire to be in power at all costs.

    “The starting point is credible rules and system before attitudinal changes from the politicians. This is because where the rules give too many loopholes they make it easier for bad politicians to exploit the situation, so the starting point is that there must be strong electoral laws. And such laws must be strictly enforced.”

     

  • Repent or face destruction, cleric warns politicians, church leaders

    The founder of Glorious Fountain of Rest Ministries, Prophet Kingsley Durojaiye, has warned politicians and church leaders to shun corrupt practices or be prepared for divine wrath.

    Durojaiye stated that a feast of death awaits recalcitrant political and religious leaders within the space of nine months from now.

    Speaking with journalists in Lagos, Durojaiye, who is based in United States of America, USA, said: “God has told me that Nigeria is not in a good condition. However, it is time our leaders desist from misleading and punishing the innocent souls or otherwise, be ready to encounter the wrath of God in no time.

    “He (God) said I should inform every corrupt leader, both present and past, to have a change of heart or be ready to face God’s wrath because they are making Him unhappy.

    “He has made plans to end the lives of any corrupt political or church leader with mysterious death. He said they would smell and decay till death.’’

    Durojaiye was also angry that some church leaders have been using their members as a bait to acquire wealth while their members continue to experience untold poverty.

    He said: “They are not teaching their members about the kingdom of God but posterity. They would build universities that their congregants cannot afford to send their children to because of the exorbitant fees.

    “Many of them boast that they have never been broke in their life while their congregants languish in abject poverty to the displeasure of God.

    “It is high time church leaders changed their misguided conduct or face the wrath of God.”

  • Police threaten to arrest erring politicians, security men

    Police threaten to arrest erring politicians, security men

    Anambra State Police Commissioner Hosea Karma has threatened to arrest politicians and their security men on Saturday, if they fail to obey the rules.

    He spoke yesterday at the police headquarters at Amawbia when he met the divisional police officers (DPOs) and top police officers on the elections.

    Karma said the command had withdrawn security men attached to individuals for the elections.

    He warned policemen not to harass anybody, unless those out to cause trouble, saying movement of people would end at midnight on Friday.

    Karma warned politician to comport themselves.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), police, other security agents and politicians have expressed readiness for Saturday’s elections.

    At a stakeholders’ forum yesterday at the Women’s Development Centre, Awka, the parties pledged their readiness to abide by the rules of the election, by eschewing violence.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Edwin Nwatalari, an engineer, told participants that INEC was ready to make history on Saturday.

    The meeting was attended by prominent politicians including Senator Chris Ngige and the leader of the Progressives People Alliance (PPA), Mr. Godwin Ezeemo.

  • Politicians who stoke violence won’t escape, say U.S., UK

    Politicians who stoke violence won’t escape, say U.S., UK

    Nigeria is under world’s focus as it holds presidential and national assembly elections on Saturday, the United States and the United Kingdom said yesterday.

    This follows the broadcast on Monday, by U.S President Barack Obama to Nigerians urging peaceful and fair elections.

    Yesterday U.S Secretary of State John Kerry, and U.K Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, reaffirmed the message of peace and crisis-free elections in a joint statement.

    They also warned of dire consequence for politicians who stoke violence.

     They said: “The elections must be decided in accordance with the rule of law. It follows that any person who incites violence at any stage in the electoral process, or who seeks power through unconstitutional means, should be held accountable and should understand that the consequences will be severe, both domestically and internationally.

    “After an election, it is natural to focus attention on the winner, but in any democracy, the unsuccessful candidates also have critical roles to play.

    “No one expects any political leader to retreat from firmly-held policy positions or beliefs, but a losing candidate owes it to his or her country to acknowledge defeat as soon as the popular verdict is clear, to urge supporters to accept the outcome, and to advocate unity in the face of national threats. That is the kind of leadership Nigeria needs.

    “A free, fair, and peaceful presidential election does not guarantee a successful democracy, but it is nevertheless an essential ingredient—especially now in Nigeria.

    “There are good reasons why the international spotlight is firmly fixed on Nigeria during this critical period and why we have come together to support an open and credible electoral process

    “Nigeria is Africa’s largest democracy and what happens there will have an impact well beyond its borders. A successful election, free from violence and with wide participation, accurate vote counting, and responsible leadership from the candidates would inspire the region and spur future progress and prosperity.

     “As friends and democratic partners of Nigeria, we urge that the voting for president and parliament go forward as scheduled on March 28; there should be no further delay of this crucial vote

     “In 2011, more than 800 people died in post-election clashes, and a recent survey shows that half of Nigerians are concerned about political intimidation this time around,” they said.

    “The good news is that President Jonathan and General Buhari have repeatedly and publicly stressed their commitment to non-violence before, during, and after Election Day.

    “Both candidates have affirmed their intent to act solely through legal channels in pursuing any concerns that might arise regarding the fairness of the vote.

    “It is imperative that they—and their backers—live up to this pledge. Elections should be decided at the ballot box and, if necessary, in the courts; not through efforts to coerce others.

    “Respect for the constitutional process and the independence of Nigeria’s Independent National Election Commission, (INEC), is the right approach, and the only one that offers a sustainable way to address Nigeria’s many challenges.

    “The countries we represent, the United States and the United Kingdom, strongly support the pledges articulated by the Nigerian candidates.

     “This is a country rich in resources and blessed by a creative and dynamic population. Its leaders can be extremely effective as evidenced by their swift action to prevent Ebola from establishing a foothold in their nation—thus saving thousands of lives.

    “Overall economic growth rates are healthy and parts of the country are doing well. And yet, Nigeria has been held back by local tensions, a wide disparity between rich and poor, the lack of an adequate safety net for the disadvantaged, shortages of electricity, a rigid bureaucracy, and widespread corruption.

    “These challenges have made the country vulnerable to internal conflict including kidnappings, murders, and other atrocities perpetrated by Boko Haram.

    “Nigeria’s next government will need the support of all its citizens to address these challenges, and its unity will make it easier, on the security side, for regional neighbours and the larger international community to provide necessary help.

    “We urge all eligible Nigerians to vote, to resist those who attempt to incite violence, and to come together as one country to defend against terrorist threats and to build the shared prosperity and enduring freedom all Nigerian citizens deserve.”

  • Face up to the water challenge – Stakeholders urge politicians

    Face up to the water challenge – Stakeholders urge politicians

    Stakeholders in the water sector have expressed concern over the lack of interest in tackling water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) issues by politicians in the run up to the general elections. The various candidates vying for positions, they say, have not given priority to WASH in their campaigns. The stakeholders have called on candidates vying for various positions to include ways on how to tackle WASH issues in Nigeria rather than just to canvass for votes from the electorates.

    They explained that access to basic social amenities such as safe drinking water; sanitation and hygiene remain the responsibility of governments, whether federal or state.

    The Country Representative of an international agency, WaterAid Nigeria, Dr. Michael Ojo, said recently that Nigeria remains one of only a handful of countries around the world where access to basic sanitation is actually falling rather than rising.

    According to him, only 28 per cent of the population has access to basic sanitation (over 100 million people have no access to improved sanitation). He explained that access to sanitation has continued to decrease from 37 per cent in 1990 to 32 per cent in 2000 and just 28 per cent in 2012.

    Ojo said that 23 per cent practice open defecation (nearly 40 million people) while 36 per cent lack access to improved water sources (over 60 million)and around 68,000 children under the age of five in Nigeria die from diseases caused by the nation’s poor levels of access to water, sanitation and hygiene.

    These figures, he says, are alarming; adding that government at all levels must partner to improve access to safe water supply and sanitation. He stressed the need for politicians to not only seek for votes, he urged them to serve the people who put them there by providing services that will improve the lives of the people.

    He said: “We call on our own leaders here to embrace the spirit of the Kigali Action Plan and invest the resources needed to provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene for its people.”

    Although, issues of access to safe water supply, lies with the state, and local government, the Federal Government through intervention can assist. This is because most communities in Nigeria cannot be accessed by state or local government.

    For example, Wentul and Patishi communities, have same thing in commonalities: No water. No sanitation facilities. No medical care. These lack of basic social amenities make living a daily struggle. People in the two communities located in Pankshin Local Government, Jos South, walk a far distance before they can access water from a stream.

    The communities are in dire need of basic amenities of life. The women suffer most. An octogenarian was seen by this reporter, trying to fetch water from what looked like an underground stream. The water suffers in both quality and purity.

    Hashima, a 12 year-old SS3 student, is another member who lives in the community. She explained that she wakes up 5am daily in other to access water from the rustic well, not far from her house. The result is that she arrives at school late.

    “This is what I do every morning,” she explained in incoherent English. “I want the government to build hand boreholes for us so that we can go to school early.”

    Hashima’s concerns were re-echoed by Iliya Gowok, the chairman of the Parent Teachers Association in the community, who spoke for the village head.  “We need water, and sanitation facilities,” Gowok said. “We get water from our well and when they dry up we trek very far to the river to fetch water,” he continued.

    He explained that they have to go into the bush for defecation because they lack latrines. Asked if flies from the faeces don’t affect the water they drink, he said: “We are thinking of covering the water we drink. Our calabash too needs to be covered.”

    Asked if there are not water boards for the people to access safe water from, an official of the Water and Sanitation Unit (WASU), replied in the negative.

    “The water board does not supply water for two or sometimes in three months,” the WASU official who pleaded anonymity, told this reporter during a working visit to the state. “They base their excuse on money. Sometimes they will say they don’t have enough money to buy diesel. So our people are suffering here,” he stated.

    He explained that politicians in the state are busy deceiving electorates to vote for them again ahead of the general elections when they have failed to live up to the votes they got in 2011.

    According to him, issues of sanitation and hygiene have basically been abandoned by politicians in their campaigns. He criticised the state government and local council for failing to live up to their responsibilities.

    “Our government has made access to water and sanitation a luxury. It takes international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like WaterAid to provide water for some communities in the state,” he concluded.

    On what can be done to provide safe water for both communities, The State Program Consultant, WaterAid,  Chukwuma Nnanna explained that both communities have been ‘triggered’ by the agency for immediate response.

    “We are working with partners in the state to make sure that people have access to safe water and sanitation. What you have seen today makes a strong case for not just increased investment but a strong advocacy to ensure that more of our people have access to water.

    “We are supporting partners to provide facilities to communities in the state. And the two communities we visited today have already been triggered. In the sense that we have come here through our partners to encourage them to stop open defecation, and to ask them to build latrines for them to use. Most importantly, the visit is to encourage the government, stakeholders, civil society organisations and everybody to come together and address the sanitation crisis.

    “Many of our people don’t have access to sanitation. Many of our people still struggle to have access to safe drinking water. And this is a big concern to us in WaterAid Nigeria and every Nigerian. We are inspired to increase our partnership and advocacy,” he added.

  • ICC threatens to try politicians promoting violence

    ICC threatens to try politicians promoting violence

    THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has restated its resolve to prosecute any Nigerian politician who engages in or incites his/her followers to violence.

    ICC’s Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, in a statement yesterday, warned that politicians risk being prosecuted either by the court or the Nigerian courts, should they persist in the campaign pattern dominated by hate speech and violence-inducing languages.

    The warning by the ICC came barely a week after the Presidential Campaign Organisation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said it will report President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Patience, to the court for making inciting statements.

    The ICC had issued a similar statement in February, in which it urged the nation’s major political actors to strive to prevent violence among their supporters.

    “Following my statement of the February 2, 2015, and my Office’s subsequent visit to Nigeria from the February 3 to 5, I reiterate my previous message.

    “At a time when abhorrent levels of violence already plague parts of the country, I recall that the ICC has jurisdiction over Rome Statute crimes committed on the territory of Nigeria.

    “Any person who incites or engages in acts of violence in the context of the upcoming elections or otherwise – including by ordering, inciting, encouraging or contributing to the commission of crimes that fall within ICC’s jurisdiction – is liable to prosecution; either by Nigerian courts or by the ICC.

    “No one should doubt my office’s resolve to prosecute individuals responsible for the commission of ICC crimes, whenever necessary.

    “Violence is not a solution. The conduct and outcome of elections in Nigeria, free from violence, will not only prevent further instability in the country, but will also send a clear message that electoral competition does not have to result in violence and crimes that shock the conscience of humanity,” ICC said.

    The Office of the ICC’s Prosecutor has the powers to conduct independent and impartial investigations and prosecution of the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

    It is conducting preliminary examinations relating to such situations in Nigeria, Afghanistan, Colombia, Georgia, Guinea, Honduras, Iraq, Ukraine and Palestine.

    It has also opened investigations in Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Darfur (Sudan), Central African Republic, Kenya, Libya, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali.

  • Artistes turn down money from politicians, says MI

    Artistes turn down money from politicians, says MI

    Nigerian rapper, Jude Ababga, aka MI, has said that artistes turned down a lot of money from people they don’t believe in, especially politicians. He was reacting to claims by his fellow artiste, Etcetera, that entertainers are endorsing the highest bidder.

    In a new video by Hiptv, M.I explains that an artiste backing politicians is to get a certain number of people to pay attention to what they are about. “They know that celebrities attract attention. The story is not going to be about the entertainer’s political view but about the fact that this person is endorsing this person. And people pay attention and then you can pass your message,” he said.

    On the other hand, he explains, some celebrities have influence and it is a way to influence politicians’ constituency with their platform. “I think it is good. I think entertainers should get involved. I’m a musician and I’ll tell you guys the truth. Musicians turn down a lot of money from people they don’t believe in. And that is the truth. Most times entertainers will support people without getting paid if they believe in their vision. It is easier to critique and say what you want to say but the truth is, our entertainers are doing a good job of holding true to their consciences,” he further stated. Recently, Etcetera called M.I, along with other entertainers, political prostitutes for being paid to endorse political candidates.

  • Polls: Jega caution politicians against wrong attitude

    Polls: Jega caution politicians against wrong attitude

    Ahead of the forthcoming general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega has warned that the attitude of political parties and their candidates will go a long way to determine if the elections are peace or not.

    INEC boss also stressed that the expectation of the entire world is that we get it right in the March/April 2015 general elections.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yunusa Tank has advised INEC to look into all the observations made by various political parties regarding the Card Readers and also ensure 100 per cent production of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    INEC Boss, Prof. Attahiru Jega and IPAC chairman, Yunusa  Tanko spoke Thursday during the meeting between the commission and political parties.

    Jega told the gathering of representatives of the 28 political parties that the world was watching to see Nigeria conducting not just free, fair and transparent elections but peaceful one.

    He said: “The eyes of the whole world are on all of us in term of ensuring that we conduct not just free, fair and credible elections but also peaceful election.

    “The altitude or disposition of parties and candidates is what to a large extent determine whether we have peaceful election or not.”

    While condemning the unnecessary tension caused by actions of some political parties, Jega called on parties and candidates to engage positively.

    According to him: “I particularly call on political parties and candidates to ensure that they engage positively in the electoral process.

    “It is unfortunate that by actions of some political parties, or some candidates or their supporters a lot of tension has unnecessarily been raised relating to 2015 general elections.

    “It is also unfortunate that we have witnessed conflict and violence in the process of elections campaign, and really these are some of the event that we should all work hard to ensure that this negative tendencies do not in any way compromise the conduct of the elections.’’

    He also reminded parties of the peace accord assented to by their candidates.

    Jega also assured the parties and Nigerians that the commission will continue to remain non partisan; adding that INEC was committed to conduct the 2015 general elections and make it the best elections so far in the history of our country.
    He stressed, “We believe that we are adequately prepared for these elections because with six week extension we have added value to the process to ensure that the objective of Nigerians of conducting credible election is satisfy.
    “We on our part will continue to do our best to ensure that we are non partisan and free from all political parties and candidates.”

    He further added: “We have come a very long way in term of making the electoral process very transparent from the distribution of materials to the actually conduct of the elections from the polling units up to the collation or tabulation of results.

    “I will like to use the opportunity to reassure all Nigerians that INEC are committed to conduct the 2015 general elections and make it the best elections so far in the history of our country.

    “We believe that we are adequately prepared for these elections because with six week extension we have added value to the process to ensure that the objective of Nigerians of conducting credible election is satisfy.

    “We also want to urge all Nigerians to contribute to the success of the elections. I have always say that the contribution of every stakeholder, individual will add tremendous value to the country’s election.”

    Jega who also described the role of party agents as very central warned parties on the need to “have very credible agents who can participate in these processes, not only to act to the transparency of the process but to ensure that if irregularities occur, they could be easily identified and the evidence would be there to prove that this has happen.

    “We also want to urge political parties and candidates to pay attention to the selection of credible people as agents of political parties.

    IPAC Chairman in his remark urged the commission to work on all the observations made on the card readers.

    He said: “While we welcome the assurance given by INEC, security Chiefs on the above three items, we will lean our voice on the observation of the card readers which is to be a check on the PVCs and enhance stability towards the elections.

    “We advise strongly that all the observations made by various political parties should be look into by solving the problems especially on finger identification and time consumed in the process of accreditation.

    “All this statement are been made with the best of intention to support INEC to give Nigerians free and credible and violence elections.
    “The political parties are committed to continue to drum the beat of violent free elections.”
    He also assured the commission that the parties “would soon be on the street again to continue in that direction”
    We made this statement to ensure that democracy in Nigeria has come to stay.
    Tanko also called on INEC to ensure 100 per cent production of the Permanent Voter Cards, while at the same time encourage maximum collection of these PVCs.

  • Politicians warned against abusive messages

    As the general elections approach, a political group under the auspices of The Republican Mind (TRM), has expressed worry over what it described as hate messages deployed by political actors on campaign grounds.

    The group advised politicians to stop the use of abusive, divisive and indecorous words.

    It pleaded with politicians to use their party manifestos as the major tool for campaigning.

    The National Chairman of TRM, Alhaji Shittu Mohammed, who briefed reporters on the state of the nation, urged voters to reject any political party or candidate that fails to undertake policy-driven campaigns.

    His words: “We are worried by the intensity of the dissemination of intemperate or hate messages by political actors and their sympathisers as well as the violence being unleashed on political opponents and their properties. This is in spite of the accord signed by the presidential candidates and gubernatorial standard bearers in the states.

    “Perhaps, we need to remind ourselves of the serious damage that dissemination of hate messages had done to our fragile country with the journey towards democracy truncated many times while we also had to fight a costly and avoidable civil war. We have experienced several religious crises and inter-communal conflicts with attendant loss of lives and properties. It is therefore unfortunate that some political gladiators have chosen not to check the excesses of their followers.

    “We therefore call on all those involved to stop forthwith the use of abusive, divisive and indecorous words in campaigning for votes in the forthcoming general elections. They should, instead, use their party manifestos as the major tool for campaigning. They should mass produce and circulate their manifestos to the public to have an issue-based campaign as practiced in other civilised democracies. Indeed, we urge voters to reject any political party or candidate that fails to undertake policy-driven campaign.

    “We are impressed with the increasing rate at which millions of eligible Nigerians, who would have hitherto be disenfranchised, now collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs). It clearly demonstrates the determination by the public to exercise their civic duties in the forthcoming elections and the increasing political awareness by the people.

    “We appeal, however, to all eligible voters who are yet to collect their PVCs to do so immediately. INEC, political parties, the civil society groups, traditional rulers, community and opinion leaders as well as the media should continue to educate Nigerians on the overall benefits of active participation in the electoral process.

    “We hope that the move would check the consistent reduction in voters turn out in successive elections in the country. For example, 79.52 per cent voted in 1999; 99.32 per cent participated in 2003 and only 28.60 per cent in 2011 legislative election. An independent study commissioned by INEC revealed that only 35 per cent of registered voters took part in the 2011 general elections. This trend must stop in order to entrench democracy in Nigeria. Civic education must be encouraged to deepen citizens’ understanding of democratic governance.”

  • Respect peace pacts, Owelle warns politicians

    Respect peace pacts, Owelle warns politicians

    S the March 28 and April 11, 2015 elections draw closer, more Nigerians have expressed concern over the mounting tension largely traced to divisive utterances and character assassination.

    One of the concerned Nigerians who cautioned against this trend this week is Frank M. Owelle, the Group Chairman/CEO of Total Aluminium Systems Limited (manufacturers of Longspan Aluminium Roofing Sheets in Nigeria).

    Owelle advised political parties and their members to be more progressive in their utterances and respect the peace pact they entered into at various levels in the interest of Nigeria.

    The advice was given in a statement where the international businessman said he was pained at the continued gush of intemperate language by politicians in their quest to win the forth-coming general election, warning that unless politicians retrace their steps, the country risked being plunged into a state of anarchy.

    According to Owelle, while Nigerians expected mature politicking in the light of the various peace accords signed at different levels, politicians have continued to heat up the polity with their utterances.

    He also expressed the belief that the postponement of the elections has enabled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address some of the challenges that could have impaired the elections.

    Advising parties and politicians, he said: “It has become very necessary for anybody who has the interest of Nigeria at heart to raise the alarm that the way things are going could land the country in trouble if we do not immediately apply caution. I want to appeal to politicians and all the political parties to be more patriotic and progressive in their utterances,” Owelle said.

    According to him, “I am of the opinion that every political ambition should be geared towards nation building and service to humanity. It saddens my heart therefore, to see the shenanigans going on, all in the name of trying to grab power.

    “I want to challenge the leadership of all the political parties to ensure that their members, no matter how highly placed, do not work at cross purposes with them when it comes to promotion of peace and unity in the country,” he added.

    Owelle also condemned the level of violence being recorded so far, saying that killing fellow Nigerians in a bid to win an election does not help the Nigeria project.

    He said: “We have heard of burning of party secretariats, burning of campaign buses and materials of some parties, and sporadic shootings at campaign rallies. Some billboards belonging to opponents have also been reportedly destroyed across the country, and the worst of them all was the attack in some places of the President’s campaign convoy. I said the worst because, although Goodluck Jonathan is the candidate of a party, he is the incumbent president and must be accorded all courtesies of that office.

    “The brewing violence must be condemned by all well-meaning people of this country. I wholly believe in a statement credited to President Jonathan that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian. This should be the mindset of every politician or political operator in the country. I urge all parties to respect the peace pacts signed at various levels,” he said.

    On the postponement of the elections and INEC’s efforts at conducting a credible general election, Owelle said: “My advice is that every citizen of this country should cooperate with Professor Attahiru Jega to ensure that we have a successful election. We must also believe in the ability of the military to make the country conducive, security wise, for the smooth conduct of the general election on March 28 and April 11, 2015. I am convinced that INEC is now more prepared than before to deliver on the critical assignment of giving Nigerians credible elections, notwithstanding the challenges it may be facing. But they need the cooperation of everybody.”

    He also said,”2015 general election is very important to every Nigerian. We all know that transiting from one administration to another through a general election is not only tasking but very dicey in terms of material and human resources involved. It is much more cumbersome in a country like ours where every Tom and Harry wants to be in government.”