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Tag: poll

  • Wike, APC differ over plot to rig rerun poll

    Wike, APC differ over plot to rig rerun poll

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC), the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of planning to rig the December 10 rerun election.

    At a news conference inside the Government House Banquet Hall, attended by former Acting Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Prince Uche Secondus, Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo, state PDP chairman Felix Obuah, members of the state executive council and some party leaders, Wike said: “Anybody that plans to rig the rerun election would rig his or her life.”

    He alleged that those arrested were members of the APC and relatives of one of the leaders of the party, adding that if the police failed to conclude their investigation on the arrest of the suspects, his party would protest and ensure that justice is done.

    Wike said: “We have been working on a tip-off on some of the manipulation going on in  the state and we said when it is mature, we will strike. Now, God has exposed them. I was in Sokoto when they called me that members of the APC had been arrested while printing ballot papers.

    “The plot is to bring the fake result sheets to the polling units, in agreement with security agents and push away our agents and then concoct results. That is the role INEC is playing with the police.”

    But Rivers State APC Publicity Secretary Warisenibo Chris Finebone said the PDP planned to plant electoral materials in the homes of APC chieftains, instigate arrest and keep them out of the way before the re-run election.

    Finebone said: “The idea of the PDP is to plant election materials in some homes of individuals, claiming they are APC members so as to take some of our chieftains out of circulation before the rerun election. Emma Chinda they mentioned has not been in Port Harcourt for a very long time.

    “Their target is to paint Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside black. For us, they should come forth and show us proof. Security agents should come up to tell us if the operation was genuine or not.”

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Aniedi Ikoiak, declined to speak when contacted.

  • Abia PDP prepares for December council poll

    The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun preparations for the chairmanship and councillorship elections in the 17 local government areas of the state.

    The ruling party in the state held the congresses for its councillorship candidates and set up a three-man ad hoc delegate in each of the 292 electoral wards in the state.

    Our reporter, who visited the wards, said the party conducted a peaceful congress in which most of the wards harmonised their lists and chose their candidates.

    But in Aba South, some people said the exercise was a sham because they were allegedly schemed out.

    A chairmanship candidate for Aba South and former chairman of the local government area, who spoke in confidence, said the exercise did not hold in the area.

    At Abayi Ward 1 in Obingwa Local Government Area, voting materials had not been brought to the polling unit when our reporter got there at 1.46 p.m.

    Voters and candidates were waiting for the materials to arrive.

    A councillorship candidate, Mrs Amba Ihejirika, accused some party members of planning to rig the congress.

    She warned against such move.

    At the council’s headquarters, materials were being shared at 4 p.m. At Umuola Ward 8 in Aba North Local Government Area, the congress was peaceful and the results announced.

    The same happened at Sand and Gravel Ward at Ogbor Hill area of the local government.

    At Okporo and Igbere communities in Abia North, the congresses were also peaceful.

     

     

  • Ondo poll: Group warns judiciary against complicity 

    The Coalition for Stable Democracy (CSD), an alliance of pro-democracy groups, has urged the National Judicial Council( NJC) to ensure that the interest of justice is served in the struggle for the governorship slot in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The group said the judiciary should not allow itself to be used to subvert people’s will.

    CSD said the ruling delivered by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja was a miscarriage of justice.

    Justice Abang had last Friday ruled that the name of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, be substituted with that of Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim in a controversial ruling that has now been appealed.

    In a statement jointly signed by Victor Aderibigbe and Abdullahi Sanni, National Co-ordinator and Secretary respectively, the coalition said the event of 1983 political crisis in Ondo State would be a child’s play if the judiciary allowed itself to be used to truncate the people’s will.

    The group alleged that the ruling was part of plot to deprive Jegede’s candidacy to brighten the chance of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the election in Ondo State.

    CSD said: “Let it be made clear that Ondo State is a peaceful state, but we are hasty to warn that the people there should not be taken for granted. With the experience of the political crisis that engulfed  the state during the Ajasin/Omoboriowo saga, Ondo election should be treated with utmost caution.

    “We are therefore calling on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to pay serious attention to allegations of miscarriage of justice levelled against Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja, in which he ruled that Mr. Eyitayo Jegede’s name be substituted with that of Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim.

  • Obaseki ‘best at Edo poll debate’

    Obaseki ‘best at Edo poll debate’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Godwin Obaseki came tops after last night’s debate by candidates in Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.

    Three other candidates —Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osaro Onaiwu (APGA) and Amos Areleogbe (LP)— fielded questions from a team of Channels Television interviewers.

    Some of those who watched the 90-minute debate rated Obaseki ahead in the way he spoke on the economy; how he would tackle the problem of insecurity in the state; plans to diversify and significantly boost the economy; and steps to tackle unemployment and create 200,000 jobs in four years.

    Twenty-one old Joy Iredia, a student of the University of Benin, said: “Until now, I did not take much interest in politics. But listening to all the candidates speak, I was drawn in by the candidate of the APC, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and how kept his focus on the issues and articulated his plans to take Edo State forward, particularly the use of technology as a tool for effective governance and job creation.”

    A civil servant Mr. Osahon Bello, said, “The civil service forms the major workforce in Edo State. I align with Obaseki’s plan to restructure the civil service for efficiency and productive through robust training strategies to meet the challenges of fostering strong, sustainable and balanced economic growth.”

    Obaseki, a renowned investment banker and wealth management expert of over 30 years, said the economic challenges confronting the nation today are so complex that it takes someone with a full grasp of all the issues, and practical experience in solving complex economic problems to lead the state on the path to prosperity.

    Referring to the ‘simple agenda’ of PDP’s Ize-Iyamu, Obaseki said: “Simple solutions cannot solve our complex political problems; they cannot solve our complex economic problems; and can definitely not solve our complex security problems. It is mental indolence to think there are simple solutions to our problems.”

    He assured of better days ahead for Edo people, promising that his will be a people-oriented and inclusive government.

  • ‘INEC ‘ll conduct credible poll’

    ‘INEC ‘ll conduct credible poll’

    The stage is set for the Edo State governorship election slated for September 10.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the  police yesterdaysaid that adequate logistic and security arrangements have been put in place for prospective voters to exercise their civic duties.

    The assurance, according to Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Pres, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu,  was given at the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security meeting held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

    Oyekanmi in statement said: “The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike,s said about 22,603 policemen will be deployed for the election. This is aside from several officers to be contributed by other security agencies.

    “The Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Sam Olumekun, said the total number of registered voters in the state at the moment stood at 1,925,105. According to him, the state has 18 local governments areas, six of which are riverine in nature. The state has 192 Wards, 2,627 Polling Units and 4,011 Voting points.”

    Prof. Yakubu, who chaired the meeting, commended the Police for putting a robust security arrangement in place. “If we can implement what you have on paper and presented to us at this meeting,” he observed, “then we can all look forward to a successful outing in Edo.”

    In accordance with Section 46 of the Electoral Act (as amended), the public was served with the notice of the election on June 1, while the notice of polls was published on August 27. The distribution of the old Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) was done simultaneously with the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise between June 22 and 26, while distribution is continuing at the local government offices. New voters, numbering135, 877 registered during the exercise, but over 400,000 PVCs remained collected.

    Representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Prisons Service, Immigration Service, Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Federal Fire Service attended the meeting.

    Others include representatives from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Police Service Commission (PSC)

    A Deputy Inspector General of Police, Joshak Habila, led the police team.

  • Police ‘ll be neutral during poll

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has said tha the police will deploy enough personnel and equipment for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

    Idris spoke yesterday at a meeting with the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the 12 zones across the country, as well as other senior officers.

    The I-G said: “We are coming up with a very, very strategic order. We are going to deploy the marine police in the waterways.

    “We are going to deploy our helicopters in the air for surveillance. We are re-enforcing the state with thousands of policemen.’’

    He said, 200 vehicles will be deployed to the state for the election.

    On the Ondo election, Idris noted the large number of contestants that would participate in the APC primary, saying that it may pose some challenges.

    “We seem to have large number of contestants in Ondo State; I think the APC has about 23 contestants. That is the area we are seeing that we will have challenge,’’ he said.

    He, however, said he had directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone to be on ground on Friday to work with the Commissioner of Police in the state

    According to the inspector-general, this is to ensure peaceful APC primary in Ondo.

    He charged all personnel that would be involved in elections in those two states to be professional and operate within the code of conduct.

    “We want all our policemen that will be involved in these elections to be apolitical,’’ he added.

    Idris, however, commended policemen for their professional conduct during re-run elections recently conduct across the country and urged them to replicate that in subsequent elections.

    The I-G also reiterated the ban on road blocks, noting the re-emergency of the menace in parts of the country, especially the South-South and South-East zones.

    While maintaining that the ban remains, he directed commissioners of police and AIGs in those zones to set up team to monitor and remove all road blocks.

    Meanwhile, the I-G has presented cheques worth N192 million to next of kins of policemen who had died in line of duty.

  • INEC REC returns N20m poll bribe after EFCC grilling

    INEC REC returns N20m poll bribe after EFCC grilling

    Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC)  Sylvester Ezeani has refunded N20million to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The cash is part of the N23.29billion bribe given to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to change the results of the 2015 election.

    Three RECs have been named in the scandal. One of them is dead.

    The EFCC has seized two choice shopping malls from a REC Gesil Khan.

    Besides, the account of the REC with about N59million has been frozen by the anti-graft agency.

    A retired INEC official, Sani Isa, was questioned for N406,206,000 bribe allegedly collected on behalf of the deceased REC in Kano State, Alhaji Mukaila Abdullahi.

    The number of INEC staff invited and questioned by the EFCC has risen to 100.

    INEC is awaiting a comprehensive brief from the anti-graft agency on the affected staff, it was learnt that  only President Muhammadu Buhari can determine the fate of the RECs.

    Ezeani’s N20million came from the $115m(N23.29billion) which former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke is said to have provided.

    A source in EFCC,  who spoke in confidence, said: “Faced by overwhelming evidence from our team, Ezeani has refunded to the commission N20million, which was traced to him.

    “About N241million was allocated to INEC when Ezeani was the REC in Cross River State during the 2015 poll.

    “We are working on other INEC staff to refund the cash credited to them from the slush funds. So far, about N503million has been recovered from INEC staff and politicians involved in the poll bribery scandal in Port Harcourt Zone alone.

    “We are determined to retrieve a huge chunk of the N23.29billion bribe.”

    Meanwhile, the number of INEC staff quizzed by EFCC  on the poll bribery cash has risen to about 100.

    A source in INEC said: “At least about 100 staff of this commission have either been invited or interrogated by the EFCC as part of its ongoing investigation. T5he number could be higher than the current figure because investigation is still in progress.

    “It is too early to say that these staff have been indicted or not  by the EFCC. We are however awaiting a comprehensive brief from the anti-graft commission on its findings on each of the affected staff.

    “Do not forget that some of them even serve as witnesses for EFCC, depending on the circumstances of their postings during the poll.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Staff found guilty of infractions will be subjected to the civil service rules and regulations on disciplinary action.”

    Another INEC source spoke on reports on some RECs but “there is nothing the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu or the management can do.

    “The appointment of National Commissioners and RECs is at the behest of President Muhammadu Buhari. What INEC management can do is to forward the EFCC’s report on any REC to the President who has the powers to appoint or remove such officer.

    “So, the Presudent will determine the fate of RECs implicated in the scandal if they are found culpable.”

    About four oil firms, 14 directors of oil companies, two banks and  100 INEC officials, including RECs are under investigation too.

    Some INEC officers already grilled are REC Gesil Khan for collecting  N185, 842,000 out of a N681million bribe deal; Fidelia Omoile( Electoral Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State)—N112,480,000 ; Uluochi Obi Brown( INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Delta State)—N111,500,000; a former Deputy Director  of INEC in Cross River state, Edem Okon Effanga—N241,127,000 and others.

  • PDP faction to challenge exclusion from Ogun poll

    Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) faction under the leadership of Adebayo Dayo has vowed to challenge the decision of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) not to accept the list of its chairmanship and councillorship candidates.

    The electoral body had last Thursday said it accepted the list of candidates from Sikirulai Ogundele-led group.

    The Dayo-faction has the support of Senator Buruji Kashamu, the lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District. The Ogundele group is backed by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday after  an emergency stakeholders meeting held in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, Dayo said the party would fight till justice is done.

    He said the party was familiar with what he described as “OGSIEC’s antics”.

    Dayo said: “It was not the first time OGSIEC will be involved in this kind of illegality and injustice. It happened in 2012 and we dealt with them.

    “OGSIEC’s action is a clear travesty of justice that won’t stand the test of time. We have submitted all the genuine, legally binding documents in our possession to OGSIEC – a final judgment concerning the Ogun State Exco that has also been registered in the Ogun State High Court and automatically becomes a binding court judgment in the state has been served on OGSIEC. All the INEC reports on the congresses, including the cover letter from INEC was served on them. A letter from the caretaker committee that gave some percentage of the delegates to those parading themselves as the parallel group was also submitted to them.

    “What is more, OGSIEC on its own wrote to INEC asking it to clarify which is the authentic Ogun State PDP Exco and INEC in a letter dated August 9, 2016 replied, saying it recognises and relates only with the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Exco.

  • Poll rates Ambode as top performing governor

    Poll rates Ambode as top performing governor

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is leading other governors in the poll organised by the African Leadership Magazine to determine Nigeria’s top performing governor, it was learnt yesterday.

    The poll, tagged: “Good Governance Polls for Nigeria’s Top Performing Governor”, started two weeks ago with Ambode maintaining the lead with increased 36.1 per cent of the total vote casts.

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano is closely trailing Ambode with 25 per cent.

    The poll, according to its organisers, was designed by the group as part of its strategic engagement tool to monitor performance and gauge the mood of the electorate in Nigeria.

    An overwhelming 35 per cent popularity rating for the Lagos State Governor, among other governors, shows his popularity as he continues to deliver good governance, promoting infrastructural development and people-centred policies that better the lives of the people of Lagos.

    Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun is in the third place with 8.8 per cent. Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike is in the fourth position with 7.9 per cent of the total vote casts.

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai sits in the fifth position with five percent.

    Voting is still ongoing and is expected to close in the next four days.

  • Ambode leads as top performing governor

    Ambode leads as top performing governor

    …Secures 36 Percent of Vote Casts

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode is leading other Governors in the poll organised by the African Leadership Magazine to determine Nigeria’s top performing Governor.

    The poll, tagged ‘Good Governance Polls for Nigeria’s Top Performing Governor’ started two weeks ago with Governor Ambode maintaining the lead with increased 36.1 percent of the total vote casts.

    Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano is closely trailing Governor Ambode with 25 percent.

    The Poll, according to its organisers, was designed by the group as part of its strategic engagement tool to monitor performance and gauge the mood of the electorates in Nigeria in line with its objective of providing credible information and support to leaders in Nigeria and Africa at large.

    An overwhelming 35 percent popularity rating for Governor Ambode, among other governors, clearly shows his popularity as he continues to deliver good governance, promoting infrastructural development and people-centred policies that better the lives of the people of Lagos.

    Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun is in the third place with 8.8 percent, while Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike is in the fourth position with 7.9 percent of the total vote casts.

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai sits in the fifth position with 5 percent, while as at press time, voting is still ongoing and is expected to close in the next four days.