The Nation Newspaper

Tag: rigging

  • Rigging, deterrence and stability

    Nigerians  go to the polls today in a determined  manner that  finally they will  vote  today  and not be told  the  polls  have been postponed  by  INEC, as it happened  last  Saturday, February 16. Today Nigerians  head  to the polls  not because the INEC  boss  said  only an act  of God  can stop  the polls today  but  because  of  the threat  of  death for  riggers  and vote snatchers  issued by no less a person  than the man in charge  of the security of the Nigerian nation, President  Muhammadu  Buhari, also  a candidate  for re-election  in today’s  presidential  election.  To  Nigerian, his call to arms on riggers  and democracy  saboteurs  is more credible

    than any  assurances  from INEC,  which  has acquired very  quickly, a reputation for  bungling  and postponing  much  awaited elections at  the dying ,  last  minutes  of commencement  of  voting.

    To  non Nigerians  or even  the foreign  election  observers  it  may  seem perfect  that  a presidential  assurance of security  to be provided by a sitting government should  be taken  for granted  but  such assumption is  a simple demonstration of  ignorance  of  the political  culture  of Nigeria.

    The  fact  of  the Nigerian political  way  of life is that  rigging is so  common  in our politics, such  that  even  in safe areas, overzealous  politicians still mobilise  their  supporters  to illegally  thumbprint several  ballot  papers  to  make  assurances  of victory  doubly sure. Which  often  times lead to counted votes being more  at times  than registered voters in various  voting localities.

    So  Nigerians go to the polls today  under a cloud  of  deterrence that  those who  rig must  pay  with their lives  for  their fraudulent  political  crime.  Again  the lame duck  INEC  has said election laws  must  be followed. But  did  the president ask  that riggers  be shot  at  sight? Definitely not. Did the electoral laws  deter riggers before the presidential  threat?  Definitely  not.

    Which  then  means that  the  strength  of  this threat has  sunk in with  those who make an ass  of  the law by rigging during elections.  So  if  indeed  some people think  a  dark    cloud or threat    is  hanging over  today’s  election, I say  every  cloud has its  silver  lining.  The  silver  lining is the deterrence of elimination  for  riggers  and unless  for  those who  have suicidal tendencies, I  see  rigging  at its  minimal in this election  as I do  not think  that  even  the threat  on  life  will  eradicate rigging  completely  from  our  political  culture.  This  is because  rigging  like corruption  is very  much  an  established way  of life in Nigeria.

    Now  let  us look  at today’s  elections and the chances  of the two presidential  candidates  and the two  leading  parties APC  and  PDP. We  must  also  take a position  on INEC’s  credibility  and capacity  to  conduct  a free  and fair  election. We  assume  that at  the end of  the day  the parameters for  a level  playing  ground have    been laid in spite  of all  the odds showing,  and pray  that no  act of  God  will  truncate  the polls  today  as again unnecessarily  observed  by the INEC boss.

    I  think  the postponement  has created  new  challenges  for  both candidates. For  President  Buhari  it  has exposed  him  to charges of trusting everything  to  INEC and  he must  accept  responsibility for  INEC’s  shoddy  performance  which  the postponement  of  the presidential  elections  represents. If  anything  the INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood  Yakubu  has  not shown  requisite competence and maturity  for  the job. Without  any prompting  he said  the polls  will  never be postponed  and he postponed it. Now for  today  he said only an act of God  will make that possible. Why is he obsessed with postponement?. It  shows  an inherent lack  of confidence  and capacity to execute  his mandate.

    This  has  riled the president who  appointed  and trusted him  hence the threat  to riggers  which  goes beyond INEC but  is really  the saving grace for the president’s reputation  for toughness  and integrity. That threat  is similar  to US  President Trump’s  obsession  to build  his wall  against  drug smugglers and  illegal  immigrants  and ensure the safety  and security  of  all Americans.  It  is similar  to that of  the Phillipines  President order  to  shoot  drug smugglers.

    Human  rights  champions  may  condemn  such  aggressive  leadership styles  but  they  deter potential  fraudsters  who  violate  state laws  and security  and enrich  themselves  at  the expense of innocent  citizens.  The  threat  has strengthened the hand of the Nigerian  president  and will greatly  affect  his  chances  for re-election  quite  favorably.

    Similarly  the postponement  has thrown  the ball  into  the court of the PDP with  regard  to charges  of  rigging.  How  can  the PDP deny  it has no plan to rig when it is condemning a leader who  has sworn that those who rig will pay with their lives? The  PDP  should have  publicly accepted the challenge and offer  to play  ball so that we can, if possible  have a  free and  fair  election  which was the objective of the voter deterrence issued  by the president.

    I  know  this threat  will  not deter Igbo  solidarity  and support for  Atiku  presidential  ticket  because  of his running  mate  Peter Obi. But  the postponement has stretched  the resources  and anxiety of PDP  as a party  and it  is as if the party had prepared  for  a 100  meter  race  which  the postponement  has now turned into a marathon,  with  attendant  negative consequences  to maintain the momentum of  support  for its  ticket  made,  make or break,  for last  Saturday.

    One  can  only  pray  for  a peaceful  election  and  no further bungling of postponement  by  INEC on  today’s  election.  It  is nice  to know that  the army and the military  through  their leadership  have pledged  loyalty  to the Nigerian state in securing these  2019  elections.  Some  how  I  think  Nigerians  believe them.  This  is because what  is uppermost  on the minds of most Nigerians  is  to  have  the opportunity  to  show  what  they want by  voting the leader of their choice as well  as  the party of  their choice into  power. That  really  is the essence of  democracy, regardless  of  unwanted postponements  and planned  or  cultural rigging.  Once  again long live  the Federal  Republic  of  Nigeria.

  • Polls shift: ‘INEC acted to stop rigging’

    The Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) has alleged that the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the 2019 elections saved the country from massive rigging plotted by the opposition.

    The president’s support group stated this in reaction to claims made on Saturday by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) of an alleged plan by President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend INEC chairman, Prof.  Mahmood Yakubu and replace him with Amina Zakari as acting chairman under the guise of the commission’s inability to conduct the presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Its Director of Communications and Strategic Planning, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, said the INEC deliberately shifted the polls to thwart the plan by the opposition to rig the elections.

    The group noted that the alarm raised by CUPP over plans to remove INEC chairman was a perfect plan to cover up for the massive rigging plotted by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which left the electoral body with no other option than to postpone the elections.

    Ibrahim said: “The attention of the BCO has been drawn to a statement by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) in which it accused President Muhammadu Buhari of trying to sack INEC chairman. This came few hours after the Presidency had issued a stament expressing the president’s disappointment with the postponement of the elections.

    “The basis for the claims made by CUPP is that President Buhari, like every other Nigerian, expressed misgivings about the election shift. The truth, however, is that the opposition, with its shrill voice, is merely diverting attention from the revelation that they had perfected plans to rig the polls using huge sums of money, which they distributed on the eve of the postponed elections.

    “Based on intelligence report that money had been shared by the opposition on the eve of the polls to buy voters, INEC decided to shift the elections to save the country from the sinister plot by the opposition to wield the country back to the dark days of rigging and manipulation of the electoral process to rob Nigerians of their right to decide who becomes their leader”.

    The BCO further appealed to Nigerians to be patient with INEC, saying the commission’s decision to shift the elections was taken to save democracy from the fangs of corrupt politicians in the opposition who think elections in Nigeria can never be free,  fair and credible.

    “We also urge Nigerians to be steadfast and watch out against corrupt political elements in the opposition who are bent on manipulating the electoral process in a desperate bid to return to power at all cost to continue their looting spree. INEC took the decision of shifting the polls in good faith and we in the BCO are solidly behind the electoral body. President Buhari has assured severally that he will ensure the same free and fair process that brought him to power, and this he will surely do,” Ibrahim added.

  • Rigging is now a thing of the past – APC chieftain

  • Monarchs seek America’s support against rigging

    •All eyes are on Ekiti, says us envoy

    The Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers has solicited the assistance of the United States government to prevent the rigging of the July 14 governorship election.

    The monarchs called on the American government to bring as many observers as possible to the Fountain of Knowledge during the election to ensure that the votes of the people count.

    The Ekiti Obas made the call yesterday while hosting the Consul General of the US Consulate in Lagos, Mr. John Bray, at the Ewi’s Palace in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The Council Chairman, who is also the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Michael Oluwole Ademolaju, said the assistance of the US government will be needed to prevent vote buying on election day.

    The Oloye expressed concern that vote buying was becoming more alarming in the nation’s electoral system. He said Ekiti Obas will welcome measures to prevent manipulation of the people’s electoral wish.

    He said: “We want you to use your good offices to bring monitors to every polling unit.

    “Security agencies must be above board during and after the elections.

    “We want everybody to be carried along. We want reputable groups as monitors to be present at polling units” not people that will just be moving about.”

    Also speaking, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, said it was the wish of the monarchs that the most popular candidate wins.

    He said: “We want peace and vote to count. If the most popular candidate won at the end of the day, nobody would raise a voice.”

    The Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, warned against the reoccurrence of the 1983 election mayhem which led to the loss of many lives and burning of houses.

    He said: “We are concerned about safety in our domains, we don’t want Ekiti to be a battle ground. We want the choice of the people to emerge as governor in the election.”

    Mr. Bray said “the eyes of the world would be on Ekiti on July 14 during the governorship poll”.

    The diplomat promised the support and commitment of the US government to peace before, during and after the election.

    Bray said: “We are on the side of the people. We are here to support free, fair, credible and peaceful election.

    “The eyes of the world will be on Ekiti on July 14. We would be here and we won’t let you down.”

     

  • Menace of election rigging in Nigeria

    Elections are a central feature of democracy. For election to be free and fair, it must express the will of the electorate. It is said, free elections don’t always result in fair election. In Nigeria today, election rigging has become an easy way to electoral victory. Our politicians, INEC officials and security agents sell our votes to the highest bidder not minding if the person is capable or not.

    2019 election is by the corner, politicians are strategizing to win elections. Some are involved in all manner of evil sacrifices for ritual purposes. It is during this period that people go missing and a lot of other atrocities are committed. What do we expect from leaders who commit all these atrocities to get to power? Of course no good can come out of such politicians.

    It is on record that the only free and fair election we ever had was in 1993 when Chief MKO Abiola won the election but was never given the mandate to rule. He later died in the struggle. Our politicians are thirsty for power and will do just anything to remain in power. Jumping from Governorship seat to the Senate and House of Representatives. They are bunch of lazy old men who keep recycling themselves and feeding on free oil money not minding the hardship they inflict on the citizenry. They deny the youths the chances to explore their God given talents but keep telling them they are the leaders of tomorrow. The question here is when will this tomorrow come?

    Politicians see rigging as the only means of winning election and this is not healthy for a developing nation. I implore the electorate to rise up and defend their votes.

    Thus, the youths who are the engine room of the nation should get involved in the election activities. We need good leaders who would judiciously and prudently use our resources for the common good of the citizenry.

    • By Josephine Ada Ogboso

    Department of Mass Communication

    Bayero University, Kano.

     

  • ‘No room for rigging in Edo’

    The National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Udeh Okoye, has said that youths will resisit rigging in next year’s elections.

    Okoye said PDP youths will mobilise against electoral malpractices and defend the sanctity of the ballot box.

    He spoke in Benin City, Edo State capital, while delivering a speech at a PDP youth conference with the theme: ‘Youth and Leadership: Waking Up The Sleeping Giant.’

    Okoye urged the youths to rise in defense of democracy.

    He urged them to be committed to the ideals of the PDP and attract more people into thew fold

    Okoye said: “Under this APC government, the youths of Nigeria have become an abandoned constituency as we are under-represented in government appointments.

    “We cannot continue like this. As youths, we are the catalyst of change and therefore ,must change this APC come 2019. It is our duty to fight for the rescue of our democracy.”

    Former governorship candidate of the PDP Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu urged PDP youths to engage in productive ventures, instead of waiting for crumbs from party leaders.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu said the youths should not be bothered that the PDP is in the opposition, saying that it would make the party stronger.

    He said: “We should be ready to deliver the PDP in 2019. Any political party that wants to win elections must have a solid youth base. It is the youths that do many of the  jobs during elections and campaigns.

    “Any party that neglects the youths does so at its own peril. The APC is a younger brother to the PDP and it is not doing well. The party will continue to fall.”

  • Council poll: PDP chief dispels rumour of rigging

    Ahead of the January 6 Delta State local government elections, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Efe Uko, has denied a rumour that his party is planning to write election results.

    Uko, director-general of Okpe Local Government chairmanship candidate, Chief J.J. Scott’s campaign organisation, said no party campaigned the way PDP did in the 25 councils and wards.

    He said the party went to all nooks and crannies of Okpe council, adding that it did the needful and is waiting to celebrate victory.

    “The massive support PDP is enjoying is an indication of victory.

    “We are the ruling party in Delta, yet we are the only party that has gone all over the place to canvass for votes. The opposition parties are watching and spreading a rumour they cannot substantiate,” Uko said.

  • ‘Resist election rigging’

    Ondo State Governor’s wife Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko has urged women and other eligible voters to resist election manipulation in the November 26 poll.

    She urged mothers to warn their wards against being used during and after the election.

    Mrs. Mimiko spoke at a forum featuring a lecture titled: “Women: A reliable pillar in nation-building”, at Ore, Odigbo Local Government delivered by PDP governorship candidate’s wife, Mrs. Ebunoluwa Jegede.

    Mrs. Mimiko said: “We need to go back to our various houses to talk to our children and husbands to preach politics of peace, tolerance and love to them, so that peace could reign supreme in the state during and after the election.”

    She advocated politics without bitterness to guarantee peace.

    Thanking the people, especially the womenfolk for their support over the years, she assured that her husband’s administration remained committed to their welfare and growth.

  • Resist rigging, Ize-Iyamu urges voters

    Resist rigging, Ize-Iyamu urges voters

    The Edo Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has advised eligible voters to protect their votes and resist rigging at the poll.

    Urging officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to do the right things by conducting a free, fair and acceptable election, the PDP candidate said that those who have planned to manipulate the election will be disgraced.

    He also advised the electorate not to allow themselves to be insulted by Governor Adams Oshiomhole  through any inducement, saying the APC-led government that had subjected them to unbearable hardship in nearly eight years cannot offer them money or rice just to purchase their conscience.

    Ize-Iyamu said he was aware of the maltreatment of his supporters by the APC government.

    He said: ‘’The September 28 gubernatorial election in Edo State is, in one respect, a contest between one man(Ize-Iyamu), who has always been in the tick of the politics of the state and Godwin Obaseki, a neophyte who found favour with a very discredited out-going governor.

    ‘’From a studied interest in the politics—over the past close to 30 years, Ize-Iyamu comes across as resilient as they go, and his understanding of the pervasive development challenges is awe-inspiring. He is a true leader with human feelings.

    ‘’That is why, on the surface, Godwin Obaseki, the green horn that he is, even in terms of party affiliation,  is a mismatch. And he is being propelled by Oshiomhole, whose penchant for arbitrariness in his handling of the state’s treasury makes this propulsion weighty.’’

    Accusing Oshiomhole of acting as if he’s the one contesting the election, Ize-Iyamu said that in a way, he’s really the one contesting the election because he naturally wants someone to cover his dirty and criminal tracks after November 12, adding that it will never happen.

    ‘’The people of Edo have concerns over Godwin Obaseki, not only because of his questionable business dealings with Oshiomhole but, more importantly, his inability to account successfully for his academic qualifications’’, the PDP candidate added.

  • Rigging: Dickson urges govt to absolve self

    Rigging: Dickson urges govt to absolve self

    Governor Seriake Dickson has stressed the need for the Federal Government to absolve itself of the boast by the supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that federal might will be used to manipulate Saturday’s election in their favour.

    He urged the electorate, who participated in the continuous voter registration, to collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs) from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office and other designated centres, to enable them vote.

    The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) standard-bearer said name-dropping should not only be dismissed with a wave of the hand, but should be investigated to prosecute the masterminds of such unfounded claim, “as it can make the electorate lose confidence in the credibility of the electoral process.”

    Dickson, who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by INEC in Yenagoa, said the people occupying sensitive positions in federal agencies should be mindful of their utterances and actions, in order not to heat up the polity.