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Tag: vote

  • We want to vote Deaf, blind and cripple tell INEC

    We want to vote Deaf, blind and cripple tell INEC

    Last week, Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD) converged on the International Press Center, Lagos to talk about impediments to their rights to vote in the 2015 general elections. They also told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give them priority voting. SEUN AKIOYE reports.

    There was something strange about the eyes of Joseph Bulugbe whenever he talks.  No matter how passionate the matter was, the eyes betrayed no emotions. The only emotion Bulugbe betrayed was evident in his voice which seemed to have attained a high pitch of its own accord.  Whenever he talks, his eyes focused on his audience conveyed a feeling that he was seeing into your soul. And unless he told you beforehand, you will not know he was blind.

    Unlike Bulugbe, Solomon Abiodun Elugbaju’s disability was easily distinguishable. He wore a well cut suit and clean shoes, a very dark sunglass covered his eyes and his head was always raised high.

    In the room on Saturday February 7th 2015 at the International Press Centre (IPC), there were other guests and participants who share similarities with Elugbaju and Bulugbe. There were the deaf and the dumb; the cripple; the albinos; the imbecile and those suffering from speech defect.

    These unusual personalities have similar stories yet different in many ways. The disabled who are politely referred to as Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD) sat together in like groups. The deaf and the dumb have acquired a habit of yelling at the top of their voices in incoherent syllables as if that is the only way they are sure of being heard.

    The blind were supported into the room and they sat separate from the deaf, theirs is a difficult world filled with darkness and frustration. The cripple stayed at the back and mainly concentrated with conversations within themselves while the imbecile also sat at the back. The albinos took their place separated from the rest.

    The deaf are the most active, there were loud chattering among them and they always shout when talking. It was a psychological mechanism and because they do not hear themselves they always shout thinking others can only hear them when they do. A sign interpreter stood in front of the group, he was involved in all the frantic conversations between the deaf and dumb. Many of them needed his attention at the same time and as he was attending to one, another would call his attention so he was engaged in a flurry of interpretations from one person to the other.

    The blind were helped to their seats by whoever is nearest to them when they come in, except for Bulugbe; all of them wore dark sunglasses and carried a stick.

    Helping the disabled through the electoral process

    The programme, Strengthening Citizens Engagement in Electoral Process (SCEEP) had been conceived bearing the PLWD in mind.  There are a number of issues in mind; how do we ensure fair and equitable justice for PLWD in our electoral process? How can the blind, lame, deaf dump and others enjoy the same level of electoral freedom like the other citizens especially in a volatile electoral system as in Nigeria? How can the PLWD have a voice in choosing their political leaders?

    Sami Falobi, a Programme Associate at the IPC thinks the SCEEP project would provide answers, or at least suggestions that can help tackle the issues.  The SCEEP, which was funded by ActionAid through the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) is being implemented in 10 states in Nigeria and its objectives include: to support citizens, especially women and the vulnerable to participate in and influence electoral process, to promote inclusiveness in the Nigerian electoral process and to promote the emergence of a politically better informed electorate.

    According to Falobi, the electoral sensitization meeting had representatives from six local governments across the three senatorial districts in Lagos state.  He said the project is important because PLWD are a critical, but often neglected stakeholder groups during election. “We need to bring on board marginalized groups and advance their participation and active engagement in the electoral process so their votes count and they are able to hold elected officials accountable on priority development initiatives,” he said.

    In Nigeria, there are estimated 22 million PLWD who stand to be disenfranchised in the 2015 general elections if the electoral body does not put in place adequate measures to ensure the participation of this group. Falobi said this group is “often cut off from actively participating and benefiting from development policies.” To this end, the SCEEP project according to him will “build capacity and knowledge of people living with disability to have requisite voter education message and information that give them increased understanding of the electoral process.”

    The PLWD and 2015 election

    The people living with one form of disability or the other who had gathered to brainstorm on how to further strengthen their participation at the polls had bitter experiences trying to vote in the past elections. They did not mince words in telling their able bodied colleagues too.

    Their lamentations rang deep in the room sending many in the audience into the deepest melancholy.  Adewale Adeyanju, coordinator of National Handicap Careers Association of Nigeria gave a pathetic submission about the plight of the deaf in Nigeria. He said most of them do not have their Permanent Voters Cards because they could not comprehend the information being relayed by INEC.

    But the biggest problem being confronted by the deaf and dumb is lack of trained electoral officials or interpreters at the polling booths. “When we line up, there will be nobody to interpret; even electoral officers would just pack us aside. The deaf will be looking, when trouble comes, we are the last to know and when people are running, the deaf will be running, he does not know why he is running.”

    Adeyanju was not done: “Most of our votes get voided because we don’t know where to stamp, we have told INEC to train us on how to vote, all of these caused confusion.” Adeyanju spoke in a high pitch voice which breaks after every word or two which makes following him a little strenuous. But he had secured the sympathy of the audience and every word he spoke seemed to afflict their souls.

    He was concerned that there are no deaf legislators or elected public officer in Nigeria against the norm in other countries like Ghana which reserved at least six spaces for PLWD in the parliament.

    “When we say we want to contest election, the people will say, our legislator ko gboran o, on election day, people laugh and they gather to sing for you because they know you don’t understand, they refused to carry us along,” he said.

    Bulugbe spoke for the blind. He stood up carefully holding on to the edge of the table until a microphone was thrust into his hand which was a sign that he could now proceed. He bent his head slightly to the left and focused his opened eyes on the audience. “I know what I went through to get my PVC,” he began. A sigh of relief swept through the hall, but it was short-lived. “But how can I vote, who will attend to me when I get to the polling booth?”

    The import of these questions was not lost on the audience as they began to envisage the problems of the blind voter in a volatile electoral process like Nigeria’s.  There are estimated 1.1 million blind Nigerians eligible to vote. “That is a huge number and it can swing votes if we all cast for a candidate. It is key to have something done by INEC, nothing in the constitution caters for us, if I go to vote and something happens, how do I get to my house?” he asked.

    Bulugbe’s journey to perpetual darkness was slow and painful. The first sign of blindness began when he was one year old. He finally went blind in 1995 when he was in Senior Secondary School 2. But despite this personal misfortune, he went on to get a Law Degree from the University of Lagos and a Masters in Law from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

    Bulugbe practices as a lawyer and a right activist but that does not protect him from the usual stereotypes: “In other societies, the blind are well catered for but here they say look at them and when they see you with a female blind person they will exclaim, won ma nfe ara won (they are even marrying each other).

    Solomon Abiodun Elugbaju of Hope and Life Foundation also spoke the mind of the blind calling on INEC to ensure that the election is violence free “so that they do not increase the number of disabled people.” Elugbaju called for attitudinal change from Nigerians and total inclusion in the electoral process. He should know better as he contested for the Federal House of Representatives in Kosofe Federal Constituency in 2007 under Accord Party, he lost the election coming a distant fourth position.

    “INEC should give room for total inclusion, we should be given the right to vote and be voted for. When I contested for election, I could not vote because on the day of the election because they were shooting everywhere. We are over two million blind voters and that block vote could go a long way,” Elugbaju said. And as if possessed by some higher power, he suddenly raised his voice and shouted “Why don’t you reckon with us, when they get there, they won’t have any provisions for us.”

    The deaf and the blind are not the only ones concerned about exercising their fundamental rights, the albinos are urging for total inclusion. The Chairperson of the Albino Foundation, Lagos chapter, Josephine Omolola said the albinos are particularly vulnerable when it comes to the intrigues of election.

    “The albino is not protected from the sun, when such a person goes to the poll, they cannot easily accommodate whatever is written on the ballot papers. People are always impatient with us when we start to squint and it can be very embarrassing, that is why we don’t go out to vote,” she said.

    The way forward

    A number of those who gathered agreed that something needed to be done and fast in order to ensure that PLWD were not cut off from the electoral process. The starting point according to the PLWD is the provision of educated electoral officers who can cater for the PLWD and their special needs.

    “We should have a dedicated desk at the polling booths and trained officers who will patiently guide us through the process, we can’t say they should immediately provide binoculars for us but they can do,” Omolola said.

    The others agree that there should be a dedicated desk for PLWD at polling booths staffed with trained officers. Adeyanju went further: “I learnt in Ghana, the disabled don’t vote on the day of the general election but on the next day, which can also be adopted here.”

    Deacon Adedoyin Beyioku-Alase of the Joint Persons Living with Disability Group said communication is the major challenge of the deaf and should be taken care of. “I cannot hear you without an interpreter, without an interpreter we are useless, so the INEC should help us with an interpreter because if I am on the line and you greet me I cannot hear. Those of you enjoying the Grace of God to be living without disability should be kind to us. We need priority voting,” she concluded.

    Ronke Adeyemi from Albino Foundation believes that the able bodied are not doing enough for the PLWD. “Where are our so called big men, why can’t they help us. If we can have a commissioner for Stomach Infrastructure in Ekiti, why can’t we have a commissioner for the disabled?” she said.

    Adeyanju wants to see a change in the political landscape where PLWD will be offered political slots by political parties. “If we get six legislators in the national assembly, it is okay for us.”

    Elugbaju wants more. “I will contest again in 2019 if I am supported and if Nigerians stop violent and politics of bitterness. Many applauded this bold move, but it wasn’t clear if all agreed with him.

     

  • Abia electorate urged to vote credible candidates

    Abia electorate urged to vote credible candidates

    Abia South Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chris Nkwonta has urged voters in the state to cast their ballot only for credible people with a good record.

    Nkwonta, who was speaking when members of the Agalaba Youth Movement paid him a courtesy visit his country home, Akwete in Ukwa East Council, warned that if the people failed to vote in the right candidates, they would continue to elect those who have no business occupying political offices.

    “We must be careful in the quality of people we elect to represent us this time around. We need to elect the right people. They have started calling for your votes. Last week, I went to a campaign tour of Ibeme autonomous community in Obingwa local government. I discovered that the community has no electricity. I was moved and started the process of assisting them to get electricity. It was then that the PDP heard what I have done and also came in to assist the community.

    “The question is, why must Chris Nkwonta, a private person from Akwete in Ukwa East Local Government, be the one to discover that Ibeme, a community in a local government that produced a senator, has no electricity? It tells a lot about the type of representation we have had in the last eight years. If there has been no change in the last 8 years, what is the assurance that there will be change if we give them another four years?”

    The APGA senatorial candidate buttressing the need for credible candidates in various political positions from the local government to the federal level called for the election of people who have track records of performance into political offices to reduce the suffering of the masses.

    “If I have empowered many 2000 people through skill acquisition and tertiary education scholarships within my personal capacity, I will do more if I’m elected as a senator. We can’t continue like this. Cast and defend your votes, you won’t be disappointed. “

    In his address, Vice chairman of the Agalaba Youth Movement, Anthony Nnadozie said the Association accessed all the candidates seeking the senatorial seat and discovered that Nkwonta has the best credentials to represent the zone in 2015.

    According to him, “Abia South needs change and would rejoice with a more grassroots oriented representative like Chris Nkwonta in 2015.”

     

  • Vote for credible candidates, Abatemi-Usman urges Nigerians

    The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, has called on eligible voters in the to vote for candidates that will bring about development at all levels of governance, regardless of whatever political parties they belong to.

    According to a statement by his media assistant, Michael Jegede, the senator, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District made the call while addressing the mammoth crowd that came to show him solidarity, upon his arrival in Okene to formally inform members of his constituency that he was  in the Senatorial.

    Abatemi-Usman was among the senators, who recently quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a result of the injustice meted out to them in the last primary election. He has secured the ticket of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) to pursue his second term ambition in the Senate.

    The PPA senatorial candidate in Kogi Central said: “I thank you all for your unflinching support all this while since you gave me the mandate to represent you in the Senate. I have come to let you know that I am still fully involved in the senatorial contest for Kogi Central holding on February 14, 2015. I am now running on a different platform which is the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA).

    “My dear people, I seek your continued support and I assure you that I will not relent in my pursuit to ensure the sustenance of peace in Ebiraland, where political thuggery and violence will continue to remain a thing of the past. I urge you, and indeed, the entire Nigerians, not to vote for party in the coming election, but to look out for credible candidates that will change things for the better in the interest of the masses, irrespective of the political party on whose ticket they are running in the election.”

  • Campaign, vote, don’t fight, UI VC urges

    As the general elections draws near, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole has urged Nigerians to focus on issue-based campaigns, shun violence and vote for credible leaders who would move Nigeria forward.

    In a release signed by the university’s Director of Public Communication, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, Adewole said with the near-daily reports of political violence in various parts of the country he was worried that the election could be marred by violence.

    “In 2011, no fewer than 800 Nigerians lost their lives in that year’s post-election violence.  Electoral violence remains a major concern in the lead up to the 2015 general elections. There are early indications that there may be violence during the 2015 electoral process” he said.

    Adewole explained that it was to avert violence that the university recently collaborated with the United States embassy in Nigeria to organise a public lecture entitled: “Electoral Security in Nigeria” recently.

    At the lecture, which held at the Trenchard Hall of the university, Adewole said: “We owe the society at large a huge responsibility in electoral process. We also owe them the truth. Of course, electoral problems and electoral development are inter-related. But we believe that when there is undiluted accountable process, we will get whatever we want from the election, and the judgment of the electorates would be decided upon.”

    The Guest Speaker, Dr Patrick Quirk, a Senior Conflict and Stabilization Advisor at the United States’ Department of States, said Nigeria needs to design a legal framework to make electoral procedures go smoothly, with a view to avoiding conflict and destabilization during the forthcoming elections.

    Quirk is electoral security expert with more than 10 years of experience performing conflict prevention assessment as well as designing and implementing democracy and governance, conflict management, and stabilization programmes for the U.S. government and European foreign aid agencies.

    He urged politicians and others to stand for peace.

    “It has come to a time when politicians, civil societies, among other stakeholders, have to come together to make peaceful process of election in Nigeria, and make maximum impact on it.  I encourage every Nigerian, including the aspirants, in these challenging times, to take a pledge against violence during election period, and exercise their franchise dutifully as expected,” he said.

     

  • Why Lagos youths will vote for Ambode, by leader

    the President of Young Achievers Campaign Organisation of Nigeria (YACOON), Mr. Temitope Adewale, has said Lagos State youths prefer All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, to others.

    The youth leader compared Ambode with other parties’ candidate, returning a verdict that the APC man was the preferred candidate.

    According to him, the People Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Jimi Agbaje, was no match to Ambode.

    He said: “Agbaje is a gentleman and, no doubt, appeals to several youths in Lagos State. The pharmacist-turned politician wowed Lagos youths with a Nollywood style of campaign in 2007. He has ever since been in the minds of Lagosians as a man of the future. Pundits regretted that Agbaje failed to take the humble pie and become a commissioner under Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2007, a move many claim would have sealed his fate as a possible successor to Fashola in 2015.

    “Agbaje shunned what may have been a lifetime opportunity to learn from service, which a much more politically experienced Senator Hilary Clinton took in 2009, serving under her former rival, President Barack Obama. Mrs Clinton, a United States former First Lady, knew that to boost her chances of being the first woman President of the U.S in 2016, she needed to boost her foreign policy experience, which she successfully did as Secretary of State. Beyond that, she showed to the world that she had the capacity to collaborate with past rivals, learn from them and even serve under them. These are important leadership qualities that Agbaje failed to demonstrate during the eight years tenure of Fashola…

  • A vote for change

    SIR: As Nigeria goes to the polls next month to elect a new government, a new era seems to have begun in the nation’s electoral process, driven by demographic changes and the emergence of a politically-aware middle-class. The upcoming election could create fresh opportunities for Nigeria, and reshape the rules for access to a vibrant market and a better society for all.

    Since 1999, when Nigeria started its liberalization process, the Nigerian economy has grown at approximately 6.5% annually, overtaking most Asia countries to become among the world’s most promising economy by purchasing power parity in 2006. Since then, however, Nigeria has slowed significantly. The 2012-14 financial years saw the GDP growth rate fall below 3.8% – the lowest in a decade; the fiscal deficit widened and the naira plummeted for much of the second half of 2014. Foreign investments were down to a trickle, inflation had spiraled and major infrastructure projects had been put on hold. Companies, like Shell, scaled down their Nigeria investments, while others like Total and Julius Berger are also having a second thought about the Nigerian economy; everything seems pretty bad for now. The only remedy to our sinking economy is a block vote for change, which the opposition represents.

    During this period, there were also various reports of corporate scams in the oil and gas sector. All this exacerbated the general sense of disenchantment among Nigerians, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lead government, in its fourth term at the helm, faced mass protests against corruption.

    The entire country is now looking forward to the February elections to usher in a new government that would boost economic revival, create new jobs, improve the healthcare and education sectors and address the large infrastructural gaps.

    According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), there are approximately five million ‘first-time voters. That’s 12 per cent of the total electorate! These voters are young people in urban and rural Nigeria born in the post-liberalized era. They are educated; relatively more exposed to global trends, and have their own set ideas on what they want from the political system. This group is expected to play a large role in influencing this year’s election results.

    Social media engagement is expected to have a direct influence on up to 30 per cent of the seats in the legislature. These seats are mostly in urban areas where constituents are a mix of youth and professionals. All major parties have set up dedicated social media teams, and are using Facebook and Twitter as key channels of influence.

    The past year has seen the emergence of a new brand of politics. Unlike traditional parties, which formed largely out of regional sentiment, religion and language, the All Progressive Congress (APC) grew out of the desire for a better Nigeria, the coming together of the opposition for the first time in the history of Nigeria was also symbolic, as everybody seems tired of a government that harbor and promote corruption. Within a year of its formation, the All Progressive Congress (APC) rose to power in 14 states. The APC also parade a presidential hopeful in person of General Muhammadu Buhari, who on its own has the capacity of winning a free and fair election even as an independent candidate.

    The 2015 election will be a vote for change. Irrespective of the alliances formed to build the next government, jump starting economic growth will be top priority. In this environment, corporations need to keep an ear to the ground and closely monitor the developments and their implications on business-related policy. The new progressive entrants into Nigerian politics should be observed closely, to evaluate how this will contribute to the new agenda.

    As a new government takes charge, communication and engagement strategies might need to be re-evaluated, and there will be a clear need for organizations to have a greater focus on fundamentals and longer term commitment, while being sensitive to the country’s demands.

     

    • Comrade Ahmed Omeiza Lukman,

    Kiev, Ukraine.

  • Why Bayelsa should vote for Jonathan, by Dickson

    Why Bayelsa should vote for Jonathan, by Dickson

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson spoke with reporters in Yenagoa, the state capital, on his activities. He also explained why the people should vote for President Goodluck Jonathan. MIKE ODIEGWU was there.

    The governorship election will not hold in Bayelsa State. But, can you deliver the state to the PDP at the presidential election?

    Nobody is talking about the governorship election in this state, because it is still far away. Anybody who is doing that has not calculated well. They are dancing too early and you know what happens to early dancers; they get tired early and fizzle out. Let us for now; sink all those ambitious; reasonable, unrealistic, whatever ambitious they may be. When the time comes, you put yourselves up for nominations.

    Let us gather and support the President’s election and deliver Bayelsa. Let’s join our leaders and friends across the country to work for the emergence of President Jonathan for him to continue with the business of transformation. And for Bayelsans, I look forward to collaborating with you all so that we can deliver a new and prosperous and peaceful Bayelsa State in Jesus name.

    What are your expectations about the poll?

    We are full of expectations concerning the presidential elections. For me unlike a number of people who seek power over men to bow down to other things; they do all kinds of funny things but we look up to God only. I believe that the fact that the presidential election is taking place on the anniversary of this government of restoration; it shows a very clear sign of victory. I have no doubt that the Peoples Democratic Party will be victorious. I have no doubt that our brother and leader, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will be victorious and the reasons are clear.

    We have a strong political party that is like a horse. If the war horse is strong, anyone can ride it to victory. The other party has not been tested yet at the national level. So, you are pitting the PDP tested old warhorse against an infantile contraption.

    We in the PDP through Mr President’s transformation agenda and the performing governors including myself have a good message of transformation that is powerful. What does the other side have? promises and criticisms and most of it sometimes unfair. So we believe that Nigerians will discern between what is real and on ground. It may not be perfect but they are seeing the honest efforts that the President is making.

    In every election, after you have talked about the platform and the programmes, you talk about the candidate himself. We have a good product to sell in President Jonathan and with the dexterity that he has shown in managing the affairs of the country at a time that is quite not too friendly; taking this country through this trying period, he has demonstrated that he is a statesman. I believe that our product is good enough to market itself. The Bible says, surely people will gather. It didn’t say people will not gather, but it tells you clearly what happens when the ungodly gather and they will surely scatter because when you do your best, God sees and He is interested in the affairs of the people because we are created in his image. When you do things to advance the cause of the people, then you become of interest to God. I call on you all to go and get your permanent voter’s cards because that is the power you will show. For us, we at the state are solidly behind the candidature of President Jonathan but we will not be able to join me to support if you don’t have your PVCs. I have told the chairman of councils and political leaders of the various local government areas to mobilize our people in order to get their PVCs so that they can cast their votes.

    The PDP in the state seems divided some any members of the party are still not happy about the outcome of the last party primaries. What is your take on the cracks in PDP?

    Let me assure you right away that the PDP in Bayelsa State is not divided; there is no crack. As a matter of fact, I want to use this opportunity to congratulate all the leaders and members of PDP in Bayelsa State and the work of the security agencies. If you have been following the political events and the outcome of the primaries, you will realize that the Bayelsa primaries were the least problematic. The Bayelsa primaries didn’t even give any challenge to the national authorities because members and aspirants conducted themselves peacefully. The processes that we followed were all inclusive and the outcome generally was more acceptable.

    Like in every contest, there are losers and winners. There are people who didn’t have the opportunity to actualize their ambition. And to such persons I say, today may not be your time, tomorrow may be yours. I keep reminding everybody that power flows from God. Generally, we are doing well as a party. There are very few cases of PDP members being dissatisfied and therefore going to contest against their party candidate’s on other platforms but we have not seen high level defections in this party arising from the primaries as we read about them in the newspapers everyday.

    The kind of leadership we are providing apart from building roads and other infrastructure extends to reforms in the political culture; that is why we subject people to their primaries. And in the local government elections, there was no single scratch or injuries to anybody. We have done what a lot of people thought was going to be very volatile party primaries. It was very peaceful. People should know that this is the hand of God visiting Bayelsa. It is only satanic and cultic characters that thrive in crisis; who always go against what is rationale and normal. This is not the time for such characters to come to Bayelsa because the light of God will repel and expose you. We may have had one or two isolated cases, which you can’t really rule out in the most advanced democratic governments. So it is a negligible phenomenon and by the time our reconciliation committee run its full course, there will be some understanding.

    Only recently we’ve witnessed an upsurge of criminal activities along the waterways and creeks in Bayelsa particularly the challenge of sea piracy. Also last year, the Maritime Union went on strike twice because of the issue of sea piracy, is your administration bothered about this problem and what is government doing to stem this tide?

    We are a government of law and order. If there is any government that has put security on the front burner, it is this restoration government. So we are concerned. Do we have an ideal security situation? No human security situation can be ideal and particularly the situation in our waterways has always presented a challenge. This is because of the difficult terrain and the challenge of funding. Security is very expensive. We know what we spent to maintain even the operation Doo Akpor when we came on board because we needed to reduce crime. We know the investments we have made. Security is expensive; you’ve to procure equipment, train men, pay allowances and so on. People don’t know what running a government means.

    They don’t know the sacrifices that we officials of government and security agents make. Just some days back I heard the news of the killing of law enforcement officers on the waterways but it is a challenge that we are responding to. I don’t think the approach the maritime workers took was the best. The maritime workers themselves have a role to play. They need to collaborate more with security agents because it is their own drivers who know the waterways and the terrain. All of us need to work together, so I call on members of the public to continue to collaborate with security agencies and give information on how sea pirates get their funding and so on.

    It is a disturbing trend but now in areas like Nembe, the incidence of sea piracy has reduced somewhat except for Brass, Akassa and parts of Southern Ijaw local government, which have always been areas of concern. If it hadn’t been the dwindling finances, we would have provided more support in terms of more platforms to security agencies. We had earlier provided 25 patrol gunboats to support their efforts.

  • Vote for continuity, Elliot urges electorate

    Vote for continuity, Elliot urges electorate

    Nollywood actor and House of Assembly candidate in Surelere Constituency 11 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Desmond Elliot has urged Lagosians to vote for continuity during the governorship election.

    He said Governor Babatunde Fashola has performed well, adding that the pace of development must be sustained.

    The politician described the Fashola Administration as the best in Africa, pointing out that its has fought the infrastructure battle and restored hope to the people.

    Elliot added: “That is why Lagosians must vote for continuity. There should be no gap in order to complete the on-going projects. Lagos has been used on many occasion as an example of good governance, not only in Nigeria, but other parts of the world.

    “On my part, if elected, I will ensure that the social needs of the people of my constituency remain paramount. I will equally support bills that will protect the rights of artistes to have decent income from their works.”

    The flag beaer Elliot said that Nigeria will be better, if the APC forms the next government at the centre.

  • UPU: Urhobo may vote for Jonathan, if…

    UPU: Urhobo may vote for Jonathan, if…

    The apex Urhobo socio-cultural group, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), may have tactically relaxed its hard stance about the Uvwiamughe Declaration.

    The union, at the weekend said it might support the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    UPU’s leadership had maintained, prior to the primaries of the political parties, that it would direct the over one million Urhobo electorate to vote for any party which gave its governorship ticket to an Urhobo politician.

    The union added that the block Urhobo vote would affect all elective positions, including the presidential election in 2015.

    The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not give its governorship ticket to an Urhobo aspirant, although two other parties – the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP) – elected Urhobo candidates in their primaries for the governorship office.

    But in a recent interview, UPU’s President-General Joe Omene said the organisation would not rush to a conclusion on who, among the presidential candidates, to vote for.

    He said the PDP governorship primaries might have been sabotaged to discredit Jonathan.

    The Urhobo leader stressed that the UPU would not just support any opposition party or President Jonathan for that matter.

    He said the union would first discuss with the candidates, peruse their plans for Urhobo before it would decide who to vote for next year.

    Omene said: “You see, in any system, there can be saboteurs. Maybe some overzealous people, who could be so close to the President, can frustrate his effort. I don’t think that the President himself will want to make sure the Urhobo suffer.

    “Sometimes, your aides can cause problems for you. The PDP is not just a ‘carry-go’ affair. The President should explain or discuss with the Urhobo nation and tell us why certain things happened. Then, we will understand. If the APC or any other party can gave us the governorship ticket, it’s equally your right for you still need to discuss with us. What is going to be our own, if we vote for you?

    “We will not just go out blindly and vote. But such people may have a better chance. Mr President and APC presidential candidate and any other presidential candidate will need to discuss with the Urhobo nation first before we can make up our mind. If you don’t talk to us, we will not blindly go out there and throw our ballot papers into your box. It won’t happen.”

  • ‘Vote for credible candidates’

    Nigerians have been urged to vote for credible candidates in next year’s general elections in the interest of democracy.

    The Lagos State Coordinator of the ‘Ward to Ward Initiative,’ a group in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Ayo Faseke, gave the advice in Lagos  at the meeting of the group.

    Explaining the objective of the group, he said:  “The Ward to Ward initiative by the PDP is a movement where the grassroots are empowered with knowledge on how to vote wisely. Each member of the group is expected to canvass for 20 votes for President Goodluck Jonathan during the election.

    “The initiative is also aimed at educating the people on one man, one vote. We are also drumming support for the Lagos State PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje. Our priority is to encourage people to vote for credible candidates.”