The Nation Newspaper

Tag: voters

  • INEC commissioner urges Nigerians to embrace Continuous Voters Registration

    INEC commissioner urges Nigerians to embrace Continuous Voters Registration

    THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner in charge of Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, has reiterated the importance of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR), saying that all eligible voters whose names are not in the voters’ register should take advantage of the opportunity provided by the commission. He said without the registration they would not be able to vote in future elections.

    Ogunmola, who made the remark during the kick off of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in Surulere, Lagos said the registration applies to Nigerians who are 18 years and above, who have not registered before and those who have registered but their names are not in the voters’ register.

    He urged the eligible voters to present themselves at the commission’s offices in all local government areas between 9am and 3pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), to participate in the exercise, adding that Temporary Voters Card (TVC) will be issued to registrants at the point of the day.

    The commissioner said the CVR represents an important milestone in the commission’s mandate to consolidate democracy in the country, by delivering free, fair and credible elections.

    He said: “The primary aim of this event is to register eligible voters who have just matured into the voting age of 18 years and those who for one reason or the other could not register previously, so they can participate in the forthcoming general elections.

    “Related to this aim is the update of the voters’ register, to reflect transfers and deaths in accordance with Section 10 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), which requires the commission to update the Voters’ Register and make it available to every political party within 60 days after each year of registration.”

    Ogunmola said the period of the CVR is also an opportunity for those who have registered, but have not collected their Permanent Voters Card (PVC), to do so.

    He said the exercise will equally take care of other cases, such as: “A person who has registered before, but his/her name, photograph and/or fingerprints was/were not captured; this category of person must provide his/her Temporary Voter’s Card (TVC). A person who has a PVC or TVC, but his/her name is not on the register of voters”.

    The commissioner also urged eligible voters that have moved to a different location to seize the opportunity to transfer their registration.

    The procedure for the transfer of registration, he added, could be summarised in the following four steps: “The person seeking to transfer their registration should make an application to the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the state he/she is resident in through his/her Electoral Officer; a Registration Area Officer (RAO) will issue a form, Application for Transfer of a Registered Voter (ECTF), to the registered voter applying for the transfer for approval by the Resident Electoral Officer; once the REC has confirmed that the applicant is resident in the area, the application will be approved and the applicant’s details will be transferred to his/her new location; and the transfer will be accordingly effected on our server.”

    The Sole Administrator, Surulere Local Government, Hon. Sheriff Balogun, said he was happy that the area was chosen for the kick off in Lagos. He urged the people to come out and register, so that they could vote in subsequent elections.

    He said the high turn-out for the kick off suggests that the council had made adequate effort to inform the people about the importance of exercise. He added: “But, since it is a continuous exercise, we will not relent; we will continue to pass across the necessary information to the people, through relevant departments of the local government, to make that all residents of Surulere gets to know about this programme. To assist INEC, we will ensure that posters advertising this registration is displayed all over Surulere and that the leaflets are distributed to the people.

  • Voters defy rain to vote

    Voters defy rain to vote

    Constituents of Ward 8, Unit 1, Rumuomasi, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area have defied an afternoon downpour to perform their civil responsibility. The rain which started at 2.10pm drenched some voters who came for the re-run legislative election. Voting took place at the state Primary School, Rumuomasi.
    Voters who spoke to journalist said they were determined to exercise their civic right to vote in spite of the rain. Many said they had to stay in the rain before they could vote. Many said they hid inside the classrooms for the rain to subside before they came out to vote for their preferred candidate.
    “The rain didn’t really disturb people from voting because many of us were determined to vote, rain or no rain. There is serious need for outré state to put this election behind us as soon as possible. So, we see the rain as nothing more than a slight distraction that must be defied,” a voter told our reporter.
    The security agents, in the efforts to avert any unpalatable situation, only opened one of the gates into the school where they conducted No Voters Card No Entry. This made many youths to hang around streets outside the school fences where gun shots were heard occasionally as the rain was on.

  • ‘Why voters should reject PDP’

    ‘Why voters should reject PDP’

    The Supervisor for Edo State Neighboughhood Watch and former President of Edo State Students Union, Lagos chapter, Collins Idahosa, in this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, explains why the people will not vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Why are you supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Godwin Obaseki?

    We are canvassing support for Godwin Obaseki in view of his experience as a technocrat, who made immense contributions to the development of Edo State. Being the chairman of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole Economic Team, he brought his wealth of experience to bear on the state. This was testified to by the comrade governor himself. He said Obaseki is behind the streaks of successes the administration recorded in the state. Given that Governor Oshiohmole has really worked hard, to improve the lives of Edo people, the administration made remarkable impact in infrastructure development. He ensures that the people leapfrog in academic sphere, these are some of the testimonies the people could lay hands on. We should not lose sight that Obaseki was a major think tank of the economy of Edo.

    With such pedigree, I do believe that it will not be out of place, to allow him occupy the position in the next four year as the governor. This will enable him continue with the solid foundation laid by Governor Oshiomhole. A man behind such inputs should be given the opportunity to continue where the comrade governor stops. Obaseki has come out to promise Edo people that he will provide 200,000 jobs for the youth. I think it is wise for the Edo people to consider him for the office given his impeccable track records. Our problem in the state right now is job opportunity, though this is not peculiar to the state alone, but those who have the capacity to make an impression in the provision of jobs should be allowed to prove themselves. We are aware of Obadeki’s effort at the Stock Exchange Market and provision of opportunities for so many people.

    It has been said that some of the areas the governor made lasting impression are the grassroots…

    I am from Ovia Southwest Local Government Area of the state, with all sense of honesty, there were no roads liking my people with other major communities. There is a river that forms a barrier between the people of my community and those of other communities. Previous governments have only come to collect our votes without constructing a bridge over the river to facilitate smooth transit. They claimed that the river has mermaid spirit and therefore, it was not possible to construct bridge across the river. But, with the coming of the comrade governor, the situation changed. We now have a road linking the people of my community to other parts of Edo. Prior to the construction of the road, we used to pay over a N1000 to get across, but now with less than N200 the journey is made. We are not exaggerating or trying to lay claim to what is not verifiable. The facts are there and you can visit the place to confirm what I have said. That is just one of the examples. We are equally aware of the North Ibie road in Etsako East. The people of the communities have been allowed to rot by past governments, but with the coming of Oshiomhole villages like Imiakebu, Itsukwi, Imiegba and Okpekpe have been relieved of their nightmarish experience. Okpekpe for instance, has become a global sport arena that hosts the marathon race. The comrade governor gave them light, water and good roads. So, if we say talking of continuity, then continuity for infrastructure development must continue. The promise made by Obaseki to provide 200,000 jobs must be allowed to become a reality.

    You said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) does not mean well for Edo, how?

    The terrible experience the people of Edo State had under the PDP government is not what anybody will pray to experience again. We are aware of how the PDP shared and looted the treasury, when it was in control of the state. They only went to Abuja collect the allocation and shared the money among the leadership of the party. The people of the state were almost bleeding to death. The roads were not maintained, schools had no roof over them, landlords abandoned their homes to rent houses in areas we had less flood. The funniest thing about the whole drama is that the man contesting on the platform of the PDP was a part of that administration. They did not offer anything; no bursary was paid to students. When I was the National President of Edo State Student, Lagos, on two occasions I led a protest to the Edo Liaison Office, but nothing was done, rather they intimidated us with treat of arrest. They put some spurious allegations over us. That was why we came out openly to say we are going to support Oshiomhole, when he contested for governor of the state.

    So, what are your plans to ensure that Obaseki realize his dream?

    What we have on the table now is to mobilise and be in Edo for the election. We are fully prepared to storm Edo with our team, to ensure that we save the state from the hands of the hawks that almost killed the state. We are going to cast our vote for the right candidate. We have hundreds of our members going to Edo for the election. We are very concerned about what happened to the people of our dear state. We are also aware that the PDP candidate is surrounded by the same hawks which bled Edo in the past. We are very sure they will repeat the same thing if their candidate wins, God forbid. During the PDP day, parents could not afford to send their children to schools, where they did; the dilapidated nature of the schools was nothing to reflect upon. Sending them to school them was like sending your child to face death. The schools were weakened by years of neglect; the structure could collapse on the innocent pupils, seeking education to better their future. When it was raining, you see the school pupils, running back home and of course some parents lost their children under the terrible circumstance. So, for such administration coming back to tell the people that they should be returned to office, sounds most unfortunate and wicked. I know that Edo people have rational minds; they don’t get carried aware by trivial religious sentiments because the man suddenly claims to be a pastor. We are aware of the past, we are great people, and we assess people by their conduct and action. Edo people will not allow a repetition of what happened in the past, they certainly will not give PDP any chance for now because they are yet to overcome the trauma of the PDP leadership.

  • Trump’s asinine appeal to African-American voters

    SIR: Just when it seemed like Republican presidential entrant Donald Trump, a man known for his unchecked bravado, had turned a new leaf after he expressed “regret” over some of his past comments of insults and racialism, he once again displayed his continuous lack of meaningful direction in an attempted outreach to black voters.

    In that ostensible pitch for African American votes made on Friday August 19th before a virtually all-white audience in Michigan, he reportedly said: “Tonight, I’m asking for the vote of every single African-American citizen in this country who wants to see a better future…What do you have to lose by trying something new, like Trump? You’re living in poverty, your schools are no good, you have no jobs, 58 percent of your youth is unemployed — what the hell do you have to lose?”

    If I may ask, does he really think he can appeal to black voters with such condescending fallacies and indecorous annotations?

    My answer to this question from a man who has repeatedly rebuffed invitations from black colleges and organizations to appear before African American audiences, then addresses white audiences about blacks is that the African Americans have everything to lose by voting a man whose policies are conceived in xenophobic spasm.

    His first mistake was to group black people as one monolith. Secondly, he took the worst example of black people and applied their circumstances to all black people in America. Just like other races in America, not all black people are poor, unemployed, nor do they all live in crime riddled areas.

    Trump’s comments betray his mistaken impression that only blacks do drugs, only blacks are on welfare, only blacks are dependent on the government, only blacks are involved in crimes and gangs. As it has been largely observed, many have been persuaded to pitch their tent with Trump largely on the single issue of his presumed pro-business credentials. But again, a man who has filed for bankruptcy four times in 25 years, and in the process, stiffed thousands of small-business creditors hardly seems to be good for business judging by American standard.

    Governance is not about incivility. It is about policies, strategies and advocacy working side by side with citizenship participation.

    Donald Trump, in my view, lacks respect for citizens of the country that he claims to want to represent and help lead without inequity. He only cares about people who share in his contemptuousness and fit in with his group.

    Donald Trump’s “black outreach” campaign is simply an attempt to rob African Americans of their political intelligence and decision-making.

     

    • David Dimas,

    Maryland, U.S.A

  • Oshiomhole urges voters to shun blackmail

    Oshiomhole urges voters to shun blackmail

    The Edo State Government has called on local government workers and other indigenes to shun the blackmailers in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the state prepares for the governorship election.

    A statement by the Executive Director, Media and Public Affairs, Mr. John Mayaki, said: “For the umpteenth time, Edo State Government is not owing workers’ salaries. Governor Adams Oshiomhole is not responsible to the payment of local government workers. If any local government is owing salaries, it is the duty of such council to pay. However, it’s a pity we lost one of our citizens on Wednesday during a PDP-induced protest. We console with the family of the deceased and our hearts go to them at this moment of grief”.

    Mayaki called on the people to be vigilant, adding that some political elements wanted to pitch the people against a workers’-friendly government to achieve their nefarious political ends.

    He added: “The Nigerian Labour Congress – state and national – didn’t mince words last week when they named Governor Adams Oshiomhole among two other governors, as “Workers’ Friendly Governors, who care about workers’ welfare and pay salaries as at and when due.”

  • Obiano, Umeh, Maku woo Edo voters for APGA

    Obiano, Umeh, Maku woo Edo voters for APGA

    Leaders of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) have told electorates in Edo State that their candidate for the September 10 governorship election, Mr. Osaro Onaiwu, is capable of continuing from where Governor Adams Oshiomhole will stop.

    They said Onaiwu would replicate the developmental strides in Anambra State in Edo State.

    Chieftains of APGA that stormed Edo State last weekend for the flagging-off campaign of the party included Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, former Minister of Information and Orientation, Labaran Maku, and former National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh

    Obiano, in his remark, said Onaiwu will continue the good work Oshiomhole has done.

    Obiano said the Oshiomole has done excellently well in developing the state, but that it was imperative there is continuation of the good work already started.

    He promised that Onaiwu would continue and build on the legacies of the governor.

    He said: “We are not here to criticize anybody. The  Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomole has done well by developing the state but we need somebody that can continue from where he has stopped. “

  • Governor, Akeredolu call for extension of voters’ registration

    Governor, Akeredolu call for extension of voters’ registration

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the continuous voters’ registration to enable willing and eligible voters exercise their franchise.

    The continuous voters’ registration ended yesterday in Ondo.

    Mimiko, who spoke yesterday when he inspected the exercise in some wards in Ondo, noted that the number of enthusiastic eligible voters might not be captured within the five days stipulated for the exercise. The five days elapsed yesterday.

    Mimiko was accompanied by the lawmaker representing Ondo East/West in the House of Representatives, Joseph Akinlaja.

    He said if INEC wanted to fulfill its ultimate aim of allowing every eligible Nigerian to exercise his or her franchise, the electoral body must extend the time of the exercise.

    “You can see that today, being the last day of the exercise, the people are still waiting. Everywhere I have been to, it’s the same story of many young men and women waiting to register.”

    “There is no question about the fact that there are many of those who are willing to get registered that will not be accommodated within this time frame. So we will continue to plead with INEC to appreciate the fact that extension is very essential. The ultimate aim of INEC is to ensure that every wiling Nigerian be given the opportunity,” he said.

    Former president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Rotimi Akerodulu has also appealed to INEC to extend the ongoing Continuous Voters’ Registration to ensure that some people are not disenfranchised.

    Akeredolu, who made the appeal in a statement yesterday by Aketi Media Group, said he had received many complaints about the exercise, adding that a number of technical itches had been reported since it began five days ago.

  • Voters shun Ekiti LG polls 

    Voters shun Ekiti LG polls 

    •APC hails boycott •Fayose says turnout impressive

    The local government election conducted in Ekiti State on Saturday recorded an unprecedented low turnout of voters.

    Unlike the 2014 governorship election and the general elections conducted earlier in the year, voters stayed away from the local government election in virtually all units, wards and council areas visited by reporters.

    Only the electoral officials, security officers and agents of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were present at all the polling units opened for voting at the election.

    The presence of only PDP agents at the election was contrary to the claim of  Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) that five parties are participating in the election.

    The five parties on the ballot are PDP, United Progressives Party (UPP), KOWA, African Peoples Alliance (APA) and Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN).

    In Ado, the state capital, Ikere, Ikole, Otun, Ido, Ifaki, Omuo, Ise, Igede, Aramoko, Okemesi, Ayetoro, Iworoko, Iyin, Efon and Ilawe, voter apathy was apparent with residents staying indoors while other were seen drinking at beer joints .

    Some presiding officers confirmed the low turnout of the electorate at their units with the polling officials and security agents idle.

    The directive of EKSIEC that voting should commence at 1.00 pm after accreditation, expected to have taken place between 8.00 am and 12 noon was violated in many polling stations in the state capital where voting had commenced as early as 10.00 am.

    In Ado  Ward 9, Unit 008 opposite Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), only 20 voters have been accredited out of 1,450 voters registered at the unit at about 11.30 pm.

    At Unit 006, Ajitadidun Ward 9 in Ado, only 16 voters have been accredited and voted  out of 1,471 whose names appear on the register as at 11.41 am while 18 voters out 1,046 have been accredited and cast their votes as at 11.49 am.

    At Unit 016 Ward 5 in Okeyinmi area in Ado, only 11 voters have accredited and voted out of 626 registered voters as at 11.17 am.

    EKSIEC Chairman, Justice Kayode Bamisile, absolved his agency from blame over early voting recorded in many parts of Ado and absence of agents of the four other political parties cleared to participate at the poll.

    Speaking on the poor turnout, Bamisile said: “It is very easy to take the horse to the river but you cannot force the horse to drink water”.

    Governor Ayo Fayose described the council poll as free, fair and credible contending that the turnout was ‘impressive’. Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, Fayose also commended voters for turning out to cast their votes.

    He said: “The information we are getting have been impressive. The turnout was impressive. In some places, the turnout  were very impressive , while people came out late in some areas. But  the turnout has been impressive.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) hailed voters for boycotting the local government poll saying “ the people behaved honourably for staying away from the election boycotted by all political parties except the PDP”.

    Berating Fayose for holding the election despite pendency of the election case at the Court of Appeal, the party also accused the governor of wasting N300 million of taxpayers’ money on an election that would not stand the test of legality.

    Meanwhile, the gubernatorial candidate of the Accord Party in the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, Kole Ajayi, a lawyer, has condemned the weekend local government election.

    He said the poll was fraudulently organised by Fayose, who understood that the exercise was patently illegal, but still went ahead to conduct the poll after allegedly voting N300m, half of which would be misapplied for selfish reasons.

  • ‘APC plots to induce voters with fake dollar, naira’

    ‘APC plots to induce voters with fake dollar, naira’

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State alleged yesterday that it had uncovered plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to induce voters with over two billion fake naira and dollar notes.

    It claimed the fake currencies were already in circulation.

    In a statement to reporters in Yenagoa, the Director of Publicity of the Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite, urged the public to examine the money they collected from members of the opposition party.

    Obuebite, who said the act was criminal and punishable under the law, asserted that PDP learnt that over N2 billion had been put in circulation by the APC to influence voters in a desperate move to rig Saturday’s election.

    He alleged that the party resorted to printing and circulation of fake currencies because of its inability to raise enough funds, since the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) failed to fund the campaign of its governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva.

     

    Obuebite hailed President Muhammadu Buhari, who, he claimed, stopped the NDDC from releasing about N4 billion meant to fund the campaign of the APC candidate.

    PDP enjoined the security operatives and other relevant agents to step into the matter and bring the culprits to book.

  • Kogi: INEC begins  distribution of PVCs to voters

    Kogi: INEC begins  distribution of PVCs to voters

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to newly registered voters in Kogi.

    Mr. Daniel Kure, Head of Department (HOD) Voter Education, INEC Office, Lokoja, made the announcement on Monday in Lokoja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said that the distribution of PVCs, which commenced on Nov. 14, would continue till Nov. 20, adding that there were over 47, 000 newly registered voters in all the 21 LGAs across the state.

    He called on registered voters to visit INEC offices in their various LGAs to collect their PVCs to enable them participate in the Nov. 21 governorship election in the state.

    Kure also announced that a meeting of all stakeholders in the election would hold on Nov. 17 at Riverton Hotel, Lokoja by 10 am.

    He said that dignitaries expected at the meeting includes; INEC Chairman, Mr Yakub Mahmoud, the lnspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, and the Director General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi