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Tag: 2019 Elections

  • CAN declares January 10 national day of prayers for success of 2019 polls

    President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle on Saturday declared January 10, 2019 as national day of prayers for free, fair and credible election.

    The prayer session, Ayokunle said is also for the freedom of Leah Sharibu and others in the captivity of the Boko Haram terrorists.

    CAN disclosed that the prayer will be organized in Abuja and all the State capitals nationwide between 11:00 in the morning and 2:00 in the afternoon asking God to prevent violence, manipulation, intimidation of voters and other electoral crimes.

    He urged all churches and all Christians in the country to participate in the programme to usher the country into a new era of peace, unity, safety and prosperity.

    A statement issued in Abuja by the Acting General Secretary of CAN, Joseph Daramola said: “Christian politicians especially those contesting for any of the elections, all Christian groups or organisations and all stakeholders are invited to participate in the programme. CAN urges all Christian Groups, denominational, church and block leaders of CAN or their representatives to assemble at the National Christian Centre, Abuja on 10th January for this all important prayer meeting. All Christian candidates for all the elective offices or their representatives are also invited as they will be prayed for to be good Ambassadors of Christ before, during and after the election.

    “CAN asks all State Chairmen and all denominational leaders to organize similar programme and Christian candidates who could not make it to Abuja, especially those who are contesting for State Assembly or positions of Governor to attend the one being organised at the State level.

    “We are to pray for all Christians contesting for one post or the other for the will of God to be done concerning their ambition. That the powerful in our nation will not be able to manipulate the election and edge them out.

    “We will also pray for the following: That all captives in the den of the terrorists like Leah Sharibu, the Chibok girls should be set free immediately. That the general election should be free, fair and credible. That it should be violence – free and without any bloodshed. That God should use the process to give the country good and godly leaders at all levels. That every evil plan against Nigeria be frustrated. That 2019 should be a New Dawn for Nigeria. That God should stop all groups behind the killings in Nigeria and their financiers. We urge you to please attach utmost importance to this prayer program for 2019 elections.”

  • INEC reaches truce with ASUU on 2019 elections

    INEC reaches truce with ASUU on 2019 elections

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has agreed to participate in the 2019 General Election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced.

    The announcement was made via the Commission’s verified Twitter handle, @inecnigeria

    Earlier, the Commission had said that its chairman would meet with the national leadership of ASUU in Abuja on Friday (today).

    The purpose of the meeting, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu revealed in a statement on INEC website, “is to discuss the ongoing strike by the Union but only in relation to our preparations for the General Elections.”

    “We are concerned that the bulk of critical election duty staff are drawn from the universities.

    “We are determined to ensure that the (electoral) processes are not affected by the Union’s industrial action.

    “ASUU is a critical partner to the Commission in delivering credible elections.

    “We look forward to the meeting and we are confident of a positive outcome,” INEC boss said.

     

  • Nigeria can’t afford to ‘mess up’ 2019 polls – United States

    The United States Government has appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure the conduct of a peaceful election to sustain the nation’s fragile democracy.

    The United States Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs Tibor P. Nagy Jr. made the plea before the U.S. House of Representatives, Sub-Committee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organisations.

    His submission shows that the United States believes the general elections put Nigeria at a crossroads.

    Read excerpts from his speech:

    Introduction

    The title of this hearing is “Nigeria at a Crossroads: The Upcoming Elections.” The Department of State agrees with the view that Nigeria’s February 2019 national elections are a critical test. The conduct of the elections could have significant consequences for the democratic trajectory of Nigeria, West Africa, and the entire continent.

    The conduct of the 2015 Nigerian elections, although by no means perfect, was a step forward for Nigeria’s democracy. That contest resulted in Nigeria’s first-ever democratic transfer of power to a non-incumbent party, thereby increasing capacity and improving conduct of Nigerian democratic institutions and election bodies.

    Key Goals and Actions

    In advance of the 2019 elections, the U.S. government continues to support the Nigerian goal of free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people. Through diplomacy, robust public engagement including with Nigeria’s youth and civil society, and democracy and governance programs, we are helping the country to strengthen its democratic institutions and processes. The United States does not support any single candidate. We support a democratic process that is free, fair, transparent, peaceful, and reflects the will of the Nigerian people.

    The U.S. government has developed a comprehensive election strategy to plan and coordinate our efforts. We have three main objectives:

    Support a free and fair electoral process, including technical assistance to Nigeria’s election institutions, civil society, and political parties as well as U.S. government monitoring of the election around the country; Prevent and mitigate electoral violence, including conflict monitoring, peacebuilding programs, and peace messaging; Support civic and political engagement, including support to Nigerian civil society election observation and parallel vote tabulation, social media campaigns to engage youth including through our Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), “get out the vote” campaigns, voter education, and Nigerian efforts to counter disinformation.

    To advance our strategy, we have sustained high-level diplomatic engagement from Washington as well as robust and regular engagement by our Ambassador, Consul General, USAID Mission Director, and other officials based in Abuja and Lagos. Earlier this year, President Trump welcomed President Buhari to the White House and conveyed our expectations for a credible election. Two Secretaries of State, USAID Administrator Green, Deputy Secretary of State Sullivan, and many others have either traveled to Nigeria or met with senior Nigerian officials in the United States to underscore our commitment to free, fair, transparent, and peaceful Nigerian elections in the last twelve months.

    The State Department also hosted the Nigerian Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman in late October to observe U.S. preparation for mid-term elections and discuss challenges surrounding Nigeria’s elections. During this visit, INEC Chairman Yakubu observed early voting in Maryland, and met with Congressional staff, U.S. electoral civil society and legal experts, and U.S. government officials. The Chairman also met with USAID Administrator Green and Under Secretary for Political Affairs Hale.

    I recently returned from Nigeria as part of my first trip to the continent. It was great to be back in Nigeria where I served as Charge d ‘Affairs in 2016 and Deputy Chief of Mission from 1993-1995, and convey our expectations and concerns for the elections in person. I met with leadership from the two main political parties, INEC Chairman Yakubu, and civil society organisations, delivering public messages on the elections in a speech and in press engagements and private messages with key stakeholders.

    That is just a summary of our Washington-focused diplomatic engagement on these elections. Our Ambassador and the Mission in Nigeria are working to advance our goals every day. My colleague from USAID will tell you more about the USAID programs in support of our three objectives. And, I can assure you that the U.S. government will remain intensely focused on the Nigerian elections in the coming months.

    Expectations and Concerns

    I know many of you are watching the election closely. We share many of the areas of concern that you have voiced. We are monitoring and messaging – both publicly and privately – to mitigate a few key areas of risk that could jeopardise a free and fair process. For example: potential attacks on the legitimacy of INEC and the electoral process for political gain; intimidation and partisanship by security forces; heightened insecurity, terrorist attacks on elections institutions, or violence towards voters, observers, or electoral officials; an inability of large numbers of internally displaced persons or persons with disabilities to vote; voter suppression, the use of armed gangs for voter intimidation, and other drivers of electoral violence, including a lack of official condemnation of hate speech and disinformation; wide-spread vote buying that challenges the integrity of the electoral process.

    On November 18, the start of official campaigning, our Mission in Abuja released a statement with 25 like-minded missions to express our desire to see free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections, specifically naming many of these concerns. I can assure you we will be watching closely for instigators of violence or those attempting to undermine the democratic process.

    Many of you have expressed particular concern about violence around these elections. I can tell you from my impressions during my travels and my previous service in Nigeria that I fear there will be some violence around these elections, as has been the case with previous elections. I do not anticipate large-scale nation-wide conflict, but rather localised violence. We are already seeing increased tensions and polarisation as the election approaches. We assess that politicians are turning to narratives of identity politics in an attempt to improve their popularity, with potentially serious consequences for national unity. However, Nigeria’s political system and society have weathered such tensions before.

    But, let me underscore that the U.S. government takes the risk of any loss of human life extremely seriously. As I just mentioned, preventing electoral violence is one of our three main objectives for our diplomacy and programs. When I was in Nigeria, I asked officials from both major parties to sign pledges that their candidates would conduct peaceful campaigns, and both major candidates have now signed a peace pledge. In assessing potential “hot spots” for violence, we look at places that are historically volatile around elections such as Rivers and Borno states. We look at states that are currently tense, especially if state-level politics are contentious like those in Benue, Plateau, as well as those in high-stakes locations with large populations such as Kano. We regularly engage with civil society organizations working in these “hotspots” and support their peacebuilding efforts. USAID programs and our public diplomacy campaigns also support peace campaigns across the country, such as #VoteNotFight. Through our YALI Network Nigeria campaign, Nigerians have made over 10,000 pledges to boost voter participation, reject violence, and vote with integrity.

    Conclusion

    As I said in a speech in Nigeria, only the Nigerian people can determine lasting solutions and a path forward toward peace and stability. 2019 will be a significant year for Nigerian democracy – it has been 20 years since the country returned to democratic rule and this election’s youngest voters have never known a Nigeria without democracy. The upcoming elections provide Nigerians an opportunity to shape their country and solidify its place as a democratic leader in Africa.

  • INEC inaugurates two committees ahead of 2019 elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has inaugurated two committees to ensure the smooth conduct of the 2019 general election.

    The swearing in ceremony took place on Thursday at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

    After the inauguration, the chairman, Mahmood Yakubu said he would meet with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Friday by 4pm at the union’s secretariat to discuss the strike it embarked on and how it affects the election.

    The first committee will cover logistics for the election while the second committee will take care of ‘in-house’ affairs, according to Mr Yakubu.

    The logistics committee is made up representatives from Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Immigration, Nigerian Army, Air force, Navy, Custom, Department of State Security Service (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the police, and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria.

    Mr Yakubu also said the commission would meet with the Nigerian Labour Congress next week as part of the preparation for the elections.

    ABM Muazu, speaking for the committee, appreciated the commission for the responsibility, while assuring the chairman and the nation that the committee will do whatever is needed to ensure a smooth process.

     

  • Guber candidates, Agbaje, Sanwo-Olu ring in 2019 in unity [Photos]

    Guber candidates, Agbaje, Sanwo-Olu ring in 2019 in unity [Photos]

    Governorship candidates, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ‎rang in 2019 in unity attending New Year’s Day mass together in Lagos state.

    Agbaje and Sanwo-Olu sing along during mass at Holy Cross Cathedral
    Agbaje and Sanwo-Olu sing along during mass at Holy Cross Cathedral

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the two Lagos state governorship candidates attended the 2019 New Year’s Day mass held at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos Island, on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

    Agbaje and Sanwo-Olu seated at the Holy Cross Cathedral
    Agbaje and Sanwo-Olu seated at Holy Cross Cathedral

    The PDP and APC candidates, who will battle it out for who becomes the next governor of Lagos state in the 2019 elections, were both pictured together at the Holy Cross Cathedral, where they marked the beginning of the year.

    Agbaje and Sanwo-Olu clap during mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral
    Agbaje and Sanwo-Olu clap during mass at Holy Cross Cathedral

    The candidates were also pictured with the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins; Lady Neta Nwosu, President, Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN), Lagos Archdiocese, and Dame Marie Fatayi-Williams, CAMPAN Patron.

    Lady Nwosu, Sanwo-Olu, Martins, Agbaje and Dame Fatayi-williams at Holy Cross Cathedral
    Lady Nwosu, Sanwo-Olu, Martins, Agbaje, and Dame Fatayi-Williams at Holy Cross Cathedral

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, 16th February.

    The Governorship and State Assembly/Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council elections have been scheduled for Saturday, 2nd March 2019.

     

  • Nigeria’s future will be determined by outcome of 2019 election – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says voting decisions of Nigerians in the 2019 general elections will determine the future of the country.

    Uche Secondus, the party’s National Chairman, stated this in his New Year message issued by his Media Aide, Ike Abonyi, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He advised Nigerians to see 2019 as “the restoration year” for the country.

    He said 2019 was critical in the life of the nation as it would be a turning point in the emerging political evolution.

    “The general election in the country this year 2019 provides ample opportunity for the country to be rescued and restored as the biggest black nation in the world both economically and politically.

    “This year provides us the ground to save our democracy and the country from the comatose state misrule has placed it.”

    Mr Secondus said that 2019 provided the way to correct the mistake Nigeria made in 2015, saying that good decisions by the voters in 2019 is needed to recover the country.

    “Our nation did not bargain for this quantum of avoidable bloodletting and loss of human lives when it voted in 2015.

    “Nigerians did not vote in 2015 for their economy which was the best in the continent to be so damaged to merit her the `poòr’ capital of the World.

    “It was not the desire of Nigerians in 2015 when they voted to have such frightening unemployment record as confirmed by the National Bureau of Statistics after nearly four years,” the chairman said.

    He noted that growing insecurity in the land, senseless killings across the country and mauling down of our troops by terrorists raised a lot of concern and called for real change in the nation’s polity.

    He said that it would be a huge disservice to the nation if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to give the country free, fair and credible elections in 2019 to enable the will of the people to prevail as to who governs them.

    He said that huge consequences await anybody who whether directly or indirectly did anything to undermine the will of the people by trying to manipulate the electoral process.

    Mr Secondus advised security agencies in the country to remember that their responsibility was to Nigeria and Nigerians and not to a particular government in power at a time by remaining transparently neutral in all political matters.

    “Anything otherwise from security agencies during this electioneering and always amounts to great disservice to the people of Nigeria whose tax pay they use for their upkeep,” he said.

    Mr Secondus said that the PDP elevated Nigeria’s democratic status by introducing electoral reforms that saw it defeated and had a seamless transition to an opposition.

    He said if the party could do that, the democratic world should be concerned at the president’s refusal to sign an amended Electoral Act that would have facilitated a smooth and transparent election.

    “In wishing Nigerians a prosperous and trouble-free new year, the National Chairman, however, advised them to take their destiny in their hands by not only coming out massively to cast their votes but to be ready and prepared to defend them.”

    He urged the global democracies to show more than passing interests in the country’s general election because of the strategic importance of Nigeria in the democratic community of Africa.

  • 2019: INEC warns staff not to betray public trust

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it will not hesitate to discipline any staff found to have betrayed public trust during the 2019 general election.

    INEC Public Affairs Officer in Akwa Ibom, Mr Don Etukudo gave the warning in a statement in Uyo on Sunday.

    Etukudo urged INEC staff to ensure that the commission is able to deliver free, fair and credible election to the people of the state in line with its mandate.

    “In the last one year, the commission have been counseling staff on how to ensure a successful 2019 general election and will initiate disciplinary measures on staff that compromise the process,” he said.

    He said the commission had withdrawn some electoral officers from the field and re-assigned them to different Local Government Areas (LGAs) other than where they were serving before.

    According to him, the exercise is a strategic re-organisation and re-positioning to ensure that the process leading to the general election is fool proof.

    Etukudo said the commission was rejuvenating and re-positioning its personnel to the core values of integrity and impartiality necessary to drive them towards delivering on the commission’s mandate.

    He urged politicians in the state to steer clear of INEC’s staff in the forthcoming general election by refraining from “unethical engagement” that may jeopardise the careers of the staff.

    Etukudo further said INEC staff recently elevated had been given their letters of promotion.

    He enjoined the affected staff to reciprocate the gesture by re-dedicating and committing themselves to the mandate of the commission.

     

  • 2019: Councilors forum speaks on preferred presidential candidate

    The All Former Councillors Forum of Nigeria, says it will only support a presidential candidate that will grant full administrative and fiscal autonomy to the local government system in Nigeria.

    The Adamawa Branch Chairman of the Forum, Mr Abdullahi Adamu, made the disclosure on Sunday in Yola.

    Adamu said that the forum considered and believed in the aspiration of Nigerians to deepen democracy and economy in the grassroots.

    “The All Former Councillors Forum of Nigeria had resolved to support any presidential candidate that will grant full and fiscal autonomy to the local government system in Nigeria.

    ” The forum also will consider any candidate that will restructure the tenure system of local government councils, to reflect the wishes of the grassroots,” Adamu said.

    He said that in spite the economic and social challenges, the 2019 elections would usher in a new `page of hope’ and progress for all Nigerians.

    He called on all members of the forum nationwide to work collectively and vigorously in order to achieve a common goal.

     

  • 2019 election: APC Chieftain plays down debates after Obi, Osinbajo, others outing

    2019 election: APC Chieftain plays down debates after Obi, Osinbajo, others outing

    After the outing of Yemi Osinbajo, Peter Obi and other candidates in the vice presidential debates, immediate past Commissioner for Works in Lagos State has played down importance of the debates.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the former commissioner, Ganiyu Johnson, on Sunday said the debates would not determine who would win the 2019 presidential elections in Nigeria.

    Johnson, who recently resigned to run as the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for Oshodi Isolo II Federal Constituency, made the assertions at an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos.

    He spoke against the backdrop of the debate between vice-presidential candidates of five political parties on Saturday and the upcoming Presidential debate scheduled for Jan.19.

    It was organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG) and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON).

    Johnson argued that though, debates might have counted in other climes, in Nigeria majority of voters do not watch such debates, but vote based on benefits from governance.

    He was, however, optimistic that that President Muhammadu Buhari would have a landslides victory at the polls.

    Johnson said: “Debates are good for the enlightened, but you cannot use it to judge.

    “Most of the viewers are not voters. You can make statistical judgment from it, but it doesn’t affect results or show voting patterns.

    “How many market women or ordinary Nigerians tuned in for the debate?

    “The elites who did are the ones crediting or discrediting the contestants based on their affiliations and these group of Nigerians hardly vote. Their criticisms and choices end on the internet.

    “This is not to say that such debates are bad as it gives an idea of the performances of the present administration and an opportunity for the opposition parties to tell Nigerians who watch and the International community what they could have done differently.

    “In this case, it was obvious that there is no alternative to the present administration, having watched the debate and realising that no other party has better plans than the APC.”

    Johnson said that the achievements of the Buhari-led administration were being felt by Nigerians across the country and the administration have scored over 80 per cent in performance in less than four years.

    “It is the elites that are exaggerating what is not. If you benchmark us today, you will see that our performance is so high in spite of the fact that we met the problems we are tackling.

    “We met 16 years of rot, and we have tried to contain them and move the country forward. APC will take Nigeria, not only to the next level, but the desired level,” he said.

    On the Wharf Apapa road gridlock, the former Commissioner of Works, said that the only solution was an alternative route.

    “While there is need for expansion and serious rehabilitation of the road, only a dedicated route that will run from the port via Snake Island , through Mowe to the Lagos-Ibadan can resolve the gridlock.

    “We have already identified this, but it is capital intensive. There must be financial backing to implement such projects,” he said.

    Explaining why he resigned to run for election, GAJ said his people clamoured for it, saying “they want me as their representative based on my pedigree of having their interest at heart.

    According to him, I also cater for them through my foundation which provides scholarships, support for widows and the elderly, among others.

    Johnson said he would bring his experience to bear at the lower chamber of national assembly, if elected.

     

  • US raises alarm, predicts outbreak of ‘localised violence’ during 2019 elections

    US raises alarm, predicts outbreak of ‘localised violence’ during 2019 elections

    …Lists Rivers, Borno, Benue, Kano as hotspots

    The United States Government has expressed concern that the nation’s general elections scheduled for 2019 may likely to be marred by violence.

    It said the conduct of the elections could have significant consequences for the democratic trajectory of Nigeria, West Africa, and the entire continent.

    The US, however, said the public disturbance that the elections would cause might not be “large-scale nationwide conflict” but “localised violence.”

    The US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, Tibor Nagy, disclosed this in his presentation during the US Congress hearing on Nigeria’s forthcoming elections in Washington DC on Thursday.

    The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Ben Murray-Bruce; and the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nnena Ukeje, were present at the hearing titled, “Nigeria at a Crossroads: The Upcoming Elections.”

    Nagy, who is a member of President Donald Trump’s administration and his lead foreign policy adviser for Africa, said the Department of State agreed with the view that Nigeria’s 2019 general elections would serve as critical test.

    He said, “I can tell you from my impressions during my travels and my previous service in Nigeria that I fear there will be some violence around these elections, as has been the case with previous elections.

    “I do not anticipate large-scale nation-wide conflict, but rather localised violence.

    “We are already seeing increased tensions and polarisation as the election approaches. We assess that politicians are turning to narratives of identity politics in an attempt to improve their popularity, with potentially serious consequences for national unity.

    “However, Nigeria’s political system and society have weathered such tensions before.”

    Nagy said the US government took the risk of any loss of human life during the elections seriously.

    To this end, he said when he was in Nigeria, he asked officials from both major political parties to sign pledges that their candidates would conduct peaceful campaigns.

    He noted that the major candidates had now signed a peace pact.

    He listed states that might experience violence during the elections to include Rivers, Borno, Benue, Plateau and Kano.

    He added, “In assessing potential ‘hotspots’ for violence, we look at places that are historically volatile around elections such as Rivers and Borno states.

    “We look at states that are currently tense, especially if state-level politics are contentious like those in Benue, Plateau, as well as those in high-stakes locations with large populations such as Kano.

    “We regularly engage with civil society organisations working in these ‘hotspots’ and support their peacebuilding efforts. USAID programmes and our public diplomacy campaigns also support peace campaigns across the country, such as #VoteNotFight.

    “Through our YALI Network Nigeria campaign, Nigerians have made over 10,000 pledges to boost voter participation, reject violence, and vote with integrity.”

    On expectations and concerns, Nagy said the US government was monitoring and messaging – both publicly and privately – to mitigate a few key areas of risk that could jeopardise a free and fair process.

    He listed the areas of concerns to include potential attacks on the legitimacy of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the electoral process for political gain; intimidation and partisanship by security forces; and heightened insecurity, terrorist attacks on electoral institutions, or violence towards voters, observers, or electoral officials.

    Others are inability of large numbers of Internally Displaced Persons or persons with disabilities to vote; voter suppression, the use of armed gangs for voter intimidation as well as wide-spread vote buying that challenges the integrity of the electoral process.

    According to him, the US government will be watching closely for instigators of violence or those attempting to undermine the democratic process.

    He added that the US was helping Nigeria to strengthen its democratic institutions and processes through diplomacy and robust public engagement.

    While saying that the US does not support any candidate, he said the government “supports a democratic process that is free, fair, transparent, peaceful, and reflects the will of the Nigerian people.”

    Nagy said only Nigerians could determine lasting solutions and a path forward toward peace and stability.

    “2019 will be a significant year for Nigerian democracy – it has been 20 years since the country returned to democratic rule and this election’s youngest voters have never known a Nigeria without democracy,” he added.