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Tag: 2019 Elections

  • March 9 polls: INEC distributes election materials to LGAs in Delta

    March 9 polls: INEC distributes election materials to LGAs in Delta

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Delta on Thursday distributed election materials for the Governorship/House of Assembly polls to the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.

    The distribution of the materials took place in the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Asaba in the presence of political party agents.

    Speaking, INEC’s Head of Voters Education and Publicity in Delta, Mr. Bukola Ojeme, said the materials had been moved to the various local government areas of the state.

    “The Police and other security agencies are offering cover for the movement of these materials to the various local government areas.

    “No single sensitive material is missing and every material needed for the Governorship and House of Assembly elections have been sorted out.

    ”As you can see they are now moving them to the local government areas for onward distribution on Saturday.

    “From the various LGAs, they will be distributed to the polling units on Saturday morning. The materials were sorted and packed all through yesterday,” he said.

    Ojeme assured the people of the state that INEC was fully prepared for the Saturday’s election.

    “I am encouraging voters to come out en-mass on Saturday to exercise their franchise and we do believe this Saturday’s election has been well prepare for.” he added.

    According to him, nobody should entertain any fear as security agents are prepared to maintain peace during the election.

     

  • Seriake urges Buhari to restrain abuse of security personnel

    Seriake urges Buhari to restrain abuse of security personnel

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the various security agencies to charge their men to be professional in their duties as they resume for election duties in Bayelsa and other states of the South South geopolitical zone.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted him as having made the comment while reacting to the fresh deployment of troops and other security agents to the state ahead of the Gubernatorial/House of Assembly election scheduled for Saturday,

    The Governor said that it was in the interest of the country and indeed the general good for the President and his security chiefs to place emphasis on professionalism of security personnel on deployment to Bayelsa and other states of the Federation.

    He called on the President to prevail on the security chiefs to ensure that their commanders are professional in the discharge of their security responsibilities to prevent a spontaneous nationwide crisis and instability as a fall out of the elections which are the closest to the people.

    The Governor said that while he was not opposed to the deployment of additional security men to maintain law and order in the Society, he was against what he described as the unholy collusion between soldiers on ground and leaders of political thugs in the state.

    He restated his demand to the Army High Command to redeploy implicated officers and men of the service involved in brazen criminality in the last election.

    He said, “I wish to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to restrain abuse of our security personnel and electoral officers in the next election.

    “The service chiefs and the security commanders must be professional, and emphasize the right thing in all their actions in order not to cause a spontaneous nationwide crisis and instability.

    “The fact is that these elections are grassroots election and it is indeed important that the people are allowed to elect their leaders without subversion from anywhere.

    “I am one of the greatest collaborators on security matters. I have no problem with security deployments to the state, it is a fact that we need people who will do their job in Nembe Bassambiri, and parts of Southern Ijaw where we have experienced unholy collusion between soldiers and security agencies.

    “We as law abiding people want an arrangement that would prevent the criminality and brigandage that marred the Presidential/National Assembly elections so that our people can exercise their right to vote and elect their leaders.”

     

  • 268 candidates to contest 25 assembly seats in Cross River

    268 candidates to contest 25 assembly seats in Cross River

    A total of 268 candidates from various political parties will be contesting for the 25 seats in the Cross River House of Assembly on Saturday in the state, according to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Frankland Briyai, made the disclosure on Thursday in Calabar.

    Briyai said that 38 candidates were female.

    The REC also confirmed receipt of all sensitive materials for the election, adding that 95 per cent of the sensitive materials arrived in the state on Monday for the conduct of the legislative and governorship polls.

    He said that the Commission was ready for the elections on Saturday.

    Briyai said although All Progressives Congress (APC) did not have candidates for the elections, its logo would be on the ballot papers.

    He said that this was in compliance to a Federal High Court order which directed INEC to delist candidates of the party pending when the party would submit names of its candidates.

    The court gave the order following a leadership tussle in the party between the faction led by John Etim and the other led by Mr John Ochalla.

    It asked INEC to recognise the Etim-led State Executive Council of the party and recognise its list of candidates.

    Consequently, the Commission requested the party to submit a fresh list of candidates for the elections.

     

  • Saturday’s election: INEC begins distribution of sensitive materials in Bayelsa

    Saturday’s election: INEC begins distribution of sensitive materials in Bayelsa

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it has started the distribution of sensitive election materials for Saturday’s House of Assembly election in Bayelsa.

    Mr Monday Udoh, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), made the disclosure on Thursday in Yenagoa, while addressing journalists on the commission’s readiness to conduct credible and acceptable election on March 9.

    Udoh said that the distribution of the sensitive election materials to the various local government areas commenced on Thursday and would be completed before the end of Friday.

    He warned against engaging in any violent act before, during and after the poll.

    “The commission has made all necessary arrangements to ensure maximum security of lives and property across the state.

    “We had several meetings with various critical stakeholders in the state; we must understand that INEC is not here for the interest of any group or persons but for the interest of Nigerians,’’ he said.

    On the missing card reader machines, the REC said it has recovered additional two, bringing the total number recovered to 22, recalling that 69 machines were stolen.

    Governorship election would hold in Bayelsa later in the year.

     

  • INEC begins distribution of sensitive materials for House of Assembly election in Edo

    INEC begins distribution of sensitive materials for House of Assembly election in Edo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Edo office on Thursday, began distribution of sensitive materials to the 18 local government area of the state.

    The materials are meant for the House of Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday.

    The distribution of the materials began at about 10.a.m at the Benin branch of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    The materials were transported in articulated trucks and accompanied by some buses conveying security personnel, electoral officers and political party agents.

    Mr Timidi Wariowei, the Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Edo INEC, told newsmen that the first set of materials were moved to Uhunmwonde, Owan East, Owan West and Akoko-Edo local government areas of the state.

    “The second batch of materials went to Etsako East, Etsako West and Etsako Central local government areas.

    “The third batch also went to Esan West, Esan Central, Esan North East, Esan South East and Igueben local government area of the state respective.

    “We have so far distributed materials to 17 local governments, the last truck will be going to Oredo local government area,” he said.

    Wariowei noted that the process was going on smoothly under the watchful eyes of security personnel and the party agents .

    Edo is one of the few states where governorship election will not take place on Saturday.

     

  • Police in Delta warn vigilante groups to steer clear of election venues

    The Police Command in Delta has warned vigilante groups in the state to steer clear of venues for Saturday’s Governorship and State Assembly elections.

    The spokesman of the command, ASP Chucks Orisewezie, gave the warning in a statement on Wednesday.

    He said that the warning was in order to enable the police to maintain law and order during the elections.

    Orisewezie added that the warning was aimed at ensuring neutrality and impartiality in the electoral process.

    “Community vigilante, anti-cult groups, private security guards, and unauthorised security outfits are hereby warned to steer clear of the election (venues),“he said.

    He said that it was the sole responsibility of the police and other approved security agencies to secure INEC’s sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials, polling units, and facilities as well as protect officials and the electorate.

    According to the spokesman, the warning is coming against the backdrop of the recent arrest of some suspects, by a detachment of the Police Mobile Force.

    He said that the suspects, who were found to be in possession of pump action rifles, claimed to be vigilantes from Udu Local Government Area of the state deployed to CBN, Asaba by the Chairman to escort election materials.

    He said that the suspects have since been arraigned at the Asaba Chief Magistrate Court.

    Orisewezie said that the restriction of vehicular movement from 06:00hrs to 18:00hrs on election day by the command still stood.

    “The restriction is in the overall interest of peace and safety for all.

    “The commissioner of police wishes to remind the stakeholders that their security aides are not permitted to go with them to the polling booth where they are to cast their votes.

    “The commissioner of police solicits the support of the traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth leaders, parents and political stalwarts to talk to their, children, wards and supporters.

    “The commissioner of police assures Deltans that adequate security has been put in place to guarantee their safety as they go to the polls to exercise their franchise,” he said.

    He warned that the police would not fold its arms and watch hoodlums break the law unhindered.

    According to him, violators of the law will be sanctioned.

     

  • APC in Delta denies planning to disrupt Saturday’s polls

    APC in Delta denies planning to disrupt Saturday’s polls

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta has described as untrue the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it is planning to use ex-militants to disrupt Saturday’s elections in the state.

    The APC Publicity Secretary in Delta, Ogheneluemu Imonina, said in a statement issued on Wednesday in Asaba that PDP’s allegation was ludicrous, spurious and laced with lies and should be treated with levity.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, APC is a responsible and responsive political party with human feelings and respect for the will of the common people.

    “It is very clear to the discerning minds that the spurious and unfounded allegations of PDP in the said Press Release are a ruse and subterfuge to divert attention,” Imonina said.

    Chief Funkekeme Solomon, Director General, Delta PDP Campaign Organisation, on Tuesday in Asaba, alleged that the APC had concluded plans to use the ex-militants dressed in military uniforms to disrupt the elections across the state.

    “The APC, in its hell bent efforts to capture Delta State at all costs has set a dangerous plan in motion to mobilise a large number of ex-militants.

    “We have been informed that these ex-militants, when fully dressed as military personnel and armed with weapons, will now be deployed and filtered into PDP strongholds,” he alleged.

     

  • Delta Guber poll: Uduaghan fires back at his former Commissioner

    Delta Guber poll: Uduaghan fires back at his former Commissioner

    Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, former Delta State Governor, who lost the National Assembly elections as Delta Central Senatorial District candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), has fired back at Funkekeme Solomon.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Solomon who served under Uduaghan as commissioner for works, had in his capacity as Director General of the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organization, accused the former Governor of plotting to disrupt the March 9 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections in the State.

    Addressing a press conference, Solomon had said impeccable sources within the APC confirmed with certainty that the master-minds behind the plan to disrupt the elections also included the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and Chief Great Ogboru, APC governorship candidate in the state.

    He said Uduaghan, Oshiomhole and Ogboru planned to use ex-militants dressed in military uniforms to cause mayhem and disrupt the forthcoming elections in the state.

    ALSO READ || Campaign DG accuses Oshiomhole, Uduaghan of plotting to disrupt elections in Delta

    Reacting in a statement, Uduaghan said, neither the APC National Chairman nor himself had been known to be violent people.

    The statement reads: “My brother, my friend, my former Commissioner for Works, Funkekeme Solomon, I celebrate you today and always.

    “The anti-Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan virus has bitten you. Thought you will be the last person to manifest the symptoms. I was wrong.

    “As an inner caucus member of my team for over 14 years, I know you are well aware of my commitment and dedication to promoting peace. In and out of Government I will continue to do so. I have always preached against election violence.

    “You and I prepared for, executed and won several elections. Did we ever budget for thuggery? Did we ever buy guns or military uniforms?

    “I just contested for Senate in our Senatorial District. Where you told I used military uniforms or guns, or even any other weapon?

    “The APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, and I, have never been known to be violent people. We know those who have history of cultism and violence.

    “I pray you get what you have been promised, which has pushed you to raise the false alarm against us. Many who travelled this route are getting disappointed as they are coming out empty handed.

    “Please pray very hard to drop the “hate spirit”. Take care and remember always, “Back tyre nor dey overtake front tyre”.

     

  • Bayelsa commission on electoral violence begins sitting

    Bayelsa commission on electoral violence begins sitting

    The Commission of Inquiry on election violence set up by Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa has commenced sitting.

    The commission, which commenced the sitting on Monday, admitted evidences from complainants at the Multi-Door Court House in Yenagoa.

    The Chairman of the commission, Justice Ineikadei Eradiri, said the body would abide strictly with its terms of reference.

    He also said the commission would avoid any matter that bordered on the actual conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on Feb. 23.

    Eradiri said matters concerning conduct of elections fell within the jurisdiction of the relevant election petition tribunals already set up.

    The chairman, who explained that the commission would hear oral, documentary and other forms of evidence from witnesses, appealed to all those involved to observe the rules of engagement.

    He gave an assurance that the commission would maintain the highest level of independence, fairness, impartiality while abiding by its oath of office.

    Eradiri also called on those with useful information to come forward and testify so as to assist the commission.

    The chairman, who warned that the commission would deal with anyone caught threatening witnesses, urged them to report such matters to the police.

    The Secretary of the Commission, Dr Richard Ogbe, described the commission as apolitical.

    He pledged that the commission would ensure that those involved in violence during the elections in the state were brought to book.

    Ben Dotimiye-Braye, the Lead Counsel to the family of the late Seidougha Taribi who was killed at Oweikorogha Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state, cross examined his witnesses, Mr Moses Taribi and Mr Doodei Week, who presented evidences to the commission.

    The Counsel to the commission, Prof. Festus Emiri, also cross examined the two witnesses who narrated the circumstances leading to the death of Taribi.

    The inquiry, which continues on Tuesday with more witnesses expected, would end on Friday.

    Recall that the governor had on Feb. 27 set up the commission to ascertain the cause of the violence that characterised the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

     

  • Delta cannot be the same again – Buhari

    Delta cannot be the same again – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured voters in Delta of adequate security in Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at a town hall meeting in Warri on Monday, said that the issue of security was fundamental to the electoral process.

    The president said that special attention would be focused on security to enable the electorate exercise their franchise and check any form of intimidation.

    “What happened at the Presidential and National Assembly elections was a great victory, but the completion of the victory will come on Saturday when Great Ogboru will become the governor of Delta.

    “Delta cannot be the same again. Delta was our focus of attention, we wanted to see what will happen.

    “Delta has proved a very important point that it is ready for a change to the next level.

    ”Security is a fundamental issue and we will pay special attention to it,” he said.

    The president also urged leaders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to unite, saying “when we work together, we will emerge victorious on Saturday.’’

    Also speaking, the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomohole, commended the people for voting massively for the APC in the recent poll.

    He urged the voters to be courageous and vote overwhelmingly for Ogboru in Saturday’s gubernatorial election.

    ”You have substantially weakened the rigging machine of the PDP.

    “No one will provide unlawful security. Security operatives should ensure that votes are counted because President Buhari wants to have a cleaner election,” he said.

    Dr Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister for State for Petroleum Resources, described the occasion as “a unifying day for us to come and work together.’’

    Ogboru, in his opening remarks, had urged the government to provide adequate security to avoid a repeat of the violence witnessed in the state during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    ”Security issues should be looked into seriously, if there is adequate security, the electorate will turnout en masse to cast their votes,” he said.

    Participants, who spoke at the interactive session, all stressed the need for adequate security during Saturday’s elections.

    The event was attended by traditional rulers from the three senatorial districts of the state, religious and opinion leaders as well as market women and youths.