TheNewsGuru

Tag: 2019 general elections

  • 2019 general elections: NSCDC deploys over 3,000 personnel in Delta

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Delta Command, has deployed over 3,000 personnel for the Saturday Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

    The state Commandant of the corps, Dr Benito Eze, who disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday in Asaba, said that the corps had earlier trained the over 3,000 officers for the election.

    While noting that the training was organised by the headquarters of the corps, Eze said that it was to ensure security before, during and after the general elections.

    He disclosed that the command was in partnership with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.

    The state commandant gave the assurance that armed security personnel would be on ground to respond to distress calls during the polls.

    Eze disclosed that the marine unit of the corps would provide security for the people living in the riverine areas of the state.

    The state commandant added that NSCDC had also deployed speed boats to patrol the coastal areas of the state and keep them safe during the exercise.

     

  • 2019: Facebook to show voting day reminder on Election Day

    2019: Facebook to show voting day reminder on Election Day

    As Nigeria counts hours to the 2019 general elections, Facebook has said it will show a voting day reminder at the top of Facebook’s News Feed on Election Day.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Ms Akua Gyekye, Facebook’s Public Policy Manager, Africa Elections made this known on Wednesday in Lagos.

    She said the firm had taken eight steps to protect election integrity in Nigeria and Africa.

    Gyekye said with the number of upcoming elections across Africa, Facebook was committed to reducing the spread of misinformation, protect election integrity and support civic engagement across the continent, including Nigeria.

    She said the social media giant had in recent times dedicated unprecedented resources to these efforts globally, especially in Africa where its efforts had been focused in eight key areas.

    According to her, the eight areas include fighting false news, boosting digital literacy to help people spot false news, promoting civic engagement, making political ads more transparent and proactive removal of impersonation accounts.

    She said it also included connecting with political parties about security, undertaking the training of journalists on practices for sharing content on its platforms and partnerships with NGOs and civil society groups on the continent.

    ”We want to stop the spread of false news on our platforms. That is why we have teamed up with local third-party fact-checkers across South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Cameroon and Senegal.

    ”They include Africa Check, Agence France-Presse (AFP), Pesa Check (a local Kenyan fact-checking organisation) and Dubawa (a local Nigerian fact-checking organisation).

    ”These independent groups help us assess the accuracy of news shared on Facebook, and when they determine content is false, we reduce its distribution in News Feed so fewer people see it.

    ”We also show related articles from fact-checkers for more contexts and notify users if a story they have shared is rated as false,” she said in a statement.

    Gyekye said that in Nigeria, WhatsApp had worked with Africa Check and CrossCheck Nigeria to let users send questions about potential rumours they have received through the platform.

    She said that these fact-checking expansions were part of a broader strategy to fight fake news that included extensive work to remove fake accounts and cut off incentives to the financially-motivated actors that spread misinformation.

    Gyekye said that Facebook had also intensified efforts to help people spot false news on their own and to flag it, rolling out educational tips on national and regional radio and in print media across Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

    She said that in Nigeria, WhatsApp had launched its ”Share Facts, Not Rumours” campaign, to help increase awareness about hoaxes.

    According to her, at the end of 2018, Facebook began a new online safety programme for students in Nigerian secondary schools.

    She said that the 12-week workshop was designed to help teenagers understand the fundamentals of online safety and digital literacy.

    Gyekye said that Facebook was also promoting civic engagement around the elections.

    She said that in Nigeria, the firm had rolled out new options in English and Hausa, so people could report posts that contain incorrect election information, encourage violence or otherwise violate its community standards.

    According to her, on Election Day, Facebook will show a voting day reminder in English and Hausa at the top of Facebook’s News Feed.

    ”Arguably one of its boldest moves to date, Facebook is also making political ads more transparent across the globe including Africa.

    ”Earlier this month, it began temporarily expanding enforcement and not accepting foreign election ads on Facebook in Nigeria to help prevent foreign interference.

    ”Another measure deployed has been the proactive removal of impersonation accounts, thanks to recent advancements in its detection technology, which has made it to become much more effective at identifying these accounts.

    ”We want Facebook and WhatsApp to be places where people feel safe, can access accurate information and make their voices heard.

    ”We are making significant investments, both in products and in people, and continue to improve in each of these areas,” Gyekye said.

     

  • INEC speaks on postponement of 2019 general elections

    …May extend PVC collection deadline

    …IG bars police escorts for VIPs on election days

    The the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday insisted that it has no plans to postpone the general elections scheduled for February 16 and March 2, 2019.

    INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu assured Nigerians and the international community that the elections will be held as scheduled.

    The INEC boss spoke on a day the United States (U.S) said it has no preferred candidate.

    Its Consul-General in Nigeria, Ambassador John Bay, who was in Bayelsa State yesterday, said that the U.S. was only interested in free, fair and credible elections.

    There are pending legal tussles from the primaries organised by political parties suggesting that INEC may have to postpone some elections.

    But Prof Yakubu told stakeholders at a meeting organised by INEC that the commission will not be swayed into postponing any of the scheduled polls.

    He noted that the commission has been dragged to court for 640 times and received 540 applications for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of documents.

    Yakubu promised that the commission under his watch will continue to obey all court orders, assuring that it would not be deterred in the discharge of its functions.

    He said: “Court cases arising from the conduct of congress and primaries have risen to 640. INEC has been dragged to court 640 times, we have received 540 requests for certified true copy of documents. We have received 186 petitions over the conduct of congresses and party primaries.

    “It is the policy of INEC to obey court orders. People ask if the judgments from these courts are decided close to elections if INEC will postpone the elections, INEC will not postpone any elections but we will make contingency arrangements in case some of the orders come close to elections.”

    The INEC chairman also assured the stakeholders that he would “never fail Nigeria and Nigerians.”

    Stating that Smart Card Reader (SCR) will be deployed in the elections, Yakubu expressed surprise that many Nigerians complained of not collecting their PVCs at the centres.

    He reiterated that the commission printed the total of 14.2 million PVCs after voters’ registration adding that those cards were ready for collection.

    The INEC chair, therefore, said the commission would meet with a view to possibly reviewing the deadline for collection.

    He said: “Let me assure the nation and the stakeholders that smart card reader will be deployed in the 2019 elections. The next big issue for us is the voter register and the availability of the PVC.

    “We have heard so many complaints by citizens that they have been to collection centers but we are surprised to hear that in some centres they were told to come back that the cards were not printed.

    “We have 14.2 million new voters, the commission printed 14.2 million cards.the commission is going to meet today (Thursday) and where it is necessary, we will review the arrangements for the collection of PVC.”

    He urged the transport companies to ensure that polling units receive the electoral materials at 7:30am while voting should commence at 8am.

    According him, priority has been given to the elderly, visibly pregnant women and the physically challenged persons to vote at the polling units or voting points.

    The INEC chairman reiterated that while magnifying glasses and brailles have been provided for the visually impaired to aid them to vote, form EC30 containing bold instructions on how the deaf should cast their votes are posted at every polling units as well as the voting points.

    He also stated that the list of returning officers would be vetted to ensure that partisan members of academic staff were not included.

    According to him, 148 observer groups comprising 119 domestic observer groups and 29 foreign observer groups have been accredited by the commission to monitor the polls.

    Also speaking on the preparations for the elections, the Acting Inspector-General (IG) of Police, Mohammed Adamu, noted that the security agency has identify the flashpoints.

    Also, as part of the efforts to address the issue, the IG said no VIP (Very Important Person) would be allowed to move around with police escort on election days.

    He warned that any policeman who contravened the rule would be arrested.

    “No escort of VIPs on election day, any policeman who contravenes this order would be arrested,” the acting IG warned.

  • APC worse than PDP, 2019 will shock politicians – Anglican Bishop

    APC worse than PDP, 2019 will shock politicians – Anglican Bishop

    Rt. Revd. Philip Adeyemo, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Omu-Aran, Kwara state, has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is worse than the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Bishop Adeyemo stated this at the third session of the third synod of the Diocese held at Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Omu-Aran.
    While lamenting that the APC, with claims of ‘anti-corruption war’, is worse than its predecessor in office, the PDP, the Bishop noted that no political party is qualified yet to fight corruption in the country.
    He warned that politicians should be ready for surprises in the 2019 general elections.
    “The ruling party came to power on the platform of the promise to fight corruption. By my own assessment, the ruling party is even worse than the other party before them who we crucified.
    “Nigerians should not be carried away by campaign promises of politicians but look for and vote for those with integrity and who are ready to serve the nation in 2019.
    “Our politicians in Nigeria are greedy, selfish and not interested in the lives of the people they govern. Proverbs 29: 7 Says ‘The righteous considereth the cause of the poor but the wicked regardeth not to know it’.
    “Task Masters have been fooling us, those who oppress and enslave us. I have not seen anyone among our politicians that are qualified to fight corruption, they are birds of the same feather flocking together.
    “There will be surprises in 2019 election. Ecclesiastes 9:11 says ‘I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not for the swift nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bred to the wise, nor yet riches to the men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill, but time and chance happeneth to them all’.
    “God has purposed to take over the helm of affairs of Nigeria, there will be a shaking and disappointments among our politicians,” he stated.
     

  • 2019: Atiku, Obasanjo will lose together – Garba Shehu

    Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, has reacted to the meeting of leading contender for the office of Nigeria’s President, Atiku Abubakar with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Atiku on Thursday met with Obasanjo behind closed doors following his emergence as the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flagbearer in the 2019 elections.
    After the meeting in which Obasanjo reconciled the differences between him and Atiku, he endorsed the PDP’s presidential flagbearer for President in the presence of Atiku’s right hand man and former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Uche Secondus, the National Chairman of the party, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah; Islamic preacher, Dr. Ahmad Abubkaar Gumi; and Founder of Winners’ Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo.
    “They will lose together,” Garba Shehu said in a statement in reaction to the meeting between Atiku and Obasanjo, adding: “Listening to the prepared statement of the former President after the meeting showed the usual ego trip and “I know it all” character of Chief Obasanjo”.
    Read full statement:
    OBASANJO’S ENDORSEMENT OF ATIKU WILL NOT DISTRACT PRESIDENT BUHARI
    The Presidency has received the news of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s predictable U-turn and somersault on the endorsement of the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at a meeting Thursday, and to say that we are the least surprised by the well-rehearsed theatre.
    They will lose together. Listening to the prepared statement of the former President after the meeting showed the usual ego trip and “I know it all” character of Chief Obasanjo.
    In the first place, we dare to say that a pompous statement from the former President advising Nigerians on a vote against President Buhari is the best recommendation that can come at this time.
    It also betrayed a lack of understanding of today’s politics which is about good governance.
    The country voted for change in 2015 and a leader that ensures good governance which only President Buhari and the APC can provide.
    Bent on these laudable goals, we will not allow ourselves to be distracted.
    We are busy on various national issues including the restructuring and the diversification of the economy, fighting corruption, terrorism and other threats to national security; increasing the availability of electric power, improving education, health, and providing long-delayed infrastructure – roads, rail, airports and so forth.
    Many governments have come and gone, but they did not care about some of these projects.
    We were talking about these things for sixteen years under the PDP and nothing was done.
    President Buhari is proud of his record because his achievements are verifiable, while that of the PDP is manifested by the devastating social and economic impact of large scale corruption during their governance.
    The President will not relent in the war against corruption because the ordinary people are the ultimate victims if we surrender to corruption and let its perpetrators go unpunished.
    Abandoning the war against corruption is not an option. President Buhari is in this battle against graft because he cannot allow a few, rapacious, and selfish class of the elite to divert the resources meant for the well-being of the ordinary people to their private pockets.
    Nigerians trust President Buhari in this effort because they are convinced he is not in government for personal financial benefits, or for an ego trip. It is just eleven years ago that the former President and Vice President in their ugly fight for power accused each other of corruption. Nigerians are yet to forget all that.
     

  • Breaking: Ben Murray-Bruce writes PDP, dumps senatorial ambition

    Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, representing Bayelsa east senatorial district in the National Assembly, has announced withdrawal from the race to represent his constituency in the 2019 general elections.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Bruce announced his withdrawal on Monday in a letter he addressed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
    According to the letter, TNG gathered that Bruce withdrawal is coming to allow for someone else from the constituency to fly the banner of the PDP in 2019.
    Read full letter:
    I thank God and the good people of Brass, Bayelsa East Senatorial District who offered me the golden opportunity four years ago to represent them and the state in the Senate, Nigeria’s highest lawmaking chamber.
    It is without doubt that I have tried to discharge my duties as a legislator and representative of my people creditably to the best of my ability so far.
    My voice has been very loud on the issues that matter to our people and our country at all time.
    My support to our party, my people and state government is unquestionable. I am humbled that the national leadership of my party supported by the State chapter in appreciation of my efforts offered to support my reelection to the senate to continue my service.
    I have also intensified consultations in the last couple of week in the course of which I have come to realize an existing local rotational arrangement of over 20 years beginning with the late Great Chief Melford Okilo, by which arrangement the Senatorial seat rotates per local government area among the three councils for four years in the Senatorial District.
    Even with the support of my party at the National and state levels with the full backing of my state government and leadership, as a man of honour interested in the well being of my people, I hereby announce my withdrawal from the Senatorial race.
    I do not want whatever reason to appear to have used my privileged position and influence to do anything that other than the well-being and the stability and the good of the people.
    I am in all of these for the people, not for my self.
    Once again, I thank the former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebelo Jonathan, the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, my colleagues in the Senate and Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson for their support and encouragement.
    I also thank the leadership of my Senatorial District and state, for for being there for me.
    I thank Specially the people of my constituency for their trust and confidence in me to serve and represent them in the Senate.
    By trusting me with this mandate, I have come to know them and our people even better, an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life.
    I am indeed grateful to My darling wife, my children, other members of my family for their support and prayers. I appreciate the efforts of my hardworking campaign staff for their support and dedication.
    Again, I thank the leadership of the party for their continuing support. I also assured the party of my availability and readiness to serve at any capacity when the opportunity comes.
    Best Regards
    Senator Ben Murray Bruce.
     

  • Breaking: Gov. Udom Emmanuel declares for second tenure

    Incumbent Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel on Friday publicly declared intention to run for the governorship position in 2019 General Elections.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Governor Udom made the declaration at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, capital of the state.

    The governor, while asking for support for a second term from the people of Akwa Ibom, said he is submitting himself again as a Servant-Leader to the people.

    “I come today following the ratings and commendations of Akwa Ibom People drawn from the 3 Senatorial Districts in our state & also cutting across diverse segments of our population, that I have made results-oriented efforts in serving Akwa Ibom people since I was elected in 2015.

    “I have operated a Christ-centric Government, I have led a People-centric Government, I have worn humility like a badge of honour, believing that power comes from the people; I have refused to hurl insults at people who have attacked and called me names.

    “I have been a Servant-leader which I had promised you. I have maintained peace in Akwa Ibom State and brought about civility in our engagements. I hereby submit myself to complete the Divine Mission which you had first sent me to accomplish in 2015,” Udom told the mammoth crowd gathered at the stadium.

     

  • 2019: Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom attends God’s consultation service

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel on Thursday evening attended a God’s consultation service at the Qua Iboe Church at Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo, capital of the state, to seek God’s blessings for his second term election.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports this coming prior to the Governor’s second tenure public declaration event set to hold on Friday.

    “Political fathers can disappoint, but spiritual fathers cannot because the presence of God goes with them at all times,” Udom said.

    The incumbent Governor is set to publicly declare his intention to run for the governorship position in the 2019 General Elections.

    The event is set to hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

    The governor, asking for support for a second term from the people of Akwa Ibom, said he is submitting himself again as a Servant-Leader to the people.

    “Tomorrow, just as I did in 2014, I will submit myself again as your Servant- Leader and ask for your support for a second term.

    “I know I can always count on your support, so the Akwa Ibom story will continue to be told in poetry and in prose,” the Governor had stated.

     

  • Breaking: INEC Chairman provides motive behind N242bn 2019 election budget

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Mahmood Yakubu on Wednesday defended its proposed N242 billion budget for the 2019 election before Senate Committee on INEC.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports that at the 2019 general elections budget presentation, the INEC Chairman acknowledged that it was the first time that the budget is presented in this manner.

    “For the first time, this budget is subjected to scrutiny by the National Assembly and the Nigerian people. I am happy to be a part of this process,” he said.

    The INEC Boss said that as at Saturday, the commission registered 12.1 new voters.

    “Adding this to the 70 million voter register, we have over 80 million registered voters. In 2015, we had 70 million registered voters. As of last week Saturday, we now have over 80 million registered voters.

    “There is a difference of N69 billion in the budgets of 2015 and 2019. All major activities are pegged against the total number of voters.

    “In 2015, we had only 42 political parties. We now have 91 registered political parties eligible to take part in the 2019 general elections.

    “The cost of logistics is also different in 2019 as opposed to 2015, because the pump price of petrol in 2015 is different from that of 2019. This will also have an impact.

    “With the increase of voters, we will have to increase the number of voting points. And with the increase of voting points, we will also have an increase in Ad-Hoc Staff.

    “We have provided a line-by-line explanation and account of this budget to the Distinguished Senators,” the INEC Chairman said.

    TNG reports Chairman of Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Suleiman Nazif, after the defence, gave an opportunity for all members of the Senate Committee to ask questions.

    Here are some highlights of the Senate committee meeting with the INEC chairman:

    “Continuous voter registration is of great importance to Nigerians. Without which you cannot excercise your right to vote. Mr. Chairman, in the 2018 budget, we made provision for this process and I believe that this funds are supposed to run till the end of the year.”- Senator Suleiman Nazif.

    “Mr. Chairman, in item 39, you have budget N5bn+ for this continuous voter registration. Mr. Chairman, if you were provided with funds in the 2018 budget, why is this provision repeated?”- Senator Suleiman Nazif.

    “The electoral act demands that we continue voter registration. Based on the budgetary provision in 2017, we could only do PVC registration at the LGA level.”- INEC Chairman.

    “By the end of the Second Quarter of 2017, we had over 1400 registration centers across the country.”- INEC Chairman.

    “The funds we had were not adequate. This is why in 2018, we approached the National Assembly for additional funding.”- INEC Chairman.

    “The Electoral Act Amendment has been going back and forth between the National Assembly and the President. What would happen to the provisions of the Act that have been budgeted for if it is not signed by the President?”- Senator James Manager.

    “Your contingency budget provisions have been cut down. I am surprised that you have decided to cut this down to only 2.5% of the budget. What informed this thinking?”- Senator James Manager.

    “If the Electoral Act is not signed into law, we will continue to operate within the ambits of the law as it exists.”- INEC Chairman.

    “Even if the Electoral Act is not signed into law, we need to continue to improve our electoral process to promote transparency.”- INEC Chairman.

    “Why is our contingency low? If it had been 10%, it would have been considered too high. Now it is 2.5%, it is too low. However, there are some contingencies that we need to expect.”- INEC Chairman.

    “There is a conflict of request here: from the letter presented by Mr. President and the budget presented by INEC. You are asking for N189billion, meanwhile Mr. President is asking for N140billion.”- Senator Mohammed Hassan.

    “The President is saying that the additional N45billion will be requested for in the 2019 budget. You are asking for N189billion. Which of these requests should we focus on?”- Senator Mohammed Hassan.

    “There is no conflict in the letters. If you add up the requests by the President and INEC, they add up. The sequence of disbursement is up for the legislature and the executive to decide.”- INEC Chairman.

     

  • Mahmood briefs NASS leadership on INEC’s budget for 2019 general elections

    Mahmood briefs NASS leadership on INEC’s budget for 2019 general elections

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Wednesday briefed Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara at a Special Hearing on INEC’s budget for the 2019 general elections.

    TheNewsGuru reports Senate President Saraki had earlier in his opening remarks at a World Press Conference he addressed in Abuja said the National Assembly was prepared to do what is necessary to ensure that the 2019 elections held without any hitch.

    “We stand committed to doing our utmost as lawmakers to ensure that the responsibility and functionality of governance are met. Although we are on annual break, we are daily reviewing the situation and are alive to the responsibility to take action as necessary,” he said.

    He said that the National Assembly meeting with INEC leadership would have held on Tuesday but for the occupation of the NASS complex by security operatives from the Department of State Services.

    “Unfortunately, yesterday’s shutdown prevented us from meeting with INEC, as scheduled, to address funding concerns. We will continue to look into the matter,” Saraki said.

    He also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to append signature on the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

    “In the spirit of that, we also appeal to Mr. President to sign the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment Bill which has been sent for his assent.

    “I remain confident in the support of my colleagues and their focus on the job at hand, which is to serve the Nigerian people.

    “My confidence is unshaken. I remain committed to the success of the historic 8th National Assembly, and to the continued progress of our country,” he said.