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Tag: By-Election

  • Tight security in Jos, Bassa over by-election in Plateau

    Tight security in Jos, Bassa over by-election in Plateau

    There is a heavy presence of security personnel in Jos North and Bassa local government areas of Plateau for the ongoing by-election for Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency.

    A correspondent, who visited some areas, reports that a combined team of security personnel were stationed in various polling units and other strategic locations.

    Commissioner of Police in the state Batholomew Onyeka said he had deployed a good number of policemen to ensure a peaceful election.

    He also said that the police command had banned vehicular movements between 12 midnight and 6p.m., with the exception of those on essential duties.

    ASP Ubah Ogaba, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, told NAN that the deployment of personnel “is not to intimidate voters but to ensure a rancour-free process.

    “All we want is a peaceful process and we call on residents to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during and after the election”.

    Ogaba urged political parties to caution their supporters and loyalists to desist from creating trouble during the election.

  • Massive turnout of voters as Isoko North by-election holds in Delta

    Massive turnout of voters as Isoko North by-election holds in Delta

    There was massive turnout of voters in Saturday’s Isoko North Local Government Area Constituency by-election for Delta House of Assembly.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that distribution of election materials from the Registration Area Centres (RACs) to the various polling units started at about 7:00 am while accreditation of voters began at about 8:30 am in some of the polling units.

     

    The voters which included youths and elderly were happy to exercise their civic rights.

     

    A participant, Mrs Aghogho Elias, said: “I want to cast my vote because I am alive.”

     

    There were few vehicles and persons on the roads while security personnel manned various strategic locations and polling units across the state constituency.

     

    This was in fulfilment of the directive of the Commissioner of Police (CP), Delta Command, Ari Ali, who had earlier issued an order restraining movement of persons between Friday midnight and 4:00pm on Saturday in the area.

     

    However, there was complaint by some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over failure of the card readers in some of the polling units.

     

    They described it as deliberate attempt to manipulate the results.

     

    Mr Godnews Agbi, an APC chieftain, said that the failure of the card readers was a calculated attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to thumbprint ballot papers.

     

    “In Ozoro Ward 2, they tore the clothes off one of our agents and it is a deliberate plan of the PDP to thumbprint,” Agbi alleged.

     

    In a Swift response, Mr Nelson Egware, Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa on Media, said that PDP should not be blamed for the failure of the card readers.

     

    “When someone is falling, he usually look for something to hold on to.

     

    “In my unit, card readers are working and people are voting, there is nothing like thumb printing of ballot papers.

     

    “l believe that it is the same thing across the wards in the constituency,” Egware said.

     

    The Chairman of PDP in Isoko North Local Government Area, Mr Godwin Ogorugba, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters.

     

    Ogorugba, who voted at Otibio, unit 3, expressed satisfaction with the by-election.

     

    Also, Mr Jude Ogbimi, PDP candidate in the by-election expressed joy at the peaceful conduct of the election while he voted at Otibio, unit 2.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the by-election was for the vacant Delta House of Assembly seat created by the death of Tim Owhefere, its former Majority Leader, in January at the age of 57.

  • INEC fixes date for Ekiti East by-election

    INEC fixes date for Ekiti East by-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed March 20 for the conduct of the by-election to fill the vacant seat for the Ekiti East State Constituency 1 of Ekiti State.

    Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner, and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Okoye said that INEC met on Tuesday and deliberated on a number of issues including the conduct of the by-election,

    The vacancy arose as a result of the death of Adegbuyi Amos, member representing the state constituency, and the subsequent declaration of vacancy for the Constituency by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye.

    Okoye said that the official notification for the election would be published today, Feb. 24.

    He said that political parties shall conduct their primaries between Feb. 26 and March 3, while the last day for submission of list of nominated candidates is at 6pm on March 8.

    The access code for the nomination forms shall be available for collection from Feb. 26 at the commission’s headquarters.

    “The Commission enjoins all political parties intending to field candidates to pay close attention to the Timetable and Schedule of Activities and to conduct transparent and valid party primaries that meet the provisions of Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).

    “Political parties must note that under section 31(8) of the Electoral Act, a political party which presents to the Commission the name of a candidate who does not meet the qualifications stipulated in the Constitution and the Electoral Act shall be guilty of an offence and o.n conviction shall be liable to a maximum fine of N500,000.”

    Okoye stated that the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the by-election had been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms.

  • By-elections highlights: Abiru, Dickson, Dabu’ut win senatorial seats

    By-elections highlights: Abiru, Dickson, Dabu’ut win senatorial seats

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday won senatorial by-elections in Lagos East, Imo North and Plateau South districts.

    According to observers, the by-elections, which were the first critical assignments by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mohammed Yakubu, who was cleared by the Senate for his second term last week, were generally peaceful.

    The APC candidate in the Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru, defeated his PDP rival, Babatunde Gbadamosi. Abiru, who polled 89,204 votes, defeated Gbadamosi, who got 11,257 votes.

    Lagos

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu congratulated Abiru and Kosofe Constituency II candidate Obafemi Saheed for their victories.

    Saheed polled 12,494 votes to beat his rival, Sikiru Alebiosu of PDP, who got 2,068.

    Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said APC’s victory with wide margin reflected the confidence of Lagosians in the rulling party

    The governor commended the electorate for trooping out to perform their civic responsibilities. He also lauded chieftains of the party and members for working assiduously for victory.

    Sanwo-Olu said: “I want to congratulate Mr. Tokunbo Abiru and Obafemi Saheed on their victories in last Saturday’s by-elections in Lagos East Senatorial District and Kosofe State Constituency II polls. Your emergence as federal and state lawmakers is a validation of peoples’ confidence in our dear party, the APC.”

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, congratulated the APC for its victory.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker congratulated Sanwo-Olu for leading the party to victory.

    Gbajabiamila urged the APC candidates to be magnanimous in victory.

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said the victory showed that APC is a strong, formidable and unified platform in Lagos State.

    “The people of Lagos State appreciate us as a party and this is evident in the landslide victory of the two candidates in the election,” Obasa said.

    He urged Abiru and Saheed to see their victory as opportunities to bring government closer to their people and play strong roles in the advancement of Lagos State.

    Lagos APC said the defeat of the PDP confirmed that the opposition party had been rejected by Lagosians.

    APC chided the PDP chairman, Deji Doherty, for accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of allocating votes to the ruling party.

    Lagos APC Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo said in a statement that the allegation of vote allocation to APC was ridiculous, stressing that the elections were free and fair.

    He also rejected the allegation of vote buying and other forms of fraud.

    Oladejo said: “The reaction of the Lagos State chairman of PDP to the humiliating defeat of his party to the recently held Lagos East Senatorial and Kosofe 2 Lagos State House of Assembly elections can best be described as a comic relief from the recent pressure and challenges.

    “It was a referendum on the spineless and ineffectual opposition that the PDP has been providing in Lagos State for over two decades.

    “The age-long disharmony and lack of coordination in the PDP effectively laid the foundation for the permanent trouncing of the opposition party in Lagos state.

    “The impressive performance of the ruling party, APC, in the determined implementation of its progressive policies has made PDP a taboo in Lagos state.”

    He added:” It’s a big surprise that the state chairman could complain about the results of the elections that he was too busy to campaign for his candidates.

    “While they were busy conducting fake personal opinion polls, the ruling APC was reaching out to the voters with life changing programs, manifestos and policies that are relevant to the challenges of the day.

    “However, we emphatize with Engr Doherty who must still be dazed by the total annihilation.

    The bye-election will go down in history as one of the best in terms of conduct by INEC, the professionalism of the security agents and the fact that the results truly reflected the popular will.”

    Zamfara

    The PDP asked the Returning Officer for the Bakura Constituency in Zamfara State, Prof. Ibrahim Magatawa, to step aside.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party accused Prof Magatawa of plots to rig the poll in favour of the APC.

    The electoral commission had declared the election inconclusive, following its cancellation in some areas. INEC had fixed next Saturday to conclude the election.

    Ologbondiyan said: “The PDP demands the immediate removal of Prof. Magatawa as his embarrassing pronouncement has betrayed a plot to use the planned re-run in 14 polling units where election was cancelled under unclear circumstances, to rob our party of our victory in the Bakura State Constituency by-election.

    “Our party and Nigerians were shocked when, in declaring the election inconclusive, given that the total number of registered voters in the 14 polling units is 11,439 higher than the 2,181 difference between the 18,645 votes scored by the PDP and 16,464 votes garnered by the APC, Prof. Magatawa openly suggested that the rerun will give the APC upper hand over the PDP”.

    The PDP quoted Prof. Magatawa as saying: “If the APC is to, may gain advantage if there is another election in these units where election is cancelled, that they may get upper hand over the PDP and as a result, we have declared this result inconclusive”.

    The party said Magatawa’s statement exposed the partisanship of the INEC official, triggering a dangerous crisis of confidence and pointing to a creepy plot to use the rerun to allocate fictitious votes to APC, “the very reason, Prof. Magatawa must not be allowed in anyway to participate in the anticipated rerun”.

    “The PDP therefore. demands that the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, directly take over the conduct of processes in the Bakura State Constituency bye-election, where our party is in clear victory, as the people will never allow any final outcome that does not reflect the electoral reality already on the ground”

    Bauchi

    Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed enjoined PDP members to accept defeat at the Assembly by-election with dignity and sportsmanship.

    The governor who described the defeat as the will of God, urged party faithful not to be divided by the temporary setback.

    The governor in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media , Muktar Gidado and made available to reporters Sunday said the loss was a lesson, adding that ‘his government and the PDP need to plan to regain their lost ground with chivalry, tactics and team work.’

    He added: “We lost 21 House of Assembly seats and 3 Senate seats in 2019 but Allah gave us victory in the gubernatorial election. Let us not play to the gallery by indulging in blame game, internal rancor, accusations and mistrust.”

    Imo North

    There was drama at the INEC office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Owerri, the state capital, when the Returning Officer, Hakeem Adikum, declared the APC winner of Imo North.

    The Returning Officer said APC scored 36, 811 votes, while Emmanuel Okewulonu of the PDP scored 31, 903 votes.

    According to Adikum, APC won in five out of the six local government areas in the senatorial district while PDP won in one LGA.

    While PDP won in Obowo LGA where its candidate hails from.

    APC won in Okigwe, Onuimo, Isiala Mbano, Ehime Mbano and Ihitte/ Uboma LGAs.

    INEC’s failure to return any candidate as the winner caused disquiet in the hall, as the supporters of Ifeanyi Araraume and Frank Ibezim, laid claims to the APC ticket.

    The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo state, Prof Francis Ezeonu, told reporters that the commission was unable to return the APC candidate as the winner because of what he called court orders for and against Araraume and Ibezim of the APC.

    Also, Abuja Federal High Court had on Friday barred Ibezim from contesting the election.

    A Court of Appeal in Owerri sacked Araraume as the candidate and declared Ibezim as the authentic candidate of the party.

    Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenem who delivered the judgment, ordered INEC to immediately enlist Ibezim’s name as the candidate.

    Plateau South

    APC candidate in Plateau South Prof. Nora Dabu’ut, was declared winner.

    According to the results announced by INEC, Prof. Idris A female, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Lafia, Nassarawa State, said, Dabu’ut polled of 83,151 votes while George Daika, PDP rival, got 70,838 votes.

    Mrs Dabu’ut defeated her opponent in four out of the six local government areas in the senatorial district. while the PDP candidate, Daika, won in two local Government Areas.

    Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong congratulated Dabu’ut for making history as the first female Senator-elect in the State.

    Dabu’ut will succeed the late Senator Ignatius Longjan.

    Lalong said the victory of Prof. Nora Dabu’ut was not surprising as the APC is well rooted in the whole state particularly the Southern Senatorial District.

    Also, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, felicitated with Dabu’ut,

    In a congratulatory massage by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Muhammed Puma, Wase described the victory as a confirmation that the people of southern senatorial district have confidence in the ruling APC.

    He also lauded the electoral commission and security agencies for doing their best within the ambit of the law to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

    Cross River

    INEC declared Dr. Stephen Odey of the PDP winner.of the Cross River North by-election

    Odey and Jerigbe Agom Jerigbe also of the PDP were in court.

    They both obtained court orders asking INEC to accept their candidature.

    Also, INEC declared the PDP candidates winner in Obudu State Constituency by-election.

    The Collation Officer Prof. Ameh Akoh of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, who announced the result said, the PDP candidate, Dr Stephen Odey, scored 129,207 votes to defeat other Eight contestants.

    According to him, the APC candidate, Joe Agi (SAN) scored 19,165 votes to place second while African Democratic Congress, standard bearer Mr Gregory Agam came third with 388 votes among others.

    Katsina

    The APC candidate Dr. Ibrahim Aminu Kurami declared the winner of the Bakori State Constituency by-election.

    Kurami defeated Alhaji Aminu Magaji of the PDP.

    The Returning Officer of Bakori local Government State Constituency by-election, Professor A. D. Kankia, declared that Kurani scored 20,444 votes,

    He will replace Alhaji Abdurrazaq Tsiga, who died in May after a protracted illness.

    He was the House Deputy leader and Chairman, House Committee on Business, Ethics and Privileges, before his death.

    Enugu

    INEC declared Mrs Amaka Ugwueze, the PDP candidate of the , winner of Isi-Uzo State Constituency election.

    Declaring the results at Isi-Uzo council headquarters in Ikem, INEC Collation Officer for the By-Election, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu, said that Ugwueze polled 11,041 votes to defeat her close rival, Mr Ejiofor Okwor, candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 2,293 votes.

    Nwachukwu said other seven political parties that contested in the by-election scored less than 70 votes each.

    He noted that the by-election had 13,597 total valid votes and 391 rejected votes, while a total of 13,988 votes were cast.

    Dr Emeka Ononamadu, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, thanked the electorates and the people for conducting themselves very peacefully during and after the poll.

    “I appreciate our INEC staff, security men, stakeholders and especially the good people of Isi-Uzo for ensuring that this by-election was hitch-free,’’ Ononamadu said.

    The seat became vacant, following the death of the member representing the constituency, Mr Chijioke Ugwueze.

    The late lawmaker’s wife, Mrs Amaka Ugwueze, is the Peoples Democratic Party Candidate and the fourth female legislator in the state assembly.

    Borno

    The APC also won the two State Assembly seats in Borno State.

    Announcing the results in Briyel, headquarters of Bayo Local Government, the INEC Returning Officer Professor Gurama Abubakar declared Maina Maigari of the APC winner with 15,484 votes to defeat six other contestants.

    Also, Gajiram, Nganzai local government, the Returning Officer, Dr Kamsulum Umar declared APC candidate Mahommed Gajiram winner of the State Assembly seat with 8885 votes and returned elected.

    Bayelsa

    INEC declared former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson the winner of the Bayelsa West by-election.

    Also, Moses Cleopas of PDP won in Bayelsa CentralSenatorial District

    The Returning Officer, Prof. Ekechukwe Okeke, Dean of Humanities, the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State and Dickson, the PDP candidate polled 115,257 votes while his closest rival, Peremobowei Ebebi, of the APC scored 17,541 votes.

    Dickson, who spoke in his country home of Toru-Orua, shortly after his return, dedicated the victory to God, the voters, Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation.

  • Lagos by-election: Hoodlums accost INEC officials at Mile 12, demand money

    Lagos by-election: Hoodlums accost INEC officials at Mile 12, demand money

    Some hoodlums accosted INEC officials as they prepared to commence voting during Saturday’s by-election at Unit 13, Kosofe council area of Lagos State.

    A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who was at the centre reports that the hoodlums insisted on collecting money from INEC officials before voting could commence.

    An INEC ad-hoc staff, Mrs Monsurat Aladeloba, told NAN that the hoodlums got to the unit at about 8:37 a.m, brandishing dangerous weapons.

    NAN reports that the INEC ad-hoc staff packed up their materials so as to relocate from the area in the midst of the confrontation between some electorate and the hoodlums.

    “The boys were about fighting themselves when more police officers were drafted here,” she said.

    NAN reports that the the situation was later brought under control at about 10 a.m. following intervention of some community leaders in the area.

    One of the community leaders, Alhaji Gbenga Mola, said that the hoodlums had been taken care of and assured the INEC officials of their safety.

    “There will be no problem here. I have talked to the boys. Election is holding here,” he said.

    NAN reports that voting later commenced at about 10.15 a.m.

    Meanwhile, an All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr Femi Saheed, contesting for Kosofe Constituency 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, commended the peaceful conduct of the election in the area.

    Saheed, who voted at Unit 003, Aina Road, Kosofe, at about 10.28 a.m, commended INEC for the logistics.

    NAN observed that unlike in Ojota/Ogudu areas where there was voter apathy, there was massive voter turnout at Agility in Mile 12 area of Lagos.

  • APC wins Nasarawa by-election

    APC wins Nasarawa by-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Ismail Danbaba, winner of the Nasarawa State constituency bye-election.

    Declaring the result on Saturday night, the returning officer, Iiyasu Umar said Danbaba scored 7,475 to defeat Bage Nuhu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who got 4,608 votes.

    Umar stated that 12,217 total votes were cast and valid votes were 12,083, with 134 votes rejected.

    Speaking after he was declared winner, Danbaba promised effective representation to his people and thanked the people for voting for him.

    The election followed the death of Sulieman Adamu of the APC who it allegedly died of COVID-19 in April 2020.

  • 66,725 voters to participate in Plateau by-election – INEC

    66,725 voters to participate in Plateau by-election – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 66,725 voters will be participating in the by-election into the Pengana Constituency of Bassa Local Government Area in Plateau House of Assembly.
    Mr Osaretin Imahiyereobo, Head, Voter Education and Publicity of the Commission in the state, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Saturday.
    The by-election scheduled for Aug. 3, was necessitated by the death of Mr Ezekiel Afon of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who died just after he was declared winner of the election in March.
    According to him, 67,033 eligible voters in the constituency registered but only 66,725 who had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would be allowed to vote on the day of election.
    “Elections will hold in 60 polling units and 127 voting points in seven Registration Areas (RAs).
    “Total registered voters in the constituency is 67,033 but only 66,725 have collected their PVCs.
    “Only those who registered and obtained their PVCs in these 60 polling units located in the seven RAs will be allowed to participate in the election,” Imahiyereobo said.
    The official said Smart Card Readers would be fully deployed and handled by well-trained INEC permanent staff during the polls.
    He also said training of Supervisory Presiding Officers commenced last Thursday and ended on Friday
    Imahiyereobo explained that the training for Presiding Officers, which consists mainly of NYSC corps members and Assistant Presiding Officers would hold between July 22 and July 25.

  • APC wins Surulere Councillorship by-election

    APC wins Surulere Councillorship by-election

    The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission ( LASIEC ) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), Mr. Kazeem Bello, as winner of the councillorship by-election held on Saturday at Ward A ( Obele/Oniwala ) in Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    While announcing the result of the by-election, Mr. Olusola Ibikunle, the Returning Officer, declared Mr. Kazeem Bello, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) as winner, having scored 793 votes while his only opponent, Mr. Abdulateef Bolaji Sanni, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, scored 195 votes.

    There are 11,095 registered voters in the ward.

    Speaking to newsmen after monitoring the by-election, Hon. Olusegun Ayedun, an Electoral Commissioner of the Commission in charge of the zone where the by-election was conducted, expressed disappointment at the low voters’ turn-out, noting, however, that the development was a nation-wide problem which needed to be tackled.

    He, therefore, enjoined leaders of political parties to redouble their efforts in encouraging eligible registered members of the public to participate in the electoral process by casting their votes during elections, stressing that the Commission was also working hard in this regard.

    Ayedun commended security personnel on election duty for “doing a good job”, adding that the conduct of the by-election was peaceful.

    Also addressing newsmen on the by-election, Mr. Sesan Ogundeko, the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, stated that the Commission adequately prepared for the by-election in terms of the training of the election personnel, their deployment as well as in terms of the deployment of materials required for the exercise.

    Ogundeko had expressed the hope that with the level of preparation of the Commission for the by-election, there would be at least 50 percent voters turn-out by the end of the period of the by-election.

    It would be recalled that following the death of the Councillor representing the area, Mr. Razak Bello, the Commission had, in compliance with the provisions of the law, issued a Notice of Bye- Election and Election Guidelines during an interactive forum held with stakeholders on April 10.

  • By-election: PDP recruiting thugs, fake observers — APC alleges

    Ahead of the By-election for Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-ero Federal Constituency in Kwara, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has allegedly accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of importing thugs to disrupt the exercise.

    The APC made the allegation in a statement issued by Femi David, an official of the party in Omu-Aran on Saturday.

    The APC also accused the PDP of recruiting fake election observers, monitors and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    “In its desperation and characteristic manner to subvert the will of the people, the PDP has been recruiting thugs and fake election observers to disrupt the exercise.

    “The thugs and fake election observers are to be strategically placed in the strong hold of the APC candidate, Mr Raheem Olawuyi AKA Ajulopin.

    “The PDP has been importing thugs from Rivers, Delta and other neighbouring states to intimidate and harass voters in order to scuttle the exercise, having sensed imminent defeat in the by-election.’’

    According to the APC, most of the thugs are presently being camped in one of the hotel owned by a stalwart of PDP with the full support of the state government.

    The APC urged security agents, especially the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris to swing into action by mounting surveillance in and around the constituency to forestall the breakdown of law and order during the by-election.

    “APC hereby put the people of the constituency on alert to report any suspicious move to the security agents in order to have a hitch free exercise..’’

    It warned that no amount of intimidation, harassment and hooliganism would deter the people from voting out the PDP on November 17.

    “The PDP no longer has hold on Kwara, the people must be allowed to exercise their franchise without any inhibition.

    “The APC remains the party to beat in the election, importing thugs to scuttle the election will amount to an exercise in futility.’’

    In a swift reaction, the PDP Chairman in Irepodun Local Government Area, Alhaji Saheed Oyelowo said that the allegations were mere fabrication and remained in the realms of speculation.

    According to him, we are not in government at the national level, we are only controlling Kwara, so how can we mobilise thugs from other states.

    He also reiterated PDP’s commitment to a credible and peaceful election.

    NAN

  • Edwin Clark condemns Rivers by-election violence, wants severe punishment for electoral offenders

    A former Federal Commissioner of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, on Wednesday called for severe sanctions for perpetrators of electoral offences in the country.

    Clark made the call in a telephone interview with a political correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

    He was reacting to the suspension of Saturday’s by-election in Rivers State by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) owing to widespread violence.

    The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Obo Effanga, who announced the suspension, said that INEC also stopped the election owing to high cases of ballot snatching and attacks on its officials.

    NAN reports that the election was meant to fill the Port Harcourt Constituency 3 state assembly seat left by Mr Victor Ihunwo, now the Chairman, Port Harcourt Local Government.

    Clark, while condemning the violence, said the the situation was a recurring feature of elections in the country.

    He said there was a compelling need for government to come hard on electoral offenders, as they were a dent on the country’s democracy.

    “You see, what happened in Rivers has been going on in many places; and people perpetrate violence in elections and we have it over and over because there are no sanctions.

    “That is why Uwais report suggested that there should be special courts so that anybody who misbehaves during elections is arrested and dealt with.

    “We are yet to have that. But I learnt there is a bill on that at the National Assembly, and I believe once this bill is passed into law, it would reduce cases of violence in elections.

    “I mean when you send people to 10 years imprisonment for perpetrating violence in elections, they will not repeat it again and others will learn.

    “Severe punishment for offenders. That is what I believe will end the cycle of election violence in the country,” he said.

    Clark said the heavy security deployed during elections would have been needless if people obeyed electoral laws.

    The elder statesman said the high security vote for the 2019 elections by INEC could be better used for infrastructure, if violence was not part of elections.

    Clark urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that all relevant laws to check electoral offences are ready ahead of 2019, to ensure the elections are free and fair.