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Tag: Elections

  • Elections: Don’t set Nigeria on fire, CAN warns politicians

    The President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, has advised politicians to avoid utterances and actions, which are capable of disturbing the nation’s peace.

    Ayokunle gave the advice at the 2nd General Assembly of the Inter-faith Dialogue Forum for Peace, with the theme, ‘‘General Elections and National Security: The Role of Inter-faith Communities’’ in Abuja on Wednesday.

    ‘‘I also want to appeal to politicians not to set the nation on fire because of their personal ambition at the expense of national interest.

    ‘‘People who don’t have any work outside politics should not be voted into power.

    ‘‘I want to urge those in government and all politicians to calm down, to avoid breakdown of law and order because of elections.

    ‘‘Enough is enough on the destruction of our country. Thuggery and any format of electoral violence should be discouraged by all politicians,’’ he said.

    He also enjoined politicians not to be desperate to acquire power because leadership was a burden.

    The CAN leader said that politicians must respect the rule of law, to enhance peace in the country.

    He, however, urged the electorate to vote for people who had something to offer for the advancement of the country.

    Ayokunle, therefore, charged the law enforcement agencies to help in building the nation’s democracy by ensuring free, fair and credible elections during the forthcoming general elections.

    “Don’t help in installing bad leaders during elections and don’t use your uniforms to do a dirty job by intimidating or preventing voters to discharge their civic responsibilities.

    “We don’t want to see or hear such incidences again if we don’t want to mortgage the future of our children.

    “We should not play politics with the security of Nigerians,’’ he said.

    He also admonished religious leaders to continue to pray for the country, preach peace and avoid making divisive comments that could disrupt the nation’s peaceful co-existence.

    ‘‘I want to urge faith communities to continue to pray for Nigeria because the relative peace we are enjoying in this country is because of our constant prayers.’’

    The co-Chairman, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Rev. Sunday Onuoha, advised the Federal and state governments to redirect their efforts towards building stronger institutions that would be beneficial to all citizens.

    ‘‘All institutions, both government and non-government, should be open to dialogue and not close their minds to other opinions or see other opinions as threat, as no one has the monopoly of knowledge,’’ he said.

    He urged those who presented themselves for elective positions to be willing to accept the outcome of the elections.

     

  • Elections: Acting IG charges officers to brace up for heavy deployment

    Elections: Acting IG charges officers to brace up for heavy deployment

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja

    …as outgoing IGP retires three DIGs

    Ahead of the February 16, 2019 Presidential election and the National and State Houses of Assembly election which holds subsequently, the newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police IGP Mr Adamu Mohammed has called on Police officers to brace up for the task ahead as they would be heavily deployed for the election.

    The IGP made the call in his inaugural speech at the his Conference Hall Force Headquarters Abuja on Wednesday saying that the Police Officers from the rank of Constable to the Deputy-Inspector General of Police DIG should be ready to ensure a successful election in 2019.

    He said that the activities and actions of the Police officers would be subjected to public scrutiny and charged them to abstain from actions that will bring the Force to disrepute.

    According to him, the upcoming general election would witness heavy deployment of Police personnel and added that he is that the force has the operational capacity to do that.

    The IGP further said that the Police Force is blessed with the brightest and most intelligent personnel and expressed the optimism that the task ahead is surmountable.

    At the event, the outgoing Inspector-General of Police IGP Mr Ibrahim Idris said that he is retiring from the services of the Nigeria Police Force having served the nation for 35 years.

    The 19th IGP Idris who formally handed over to AIG Adamu Mohammed as IGP as 20th IGP in acting capacity thanked the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force for their support during his tenure of office as the IGP.

    The ceremony was witnessed by Police officers from the rank of Constable to that of Deputy-Inspector-General of Police DIG.

    Moreover, three Deputy-Inspectors-General of Police DIGs Audi Gambo, Umaru Tanko and Umaru Gusau were retired from service by the outgoing IGP to pave way for the acting IGP to assume duties.

     

  • 2019: MASSOB dares IPOB, insists elections will hold in South-East

    2019: MASSOB dares IPOB, insists elections will hold in South-East

    The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra has disagreed with the Indigenous People of Biafra over whether elections should hold this year in the South-East and other parts of the defunct Republic of Biafra.

    The outlawed IPOB, led by Nnamdi Kanu, has been insisting that the elections will not hold in the concerned areas, particularly the South-East states.

    But after a ‘National Executive Council meeting’ in Enugu on Friday, MASSOB declared that the scheduled elections would take place in ‘Biafraland’.

    MASSOB, which stressed that it would not back down from the agitation for a sovereign Biafran state, noted that pro-Biafra activists could not ‘forcibly’ impose their interests on the people of Nigeria.

    According to the group, southeasterners who believe in Nigeria are free to participate in the elections.

    A statement signed by the National Director of Information, MASSOB, Comrade Samuel Edeson, disclosed that the executive council meeting, which held at Awgu, Enugu State, was chaired by the group’s leader, Uchenna Madu.

    Parts of the statement read, “The leadership of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, after a National Executive Council meeting presided by our leader, Uchenna Madu, at our headquarters in Awgu, Enugu State, which was attended by all the local government area, state and zonal coordinators, as well as national directors, unanimously agreed and declared that this year’s general elections of the Nigerian state would not be stopped or boycotted in Biafraland.

    “MASSOB, having realised that Biafrans cannot forcibly impose our desires and interests on the people of Nigeria, and also in line with the principle of non-violence, unanimously agreed and resolved that the Nigerian state will conduct its political exercises, including general elections.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission will be allowed to conduct elections in Biafra for our people that still believe in the Nigerian state.

    “Nigerian elections will come and go irrespective of whoever wins at both national and state levels but we must continue with the struggle for the actualisation of Biafra despite internal and external distractions.”

    Apparently referring to IPOB, the statement noted that Biafran agitators who wish to boycott the polls were free to stay at home on election days, without disturbing other members of the public who might wish to partake in the exercise.

    “MASSOB advises that other pro-Biafra groups that planned to boycott the elections are entitled to stay at home during elections days.

    “Our people that still believe in the Nigerian project are free to participate in the electoral processes of Nigeria, including this year’s elections,” the statement said.

    MASSOB added that it was committed to the actualisation of the Biafran state “through the principle of non-violence and international diplomacy in collaboration with other progressive pro-Biafra groups”.

  • Buhari salutes Nigerians, promises ‘free, fair, credible’ 2019 elections in New Year Message

    Buhari salutes Nigerians, promises ‘free, fair, credible’ 2019 elections in New Year Message

    President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to ensure “free, fair and credible” elections in 2019.

    Buhari stated this in his New Year message to Nigerians.

    The president’s message was released on Monday evening by the State House.

    “We have had our challenges: security, economic, political, social. But we are resolved to combat and overcome them all,” the president said.

    Read the president’s full New Year message below.

    Dear compatriots,

    It is my utmost pleasure to rejoice with all Nigerians as we enter the year 2019, which will be a very significant one for our country.

    2. At the turn of every year, we often use the opportunity to look back at the past and forward to the future. To review the outgoing year, its high and low points, successes and failures, and be fully thankful to God.

    3. We Nigerians are a religious people, and we believe that God reigns and rules in the affairs of men. A time like this offers precious opportunity for thanksgiving, stock taking and reflection on goals and targets set for the receding year, and how much was accomplished. The ones not done can then be rolled over into a new year.

    4. The dawn of a New Year is also a time to look forward. To consider new prospects, unfold our plans, and prepare for landmark dates and events.

    5. 2019 will be an election year for us. In about two months, the polls are due, and we will elect leaders into various offices, at national and state levels.

    6. As I welcome you into 2019, I also reiterate my many promises and declarations that the general elections will be free, fair and credible.

    7. Elections need not be do or die affair, and we should not approach that eventuality in a democracy with trepidation and mortal fear. Happily, a large number of presidential candidates have committed to peace, and peace we shall have.

    8. Those who continue to trumpet falsehood and negativity are on their own, fighting a losing battle. The greater number of Nigerians are trusting and believing that we shall deliver on our promises for a level playing field at the polls, and that is what we shall do.

    9. Nigerians desire peace, security, prosperity, inclusiveness and infrastructural development, a nation they can be proud of, a country that can hold its own among the nations.

    10. That is the journey we have embarked on since we came onboard in 2015, and we are not distracted as we move on. We are resolved to build a country in which the resources are utilized for the benefit of the largest number, and not appropriated by a privileged few in their never ending quest to satisfy their greed. We are on this mission together, and I assure you of a firm commitment to the ideals of a safe, secure, fair, just and prosperous country.

    11. We have had our challenges: security, economic, political, social. But we are resolved to combat and overcome them all.

    12. I appreciate your support and collaboration in previous years, and look forward to same in 2019, and beyond, as I hope you will renew the mandate you overwhelmingly gave us in 2015, for another term.

    13. We are motivated by nothing other than service to motherland, and service without selfishness or personal interest.

    14. I can assure you all that we are making steady and sustainable progress in all areas of national life. Those who are unbiased can see and appreciate the progress the country has made since 2015.

    14. A New Year provides opportunity for renewal of commitment, and I invite you to rededicate yourselves to the vision of a Nigeria that works for all.

    15. We are moving from potentials to actualization, and it’s a task to be accomplished by us all; man, woman, young, old, military, civilian, all Nigerians.

    Please come along, as we journey to the land of our dreams. Happy 2019.

    17. Thank you and God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

     

     

  • 2019: We’ll repeat what we did in Ekiti, Osun elections – Police IG

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris has said that the Nigerian police is prepared to replicate the feat it recorded at the Ekiti and Osun States Governorship elections in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    The IGP made this known yesterday at a two-day train the trainers’ workshop for senior police officers on election security management for the 2019 general elections in Abuja.

    Represented by the Commissioner of the Police Training College, Maiduguri, Reuben Akpan, the IGP said: ‘‘This workshop is coming at the right time, it came at the right time.

    “With the inputs from the Commissioners of Police, we have been having talks like this before, in addition to training like this. Definitely, it will cement some of the loopholes the police officers have during previous elections.

    ‘‘Different people are entitled to their opinions. Under the IGP, the elections that were conducted in Ekiti and Osun states, foreign media made issues about it.

    “If we can take that as a standard, that will be a plus for the police force. But we should be fair and neutral in our conduct.”

    He said the workshop was more fundamental as there were already identified threats that are likely to trigger violence in the 2019 general elections.

  • 2019: Buhari expresses willingness to conduct free, fair elections

    2019: Buhari expresses willingness to conduct free, fair elections

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday reassured Nigerians that the forthcoming general elections in 2019 will be free and fair.

    Buhari gave the assurance in Jos at the graduation ceremony of Senior Executive Course 40, 2018 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, KURU.

    “We as a government also wish to reiterate our commitment to ensuring that the elections are free, fair and credible as part of measures to deepen our democracy,

    “As we prepare for the forthcoming elections in 2019, Nigerians are once again enjoined to exercise their civic obligation as stakeholders in our development project,” he said.

    The president who was represented by the Minister of Defence, Brig.- Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd) said that his administration was committed to good governance.

    Buhari stated that the inherited circumstances put them under extreme difficulty, particularly when measured against the expectations of Nigerians who voted for them expecting a better governance.

    He pointed out that the Federal Government developed and implemented some policies that would quickly get the country out of the unsavoury situation.

    “We will not allow few evil forces in our midst whose only agenda is to attain political power by inciting hate and intolerance among the citizens.

    “They exploit and manipulate the fault lines in the society to destroy our collective peace, mutual coexistence and social harmony.

    “They think that they will change the narrative, and the people would not ask them to account for what they looted from the commonwealth” he added.

  • U.S. monitoring for foreign election interference: intelligence official

    U.S. monitoring for foreign election interference: intelligence official

    The U.S. government is monitoring for possible foreign interference in the upcoming congressional elections and is prepared to sanction any company or individual involved in such activity, a senior intelligence official said.

    “We remain concerned about interference coming from Russia, China and Iran,” the official said in a phone briefing with reporters to discuss federal government plans to help secure the Nov. 6 elections.

    The official provided no details about specific threats of foreign influence during the call, but said the intelligence community is prepared to identify individuals who meddle in the voting process.

    U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election in a bid to bolster support for Donald Trump and have more recently accused Moscow of seeking to influence the outcome of next week’s congressional elections.
    Russia has denied the allegations.

    Trump last month accused China of meddling in the election while speaking at the UN.

    He did not provide evidence to support his claim and Beijing has denied the charges.

    Trump signed an executive order in September allowing the government to sanction any individual or company found to be interfering in the election through either hacking or disinformation efforts.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security and intelligence will contribute to efforts for thwarting digital attacks on the election, officials said on the call.
    The White House will coordinate with these agencies through its National Security Council.

    The Justice Department is also planning to launch an “election interference command post” on election day to help the FBI rapidly communicate with its different field offices around the country, a second senior administration official said.

  • 2019: INEC replies Oshiomhole, insists APC won't participate in Zamfara elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it stands by its statement that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not field candidates for the 2019 general elections in Zamfara.
    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this on the sideline of the opening of a two-day validation workshop titled “Study on the cost of elections in ECOWAS Region” on Monday in Abuja.
    “We have issued a statement on Zamfara and nothing has changed. We stand by the statement that we issued,” he said.
    Yakubu re-emphasised that the deadline for submission of party candidates’ name to the commission was Oct 18, saying that it would give a full report on that after Nov. 18.
    INEC had informed the ruling APC in a leaked memo that it would not be allowed to field candidates for elective positions in Zamfara in the 2019 elections.
    The commission’s acting Secretary, Okechukwe Ndeche, in a letter to the APC said that the party was barred from fielding candidates for governorship, national assembly and state assembly elections.
    The commission said this was because APC failed to comply with Sections 87 and 31 of the Electoral Act of 2010.
    Parties, according to the act, were expected to comply with the timetable and schedule of INEC, which says that the conduct of primaries must be held between Aug. 18 and Oct. 7.
    INEC said it received reports from its Zamfara office, indicating that no primaries were conducted in the state “notwithstanding that our officials were fully mobilised and deployed.”
    The APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, later responded to INEC in a statement and said that the party had already arrived at a consensus before the deadline.
    Oshiomhole said that following the high level of friction, disagreements and threats of violence by various political camps before the primaries, all the aspirants met at City King Hotel, Gusau, to find a truce.
    “After hours of intense horse-trading, a consensus was reached within the spirit and context of the electoral act and the constitution of our party.
    “This was done in strict compliance with Section 87 (6) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended),” he said.
    He said that the claim by INEC that no primaries were conducted could only be referring to its officials’ observation that actual voting did not take place.
    The APC chairman said that conduct of primaries was not the only mode prescribed for producing candidates in the electoral act, 2010 (as amended).
    “We, therefore, affirm that indeed, primaries took place in Zamfara State,” Oshiomhole said.
    The party chairman also noted that PDP had similar issues in Kano State and wondered why INEC did not bar the opposition party from fielding candidates.
    Yakubu further said that the commission would by the end of November print the outstanding Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
    “We have printed the PVCs for those who registered in the first quarter of 2018. We are right now simultaneously printing for those who registered in the second and third quarters.
    “We are looking at the end of November for all the PVCs to be printed including request for transfer and relocation.
    “Let me just repeat the assurance that every citizen that registered and who have applied for transfer or replacement will get his or her PVC before 2019 general elections.”
    He, however, said that the commission had stopped every registration, request for transfer and replacement of damaged PVCs.
     

  • We’ll conduct free, credible elections in 2019 – Osinbajo assures Nigerians

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday assured Nigerians that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would deliver free, fair and credible elections next year.

    Osinbajo, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the President, Babafemi Ojodu, at the Annual Nigeria Political Parties Summit organised by the Political Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre of the National Institute for a Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), said no individual interest would be allowed to override the nation’s interest.

    He said all activities ahead of the 2019 elections must be approached with the highest level of decorum and strict adherence to rules of the game as enshrined in the constitution, the electoral act and indeed the code of conduct which the political parties freely put in place.

    He said: “The interest of Nigeria is higher than the individual interest of any person or group of persons no matter how highly placed. It is our duty to protect and defend the life of every Nigerian while exercising his right to vote.

    “We must never allow anyone or anything to derail our match to progress. We must refrain from actions that are capable of threatening the security of this country, particularly hate speeches and attitude to intolerance and division. Let us stand together on the common action of love, unity and stability to salvage Nigeria.

    “This political summit offers an opportunity for the political parties to dialogue and take stock of our activities. The absence of dialogue among political parties in the past led to conflict and polarization among political leaders and consequently bitter developments.

    “Trust and cooperation between political parties is imperative between political parties for democracy and development. In this respect, I want to commend the political parties for strengthening the Interparty Advisory Council to have a common platform for all political parties to articulate their common problems and deepen democracy. Inter party cooperation in these days is essential for democratic consolidation and national stability.

    “Today, I pledge to Nigeria, my country to promote free, fair and credible election devoid of any form of interference in the activities of INEC, to ensure security and promote a violence free election devoid of animosity and hate speeches, to abide by the extant laws governing political parties and adhere strictly to the code of conduct of political parties in Nigeria.”

  • Why PDP keep losing elections to rival political parties – Jonathan

    Why PDP keep losing elections to rival political parties – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost elections to rival political parties in some states.

    Recall that the party recently lost the governorship election in Ekiti State to the All Progressives Congress.

    The former president urged party leaders to henceforth stop the trend of imposing candidates on the party against the wish of the people.

    He also called on politicians not to yield to any form of negative influence by godfathers.

    Jonathan gave the advice when he received Sen. Philip Gyunka, who visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said that though there was nothing wrong with having godfathers, but they should not be clogs in the wheel of progress.

    “I have no problem with the issue of godfathers because as a Christian, if you are taking a child for baptism, there is this concept of godfather or godmother.

    “These are people that are supposed to help mentor the children and give advice from time to time. Godfather should not be used negatively.

    “For example, if you come from a community that participates actively in wrestling with neighbouring communities and you know your son cannot wrestle, you cannot send him.

    “Even in politics, if you have a son or anybody and you know the person cannot lead the party to victory, and you are sending the person because you are hoping for something, then you do not like the party.

    “If you like the party you, will ask your son to work with the person that you believe can win elections.

    “We lost most of these elections because of this issue of imposition of people that are not acceptable to the public,” he said.

    Jonathan also said that sacrificing competence and efficiency on the altar of interest was counterproductive.

    “I have not gone for elections outside Africa but at least, before leaving office I went round to observe election in a number of countries.

    “Politics is like war. I am not saying people should carry guns and knives, but to struggle to win election. People must have that kind of personal interest.

    “We need to send people that the people appreciate, people whom they believe in to bring development to their state so that even if it means sleeping there they will stay there and do the work.

    “I commend the National Chairman of our party, Uche Secondus, because he has been emphasising that this time, primaries must be on level-playing ground so that whoever emerges, others will support the person,’’ he said.

    The former president expressed optimism that party faithful in the states would work together to present candidates that would win elections.

    “I am pleased to see you also getting interested in the Nasarawa State governorship race.

    “I believe you will do well. We need the person that can advance the course of the state.

    “I am hopeful that this time, PDP members in Nassarawa State will come together. When people do not work together they cannot achieve much.

    “Primaries must be done in a way that there are no grievances. If you lose gallantly you will have no problem but if you are manipulated out of the process, you will be angry,” he said.

    Jonathan pointed out that Nasarawa state was critical not just in terms of arable land and abundant mineral deposits but in view of its closeness to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “As we approach elections some of us who had the privilege of being at the centre for eight years have a reasonable idea of the country.

    “Nassarawa state being catchment state to FCT is always very critical to the government. When you have religious turbulence in the state it affects Abuja directly.

    “Nassarawa state is covered by the Brigade of Guards, meaning it is considered as almost a part of FCT. So, it is a state that we really need good people to govern.

    “We will continue to do what we can to help the process.’’

    On solid minerals in Nasarawa, Jonathan said “a friend of mine had discussion with some groups of persons and they were asking what he knew was bringing money to Nigerians not in terms of spread but volume.

    “They said it was not crude but solid mineral.

    “He mentioned a particular mineral and said people make more money from it than those in the oil industry.

    “Unfortunately some of these areas have not been really mapped out so we do not even know what we have.

    “You see some Asian miners come to mine and from the information we get even when I was a president, the ministry has not been able to factor what is happening. What these people take out we do not even know.”

    While commending the present government for encouraging governors to tap into mineral deposits in their states, Jonathan urged the governors to take the plunge.

    According to him, now that even the government is looking at encouraging states to check their mineral resources, I believe it will be more efficient.

    “This is because no governor would be there while we are looking for money for development and allow people to come and take things without you knowing.

    Earlier, Gyunka had commended the former president for always promoting peace and unity in the country.

    He said that it was the style of leadership and penchant for competence that endeared him to the former president, adding that, it was second to none.

    “Some of us believe in your leadership and we will like to have you as our mentor.

    “Godfather syndrome has killed this country. It has deprived so many talented youths from being where they ought to be.

    “There are several instances where young peoples’ dream and talents die because they are not from rich homes and same is playing out in our polity as people without godfathers do not achieve their dreams in politics.

    “God created us all with specific assignments but many dreams and assignments have died because of godfathers.

    “For me, you are the kind of man that any Nigerian that wants to succeed would want to have as a mentor.

    “I believe strongly that if anyone under your tutelage holds public office, there will be peace because you are a man of peace.

    “I have come to meet you as my mentor, to put me through on how you were able to succeed carrying out your assignment,” he said.

    The lawmaker said Nigeria needed good leaders, adding that it was only good leaders that would deliver the country from its present challenges.