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Tag: Elections

  • Future elections will be better than 2015 –INEC

    Future elections will be better than 2015 –INEC

    The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission was committed to making future elections in the country better than the 2015 exercise.
    Yakubu made the pledge when he received the new United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington at INEC headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government for its commendation of the 2015 polls.

    According to him, you have noted that the elections were well organised and were of international standard and accepted, contrary to situation in the past where there were protests on the street after elections.

    “After the 2015 elections, there were jubilations on the streets and this further underscored the achievement of the commission and the steps that Nigeria has taken towards consolidating its democracy.

    “We appreciate your kind words; 2015 was a defining moment for Nigeria elections, but we want to assure you that the commission is conscious of its responsibility and we are committed to making future elections even better.

    “It is for that reason we are have taking some steps in ensuring that the 2019 general elections are better that 2015 general elections,’’ Yakubu said.

    He said that one of the steps being taken was proper planning.

    “We have been planning ahead for 2019 general elections and beyond, and we have done so in many other areas in two ways.’’

    He disclosed that the commission would, from next week, commence the process of implementing its “2017-2021 Strategic Plan’’.

    The chairman said that the commission would also clean up voter register, conclude ongoing continuous voter registration in 774 local governments before the 2019 general elections, and continue the exercise later.

    He also listed the fixing of specific dates ahead of the 2019 general elections as well as deepening the use of technology as other steps being taken to improve on the country’s electoral system.

    Yakubu pledged that the commission would continue to work more closely with the US embassy to strengthen the country’s democracy and electoral process.

    “There is a lot we share in common with the US in terms of our democratic evolution. America practices presidential system, Nigeria also practices the presidential system.

    “Many people don’t also realize that the Nigeria presidential democracy is second only to the US in terms of the size of registered voters.

    “As I speak today, Nigeria has 70 million registered voters, and US is the only country that practices presidential democracy that has more registered voters than Nigeria,’’ he added.

    Earlier, Symington had said that his visit to INEC was to learn how Nigeria conducted its elections, and commended the commission for the success of 2015 general elections.

    He said that conducting widely accepted elections had helped Nigeria to play a leading role expected of it in Africa.

    Symington said that majority views across the globe on the 2015 general elections was that the elections were conducted in the atmosphere of peace imposed by wind of hope and shaped by the certainty of comfort.

    “So, the combination of peace, hope and comfort seems to me a sort of key that is needed, going forward,’’ he said.

    He, however, listed good relationship and confidence between the leaders and the followers as some of the key factors required for good governance across the globe.

  • UK general elections to be conducted June 8, Theresa May assures

    UK general elections to be conducted June 8, Theresa May assures

    British Prime Minister, Theresa May, has called for a general election to be held in the country on 8 June.

    In a speech at Number 10 Downing Street, May expressed her resolve to cement her party’s grip to power.

    The Prime Minister said she would go to Parliament and ask for the national vote on June 8, adding: “We need a general election and we need one now”.

    She explained that she had only come to the conclusion an election was needed “recently”.

    Theresa May’s statement reads in part: “I have just chaired a meeting of the Cabinet, where we agreed that the Government should call a general election, to be held on June 8.

    “I want to explain the reasons for that decision, what will happen next and the choice facing the British people when you come to vote in this election.

    “Last summer, after the country voted to leave the European Union, Britain needed certainty, stability and strong leadership, and since I became Prime Minister the Government has delivered precisely that.

    “Despite predictions of immediate financial and economic danger, since the referendum we have seen consumer confidence remain high, record numbers of jobs, and economic growth that has exceeded all expectations.

    “We have also delivered on the mandate that we were handed by the referendum result.

    “It was with reluctance that I decided the country needed this election but it is with conviction that I say it is necessary…so tomorrow let the House of Commons vote for an election, let everybody put forward their proposals for Brexit and their vision for Government.”

    “It will be a choice between strong and stable leadership in the national interest, with me as your Prime Minister, or weak and unstable government under a coalition led by Jeremy Corbyn…every vote for the Conservatives will make me stronger when I negotiate for Britain with the European Union.”

  • PDP clears 13 seats declared in Taraba LG elections

     

    The Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission has declared candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP winners of the 13 local government chairmanship seats so far collated and announced.

    Dr Philip Duwe, the Chairman of the commission, announced the results of the Feb. 25 council polls in Jalingo on Sunday.

    Duwe declared Alhaji Mohammed Umar as Chairman-elect of Gashaka, Mr Nicholas Waniyafiwani, Lau, Alhaji Abdul Boboji, Jalingo, and Mr Danladi Suntai as Chairman-elect of Bali Local Government.

    Others are Slhaji Salisu Dogo, Ardo-Kola, Mr Joseph Mika, Yorro, Mr Adi Daniel, Wukari, Mr Christopher Koshombo, Zing, Alhaji Yahuza Yahaya, Gassol and Mr Nashuka Musa for Donga.

    Duwe also declared Mr Shiban Tikari as chairman-elect for Takum, Mr Stephen Agya, Kurmi, while Rimansikwe Karma was declared Chairman-elect for Ussa Local Government.

    Results from Sardauna and Karim Lamido Local Governments are still being waited, while the exercise was suspended in Ibi Local Government after violence broke out during the exercise.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the All Progressives Congress won three councillorship seats in Jalingo, with the SDP winning one councillorship in Zing, while the rest were cleared by the PDP.

     

    NAN

  • Don’t elect public officers who neglect you after elections, Gaidam warns Yobe voters

    Don’t elect public officers who neglect you after elections, Gaidam warns Yobe voters

    Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State, on Friday, warned electorates in the state not to elect representatives who would abandon them after elections.

    The governor said this while addressing people in Gwio-Kura community after inspecting ongoing projects at Government Secondary School, Gwio-Kura.

    He decried the attitude of some politicians who he said used and dumped the electorate after getting their mandate.

    “It is regrettable that such politicians resort to driving glass-tinted jeeps, after getting votes and neglecting the people who voted them into office.

    “This should serve as a lesson, you should avoid another mistake of electing public officers who neglect you after elections,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gaidam, last Monday, while swearing in elected local government chairmen said political jobbers would have no place in 2019 elections.

    He further assured that the state would not be handed over to reckless and selfish politicians who he said had no love of the state at heart.

    “We will ensure that only committed politicians with the love of the state at heart take over from us, not drunkards, Indian hemp smokers or gamblers who would mortgage the future of Yobe.

    “We have gone a long way in developing our state. We cannot afford the risk of entrusting it into the hands of political jobbers who only think of themselves,” the governor said.

    Gaidam, however, urged the people to pray for good leaders who would place public service above personal and selfish interests.

  • APC clears local govt council elections in Yobe

     

    The Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission (YSIEC) on Sunday announced that All Progressives Congress (APC) won the 17 local government council election conducted on Saturday, Feb. 11.

    Mr Jauro Abdu, the Chairman of the state’s Independent Electoral Commission, announced the results at a news conference in Damaturu.

    He said the chairmanship seats for the 17 council areas were contested unopposed
    by APC candidates.

    He added that the chairmanship candidate for the National Conscience Party (NCP) for Potiskum Local Government withdrew from the race at the last hour, making it the last council that was also contested unopposed.

    The APC won all the 178 councillorship seats in the peacefully conducted election in the state.

    Meanwhile, the state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, had commended the electorate
    for successful and peaceful conduct of the council elections.

    The governor made the commendation in a statement by his Director of Press Affairs, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego.

    Gaidam also commended the electorate for reaffirming their faith in APC
    by electing all the party candidates for the 17 local government councils.

    He said “the emergence of all APC chairmanship candidates as winners shows the degree at which the party remains appealing to most of people of the state.”

     

  • 2019 elections will be a battle between Nigerians and those in authority – PDP

     

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has said the 2019 general elections will be a battle between Nigerians and those in authority that are unnecessarily making life difficult for them (Nigerians).

    The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Dayo Adeyeye, therefore, called on Nigerians not to see the 2019 election as a PDP problem, but a Nigerian problem.

    Adeyeye, who is a member of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP Caretaker Committee, spoke during a post-national convention press briefing in Port Harcourt.
    In his words: “The 2019 (election) is a battle between those in power and those that want to wrest it from them. It is a battle between Nigerians and those who are making life difficult for them; it is a battle to save the country.”

    Adeyeye stated that Nigerians were aware of those behind the crisis rocking the PDP, pointing out that those seen on the stage were mere puppets.

    “Some members allowed themselves to be used by some people that are in authority.

    “Some of the people you see are mere puppets, but those pulling the strings are behind. Nigerians know those who are causing the crisis in the PDP,” he added.

  • Mimiko responsible for PDP’s loss in Ondo governorship election – Gulak

    A former political adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan has said Governor Olusegun Mimiko should be held responsible for the loss of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the recently held governorship election in Ondo State.

    Gulak said all was not over for the party but it needs to fix its internal rancours to come out successful in subsequent elections in the country.

    Gulak, who decried loss of the Ondo election to the All Progressives Congress, APC, blamed Governor Olusegun Mimiko for the defeat.

    Gulak who spoke in an interview with Daily Trust said: “The leadership tussle has affected the fortunes of the party negatively. A house divided against itself cannot stand. That is why this issue must be resolved politically.”

    “Look at the Edo election, everybody was so sure that the PDP would win but because the house was divided, the party could not perform.

    “Look at the Ondo election, the PDP lost even before going into the elections because the governor forcefully made the party adopt a candidate that was not popular within the state.

    “More so, the governor having served eight years, wanted to force another person from his local government to be governor and the people of Ondo rejected it. That is why the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff group said we cannot win the election with this candidate.

    “We called the governor, Governor Mimiko, please, realize that the people of Ondo are not woods, they are not stones, they are not idiots; they are not fools.

    “You have served as governor of Ondo for eight years; you cannot bring somebody from your own local government and expect the people of Ondo to elect him to succeed you. That is why Ali Modu Sheriff produced Jimoh Ibrahim among other five aspirants.

    “Jimoh Ibrahim was the authentic candidate of the PDP and we were coasting home to victory for PDP until at the eleventh hour, by misrepresentation, the Court of Appeal said that Jegede should be the candidate.

    “That was a slap on the face of the people of Ondo and who went to the polls and spoke and when they spoke, they spoke vehemently and that is how PDP lost. So to this end I will say the crisis within the PDP has really affected the party’s fortunes negatively”, he added.‎

    Expressing optimism that the PDP will bounce back in 2019, Gulak said “once we get over this crisis, which I hope will be over very soon, we will begin to pick the pieces and we will begin to rebuild.

    “Even the ruling APC is not crisis-free. They too have the fair share of crisis. I am happy that our crisis started earlier and we are pulling through.

    “I will call on PDP stakeholders to sheathe their swords, let us bring this party back to the people; the party does not belong to an individual.

    “PDP is the only party that can give this country a sense of direction. It is the only party that can pull this country out of economic doldrums that we are facing today”, further stated.

  • Buhari swears in 6 INEC Commissioners

    Buhari swears in 6 INEC Commissioners

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday swore in six Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and expressed concern over the integrity of the nation’s electoral processes.

    The president charged the commissioners to be firm and fair in the discharge of their duties, urging them to help consolidate the integrity of the electoral body

    “This administration is extremely concerned with the integrity of the electoral processes. You are people of great integrity, renowned throughout the country. This administration will depend on you to be firm and fair.

    “What this administration expects after we have gone, Nigerians will read the political history and know that we served Nigeria.

    “Woo Nigerians to use Permanent Voters Card (PVC), cross checked by card reader, that they have been given the opportunity,” he said.

    The president, who frowned at the way bye-elections were conducted in some states of the federation, said government would continue to ensure violent-free elections in the country.

    He congratulated the commissioners for their new appointments.

    Responding on behalf of the commissioners, Mr Okechukwu Ibeano, pledged that they would discharge their duties diligently.

    He also thanked the president and Nigerians for giving them the opportunity to serve the nation.

    “On behalf of my five colleagues, I thank the President and Nigerians for giving us this special and challenging opportunity to serve this country.

    “We pledge to discharge our duties, responsibilities and functions as contained in the oath of allegiance and oath of office which we have just sworn to.

    “We seek the support and prayers of the government and people of Nigeria so that we can discharge our functions to the best of our abilities and contribute to improve the advances and achievements that have been recorded in our electoral processes so far.

    The six INEC commissioners sworn in by the President are Okechukwu Obinna Ibeanu (Anambra), May I. Agbamuche-Mbu (Delta) and retired AVM Ahmed Mu’Azu from Gombe state.

    Others are Mohammed Kudu Haruna (Niger), Mr Adekunle Ogunmola (Oyo) and Abubakar Nahuche from Zamfara.

  • Focus on Rivers Rerun elections to stem planned electoral violence, Wike urges international community

    Focus on Rivers Rerun elections to stem planned electoral violence, Wike urges international community

    Rivers State Governor , Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on the international community to take serious interest in the plot by the Police to start the indiscriminate arrests of PDP supporters few days to the December 10 rerun elections .

    The governor declared that through the state established intelligence channel , he was in possession of the list of PDP supporters earmarked for arrest by the police before the rerun elections .

    He spoke on Wednesday during the flag off of the Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu Road in Etche Local Government Area .

    He said : “They have written the names of those they want to arrest. In Khana Local Government Area alone, they have earmarked 103 persons for arrest.

    “You didn’t arrest them before now, but you want to arrest them at this point because election is approaching “.

    The governor called on the people of the state to resist any such politically motivated arrests , pointing out that such actions aimed at promoting the interest of an unpopular APC will not be tolerated.

    He said : “Now that it is obvious that the APC cannot win, they should forget about these rerun elections and wait for another time. There is no need creating crisis when the APC is unpopular in Rivers State “.

    Governor Wike noted that it is the fraudulent plots of the APC in liaison with the police and INEC that generates tension, which could lead to violence .

    “We want free and fair elections .They should allow our people to choose their leaders in peace because nobody will be allowed to rig elections here”, he said.

    On the Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu Road, Governor Wike said that the state government is committed to improving the economic fortunes of the Etche people .

    He said that the road contract was previously awarded to Mr Ogbonna Nwuke , an APC Chieftain who pocketed the money and abandoned the work.

    He said: “This is a day of reckoning . This is a time to punish Mr Nwuke who collected the money for the Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu Road , refused to execute the project, but is now seeking the mandate of the Etche people “.

    Governor Wike called on Etche people to vote PDP candidates in the rerun elections as that will help in consolidating the development of the state .

    In his address , the Commissioner for Works , Mr Bathuel Iheanyichukwu said that the Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu Road is 18.5 kilometres in length. He said the road will revive the comatose economy from the area.