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Tag: voters

  • Anambra Government reacts to reports of mass departure of voters for fear of attacks

    Anambra Government reacts to reports of mass departure of voters for fear of attacks

    The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba, has said that a report in the public domain that people are leaving the state in large number is false.

    Recall that reports had emerged ahead of the Saturday’s Anambra governorship election that some people are leaving the state.

    Adinuba said a large number of people, especially qualified voters, are pouring into Anambra to participate in today’s governorship election, opening in just a few hours.

    The commissioner made the claim in a press statement, made available to newsmen on Saturday morning in Awka.

    According to him, the attention of the Anambra government was drawn to a sensational news item claiming that people are leaving Anambra on account of political violence.

    Adinuba refuted the report, saying that Anambra people aren’t expressing fears of any possible political violence before and during the vote.

    He said that the report is utterly false and disinformation, saying, “Our people are very conscious of their roots, and so usually register to vote in the state even when they live and work elsewhere,” he said.

    Adinuba said that many people who work in towns and cities in Anambra usually register in their home communities and with the declaration of Thursday and Friday as work-free days for state employees, many people have travelled to their various places to vote.

    He said that a lot of people have in the last 24 hours been leaving cities and towns for their home communities where they have influence and choose to vote.

    “It is, therefore, wrong for any news medium to claim that Anambra people are leaving the state in droves for fear of political violence.

    “If the journalist who wrote the report claiming an exodus had bothered to seek clarification or explanation of the new development, he wouldn’t have written the sensational report.

    “It is surprising that a journalist could file such a report without checking with the government, despite the well-known, open-door policy of this administration towards the media,” Adinuba said.

    He, however, urged all Anambra people to disregard ill-planned reports and come out early to cast their votes for their preferred candidate.

  • #OndoDecides2020: Brave voters foil ballot snatching attempt at Shagari village

    #OndoDecides2020: Brave voters foil ballot snatching attempt at Shagari village

    Voting was disrupted at Shagari village, a small community outskirts of Owo Local Government Area during the ongoing Ondo State Governorship election on Saturday (today).

    While briefing the media about the electoral defect, Alhaji Isah who introduced himself as leader of the Hausa community said the disruption followed an attempt by some persons to snatch ballot boxes.

    He said the attempt was foiled by vigilant members of the community.

    He explained that the suspects came in a black Jeep and introduced themselves as election observers.

    However, people got curious because they did not have any tags or Identification Card from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

    On further interrogation, they were found to be mischievous and the law enforcement agencies on ground moved in to complete the arrest.

    They were promptly ferried from the polling unit in a police van.

    After the incident voting continued amidst unconfirmed allegation of vote buying.

  • #OndoDecides2020: Voters arrive early at polling units, shun physical distancing [Photos]

    #OndoDecides2020: Voters arrive early at polling units, shun physical distancing [Photos]

    The electoral process for electing a new governor in Ondo State has commenced.

    Today, voters will decide whether to give incumbent Rotimi Akeredolu a second term or elect Eyitayo Jegede or Agboola Ajayi as the new governor.

    In Akure, the state capital, voters were seen as early as 8 am at polling units checking their names on the voters register with some already form a queue expectantly waiting to cast their votes.

    Meanwhile, no physical distancing was observed. Most of the voters are also not putting on face masks.

    No physical distancing but some wear masks

  • Voters ignore social distancing as Edo election begins

    Voters ignore social distancing as Edo election begins

    The governorship election in Edo State has begun calmly with remarkable voters’ turnout in most wards across the state.

    However, there was no social distancing at Oba Market polling unit, Oredo LGA as voters get ready to cast their votes.

    Although the situation does not suggest the likelihood of brawl and violence, there is a huge security presence in cities, towns, and villages.

    There is compliance with restriction movement across the state.

    Popular streets, especially in Benin, didn’t witness the usual traffic as the residents move to their respective polling stations for accreditation.

    Reports also reaching TheNewsGuru from other areas of Edo, such as Uzzebba, Igueben, Auchi, Ososo, Ekpoma, Jattu, and Ughoton, among other towns and villages, say there is huge turnout and orderly situation.

     

  • 1.7m to vote in Edo as voters abandon 483,000 cards in INEC office

    1.7m to vote in Edo as voters abandon 483,000 cards in INEC office

    Records at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), indicate that no fewer than 1.72 million persons are eligible to vote in the Sept. 19, Edo governorship polls while 483,796 eligible voters will not participate.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that an INEC document titled “Delimitation of Edo State”, shows that the ineligible voters in Edo is on account of failure to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    The consolidated figure of registered voters in the state as at August 2018 stands at 2,210,534 registered voters, while only 1,726,738 collected their PVCs, the document indicates.

    The document shows that Edo has 18 Local Government Areas, with 192 Wards and 2,627 polling units.

    A further breakdown of the registered voters figure in the document shows that the male accounts for 1,159,325 (representing 52 per cent), while 1,051,209 are female (or 48 percent).

    Similarly, from the total registered voters, the youth (18 – 35 years) account for 50 per cent (1,105,338); Middle Aged (36 – 50 years) account for 29.1 per cent (643,551); and Elderly (51 – 70 years) has 15.99 per cent (353,508).

    Eligible voters classified as the Old (70 years and above) account for 4.89 per cent (108,137).

    Further distribution of registered voters in the three senatorial districts of the state shows that Edo South has the highest figure of 1,281,414: the North with 564,122: and Central senatorial district has 364,998.

    NAN reports that Edo South has seven council areas; the North has six while Central has five Local Government Areas.

    According to the number of collected PVCs, Oredo zone has 240,197; Ikpoba-Okha is 214,882; Egor has 158,817; Etsako West has 128,188 and Akoko Edo with 115,343.

  • Edo poll: Buhari warns against ‘do-or-die’ politics

    Edo poll: Buhari warns against ‘do-or-die’ politics

    President Muhammadu Buhari has advised political parties, candidates, and security agents to behave responsibly in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo.

    The president, in a message to voters, political parties, election officials and security personnel, also warned against what he described as “the do-or-die mentality to politics.”

    The president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, quoted Buhari to have said:

    “I am passionately committed to free and fair elections, but my own commitment is not enough if other actors at ground zero refuse to abide by the rules.

    ”I want to see democratic standards in the country raised higher at every level, but these cannot be achieved when politicians resort to do-or-die methods to gain power by any means or machinations.

    “The do-or-die mentality to politics is a threat to free and fair elections because the actors are more focused on winning than caring about a fair outcome that reflects the will of the people.”

    The president appealed to all political parties and their candidates to respect law and order.

    He also advised election officials and security agents “to remain neutral to ensure free and fair elections and avoid any action(s) capable of compromising the integrity of the elections.”

    ” Conducting free and fair elections is one of my main concerns for our democracy, and I want this commitment to be one of the legacies I will leave behind when I depart office,” the statement quoted the president as saying.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed Saturday for the Edo governorship election.

    Recall the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and that of the Peoples Democratic Party, Godwin Obaseki, who are the main contenders, had since signed a peace accord.

  • Edo 2020: Tinubu begs voters to reject Obaseki, says he doesn’t deserve reelection

    Edo 2020: Tinubu begs voters to reject Obaseki, says he doesn’t deserve reelection

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Lagos, Bola Tinubu, has called on the people of Edo State to reject Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and kick him out of government house.

    Incumbent Governor Obaseki made the switch from Tinubu’s APC to the PDP in June after he was refused the governorship ticket on the platform of the former; and after falling out with his predecessor and godfather Adams Oshiomhole.

    In a short address, Tinubu said Obaseki doesn’t know what it means to be a democrat and that he played no part in enshrining the nation’s current democratic dispensation.

    “I want to appeal, as a committed democrat and a leader of all democrats, regardless of political party, to our conscience and commitment to democracy on the forthcoming election in Edo state.

    “I want to appeal to you to reject Godwin Obaseki in this coming election,” Tinubu said.

    “I have suffered with many others to bring about this democratic regime that today we are enjoying in our country. Then, Godwin Obaseki didn’t participate in any aspect of the struggle to enshrine democracy in the country.

    “Therefore, he could not understand the value and the pains that were associated with this democratic struggle. He was elected a governor by you people of great Edo State because he presented himself to you then as a democrat and he was sworn in after winning the election. No one prevented him from being sworn in,” he said.

    Tinubu added that the manner in which Obaseki dealt with lawmakers who chose a different path from his, should present a red flag for anyone who wants him reelected.

    “Thereafter, members of the State Assembly who got elected along with him, specifically 24 of them. Out of this 24, he prevented 14 of them from being sworn-in. A lack of respect for you the people who voted for those legislators.

    “Today he now comes round as a democrat, wanting you to vote for him. Please, I appeal to you: reject him.

    “Several institutions and leaders of our country appealed to him to respect constitutional democracy. But he rejected all entreaties. He rejected the appeal from the national assembly.

    “When Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria enumerated the path of honour and the constitution of the country, rather than obey and respect the law, he vandalised the state house of assembly in Edo by removing the roofs, pouring gravels on the entrances of the house of assembly only to prevent these 14 members from being sworn-in.

    “Now he’s asking for your votes, our dear people. Is this a democrat? No. He does not deserve any democratic ballot paper. Don’t vote for him, I appeal to all of you.

    “While maintaining peace and non violence on the day of the election, like he rejected the 14 members, you should reject him at the polls. Thank you very much,” Tinubu concluded.

  • Akeredolu lauds LG poll, says voters will turn out more in governorship poll

    Akeredolu lauds LG poll, says voters will turn out more in governorship poll

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Saturday commended the conduct of the local government poll, describing the exercise as a huge success.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akeredolu voted at 10. 44 am in his Ward 5, Unit 6 Polling Uniit in Ijebu, Owo Local Government Area.

    Akeredolu, who was accompanied by his wife, Betty, described the turnout for the election as impressive, adding that the turnout for the governorship election would even be better.

    According to the governor, the local government remains the most important tier because it is the closest to the people and will ensure better delivery of the dividends of democracy.

    He also noted that the electorate complied with the COVID-19 regulations in areas where he monitored, urging them to vote and return to their houses.

    “It is imperative by the constitution that we have democratically elected government at all levels.

    ” What we are doing is not extraordinary, but it is constitutional and I am one of those that want it.

    ” By the grace of God, we pray we will come back and these set of elected chairmen and councillors will be the first that will spend their three years completely.

    “I have made my case for local government autonomy; since I came in, I have not touched local government money, they do their meetings and share their money,” he said.

  • Nasarawa bye-election: Voters use face masks, observe social distancing, laud process

    Nasarawa bye-election: Voters use face masks, observe social distancing, laud process

    Voters in Nasarawa state, adhered to the use of face masks and social distancing during Saturday’s bye-election for Nasarawa Central constituency conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), shows that security agents such as police, men of the civil defence among other security outfits were seen on ground to maintain law and order.

    A visit to the polling units in Sarkin Pada, Bage and Angwan Dutse of the constituency showed that voting began early and the process was peaceful.

    A voter in Sarki Pada, Mallam Saidu Abdul, said that he had adhered to the use of face mask as directed by the government over Coronavirus.

    “Before I came to the polling unit I also sanitised my hands in order to ensure that I remain safe during and after the election.

    “I also want to commend INEC and the security agents for the peaceful conduct of the exercise so far,” he said.

    He said that he had exercised his right by voting the candidate of his choice during the election.

    Another voter, Zainab Mohammed, also described the exercise as peaceful.

    “I am happy, the process is peaceful and orderly,” she said.

    Mr Emmanuel John from Sarki Pada polling unit said that the use of the face mask had become imperative considering the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voting was ongoing in the polling units visited early in the day.

    NAN also recalls that the INEC scheduled the Nasarawa Central constituency bye-election following the death of the member representing Nasarawa Central at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu (APC), on April 30.

  • APC boycotts Benue LG polls, Ortom expresses satisfaction, confident of PDP’s victory

    APC boycotts Benue LG polls, Ortom expresses satisfaction, confident of PDP’s victory

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Benue State chapter fulfilled its earlier threats of boycotting the council election held in the state on Saturday. This is even as low turnout of voters marred the polls.

    A statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of APC, James Ornguga, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Friday stated that the party resolved to boycott the council polls “because it has been programmed to favour the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates.”

    In the statement, the APC said, “we have received concerns from the media and the general public regarding APC’s preparedness for tomorrow’s local government elections in Benue State.

    “This is to inform the general public that the All Progressives Congress, APC in Benue State is not party to the kangaroo local government election which is already programmed to handpick and declare all PDP candidates.

    “Our party was prepared for the election and submitted a list of validly nominated candidates but unfortunately, the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC acting the script of Benue State Government declared all APC candidates as not properly nominated hence, disqualified.

    “The matter is still in court but we have been excluded and APC shall not feature on the ballot tomorrow for any position.

    “We call on our teeming supporters not to waste their time going to vote tomorrow for the process is a mere formality, devoid of credibility.

    We also urge all APC candidates who were illegally disqualified not to express any regret as those who won chairmanship and councillorship elections in Benue since 2017 are still owed various shades of allowances till date.

    Our party is regrouping and strategizing for victory in 2023 and shall not be deterred by every ill- treatment accorded us this moment.”

    Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom and John Ngbede of PDP cast their votes in their polling units in Agatu and Gbajimba towns respectively.

    Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) Chairman, Tersoo Loko, described the election as ‘free and fair.’

    In his reaction after casting his vote, Ortom expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election by the state’s electoral umpire and expressed optimism that his party, PDP, will win the elections.