Anxiety as 837 governor and 10,240 assembly candidates go to ‘war’ on Election Day
There is concern in the political community as 837 candidates, including 24 women, compete for 28 governorship seats tomorrow. In addition, 10,240 candidates are competing for 993 state assembly seats in the polls, which has sparked concern following the results of the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections, which saw many upsets across the country.
The 24 women vying to be Nigeria’s first elected female governor are running in 18 states.
Meanwhile, in response to fears of violence and allegations of vote-rigging plots, the Police have declared their readiness to ensure smooth and credible elections and have deployed their personnel throughout the country.
This came as top Lagos politicians urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to electronically transmit results of tomorrow’s elections to its result viewing portal in real-time from polling units, as it did on February 25.
Ondo police warn miscreants not to hijack polls.
Yesterday, the Ondo Police Command warned miscreants against hijacking the electoral process during the state’s elections on Saturday.
In addition, the Police Command received additional anti-riot and crowd control equipment to improve service delivery during the election.
It also warned parents not to let their children/wards be used as tools of harassment and disruption during the elections.
“The Ondo State Police Command has deployed personnel of the Police Mobile Force and Special Protective Unit to escort all INEC sensitive and non-sensitive materials to all local government areas,” said Police Commissioner Oyeyemi Oyediran in a statement.
“All relevant stakeholders were briefed on the importance of maintaining peace during the final phase of this election.”
15,000 security personnel have been deployed to Oyo.
In addition, 15,000 security personnel from the Police, Army, and other agencies have been deployed in Oyo State to monitor the governorship/house of assembly elections.
Yesterday, the heads of security agencies met at the Police Command Headquarters.
In praising their performance in the previous presidential election, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Williams, who read the communiqué, assured residents of the security agencies’ readiness to effectively carry out their functions by ensuring the safety of lives and property during and after the election.
He also stated that all 6,393 polling units in the 33 local government areas will be effectively policed.
Delta has 15,000 police officers and other security personnel deployed.
Mr. Moses Jitoboh, Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the South-South zone in Delta, said that 15,000 security agents have been deployed across Delta State for the elections.
Jitoboh, speaking in Asaba, stated that 11,000 police officers and 4,000 operatives from sister security agencies would be on duty.
Debunking rumors that an unnamed governorship candidate influenced the deployment of three commissioners of police to the state to allegedly assist him in compromising the process, he stated that the operatives would discharge their assigned roles with high professionalism during the election.
He urged residents to carry out their legal responsibilities and to “come out on Election Day and vote for the candidates of their choice without fear of molestation.”
Imo is ready for elections — Police
The state Police Command in Imo said yesterday that its men are ready to provide security for the polls.
According to Henry Okoye, the State Police Public Relations Officer, “sequel to the Imo State Police Command commitment to provide adequate security for the smooth conduct of a peaceful, secured, and credible election, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, has ordered a strict enforcement of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba directives to continuously mop-up illicit arms/ammunition and stem down the tide of insecurity in the state.”
“The CP has directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Team Commanders to conduct intensive visibility policing, intelligence-led stop and search, and Operation Show of Force with other sister security agencies across all major/feeder roads in the state, while ensuring that officers and men follow Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), adopt the best professional ethics, and maintain the highest sense of neutrality in delivering a modernized civil service.”
“The command having done a comprehensive appraisal of the security measures put in place during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, have emplaced enhanced security strategies to ensure that the State House of Assembly Election slated for 18th March 2023, is more peaceful and secured. As a result, with the exception of local security outfits, the command has established a robust security apparatus, spreading its security tentacles across all INEC Offices, Collation Centers, Polling Units, and other sensitive locations across the state’s 27 LGAs to ensure the safety of INEC Officials, Electoral Materials, Electorates, Local and Foreign Observers, and other residents of the state.
INEC personnel caught undermining elections will face prosecution, according to the Benue REC.
Meanwhile, the INEC has warned that any of its employees caught engaging in anti-election activities will be prosecuted.
Prof. Sam Egwu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State, issued the warning Thursday in a statement issued in Makurdi.
He stated that the Commission was troubled by the perception that some of the ad hoc staff were collaborating with politicians to influence election outcomes.
“The Commission in Benue State is deeply troubled by the widely shared perception that some persons appointed as ad hoc staff in positions such as Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), Collation Officers (COs), and polling level staff (Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers) work at the behest of politicians with the aim of influencing the outcome of elections,” read part of the statement. The Commission is concerned about the actions of ad hoc staff who deliberately seek to undermine election credibility.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 120 of the 2022 Electoral Act provides that officers on election duty who, without lawful excuse, commit acts or omit to act in breach of official duty for which they have sworn to an oath of neutrality will be prosecuted, and, if convicted, shall be imprisoned. This applies to all of the ad-hoc situations mentioned above. Collation officers face a three-year prison sentence, while presiding officers and other polling-level staff face a 12-month sentence.
INEC must electronically transmit results — George, Olanrewaju, and Bucknor-Akerele
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George; former Minister of Communications, Gen. Tajudeen Olarenwaju (retd); and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Kofoworaola Bucknor-Akerele, urged the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yabuku, yesterday, to ensure that tomorrow’s elections are not a repeat of the February 25 elections, insisting that results be transmitted electronically.
They spoke as part of the Omo Eko Pataki Forum.
They also urged security forces to avoid any type of crisis during and after the elections.
Addressing members of the forum in Lagos, the forum’s leader, Chief Olabode George, urged the electorate not to be intimidated when voting on Saturday.
Former Communications Minister, General Tajudeen Olarenwaju (retd); former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofoworaola Akerele-Bucknor; Labour Party, LP governorship candidate, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour; and Director-General of the Obi-Datti Campaign Council, Chief Akin Osuntokun were among those in attendance.
Others include Mrs. Roli Bode-George, former Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr. Wale Oluwo, governorship candidate of the Boot Party, Mr. Olawale Rhodes-Vivour, and others.
In his speech, George emphasized that INEC must ensure electronic results transfer rather than the unreliable, archaic manual system.
“It is with a good sense of humility and responsibility that I make one final call to all Lagos compatriots to stand united in our collective struggle to save our State’s soul,” he said.
This is our best opportunity to honor the memory of our late son, Engr. Funsho Williams. We must not disregard his contributions. The Omo Eko Pataki group, a new socio-political movement, is founded on this premise to ensure that our electoral process in Lagos is free, fair, and just. We insist on using electronic results transfer rather than the unreliable, archaic manual system. O to ge.
“We seek freedom for all: Freedom for the underprivileged, Freedom for the poor, freedom for the rich. We must ensure that selfish governance is eradicated in our state.
All registered voters must cast their ballots without fear. In this regard, I appeal to all security agencies to ensure the safety of our citizens’ lives and property. All marauders and violent thugs must be apprehended and dealt with in accordance with our country’s laws.
“We appeal to Professor Mahmood Yakubu to do the right thing and save Nigeria from being the butt of jokes in the comity of Nations.
It’s either now or never. This is not a political party issue. The Omo Eko Pataki group is a liberation movement. Join the Liberty Ship and arrive safely in the Promised Land of Milk and Honey.”
Olanrewaju criticizes those who engage in ethnic politics.
Also speaking, former Communications Minister, General Olarenwaju, retd, chastised those in Lagos who play the ethnic card, insisting that Gbadebo is a genuine Lagos indigene.
Don’t be afraid – Bucknor-Akerele
Senator Akerele-Bucknor, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, urged voters not to be intimidated on Election Day.
“On Saturday, they’ll do everything they can to intimidate you so you don’t vote,” she said. Don’t be intimidated; be cautious when casting your ballot.”
Female gov candidates include Aishatu Dahiru, APC, Adamawa; Gladys Johnson-Ogbuneke, SDP, Abia; Lancaster Okoro, PRP, Abia; Ekanem Abasiekeme, AAP, A/Ibom; Udoh Emem Monday, SDP, A/Ibom; Roseline Chenge, ADP, Benue; Aondona Dabo-Adzuana, ZLP, Benue; Abubakar Fatima, ADP, Borno; and Ibiang Marikana Stanley. C/River ADP
Others are Onokiti Helen Agboola, Accord, Delta; Cosmas Annabel, APP, Delta; Chinenye Igwe, APM, Ebonyi; Ogochukwu Nweze, SDP, Enugu; Umar Binta Yahaya, AA, Jigawa; Yakubu Furera Ahmad, BP, Kano; Mahmud Aisha, NRM, Kano; Motunrayo Jaiyeola, APM, Kwara; and Funmilayo Kupoliyi, APM, Lagos.
Roseline Adeyemi, APP, Lagos; Patricia Tsakpa, ADP, Nasarawa; Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya, APGA, Niger; Aduragbemi Euba, YPP, Oyo; Beatrice Itubo, LP, Rivers; and Hadiza Usman ZLP, Zamfara are among the Alsi members.
NOA reminds Nigerians that there is life after elections.
Meanwhile, the National Orientation Agency, NOA, has urged Nigerians to avoid negative actions that could lead to violence before, during, and after elections because “life goes on after elections.”
Garba Abare, the agency’s Director General, made the call yesterday in Kano, during a media dialogue in preparation for tomorrow’s elections.
He urged politicians to avoid using inflammatory language and to avoid overheating the political system.
“I want Nigerians to remember that whatever happens, there is life after elections. You should think about the importance of peace and, as journalists, reflect that in your daily reporting.
“If we lose the peace we are enjoying today, we will all be losers tomorrow. “Keep in mind that it is easier to destroy than it is to build,” he said.
Why we chose Binani Publishing for the printing contract — INEC
Meanwhile, the INEC has explained its decision to award a contract for the printing of sensitive materials to a company called Binani Printing Press, which was allegedly founded by Hajia Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, also known as ‘Binani,’ the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Adamawa State.
Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said in a statement on Thursday night that Binani was not listed as a director in the company at the time of the award.
“Our attention has been drawn to a news report that the Commission awarded Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed a contract for the printing of sensitive election materials,” he said. According to the report, she owns Binani Printing Press Limited.
“Procurements in the Commission go through open competitive bidding and Binani Printing Press Limited was one of the security printing companies that applied to print security documents for the Commission.
“After inspecting the company’s facility and carrying out due diligence at the Corporate Affairs Commission CAC, the Commission was satisfied that they are qualified printers with the requisite technical capacity, security consciousness and expertise in printing security documents. Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, on the other hand, was not listed as a director of Binani Printing Press Limited.
“The Commission decided to print all the security documents for the 2023 General Election in the country to help Nigerian printers and assist in growing the national economy.
“The Commission will continue to carry out due diligence in its procurement activities”.
According to Sahara Reporters, the contract documents were obtained on Wednesday and signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
Binani Printing Press, owned by the APC candidate, was awarded N434,372,649 to print election results sheets for the 2023 general elections, according to the statement.
(TNT)
