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36 days to 2024 Edo Guber: INEC accredited observers warn troublemakers, police against causing mayhem+Photos
… warns politicians of likely visa restrictions if..
… caught violating electoral laws
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A coalition of INEC accredited CSOs under the platform of Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness on Friday warned politicians, security operatives against truncating democracy as Edo Guber draws close.
Addressing a press conference alongside other CSOs, Director General of INEC recognized organisations, Dr Gabriel Nwambu noted that:
“It is exactly 36 days to the Edo state governorship election. As part of our mandate, we observe the pre-election, election and post election activities. We also observe the conduct of the Election Management Body (EMB), the conduct of the Police, which is the lead agency in charge of internal security, the NSCDC, the Military and all the security agencies of government deployed to the field to ascertain if their conduct is consistent with the extant laws and the provisions of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigerian.
“First and foremost, we emphasize the importance of impartiality and neutrality from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It is crucial that all eligible electorates, including those who registered during the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise, are issued Permanent Voters Cards promptly. INEC’s commitment to fairness and transparency in the electoral process is a fundamental requirement for the success of the election on the 21st of September.
“Secondly, we call upon the law enforcement agencies, including the police, the DSS, the NSCDC, and the military, to refrain from harassing law-abiding Nigerians who carry out legitimate election duties in Edo state, including electorates and members of all registered political parties in Edo state irrespective of whether they are opposition political parties or the ruling party.
Nwambu explained that: “Their role should be to ensure the safety and security of all participants in the electoral process, without fear or favor in line with the established rules of engagement.
“The Judiciary is brought to perspective here. We have observed with dismay the fragrant abuse of court processes with conflicting court orders being issued indiscriminately. We urge the Judiciary to uphold the principles of equity, fairness, and justice, and to resist any attempt by desperate politicians to manipulate the system or truncate the wish of Edo people. The judiciary must remain independent and vigilant in its pursuit of justice, free from any external influences especially by desperate politicians.
“Disturbingly, we have become aware of plans by some disgruntled individuals to use security agencies to manipulate and rig the elections. This is unacceptable, and we call upon all relevant authorities to investigate, arrest and prosecute the intending perpetrators of such crimes. This would mitigate the occurrence of such actions on election day.
“Furthermore, we denounce any plot to arrest or detain individuals on baseless, fiction, and unfounded grounds, with the intention of keeping them away from the election environment until after the 21st of September 2024. Such actions are not only against our laws, but they consistently portray Nigeria as a laughing stock before the league of nations especially as foreign election observers are also accredited to observe our electoral processes. Such actions also contradict the principles of democracy and the right of citizens to participate in the electoral process.
“Voter inducement, including the buying and selling of votes, is an issue that needs to be tackled head-on. With the increasing poverty level in Nigeria, this has become a common feature in most elections. Perpetrators of such practices should be swiftly arrested and brought to justice.
“Additionally, it is crucial that the public witnesses the prosecution of these offenders to demonstrate a commitment to preserving the integrity of the electoral system. This would also serve as a deterrent to individuals who intend to perpetrate such crimes in the future.
“We also condemn the recruitment of youths for election thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes, engaging in electoral related violence and any other actions that aim to manipulate election results.
As a coalition of rights organizations, we remain firm to ensuring that things are done right to reflect the wishes of Edo electorates in the coming election, hence, we will not hesitate to reach out to the US, the EU, Canadian Embassies and all known embassies in Nigeria, urging them to impose visa restrictions on these politicians, erring agents of state, electoral offenders and their families globally.
“To ensure a smooth electoral process, we call upon the network service providers, such as MTN, Glo Mobile, and Airtel, to ensure uninterrupted service in Edo state throughout the duration of the election.
“They must refrain from any form of sabotage that could hinder the effectiveness and proper function of the BVAS, an Android technology deployed by INEC for the authentication and accreditation of eligible electorates in Edo state. The transmission of election results from the FORM EC8A series should not be hampered including the viewing of election results in the INEC viewing portal online and real-time.
“In conclusion, we appeal to all stakeholders, including INEC, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and network service providers, to play by the rules set forth in the 1999 Constitution as amended, as well as the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. It is only through the collective adherence to these principles that we can ensure a free, fair, and credible governorship election in Edo state.
We believe that a new Nigeria is possible.
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Air Force Begins Moving Electoral Materials For Edo Guber Election
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has began airlifting the sensitive election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Benin, Edo State, ahead of the upcoming governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Kabiru Ali.
The operation is part of the NAF’s efforts to ensure the timely and secure delivery of materials necessary for a smooth electoral process.
This development reinforces the collaboration between NAF and INEC to facilitate logistics and ensure a peaceful election in Edo State.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, had previously reiterated NAF’s commitment to providing airlift support for the swift movement of electoral materials during a meeting with INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
This airlift operation is a crucial aspect of NAF’s constitutional responsibility to provide Military Aid to Civil Authority, underscoring the force’s dedication to supporting democratic processes in Nigeria. With the election just days away, the NAF’s timely intervention will help ensure the successful conduct of the governorship elections in Edo State.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State had earlier accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hunt the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and supporters in the state and force them into hiding ahead of September 21 governorship election.
Obaseki, who made the allegation when a delegation led by the former Head of State, Abdusalam Abubakar, met with him to get the governor and his party to sign peace accord, said that the IGP had made nonsense of his (Obaseki’s) role as the chief security officer of the state.
The governor had said that the police chief obtained a warrant to arrest 60 members and supporters of PDP in Edo and that the IGP sent an armed “gang” of policemen who invaded the state, attacked PDP members, shot at a local government chairman and arrested 10 persons who are currently being detained in Abuja without charges.
Asked by the former head of state if his party would sign the peace accord, Obaseki said, “The person who is supposed to enforce the peace accord is now an active participant in creating a destructive environment.
“We are now in a situation where from the Inspector General’s office, there are armed gang policemen who came into Edo State, invaded, arrested and took away PDP members.
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“Dancing gives me abundant joy and peace of mind”-Gov Adeleke
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has given reasons why he loves dancing.
The ‘Dancing Governor’, as he is fondly called, revealed this on Wednesday while responding to a tweet on X.
An X user, @Iwogoke, while praising the governor, stated that Adeleke has been busy fulfilling his electoral promises to the people of Osun State, while his political opponents believe he is only good at dancing.
Iwogoke tweeted, “I’m not flattering you, Your Excellency, your opponents think you can only dance but while they are busy shouting and calling you ‘Dancing Governor’, you are busy fulfilling your electoral promises to the people.”
Responding to the tweet via his verified X account, Adeleke explained that he loves dancing because it brings him joy.
Speaking further on his love for dancing, Adeleke highlighted that while dancing brings him immense happiness, his greater fulfilment comes from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Osun.
Outlining his administration’s efforts to enhance the state’s infrastructure, he noted that primary health centre rehabilitation is underway in at least 200 out of the 332 wards across Osun State, adding that road construction projects are also progressing in every local government area.
He wrote, “Dancing gives me joy, but delivering on my electoral promises and providing the dividends of democracy to the good people of Osun gives me even greater joy. Rehabilitation of primary health centers is ongoing in at least 200 out of 332 wards, and road construction is progressing in every Local Government!”
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