Lifestyle, Politics

Five injured as Boko Haram attacks Borno voters

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The police command in Borno has confirmed that five persons sustained injuries in an attack coordinated by Boko Haram insurgents in the Gwoza Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Abdu Umar, confirmed the incident in an interview on Saturday in Maiduguri, the state capital.

He said the terrorists fired several gunshots targeting voters from the top of Mandara Mountains, adding that five persons sustained injuries in the attack.

Mr Umar said the victims comprised two females and three males.

“Efforts of the military within the area of responsibility helped in chasing the terrorists, forcing them to flee due to the superior firepower,” he said.

The CP said that normalcy has since been restored as the voting exercise continued while the victims were referred to the hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Borno (NECSOB) has expressed optimism about the turnout of voters in the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The group chairman, Bulama Abiso, who led a team of observers for the election, described the turnout as “encouraging”.

Politics

#NigeriaElections2023: Voters in Onitsha stranded as INEC officials yet to arrive

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Voters in many polling units in Onitsha and Nkpor cities of Anambra State are currently stranded as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission have yet to arrive in the area.

When the correspondent visited Ward 6, polling unit 024 at Bridge Head, Onitsha around 11:25 am, the voters were seen expressing disappointment at the non-arrival of the INEC officials as they were running out of patient.

Also, at the 064 Borehole Polling Unit located at the Sisters’ Convent, Nkpor, voters were seen waiting impatiently for the arrival of the INEC officials and their materials as of 11:25am.

One of the aggrieved sisters, Mary Amanda Nwagbo, told newsmen that they had been waiting since 9 a.m. to no avail.

They frowned on the attitude of the electoral umpire to their community while accusing them of trying to disenfranchise them in the election.

“It is almost 12noon and no INEC official around on this polling unit. What do you call that if not an attempt to frustrate us and stop us from voting our candidate,” one of the voters lamented.

Politics

#NigeriaElections2023: ICPC arrests man with N2m old, new notes in Bauchi

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission has arrested a man with N2 million old and new naira notes in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The suspect, Hassan Ahmad, was arrested on Friday with the cash piled in a ‘Ghana Must Go’ bag while driving in a tinted Hilux vehicle.

He was on his way to Gombe from Bauchi State when he was arrested. The money was allegedly being taken to a politician.

The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a thread of tweets on its Twitter handle, @icpcnigeria, titled: “ICPC Takes Custody Of N2m Being Ferried To A Politician.”

It said that the suspect was intercepted by troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade code named: Operation Safe Conduct deployed to Alkaleri LGAin Bauchi, and was handed over to the ICPC.

According to the Commission, the suspect was in possession of N900,000 new notes and N1.1 million old notes. The agency did not, however, disclose the identity of the politician.

It said;

“The Bauchi State Office of ICPC has taken into custody one Hassan Ahmad in possession of the sum of two million naira cash in both old and new currencies amidst the cash crunch being witnessed in the country.

“The suspect was arrested on Friday by the Troops of 33 Artillery Brigade Operation Safe Conduct deployed to Alkaleri in Bauchi State and handed over to the Bauchi State Office of the anti-graft agency.

“Ahmad was in possession of N900,000 cash in new naira notes and N1.1 million in old naira notes and the funds were being conveyed in a tinted black Hilux vehicle with registration number JMA 85 AZ.

“The funds, which were packed in a ‘Ghana Must Go’ bag, comprise six bundles of one thousand naira new notes of N600,000; six bundles of five hundred naira new notes of N300,000, and old two hundred naira notes of N1.1 million.

“The suspect has confessed that the funds were being moved to Gombe State for a politician.”

Politics

#2023NigeriaElections- Wike unable to vote as BVAS network fails

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The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, was on Saturday, unable to cast vote at his polling unit 7, Ward 9, Wimpey Junction, Rumuepirikom, Port Harcourt, Rivers State as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System network failed.The governor arrived at his polling unit with his entourage.

The PUNCH reports that voters’ accreditation began late at the polling unit as election materials and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission were not seen as of 10 am.

Politics

Lagos Deputy Gov Casts Vote, Addresses Journalists

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Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, speaks with journalists after casting his votes at exactly 10:15 am in Ward A4 Unit 002 Oke Balogun Central Mosque, Epe.

Politics

Voters lament election delay in Ikorodu

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Some voters at polling unit 019, Ita Aro square, Aga/Ijimu ward in Ikorodu, Lagos Sate, have lamented the delay in the commencement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections at the polling unit.

The voters, who spoke with our correspondent, expressed worries that the election officials, who were already behind schedule, had yet to begin the preliminary processes that would precede the voting exercise.

A voter, who identified himself as Ola Makinde, said the delayed arrival of the election officers was becoming a cause for concern.

Makinde said, “They are supposed to be here by now. All the boxes and other election materials should have been arranged by now.”

As of 9:33 am, there was no INEC official in sight, neither were any security officers seen.

Voters, many of whom were aged, were seen sitting on plastic chairs while hemp-smoking hoodlums paraded the venue of the polls, arguing intermittently as voters continued to anticipate the arrival of INEC officials.

The Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Funke Akindele, is expected to cast her vote at the polling unit sometime later today.

Politics

#NigeriaElections2023- INEC officials arrive Shettima’s polling unit two hours late

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Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission arrived at polling unit 023, Alhaji Kukawa, Lawan Bukar area of Maiduguri metropolis, at 10:42 am.

The venue is the polling unit of All Progressives Congress vice presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima.

The officials who arrived in a grey Toyota Camry 2015 model and a Mercedes C180, are coming two hours after 08:30 am; the time when voting should have begun as the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced Friday.

It was observed that the officials who came in the company of security against set up the polling booth, as the waiting electorate queued for accreditation and voting.

About an hour earlier, Shettima arrived at the same spot but left soon after discovering that INEC officials were yet to arrive.He is billed to return as voting is now in progress.

Politics

Large turnout of voters in FCT satellite towns as INEC officials, electoral materials yet to arrive

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Voters in Lugbe, Sauka and Tudun wada, satellite towns in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) turned out en masses early Saturday, awaiting the arrival of INEC officials.

The voters, who were seen in groups, were calm and patient after taking numbers in the order they arrived their polling units.

Security personnel were also seen roving the airport road and most polling units, while few persons were seen at deserted bus stops.

A voter, Friday Okwudili who spoke to NAN, said that he was encouraged by the turnout of voters for the election.

“The anxiety among the electorate is very encouraging; we just pray that our votes will count at the end of the day.

“I have been here as early as 6.30 a.m, and I am eager to cast my vote for candidates of my choice,” he said.

Omolara Thompson said she could not afford to sit at home today because she had to vote for the president of the country.

“I can’t afford to sit at home today, I have to choose a president that will rule the country for another four years,” she said.

Maxwell Ugo said that he had waited for today and could not afford not to come out to perform his civic responsibility.

“As a Nigerian, it is my duty to vote for any candidate of my choice, that is why I am here today,” he said.

Also speaking, Fedelis Okon, said that it was the right of every Nigerian to vote during election to elect a president of their choice.

Vans belonging to security operatives including the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Immigration, Army, were sited around polling units to ensure adequate security.

There is a massive voters turnout, especially youths at most polling units in Nyanya, an FCT satellite town.

Although accreditation is yet to begin at the polling units visited, there is a large presence of young people anxiously waiting to be accredited to exercise their franchise.

During a visit to the polling units it was also observed that electoral officers had taken delivery of election materials.

However, some polling units presiding officers (POs) said that some political party agents were yet to arrive the voting centres.

The polling units visited include 005, 039,038, 024, 026 and 064,008.Our correspondents observed the presence of heavily armed and unarmed security personnel.

The security personnel on ground at the units included Nigeria Army, Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Ijokpu Joseph , Presiding Officer for polling unit 039 said he was waiting to login into the INEC portal to begin accreditation by 8:30 a.m.

He also said that every material required for the conduct of the election had arrived at the unit and urged intending voters to be orderly when accreditation and voting begins.

Politics

Don’t accept inducements, NYSC warns corps members

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The National Youth Service Corps has warned corps members against accepting financial and material inducements during Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

The NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, gave the warning on Friday while addressing the corps members during sensitisation in Abuja, which was also held concurrently in all states of the federation.

The DG, who urged the corp members to be part of history as good ambassadors of their institutions, families and the NYSC, assured them of adequate security and an improved welfare package.

Ahmed also implored the corps members to abide by the electoral laws, adding that they were not immune from being prosecuted for electoral offenses.

“Never accept to board any vehicle that is not provided by INEC. You must be neutral and be just in whatever assignment is given to you.

You must be in your NYSC uniform with identification cards. Remember that you are not immunned against any wrongdoing.

“Ensure that you don’t move alone in order not to endanger yourself, maintain personal security, and use the NYSC Distress Call number in case of any emergency”, the DG said.

Ahmed also advised the corps members to avoid any political arguments or granting press interviews.

The DG noted that corps members’ involvement in previous elections and other national assignments had attracted tremendous commendation for the scheme.

Politics

NSCDC deploys 4,000 operatives for election in Kaduna

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 4,000 operatives to provide security during Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections in Kaduna.

This is contained in a statement on Friday by DSC Habeeb Badamasi, spokesman for the NSCDC, Kaduna command.

NSCDC commandant Idris Adah explained that the massive deployment of personnel in the state was to ensure the safety of life and property, said the statement, adding that Mr Adah appealed to residents to come out en mass to exercise their franchise without fear.

Mr Adah mentioned that the command had constituted a monitoring team that would go round the 23 council areas of the state to ensure the security of voters and election officials.

The NSCDC commandant said the team would also track and arrest anyone involved in election malpractice.

“We have deployed the Anti-Vandals Squad to all critical national assets and infrastructure in the state to protect the assets against vandalism by criminal elements before, during and after the elections,” added Mr Adah.

The commandant also revealed that undercover operatives would work in the background to support the team and other security agencies with credible intelligence to tackle any security issue.

Mr Adah advised residents to provide useful information about criminal elements and those involved in election malpractice for appropriate action.

Politics

INEC advised to be punctual on election day

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An Enugu-based NGO, African Network For Peace And Good Governance (ANPG), has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the early arrival of voting materials and INEC officials at the polling centres on election days.

The group also calls on the commission to develop and adopt workable measures that will ensure the functionality of the Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the polls.

This is contained in a statement signed by the group’s executive director, Bede Aneke, on Friday.

Mr Aneke noted that repeated reports of the late arrival of INEC officials and materials, malfunctioning of smart card readers, and late accreditation had affected the previous elections, thereby disenfranchising some voters.

He urged the election umpires to ensure that all eligible voters were not prevented from casting their ballots due to the challenges.

The director noted that since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999, the country had conducted six general elections, pointing out that there had been reports of the late arrival of INEC officials and voting materials in each of the polls.

He said in the 2015 general elections, the polling process commenced at 8:00 a.m., which entailed authentication of PVCs, fingerprints and verification in the voter register.

“But (the) majority of the polling units commenced the process behind schedule and some even at 10:30 a.m., two hours late,” said Mr Aneke.

He cited an example with the Anambra governorship election. YIAGA Africa, an election observer, noted that 28 per cent of the polling units commenced accreditation as scheduled, and voting began at 10:30 a.m.

According to the group, the late arrival of election officials, materials, accreditation, and voting had denied thousands of voters the right to exercise their civic responsibility.

While commending INEC for the introduction of BVAS, the director tasked the commission to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible polls.

Politics

3,000 NSCDC operatives in Abuja for Saturday elections

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The Federal Capital Territory command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 3,000 operatives to ensure security during Saturday’s polls.

On Friday in Abuja, a statement by the NSCDC FCT spokeswoman Comfort Okomanyi said the operatives were drawn from all operational and tactical units.

The NSCDC FCT commandant, Peter Maigari, said the combatant officers would work closely with other security agencies to protect critical national assets during the elections.

He added that they would also man strategic places, including polling units, collation centres, Independent National Electoral Commission offices, staff and materials.

Mr Maigari advised the officers to be diligent, professional and apolitical in their operations, urging FCT residents to avoid election violence or any action with the potential of disrupting the electoral process.

He also advised parents to caution their wards against being used as tools for thuggery, as anyone caught causing mayhem would face the law.

Politics

Commissioner, others escape death as gunmen attack APC leaders in Imo

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Barely 24 hours before the general election, armed men attacked the Imo State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Simon Ebegbulem and the member representing Okigwe South federal constituency, Chike Okafor.

Also attacked was the Managing Director of the Imo State Waste Management Agency, Kelechi Emeakaroha.

The incident occurred at a remote village called Alike near Okata community in the Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area of the state.

It was learnt that the incident occurred after a rally of the APC at Umuawuchi village, the hometown of the House of Assembly candidate of the APC, Chike Olemgbe.It was gathered that the armed men ambushed the APC leaders while on their way back to Owerri at about 6:30 pm.

They opened fire on the commissioner’s vehicle and other vehicles in the convoy of the House of Reps candidate, Dicken Okafor.

Ebegbulem and his driver escape by the whiskers but his vehicle and others were riddled with bullets.

Politics

Benue South endorses Atiku for president ahead of Saturday’s election

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The PDP in Benue South senatorial district has endorsed presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for Saturday’s presidential election.

This is contained in a statement by Paul Mumeh, media aide of former senate president David Mark on Thursday in Abuja.

The statement said the decision was taken after a meeting in Otukpo, the traditional headquarters of the Idoma people.

It said the decision by the party was based on the premise that their interest would be better served under an Abubakar presidency.

It explained that the party members distanced themselves from those campaigning for candidates of other political parties.

According to the statement, they said they could not be members of the PDP and be seen to be working for candidates of other political parties.

“They urged all party members not to be distracted by the antics of a few but should go all out to vote for candidates of the PDP in the February 25 and March 11 elections.

In the statement, Mr Mark urged PDP members to be faithful to the party because jumping from one party to the other would make no sense, adding that political parties are vehicles for achieving one’s political ambition and must be held sacrosanct by obeying the rules and regulations.

According to Mr Mark, politicians who jump from one party to another are people without conviction or do not know what they want.

The senator representing Benue South, Abba Moro, urged the party members to remain steadfast.

The senatorial district comprised the nine local government areas of the Idoma land.

Politics

Thugs Attack NNPP Supporters, Burn Vehicles

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Some thugs attacked the supporters and vehicles of the New Nigeria Peoples Party along Na’ibawa-Zaria road in Kano State on Thursday.

According to Daily Trust, the supporters were attacked on their way to receive the party’s presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Politics

Nigerians should choose their president irrespective of religion, region- President Joe Biden

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Statement from President Joe Biden on Nigeria’s Upcoming Election.

I commend yesterday’s peace accord in Nigeria, signed by the political parties and candidates running in Nigeria’s presidential election on February 25.

By signing this pledge, the parties and candidates have committed to accept the results of the election, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, and to support a peaceful transition of power.

Elections are a fundamental part of a functioning democracy, and all Nigerians deserve this chance to choose their future — freely and fairly.

While the United States does not support any single candidate or party, we strongly support a peaceful and transparent process that reflects the will of the people of Nigeria.

On election day, I encourage all Nigerians — no matter their religion, region, or ethnicity —to exercise this fundamental freedom and make their voices heard — including young voters, many of whom may be heading to the ballot box for the first time.

The United States stands with the Nigerian people as they chart a path toward a more democratic, prosperous, and secure future. I appreciate President Buhari’s firm commitment that the will of the people will be respected.

And in the coming days, I encourage voters to remain peaceful and patient as their ballots are tallied, and urge the political parties and candidates to live up to their pledge.

Politics

Stay away from polling units if you don’t have PVC- INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised Nigerians without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), to stay away from the polling units on election day.

INEC national commissioner, Festus Okoye, stated this while receiving IT facilities from Community Life Project (CLP) and Ford foundation in support of the INEC Citizens Contact Centre (ICCC) on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Okoye, who is Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said no other means of identification would be used on election day, other than the PVC.

“As Nigerians go to the polling units on election day we want to point out that it is a mandatory provision of the Electoral Act that every citizen who wants to vote in the coming election must have a PVC.

“It is a mandatory requirement of section 47 subsection 1 of the Electoral Act.

“So individuals that do not have PVC are not required to approach any of our polling units.

“No individual is permitted to go to the polling units and provide any other means of identification other than the PVC.

He re-emphasied that INEC was committed to the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voters’ accreditation and uploading of election results to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

Mr Okoye also reminded the media, election observer groups and citizens that it is only INEC that has the legal right to announce election results.

“No media organisation, no individual, no citizen, no domestic or international election observer is permitted under the condition or under the law to announce election results.

“As some of you are aware, the Chairman of INEC is the electoral Commissioner for the whole of the federation and the returning officer for the presidential election.

“So only the chairman of the commission is permitted by the constitution and the Electoral Act to announce the presidential results.

“Any other person can be appointed by the commission to announce any other level of election,’’he said.

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