Politics

I advised Tinubu, Atiku to step down for younger generation- Wole Soyinka

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Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka has disclosed that he advised the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and his All Progressives Congress, APC, counterpart, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to step down for the younger generation.

Soyinka said this during an interview on Arise Television morning show on Wednesday, April 5. Soyinka said:

“When Atiku came to my office in Ikeja, he came with Gbenga Daniel, my former governor. I said to him listen is about the time you people left the stage. Why don’t you just go away? We need an infusion of fresh blood into the system.

“For some people, maybe they read it as blood-letting, no I said, an infusion of fresh blood. I said so I cannot support you. I think your generation should really quit. He was not the only one. I then sought out the current President-elect, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and I gave him exactly the same message.

“I said whatever you people are planning, I am convinced that when a younger generation, new thinking, new sensibility, new energies, so why don’t you just leave the seat.

“Let’s look for somebody who is a really brilliant individual and use your influence to catapult that person to power. And this country will see a massive transformation.

“We spoke for about one and a half hours, and then Bola Tinubu said no. He said there were still things he could contribute,” Soyinka added.

Politics

Bola Tinubu as President-elect stand, anyone who is aggrieved should proceed to court – President Buhari

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President Buhari has said that the declaration of APC Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu as President-elect stands and that anyone who is aggrieved with the outcome of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election, should proceed to the court, if they have the locus to do so. 

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement issued on Thursday, March 9,  titled “At the 5th United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries, LDCs”, disclosed that President Buhari is against any plans to annul the elections which many have said was characterized by irregularities. 

According to Garba, President Buhari has said that he will not allow June 12, 1993, saga to repeat itself.

He pointed out that before the President’s trip to Doha for the UN Conference, there were calls for the cancellation of the elections but that he had always maintained that the outcome of the election will be accepted by his government and must stand. 

“In addition to other things, this trip, more than any other, speaks to the courage, political stamina and statesmanship with which the President has managed the affairs of the nation.

Before the trip, he was faced with orchestrated attempts to poison public opinion against national institutions, particularly the presidential election and its conduct by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as an institution, against which vile and unsubstantiated allegations were hurled.

The clear intent of this was creating an atmosphere of fear, polarising the public and demonising the administration of the President.

The wishful thinkers appeared to assume that the June 12, 1993, election crisis, the worst ever since the civil war could be recreated.

Those who sought to do this forgot what the President said at the palace of the Gbong-Gwon Jos, when he went to the city to inaugurate the Tinubu-Shettima campaign:  “this election will not be annulled; whoever is the winner will be president.

President Buhari not only muted himself, following the cacophony, he picked up international travel: Bola Tinubu’s election stands. If you are aggrieved, go to court.”

Politics

Atiku rejects presidential election results, calls Tinubu drug baron

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Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has rejected Saturday’s presidential election results, saying the exercise was the “worst in the history of the country.”

Mr Abubakar, who addressed journalists in Abuja Thursday evening, revealed that the outcome of the election, which favoured Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), would be challenged in court.

“I have come to the conclusion that the process of the election was grossly manipulated…it is the worst in the history of our country’s democracy and the results must be challenged in court,” Mr Abubakar declared.

Mr Abubakar’s address comes a few hours after Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), also rejected the weekend exercise.

Mr Obi specifically said that the election exercise was “marred with irregularities”, stressing that he won the presidential election and would provide the evidence for Nigerians to see.

“We won the election, and we will prove it to Nigerians,” Mr Obi told reporters during a world press conference held in Abuja.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Wednesday, declared Mr Tinubu the winner of Saturday’s presidential election after he polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat Mr Abubakar.

Mr Abubakar scored 6,984,520 votes to come second, while Mr Obi came third after polling 6,101,533 votes.

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, also subsequently issued Mr Tinubu a “Certificate of Return” the same day.

Politics

2023 presidential poll one of most transparent elections in Nigeria- Foreign Observers

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Independent Foreign Observers Mission in Nigeria has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the conduct of the February 25 presidential and federal parliamentary polls.

The mission, which gave the commendation in its preliminary report on Tuesday’s just-concluded election in Abuja, described the poll as peaceful and transparent.David Furnad of the United States read the report.

“The presidential elections in Nigeria recorded a high turnout of voters nationwide. It can also be regarded as one of the most transparent elections in the country’s history, with the significant candidates recording victories and defeats,” stated Mr Furnad.

“The presidential election witnessed a comparatively large turnout of voters in the various geopolitical zones compared to other general elections in the country.”

He added;

“The South-West and the South-East zones witnessed the highest number of voter turnout, with eligible voters demonstrating an uncommon level of patience to exercise their franchise.”

Mr Furnad noted that INEC deployed sensitive and non-sensitive materials to voting points on time, even though the report recorded some delays in some areas, which it said did not deter voters from performing their civic duties.

He stressed, “There were minimal incidences of vote buying across the country. The reason adduced is that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) randomly visited polling units unannounced to arrest anyone involved in such acts. The country’s recent redesign of currency reduced vote buying to the barest minimum.”

The mission praised some political parties and their candidates for honouring the Peace Accord and not inciting their supporters.

Present at the presentation of the report were Rudolf Elmendorp, Stuart Young, Stuart Dyer, Francois DeRobaix and Jeffrey Fry.

Politics

Atiku, Obi, remember peace pledge you signed- President Buhari

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PRESIDENT BUHARI CONGRATULATES WINNER OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU

President Muhammadu Buhari heartily congratulates the winner of the (2023) Presidential Election, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Reacting to the results just announced, President Buhari said;

“I congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. Elected by the people, he is the best person for the job. I shall now work with him and his team to ensure an orderly handover of power.

“The election was Africa’s largest democratic exercise. In a region that has undergone backsliding and military coups in recent years, this election demonstrates democracy’s continued relevance and capability to deliver for the people it serves.

“Within Nigeria, the results reveal democracy’s ripening in our country. Never has the electoral map shifted so drastically in one cycle. In the presidential elections, states in all regions across the nation changed colour. Some amongst you may have noticed my home state amongst them. The winning candidate did not carry his own home state either. That happens during a competitive election. Votes and those that cast them cannot be taken for granted. Each must be earned. Competition is good for our democracy. There is no doubt the people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today.

“That is not to say the exercise was without fault. For instance, there were technical problems with electronic transmission of the results. Of course, there will be areas that need work to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure. However, none of the issues registered represent a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections.

“I know some politicians and candidates may not agree with this view. That too is fine. If any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then bring forward the evidence. If they cannot, then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will – no matter how hard that may be for the losers to accept. If they feel the need to challenge, please take it to the courts, not to the streets.

“However, to do the latter means they are not doing it in the interest of the people, but rather to inflame, to put people in harm’s way and all for personal, selfish gains.

“After a degree of polarization that necessarily accompanies any election, it is now time to come together and act responsibly. I call on all candidates to remember the peace pledge they signed just days before the election. Do not undermine the credibility of INEC. Let us now move forward as one. The people have spoken.”

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity)

March 1, 2023

Politics

Suspend further announcement of the results or completely cancel the entire election and make plans for another election- Labour party tells INEC

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The Labour party has called for the suspension of the announcement of election results and cancellation of the ‘’compromised” election.

The Presidential Campaign Council of the Labour Party made the call today February 27.

At a press briefing, Dr Akin Osuntokun, who is the Director-General of the Labour Party Campaign Council said President Buhari and the INEC chairman, Yakub Mahmood, had on several occasions come out to promise Nigerians a free and fair election with the passage of the new Electoral Act but that what has become glaring is that none of these promises has been kept.

Osuntokun stated that all promises about deploying a fail-safe system anchored on BVAS were broken as the internet and social media are awash with videos and photographic pieces of evidence of the pervasive violence and attacks that were visited on Nigerians during the elections, adding that some attacks were still ongoing across the country.

He said that there are numerous evidence of collusion between INEC and the security forces to subvert the will of the people, stressing that INEC’s guidelines on the conduct of the elections were extensively breached, and INEC has evidently been very reluctant to make the necessary adjustment to remedy the situation.

‘’Contrary to the publicly advertised guidelines for the conduct of the elections, we are convinced that the processes leading to the results have been severely compromised.

Consequently, we state that we have lost confidence in the results being collated and announced.

Nigerians have inundated us with calls and protests over INEC’s non-compliance with provisions of the electoral guidelines and the obvious manipulations of the election results.

We, hereby, call on INEC to suspend the further announcement of the results, and follow its own guidelines or completely cancel the entire election and make plans for another election with strict compliance with the stipulated laws and guidelines,he said.

Politics

Obi wins all 17 LGAs in Enugu

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has been declared the winner of Saturday’s presidential election conducted in Enugu State.

Obi polled a total 428,640 votes to defeat other contenders, with the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and his counterpart Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress scoring 15,749 and 4772 votes, to a distant second and third respectively.

The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, polled a total of 1,808 to record the fifth position.

The collation officer of presidential election in Enugu State and Vice Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Maduebibisi Iwe, declared the results of the election.

According to him, a total of 2,112,793 voters were registered for the election, while accredited voters Scores: APC – 4772, LP – 428,640, PDP – 15,749 and NNPP – 1808.

Iwe noted that total valid votes are 456,424, rejected votes 12,467 and total votes cast were 468,891 respectively.

The Labour Party also won all the 17 local government areas of the state in a landslide.

Politics

LP candidate snatches federal constituency seat from PDP opponent

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Donatus Mathew of the Labour Party has won the Kaura Federal Constituency seat in the February 25 National Assembly elections in the Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Returning Officer, Elijah Ella, who declared the result in Kaura on Sunday, said Mr Mathew polled 10,508 votes to defeat his closest opponent, the incumbent, Gideon Gwani of PDP, who garnered 10,297 votes.

The defeated PDP lawmaker is taking a shot at the seat for the fifth time.

The Returning Officer said Benjamin Gugong of the All Progressive Congress came third with 9,919 votes, while Simon Na’Allah of the New Nigeria Peoples Party came fourth with 5,354 votes.

He explained that 36,983 voters were accredited out of the 101,624 registered voters in the LGA.

He added that of the 36,983 accredited voters, 36,133 cast their votes.

“Mr Donatus Mathew of the Labour Party, having satisfied the requirements of the law by scoring the highest votes, is hereby declared the winner,” he said.

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

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

NSCDC warns youths against jeopardising 2023 elections

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The commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps in Zamfara, Muhammad Muazu, has warned youths against violence during the general elections.

The warning is contained in a statement by the command’s spokesman, Ikor Oche, on Sunday.Mr Muazu who met with youths organisations on Saturday, urged them not to succumb to unpatriotic elements.

The commandant advised the youths to be law-abiding and desist from any action capable of disrupting peace.

Mr Muazu also cautioned against using fuel and naira scarcity to foment trouble for political gains.

He said the NSCDC would protect critical infrastructures and not allow anyone to breach the peace and security of Zamfara, appealing to the youths not to attack public and private infrastructure.

Bashir Garba, who spoke on behalf of the organisations, pledged that youths in Zamfara would remain law-abiding and ensure peace before, during and after the February 25 and March 11 elections.

He said the National Youth Council of Nigeria, the umbrella body of youth organisations, would not be part of any violent protest fuel and naira scarcity, or in support of any political party.

Sani Aliyu, the director of youths in Zamfara’s youths and sports ministry, commended NSCDC for interfacing with the youths.

He said the ministry would continue to develop the youths and mentor them to be responsible citizens.

Also, Ibrahim Musa Maizeri, the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Zamfara, said the union would strive to nip the menace of fake news, and educate youths to be agents of positive change in society.

Politics

Peter Obi campaigns in Lagos ahead of February 25 presidential election

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Thousands of Labour Party (LP) supporters trooped out to welcome the party’s flag bearer, Peter Obi, to Lagos on Saturday, February 11.

Mr Obi is one of 18 candidates seeking Nigeria’s highest office on February 25.

The LP candidate arrived Lagos to attend a series of political activities and a campaign rally for the forthcoming elections.

Some of his supporters were already seated at the Tafawa Balewa Squre (TBS) waiting for his arrival while others assembled at Ikeja.

After his arrival, Mr Obi met with some traders and supporters at the Alaba international market in the Ojo area of the state.His supporters were chanting his name “Obi” and waving the party flag to indicate their support for his candidacy.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, Mr Obi said he arrived with his team at Ojo area of the state, with plans to go to the TBS where a massive crowd was waiting for him.

“My team and I are in Ojo area of Lagos on a market storm ahead of the Lagos Rally. Thank you Lagos. Eko oni baje!” @PeterObi tweeted.

“We just arrived at the Alaba international market to an awesome reception. We’re pondering what the rally will be like. LP is Finishing Strong. Salute to all Obidients and the Nigerian Youths.

“We are pushing through towards TBS. We’re now on the Lagos Road Walk: the turn out is awesome. I’m really humbled!” Mr Obi tweeted.

Politics

Nobody can say what will happen to Nigeria if I don’t become president- Peter Obi

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Peter Obi, the presidential flag bearer on the platform of the Labour Party, says he wishes Nigeria well but expresses concern about what will happen next to Nigeria if he loses the February 25 presidential election.

A large turnout of voters at the poll would pave the way for Mr Obi’s victory, said a poll conducted by Nigeria’s data intelligence provider, Stears, describing the Labour Party standard-bearer as “Nigeria’s most popular presidential candidate.”

New Nextier, an Africa-focused consulting firm, also predicted that the ex-Anambra governor would win in February.

According to the Labour Party standard-bearer, the presidential poll is an existential election, and he urged everyone to be involved.

“If we get it wrong, nobody can tell what next will happen. In all I am doing, I will always wish Nigeria the best,” Mr Obi stressed.

“I know you will, too and in doing that, I urge you to be part of the new Nigeria Datti, and I are fighting for.”

Mr Obi stated this at a public presentation of the book, ‘Peter Obi: Many Voices, One Perspective’ in Abuja.

He thanked the organisers of the book launch for believing in him and for choosing to be part of his efforts to see that a new Nigeria is possible and appealed to Nigerians to support him in turning Nigeria around by voting for him in the February 25 presidential election.

“We are committed to it; as I told all the supporters, we need people. We need all of you to support us, especially in these final days to reach the end of this phase. Nigeria has suffered a lot. This is a great country that can be turned around,” the former Anambra governor explained.

Mr Obi added,

“We cannot succeed without your intervention, so as you launch this book, please be part of what we are doing to change Nigeria.”

Politics

Tinubu is behind widespread hoarding of cash by Nigerian bankers – PDP

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expresses optimism that the hopelessness and anguish brought upon our nation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration will be a thing of the past when the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, assumes office as president come May 29, 2023.

The PDP decries the excruciating pain and distress being faced by Nigerians arising from their inability to access the new naira notes occasioned by the reported nefarious activities of corrupt APC leaders who are compromising the system to intercept and hoard the new bank notes for their selfish vote-buying plans ahead of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election.

Nigerians recall the widely-applauded patriotic intervention by Atiku Abubakar that led to the extension of the initial cash swap deadline; an accomplishment which not only demonstrates Atiku Abubakar’s commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians but also his experience, capacity and integrity to stand for the people and get the system to work for the public good.

Our Party is however saddened that the cash crunch had persisted due to the sabotage of corrupt APC leaders, including the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who are alleged to have masterminded the intercepting and hoarding of the new notes for their selfish agenda.

The PDP is therefore disgusted by the hypocrisy being exhibited by the APC presidential candidate, who, despite his alleged role in the cash scarcity is pointing accusing fingers at others and seeking to exploit the ugly situation to incite unsuspecting Nigerians with the view to disrupting the 2023 general elections.

Asiwaju Tinubu and his apologists in the APC are aware that he has no chance in the election and thus are devising all manner of shenanigans to overheat the polity, derail the electoral process and force an undemocratic situation upon our country.

Nigerians now know the truth and hold Asiwaju Tinubu and the APC directly responsible for the anguish they have been subjected to in the face of this excruciating cash scarcity; another reason they will deal Tinubu a humiliating blow with their votes at the February 25, 2023 Presidential election.

The PDP calls on President Buhari to protect Nigerians by going after these felonious APC leaders as well as the saboteurs in the system who are reportedly working with the APC Presidential Campaign to mop up cash meant for distribution to our citizens.

Our party stands with Nigerians; the artisans, traders, drivers, “keke” and “okada” riders, labourers, food vendors, students and all hard-working citizens at this time of distress.

The PDP charges the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to be mindful of the sufferings being experienced daily by Nigerians and demands that the bank takes urgent measures to arrest the unbearable situation by ensuring adequate protection and effective monitoring of cash distribution process.

Among other measures, the CBN should immediately provide dedicated mobile banks and special cash points in areas of need particularly in the markets and rural areas of our country.

Using such facilities to dispense low amounts in markets and rural areas will drastically reduce the pain and anguish being experienced by Nigerians at this time.

Politics

I’ll restructure Nigeria within six months if elected, Atiku vows

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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar says he will ensure Nigeria is restructured within six months of his administration if elected.

He said this at the PDP presidential diaspora campaign grand finale held in Abuja.

Mr Abubakar, who was represented by former National chairman of the PDP, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, said that sufficient research work needed to achieve restructuring in Nigeria had been concluded.

Mr Nwodo is the Deputy Director, Research and Strategy, of the PDP presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

He said that Nigeria worked better when every region controlled its natural resources.

The former vice president recalled that existing socio-economic developments were put in place when regions controlled their resources.

“When we are talking about restructuring by Executive Order, in the first six months, this country will not be what you are seeing today.

“This has been worked out and I’m just waiting to be sworn in on May 29 and the plans will be rolled out.”

He said that Nigeria was a great country, adding that all that it required was good leadership.“We will provide that kind of leadership,” he declared.

Mr Abubakar further said that if elected, he would rescue Nigeria from all indices that had portrayed it in bad light.

He listed his five-point agenda to include education and security, saying that he would restore security to the country by nipping in the bud factors responsible for rising violence.

Earlier, Director, Directorate of Diaspora Groups, PDP PCC, Professor Isa Odidi, had said that Nigerians in Diaspora believe that Mr Abubakar would articulate and implement the Diaspora Policy Framework to help capture, harness and channel their expertise to the country.

“Atiku’s government will do more to remove obstacles and create opportunities for Nigerians in the Diaspora to engage in economic development of Nigeria.

“We all unequivocally support Atiku/Okowa for President and Vice President of Nigeria,” he asserted.

Lifestyle

INEC assures adequate security for corps members on election duties

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reassured members of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of their safety during the 2023 general election.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC chairman, said this when he received the Director -General, the NYSC, Brigadier-General Yusha’u Ahmed on a courtesy visit to his office on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Yakubu said that INEC placed great priority on the comfort, safety and security of the NYSC members.

He said that over the years INEC had continued to work with NYSC to improve the comfort of the corps members while engaged in election duties.

Mr Yakubu said that the commission had also been working with security agencies to ensure the security of corps members during elections.

He assured that no NYSC members would be abandoned at polling units after the election as INEC was making contact with members of the transport union to ensure that all corps members were safely returned to their base after the election.

Mr Yakubu also said that INEC had already made arrangements with NYSC to train corps members in their camps across the country.

He said that the INEC was already working on its schedule with NYSC for the training of the corps members across the country, saying that those in Enugu and Kano would be trained before leaving camps.

“We assure that we will continue to implement the terms of the MOU we signed with the NYSC,” he said.

Mr Yakubu added that INEC would continue to work very closely with NYSC in the conduct of all elections.

“The reality around the world is that no electoral management body conducts elections on the strength of its staff members. All electoral commissions engage ad hoc or temporary staff for election.

“But we are extremely fortunate in Nigeria to have this large pool of young, knowledgeable and patriotic Nigerians in all parts of the country, engaging in important national assignment that when election comes they support in the conduct of the elections in the country.

“I can’t see how the commission can conduct elections without the involvement of NYSC. It is simply unimaginable that we can conduct elections without the NYSC,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Ahmed said that the NYSC would strive hard to ensure that the terms of MoU between the two agencies were implemented to the letter.

He said that the NYSC was already sensitising corps members on the importance of participating in the election.

“You know there are a lot of fears. This will happen, that will happen, but we try to be very clear to them. It is a duty and a responsibility for them to actually do their best and take the responsibility.

“Tomorrow they will be proud that they are part and puzzle of the growth and the development of democracy in this country,” he said.

Mr Ahmed commended the INEC chairman for agreeing to improve the welfare of the corps members, saying that would go a long way to motivate them.

He said that INEC’s constant reassurance of security for NYSC members had continued to give them confidence to participate in the election.

“On our part we will continue to also sensitise them that they are actually secured and everything possible will be done to make sure that nothing happened to them in the course of their duties.”

On training of corps members in camps, he urged INEC to ensure that Enugu and Kano States that were outstanding were done before they leave camps.

“Yes INEC has promised to train these corps members in the camp. That has been done.

“But I think there’s a problem in Kano and Enugu states, the training is yet to take place. Maybe something would be done to ensure that it takes place,” he said.

Lifestyle, Politics

INEC says 522,000 PVCs remain uncollected in Edo

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, announced that a total of 522,000 permanent voter cards (PVC) had yet to be collected in Edo.

INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Timidi Wariowei, stated this during a town hall meeting on youth’s participation in elections.

The town hall meeting, organised by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), YES Project, was tagged: ‘Value Your Votes Najia.’Mr Wariowei, said that the 522,000 uncollected PVCs comprised both the old and the new ones.

He noted that at the end of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, a total of 419,000 PVCs, including transfers and information updates, were sent to the INEC office in the state.

“As at Feb. 1, out of the 419,000 PVCs, 299,000 had been collected, while a total of 120,000 are still uncollected.

“Also, about 402,000 old PVCs have yet to be collected in the state,” he said.

Mr Wariowei noted that when the distribution of the PVCs commenced, the daily collection was above 20,000, adding, however, that now, the daily collection had reduced to between 1,000 and 3,000 across the state.

He called on youth organisations and civil society organisations in the state to continue to sensitise residents on the need to collect their PVCs.

“It is the only means through which they can vote for their preferred candidates during forthcoming general elections,” he added.

Earlier, the Executive Director of YES Project, Oche Precious, in his address of welcome, said that the event was aimed at sensitising the youth on the need to come out en masse and cast their votes for their preferred candidates.

“This is the time to change the narrative by going out to cast our votes and decide the next leader that will pilot the affairs of our nation,” he said.

Politics

General Elections: Buhari directs NIS to tighten security around borders

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President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to tighten security around the nation’s borders before and after the general elections.

Interior minister Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this in Katsina on Tuesday while inaugurating the Katsina State headquarters of the service.

“The order from President Muhammadu Buhari is that between now and the time we will conclude elections, you must make sure our borders are secured,” Mr Aregbesola said.

The minister charged officers to ensure that illegal immigrants do not create problems during and after the elections.

“The service should live up to the directives of Mr President,” he said.The minister also tasked them on ensuring the documentation of all migrants.

Mr Aregbesola said that Katsina State had 400 kilometres of border lines and 14 border positions which the service needed to protect.

He said the government was upgrading the capacity of the NIS to control the nation’s borders effectively.

“We are deploying electronic digital technology to ensure 24/7 surveillance of the 5,000 kilometres border lines.

“We have already awarded the contract, so, very soon, the comptroller-general, from his office, will be able to see what is happening anytime at any border point,” he said.

In his remarks, Governor Aminu Masari, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Muntari Lawal, commended the NIS for the project and affirmed the administration’s readiness to support the service to secure the nation’s borders.

Also speaking, the State controller, Bello Garba, who reiterated the commitment of officers and men to their responsibilities, said the service currently had 688 officers and men across the state.

Lifestyle, Politics

Paul Okoye ‘Rude Boy’ calls out INEC over PVC collection

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Paul Okoye a.k.a Rude Boy has called out the Independent National Electoral Commission over the time frame given for PVC collection ahead of the 2023 general election.

Paul Okoye noted that there are 26 million students who are eligible voters and they are all back in school.

He further stated that most of these students registered for 2023 election during the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in 2022 and may not collect their PVCs with only 10 days remaining for the collection.

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