2011 Polls: Pro Jonathan Group Flags-Off Campaign In UK …Police To Monitor Elections With Satellite Imaging

Secretary to Rivers State Government, Hon Magnus Abe (left) and Hon Victor Giadom, Chairman, Gokana Local Government Area during the first Gokana Leadership Summit, held at the council, recently

Secretary to Rivers State Government, Hon Magnus Abe (left) and Hon Victor Giadom, Chairman, Gokana Local Government Area during the first Gokana Leadership Summit, held at the council, recently

A pro Jonathan political group ‘Vision Nigeria 2011″ has flagged-off a campaign in the United Kingdom in favour of President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2011 presidential election.

A statement e-mailed to The Tide in Port Harcourt indicates that the flag-off ceremony which took place at the Commonwealth Club,  Northumberland, opposite the Nigerian House was attended by prominent Nigerians in the United Kingdom.

Those who graced the event, according to the statement, include the former president of the South-South Peoples Assembly, Europe wing and the chairperson of the United Women Support for Development in Nigeria, Mrs Aselle Abigo Tshuinza, Mrs Ngozi Olu Osadebay, President, Nigerian Women For Democracy, United Kingdom and Mrs Elizabeth Oloyinka Oduneye.

Also in attendance were Dr Boma Douglas, President, Association of Rivers Community, United Kingdom, Mrs Vera Culley, Vice President SSPA, Europe wing, Mr Mike Abiola, Patrick Emu, Juliet Osia, Debbie Osagie, Stella Ohikh,  Kofe Mante and June Douglas.

A communiqué titled; “Dr Jonathan Goodluck should run for president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2011 general election urged Nigerians both at home and in Diaspora to support Dr Jonathan in the 2011 presidential election.

According to the statement signed by the group coordinator, Asella Abigo Tshuinza and George Osadebay’ the group of concerned Nigerians present at the town hall meeting (Vision Nigeria 2011 Uk) were of the opinion that  recycled politicians be done away with, hence they called on Goodluck Jonathan to run for the presidency in the upcoming general election.

Meanwhile, the police is to use satellite imaging gadgets to monitor the 2011 general elections nationwide to check malpractices.

Mr Azubuko Udah, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone II, said this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

Udah said the police were preparing well for the elections and would employ the gadgets if made available to cover all loopholes in election monitoring.

“With satellite imaging, we will be able to monitor all developments at all polling booths,’’ he said.

He expressed satisfaction at the performance of the police in the February 6 governorship election in Anambra, and gave the assurance that the police would do their best in the 2011 general elections.

“ We will provide security for the citizens to vote and be voted for,’’ he said.

Udah advised politicians to eschew violence and fraud to make the general elections free, fair and credible in the interest of Nigeria’s democracy.

He said that the police would deal with any politician who would want to cause violence during the elections.

“Politicians or their agents found stuffing ballot boxes with ballot papers, doctoring results or snatching ballot boxes will be dealt with according to the law.

“The Inspector General of Police has vowed that the Nigeria police will do their job and will not give anybody any opportunity to blame the police for any electoral misdemeanour,’’ he said.

“We have been holding meetings with the IG where the issue of how to conduct credible elections in 2011 has been a recurring one, ‘’ he said.

Udah said the police had also been collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission and other agencies to ensure that the country has credible elections in 2011.