Politics
INEC Holds Mock Elections In Rivers, 11 Others, ’Morrow …Creates 35,000 Polling Units
Barring last minutes
change, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will tomorrow conduct mock voting sessions in 12 states of the federation to test-run the use of smart card readers, ahead of the March 28 and April 11 elections.
To this effect, the INEC chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, has deployed all National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in 12 states for the mock elections.
Two states in each of the six geo-political zones of the country have been selected for the experimental voting exercise. They are: Ekiti and Lagos (South-West); Anambra and Ebonyi (South-East), Delta and Rivers (South-South); Kano and Kebbi (North-West); Bauchi and Taraba (North-East) and Niger and Nasarawa (North-Central).
Reports from INEC indicate that in each of the states selected for the mock election, some electoral wards with sizeable registered voters would be considered for the trial voting.
The essence of the mock elections, according to INEC, is to enable the commission ascertain the functionality of the card readers, with a view to making necessary adjustments before the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections.
It will be recalled that the use of the card readers has been vehemently opposed by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the excuse that the device violates the nation’s electoral act which forbids electronic voting in the country.
A statement signed by the Head, Protocol and Publicity of INEC in Rivers State, Anthonia Nwobi, stated that the Registration Area Ward 1 Oromineke/Ezimgbu of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (PHALGA) in Rivers State will be used for the conduct of the mock elections in the state.
Nwobi also disclosed that the trial voting will take place in all the 23 units of ward 1 and the 19 voting points.
She urged all the registered voters in ward 1 of PHALGA to come our enmasse for the field test exercise.
“The planned exercise, which has been slated for Saturday, March 7, 2015 will start from 8.00am and would be carried our by 188 trianed INEC staff. This clarification process will be the replica of election day where smart card readers and permanent voters cards are expected to be used for the accreditation exercise,” she said.
Meanwhile, INEC has created additional 35,000 polling units ahead of the rescheduled general elections, it was learnt yesterday.
There are 120,000 polling units in the country. Attempt by the commission to increase it to 150,000 was received with mixed reactions, forcing it to drop the idea initially.
The Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Dr Chris Iyimoga, who broke the news of additional polling points, argued that the essence was to allow for ease of voting process.
Boye Salau / Iragunima Benice / Midred Jaja
APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside (right), addressing party supporters in Finima Community, during his ward rally in Bonny Local Government Area.
Former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Matters and Social Events, Dr Waripamowei Dudafa, has praised the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri on his formal defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr Dudafa, who is also a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and one time commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Development, described the governor’s decision as a wise and well-considered move that aligns the State with the centre for accelerated development and greater political inclusion.
“Governor Diri’s decision reflects his pragmatic leadership style which has always been guided by consultation, inclusiveness, and the pursuit of the common good.
“Your Excellency, your decision to work in harmony with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which is in synergy with your ‘Assured Prosperity’ vision will undoubtedly bring about the needed transformation and development for the people of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta at large.
“Since assuming office, your guiding principle has been clear and consistent — to consult widely, act in the public interest, and deliver measurable development outcomes. That same principle has informed your latest political alignment, and it will continue to serve as a compass for your Assured Prosperity Administration”, he said.
He further praised the governor’s performance in office, stating that Gov. Diri’s administration has been characterized by purposeful governance and tangible results, reaffirming his continued loyalty and support for the governor, while also assuring that he and his associates will keep identifying with the Gov Diri’s administration in the collective effort to sustain peace, unity, and progress in the state.
While restating his continued solidarity with the governor’s leadership in the state, Dr Dudafa promised to lend his support to ensure that he finishes strong.
“Governor Diri’s political maturity and developmental focus have repositioned Bayelsa for a brighter future”, he added.
The Tide further learnt that Dr Dudafa once served as Special Adviser to a former governor of the State on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment.
“I want to again commend the governor for his courage and vision. His alignment of the State with the federal government under the Renewed Hope Agenda is a step toward ensuring inclusive governance and attracting more federal presence to the state”, he said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
A publication circulating online had quoted Alhaji Sheriff as saying, “It’s not me; it’s Shettima who created Boko Haram.”
But in a statement issued on Saturday, Alhaji Sheriff dismissed the report as a “complete fabrication” aimed at misleading the public and stirring political discord.
“The said story is a complete fabrication, devoid of truth, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, malign the person of Senator Sheriff, and sow discord within the nation’s political landscape,” the statement read.
Alhaji Sheriff said he never granted any interview or spoke to any journalist on the matter, adding that the falsehood was designed to undermine his long-standing commitment to peace and national unity.
“This false report is not only mischievous but also a dangerous piece of fake news aimed at undermining years of Senator Sheriff’s contributions to peace, national unity, and development, both in Borno State and across Nigeria,” the statement added.
The former governor urged members of the public and the media to disregard the publication, noting that he had directed his legal team to identify and pursue those behind the story.
“Senator Sheriff has instructed his legal team to take immediate steps to identify all individuals, bloggers, or media outlets responsible for the dissemination of this defamatory material.
“Should the false publication not be retracted and taken down forthwith, the Senator will not hesitate to seek full legal redress under the law”, his media office said.
Alhaji Sheriff reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s security, stability, and democratic values and vowed to ensure that the spread of misinformation does not go unpunished.
Politics
Anambra Guber: I’m Not Impressed, LP Candidate Says …As Observers Lament Vote-buying, Low Voters Turnout
Mr Moghalu spoke to journalists on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rise to its responsibility of making the process credible.
He also alleged voter apathy, attributing it to people’s lack of confidence in the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu said that even though it was too early to say whether the process was free, fair, and credible, he was not impressed.
“I am not impressed; there were no issues of glitches, at least for now. As we go along to monitor the process, we’ll confirm. In terms of voting, there’s an improvement over previous elections.
“I can’t say it’s free and fair because if you monetise a process, you weaponise poverty. What’s free about it? There’s no doubt there’s low voter turnout, and that has been the trend,” he stated.
The LP’s flag bearer stated that it was incumbent on INEC to continually improve the process, as voter apathy is a manifestation of a loss of confidence in the people.
Reports from Yiaga Africa, European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) II, and other partner organisations indicated that voter turnout was low in most polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to journalists in Awka, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, identified vote-buying and low turnout as recurring issues observed in the thematic areas of the election.
Also, Asabe Ndahi of the Kukah Centre decried logistical challenges, including the late arrival of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security officials in high-risk areas, such as Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Ihiala, Ogbaru, and Nnewi South.
She added that incidents of vote-buying and voter intimidation were recorded in several local government areas.
that votes were being traded for between N15,000 and N30,000.
“It is sad that bad governance is fuelling vote buying and selling.
“For an unemployed youth who sells his vote for ?30,000, what will he be paid next month when there is no election?
“By selling your vote, you are saying no school, no hospital, no jobs and selling away your future. This is worrisome”, he said.
He called on journalists to play an active role in exposing and curbing the menace.
The former presidential candidate also described all the hopefuls in the governorship race as his friends.
“Whoever wins, let him serve the people. Nigeria needs service now. We need to pull our people out of poverty,” he said,
Earlier, Mr George Moghalu, LP governorship candidate, said despite the heavy deployment of security personnel for the election, he had received reports of widespread vote-buying.
He also described the trend as “most unfortunate”, and warned that the crime undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu added that he remained optimistic on the outcome of the election, as he had campaigned extensively and presented his manifesto to the electorate.
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