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Ondo 2020: PDP, APC, Others Sign Peace Accord, Tuesday, INEC Confirms
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said that all the governorship candidates of the 17 political parties participating in the October 10 election would sign a peace accord, next Tuesday.
Yakubu, who expressed concerns over the spate of violence in some parts of the state, said this during an interactive session with newsmen in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The chairman is on a three-day working visit to the state ahead of the October 10 election.
Yakubu said, “We are aware of the violence involving supporters of political parties. We will meet with the traditional rulers and the political parties over the issue of violence.
“I am also glad that the National Peace Committee under the leadership of our former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), is going to intervene by organising the signing of the peace accord, similar to what we did in Benin.
“That is why we have a representative of the NPC committee to do the preparatory work.
“The signing of the peace accord will take place on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, here in Akure.
“I am happy to let you know that we have accomplished 12 of the 14 activities. This is exactly two weeks and two days to the election. Within the days remaining, there are exactly 16 days to the election.
“If we exclude the Election Day on Saturday, October 10, we have 15 days. So, we have two weeks, and a day to the election. The sensitive materials for the election are ready.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria will deliver them to the (Akure) branch. On Monday, October 5, the sensitive materials for the election will arrive. We lost all our smart card readers to the unfortunate fire incident.
“But let me say that we have fully recovered from that incident. We have enough smart card readers from the neighbouring state of Oyo. We are configuring and charging the card readers here in Akure.”
He called for the exposure of “vote buyers during election as there are people who want to compromise the integrity of the process. INEC will remain neutral.”
Yakubu reiterated the commissions call for the need by the National Assembly for the establishment of Electoral Offences Commission and Tribunal.
Meanwhile, at another meeting with traditional rulers across the state, the chairman seeks the support of traditional rulers’ on electoral offences commission and electoral tribunal.
Yakubu called on the traditional rulers in the state to prevail on their representatives at the National Assembly to ensure passage of the bill for the establishment of Electoral Offences Commission Tribunal.
He said that the commission, as at now, relies on the police for the arrest, investigation and prosecution of electoral offenders, which in many cases hampered the ability of the INEC to bring to book it, electoral offenders.
However, the chairman said the commission, was able to prosecute 40 electoral offenders the in one of the South-West states but lamented that the commission, would have been happier if sponsors of the offenders, were arrested and prosecuted because the perpetrators are actually not the beneficiaries of the offences.
Yakubu, who promised that the commission would continue to its best to discourage vote-buying, said politicians had been outsmarting the commissions by devising new method to ensure inducement of voters.
He, however, promised that the commission would improve on its achievements during the last week’s exercise in Edo State.
“The provisions of Electoral Law on issue of violence and cancellation fee of votes in the affected areas would continue to be implemented in line with Section 53 of the law.
“The INEC shall conduct the election in line with the Covid-19 protocols and shall not allow any person without face mask to vote during the election.
“We shall allow the use of temporary voter card in place of Permanent Voter Card because the card reader can only read PVC and the commission cannot rely on the names on temporary voter card.”
Yakubu implored the traditional rulers and all respected voices to do all they can to ensure violence-free polls in their domains.
“The election in Edo State was good. We are determined to make the Ondo State Election better. The electorate in Ondo State are the one that will determine who their governor be.”
The INEC achieved 98 per cent use of Card Reader in Edo State election. We are ready to improve on our performances in Edo State.
“It was in Ondo State isolated election that we first recorded an exercise that was not challenged in court. After that, we have conducted up to 10 other elections that were not challenged.
He said, “We are appealing to you as the custodians of customs to collaborate with the commission by talking to your subjects to ensure that we have free, fair and credible poll. INEC is ready to perform its functions.”
Responding, the Chairman of the council of Obas, the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, lauded the commission for the success of the Edo election, and asked that same should be replicated in the state.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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