ABUJA— The Independent National Electoral
Commission, INEC, yesterday endorsed last
weekend’s trial run on the card readers and
resolved to use the device for the forthcoming
general elections.
The INEC stance nonetheless, Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, governors were last night locked in a
meeting in Lagos where they were articulating
strong objections to the use of the device.
The PDP governors, who had erstwhile deputy
national chairman of the party, Chief Olabode
George and other stalwarts in attendance at the
meeting, Vanguard learnt, were also raising issues
on the term of INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru
Jega.
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, who was
present, canvassed at the beginning of the
meeting that Jega should leave office three
months to the end of his tenure in accordance
with public service rules.
The endorsement of the card reader was given at
a meeting of the 12 national commissioners of the
commission at INEC headquarters in Abuja. The
meeting was presided over by INEC Chairman,
Prof. Attahiru Jega.
Yesterday’s meeting came ahead of further
preparatory meetings with the 37 Resident
Electoral Commissioners, RECs, who are in charge
of the 36 states of the federation and Abuja.
The use of the card reader had divided the
political class with the two major political parties
taking divergent positions on the device. INEC
claims the cards would stop multiple voting by
ensuring that only possessors of the Permanent
Voter Cards, PVCs, can vote at voting points
where the PVCs are programmed to.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had following
last Saturday’s trial run, expressed reservations,
noting difficulties in the accreditation through the
failure of the biometric confirmation among some
voters.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, on its part
said it was satisfied with the device and urged
the commission to go ahead with the use of the
card readers.
The issue, Vanguard learnt, came up at the
meeting of the national commissioners and at the
end it was resolved that INEC should forge ahead
with the use of the device.
A source at the commission, who pleaded
anonymity, told Vanguard that “the National
Commissioners have decided to stick with the
card reader following the huge success the
machine recorded during the field test in some 12
states across the country last Saturday.”
A source equally said that the prospects of going
back was now unthinkable as the commission
had now crossed the bridge having also collected
the Temporary Voter Cards from registered voters.
Tomorrow’s RECs meeting
Tomorrow’s meeting of the RECs with Jega and
the national commissioners will take another look
at the complaints generated during the trial run.
A source said: “There is a huge possibility that
the commission will allow voters whose
fingerprints are not read by the device to vote,
but such people will fill the incident form.”
Tomorrow’s meeting of the RECs would also
appraise the distribution and collection of PVCs.
The Election Management Body, EMB, had
extended the distribution and collection of the
cards till March 22.
On the newly registered YDP
The meeting is also expected to deliberate on the
controversy arising from the forced registration of
the Young Democratic Party, YDP. The newly
registered party had recently demanded its
inclusion in the ballot papers following a court
order that compelled the commission to register it
and include it as a participant in the forthcoming
elections.
The demand, sources disclosed, would inevitably
lead to the postponement of the elections given
the fact that the ballot papers had been printed
prior to the registration of the party.
One of the options being canvassed to INEC is to
appeal the judgment of the court to register the
new party. The commission, Vanguard, learnt is
expected to come up with a definite
pronouncement on the way out of the emerging
crisis.
Tomorrow’s meeting which was earlier scheduled
for last week was postponed because the
commission decided to wait till the conduct of the
mock accreditation exercise which was meant to
test the functionality of the card reader machines
that is to be used to conduct the elections.
PDP govs meet to strategise
Governors present at the meeting which was
holding at the Eko Hotel and Suites at press time
were Governors Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom),
Jonah Jang (Plateau), Babangida Aliyu (Niger),
Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo).
Also present were Mukthar Yero (Kaduna),
Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) Liyel Imoke (Cross
River) and the party’s governorship candidate in
Lagos State, Jimmy Agbaje.
Speaking to newsmen ahead of the meeting,
Governor Akpabio, chairman of the PDP Governors
Forum, said the card reader had proved to be
ineffective and a burden to the accreditation
process.
“We came here to brainstorm on how to win the
election and how to take Southern Nigeria. We
expect to win on the first ballot. PDP cannot
panic, we have presence in over 120,000 polling
units and PDP is a national party,” Governor
Akpabio said before the meeting entered into
closed session.
He said: “We are going to discuss all issues.
Unlike others, we have a responsibility to
Nigerians. It is our responsibility, we will look at
all the issues bordering on the election. Many
have not received PVCs. Would you allow 80
percent to be disenfranchised?
“If the election had been held, there would have
been serious opposition. We have a responsibility
to ensure stability. Even the press did not receive
their PVCs. Supposing only 22 per cent voted,
would the election have been credible? We want
to discuss and strategise to ensure we have free
and fair elections.”
Sources also disclosed that the governors were
going to raise strong objections to the card
readers in closed session.
Governor Jang, speaking in that direction, flayed
INEC for not test running the device in last year’s
governorship election in Osun and Ekiti States.
Governor Aliyu in his perspective said Jega’s stay
in INEC should follow public service rules which
entails officers going on a three month pre-
retirement leave.
Jega’s term took effect from July 1, 2010 and his
term is expected to end on June 30, 2015. www.vanguardngr.com/2015/03/pdp-govs-kick-as-inec-insists-on-card-readers/

All these excuses from the PDP shows how panic they are...what is the problem again ? Since Akpabio claimed PDP is national party why are they afraid of credible election...let go to the poll once and for all......I still don't know why the ruling party want the Referee " Jega " outta the game before they can win......My advise to the out-going Presido, don't let people around you push you to ICC net....let go to the poll peaceful and let the winner emerge....God Bless Nigeria.

Say NO to political violence......Say No to mago-mago.....Yes to card reader....Yes To Credible election... Yes To APC......Change 2015

#WeDontWantCardreader

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, who was
present, canvassed at the beginning of the
meeting that Jega should leave office three
months to the end of his tenure in accordance
with public service rules.

Their was a time Buhari wanted Jega gone as well.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/2187976_buharicallsforjegassackaccusesinecofdeepcorruption_jpeg3c8c783ddd8c894afb6bd6453e16edd9

Don't worry 24 hours to the election Jega would be made to disregard the card readers whether he likes it or not. This one na initial gragra.

We saw the same drama play out during the postponement

To hell with CardReader.

Another crap

We want to win Janjaweedz without any excuses

The card reader should not be used not with this incidence form for people who are rejected by the card reader

chukwudi44:
Don't worry 24 hours to the election Jega would be made to disregard the card readers whether he likes it or not. This one na initial gragra.

We saw the same drama play out during the postponement

Ordinarily, I would have laughed this off. But seeing how desperate some people are, I won't.

GEJ- I will fight corruption with technology
after some month

his party say

SAY NO TO CARD READER (technology)

why wont they disagree? havent u forgotten the meaning of pdp. people decieving people. sai buhari. how many likes for me.

holatin:
GEJ- I will fight corruption with technology
after some month

his party say

SAY NO TO CARD READER (technology)

PDP knows they will certainly lose the elections with Card Readers use and deployment. That na sure banker.

Bad guys! At first it was we are not ready for feb14 n now it's we don't want card reader, bunch of clowns kawai. Rigging or card reader? Which one is b problem of our society? Mtchew.......

These PDP guys had been banking on rigging. Now their plans are shattered. Why are PDP afraid of open contest?

What are they kicking? Buhari's head?

PDP/GEJ have been checkmated in this game of chess. I laugh in Swahili

There are certain things that can no longer happen anymore in this election; and any attempt to force their occurrence could lead to serious catastrophe. They are:

1. Sacking of Jega in any form - Even if Jega must proceed on terminal leave, it has to be three months to June 30 which means he still has up till March 30 to stay on his job. By March 30, he would have conducted the presidential election.

2. Discarding the card reader - Without the use of the card reader, using PVC to vote is useless. It is the card reader that prevents multiple voting which PDP wants to die for. Any pressure mounted on INEC to abandon the card reader will comprehensively be rejected by APC and that could jeopardize the whole electoral process.

3. Postponing the election - I am sure that any attempt to force another postponement will be met with serious protest this time around especially from the north. And when they protest and burn properties and maim innocent people, GEJ/INEC will be held responsible by the international communities.

A word they say is enough for the wise.

[quote
author=chukwudi44 post=31476966]Don't worry 24 hours to the election
Jega would be made to disregard the card readers whether he likes it or
not. This one na initial gragra.

We saw the same drama play out during the postponement[/quote]


that is a big joke.

Hahaha Babangida Aliyu wan use niger money buy d senate seat. David umoru of APC ll surely beat u d way he floged d puppet u/gej forcefully install on Nigerlites.

itetemi:



that is a big joke.

We don't make noise like you cowardly folks. Just wait and watch as PDP secures a court injunction hours to the election. Just sit and watch the game of chess

Demdem:


Only fools still listen to ur miserable kind and take it serious.
the same way u claimed that "next week" Tambuwal will seize to be speaker of HOR.
Shut ur trap eediot

Ewu awusa was it not how you claimed the elections would not be postponed

chukwudi44:


We don't make noise like you cowardly folks. Just wait and watch as PDP secures a court injunction hours to the election. Just sit and watch the game of chess

24 hours to election you say? Now that is what I call death sentence on INEC/GEJ.

PassingShot:


24 hours to election you say? Now that is what I call death sentence on INEC/GEJ.

You can call it whatever you want. Just sit and watch. You will soon know what is called power of incumbency

Do not even bother to give me that violence in the north crap.When the real violence starts you will know that abokis are learners when violence is involved

chukwudi44:


You can call it whatever you want. Just sit and watch. You will soon know what is called power of incumbency

It was the same belief of absoluteness in power of incumbency that landed Gbagbo and wife where they are now.

We shall wait and see.

PassingShot:


It was the same belief of absoluteness in power of incumbency that landed Gbagbo and wife where they are now.

We shall wait and see.

Gbagbo lost his election,GEJ has to first lose the election before been compared to Gbagbo. Let Buhari win first before you start spinning your Gbagbo yarn.

Let me see If you will still be spinning this thrash by March 30th

chukwudi44:

Gbagbo lost his election,GEJ has to first lose the election before been compared to Gbagbo. Let Buhari win first before you start spinning your Gbagbo yarn.

Let me see If you will still be spinning this thrash by March 30th

There are many conditions/situations that can achieve same end.

To be "Gbagboed" does not only require you losing an election. GEJ can be "Gbagboed" if he tries any other stupid stunt that leads to unnecessary riots and deaths.

The unfortunate thing is you are nobody and you will be nowhere to be found then.

PassingShot:


There are many conditions/situations that can achieve same end.

To be "Gbagboed" does not only require you losing an election. GEJ can be "Gbagboed" if he tries any other stupid stunt that leads to unnecessary riots and deaths.

The unfortunate thing is you are nobody and you will be nowhere to be found then.

If APC leaders instigates riots in response to legitimate court injunctions, they will be the ones to be gbagboed.Mind you abokis and their slaves up south do not have a monopoly over violence .

The worst you can do will be to come here and rant.The minority can have their say but the majority will surely have their way

Demdem:


Ibofool, i said no such thing. U sound deranged

Olodo son of olosho. Your party leaders claimed heavens would fall should the proposed February14 elections be shifted

chukwudi44:

If APC leaders instigates riots in response to legitimate court injunctions, they will be the ones to be gbagboed.My you abokis and their slaves up south do not have a monopoly over violence .

The worst you can do will be to come here and rant.The minority can have their say but the majority will surely have their way

What court injunctions? You mean there is a plan to procure judgment against the election or against GMB?

I'm done with you.

PassingShot:


What court injunctions? You mean there is a plan to procure judgment against the election or against GMB?

I'm done with you.

Are you claiming ignorance of the cases in court against the PVCs, card readers and Buhari's qualifications? Was it not you fools that asked PDP to go to court?