₦airaland Forum

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) yesterday said over 3.6 million Nigerians are in need of potable water, sanitation and hygiene services.

It said of the number, 1.1 million are internally displaced persons (IDPs), having fled their homes due to violence and conflict even as most of them are out-of-reach in remote areas still impacted by conflicts.

UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Mohamed Fall, who made this known in a report titled: Water Under Fire, to mark the 2019 World Water day in Abuja, noted that about 800,000 people are in hard-to-reach areas of which 79 per cent are children and women.


He pointed out that conflict has created huge challenges for people in the North East region of the country, where violence has affected their ability to access water and sanitation, leading to diseases such as cholera.

Fall said in North East Nigeria, 5,365 people were affected by cholera, as 61 died in 2017, while 12,643 persons were affected and 175 died of cholera in 2018.

He noted that UNICEF is working to scale-up life saving responses, especially in IDPs camps, to ensure quality and sustainability of WASH services and facilities, minimise risk of WASH-related diseases and provide preventive measures against cholera and other water-borne diseases.

“Without safe and effective water, sanitation and hygiene services, children are at risk of malnutrition and preventable diseases including diarrhea, typhoid, cholera and polio.

“Girls are particularly affected because they are vulnerable to sexual violence, as they collect water or venture out to use latrines. They deal with affronts to their dignity as they bathe and manage menstrual hygiene.

“And they miss classes during menstruation if their schools have no suitable water and sanitation facilities,” he stated.

Fall added that the threats are exacerbated during conflict when deliberate and indiscriminate attacks destroy infrastructure, injure personnel and cut off power that keeps water, sanitation and hygiene systems running.

“ Armed conflicts also limit access to essential repair equipment and consumables such as fuel or chlorine, which could be depleted, rationed, diverted or blocked from delivery.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/over-36-million-nigerians-lack-water.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the schedule for the rerun of the gubernatorial election in Bauchi State slated for Saturday, March 23, 2019.

The schedule indicated that the re-run will hold in 36 polling units in 29 registration areas (wards) scattered across 15 of the 20 local government areas of the state.

A total of 22, 641 registered voters are expected to participate in the exercise.

Recall that the Returning Officer in Bauchi State, Prof. Kyari Mohammed, on Monday, March 11, 2019, declared the governorship election in the state inconclusive.

The People’s Democratic Party, Sen. Bala Mohammed got 469, 512 votes to lead his closest rival, the incumbent Governor, Mohammed Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress, who got 465, 453 votes.

Kyari said that because the slim margin of lead between the two candidates (4, 059) votes, having earlier cancelled the entire votes from Tafawa Balewa local government area which were put at 139, 240, a winner could not be announced.

Kyari said that the number of cancelled votes in the elections even without that of Tafawa Balewa LGA is 45, 312 was huge. He, therefore, declared that based on Section 26 (53) of the Electoral Act, the election in Bauchi State was inconclusive, and directed INEC to conduct re-run elections in the affected LGAs within 21 days.

But an investigative committee led by the National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, sent from the INEC headquarters, Festus Okoye, during its three-day assignment in the state, discovered that the cancelled votes in Ningi LGA were 2, 533 and not 25, 330 during the collation.

The INEC headquarters, following the recommendation of the Okoye-led committee, directed that the error of the 22, 797 cancelled votes in the LGA be corrected and deducted from the 45, 240 votes earlier announced.


The breakdown of the areas affected and the number of registered voters are as follows:

Alkaleri -1 ward – 1 – PU – 1,190 reg. voters

Bogoro – 1 ward – 1 – PU – 1,130 reg. voters

Darazo – 3 wards- 4 PUs – 2,746 reg. voters

Dass – 1 ward – 1 PU – 872 reg. voters

Gamawa 1 ward – 1 PU – 405 reg. voters

Ganjuwa 2wards -2PUs – 1,306 reg. voters

Giade – 4 wards – 4PUs -1, 899 reg. voters

Itas Gadau 1ward-3PUs – 2,252 reg. voters

Jama’are 2wards – 2PUs – 829 reg. voters

Katagum 2 wards -3PUs – 2,055 reg. voters

Kirfi – 2 wards 2PUs – 1,111 reg. voters

Misau – 1 ward – 1 PU – 1, 007 reg. voters

Ningi – 4 wards – 5PUs – 2, 533 reg. voters

Shira – 1 ward – 1 PU – 438 reg. voters

Toro – 3 wards – 4PUs – 2, 868 reg. voters

Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/supplementary-polls-22641-voters.html

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Prof. Thomas Agan, has described as ‘unnecessary’ the strike action embarked upon by resident doctors in the hospital.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Calabar, Agan said that the industrial action was unnecessary as he had made frantic efforts to pay the doctors their money.

The resident doctors of the hospital commenced an indefinite strike on Tuesday over the non-payment of the 2014 to 2016 skipping arrears.

Agan attributed the delay of the payment to technical issues on the payment platform, adding that he had written several letters to the Federal Ministry of Health on the matter.

He added that he had visited the ministry in Abuja where he was told that the money would be paid immediately the Accountant-General of the Federation endorsed the document.

‘‘I have been in the forefront of the negotiations of these skipping arrears.

‘‘We in this hospital were one of the first institutions to implement skipping for doctors; everyone was peaceful until recently when the 2014 to 2016 skipping arrears came up.

‘‘By December 2018, the National Association of Resident Doctors told me that N100 million has been injected into our personnel allocation to ensure that we start paying the skipping arrears.

‘‘That money came late in December.

‘‘In the process of us trying to ensure that we pay salaries and other deductions, it stretched into Jan. 1, 2019 and the entire money on the given platform wiped off; it is something that happens regularly.

‘‘I quickly called the office of the Accountant-General and told them what we were experiencing, but they said it was a general network problem and would be rectified.

‘‘Part of the money was this N100 million for the skipping arrears.

‘‘We have written over and over again to the Federal Government reminding them that the money has not been released,’’ he explained.

Agan said he was in Abuja recently, in the office of the Accountant-General, who was not on ground to endorse the document, assuring that once it was endorsed, the money would be released.

‘‘I have explained all these to the resident doctors with evidence of all the appeals to the government but they insisted on going on strike.

‘‘They are going on strike without thinking of the economic implications; the lives that would be lost even though we all took the medical oath to protect the lives of humans from conception to death,’’ he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/ucth-resident-doctors-strike.html

Lagos Country Club has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently deploy a clear-cut policy to rejig the economy in his second term of office.The president, Tajudeen Akande, said this yesterday at a press briefing to herald the 70th anniversary celebration of the association.Linking lack of direction and uncertainty to the country’s economic woes, it noted that such mistakes should not be repeated, as the country cannot wait again for six months for ministers to be appointed.

The management council of the club decried the country’s struggling economy in the past three and half years and expressed optimism that things would be better, with adequate measures in place. Akande lamented that many businesses could not have a final seal on their budgets yet because they were waiting for the government’s budget.

He said: “No doubt, the economy has been struggling. For the past three and half years, our economy and our political system have been going through transition. The truth is that we have an economy that is dependent on one product, which is crude oil. Every economy that is dependent on crude oil has been in trouble since the last three years. That is the fact.

“The problem of Nigeria was compounded by the political transition. The only thing the business community wants is certainty. The main problem we had at the first transition was uncertainty and lack of direction. It doesn’t matter the economic policy you adopt, as it will only run when you have people that can manage the policies.

“We will be advising this government that as they settle down for second term, there must be clear-cut policies that are well-marshalled and communicated. Businesses are waiting to know what direction so that they can do their own strategic plan and responses. “Whatever is this administration’s economic policy, it must be pushed to the public domain in good time. Information is as good and useful as to its timeliness.

“This is March, most of the businesses don’t have a final sign on budget because they are waiting for the government’s budget.” Director-general of the planning committee, Babatunde Okunuga, urged politicians not to be desperate in their bid to be elected into political offices, saying “these are the things responsible for inconclusive elections.”In the programme for the anniversary tagged ‘Something for everybody’, Okunuga mentioned that the anniversary lecture would hold on July 30, while the grand ball was fixed for August 3.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/lagos-country-club-tells-buhari-to.html

A People’s Democratic Party senator, Mao Ohuabunwa, Tuesday called for the Nigerian senate to “jack up” the 2019 budget by 10 trillion Naira.

“Instead of reducing, we should ‘jack up’ the budget by 10 trillion,” Ohuabunwa said during the plenary.

The 2019 appropriation bill sent by the President is N8.82 trillion. The spending list, N8,826,636,578,915, has a recurrent expenditure of N4 trillion while N2 trillion goes for capital expenditure with N2.2 trillion and N492 billion for debt servicing and statutory transfers respectively.


Ohuabunwa complained that the two trillion naira allocated to the capital expenditure is not enough due to the various ongoing projects.

“What can two trillion do when we have ongoing projects,” he questioned.

“We need to block leakages and ensure taxes are collected and put into good use in the economy such as the Basic Health fund which Senate President, Bukola Saraki started,” Ohuabunwa added.


“We are consolidating poverty. We need to really look at this budget. Instead of reducing, we should ‘jack up’ the budget by 10 trillion. What can 2 trillion do when we have on going projects.”- Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.

— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) March 19, 2019

However, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe while reacting to the budget said, “With a total debt service of 25.7% and capital budget at 23%, it means we are paying more debt.

“This is a budget of impossibilities. Out of every 1 Naira, 68kobo is paid out. The Federal Government needs to go back to the drawing board,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Senate passed the appropriation bill for a second reading on Tuesday.


Senators, last Wednesday, commenced the debate on the budget with some of them expressing fears about the “high level of debt” the country was getting into.

Some of the senators expressed reservations about the plans by the government to borrow from both internal and domestic sources to fund the 2019 budget.

The senators said should Nigeria continue to borrow money to fund the deficits in her annual budgets, the country would be hugely indebted in the end without any means to repay.

After the second reading of the bill, it was referred to relevant committees of the Senate for further action.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/pdp-senator-calls-for-2019-budget.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent condolences to families who have lost loved ones, homes and means of livelihood in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi as Tropical Cyclone Idai takes a toll on Southern Africa.

The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, deeply shared in the pain and struggle of the governments and people in the region who have been working hard to ensure safety of citizens and minimize the devastating effect of the cyclone.

President Buhari assured the governments and people of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi of the prayers and support of Nigeria as they pass through the trying period, while commending all the humanitarian organisations for their interventions.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/buhari-condoles-with-mozambique.html

Access Bank Plc has recorded more than 50 per cent leap in its profit for 2018, closing the fiscal year with N95 billion.

A statement from the bank, which highlighted its audited financial results for the full year, said the lender grew its Profit After Tax (PAT) by 58 per cent to N95 billion, from the N60.1 billion recorded during the corresponding period of 2017.

Aside this, its gross earnings rose by 15 per cent to N528.7 billion, compared to N459.1 billion netted in 2017, with interest and non-interest income contributing 72 per cent and 26 per cent respectively. Its Profit Before Tax (PBT) for the period was N103.2 billion, showing 32 per cent growth from N78.2 billion in 2017 while Return on Average Equity (ROAE) stood at 19 per cent with a Return on Asset (ROA) of 2.1 per cent in 2018. The bank has proposed a final dividend of 25 kobo per share bringing total dividend for the year to 50 kobo per share.

The statement added that the asset base of the bank remained strong and diversified with growth of 21 per cent year-to-date in total assets to N4.95 trillion in December 2018 from N4.10 trillion in December 2017.

Loans and Advances totalled N2.14 trillion as at December 2018 from N2.06 trillion in December 2017: Customer deposits increased by 14 per cent to N2.57 trillion in December 2018, from N2.25 trillion in December 2017. Capital Adequacy (CAR) remained adequate at 20.8 per cent, taking into consideration the regulatory transitional arrangement of IFRS 9 implementation. On a full impact basis, CAR stood at 19.9 per cent. Similarly, liquidity ratios of 50.9 per cent, from 47.2 per cent in December 2017, remained well above regulatory requirements.

Commenting on this performance, its Group Managing Director/CEO, Herbert Wigwe, said, “2018 marked a significant year of progress for the bank amid an unfavourable macro climate. We made solid progress throughout 2018 in line with our 2018-2022 five-year strategy, and we remain committed to the achievement of our strategic imperatives going forward; as we continue to invest in our people and technology in order to improve operational efficiency and service touch points with earnings growth in 2019.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/access-bank-grosses-n95bn-profit-in-2018.html

Members of a criminal justice reform organisation, Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE) have, in a rally in Abuja, called for reforms on conditions of prisons across Nigeria.

The protesters had placards with inscriptions such as: ‘Say no to prolonged pre-trial detention’, ‘Remove children from adult prisons now’, ‘Reform the prisons’, and ‘say no to torture’.

Led by the Executive Director of CURE, Sylvester Uhaa and a retired Deputy Commissioner of Prisons and member, Chuks Afujue, the group marched from the Unity Fountain in Abuja to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Ministry of Justice as they pressed for greater attention to the plight of prison inmates and detainees in the country.

“We are here to speak to the commission on behalf of thousands of people, some undocumented, who are in prisons, police cells, military detention centres, NDLEA detention centres and other detention centres across the country,” Uhaa told officials of the NHRC.

“Our message to the National Human Rights Commission is simple: to do its job the way it is supposed to do to ensure that lunatics are no longer in our prisons, children are no longer detained with adults, and to remove juveniles from adult prisons.

“We are asking the Human Rights Commission to help us tell the Federal Government to stop building prisons but to build schools and create jobs. We are asking the Federal Government through the Human Rights Commission to abolish the death penalty now. To say no to arbitrary detention. To say no to long pre-trial detentions. To protect prisoners’ rights and dignity; they are human beings and they have rights.

“Last year Mr President said and I quote, ‘prison congestion is a national scandal and embarrassment.’ We want action. A month later, the Vice President Osinbajo said ‘our prisons turn human beings to animals.’ We want actions. We want the Federal Government to pay prison officials more, and to make the states pay for the upkeep of some prisoners in the prisons.

“It is only when you can make the states become responsible that they can take part in prison decongestion and criminal justice reforms,” he added.

About 70 percent of the 75,772 prison inmates in Nigeria are on awaiting trial, according to official records. 74,186 of the inmates are males while 1,586 are females.

Uhaa called on the authorities to stop sending pregnant women to prison, and to reform the borstal institutions. He also criticized the detention of minors and juveniles with adults.

At the Ministry of Justice, CURE’s message was same as that at the NHRC. It reminded the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), that a Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State in 2014 had upheld the rights of inmates to vote in elections because of its tremendous rehabilitation and re-entry value.

The AGF, who was represented by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dayo Apata, assured the NGO that the ministry has already embarked on reforms in the prison system based on a presidential directive.

“As you are aware, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has actually inaugurated a Presidential Committee on Prisons. And this is a committee which is chaired by the CJ of the FCT. I want to inform you that we have visited 28 prisons in Nigeria and 12 states. And you should also be informed that by Monday, we will be in Delta and Edo, which will make it 14 states,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/ngo-marches-against-poor-prison.html

President Muhammadu Buhari, has again in his capacity as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, dispatched the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, as special envoy to the Republic of Benin.

The development, according to Sarah Sanda, media aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, was in a bid to resolve the political disagreement in Benin Republic which is prompting the opposition to threaten a boycott of the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 28.

The visit to Benin Republic yesterday by Onyeama came close to two weeks after President Buhari dispatched Onyeama as Special envoy to Guinuea Bissau ahead of the March 10, legislative election in the country.

“ECOWAS Chairman, President Muhammadu Buhari has dispatched his Special Envoy – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama to meet with President Patrice Tallon.

“Benin Republic has been undergoing political reforms aimed at strengthening democracy. The reforms include the registration of political parties with a view to having parties with national spread based on a new legislation that stipulates conditions for registration.

“However, out of the many parties that applied for registration, only a few have been successful both at the Ministry of Interior and the National Electoral Commission (CEMA). With barely a month to the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 28th, the opposition have complained about being deliberately shut out of the process by the government. They have staged demonstrations and cried out to the Economic Community of West African Sates (ECOWAS) to intervene or they would boycott the elections entirely,” Sanda said.

Sanda added that after the initial engagements in Benin and reports from delegations from the ECOWAS Commission who visited the country, President Muhammadu Buhari decided to send a special envoy to Cotonou to meet with President Patrice Tallon.

“The Envoy in company of the ECOWAS Commission President, Jean Claude Brou, arrived Cotonou on Thursday morning and were received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aurelien Agbenonci and the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Emmanuel Oguntuase. They thereafter proceeded to the Presidential Palace to meet with President Patrice Tallon behind closed doors where they delivered the message of the ECOWAS Chairman, President Muhammadu Buhari.

“After the meeting, they briefed the media where the Envoy, Geoffrey Onyeama, said ‘President Muhammadu Buhari remains concerned about the growth of democracy in the sub region, hence his message to President Patrice Tallon to ensure that all politicians and political parties in Benin Republic are given a level playing ground to participate in the democratic process.’

“He further said ‘President Buhari asked that the rule of law and dialogue should prevail in the country, especially as the parliamentary elections are approaching.’

“He also called on the opposition to embrace dialogue and discuss their grievances rather than resorting to boycott of the entire process. The Beninoise Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aurelien Agbenonchi also told journalists that there is no political crisis in Benin Republic as the main bone of contention is the government’s desire for reform in line with the rule of law.

“He said ‘President Tallon is open minded and willing to carry all political actors along, including the opposition.’

“He said the Parliament would look at the laws again and see areas that can be addressed in line with the concerns of the stakeholders. The Minister further disclosed that President Tallon also used the opportunity of the visit to again congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election, noting that ‘Nigeria continues to set the example for the sub region and Africa in terms of consolidating democracy,’” Sanda added.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/buhari-dispatches-onyeama-as-special.html

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Imo State governorship candidate, Hope Uzodinma, has chided Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, advising him to hide his face in shame instead of blaming him and the national leadership of the party over his failed plot to install his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, as governor of the state.

Reacting to the comment credited to Governor Okorocha that the APC failed to win the Imo governorship election due to his candidacy, Uzodinma in a statement, reminded the governor that even as ‘a sitting governor’ he failed to win a senatorial election, resulting in his compelling the Returning Officer to announce him winner under duress.

He boasted that if he walks the street of Owerri and other parts of the state with Governor Okorocha, Imolites will haul stones at him, urging him to accept his burial politically.

“I thought by now Okorocha should be hiding his face in shame after he lost his bid to install his son-in-law and win his senatorial election. Despite all the billions he spent to stop the APC and I in the state, but from the results of the polling units I won the election and we will prove it.

“But Okorocha has lost his deposit and he is finished politically. He is an expert in running people down, but God has punished him today. This same man worked against the APC and has the gut to speak about others. I challenge Okorocha for a walk in the streets of Owerri if Imo people will not stone him.

“Thank God all his conspiracy against us has ended and he has buried himself politically. I expect that by now he should be apologising to the people of Imo State for the crime he committed against God and humanity. I will reclaim my mandate which Okorocha and Ihedioha stole last weekend and then I will have something to tell Okorocha,” the statement emphasised.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/hide-your-face-in-shame-uzodinma-tells.html

Nigeria and India are working on ways to enhance the $12 billion yearly bilateral trade between both countries in a way that would focus on investment.

Receiving the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Abhav Thakur, in his office, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah in a statement, lauded the relationship between Nigeria and India but said it has become necessary to expand it beyond trade for increased investment.

Recalling the fundamental co-operation between both countries and their common heritage in the Commonwealth of Nations, he said Nigeria is restructuring her economy and bilateral relationships should reflect same.


The Minister welcomed the envoy’s interest in Project Mine, a new initiative by Nigeria to develop world-class special economic zones to position Nigeria as the pre-eminent manufacturing hub in sub-Saharan Africa, and a major exporter of made in Nigeria goods and services regionally and globally.

The Federal Government had last month, signed investment agreements with three Development Finance Institutions; Afreximbank, Bank of Industry and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) for the project.

Thakur, who expressed interest in the project, requested a formal briefing to enable him sell the opportunities to Indian investors.

The High Commissioner, who is new in the country, congratulated the Minister for the electoral victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government.

He stated that Nigeria and India are important trade partners and expressed the need to grow the partnership.

He said his country was looking forward to the Joint Trade Committee meeting holding in India in April. India and Nigeria, in 2017, agreed to establish the Committee at the level of Commerce Secretary from Indian side and Permanent Secretary from Nigerian to review the ongoing bilateral trade and commercial relations.

The Minister assured him of Nigeria’s attendance of the meeting and promised the envoy that he will enjoy his stay.

“We are glad to have you in Nigeria. We are very hospital people and we believe you will enjoy your stay,” Enelamah said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/nigeria-india-explore-new-investment.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the Ninth National Assembly to prioritise amendment to the Electoral Act 2010 as altered ahead of the 2023 general election.

The Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, stated this Thursday in Abuja while presenting Certificates of Return to newly elected members of the National Assembly.


He noted that as a matter of urgency, the commission would begin work on post 2019 elections review and road map to 2023 general election.

He said: “There is a lot of work; but very little time available. As a process govern by law, the success of election in Nigeria depends to a large extent on the electoral legal framework and most importantly in ensuring adherence to the law.

“I want to assure you that we will continue to work with the National Assembly to review and strengthen our electoral law. But, I want to appeal to the senators-elect to please start work early and conclude work on electoral framework in a good time well ahead of the 2023 general election.’’

He added that the tendency to delay electoral reform, particularly the review of electoral framework until it is too close to the elections, leaves the commission with little time to develop processes, including regulations and guidelines; makes required consultation with stakeholders and embark on effective voter education, including sensitisation, train staff and organised deployment for the elections.

He was glad that among the senators-elect are senators that the commission has worked very closely with, adding that some of them have taken initiative or even sponsored private member bills to advance the cause of electoral reform.

“We look forward to working very closely with you in the next Senate,” he said.
Meanwhile, the electoral body has maintained grave silence, five days after it suspended all electoral processes in Rivers State.

The commission had on Sunday suspended all electoral processes in Rivers State, after the invasion of the state collation centre by soldiers, which later prompted the setting up of a fact-finding committee to assess the situation in the state, giving the committee 48 hours to submit its report before taking further decision on the stalled election.

However, five days after, the commission has failed to make known the findings of the committee.

The electoral body had said that the initial assessment revealed widespread disruption of the electoral process and the harassment and intimidation of various categories of permanent and ad-hoc staff of the commission.

It stated: “The commission will take a stand when the fact-finding committee submits its report. We urge the people of Rivers State to continue to maintain the peace and await the decision of the commission on the way forward.

“The fact-finding committee will enable the commission to understand the dynamics of the situation in Rivers State. The commission will take a rational and informed decision that accords with the constitution, the law and its regulations and guidelines. The commission is determined to protect the sovereign right of the people of Rivers State to determine those that will preside over their affairs.’’

Meanwhile, a source in INEC told Akelicious yesterday that the commission was yet to take a decision on Imo West senatorial district, whose seat the Governor of the state, Chief Rochas Okorocha contested.

Okorocha’s name was removed from the list of senators-elect published on the commission’s website last week Thursday.

He contested the seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was declared winner by the Returning Officer, Mr. Innocent Ibeawuchi, who claimed that he was made to announce Okorocha as winner under duress.

This prompted the commission to say that declaration made under duress by its staff would not be accepted by it.
Asked if INEC would conduct fresh election into the district, the source said: “INEC is yet to take any decision, but maybe the commission will take a decision after the supplementary election.”

Meanwhile, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central District, has said that she deserves to be considered a principal officer in the ninth Senate.

The former First Lady of Lagos State, disclosed this Thursday in Abuja while speaking with journalists after she was presented with her Certificate of Return by INEC.

She said that it was time for women to come together and support one another, noting that any woman who is in a position should be there for other women.

According to her, “Wherever God has placed you, the next woman on the street is your sister, is your daughter, and is your mother. One is speaking but you are speaking for all.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/inec-urges-ninth-nassembly-to.html

Domestic election observers accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and deployed to Akwa Ibom State during the just concluded governorship and House of Assembly elections, have wondered why the state was regarded a flash point.

Addressing the press in Uyo on Thursday, the domestic observers led by the chairman of National Coalition of INEC Accredited Domestic Observers, Chief Efemana Ututu, said the mammoth crowd of policemen and armed soldiers in the state days before the election created fears and tension such that the people felt intimidated resulting in poor turnout of voters in some areas.

They said despite that, the conduct of the elections in the state was generally peaceful even as they said that the security agents “did their jobs the way it ought to be, except in some areas they were suspected to be partisan.

“The votes cast were counted in the presence of observers along with other stakeholders, and we joined the party agents to endorse the result in some areas. The result of the election was accepted by all parties concerned at every polling unit and collation centre and at the end of the governorship/state House of Assembly elections, there was peace in the state against doom day prophesies .”

The group however, recommended that all stakeholders concerned with the election should be time-conscious and ensure that all the sensitive and non-sensitive materials arrived in time at the designated polling units; and that continuous improvement should be made on the card reader so as to reduce time waste.

“Arising from the above, the card reader should be properly configured and calibrated before deployment to reduce time waste.

“Security agents must adhere to the tenets of professionalism and not close their eyes to malpractices. The undue deployment of armed-military soldiers should be minimised in future elections.

“INEC must not relent on in its continuous improvement of the electoral process so as to continue to deepen democracy and embolden the voter’s confidence in the ballot.”

Consequently, they declared that “the election conducted by INEC in Akwa Ibom State was free, fair, credible and peaceful.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/militarisation-caused-low-voter-turnout.html

The long-awaited listing of the shares of South Africa-based, mobile network provider, MTN, will now be executed in two phases for better value, which will commence at the end of the second quarter or at the latest early third quarter.The phased listing, which will not be as big and extensive as initially anticipated, is to enable the network operator to get better value for its shares, while resolving other outstanding issues with the Federal Government.

MTN Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ferdinand Moolman, who denied that the much-hyped listing and initial public offering (IPO) by the telcom firm is being used as bait in its row with the Government, insisted that the network provider is committed to the offer.

Besides, he revealed, Nigerians already owned 20 per cent of MTN shares, which are not publicly traded, but were sold through over-the-counter (OTC), and other investment schemes, while the listing at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), will usher in more indigenous investors.


Moolman and his team of managers told senior journalists in Lagos yesterday that the offer is now been phased as a show of commitment to the IPO, saying: “MTN has always been very serious about listing. There was a lot of work that we did on the listing and our thought was to list in 2018.

“We needed to change to a public company because we are a private company at the moment before we can list. We need to send our directors to training for compliance with SEC requirements. So a lot of work had happened to prepare for the listing. Then the CBN issue happened.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in August last year, had ordered MTN to refund to its coffers the sum of $8.1billion allegedly repatriated illegally, which was later settled out of court, with the payment of $52.6million in fines by the network operator.

In this regard, Moolman argued that it would have smirked of irresponsibility if the listing was done while these issues were raging. “Truth be told, it would not be wise to offer shares to the public if we had outstanding issues still hanging. We thank God we were able to resolve it on the 12th of December. So now we are feverishly working toward listing, and we plan to do the listing before the end of H1 or early Q3 of this year.”

He said the initial listing will happen despite MTN’s current row with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, in September last year, had slammed the company with $2billion in outstanding taxes for 10 years.

On whether the market would remain as excited as twhen the news of the IPO broke in 2016, Moolman assured MTN’s good performance and balance sheet in 2018, is more than enough to show investors that “There is a lot of value we can bring to this market; and we anticipate to do it in two phases – the first phase will be to list and then start trading in our shares and then lifting it for bigger participation.”

MTN had initially hoped to raise up to $500million from the IPO, which plan was revealed in 2016. But constant postponement of the offer had damped investors’ appetite for the investment, which is anticipated to be the biggest ever in Nigeria.The telecom firm in its 2018 financial reported over N1.037trillion in revenue about 17 per cent growth year-on-year, boosted by contributions from its Voice, Data, Fintech, and Digital platforms, from a capital investment of over N2.5trillion in the network so far.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/mtn-ipo-to-be-executed-in-two-phases.html

The Governor-elect of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has thanked the people of Imo State for voting him as governor.

He has also promised to run an all-inclusive government for the benefit of every member of the state.

He said this on Tuesday while addressing journalists after the declaration of the election result by the Returning Officer.

Ihedioha also called on his fellow contestants to come on board and support his government to ensure greater development for the people of the state.

Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the Accord Party, Chief Ikedi Ohakim and Tony Nwulu of the UPP, have congratulated the governor-elect.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/imo-election-ihedioha-promises-to-run.html

The three ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that were abducted in Katsina by gunmen have regained freedom.

The members of NYSC were abducted during Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections in Kaduna state.

The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the release of the INEC officials.

The gunmen killed one policeman in Danmusa Local Government Area of the state and abducted the three INEC ad hoc staff.

Katsina State Police Spokesman, SP Gambo Isa, said in a statement that the victims were taken to Danmusa Hospital for medical attention and later reunited with their respective families.

He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest the hoodlums.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/abducted-inecs-ad-hoc-staff-released.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission lNEC has promised to go ahead with Saturday’s Governorship and State Assembly Elections in Akwa Ibom state, saying it has replaced the 198 smart card readers, voter register and other items destroyed in its lbesikpo Asutan Local Government Area office in the State.

This was contained in a statement issued Friday night in Abuja and signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voted Education Committee, Festus Okoye. The inferno which occurred in the early hours of Friday did not however affect ballot papers. Part of the INEC statement reads; “While we do not at this point know the cause of the fire, a report has been made to the law enforcement agencies and the Fire Service. We are liaising closely with both agencies to investigate and ascertain the cause of the fire and if found to be a deliberate act, we will ensure diligent and vigorous prosecution of those responsible. “Several sensitive and non-sensitive materials for tomorrow’s‘s Governorship and State House of Assembly elections were destroyed including 198 Smart Card Readers, the printed Register of Voters, 13 Generators as well as several Voting Cubicles and office equipment. “Fortunately, the ballot papers and result sheets for the elections were not affected and are intact. Acting timeously, the Commission has been able to replace and reconfigure all the destroyed Smart Card Readers and reprinted the Register of Voters. With the replacement and the salvage of other items, we are pleased to announce that the election will proceed as scheduled. All registered voters in the Local Government Area are therefore requested to turn up to cast their votes between 8am and 2pm tomorrow”. The Commission said it has also been informed of the death of Hon. Adamu Kwanate, who until his death was the member representing Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency (Mayo Belwa LGA) in the Adamawa State House of Assembly. He was also the candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC in the same Constituency in the election scheduled for Saturday 9th March. “Consequently, INEC is compelled to countermand the Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency election for tomorrow and the same has been rescheduled to Saturday 23rd March. 2019 in line with Section 36(1) of the Electoral Act (2010) as amended. The Governorship election in the constituency and all other state constituencies elections will however proceed as scheduled tomorrow (Saturday)”.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/inec-replaces-198-card-readers-voter.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday expressed heartfelt condolences to Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi over the death of his younger brother, Alhaji Farouk Bagudu.

The President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu in Abuja, prayed Almighty Allah to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and comfort all who mourn the deceased.

President Buhari assured the governor, the Bagudu family and their friends of his personal prayers and thoughts as they mourned the passage of their beloved brother, husband, and father.

The President further prayed Allah to grant the children and other survivors the fortitude to bear the loss.

Until his demise, Farouk Bagudu was the Managing Director of Jihab Communication Limited.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/buhari-commiserates-with-bagudu-over.html

Leicester City of England attacker, Kelechi Iheanacho is facing the axe at the former English Premier League champions, as their new gaffer, Brendan Rodgers is talking seriously about launching a ‘summer revolution’ on new players.

Footballlive.ng reported that the advent on new players at King Power Stadium would mean Iheanacho dropping further down The Foxes’ perking order, which could ultimately lead to his exit from the squad.

That being the case, the lad, who joined Leicester from Manchester City, could become part of the clear-out in the sweeping changes Rodgers wanted to bring in, as the former Liverpool and Celtic of Scotland boss said he just has to be very busy in the summer transfer window.

Iheanacho’s new coach added that he was confident of getting a bumper summer transfer budget from the club’s top brass, as he needed more cash to strengthen the squad ahead of next season

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/iheanacho-faces-axe-in-rodgers.html

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo yesterday held a meeting with the National leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on the need “to ensure the APC candidate in the state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu win the March 9 governorship election.

The meeting was also attended by Tinubu’s estranged godsons including former Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Chairman of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), among others


The meeting was sequel to the formal inauguration of Free Lagos Orange Movement, a similitude of political campaign that sunk the re-election of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki during the just concluded National Assembly election.

At the meeting, Akelicious findings revealed that effort was directed at resolving disagreement between Ambode and Sanwo-Olu and make work towards achieving victory at the forthcoming governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

Findings, also, revealed that the meeting frowned at some members of the APC accusing Ambode of funding the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mr. Jimi Agbaje and working with the agents of the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Akelicious learnt that the meeting commended Ambode for accepting the outcome of the October 2, 2018 governorship primaries and spearheading the campaign of the APC candidate until the aggrieved governors in other states of the federation.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. habit Aruna yesterday, Ambode yesterday denied allegation that he was working with the agents of the PDP presidential candidate in the just concluded presidential election.

Ambode noted that he was busy working for the election of the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu contrary to some reports in a section of the media.

He said that having publicly declared his acceptance of the decision of the party on the party’s governorship primaries, he would never take any action to undermine the prospects of the party in the ongoing elections.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has been drawn to a report in the March 1 edition of The Nation.

“Specifically, the contentious report published on the newspaper’s front page without any by-line, insinuated that Ambode might be working with an opposition party through former Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Mr. Wale Oluwo.

“The report also attempted to hold the responsible for the alleged activities of Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi because he supported the governor’s gubernatorial ambition during the primaries of the APC in October 2018.

“The governor wishes to make it abundantly clear that, having declared publicly his acceptance of the decision of the party on the primaries, he has not and will never take any action to undermine the prospects of the party in the on-going elections.

“It is human to aspire and the capacity of each individual to manage the negative outcomes of a legitimate aspiration differs. But that should never be the basis to link His Excellency to whatever action of certain individuals who might have shared his vision in the past but have proceeded to pursue their own interests as adults and citizens without any influence from or recourse to the governor.

“Ambode’s decision to stand by the party that has given him the platform to serve Lagosians meritoriously is based on the principle of justice, responsibility and loyalty.

“He has everything to gain from the victory of the party’s candidate Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the Governor of Lagos State on March 9. He looks forward to handing over the affairs of the state to the candidate of the APC come May 29.

“It is therefore disturbing, unfair and sad that a respected medium such as The Nation, which enjoys the goodwill of members of our party and is appropriately positioned to verify the falsehood of these fictitious and sponsored hatchet job chose not to observe the journalistic dictum of “if in doubt, leave out in the breach.

“In this circumstance, His Excellency hereby makes use of his right to a rejoinder and demands an apology for the unjustifiable aspersions cast on his person by wrongly presenting him to right thinking members of the public as a disloyal saboteur trying to frustrate his party’s campaign and electoral victory. Nothing can be further from the truth.

“Ambode has consistently appealed to those who sympathise with him that the best way to express solidarity is to vote for the candidates of the All Progressives Congress on Saturday March 9, 2019 in order to ensure that his own legacy is preserved and the gains of the past four years are improved upon.

“As we move towards next Saturday’s important election, Ambode urges Lagosians and party faithful not to allow fifth columnists pretending to be overzealous crusaders frustrate our onerous efforts to take Lagos State to the next level.

“The governor says as he did in the run-up to last Saturday’s presidential poll, he will leave no stone unturned and spare no effort in ensuring that the party’s flag-bearer in the governorship election, Mr. Sanwo-Olu and all the 40 APC candidates in the House of Assembly poll are duly elected on Saturday March 9.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/guber-election-osinbajo-tinubu-ambode.html

The Northern Elders Forum, known as Kungiyar Dattawan Arewa Initiative (KDAI), has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, on his “resounding victory” in the Feb. 23 presidential election.

They described the spread of President Buhari’s votes as vote confidence in his ability to deliver on promises made to the electorate.

The KDAI stated this in a joint statement by its Convener, Gen. Paul Tarfa and the Deputy Convener, Mr Sani Daura, on Friday in Abuja.

The association said that the election, which was generally adjudged to be free, fair and peaceful, marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey which started in 1999.

“Its outcome in terms of majority votes and national spread is the first of its kind in the political history of Nigeria.

“The national spread across the regions, parties, religion and tribe is far in excess of the mandatory constitutional requirement of the two-third of the votes cast in all states and the FCT.

“This is a clear vote confidence in Mr President and his ability to deliver on promises made to the electorate, be it the economy, unflinching fight against graft and security, among others.”

It acknowledged with satisfaction, the African Union and Global community’s recognition of Buhari’s tireless efforts towards making Nigeria politically stable, socially harmonious, and economically developed nation, thereby earning the nation the much-needed respect in the comity of nations.

Tha association said it was in view of the achievements inter that the Nigerian voters, mostly the masses, came out in their millions to endorse Buhari.

It said this was “in spite of circles of endorsements, elites’ gang-up, spread of fake news, and social media propaganda”.

It expressed optimism that Buhari would use his re-election to steer the ship of the nation to the next level where poverty and lack of critical infrastructure for development would be a thing of the past.

While also congratulating the opposition parties on a well contested elections, it called on all the stakeholders in the Nigerian Project to accept defeat in good faith in the spirit of politics without bitterness.

He also urged them to join hands with Mr President who was magnanimous in victory, for an inclusive government where all talents would be tapped, to address recently evolving challenges of education, insecurity and drug addiction in the youths

While commending Nigerian voters for electing Buhari, it urged the President to remain focused in his determined commitment to uplift the nation to the next level of achievements.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/northern-elders-happy-over-buharis.html

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has called for an independent inquiry into what it termed as poor management of the Presidential and National Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The Situation Room which is a coalition of over 70 CSOs working in support of credible and transparent elections in Nigeria, described last Saturday’s election as “a step back from the 2015 General Election”.

It called for actions to be taken to identify what went wrong and what could be corrected. In a third interim statement it released on Monday, the group said it was disappointed by “serious lapses observed with the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections”, despite initial postponement of the polls on grounds of logistics challenges. It said: “Situation Room notes that INEC has not managed the election efficiently and significant shortcomings have been recorded. The election has been a step back from the 2015 General Election and actions should be taken to identify what has gone wrong and what can be corrected. “Additionally, the election was marred by violence, security lapses and instances of overreach. Other challenges include compromised INEC officials as well as partisan security operatives. Conduct of major political parties was disappointing”. It noted that contrary to section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, which empowered INEC to request for deployment of the Nigerian Armed Forces only for the purpose of securing the distribution and delivery of election materials and protection of election officials. “However, reports were received of incidents involving the military in Rivers state and in another incident military personnel obstructing the passage of electorates into their polling units”. “Situation Room observed significant challenges with the smart card readers. Received reports showed several instances, which necessitated INEC officials resorting to manual accreditation. This was reported in Binji Local Government Area in Sokoto state and Owerri North LGA in Imo state. States where card reader challenge was prevalent include Imo, Lagos, Ogun, Abia, Nasarawa, Kebbi, FCT and Kaduna”. “Situation Room urges voters and stakeholders to exercise restraint to avoid further loss of human life and to seek legal redress were aggrieved.

“That there should be an independent inquiry into the poor management of the electoral process by INEC with a view to determining the following: “The underlining causes for logistics lapses with a view of itemising operational deficiency that led to the initial postponement of elections on the 16th of February and logistical challenges with the rescheduled elections on 23rd February 2019. “In addition to this, INEC is expected to inquire into the activities of its staff with respect to late arrivals to polling station; lack of understanding of processes by ad hoc staff; and the allegations of collusion between staff and politicians. “The failure of the Smart card readers in identified polling units should be interrogated with a special audit of the results of polling units where 5% card reader incidence failure was recorded. “The Situation Room calls on INEC and security agencies to ensure accountability for acts inimical to the integrity and credibility of the polls especially individuals complicit in the burning of INEC offices, election materials, snatching of ballot boxes and other electoral offences. “Particular instances of contrived and voter suppression due to violence must be thoroughly investigated and perpetrators and their sponsors punished to the full length of the law. These allegations must be thoroughly investigated to restore faith in the process and address lingering social fractures that reinforce feeling of exclusion. “The Situation Room calls on the Inspector General of Police to urgently investigate allegations into Police overreach in identified locations in the country. We ask that such officers be held personally accountable for infringing on the rights of citizens in the exercise of their franchise. In the same vain, Situation Room also calls on the IGP to carry out investigations on all political actors who have instigated or perpetrated violence leading to the needless loss of lives. “Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security should deploy security personnel in line with security risk findings taking into consideration major flashpoints in future elections. “A major risk factor in this election has been impunity and rascality of the political class. INEC cannot deliver free and fair election without committed support by the political class. The level of violence, hate speech and general toxic political environment contradicts the commitment to the Peace Accord signed by political parties and candidates prior to the elections. “Politicians should commit to respecting the rules of the election and under the current circumstance ensure that their followers do not act outside of the law with respect to election returns. “Absence of robust enforcement of election rules incentivises impunity. Nigeria should urgently undertake the process of strengthening the framework for electoral accountability. The National Assembly should fast track the process of passing the Electoral Offences Commission Bill. “Call on the international community to continue to lend their voices in defence of the integrity of the result. In particular we urge the United States and the United Kingdom to follow through on their earlier statement that they will sanction individuals whose actions undermine the election or have led to the death of citizens”, read the statement that was signed by the Executive Director of the Policy & Legal Advocacy Center, PLAC.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/situation-room-knocks-inec-says-2019.html

Danladi Sankara of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Nasiru Roni, to win Jigawa Senatorial Northwest.

The Returning Officer, Professor Usman Haruna, made the announcement on Sunday.

He said Sankara polled 286,655 votes against Roni who polled 120,314 votes.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/danladi-sankara-of-apc-defeats-pdps.html

Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, is filled with apprehension following an assassination attempt on the life of the Senator representing Nasarawa Southern Senatorial District, Senator Suleiman Adokwe.

Senator Adokwe, who related the ugly experience to journalists at his Lafia residence, alleged that some overzealous supporters of a rival political party, who were embittered by his victory at the polls, wanted to send him to an early grave.

He disclosed that before the attack, he had received several calls from his polling agent who reported to him that government officials were trooping to the collation centre to influence the results of the election.


He noted that based on that development he decided to visit the collation centre located at St. Williams Primary School.

According to Adokwe, “On reaching there at about 12.30pm, some hoodlums started shouting and bullying me, saying ‘leave our town and go to your village.’ Before I knew what was happening they started throwing stones and iron rods at me.

“If not for God and my driver, who was smart enough to whisk me away, I would have been dead, because you can see how my side glass and back windshield were smashed by those huge with stones. To my greatest shock the security agents were watching and did nothing to intervene. As we were driving out, the state governor, Tanko Al Makura also drove in.”

He added that he immediately put a call across to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adebola Longe, and narrated the attempt on his life, stressing that the CP assured him that he would reinforce the area and provide additional security around him.

Longe, who confirmed the incident to journalists, reiterated his assurances to deploy more officers and to ensure there was no repeat of such ugly occurrence.

Meanwhile, the presidential and National Assembly election, which witnessed peaceful and massive turnout of voters, is turning violent mainly in the Southern Senatorial zone, where Governor Al Makura is contesting against the embattled Senator Adokwe.

State chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Comrade Francis Orogu, condemned the assassination attempt on the Senator, alleging that there was a deliberate delay of election results by the ruling party to short-change results of election where his party won massively.

“What is happening right now is that all the polling units where the PDP won with a wide margin, the elections in those places are being cancelled with claim that there were irregularities,” Orogu said. “At about 4:00pm of Sunday, no result from the local governments has reached the state headquarters collation centre.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/tension-as-senator-adokwe-escapes.html

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has urged security agencies to investigate violent incidents that sought to mar the elections on Saturday.

Professor Mahmood made this call in his address on Sunday, February 24.

He said that the Commission has taken an in-depth analysis of the situation of things around the nation, with a major focus at the hitches encountered during the conduct of elections.

Mahmood said voting took place nationwide on Saturday, stressing that the Commission is happy with the generally peaceful conduct of citizens as they went to the polls to elect their next President and National Assembly members.

He, however, noted that there were cases of election violence that sought to mar the conduct of the elections, one of which led to the death of an ad-hoc staff in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Professor Yakubu said the staff, Amakiri Ibisaki, female, was hit by a “stray bullet,” on her way from electoral duties.
He noted that there were some hiccups in getting some of the ad-hoc staff and materials to the polling centres, thereby leading to the late commencement in certain units, a situation which he said was put to check by extension of the voting duration.
Prof Mahmood also said that the INEC is not unaware of the violence that stifled the conduct of elections in certain areas, noting that re-conduction of the polls have been considered and to this effect, smart card readers were reconfigured to enable elections to take place in those units.
According to the INEC chairman, the Commission’s report suggests that many citizens who would have otherwise been disenfranchised were able to cast their ballots.
He, however, noted that in spite of the INEC’s best efforts, to enhance the functionality of the smart card readers, the commission encountered technical glitches in some locations.
The chairman, however, noted that these glitches were fixed effectively in time to enable the conduct of elections.
“Through the deployment of 8,809 registration area technical support that we engaged as ad-hoc staff, many of these glitches were rectified, which enabled voting to take place seamlessly in some of the affected areas”.
He also noted that despite the intervention there were places where voting could not be conducted due to the failures of the smart card readers.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/inec-chairman-calls-on-security.html

Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, has called on the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to accept their fate that the party will not contest the governorship and assemblies’ elections in the state.

Wike urged leaders of the APC to accept the judgment of the Supreme Court as the will of God and understand that they will not contest any election in the state, this year.

The governor said these, yesterday, in a state broadcast, on the rescheduled presidential and National Assembly elections slated for tomorrow.

Wike said: “Truth be told, the Supreme Court has spoken. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed. It is the will of God and there is nothing anybody can do to return the APC to the ballot for the 2019 general elections in Rivers State.

“But this, I believe, is not the end of life for the APC in Rivers State. There is always another day and as political leaders, we must have the courage to accept the reality, know when to stop fighting for nothing and tell our followers the simple truth, even if it may sound bitter.

“I would, therefore, advice my brothers in the APC to endeavour to put their house in order, allow the prevailing peace to continue and prepare for 2023.

“Let me assure everyone that the collective interest of our state will continue to guide our actions and we shall continue to accommodate everybody irrespective of party affiliation in our schemes of governance.”

Regardless, Director General of the Tonye Cole Campaign Organisation, Chidi Lloyd, waxed philosophical and said although justice could be delayed, it would never be denied.

“While the APC in Rivers continues to be unjustly excluded by INEC from the ballot, we continue to be mocked and taunted by the PDP. But justice will come. Though delayed, it (justice) will not be denied,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/2019-poll-accept-your-fate-move-on-wike.html

The police have assured communities in Kajuru in Kaduna of protection, just as opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condoled with the state government and families of more than 130 persons that were killed by gunmen.

Mr Felix Hyat, the State Chairman of the PDP, extended the message of condolences when he addressed the press conference in Kaduna.

Hyat said however, that security agents must provide convincing explanation to the families and people of the state over the carnage.

“For 130 people to be killed within a week calls for convincing explanation from the security agencies.

“The lives of the people of Kaduna State and Nigeria at large have become such a common commodity to be treated with levity.

“This is very unfortunate and a complete contradiction to the provision of our Constitution built on the foundation of security of life and property.

“Our heartfelt sympathy to the families of the deceased and the public in general,”Hyat said.

Hyat also gave a rundown of what he described as negative events in the past few weeks in state.

“For the past two weeks, Kaduna State has been in the forefront in news, more on the negative side.

“It started with political clamp down on members of the main opposition party, the PDP.

” The political atmosphere became charged despite the signing of the Peace MOU on Feb. 5, which was breached by both the APC Government in power and the security agencies.
“Next was the breaking news from the State Governor, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, on Feb. 15, on killing of 66 Fulani people in Kajuru LGA.

“This news came on the eve of the Presidential/National Assembly Elections.

“This information from the Governor was treated with suspicion, because of the timing and the fact that the killings were said to have taken place between Feb. 10 and 11”.

According to him, the PDP had called for calm and restraint.

“But let it be known that the PDP feels the pains of even one dead person, not to talk of such high figures that keep escalating. In every Local Government security operatives are very visible.

“Now that Governor El-Rufai has vowed not to allow threat and acts of insecurity threaten the Feb. 23, general elections in the State, we in the PDP stand solidly behind him and will help him resist any attempt from anybody and anywhere to postpone these elections,” Hyat said.

He called on the governor to sincerely pursue this noble intention and ensure the sanctity of this date by providing adequate security for hitch free polls.

“We will keep monitoring developments and resist any action that will not be in the interest of the people of Kaduna State.

“Our actions at all times will be guided by the laws of our land.’’

Meanwhile, Kaduna state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ahmad Abdurrahman, has assured communities in Kajuru Local Government of equal treatment and protection.

Abdurrahman, who met with newsmen in Kaduna for update on the security situation in the area, said the police command was conducting thorough investigation on the crisis.

He disclosed that the police had made arrest of suspects on both sides and is conducting “balanced investigation” to bring perpetrators of the two attacks to book.
“We are still pursuing the suspects and one has been arrested and we are working on him, though he denied being part of the incident.

“But with cooperation he will tell us where he came from and who connived with him to perpetrate the evil act.

“So to say that it is only one side that arrest and investigation is made is not true.”

“This crises didn’t only occur in Barde, or Tantanu, and Iri itself is a conglomerate of hamlets and villages of which the terrain was very terrible. some areas were not motorable.

” We are still uncovering some areas which no journalist or military had even gone to.

“We are right now on post crises management period which is very difficult and nobody should stampede investigation.

“Right now if the governor tells you it is 200 bodies, he is just quoting figures,
because it maybe more than that or less than that.

“For example, the areas that you visited where 36 bodies were buried was not under the purview of the security at the beginning of the investigation, so didn’t even know that something happened there until when the Fulani victims themselves came out crying.

” It was after we have secured the places with our military counterparts that they called on us and military to come and help them bury their relations and parents. That was when it was uncovered.

“As I said, figures in a crises of this magnitude should be left until all investigations has been finished and all areas we are getting figures are covered.

“As I am talking to you, my men are in the bush with SEMA and other civil society organisations and volunteers that feel that they should go and assist and find out the fact about happenings in the area.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/kajuru-killings-pdp-police-call-for-calm.html

Barely 48 hours to the Saturday’s rescheduled presidential and National Assembly elections, bandits have sacked 10 communities, forcing over 2,000 residents to relocate from their ancestral homes in Batsari Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State.

The affected communities are Tudun Garin-Yara, Kwandatso, Garin Labo, Shigi, Sabon-Garin Dunburan, Garin Dodo, Inwala, Madattai, Sabon-Garin Shigi and Kasai.


Our correspondent who visited Batsari Modern Primary School where the victims, mostly women and children, were relocated, gathered that the crisis started last Sunday in Kasai community but later spread to other nine villages between Monday and Wednesday, rendering thousands of residents homeless.

The attack, which claimed seven lives, including an army captain, also led to the abduction of many women and children who were declared missing after the invasion.

One of the victims, Inatu Labo who could not control her tears while speaking to THISDAY at the camp, said: “We were asleep when the well-armed bandits numbering about hundreds attacked us. They killed some of our villagers and went away with our animals.”

Conducting THISDAY round the 12 classrooms occupied by the displaced persons, the Council Director of Education and Social Services, Kabir Abba Umar, said government had provided some palliatives in form of food items and sleeping materials to the displaced people.

“We have activated the temporary camps with profiling of the affected persons, and health personnel have been deployed to the camp. The local government has provided water tank, mats, blankets and buckets.

“As of yesterday, we registered more than 2,000 Internally Displayed Persons (IDPs) in this temporary camp and more are trooping in today. The displaced persons trek from their ancestral homes, which are about 10 to 15 kilometres away from Batsari.

“The local government area has also directed that provision of other requirements for camp operation should be giving to the displaced persons immediately”, he explained.

The last invasion by the bandits was coming barely one week after Governor Aminu Bello Masari’s visit to Kasai, a community where the attack was prominent, and called for harmonious co-existence among the residents.

Meanwhile, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Jibril Ibrahim Zarewa, has also confirmed that the issue of insecurity in some parts of the state has escalated as a result of “spill-over” of the crisis in neighbouring Kaduna and Zamfara States.

“In all, we have concerns in nine LGAs namely, Jibia, Batsari, Kurfi, Safana, Kankara, Faskari, Dandume, Danmusa, and Sabuwa. The predominant problems are kidnapping, cattle rustling and robbery.

“The wards and number of polling units affected have been identified. Elections require peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. A concrete approach has therefore, become necessary in order to ensure peaceful and hitch-free election, and we believe that the security agencies are on top of the situation”, Zarewa said.

Briefing journalists yesterday ahead of the Saturday’s polls, the state Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba, said the command has made adequate security provision to safeguard the lives and property of the citizens in the nine frontline LGAs of the state.

“There will be total restriction of movement of persons and vehicles from 6.00 a.m – 6 a.m on Saturday, February 16, 2019. No movement will be allowed until the elections are over,” he added.

The state police chief, said the police and other security personnel will be conducting robust patrols to ensure compliance of the orders.

He said: “This is to checkmate the menace of those who may use that day to move around with dangerous weapons or carry thugs from one place to another. We have arranged adequately to handle this kind of situation with decisive professional skills.

“As a matter of fact, we have been having series of activities by night Marauders and cattle rustlers around that Batsari axis. In fact, I directed that armoured personnel vehicles should be redeployed to Batsari and Safana so that the activities of these hoodlums who are frightening people in the areas would be checkmated.

He added that the command was not aware of the setting up of any IDPs camp in the state but confirmed that there have being series of activities by “night marauders” and cattle rustlers around that Batsari axis.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/bandits-sack-10-katsina-communities.html

Osita Izunaso Senatorial Campaign Organisation has accused Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, of engaging the services of young Hausa men for the thumb-printing of ballot papers ahead of the rescheduled presidential and National Assembly of polls on Saturday.

Senator Osita Izunaso is the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Imo West senatorial District.

The legal adviser to the APGA senatorial candidate, Prince Orji Nwafor- Orizu, who made the allegation, yesterday, at a press conference, in Owerri, said his client, being a law abiding citizen, has decided to alert the general public on the alleged ongoing thumb-printing of ballot papers, at the Spibat Residence of Governor Okorocha, who is also the senatorial candidate of the APC in the election.

Nwafor-Orizu also disclosed that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Imo State, the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) have all been notified of the incident.

“We have evidence from one of the security guards, who is an Hausa man, who has been away since last Saturday, and later called to tell his boss, who is a member of our campaign team that they were at Spibat, where they have been paid to thumb-print ballot papers and that is still ongoing as we speak. We have already written to the security agencies and to Imo REC on this matter.”

However, Governor Okorocha has dismissed the allegation as frivolous and said Izunaso is not only a frustrated man, but one of the most unpopular and colourless politicians in the state.

The governor’s media aide, Sam Onwuemeodo, in a statement, said: “Rochas Okorocha won elections in 2011 and 2015, respectively, through the ballot papers. Osita Izunaso is one of the most unpopular and colourless politicians in the State. And he is not an attractive politician to any voter in the State. Governor Okorocha has campaigned in the 12 local governments of Orlu zone. Ditto, in all the zones and the state in general for President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of APC, but Izunaso has never campaigned anywhere.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/imo-2019-okorocha-thumb-printing-ballot.html

Mr Daniel Agada, a constitutional lawyer and public affairs analyst, says ballot box snatching is an offence under the country’s laws.

Agada disclosed in Abuja that death was definitely not the prescribed penalty.

He said that Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (amended) provides for derogation from the right to life.

“Very worrying is the fact that such a blanket directive may be selectively misapplied by some of our overzealous law enforcement agents in contrivance with agents of the government.

“Some trigger-happy law enforcements agents in Nigeria may even kill innocent Nigerians and accuse them wrongly of ballot box snatching. There exist a plethora of instances in this regard,’’ he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday warned those planning to snatch ballot boxes during the elections should avoid such act as anybody or group caught doing that would be seriously dealt with by security agents.

He advised that the president should have directed all security agencies to apprehend all electoral offenders and deal with them according to the law.

“You can talk tough without necessarily endangering the lives of your subjects,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/lawyer-says-ballot-box-snatching.html

The Federal government yesterday claimed that it has uncovered credible intelligence report on fresh plot by the opposition to instigate widespread violence in the upcoming general elections.

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, who raised the alarm at a press conference, said the plot would be executed before, during and after the polls by enlisting the support of some western countries.

He said the opposition knows that they will lose the election, but they want victory by subterfuge.

The minister disclosed that the opposition are sending delegations to some western nations, including London, Brussels and Washington DC, to push the concocted line that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has perfected plans to rig the polls.


They are therefore pushing for a rejection of the results, if the president wins a re-election, while predicting carnage in the event of the president’s victory.

He accused the Coalition of United Political Parties, (CUPP) and its allies of setting up a 10-member team that is currently mobilising support in the United States, United Kingdom and Belgium against credible and peaceful elections.
He said the opposition has no empirical basis for the idea they are pushing, beyond relying on exploiting the nation’s ‘fault lines’ of religion, ethnicity and regionalism.

According to the ministers, the opposition is approaching the election with an incredible level of desperation and has activated their own version of the infamous Association for Better Nigeria (ABN), in the failed 1993 political transition process.

This, they do under the guise of CUPP, to engage in unrestrained rabble-rousing and frivolous court cases.

Mohammed argued that the activities of CUPP in recent times speak volumes, even though the coalition seems to be a very poor imitation of the original ABN.

He assured that the Buhari administration is committed to free, fair, credible and peaceful polls, adding: “We are glad that local and international observers are already fully mobilised to monitor the election.”

The minister disclosed that the opposition has targeted the two key institutions that are most critical to the success of the election, which are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police.

They have used every malleable and malicious personality to make wild allegations against INEC. Their strategy is simple, and it is to discredit the election even before it is held, and to continue during and after the polls.

This, he added, is with a view to convincing the West, which they believe they have won to their side, using lobbyist-propelled propaganda, that the election is not credible.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/fg-raises-fresh-plot-to-scuttle.html