On Political Trail ahead of Saturday's Gubernatorial Election

APC will complete the take-over of Delta on Saturday, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said next Saturday’s elections will complete the cycle of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) take-over of the affairs of Delta State.

Buhari spoke at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun, Uvwie council area of the state yesterday when he addressed the party’s stakeholders and other stakeholders of the state, including traditional rulers.

Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also assured the stakeholders that the Federal Government would ensure adequate security during the elections.

“What happened last Saturday is a great victory for us, but it is only the beginning because the completion of that victory is going to come by the grace of God on Saturday March 9, 2019 when we vote in our own governor, Great Ogboru, who will by the grace of God be a governor from that very day.

“It is very clear to everybody and to the world that Delta State can never be the same again. It’s impossible for Delta State to go back after what happened on Saturday. As the APC chairman said, we all watched to see what will happen in Delta State. Delta State was a focus of all of our attention.

“Just as the chairman has said, we have seen a Delta state where the PDP was unable to recall a vote of 1.2 million and we knew they wrote the result. We wanted to see what way they can be curtailed, but you all proved that ‘you can tell a lie for a thousand years, but one day the truth will catch up’ and the truth caught up with them last Saturday. That truth will manifest itself fully this Saturday when we hold the next election. Delta State has proved a very important point that this state is ready for change to the next level.

“The other reason why it is so important for us to ensure that Delta State become an APC state has been pointed out. The social investment programme that we put in place, it is only APC governor that can implement such programmes faithfully. We believe that once we are able to have an APC governor such programmes will be implemented,” the Vice President said.

Osinbajo went on: “I heard talks about Delta Steel Company (DSC); after so many years, the Itakpe-Aladja railway has been completed 35 years after being on the card. It’s this same President that completed it. PDP has been in power all these many years, why didn’t they complete it? They (PDP) are the ones who created this mess.

“Even the Warri seaport which we are now dredging has been there for years. They didn’t do it. All of these times that PDP has been in power. Sometimes, it surprises me that with the resources that Delta State has had for so many years, where are the fruit of the resources. Look at the Warri Seaport, it could have been seamlessly be done by the state. Here we are, we (APC) are completing the dredging of the channel. Even the East-West raod, this is the first government that has put resources for its completion. We are putting large amount of money into the East-West road. We all will benefit from it.

“Delta State should not be an opposition state. Why should Delta be an opposition state? Why? There is no reason for it at all. For all the periods that Delta State has had high resources, what we need was a change from a progressive party. The time has come. This is the moment, let us seize that moment. You have shown courage, it is only the courageous that wins”, he said.

Meanwhile, speaking earlier, various speakers had urged President Buhari to ensure strict security cover for the state to prevent the rigging of next Saturday’s election by the PDP, saying that the party (PDP) would repeat its alleged rigging pattern during the governorship and state House of Assembly election if there is no proper security to deter such.

The event gathered leaders and stakeholders of the party in the state, including the governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru, Minister of State of Petroleum Resources Dr Ibe Kachikwu, former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and others.

SDP, ZENITH PARTIES ADOPT PDP CANDIDATE IN OYO

More opposition parties in Oyo State yesterday adopted the governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Seyi Makinde, as a consensus candidate for the March 9 poll.

This is coming three days after the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Mr Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) publicly declared his party’s adoption of the PDP’s candidate.

The latest candidates to join the adoption train include Senator Olufemi Lanlehin of the African Democratic Congress and Mr Sharafadeen Alli of Zenith Labour Party.

The proposed plan to conclude on the coalition suffered an initial set back when former governor Christopher Alao-Akala of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) withdrew and declared support for the APC candidate, Mr Adebayo Adelabu.

Former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, who mediated the coalition as a chieftain of ZLP, according to sources, will address a news conference today.

The final agreement on the adoption of Makinde was reached at a meeting held at the Bodija, Ibadan residence of Ladoja.

The final agreement was signed by directors-general of the campaign committees of the four political parties.

The signatories are Director General (DG), PDP Campaign Committee, Chief Bayo Lawal; DG, ZLP Campaign Committee, Mr Waheed Akanbi; DG, ADC Campaign Committee, Bashiru Lawal; and DG, SDP Campaign Committee, Chief Matthew Oke.

The document entitled: “Coalition Meeting of 4th March 2019”, released at the end of the meeting held on Monday, read in part: “Agreement has been reached by members of the coalition parties to adopt Engr.  Seyi Makinde, as its gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state. Full details will be made available later on.”

Makinde has congratulated the people of Oyo State on his adoption by a coalition of political parties in the state.

A statement from his campaign office by Prince Dotun Oyelade said: “Leaders of the parties, led by the Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja; Senator Femi Lanlehin, Barrister Sarafadeen Ali and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, displayed unsurpassed broadmindedness and political maturity in agreeing to adopt him to face the APC, which is the nemesis of our people.”

Edo APC begins voter education to avoid void votes

Ahead of Saturday’s House of Assembly elections in Edo State, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has embarked on voter education to enable its supporters vote appropriately.

Candidate of the APC for Oredo East Constituency, Mr Osaro Obazee, who spoke to reporters in Benin City, said the purpose of the voter education was to avert high number of voided votes as recorded in the February 23rd presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

Obazee added that the high volume of voided votes was responsible for the defeat of the APC in the presidential and some seats in the National Assembly.

He said: “Our party did not lose; we did not lose that election. The agents of our party, some of them were not too experienced, some of them were not too confident. If you look at the void votes, if you add them to the votes they scored, you will see the difference so what we have embarked on is voters education.”

Bayelsa women to Buhari: suspend election in our community

Women in Nembe Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Indepedent National Electoral Commission to suspend the forthcoming election in the troubled community.

Spokesperson of the Women, Mrs. Sotonye Samuel-Johnson, said the call to postpone the election in the community was to safeguard the lives and properties of women and children in the area.

Samuel-Johnson said that women and children, who fled the community to nearby Ogbolomabiri and Yenagoa had not been able to return to their homes.

She urged the President to order investigations to the activities of the thugs and their Army collaborators which according to her had assumed a frightening dimension.

Youth Groups,Traders &  Artisans lend support for Sanwo-Olu,Dapo Abiodun and Adelabu

Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu; Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, have been endorsed by group of youths, traders and artisans under the umbrella of Grand Council of Yoruba Youths (Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba).

Representatives in the umbrella body include National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Market Women Association, Non Indigenes Association, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Okada Riders Association, Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Egbe Omo Odua (USA and UK), as well as Civil Society Organization led by Comrade Mrs Kehinde Olaoni.

The endorsement programme which held at Western Hall, Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Ibadan, yesterday was chaired by Senator Ayo Fasanmi, who was represented by Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede.

Noting that President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance and intention earned him the second term ticket, Otunba Ogunkeyede explained that the administration of President Buhari which was initially termed ‘go slow’ after it was inaugurated in 2015 was slowed down by the leadership of the National Assembly, which he said consists of people with questionable characters.

The convener and Chairman, Planning Committee, Comrade Awa Bamiji, enjoined people in Oyo, Lagos, and Ogun states to come out on Saturday, March 9 to vote for the candidates of the APC to ensure sustainability, even and rapid development of South West region.

Mrs Iswat Ameringun, who represented the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, Mrs. Kehinde Olaoni and other representatives said they were all in support of the candidature of Adelabu, Sanwo-Olu and Abiodun.

Adelabu: I will sustain school feeding

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has promised to sustain the school feeding project if elected by the people of the state on Saturday.

He gave the assurance during his campaign across the state.

Adelabu, who also hailed the return of many breakaway members of the party across the state, assured teachers of higher wages if he succeeds in the election. He described education as the bedrock of human and nation’s development, stressing that teachers are a major pillar of quality education delivery, hence need to be motivated.

The APC candidate said without teachers, he would not be who he is today, adding that all great men and women owe the development of their minds to their teachers. He said he holds teachers in high esteem so much that he believes that they are a class of workers whose welfare should be a priority in the society.

Ajanaku returns to APC for Adelabu’s success

As part of plans to ensure the victory of the All Progressive Congress governorship candidate in Oyo State, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party for Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency in the just concluded National assembly election, Dr Rotimi Ajanaku , has returned to the ruling APC.

Ajanaku, accompanied by his supports at his Oke Ado base, noted that although he did not win the election, his  absence and that of his supporters was felt in the APC camp.

He said his return to the APC was made possible by the “timely and uncommon intervention of the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi who unequivocally fast-tracked the whole process, through his assurances of immediate re-integration of my followers into the party hierarchy and other worthy considerations.”

Stop victimising civil servants, Abdulrazaq urges Ahmed

Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq yesterday accused Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed administration of victimising civil servants.

He urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led state government to stop victimising civil servants on flimsy and petty excuses.

Abdulrazaq, in a statement by is media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye said: “We are aware that civil servants who did not agree to do the bidding of the ruling PDP are being sacked or victimised in one way or the other. This is wrong, inhuman and unlawful.

“Civil servants are humans and are covered by the social contract. Any government, such as the one currently in Kwara State, with no regard for the social contract cannot expect the civil servants to remain silent in the face of tyranny.

“Once elected, we will look into the cases of all the civil servants who were victimised or sacked on account of refusing to compromise their professionalism or integrity. We will restore their rights and dignity as Kwarans,” the statement quoted AbdulRazaq as saying.

“It is outrageously hypocritical for a government that is notorious for coercing and blackmailing civil servants to do its political bidding to turn around and accuse civil servants of getting involved in politics,” the statement added.

Polls not war, says cleric

A Catholic cleric in Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, has called on Nigerian youths to resist the temptation of being used for violence ahead of Saturday’s Governorship and Houses of Assembly elections.

He urged them to embrace orderliness and peace, describing elections as  brotherly contests.

Speaking yesterday at Blessed Iwene Tansi Catholic Church, Umudioka, Obimma, popularly known as Fr. Ebubemonso, enjoined the electorates to come out enmass to vote candidates of their choices.

He said: ‘’2019 general elections particularly this Governorship and House of Assembly elections is a brotherly contest and not a war.”

Oyo: We did not endorse another party, says AAC

The African Action Congress, Oyo State chapter has said it is not part of any endorsement of any other governorship candidate for the March 9, governorship election in the state.

Rather, the party said it remains focused, committed and determined to bring about a government that is welfarist concern for the people who have been deliberately pauperised by the ruling class since the beginning of the current political dispensation.

It added that its governorship candidate, Mr Akinwale Laosun, remains the candidate and best option for the people of the state in the coming election.

He urged the people of the state to open their eyes to the reality of selfish and self-centered politicians who would rather work for their personal interest and that of their allies, but camouflaging same in the name of the masses.

Vote for APC candidates, Boroffice begs Ondo Indigenes

The senator representing Ondo North senatorial district, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, has urged the people of Ondo State to vote for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Senator made the appeal during a thank-you rally organised by his supporters in Oka-Akoko on Saturday.

Boroffice said an APC-dominated House of Assembly would guarantee good governance and political stability in Ondo State.

The chairman, Senate Committee on Science & Technology urged his supporters to troop out massively to vote for all APC candidates into the Ondo State House of Assembly.

Boroffice(Ondo North) is the only APC Senatorial Candidate that returned to the Upper Chamber after the recent Presidential/National Assembly polls held on February 3.

Assembly Election: Oyetola solicits votes for APC candidates

Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has enjoined residents to vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in Saturday’s House of Assembly election.

The Osun State governor said for his administration to be properly established for good governance and smooth running, there was the need for an APC majority in the House of Assembly.

Oyetola added President Muhammadu BUhari’s re-election had vindicated the resolve of the APC-led Federal Government to raise the bar of good governance, sustain steady development in the country and put Nigeria to the path of progress and prosperity.

The governor spoke on Monday during a ‘Thank You Tour’ to Ilobu, Ifon, Erin-Osun and Ede in Irepodun, Orolu, Ede-North and Ede-South Local Government Areas.

The tour was to appreciate the people for supporting President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the APC in the Presidential and National Assembly elections

He lauded the courage displayed by the electorate to ensure victory for the APC in the February 23rd elections.

Oyetola who described the Assembly election as important for entrenching democratic government, called on the electorate to vote all APC candidates in Saturday’s elections.

He said the decision to elect APC candidates to the House will give his administration the opportunity to actualise all its planned policies and programmes.

According to the Governor, the House of Assembly election is as important as other elections as it defines how the structure of government will be formulated.

“We embark on this ‘thank you tour’ to appreciate our people who came out in large numbers to re-elect our President and other candidates of our party- the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“We have taken a noble decision to sustain continuity and steady development in Nigeria with the re-election of President Buhari as this will help to engender more development and transformation for Nigeria,” Oyetola added

49 parties, 32 candidates back El-Rufai

Thirty-two governorship candidates in Kaduna State, under the auspices of Kaduna State Progressive Governorship Candidates Forum, have stepped down for Governor Nasir El-Rufai of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

They made their decision public yesterday, when the 32 candidates and 49 political parties endorsed El-Rufai’s candidature.

The chairman of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Comrade Auwal Abdullahi Aliyu, said they came out to support the governor towards ensuring that he continues with his good works, stressing that he has done well to deserve the endorsement.

source: Nation

APC suspends Amosun, Okorocha for anti-party activities

....NWC recommends their outright expulsion to NEC

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended both Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, and Imo governor, Rochas Okorocha, for anti-party activities.

The Adams Oshiomhole-led committee reached its decision during a meeting in Abuja on Friday, March 1, 2019, and has forwarded a recommendation to the party's national executive committee (NEC) to ratify the expulsion of both governors.

Both governors were just recently elected Senators on the platform of the party in the February 23 National Assembly elections.

For months, both governors have been engaged in a war of words with the party's national leadership over the party's governorship candidate in their respective states, as they both failed to get the party's ticket for their preferred successors.

Both governors have publicly backed their preferred choices, who are now opposition candidates, against the candidates of the party for the March 2 Governorship elections.

While Amosun is backing Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) against the APC's Dapo Abiodun, Okorocha is backing Uche Nwosu, his son-in-law, of the Action Alliance (AA) against the party's Senator Hope Uzodinma.

 

sorce: Pulse

President Buhari's full text of his broadcast this morning ahead of tomorrow's Presidential Election

Dear Nigerians,

Finally, we have reached the eve of the rescheduled first round of this year’s general elections.

2. Tomorrow, the polls open. Tomorrow, we affirm that Nigeria stands as a democracy and that no worldly hand can deter us from this wise and fitting path we have chosen for ourselves.

3. While democracy is the most beneficial way to select a nation’s leaders, it is far from the easiest thing to achieve and maintain.

4. It requires a combination of patience, tolerance, compassion, diligence, wisdom and hope. These traits exist in us the Nigerian people. Because of who we are, democracy has the chance to flourish in this land.

5. Thus, I commend all of you for your patience and peaceful conduct so far during this electoral season and especially during this intervening week following the postponement of the February 16 elections.

6. Many were worried and thought the worst might happen. You proved them wrong by showing that you are a great people with an abiding love for peace, democracy and the unity of our country.

7. According to the daily INEC public briefings given this week, the Electoral Commission says it is ready and fully prepared to conduct the election in a free, fair and transparent manner.

8. I believe INEC realises the profound and weighty duty that rests upon it.

9. We must cast aside doubt and have faith that INEC will rise to the occasion. We must believe and encourage INEC to fulfill and honour this responsibility it owes to our country.

10. As your President, I hereby ask all Nigerians with voting cards to participate in defining the future of our nation by exercising your democratic rights tomorrow. I urge you to go out and vote.

11.   I say this because elections are the cornerstone of representative governance. And voting constitutes the highest and best expression of the sovereign will of the people to choose the government that best represents them.

12.   It is only upon the freely expressed will of the people that government truly dedicated to the welfare, rights and interests of the people can be founded.

13.   Do not allow anyone to discourage you from the exercise of your rights as citizens and voters tomorrow.

14.   To vote means that you believe in Nigeria and the excellent things the future holds for this nation and its people.

15.   No matter our political leanings, we all believe in Nigeria, in the noble principles for which it stands and in the values we strive for our beloved nation to uphold. 

16.   All who are able, must vote so that we may better perfect this democracy and continue to build the greater nation we seek.

17.   Do not be afraid of rumours of violence and unrest. Our security agencies have worked diligently to ensure that adequate security measures are in place.

18.   You will be able to vote in an atmosphere of openness and peace, devoid of fear from threat or intimidation.

19.   International and domestic monitors and observers are assured of their safety and freedom of movement needed to perform their important functions.

20.   As we thank domestic monitors and observers for their contributions to our democracy, we also thank the international groups for the friendship and concern they have demonstrated to our nation.

21.   We appreciate their efforts in encouraging us to further entrench and strengthen our democracy.

22.   Tomorrow is an encounter with history in which you, the people, shall affirm your collective belief in our national greatness and in our future.

23.   I ask that you embrace and hold on to the importance of the moment soon to be upon us. 

24.  Honour your civic duty as voters by going to the polls tomorrow to vote for the government of your choice, for the government that will lead Nigeria toward its finest destiny.

25.   As citizens there is no greater duty than this and no greater honour. Tomorrow, I know you will once again make Nigeria proud of its people.

May God bless our democracy and forever bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 





2019 Elections: All Nigerian Airports Operated 24 Hours On February 15 To Distribute Sensitive Materials- NAMA

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Sunday said that it will ensure  24-hour operation at all Nigerian airports during the rescheduled February 23 election to facilitate the transportation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) materials nationwide.

The General Manager, Public Affairs of NAMA, Khalid Emele, disclosed this in a statement he signed and made available to journalists in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC had announced the rescheduling of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections from February 16 to February 23 due to logistics reasons.

Mr Emele said the provision of the 24-hour navigation services was based on the directive from the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

He added that there was no disruption in the provision of air traffic services during  February 16 operations.

According to him, this was in keeping with the agency’s mandate of providing uninterrupted safe, effective, efficient, and economic air navigation services in the country.

“NAMA wishes to reassure all airspace users and the general public that the Nigerian airspace shall remain open for all airspace users before, during and after the rescheduled general elections.

“The agency has put in place appropriate contingency measures to ensure safe flight operations within the period, as well as possible extension of operational hours of any domestic airport where the need arises,’’ he said.

He advised airline operators, the travelling public and other service providers who were dependent on the agency’s services to carry on with their businesses as usual. (NAN)

POLLSTERS, RESEARCH GROUPS TIP BUHARI TO WIN SATURDAY'S ELECTION

With less than a week to go before the Nigerian presidential election, pollsters and other election research groups are coming up with predictions on the outcome of the presidential election. One of the most reputable international pollsters, Eurasia Group, a New York-based risk firm, predicts a Muhammadu Buhari victory. It says that the president has a 60 per cent chance of being re-elected. 

There are other predictions by other election pollsters that are also predicting a Buhari victory. While these predictions are not pure science, public opinion polling is an accurate social science with strict rules about sample size, random selection of participants and margins of error. It employs mathematical methods and computer analysis to collect responses from the best representative sample of the electorate. And random responses are adjusted and sifted to identify subtle trends in voter opinion that can help predict the eventual winner on the election. 

Another recent poll by the highly regarded political pollsters, Lucid Pulses, corroborated earlier predictions of the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari. One thousand Nigerians across the country were randomly surveyed and analyzed for the February 23 presidential election. The survey shows the President winning a solid majority of 64 per cent of the votes, mostly from the North-West, North-East and South-West geo-political zones. On the other hand, 36 per cent of the respondents, mostly from the South-South, South-East and North-Central geo-political zones, said they would vote for the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. The margin of error is -2 to +2.

Although there are about 70 political parties contesting in the upcoming Nigerian presidential election, the election is essentially a two-horse race between the presidential candidates of the two major political parties: President Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The two candidates are from northern Nigeria and of Fulani stock. Both are septuagenarians that have, for long, been active participants in Nigerian politics, making it possible for Nigerians to have clearly defined opinions of them.

It is understandable that Buhari will win the election. It was his image of an incorruptible, principled, and no-nonsense leader that gave him victory over the then incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. Buhari’s strong will and incorruptibility represented refreshing contrasts to Jonathan’s spineless and sleazy presidency, which accentuated the moral and ethical regression of the Nigerian society.

Impressively, Buhari’s integrity has survived his four-year presidency: Nigerians believe that he remains incorruptibly upright. The President’s electoral promises centred on three areas, anti-corruption, security and the economy. Even his detractors admit that he has made significant strides in these three areas.

On the other hand, Nigerians consider Atiku corrupt, unprincipled and opportunistic. In his earlier eight years as the Nigerian Vice President, he cut the image of a grasping and irredeemably corrupt public official. It was an image that was further reinforced by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo’s denunciation of him as incorrigibly greedy and financially dishonest, and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigations that linked his business dealings with William Jefferson, a former US congressman, later prosecuted and jailed for felonies involving bribery in Nigeria.

Secondly, Atiku broke the Nigerian record in political prostitution. He must have changed political parties more than any other Nigerian politician ever. His repeated hopping from one political party to another portrayed him to the Nigerian electorate as an unprincipled politician, just driven by avarice and opportunism.

President Buhari’s indisputable integrity is an invaluable asset in the upcoming election. And Atiku’s acclaimed corruption avarice are a burden on his campaign because Nigerians are not convinced by his attempt to recast himself as a reformer that will, if elected, reform the system, institute respect for the rule of law, revamp the economy and fight corruption.

President Buhari’s core electoral support base is mostly in the North-West, North-East and South-West. It is important to note that these are the three most populous zones in the country.

Although Atiku is from the North, he is neither very popular in the North-East nor the North-West. His strength is in his strong political network across the country. Though a Fulani Muslim, he has friends and business and family connections across the three main parts of the country.

His first wife, Titi, is Yoruba, Jennifer is Igbo and Fatima is Fulani. The Atiku campaign has its strong support in the South-East, South-South and the Christian Middle Belt. He is projected to win outrightly in the South-East and South-South geo-political zones and, marginally, in the North-Central geo-political zone. These are the least-populated parts of the country.

With his expected victory in the three most populous geo-political zones in the country as against Atiku’s projected victory in the less-populated geo-political zones, the re-election of President Buhari is almost for certain.

sources: Agencies report

CPC TO ENFORCE COMPETITION & CONSUMER PROTECTION RIGHTS ACT

Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Director-General Mr. Babatunde Irukera has vowed to enforce the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement, he disclosed that President Buhari had assented to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill, which makes it the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2019.

He said: “By this, Nigeria has promulgated, perhaps, the most prolific legislation for promoting consumer confidence, choice and fair pricing.

“By the same token, the law deepens the framework for encouraging and supporting small and medium scale businesses by ensuring a playing field that eliminates entry barriers and operational obstacles which prevent sustainability and profitability.

“By this law, the Federal Government has cemented the most needed efficient and transparent framework for meaningful and credible disposition of public enterprises, expanding economic growth and assuring shared prosperity.

“As a leading market in Africa, a vibrant competition framework is a key tool in reducing poverty, increasing value for money and ensuring consumer satisfaction.

“This demonstration of fidelity to consumers and citizens while continuing to promote Nigeria as a leading destination for investment is an outstanding achievement, and a historic milestone in the development of Nigeria and prioritisation of her people both from consumer protection and economic competitiveness standpoints.

“We, at the CPC, will engage every tool and provision in this new law, and any other enactment for the protection of consumers to ensure fair treatment and respect for Nigerian consumers,” Irukera  said.

 

2019 Elections: Aero, Arik Slash Air Fares To Encourage Voters

Nigerian carriers, Aero Contractors and Arik Air, have introduced promo fares to help Nigerians who wish to travel to go and vote during the 2019 General Elections.

The airlines made the announcement in separate statements issued by their spokespersons on Monday in Lagos.

Nigerians are set to go to the polls on Feb. 23 to elect their President and National Assembly members after the election was rescheduled.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has also fixed March 9 for gubernatorial and state assembly polls.

Spokesperson for Aero Contractors, Mr Chika Ubendu, said the airline embarked on the promo as its own contribution to support Nigeria conduct successful elections and also to encourage the citizens to travel to where they can cast their votes.

According to him, Aero has decided to cut its fares by about 50 per cent to support Nigerians to travel without spending so much.

He said that this was an incentive to the citizens to carry out their civic responsibility during the elections.

Ubendu said effective Feb. 18, Aero would begin sale of tickets from N16,000 for travels between Feb. 21 and Feb. 25 on all her routes to encourage Nigerians to travel to their various destinations in order to cast their votes.

Similarly, Arik Air’s spokesperson, Mr Adebanji Ola , said the N16, 000 Fly to Vote promotion was to encourage Nigerians to travel to their respective wards to cast their votes during the elections.

“The N16, 000 promotional fare is the one-way ticket cost to any domestic destination on Arik Air’s network and customers must present a valid Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) at the point of purchase and at check in to be eligible to fly.

“The Fly to Vote promotion is available for sale from Feb. 18 till March 11 for travel between Feb. 21 and Feb. 26 as well as March 7 till March 12.

“We have put this promotional fare in place to ameliorate the effect of the postponement on the traveling public and encourage voter participation,” he added.

BREAKING: INEC okays resumption of campaigns

The Independent National Electoral Commission has okayed the resumption of political campaign activities ahead of Saturday’s rescheduled elections.

This was revealed in a statement on the Commission’s verified Twitter handle, and signed by Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee.

Part of the statement issued by the Commission, read, “After consultations with political parties, the Commission has approved that campaigns by parties and candidates can resume forthwith to end by midnight of Thursday, 21st February, 2019.”

INEC had postponed the presidential and National Assembly elections earlier scheduled for February 16 to February 23 over logistics challenges.

The governorship and state assembly elections have also been shifted from March 2 to March 9.

2019: INEC unveils special app to address electoral malpractice

......Beware of social media results, INEC warns

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kebbi state, has urged politicians to be wary of social media posts after voting prior to the official declaration of result by the commission.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Alhaji Ahmad Mahmud, gave the advice during an interactive session with stakeholders in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

“Fake news is now a trend and can mar our efforts to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

“We urge you to be wary of social media posted results before official declaration.

“Only INEC Returning Officers at wards, local governments and state levels have the statutory authority and power to declare the results,” he said.

He said that 1,938,171 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were received from INEC headquarters out of which 1,860,239 were distributed, leaving 77,932 PVCs unclaimed.

“We have all the sensitive materials at CBN custody, so we have no fear for the materials now.

“I collected the remaining sensitive materials that we had been awaiting for and by Wed, Feb. 20, we are going to start distributing them to remote areas and by Friday 22.

“We hope to finish the distribution in all the 21 local government areas of the state.”

According to him, the state has 225 wards, 1,345 voting points and 2,398 polling units in the 21 local government areas.

“We still maintain our arrangement as we had earlier told before the postponement that, we are going to use 520 vehicles in the transportation of ad hoc staff and election materials.

“This is part of our arrangement with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Federal Road Service Corps (FRSC) as well as security agencies on transportation.”

He assured that INEC was determined to ensure free, transparent and fair elections but urged the people to continue to pray for successful conduct of the exercise.

The REC said that special arrangements had also been made to take care of physically challenged persons to enable them exercise their franchise without hitches.

The stakeholders at the interactive session were security agencies, representatives of political parties, traditional and religious leaders as well as various NGOs and CSOs.

Polls shift: APDA backs INEC for credible election

The Kano state chapter of the Advance Peoples Democratic Alliance ( APDA ), on Monday, threw its weight behind the postponement of the 2019 general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying it will enable the Commission to conduct a more credible, free and fair elections that will be acceptable to Nigerians.

The party also called on Kano residence to support the aspiration of its gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Abacha and all its candidate in the state and National Assembly.

Speaking to Reporters at the party’s Kano headquarters, the state chairman, Alhaji Bashir Hamza Bataiya, said that, “the shifting of the election will enable INEC cover some lapses and challenges so as to conduct a more credible election.

“You can recall that barely a week to the elections, hoodlums in some states vandalized INEC facilities, burning down its offices and other infrastructure. It would have been so tedious and difficult for INEC to conduct elections in such situation.

“APDA as a party has watched with concern, reactions from individuals, stakeholders and even political parties and civil society organizations as regards to the postponement.

“As a responsible political party, we urge our teeming supporters, and indeed, Nigerians to bear with the electoral body, and troop out en-mass to perform their civic responsibility come February 23 and March 9, 2019.”

Bataiya who said the position of the party was endorsed by its gubernatorial, Alhaji Muhammad Abacha, also hailed President Muhamnadu Buhari’s administration for its giant strides in the area of economy, security, power generation, agriculture and the fight against corruption.

The, party, however, appealed to security to be up and doing in their responsibilities during the elections, while wishing Nigerians, “a historic, hitch-free, fair, credible and violence free-election.”

source: Nation

BUHARI BLOWS HOT: Any Politician or thugs involve in ballot box(es) snatching will be dealt with

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that any politician that decides to sponsor political thugs to cause trouble or to snatch ballot boxes in the rescheduled elections will be doing so at great risk.

The President read the riot act at the All Progressives Congress (APC) emergency National Caucus meeting on Monday in Abuja at the party’s national secretariat.

He stressed that security operatives had been ordered to deal with any such persons ruthlessly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC caucus meeting was called by the party’s national leadership to discuss matters arising from the postponement of the earlier scheduled Feb.16, Presidential and National Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The APC caucus is a statutory organ of the party, and it is chaired by President Buhari.

Its members include the Vice President and all the party’s former and serving governors and members of its National Working Committee (NWC), among others.

“Anybody who decides to snatch ballot boxes or be a thug, will be dealt with ruthlessly,” President Buhari said.

NAN reports that INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had early on Saturday postponed by one week the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for the day.

By the postponement, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will now come up on Feb. 23, while the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections will come up on March 9.

Yakubu said the decision to postpone the elections was taken after a meeting with INEC Commissioners, citing “logistics’’ problems as issues that prompted the postponement.

He said the decision was further necessitated after reviewing the level of the commission’s preparedness for the exercise.

He stressed that postponing the elections was a difficult decision, but was necessary for successful delivery of the elections and to consolidate on Nigeria’s democracy.

President Buhari said he got the news of the postponement of the election at 4.30 a.m on the election day. He described the action as most unfortunate as the INEC had all the time and resources required to conduct the election.

“After the elections, we have to know exactly what happened, we cannot accept incompetence.

“The Constitution and the laws protect INEC, but they cannot take us for granted. We have to go into details after the elections to find out what happened ” he said.

He advised the party’s members not to be deterred by the postponement, but to remain resolute.

He charged them to go back to their constituencies and talk to the party’s supporters to come out en masse on Saturday to vote for APC candidates at all levels.

The President maintained that the APC remains committed to ensuring a free, fair and credible elections.