By Angela Atabo

The Albino Foundation (TAF-Africa) on Saturday said that braille ballot guide for visually-impaired voters was not available in 75 per cent of the polling units nationwide for the March 18 elections.

Prof. Vincent Anigbogu, Board chair, TAF Africa, said the Foundation expressed worry over the inadequate deployment of assistive tools at the polling units.

Anibogu said that 87 per cent polling units had no magnifying glasses for PWDs with Albinism and 63 per cent had no large font graphic posters for the deaf.

He said that TAF Africa’s observation of the election showed prompt arrival of INEC officials and commencement of polls, however, there were shortage of election material in some areas.

He added that TAF Africa observers reported the accessibility of the polling units at 94 per cent of the polling units while priority voting was observed in 76 per cent of the units.

“Given the emerging issues, TAF Africa’s PWDs Election Hub makes the following recommendations; that INEC should investigate the reason for the inadequate deployment of assistive tools to polling units with registered PWDs which can disenfranchise them.

“INEC should ensure prompt response to the issues raised at the polling units, particularly the shortage of election materials in some polling units.

“Security agencies are reminded of their primary responsibilities to the citizens of Nigeria.

“We expect security agencies to be present at all the polls and ensure the safety of everyone with competence, professionalism and neutrality, especially the violent-prone ones.”

Anibogu said TAF Africa commended the community of PWDs for their show of strength and commitment towards the election in spite of the unfavourable conditions.

He said TAF Africa called on security agencies, INEC, other stakeholders, political parties and their ardent supporters to work together in ensuring that the election was credible and peaceful. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Angela Atabo

Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF), has urged Nigerians to maintain peaceful co-existence during and after the Governorship and State Assembly elections in the interest of the nation.

The Foundations’ Executive Director, Dr Arome Salifu said this at an aerobic session held on Saturday in Abuja.

The theme of the aerobic session was, “Mental and Physical Fitness For Development: Say No To Post Election Violence’’.

Salifu said the Foundation was using aerobics to draw the attention of Nigerians, especially the youth to shun violence and embrace peace for national development.

He said the move was necessary because AYGF believed in wellness and fitness, adding, “when people are fit they can be productive and contribute to national development.”

“So today, we are using this aerobics to pass the message of peace to Nigerians that they should not engage in violence regardless of the outcome of the election.

“If they are aggrieved, they should seek legal redress and not take laws into their hands.

“We are also telling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to provoke Nigerians by acts of sabotage.

“Nigerians tried after the presidential election by maintaining peace and we urge them to sustain it after the governorship and state assembly elections.’’

Salifu called on people who might be aggrieved by the election results to go to court, adding “we still have faith in our judiciary that Nigerians will get justice so no need to be destructive.’’

Ms Ramat Haruna, AYGF’s legal adviser, said the event was aimed at creating awareness on the ongoing elections.

“We are telling Nigerians that a physical and mentally fit person should not engage in violence because violence only begets violence and nobody wins at the end of it.

“Nigerians need to come together to make the country a more beautiful and a prosperous nation.’’

Haruna said that by coming together, citizens would make the country a better place by saying no to post election violence and saying yes to peaceful co-existence.

She said that the aerobic afforded people the opportunity to take time off their busy schedules to keep fit.

Ms Elizabeth Aduku, the Foundation’s Communications Officer, said since the organisation was a youth oriented one, it decided to engage youths to drive home its message of peace.

Aduku said that youths should also not allow themselves to be used as willing tools to perpetuate violence.

“We are actually using this as an opportunity to send a message to youths of Nigeria that no one should use them to incite violence after this election.

“Post-election will actually undermine
the democratic processes that we all are trying to build.

“So, say no to post election violence because Nigeria is ours,’’ she said (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Ese E. Eniola Williams
 

By Wandoo Sombo

Two Nigerians granted permission to vote using their Temporary Voter Cards, (TVC) have urged Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to obey the court order and allow them to vote in the March 18 governorship and parliamentary elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) recalls that
the Federal High Court, Abuja on March 9, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to allow two Nigerians, Mr Kofoworola Olusegun and Wilson Allwell to use their TVC to vote in the governorship and houses of assembly elections.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu who delivered the judgment said the order was made on the grounds that the plaintiffs had fulfilled all necessary legal requirements to register and had been captured in INEC’s central database and manual, printed paper based record or hard copy format of INEC’s maintained register of voters.

Briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Victor Opatola wondered why in spite of the judgment, INEC was adamant in not allowing his clients to vote.

“As citizens of Nigeria and the world, we believe in the power of democracy and the importance of every voice being heard through their votes.

“Inspite of fulfilling all legal requirements, including registering to vote, my clients were denied their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), and INEC has refused to comply with the court’s judgment which compels INEC to allow them vote using their Temporary Voter’s Card (TVC); in Kofoworola & Anor v. INEC suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/180/2023.

Opatola said that INEC had filed an appeal against the court’s judgment to mislead the public that the judgment was no longer applicable.

“We have only just received their notice of appeal and application for stay of execution of the judgment and we have five days (starting from today) within which to reply to them and be heard in court.

“It is the law that stay of execution and filing of notice of appeal does not invalidate the existing judgement of Federal High Court in this matter.

“We will respond within time and they would have their day in court to move their motion for stay.”

He, however, held that INEC was mandated by law to comply with the subsisting judgment of court until the appellate court decided otherwise.

“It is also trite law, that the judgment of court is valid until set aside and takes effect immediately upon pronouncement by the court, and that as soon as the court makes the order, that order takes immediate effect.

“It is pure travesty of justice that INEC, the very institution charged with the responsibility of ensuring free and fair elections, has deliberately chosen to disenfranchise millions of Nigerians by refusing to issue them their permanent voter’s card.

“This is even after they have fulfilled all legal requirements and have been issued temporary voter’s cards.

“It is unacceptable that INEC, an institution that is meant to serve the people, has become an obstacle to democracy in Nigeria.

“This is not just a violation of the law, it is a violation of the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens to participate in the democratic process of freely electing their leaders.”

The plaintiffs expressed concerns that even though the right to vote was a fundamental pillar of democracy, this was was being violated.

“Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions:
(a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives;
(b) To vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections.

“Yet, in Nigeria, we are seeing a gross violation of this right, as INEC continues to willfully disobey a court judgment and disenfranchise millions of eligible voters.

They called on the international community to condemn INEC’s actions and to stand with the people of Nigeria in demanding that it complied with the subsisting court judgment until if it was upturned as it had appealed it should.

They also called on all Nigerians who had been disenfranchised by INEC to unite in a call on INEC to obey court judgments.

“This is not just about an election; this is about the future of our democracy, we cannot allow INEC to undermine the very foundations of our society.

” We must stand together, united in our commitment to democracy, and demand that INEC respect the rule of law and the rights of Nigerian citizens.”

He said should the electoral umpire fail to obey the subsisting judgment when an appeal had not been heard, it would amount to contempt of court.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

Alhaji Nasiru Gawuna, the Deputy Governor of Kano State and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the peaceful conduct of the election so far.

Gawuna, who voted at Hali Qur’anic School, Gawuna polling unit at 9:50 a.m on Saturday lauded all stakeholders for a peaceful process so far.

The candidate also prayed for peace, harmony and stability before, during and after election.

The governorship candidate also expressed satisfaction at the turnout of voters at the polling unit.

“The turnout is impressive as you can see that many people are already here to cast their votes,” he said.

He expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious at the polls.
He also commended INEC for correcting some of the issues raised and hitches during the presidential election.

Gawuna was accompanied by his wife, Hajiya Hafsat Gawuna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there is an impressive security presence at the distribution centres provided by a combined team of policemen and NSCDC personnel.(NAN)

NAN also reports that voting commenced in many polling units in some parts of the metropolis at about 8: 30a.m with large turn out of women.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Florence Onuegbu

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Saturday said there was no violence in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

Sanwo-Olu, who is seeking reelection, said this shortly after casting vote at Eiyekole Polling Unit, Ward RA 15, in Lagos Island Local Government Area.

Sanwo-Olu, who arrived at the polling unit with his wife, Mrs Ibijoke, at 10.13 a.m., did his accreditation and cast his vote at 10.18 a.m.

Speaking with newsmen after the exercise, he said the election process should be violence free, urging all to maintain peace

The governor commended INEC officials for being punctual and the voters for the large and impressive turnout, as well as conducting themselves peacefully during the elections.

He also called on more people to come out and cast their votes, without any fear of intimidation.

The governor urged all to continue to preach and to advocate for everyone to have the right to be able to express themselves freely, fairly and transparently.

According to him, election is a time for all to see and to understand that the process is not meant to be a process of violence.

”Election that leads to a democratic process is the best form of a validation of what true democracy should be about. So I want to reiterate again, this contest is about peace, is about progress, is about prosperity for our state, and our country at large.

”I am indeed happy driving here this morning that everywhere in the city looks calm. But there are a few disturbing videos that we have also seen where some parties are doing one or two things, which is not verifiable, so I’m not going to talk about it.

”Truly, really, it is just to say that I’m excited and I’m happy to be here and I want to ask that all of our voters, all of our citizens should remain vigilant. If you see anything, say something.

”Let’s come out and exercise our rights freely, devoid of any form of acrimony or any form of protest or any form of intimidation. That is not acceptable as a government,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by the Chioma Ugboma

By Sunday John

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Saturday lauded INEC over the early commencement of Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

The governor, in company of his wife, Farida Sule, said this after he cast his vote at Motor Park 002 Gudi Polling Unit of Akwanga Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

Sule voted at exactly 10:00 a.m. after accreditation by the electoral officials.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after voting, the governor commended INEC officials for the early commencement of voting.

He also lauded the electorate for the peaceful conduct so far and urged them to cast their votes without fear of intimidation.

Sule also promised to accept the outcome of the election at the end of the exercise, as someone who believed in democracy and the will of the people.

He explained that the All Progressives Congress (APC) accepted the result of the Presidential candidate in the state even when they lost election.

“We will abide by any result that comes out because the choice is for the people to make and not us,” he added.

Security agencies including Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were present at the polling units to ensure security and check vote buying.(NAN). (www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Idris Abdulrahman

By Stephen Adeleye

A civil society organisation, Connected Development, has urged the electorate across the country to come out en mass and cast their ballots, saying the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) had enhanced its capacity.

The Chief Executive of the organisation, Amb. Hamzat Lawal, gave the advice, while speaking with newsmen after monitoring the sorting and distribution of election materials on Friday in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi.

Lawal noted that he had earlier engaged the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Kogi, Dr Gabriel Longpet, who gave assurance that everything had been put in place for a hitch free House of Assembly election in the state.

”Engaging the REC and the PRO at the INEC head office in Lokoja, and coming to Okene LGA witnessing the sorting of both sensitive and non sensitive materials, I am really happy that INEC has done above board in preparing ahead of Saturday’s election.

”I am also happy to note that INEC REC said they had conducted a refresher training for its Polling units and Presiding officers.

”The INEC Technician has also given us assurance that they are on ground to fix any issue that may arise from the BVAS.

”I have also witnessed that the BVAS have been charged in preparation for tomorrow’s election.

”What this means is that the capacity of the INEC officers have been enhanced for effective performance,” Lawal said.

According to him, this shows that INEC is rebuilding back the trust and trying to redeem that faith she lost in the previous elections.

Lawal, an International Election Observer, urged the general public to rise to the occasion in supporting the process.

”Without actively engaging, it means that we are relegating our democracy for a few that will decide our future.

”Now, the ball is in our hands to come out in millions using our PVCs to cast our ballots.

”We should give INEC the benefit of doubt; from what I have seen on the ground, I am pleased and glad that INEC does not only acknowledged the gaps, they are also filling those gaps and responding adequately”.

The INEC Electoral Officer in Okene LGA, Mr Sani Idris Wase, said they were very ready to conduct free, fair credible election saying everything had been put in place.

On her part, the INEC LG Technician, Ms Obadaife Akande, said all the BVAS had been certified okay and ready for use, saying any arising issue during the election would be addressed in real time.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Amb. Lawal had earlier on Friday, donated food items to Muslim community at Idoji Jumu’at Central Mosque, Okene.

The philanthropist said that the donation of food items was part of the humanitarian gesture of his organisation to alleviate the suffering of the poor in the society.

Amb. Lawal enjoined the people to embrace peace, saying without peace there could be no development and prosperity.

”My message to my people today is to take your Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) talk to your neighbour, come out and cast your ballot and remain peaceful,” he said (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola