By Ahmed Ubandoma

Voting commences at President Muhammadu Buhari’s Polling Unit 003 about 8:40a.m. at Kofar Baru in Sarkin Yara Ward of Daura town.
 
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the polling unit is where First Lady Aisha Buhari and other members of the first family are is expected to cast their votes.
 
Malam Nasiru Mansur, who is the second person to cast his vote at the polling unit, expressed confidence in the system.
 
He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for introducing the new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), saying it would ensure accuracy in the process.
 
NAN observed that INEC sensitive and non-sensitive materials arrive the venue on time while security personnel, anti-graft agencies including EFCC and ICPC operatives were on ground to monitor the process.
 
NAN also observed that the voter’s turnout was high.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi/Ismail Abdulaziz

By Angela Atabo

The Albino Foundation (TAF) Africa and the European Union (EU) have sustained the call for the conduct of an all inclusive election prioritising Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

Mr Jake Epelle, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, TAF, made the call at its Africa’s Election Activities and Intervention briefing in Abuja .

Epelle said that central to the expectations of the elections was the outcry for a better inclusion of Nigeria’s population of PWDs.

He said the election presented Nigerians and the community of PWDs with the opportunity to fully participate .

“INEC for the first time will deploy well over 20,000 magnifying glasses, braille ballot papers for the blind and also there are posters for our community of persons who are deaf.

“We are glad to mention that there will be priority voting and it is mandated by the Electoral Act, Section 54 (1,2) that when a person with disability is at the polling unit, he or she should be given the first right of vote.

“We are glad to say that INEC Chairman, a few days ago, publicly pronounced that wherever PWDs require some form of access and if the ballot paper is placed where they don’t have access to, it should be brought down to where they can vote.

“That is a welcome development and we applaud INEC for that,” Epelle said

He thanked TAF’s founding partner, EU for investing its biggest resources as it concerned disability and inclusiveness.

“We believe that the EU is investing when it comes to this election to ensure that it is truly inclusive,” Epelle said

He called on the community of PWDs to go out and exercise their franchise without fear of insecurity.

Epelle also called on the electorate to vote PWDs candidates across board .

The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, James Christoff, commended TAF Africa for championing the cause of PWDs, and assured  continued support to it .

Ms Samuela Isopi, Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), reiterated EU’s support for inclusivity.

Isopi promised to work together with TAF on inclusivity and give more support.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abubakar Ahmed/ Bashir Rabe  Mani

By Angela Atabo

The Transition Monitoring Group(TMG) has alerted anti-graft agencies on possibilities of vote trading in Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly Election.

Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, the Chairman, TMG said this in statement on Friday in Abuja.

Rafsanjani commended Nigerians, especially the young people that have shown great enthusiasm for participation in the election.

“TMG calls on the political class and their supporters to desist from all forms of vote trading which reached condemnable heights during the previous state-level elections.

“Citizens are also urged to shun the act which is a crime punishable under the country’s laws.TMG applauds all the political parties and their presidential candidates that signed the national peace accord.

“With the recent signing, every candidate and their parties have now committed to an ethical code of conduct and to eschew all forms of violence.

“ Therefore, we urge all candidates and their political parties to promote the national peace accord and encourage their supporters to respect the provisions of the peace accord,” he said.

Rafsanjani said that hate speeches and inflammatory statements attributed to candidates and their supporters were a source of worry.

He expressed hope that political parties and their supporters would desist from all forms of actions capable of imperilling the progress of Nigeria and preserve its young democracy before, during and after the election.

He said that TMG was working with various civil society networks across the country to mobilise voters, educate the publicand monitor voting.

He said that TMG would also reach out to critical institutions and agencies on the frontline of planning and administering the election.

Rafsanjani called on INEC to continue to demonstrate neutrality and respect for its announced processes and guidelines, saying this was important to maintain public confidence in the process.

“We further urge the INEC Chairman to ensure the highest level of integrity and professionalism throughout the commission, and ensure adequate and timely deployment of sensitive and non-sensitive materials.

“We urge INEC to follow its timeline and procedures to achieve the timely release and distribution of all essential and non-essential materials,” he said.

Rafsanjani called on INEC to remain resolute in its commitment to free and fair elections. Recently, the Commission commenced daily briefing on the elections.

He called on all political actors, especially political parties and their supporters to shun every temptation to intimidate and suppress opposition or any other group of people from exercising their rights.

He urged all security agencies to be vigilant and take action to guarantee the safety of all voters.

He called on INEC to prevail on polling officials to give special consideration to women, the elderly and Persons with Disabilities.

“We urge INEC and all the partnering security agencies to develop security plans for the high-risk areas and work with local actors to mitigate the threats to voters and every person on election duties,” he said.
Rafsanjani called on politicians to be great sportsmen in the election.

“We expect those who do not win to accept defeat and where they are aggrieved to consider using all legal means to seek redress,’’ he said. (NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Naomi Sharang

An election observer group, Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has called on security agencies deployed
for the the Saturday Presidential and National Assembly elections to be neutral during the polls.

A member of the Team of Experts for CTA, Prof. Anthony Olusanya, made the call in Abuja, at the opening of CTA’s Situation Room for the 2023 general elections.

Olusanya is also the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Osun State University.

He said that the group had deployed no fewer than 2, 000 observers across the country while also urging the security agencies to conduct themselves with utmost neutrality and professionalism.

Olusanya said: “the CTA recognises the important role that these agencies play in the maintenance of law and order, safeguarding of election officials and materials as well as the electorate.

“In the same vein, we call on political parties and their agents to conduct themselves in accordance with the election guidelines and the rules of engagement at polling units and collation centres.

“All forms of malpractices including vote buying and selling should be avoided.

“We call on the electorate to remain vigilant, law abiding and peaceful in all their conduct before, during and after the election.”

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) performance so far urging them not to rest on their oars until a free, fair and credible election is delivered to the Nigerians.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the group, Ms Faith Nwadishi said that during the course of preparing for the election, reports gathered that Delta, Imo and Rivers were flashpoints for security agencies to look out for.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nwadishi said that the group was concerned about Gwagwalada Area Council.

“These are very serious states of concern. Security is topmost in our priority,” she said.

The executive director also raised concerns on the increase in the number of unregistered vehicles with tinted glasses across the country.

“This is a big concern even for the security agencies and citizens across the country.”(NAN)
(www.nanmews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Ruth Oketunde

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has said that it would be carrying out a special monitoring of public officers’ participation in the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

Prof. Isah Mohammed, Chairman, CCB, made known while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the monitoring exercise which would begin on Saturday , is a committment of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s readiness to leave a legacy of delivering the freest, fairest and credible election in the history of the country.

He added that the bureau would be working with relevant stakeholders to ensure it get its desired results in the 36 states and the FCT.

“We shall observe whether or not a public officer in this exercise has put himself or herself in a position where his or her personal interest conflict with the duties and responsibilities assigned to him or her.

“We shall observe whether or not an officer in this exercise asks for or accept any benefit of any kind in the discharge of his or her duties.

“Observe whether or not officers in this exercise receive any inducement or bribe in the discharge of this exercise.

“And we shall observe or not a public officer in this exercise abuse his or her office or do any act prejudicial of the rights of any other person contrary to electoral principles and practices,” he said.

He added that those found wanting would be investigated and such cases would be referred to the Code of Conduct Tribunal for unward prosecution and conviction.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Ruth Oketunde

A former Governor of Adamawa, Mr Boni Haruna, says that Christians in Nigeria have nothing to fear if Alhaji Atiku Abubakar gets elected as president of the country.

Haruna gave the assurance while fielding questions from newsmen late on Thursday in Abuja.

In a statement signed by Mr Ilemona Onoja, the head, New Media Department of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Haruna was quoted as saying that Christians were instrumental to the electoral success of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

Haruna noted that Christians were at liberty to take their destinies in their hands by voting massively for Atiku in the forthcoming elections.

“Atiku had exhibited remarkable affinity and respect for all segments of religious groups in Nigeria all through his career in government and in politics.

“With Atiku as president, Christians in Nigeria have nothing to fear, neither would any set or group.”

Haruna described the presidential candidate of the PDP as a special breed Nigerian, who had integrated himself, his business and family with every part of the country.

The former governor noted that religious tolerance and respect for the secular status of the constitution would become key focus of reintegration and unifying Nigerians in a federal government with Atiku as president. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Silas Nwoha

By Angela Atabo

Amnesty International Nigeria (AIN) has called on security agencies to respect the rights of citizens and be professional in the discharge of their duties during the forthcoming elections.

Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, Chairman Board of Trustees AIN, made the appeal while commemorating the World Social Justice Day, and a farewell ceremony for the Country Director, AIN, Osai Ojigho in Abuja.

“I am calling on the security to ensure that they maintain professionalism, neutralism, courtesy, be unbiased, and ensure that they do not allow themselves to be bought by politicians,” he said.

According to him, the actions of security agents during the elections will be monitored by many organisations locally and globally.

Rafsanjani expressed concern about the activities of non-state actors threatening the conduct of the elections.

“The non state actors, particularly the IPOB who have declared that for three days they will totally lock down the South East, makes a lot of people to be afraid to go and vote.

“So clearly, there might be some absence of people coming to cast their votes.

“In other parts of the country, the way politicians are preaching violence is equally of great concern that peace loving Nigerians, especially Persons With Disabilities, may not be able to go and vote,” he observed.

Rafsanjani said there was need to nip these challenges in the bud to guarantee credible polls.

According to him, injustice remains the root cause of most problems in Nigeria.

“Injustice is a fundamental challenge that is affecting everything in the country.

“So, until we are able to deal with issues of social justice in this country, it will be difficult for Nigerians to realize their potential to compete favourably, participate in governance process,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Day of Social Justice is marked globally to highlight issues of poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights and social protection.(NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensifieds efforts to ensure massive sensitisation of FCT residents on the need to come out and exercise their franchise in a peaceful and orderly manner.

The Director, Department of Information and Communication FCT, Malam Sule Hazat, who made the disclosure in a statement by the Deputy Director of Information, FCTA, Josie Mudasiru on Thursday in Abuja.

Addresseding residents in Kugbo, Nyanyan and Gbagalape suburbs in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hazat urged the people to take advantage of the peaceful atmosphere created by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello to vote for candidates of their choice.

He advised artisans and other informal sector workers such as Okada and Keke riders in Kugbo to ensure they confirmed their Polling Units and voting locations ahead of the elections to avoid last minute rush.

He said it was only when the residents exercise their franchise in a violence-free atmosphere that they could demand for good governance and accountability from those elected.

Hazat warned those intending to sell their votes to look elsewhere as the redesigned Naira and cashless policies of government had eliminated such malpractices from taking place.

At the Federal Secretariat and UTC in the Central Business District and Area 10, respectively, the sensitization team told workers to ensure they played their part well by coming out to vote en masse for candidates of their choice.

Some workers who made inquiries regarding the elections also got prompt clarifications from the sensitization team.

The high point of the event was the dissemination of audio messages through jingles in Pidgin and English languages to enthusiastic passersby relayed through the Outside Broadcasting (OB) Van of the Department. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Deborah Coker

The presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said on Thursday that his “imminent victory’’ in the upcoming presidential election would be a deliverance for Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atiku, a former vice-president of Nigeria is one of the top contenders, in a crowded presidential race, fielding 18 candidates.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation is scheduled for another landmark general election, starting from Feb. 25, to mark another streak in a democratic experience that started in 1999.

The PDP Presidential Campaign Council in a statement signed by Chief Dele Momodu in Abuja on Thursday said that Atiku’s recent interactions with all classes of Nigerians in the course of his nationwide campaign confirmed o him that Nigerians needed deliverance.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s hustings across all parts of Nigeria confirmed further to him how grievously Nigerians are suffering and how desperately they desire and pray for deliverance.’’

The statement quoted Atiku as expressing his confidence that the steady momentum his campaign was building across Nigeria’s geo-political zones was a demonstration of how connected his manifesto was to the populace.

“The programmes and manifesto aligned and connected with the inner desires, hunger and prayers of millions of Nigerians,’’ the statement added.

The former vice-president expressed his confidence that he would come out victorious in the presidential election on Feb.25.

He declared that his “imminent victory at the polls was symbolic of the deliverance that Nigerians were seeking and praying for’’.

Atiku lashed out at the ruling APC, saying that “the policy designs of the party have left Nigerians in utter despondency.

“The people I met and spoke with — the fishermen in Ogoni, the farmer in Nasarawa, the trader in Anambra, the fabric weaver in Ogun – are all making the same lamentation.

“Above all, the communities in the internally displaced people’s facilities as well as students in cities across Nigeria are unable to see any glimmer upon which to anchor their hopes for a future.

“The images I saw, conveyed to me the impression that ordinary Nigerians have been experiencing the economic hardships caused by the policies of the ruling APC.”

Atiku said further that his confidence was bolstered by the resolve in the eyes and hearts of Nigerians to stand as one and vote for him on Feb. 25. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Silas Nwoha