NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Elections: W/African elders task INEC, security on Saturday poll

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By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The West Africa Elders Forum (WAEF) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security operatives, and other stakeholders to act in accordance with the laws of the land in the Saturday elections.

WAEF made the call in Abuja in a statement jointly signed by its leader of 2023 Election Mission to Nigeria and former President of Ghana, John Mahama; and the Convener of the Forum and former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The forum urged all stakeholders to exercise their constitutional responsibilities in a manner that would promote peace and protect the integrity of the electoral process in the governorship and state assemblies elections.

They urged INEC to address the challenges identified by various stakeholders after the Feb. 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, as a means of protecting the integrity of the process.

“This election is another opportunity for INEC to rebuild the trust and confidence of the citizens and show its commitment to credible polls for a better democratic outcome in Nigeria and our sub-region.

“There is, therefore, the need for the electoral body to take into account the complaints raised by the different stakeholders, including local and international observers, during the presidential and national assembly elections and make a commitment to resolving those challenges.

“We reiterate our earlier statement made after the Presidential and National Assembly elections that Nigeria is a major stakeholder in the sustainability of democracy in West Africa.

“The responsibility of maintaining the nation’s thriving democracy and the general peace of our sub-region rests on all our shoulders, especially on the credibility of INEC and other election management bodies in West Africa, during elections.”

WAEF urged Nigerians to be law-abiding and desist from acts that could mar Saturday’s elections and threaten the peace of the country and the sub-region.

“ The WAEF Election Mission to Nigeria, 2023, once again commends Nigerians for their calmness and maturity during the last Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“We wish to call for fair, peaceful, and transparent elections as citizens gear up to go to the polls for the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, on Saturday,” the forum appealed.

The forum praised the presidential candidates in the last elections for heeding the elders’ advice to toe the path of peace and follow legal means to address the grievances observed during the last elections.

The mission urged political parties, candidates, and their supporters to carry out their civic responsibilities within the ambit of the law and refrain from acts that could lead to violence and the breakdown of law and order during and after the polls.

The only elders called on security authorities to be alert to their responsibilities and check the unlawful activities of those seeking to disrupt the elections.

“Ahead of this second round of elections, we have observed the untoward actions of some party loyalists in some states meant to induce voter suppression by intimidating the citizens and discouraging them from exercising their civic rights.

“This same trend was noticeable three weeks ago during the presidential and national assembly elections.

“The citizens overcame these challenges and were able to cast their ballots and we are hopeful that, this time also, they will be out in their numbers to cast their ballots in defence of the nation’s democracy.”

WAEF also commended Nigerians for their peaceful disposition and faith in the nation’s democracy, in spite some of the challenges of the process.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Isaac Aregbesola

Groups urge INEC to tackle IRev challenges, improve on Feb. 25 polls

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By Angela Atabo

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to tackle and improve on noticeable challenges experienced during the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The CSOs made the call in their preliminary statement on the March 18th  elections, signed by the Convener and Co-Coveners, Ene Obi, Asma’u Joda and James Ugochukwu, ahead of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Obi, while addressing newsmen on the preliminary statement in Abuja, said the Civil Society Situation Room deployed 2,340 election observers, with at least three election observers per LGA in every state of the federation, excluding the FCT.

She added that the number included 131 Persons with Disabilities for receiving data and reports from the field, which would be analysed and disseminated through press statements and reports.

Obi said that the Situation Room’s observation and analysis of the conduct of the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections would be guided by the Credibility Threshold for the 2023 General Elections.

“Situation Room expects that INEC has taken lessons from the challenges experienced during the Presidential and National Assembly elections of Feb. 25.

“We hope that the commission has made adequate arrangements to forestall the recurrence of the gaps observed during the elections.

“Situation Room also expects that the glitches that led to the malfunctioning of the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) have been resolved.

“And also that the issues that occasioned the inability of the commission to conduct elections in some polling units and late opening of polls in others have been addressed.

“In particular, the Situation Room calls on INEC to address the shortages in the number of ad hoc staff available for the elections,” she said.

Obi also urged INEC to make adequate transportation arrangements, conduct additional training for the ad hoc staff, and promptly reconfigure and deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other materials required for the elections.

According to her, INEC should ensure that it communicated in a timely manner to the public on any challenges or changes made to the electoral process.

Obi said that the security situation across the country appeared tense, with reports of violence, kidnappings and assassinations in several states, including Lagos, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Kano.

She reminded the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies that they had a primary responsibility to guarantee the safety and security of election officials as well as other election stakeholders.

Obi urged security agencies to take adequate measures to forestall the recurrence of acts of voter suppression, disruption of voting, and outright violence experienced in some places during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“Situation Room calls on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to ensure that they are non-partisan, professional and will avoid any actions capable of being interpreted as acting in support of any political interest,” she said.

Obi also used the opportunity to call on political parties to respect and abide by the Peace Accord signed by them.

She said that Situation Room would be tracking violent incidents across the states, adding that perpetrators and masterminds would be called out for investigations and punitive measures in line with Section 92 (5-8) of the Electoral Act 2022.

Obi called on citizens to continue to show patriotism and patience by coming out to cast their votes, and by conducting themselves in a peaceful manner during the elections. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Idris Abdulrahman

Elections: CP Adeoye reassures residents, warns trouble makers in Anambra

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By Chimezie Anaso

Residents of Anambra have been asked to turn out en masse to participate in the State House of Assembly elections on Saturday without fear.

CP Aderemi Adeoye, the Commissioner of Police in charge of House of Assembly election duty in Anambra, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Friday.

Adeoye said that the Command and other sister security agencies had been fully mobilised and were ready to ensure hitch-free elections.

He said no fewer than 7,000 personnel made up of a combined team of Police, Army, and other agencies would be on duty in the build up, during and after the polls.

The police commissioner urged voters to go out peacefully and carry out their civic duties without fear, as the security agencies would be there for them.

“Fortunately, the situation at the moment is calm, environment is conducive and security is ready; all the agencies involved are set.

”The Police in particular is fully mobilised to provide security for all and sundry taking part in the elections.

“We already have Police stations and formations in all the 21 Local Government Areas of the state; with the support of other sister agencies, we are going to have a presence in all polling units with teams on standby to respond to situations.

“We are going to give the people of Anambra a secure environment and space to exercise their franchise in a peaceful and conducive atmosphere,” he said.

Adeoye said the personnel had been advised to be civil while providing security, but warned that the force would be firm and decisive in dealing with any breach.

The police commissioner said the security operation would also cover cross-border incursion.

“Those who wish to foment trouble should think twice, they should better be in their best behaviours so that they will be alive to tell the story,” he warned. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Global Terrorism Index: Centre calls for action against organised crime

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By Emmanuel Afonne

The Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW) has called for enhanced stakeholders’ actions to stem the rising terrorism and crimes following the release of the 2022 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report.

The index developed by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) using data from Terrorism Tracker and other sources indicated a beehive of terrorism activities in the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa, now seen as the epicenter of terrorism.

Mr Victor Agi, the CeFTIW Public Relations Officer, in a press statement on Friday noted that the situation in the sub-Saharan Africa needs urgent attention to forestall further escalation.

Agi said that escalation could descend to a state of statelessness in the worst affected countries.

Citing the report of the GTI, Agi said: “with 8.065 per cent score, Nigeria is now the eighth most terrorised country in the world.

He said this was as the bordering countries to Nigeria from the north, east and west have also increasingly become notorious for terrorism, with Niger ranking 10th with 7.616 per cent.

Agi noted that Cameroon and Chad took 11th (7.347 per cent) and 19th (6.168 per cent) positions respectively; and Benin 28th position (4.840 per cent).

“Only Guinea to the east is safe as per the recently released index which analysed the impact of terrorism across nations and covers 99.7 per cent of the total world’s population,” he said.

Agi, therefore, called for an intergovernmental collaboration in order to address the rising cases of terrorism which he said had assumed a transnational dimension like every other organised crime.

“This empirical insight into terrorism activities means that countries in the region must, as a matter of necessity come together and proffer practical solutions that will address the aforementioned factors that continue to fuel terrorism.

“The situation in the tri-border area of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger needs to be swiftly subdued for the security of civilians and state security actors,” Agi said.

He called on the Nigerian government to strengthen the implementation of legal framework, especially the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act which President Muhammad Buhari signed into law, in May 2022.

“For instance, Part X (Section 63-75) provide measures for investigating and prosecuting of terrorism offences; we are therefore calling for an aggressive implementation of the law.

“Although Nigeria’s 2022 ranking was considered an improvement in comparison with 2021, as it drops by two places, increasing terrorism activities in the Sahel region calls for concern.

“Islamic State of West Africa (ISWA), Boko Haram, and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) also made it to the top 10 deadliest terrorist organisations in the world in 2022, ranking six, seven and 10 respectively.

“Sahel region is accounting for more terrorism deaths in 2022 than both South Asia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) combined.

“Terrorism-related death in the region accounted for 43 per cent of the global figure, and a seven percent increase from 2021,” Agi said.

He urged regional leaders to tackle complex and systemic underlying issues of weak governance, ethnic polarisation, ecological insecurity, abuses by state security, pastoral conflict, political instability and transnational crime.

Agi also called on leaders to tackle food insecurity, the growth of transnational and geopolitical competition which were identified as causative factors to the rise of terrorism in the region. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

World Sleep Day: If you can’t sleep, find out why – Neurologist

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By Joy Odigie

Prof. Frank Imarhiagbe, a Consultant Neurologist, has advised Nigerians going through sleepless nights to seek medical care instead of resorting to sleeping pills.

Imarhiagbe, a consultant at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, gave the advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Benin.

The consultant, who spoke on the occasion of the 2023 World Sleep Day, said that taking drugs like Valium and Lexotan were not remedy for sleeplessness.

He said, “‘If you can’t sleep, something must be underlining. Going to take pills to sleep is not the answer to your problem.

“if you can’t sleep for a night or two, consult a doctor to help you find out the cause of the sleeplessness.

“Find the cause, don’t resort to Valium, Lexotan; you are postponing the evil day and compounding the problem”, he said.

The Neurologist said that there were different causes of lack of sleep, which include disturbed mind, drug abuse, medical condition, psychiatric illness, abusing sleeping pills and genetic condition.

According to him, sleep is the brain-controlled natural unconsciousness that is timed and fixed.

“Sleep is not optional, it is a basic requirement to maintain life. It is usually regulated to the night time according to the body’s biological clock.

“When the sun begins to set, some chemicals are released to the brain that tells the body that it is time to sleep; when you are at sleep the body rearranges itself for the next day”.

He advised people who do night shifts to always make up for the sleep loss by sleeping during the day, noting that sleep is essential for healthy living.

Imarhiagbe also recommended good sleep hygiene, including keeping television set and reading tables away from the bedroom.

“The bedroom should be made comfortable for sleeping; avoid too bright lights, put cell phones off the bed and have a good sleeping position”.

NAN reports that World Sleep Day is an annual event that is held the Friday before Spring Vernal Equinox (The Spring Vernal Equinox occurs on March 20th or 21st of every year) with the 2023 celebration falling on March 17.

The theme for the 2023 World Sleep Day is “Sleep is Essential for health”.

The day aims to reduce the burden of sleep disorders on society by promoting better prevention and management. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Oluwole Sogunle

NCWS tasks Nigerians on violence-free polls

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By Dorcas Jonah

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has called on Nigerians to ensure peaceful atmosphere during the governorship and Houses of Assembly Elections.

The national president of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, made the call in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

She urged women and youths to come out en masse to exercise their civic responsibility and not to be intimidated during the polls.

Lau urged youths to denounce violence during and after the elections, adding that the Presidential and National Assembly elections recorded some decree of violence in some states.

“I want Nigerians to stand united against violence and activities that will jeopardise the elections.

“I advise all Nigerians, specifically women and youths, to work together towards free and fair elections regardless of party affiliations.

“As women, we are the worst hit in times of violence; our collective goal should be a better Nigeria,’’ she said.

Lau discouraged Nigerians from engaging in vote-buying and selling or mortgaging their conscience and future for mundane things.

She advised youths against being used by selfish politicians to disrupt elections as thugs or engaging in other unpatriotic activities.

According to her no nation can move forward without active participation of women in politics.

“If we must move the country forward we must position women to contribute meaningfully to national development.

“Leadership must be inclusive, creating equal opportunities for women to function in key positions both at the federal and state levels,” she said.

This, she said represents the best practices and standards for sustainable development, gender equity and justice.

“It cannot be denied that the democracy practiced in Nigeria for many years has not met the full ideals because of its lack of inclusion of women in important decision making processes.

“For Nigerian women, democracy is seen as retrogressing with the dwindling number of women in governance in Nigeria.

“However, not voting will not only worsen the situation, but tactically widen the gender gap in politics and leadership hence women are advised to go all out and support every female candidate,” she said.

Lau said that voting women into elective positions will greatly enhance the quality of lives of women in terms of healthcare, agriculture, procurement, business; access to funds, grants and loans.

She called on the public to support INEC and urged the commission to be open to comments from Nigerians that would help in achieving its set objectives.

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Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Uche Anunne

Sustain apolitical posture in March 18 elections – COAS to commanders

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has directed formation and unit commanders to ensure that troops remain professional and apolitical during Saturday’s Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.

Yahaya gave the directive while addressing formation and unit commanders across the country on Thursday, prelude to the March 18 polls.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

The COAS commended the troops for their overall performance in the provision of security during the Presidential and National Assembly polls on Feb. 25.

He admonished them to shun all forms of inducement, enticement or cajoling that could compromise the security of the polls, adding that a secure and safe atmosphere must be provided for the citizenry to exercise their civic responsibility of choosing their leaders.

Yahaya also charged the troops to adhere strictly to the guidelines in the Code of Conduct for Operation Safe Conduct, warning that any contravention will attract dire consequences.

He urged the commanders to intensify efforts at providing security support for the elections and be ready to respond promptly to any emergency situation, while prioritising the protection of key national infrastructure.

The Army chief also reminded the commanders of the oath of allegiance they swore to defend the sovereignty of Nigeria, adding that the Nigerian army must be seen by all to stand in defence of Nigeria’s democracy.

Meanwhile, the army authority has updated its list of hotlines for monitoring and reporting of emergencies and acts capable of disrupting the coming elections.

The Nigerian army had prior to the Feb. 25 polls, released a set of contact numbers as part of measures to support the Police in establishing a conducive environment for the successful conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections.

The authority therefore urged members of the public to call the phone numbers below in their various states and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja to report any security breach during the elections:

  1. ABIA STATE    –            09029568595 & 07067880707
  2. ADAMAWA      –            08022750987
  3. AKWA IBOM STATE  – 09070077175 & 08163256562
  4. ANAMBRA STATE –     08030881453
  5. BAUCHI STATE –           08128063675
  6. BAYELSA STATE –        08107855752 & 08143247308
  7. BENUE STATE –            08080754339
  8. BORNO STATE –           09099616160 & 08086987079
  9. CROSS RIVER  –           08037084192l
  10. DELTA STATE –            09044400064 & 08158274048
  11. EDO STATE –                09066325953
  12. EKITI STATE  –            08037851448
  13. ENUGU STATE –          09032102212 & 08023097458
  14. GOMBE STATE –         07063908779 &  08082557782
  15. IMO STATE –                08069587883 & 08164120381
  16. JIGAWA STATE –         07017791414
  17. KADUNA STATE  –      07031544227; 08028580978; 08028580978;                                                    08035242633; 08035242633; 08028580978 &                                                  0803524263
  18. KANO STATE  –            08038432656
  19. KATSINA STATE –        08108854061; 0901299805 & 09012998054
  20. KEBBI STATE   –            09130213661
  21. KOGI STATE –                08033217964
  22. KWARA STATE  –           09060001270
  23. LAGOS STATE  –            07034769430 & 09127604098
  24. NASARAWA STATE –    09051009404
  25. NIGER STATE   –            07031346425
  26. OGUN STATE   –            09116589494 & 08032466245
  27. ONDO STATE  –            08036130535
  28. OSUN STATE  –            09019683922
  29. OYO STATE     –            07047703000
  30. PLATEAU STATE –      08037116395 & 07031260622
  31. RIVERS STATE –          08064274222
  32. SOKOTO STATE –       07069084570; 07052693532 &  08136913284
  33. TARABA STATE  –      08136728969 & 08060902363
  34. YOBE STATE  –            08061397656
  35. ZAMFARA STATE –   08140075541
  36. FCT – 09114913164; 08186690471; 08079153860; 08164304255 & 09159793968. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)                                                                                                                                                         Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

PS tasks committee on making MoD technologically driven

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PS tasks committee to make MoD technologically driven

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar-Kana; Director (HRM) Hassan Baba; Director (Reforms, Coord & SI) Ms Susan Ochida; Director (Press & PR) Mrs Victoria Agba-Attah at the inauguration of the ministry’s Core Performance Management Team, at Ship House Abuja.

Performance

By Deborah Coker

Abuja, March 17, 2023 (NAN) The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has inaugurated a performance management team for proper assessment of staff, so as to make the ministry more professional and technologically driven.

A statement issued in Abuja on Friday by Mrs Victoria Agba-Attah, Director Press and Public Relations, said the Core Performance Management Team was inaugurated by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Ibrahim Kana.

Kana said that the team was set up in line with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025.

He added that the target was to boost staff performance and galvanise them to transcend from analog to digital in their operations.

According to him, the team was inaugurated following a directive from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

He said it was to drive the process of implementing the Performance Management System (PMS) as enshrined in the new Public Service Rule.

According to him, the team will develop Sector Strategic Plan, job description template for each cadre, assign supervisors to officers, ensure training for supervisors and develop appropriate performance plans for the ministry.

Earlier, Mr Hassan Ibrahim, Director, Human Resources, said that the civil service was transiting from the old Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) framework to the new Performance Management System.

Ibrahim said promotion would now be based on performance, not quota system, adding that the PMS is a new method of evaluating staff based on tasks carried out.

Similarly, Mr Olusa Joseph, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, said the performance management team would ensure that all staff of the ministry were acquainted with the new performance appraisal system.

A representative of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Fumilola Salawu said the PMS will involve monthly performance review, performance improvement planning, reward and recognition.

She added that the PMS assessment method also involved coaching and mentorship, as well as team management and sanctions. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

BPSR, UNILAG sign MoU to train elected governors, others on good governance

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By Bridget Ikyado

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms and University of Lagos (UNILAG) Consult have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards building capacities for elected public office holders to entrench ethos of good governance.

The MoU was signed on Friday in Abuja on behalf of BPSR by its Director-General, Mr Dasuki Arabi, while Prof. Mohammed Usman, the Managing Director, University of Lagos Consult signed for UNILAG Consult.

“The initiative is inspired on the need to ensure that newly elected officers are properly prepared for assumption of office,” Arabi said after signing the agreement.

He said that the public officers would be taken through rigorous training in rudimentary governance procedures and practices.

Arabi said that this was necessary to equip them and understand the operations of the public service.

The director-general said that the MoU was in line with the mandate of the Bureau, especially the implementation of the National Strategy for Public Service Reforms, which includes induction training for top government officials.

“The idea is to ensure that given the background of some of the appointees who were mainly drawn from the private sector, they are acquainted with the rudimentary knowledge on public governance in respect to their roles, relationship and responsibilities.

“This informed the decision of the Bureau to quickly embrace the proposal from the UNILAG Consult to conduct a wider training that will involve the induction of elected public officers such as state governors, deputies as well as members of state assemblies.”

According to him, the induction will ensure seamless take-off on their assumption of duties, as well as assist them on the expectations of their new offices.

“Modern governance requires a lot of tasks owing to the vulnerability across the globe. It is therefore apt that elected public officers are properly up skilled on modern governance practices and challenges,” he added.

He said that already, the Bureau had written to the SGF for approval to organise Post-Election Mandatory Leadership training for the newly elected governors, deputies, lawmakers and elected local government officials.

“The proposed induction involving newly elected governors and deputies is expected to hold in the first week of May in Abuja, while that of the members of state assemblies will follow subsequently across the various geo-political zones.

“Curriculum for the training has been carefully selected to cover multi-disciplinary areas such as Procurement, Public Governance, Economic and Financial Crimes.

Others are E- Governance, Freedom of Information, Investment and Internally Generated Revenue and the Open Government Partnership,” he added.

Responding, Usman, who was also the Chairman of the Technical Committee for the event, thanked all members and urged them to put out in their best for effective public service delivery.

He said so far, four sub-committees had been formed and they were performing excellently to ensure public service delivered on their mandate.

He named the committees to include that of Finance, Technical, Logistics and Publicity.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Polls: Coalition tasks INEC on functionality of BVAS, IReV

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By Angela Atabo

National Voters Drive Coalition (NVDC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address lapses recorded in the Feb. 25 elections and guarantee functionality and effectiveness of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

The Coalition is made up of the African Primary Healthcare Foundation (APHF),Nigerian Physicians Advocacy Group (NPAG), The Compatriots ,Ready to Lead Africa (RTLA), Progressives Abia Youths (PAY) and   Shift Nigeria .

Other supporting groups include Connected Development (CODE) and Accountability Lab.

Mr Godbless Otubure, President, Ready to Lead Africa, who made the call this at a news conference in Abuja, also urged INEC to ensure results were uploaded on INEC Result Viewing portal (IReV).

“Having acknowledged the importance of technology in our electoral system, we call on INEC to fully utilise the BVAS in accreditation and transmission and ensure professional conduct of its staff in organisation of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

“INEC staff should endeavour to arrive at the polling units ahead of time for an on time start,” he said.

Otubure said that the Feb. 25 election was widely anticipated given the unprecedented number of major contenders and the promise of more transparency with the BVAS.

A member of NVDC, Ekejimba Kingsley, said the the coalition applaud the work of INEC.

Ekejimba, however,  said the group  was not  blinded to the logistical challenges such as delayed arrival of INEC staff in over 75 PUs ,lack of preparedness such that electorate had to purchase inks and markers for INEC officials.

“Failure of Presiding Officers to upload PU results to BVAS, delay in transmission of PU results to INEC Result Viewing Portal.

“We hope that there have been lessons learnt and that necessary steps are in place to avoid a repeat of logistical shortcomings,” he said.

Ekejimba  called on Nigerians to come out en mass to vote and monitor their votes to avoid result manipulation and to elect leaders that would be more accountable to the people regardless of age ,gender ,ethnicity among others .

He also appealed to security agencies saddled with the responsibility of ensuring a hitch free election to discharge their duties with diligence and honour.

Mr Hamzat Lawal ,Chief Executive ,CODE, said that the March 18 elections had given Nigerians another opportunity to decide who would lead them at the state level, urging citizens to make the most of it and make the elections a reflection of their wishes.

“We must not give up on this key assignment Go out on election day ,cast your votes and stay peacefully ,let us all be part of rebuilding our nation,” he said.

Ms Chiamaka Jonathan, Program Manager, Ready to Lead Africa (RLA), urged citizens to come en mass to excercise their civic rights adding that their votes would count.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that NVDC is a non-partisan citizen-led Coalition created to address voter apathy in Nigeria.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

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